10 Tips for a Successful Garden
Gardening season is upon us! Starting to plan for your home garden this year? Check out our top tips for success below!
P.S. – we’re offering Certified Organic seedlings for pre-order this spring! Start your garden strong with our high-quality plants – available for pick up at our farm pick up this May at our three Strawberry Festivals!
1. Don’t rush warm-season crops
Tomatoes, peppers, and basil hate cold soil. Wait until nighttime temps are consistently above ~50°F (usually mid–late May in our region) before planting outdoors.
2. Sun = success (especially for fruiting crops)
Tomatoes and peppers need at least 8 hours of full sun to produce well. Less sun = fewer fruits.
3. Feed your soil, not just your plants
Healthy soil grows healthy plants. Mix in compost before planting and consider adding an organic fertilizer at transplant time—especially for heavy feeders like tomatoes and broccoli.
4. Water deeply, not frequently
Aim for deep watering 2–3 times per week instead of daily light watering. This helps roots grow deeper and makes plants more resilient in summer heat.
5. Mulch is your best friend
Add straw or leaf mulch around plants after the soil warms up. It keeps moisture in, suppresses weeds, and protects soil life.
6. Give tomatoes room (and support!)
Space tomato plants generously (2–3 feet apart) and stake or trellis them early. Crowding = disease risk, especially in humid Mid-Atlantic summers.
7. Harvest herbs often for more growth
Basil especially loves to be cut! Pinch the top regularly to encourage bushy growth and delay flowering.
8. Keep brassicas cool and protected
Broccoli and kale prefer spring and fall weather. Use row cover to protect from cabbage worms and flea beetles—this makes a huge difference.
9. Lettuce needs shade as summer approaches
As temps rise, plant lettuce where it gets some afternoon shade or use shade cloth to prevent bolting (going bitter).
10. Containers need extra care
If you’re growing tomatoes or herbs in pots:
Use high-quality potting mix (not garden soil)
Water more frequently (pots dry out fast)
Feed regularly—nutrients wash out quickly
Plant Pre-Order Information
🍅 Seedlings available: herbs, edible flowers, tomatoes, peppers, greens, cucumbers, summer squash, eggplant, and watermelon!
🚜 Pick up on the farm during one of our in-person plant sales:
Sat 5/9 (CSA Member only pick up) from 9a - 1p
Sat 5/16 from 10am - 3pm
Sat 5/23 from 10am - 3pm
*For the healthiest transplants we recommend pick up on the earlier date (5/16)
Note: this year, all plant pre-orders must be picked up on the farm, as we are unable to offer home delivery.
🍓 Strawberry Festival: this year our in-person plant sales will coincide with our annual strawberry festivals! If you plan to stay for the festival fun (pick-your-own strawberries, farm tours, food trucks, games, and more) please reserve your free tickets using the links below.
🔔 Pre-Order Deadline: April 30 at 11:59 PM
While we reserve additional plants for in-person sales, availability is limited. Pre-order now to secure everything you need for your 2026 garden!