Spring is in the air, and it's the perfect time to start planning your garden. Starting plants from seeds can be a fulfilling and cost-effective way to cultivate your garden. At Louie's Ace Home Center, we’re here to guide you through each step, from selecting seeds to nurturing your seedlings into flourishing plants.
The first step in your seed starting adventure is selecting the right seeds. Different seeds have unique germination requirements based on temperature. For instance, heat-loving plants like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants need warmer soil temperatures to sprout effectively. On the flip side, cool-season crops such as spinach, lettuce, and cabbage have lower temperature requirements. It's essential to follow the instructions on the seed packet to ensure the best start for your seeds.
Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting, choosing the right seeds is crucial. Consider starting with easy-to-grow varieties like basil, zinnias, or sunflowers, which are more forgiving and perfect for beginners. As you gain confidence, you can explore more diverse and challenging varieties.
Once your seeds are selected, it's time to consider where they will grow. You can start seeds in various containers – from DIY recycled yogurt cups to specialized seed trays. The key is ensuring they have adequate drainage and are deep enough for root development.
When it comes to potting mix, opt for a sterile, seed-starting mix. This helps prevent disease and provides the ideal texture and moisture retention for your seeds. Avoid using soil from your garden or reusing potting soil from houseplants, as these may contain pathogens harmful to seedlings.
Planting seeds is more than just burying them in soil. The depth at which you sow your seeds is critical – a general rule is to plant them four times as deep as their diameter. For seeds that need light to germinate, use a thin layer of vermiculite to cover them. This ensures they get the light they need while keeping the soil moist.
Spacing is another crucial aspect. If using trays without individual cells, ensure seeds are sown 1-2 inches apart to provide adequate growing space. Remember to label your seeds accurately to track their progress and provide the necessary care as they grow.
Adequate lighting is vital for healthy seedling growth. If you're growing indoors, consider using fluorescent or LED grow lights, and adjust them to be just a few inches above the tops of the seedlings. Rotate the pots regularly to ensure even light exposure.
Watering is equally important. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, using a mister or small watering can. Overwatering can lead to issues like root rot, so it's essential to find the right balance.
Ready to start your seedling adventure? Visit us at Louie's Ace Home Center for all your seed starting needs. We have a wide selection of seeds, potting mixes, containers, and grow lights to help you get started. Our friendly staff is always here to offer advice and support as you embark on your gardening journey.
Spring is finally here which means we’re about to experience warm weather and a lot of sunlight. This is the time when flowers and plants are coming into full bloom and life is starting anew. However, it does take a bit of work to get your garden going again after a long, cold winter and it’s not too late to plant a beautiful garden you can enjoy. All you need are your gardening products, a good area to plant, and some tender loving care.
Make this spring and summer beautiful with an array of different plants and greenery that are easy to care for when you get help from Louie’s ACE Hardware store! Take a look below at some of the gardening supplies you’ll need to keep your lawn and garden in tip-top shape.
Having quality gardening supplies will make caring for your yard much easier and more effective. If you have the right materials you will be able to go much further in your hobby. Some of the basic tools and products you might need include a spade, rake, garden knife, pruners, and shovel. These are just a few of the basic essentials you’ll need but you might consider purchasing other gardening products to make life even easier. Some of the additional tools or gardening products you may want to include in your collection are:
Padded kneelers are used to provide protection for your knees when working on the ground. There are a few options regarding these products such as a kneeler that turns into a little bench you can sit at or memory foam mats.
The 3-way meter will become your saving grace when it comes to diagnosing problems within your garden. This invention tells you exactly everything you need to know about your plants and allows you to quickly fix anything that might be bad for your garden. You’ll get feedback on PH levels, light intensity, and soil moisture.
A garden drip kit is crucial for the busy or forgetful homeowner who doesn’t always stay current with the watering schedule. If you don’t feel like going out every day to water your plants or don’t always have the time, having a drip kit is for you.
Sometimes it is easier not to get down and dirty, which is where this invention comes in handy. With a chemical-free weeder, all you have to do is spike the ground where the weed is and pull it out. Not only is this better for you and the environment, but it’s super simple and quick.
Do you struggle to carry all of your garden supplies while working in the yard? You’re not alone, which is why there’s the tool belt. Easily tote around your gardening tools with a tool belt you can simply clip around your waist.
Some of the most important gardening products you’ll need are fertilizer, soil, and weed control. Having the proper gardening tools to prepare the earth for new life is important, but so is the environment in which they live. Fertilizer is used to provide nourishment and nutrients to your plants while gardening soil is used to ensure your plants have a fresh bed to lay in. And weed control will prevent encroaching and unwanted plants from taking over the garden area.
Now that you know what type of gardening products you’ll need, here are a few tips to get you on your way. To start, you’ll want to stop by the ACE hardware store to pick up all of the tools and materials you need. Then, plan the layout of your garden along with the plants you want to include. Here’s how you can start your garden this spring:
First, find the perfect location to set up your garden. Decide if you want a regular yard garden or if you want a raised bed garden. This is important because there are different soils for each type. Also, make sure that the site you decide on gets plenty of sun and water. Just like us, plants need these things to survive and grow beautifully.
You’ll also want to make sure you understand what plants will work for the climate you are living in. Better to not waste your time and energy on a plant that won’t grow where you live. The USDA provides a plant hardiness zone map that will help you determine which plants are most likely to grow and thrive in your area.
Now that you have your gardening tools, have chosen the plants you want to feature in your garden, and have a layout of what the area is going to look like, you’re ready to build the garden bed. You’ll need proper soil and some mulch to complete this. Many consider using raised garden beds because they offer a wide variety of benefits that lowered beds do not.
Plant your seeds or seedlings very carefully as they can be quite delicate. After your seeds have been planted, you’re ready to start caring for your new garden. Be sure to keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Plants love water, but even too much of a good thing can have poor results.
Use your gardening tools and products to maintain your garden throughout the spring and summer! Gardening requires a lot of work and a lot of love, so be sure to tend to your garden as needed!
We hope these gardening tips were helpful for you! If you’re in need of any gardening products, be sure to check out Louie's ACE Hardware store for more tools and supplies. We also offer ACE hardware rentals for your lawn care needs such as batchers, aerators, high-weed mowers, and weed whackers. Give us a call today for some of our expert spring gardening tips or to learn more about the gardening products we offer!
While it’s too cold to actually start gardening in winter, this is the perfect time to start planning for your spring garden. And of course you could simply buy seeds, soil, and other gardening tools right before you decide it’s time to plant. However, planning for your spring garden in the winter will help you create the best garden you’ve ever had. You’ll be better prepared, better equipped, and more confident in your gardening abilities. So, check out some of these helpful tips for planning your spring garden in the middle of winter.
To get the most beautiful garden, you should start preparing yourself and your yard during the winter months. Start by assessing the weather you’ve had this past winter. Was it colder than normal? Did it snow more than it typically does in your area? Is it more mild than usual? All of these things may affect the longevity of your plants life and should be dealt with before you start gardening. If it’s especially cold this winter, you’ll need to take extra precautions to protect your plants from freezing temperatures.
Also be sure to assess the area you intend to plant your garden. Look for any damage to your yard that may need to be fixed before you start digging your gardening tools into the ground.
Gathering all of your materials, such as seed catalogs and gardening tools, will help get you excited about your future garden. Since it’s still too cold out to begin planting right away, having the tools you need before hand are a good way to start the process. Also keep in mind that seed catalogs provide a great advantage to gardeners. Using seed catalogs to find the plants you’ll use in your garden will usually ensure that you’re getting high-quality seeds. And don’t forget to stop by Louie’s ACE Home Center for all of your gardening tools! We have a great selection to choose from and our friendly staff is always happy to help our customers find the right tools for their projects.
Consider Using Cold FramesCold frames are very popular in areas, such as Reno, that experience severe cold weather. They’re transparent-roofed enclosures that are built low to the ground and help protect plants from excessive cold or wet weather. The transparent roof allows sunlight to enter while also effectively trapping in heat. The roofs can be taken on and off and are perfect for controlling temperatures and climate that your plant will have to endure. Essentially cold frames help the gardener extend their growing season.
A seed germination test will help you determine if the seeds you’re using for your garden will produce thriving, beautiful flowers and plants or not. To do this, start by taking a few seeds from the package and planting them in small pots. Next, place those pots in conditions that will most likely make your seeds germinate. Lastly, watch them as they grow to determine whether or not they grow healthy sprouts.
After all of the prep-work you’ve completed, you’re finally ready to start planning your garden and picking out your plants! This is easily the most fun part of the preparation process and will help to bring your garden to life - literally. Be sure to check the grow zone of the area you live in. This will help you determine which plants will do better in the type of living condition they’ll be in. This tool will help your garden thrive, and prevents you from having to buy more seeds and other gardening materials later on.
At Louie’s Home Center, we have a wide variety of gardening tools available. From soil and fertilizer, to shovels and rakes, we have just about everything you need to get the garden of your dreams. Our knowledgeable staff is always willing to guide you in the right direction when you come into visit. Connect with us today!
