3 Ways to Protect Your Plants from Frost

The beautiful season of spring is finally here for us in central North Carolina, but unfortunately, we do have an occasional frost that could cause devastation to our vegetable plants and delicate flowers. But don’t worry, Garden Valley has got you covered with 3 ways you can protect your plants from a cold frost:

A little information first- A frost would be considered to happen between 28 and 32 degrees F. And as a general rule, most plants (tomatoes, annual flowers, watermelon, etc) will need to be covered unless they are cold tolerant, especially if they are starting to bloom.

3 ways to protect plants from frost

1. Cover with a breathable fabric.

Covering your plants with a breathable cloth like material will allow moisture to escape and not suffocate your plant like a plastic material would. You could use blankets, bed sheets, and even pillow cases for those small plants.

HOW? Just place a tall stake or stick throughout the area and cover. This will help keep the plant in tact and allows for room between the material and the plant. After all, we don’t want to crush our plants in the process, do we?

2. Cover with mulch/straw/leaves

Covering the soil around your plants with a mulch-like substance will help to regulate the swinging temperatures of the soil and keep prevent “shocking” your root system from the bitter cold. At least 3” of mulch, straw, or leaves should suffice.

3. Cover seedlings/small plants with a glass or cloche

Covering your smaller plants with a glass like material will help to keep the heat in but also allow for the sun to shine through.

HOW? Just cover your plant right before the sun goes down, and then uncover them when the temperature finally raises above freezing.

FROM GARDEN VALLEY:

Hopefully these tips will help you and your plants make it through the next few weeks before the temperatures stay above freezing. And we hope that they also help keep you planting better, eating better, and living better.

We would love to see how you keep your plants safe during the frost! Don’t forget to tag us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok! We can’t wait to see! @gardenvalleyfarmersmarket

5 Reasons to Support Local

Whether you're wanting to add some color to the pots on your front porch steps, or wanting to plant those juicy tomatoes in your garden, there are many places you could buy these plants. But where is the best place to go? Sure, you could turn to your mass merchant store, but maybe this time, think more locally. If you have a local garden center, like Garden Valley Farmers Market, often times they offer a very wide variety of amazing plants/produce. So, without further ado, here are five reasons why we think you should support your local garden center:

1. Knowledge

Local garden centers, like Garden Valley Farmers Market, have a passion for all things gardening. Whether that's with the choices/varieties of colorful petunias that are hand picked by our owners, the fresh zucchini we just got in stock from our local farmers, or the tropical Hibiscus that's just perfect for North Carolina summer heat, knowing and learning what each plant’s needs are is very important to places like ours. Local garden centers tend to stay up to date on local weather and the specific climate zone they are located, which helps give you the accurate information that sets you up for a successful year. We can help you in deciding which flowers, shrubs, and vegetables to plant that will not only bloom, but thrive here in central North Carolina.

2. Quality

Quality is most important to us, and here’s why:

You get what you pay for. Local garden centers like Garden Valley invest in quality products, materials and supplies, which can sometimes be a bit more expensive for you, the consumer. But the phrase, "you get what you pay for", could not hold truer for us. There is much time and investment given to the plants and produce, including regular fertilizing of the plants and a constant pruning/dead-heading of the flowers in order to keep the plants healthy and at their prime.

Unique Selection. Local garden centers can also provide unique materials that would not normally be found at a mass merchant store. These items are hand picked by our owners in hopes that you will enjoy them just as much as they do.

Hint: It’s Not Consignment. Did you know that most local garden centers actually own the materials on the lot. It's bought and paid for, not purchased on consignment where it can be sent back if it doesn’t sell like in a lot of other bigger retail companies.

We want you, our neighbors, to succeed. Remembering that your success equals our success, is what makes the quality of the plants much higher at a local garden center. And it’s what makes our relationship with our community that much more important.

3. Customer Service

Shopping at local garden centers, like Garden Valley Market, can also mean that more personal attention is paid to the customer. Personal relationships are made and "regulars" become part of our gardening family. Locals can often provide the best tips and tricks as well, allowing us to learn more and share with our local customers. And we, at Garden Valley, LOVE the relationship and trust that is built between you and us.

4. Local Economy

Supporting local also means supporting your local economy. It's choosing to allow your funds to stay in your local community. And when you're purchasing your plants and produce from your local farmers market, you're purchasing and supporting your local farmers and growers in North Carolina too. We can't think of a better way to support your neighbors, friends and family.

5. Unique Community

One of the best parts of supporting local is something that you, the customer and consumer, can really enjoy. You get to keep a one-of-a-kind business, well, in business. And in return, you can experience the unique character that it brings to your local community. This can also increase your community’s tourist attraction, which means more money for your local economy. And, it's just plain FUN to go and get lost in the plants, get to know your gardeners, and enjoy the unique community that it brings to your life, and those around you.

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Thank you so much for joining us here. For more information on what Garden Valley Farmers Market is about, you can visit us here. We also offer free online produce ordering and pickup for NC locals! If you’re wanting to visit with us, come by any of our five North Carolina locations. If you’re wanting to follow along with us, you can do so either on our Facebook, Youtube, or our Instagram. And if you’re wanting to check out our other recipes and blog posts, or are needing more inspiration, follow us on our Pinterest.
We’d love to have you join us in our journey of
planting better,
eating better, and
living better.

Love, Garden Valley Farmers Market

Gardening for a Beginner; All About Containers and Grow Bags

This beautiful weather has us thinking ALL THINGS SPRING, and we’re so excited to get our hands dirty again. But for those of us who have absolutely no clue where to even begin with gardening, remember that we at Garden Valley have got your back. Whether you live in an apartment, are on a budget, or want to go full out this year in your yard, we’re covering 4 types of gardens, how you can start them, and how to keep your flowers and vegetables happy all season long. 

T Y P E S O F G A R D E N S

+ Containers/Pots.  
Containers are a great option if you live in an apartment, or are just wanting convenient and easy access to what you are growing. Here is a blog that features some great vegetables that grow well in pots. We recommend either using a terra cotta pot or coming by one of our stores and selecting some gorgeous ceramic pots. Our pottery would not only liven the decor of your patio or porch, but will also serve a purpose by growing your delicious vegetables, herbs, or flowers. 

+ Grow Bags.  
Bags? Who KNEW!? But with a little frugality, anything can be done, right? Grow Bags are one of the cheaper options if you don’t have a ton of room or land to garden, but also don’t have it in your budget to buy pots. They are also great if you just want to repurpose your bags. Have chickens? Reuse those feed bags! Here are some you can also buy online in case you do not have access to any bags.

+Raised Beds.    
Raised beds are becoming very popular lately, and there’s a reason why: once built, they help protect your back, provide good drainage for your plants (if done right), allows for better weed control, can build anywhere in your yard, AND you can take them with you if you ever have to move houses. 

+In Ground.      
Ground gardening is a great option if you simply don’t have the funds to buy a bunch of pine/cedar boards (or the soil to fill it), but have a good amount of land to start digging. All it takes is some good, hard, and rewarding manual labor, and you’ve got yourself a beautiful, traditional garden. 

From this point on, this post is going to focus on how to grow container/pot and grow-bag gardens. If you’re wanting to learn about how to grow a raised-bed or in-ground garden, that will be available next week!

T Y P E S O F C O N T A I N E R S

Ceramic/Concrete- is the most beautiful (in our opinion). Provides great insulation for your plant, which helps to control moisture and temperature for your soil.

Terracotta - has better aeration through the soil.

Metal- traps heat in your soil so be prepared to water very often because of this. (Makes great containers for tropical plants that can withstand heat)

Plastic- is cheaper, lighter in weight, and less watering because of the non-porous material. 

Grow Bags- lightweight, great aeration for soil and roots of plant, prevents overwatering and heat build up in soil. All of these things equal up to healthy soil. Also easily storable by folding up for the winter. Because of the amazing aeration in these containers, the plants do not feel suffocated and will not “die off” as easily as they would in other containers.

W H E R E T O G R O W

One of the strengths of growing your vegetables and flowers in a container/bag is that you can move it ANYWHERE you want. Whether inside or outside, place your plant wherever it’s light needs will be met. With vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, or squash/zucchini you will need a space FULL sun, which is 6 or more hours of sunlight. But if you have a patio that has less sunlight exposure than 6 hours, maybe try growing broccoli, carrots, or cabbage.

W A T E R I N G

Drainage. With all container gardens, you want to make sure you have proper drainage for your plant. Otherwise, your plant may “drown” and cause root rot, leaving you with a VERY unhappy plant that provides no flower, fruit, or vegetable for your eyes or stomach to enjoy. 

You can improve drainage in your containers by adding a layer of gravel to the bottom of your pot/container. If you don’t have access to gravel, you can use crushed up water bottles. 

Containers

When watering your containers, continue watering until it seeps through the bottom of the pot/bag. Depending on your plant’s needs, you may need to either keep the soil moist by watering twice a day, or keep the soil more dry. Make sure to check your plant’s needs before throwing away the information tag! 

Grow bags

When watering grow bags, since they are so porous, it might be best to put a container underneath them to fill with water, that way the roots are able to “suck up”’ the water, instead of the reverse where it drains out of the pot and is gone forever.

S O I L

The type of soil you use in your container might not seem like a big deal, but trust us, it is. Pick out a good quality potting soil that’s made for containers, as a garden soil is much too heavy for a pot. Why? Because potting soil is usually already mixed with sand, verlite, vermiculite, peat moss, and pebbles to allow for better water drainage. Whereas, a garden soil is pure topsoil and much too dense for the drainage of water. 

S U P P O R T

Surprise, surprise, surprise, your plant is growing! YAY! But don’t sabotage it by not providing it with enough support. Plants that climb and grow up like tomatoes need support to hold them up. This helps not only keep the fruits from touching the ground, but allows for better sunlight and aeration to reach through the plant. 

You can support your plant by building a “teepee” with some cane sticks and just tie the main branches to the cane as it grows. 

F E R T I L I Z E

In order to keep your vegetables/flowers happy in your containers, they are going to need some more help than if they were planted in the ground. Be sure to fertilize with an organic fertilizer about twice a month in order to keep your plants happy and healthy all season long. 

G E T T I N G S T A R T E D

Before starting, decide what you want to plant. For example, if you’re wanting to plant vegetables/fruit, ask yourself what you enjoy eating. What foods are sometimes expensive in the grocery store but you think would grow well in your container? Try those out and see how amazing gardening for yourself can actually be! Also, a good rule of thumb for the size of your container- the larger the plant, the larger the container needed. So make sure the container will be WIDE enough for the plant and DEEP enough for the roots of the mature plant.

WHEN STARTING WITH SEEDS

This process takes more time to see the “fruits” of your labour, but you are able to have more of a variety in which plant you actually want, because your local garden center may not have access to those starters. But always be sure to check with your garden center, aka Garden Valley for those of you local to the Triad of North Carolina. You can also check out this post we released last year on why we think shopping and supporting local is important.

When starting with seeds, vegetables will generally need to be propagated into seedlings before they are placed into your pot. You can reuse some old plastic containers that you’ve used for food like yogurt containers, egg shells, citrus peels, . Plastic is preferable in the instance because it retains moisture much better than a clay pot. Whatever container you do use, make sure it is clean and that you poke holes into the bottom to allow for drainage. 

WHEN STARTING WITH STARTERS

With starters, the process is shortened and there is a better likelihood that your plant will survive. And we have plenty of starters vegetables and flowers to choose from at Garden Valley!

HOW TO GET IT STARTED

1. Add a layer of gravel to the bottom of your pot. 
2. Fill pot with quality potting mix until you’ve reached level where the bottom of plant’s roots will land and water until soil is moist.
3. Place plant/s in soil and surround the plant with the rest of your potting mix.
4. Top with a layer of compost and water until it drains through the bottom of the pot.

We can’t wait to see what you will do this year! Don’t forget to tag us on our social
media so we can see how amazing your gardens look!

Thank you so much for joining us here. For more information on what Garden Valley Farmers Market is about, you can visit us here. If you’re wanting to visit with us, come by any of our five North Carolina locations. If you’re wanting to follow along with us, you can do so either on our Facebook, Youtube, or our Instagram. And if you’re wanting to check out our other recipes and blog posts, or are needing more inspiration, follow us on our Pinterest. We’d love to have you join us in our journey of planting better, eating better, and living better.
Much love,
Your Garden Valley Farmers Market Team