B L O G
How and When to Repot Your Houseplant
How many times have you looked at your houseplant and said, “You need something”, but aren’t sure what that something is? Odds are, you might need to repot your beautiful plant. Read all about how and why you need to repot your houseplant with this detailed post.
Items Needed
Pot with drainage hole that is 1 to 2 inches bigger (no bigger than 2)
Good quality indoor potting mix
Water
How to Repot Your Houseplant
1. Water your plant the day before, that way your soil and roots are easier to remove from the pot. It also helps reduce “shock” to your plant during transplant day
2. Gently pull out your plant from pot. Depending on it’s size, you may need to tilt the pot upside down, being careful not to drop it. You might need a friend for this depending on how big your pot is. If your plant is extremely root bound, you can take a knife and glide it around the inside of the pot to loosen the roots.
3. Once your plant is outside of its original pot, gently work your fingers along the roots of the plant. This is also where you would inspect your plant and cut off any brown or black roots caused by overwatering.
4. Fill the bottom of the pot with an inch of your indoor potting mix. Gently place your plant into the pot and fill the perimeter with soil.
5. Gently press your hand down on the soil once it has reached the top. This makes sure that all areas have been covered with soil and that there are no air pockets hiding.
6. Water lightly so that the soil is wet but not drenched.
*If your plant seems to be going through a period of “shock”, it’s perfectly normal. Give it about a week, and you’ll see that it will be thriving once again and more vibrant than before.
When To Repot
+You have plant babies. Over time, plant babies can tend to grow along with the mother plant. Which is GREAT! It means that your plant is thriving. But if your mother plant is competing for nutrients with the baby plants, it can stress the overall plant out.
+You have roots growing out the bottom of your pot. Congratulations, because this means it has been thriving, and just needs more room to grow, and a fresh repotting can do tremendous amounts of good for your plant.
+It just seems “blah”. No matter what you do, (i.e. watering correctly, correct sunlight, or even talking to it) it just seems to be a little down. It might need some fresh soil to provide it with more nutrients. It can’t survive on just that original batch of soil alone.
+You have to water more frequently. If your soil seems to be drying up quicker than before, it might be time to repot and give that plant some love. With better soil composition comes better water absorption, which means a much happier plant in return.
+Root rot. If your plant’s roots are turning black or brown, it’s definitely time to repot your plant. Along with repotting, cut off the damaged portion of your plant’s roots, and this will help save the entire plant from suffering the damage. Also, maybe lighten up on the watering once your plant has it’s new “home”.
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
Immunity And Energy Boosting Elderberry Smoothie
Elderberry is an easy addition that we can all add to our daily wellness routine, and one that has recently exploded in popularity in the last few years. But it’s actually been around for quite some time. We’re putting together a few facts about Elderberry syrup and how you can make this easy and delicious elderberry smoothie that boosts your energy and immune systems.
Elderberry is an easy addition that we can all add to our daily wellness routine, and one that has recently exploded in popularity in the last few years. But it’s actually been around for quite some time. We’re putting together a few facts about Elderberry syrup and how you can make this easy and delicious elderberry smoothie that boosts your energy and immune systems.
DID YOU KNOW?
Native Americans would use elderberry for infections, ancient Egyptians used it for healing burns, and it was used in folk medicine to treat influenza, headaches, and even used as a laxative.
IMPORTANT
Elderberry syrup is a sweet and delicious way to boost your immunity, but the berries can only be eaten when cooked. They are poisonous when consumed raw, so please, be wary of that if growing your own.
WHY IT’S HEALTHY
It’s full of antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber, all of which are very beneficial to our bodies in so many good ways. You can read more about why in this article:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323288.php#nutrition
This smoothie recipe not only has immune boosting properties due to the elderberry syrup, but is also has energy boosting vitamins and some protein. So you get a little bit of everything with this recipe, and, it’s delicious. We also used this specific elderberry syrup, which is locally made here in North Carolina, and a product that we try to keep in stock for you year round.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR SMOOTHIE
Gather all of your ingredients, put them in the blender, and blend for approximately 60 seconds. It’s even easier than our apple pie recipe. What your left with is this creamy, sweet, and refreshing smoothie that’s sure to be enjoyed by you and your smoothie drinking buddy.
So cheers to your health and drink up!
If you’re wanting to order your own Elderberry syrup, click here and let us know.
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 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
Immunity and energy boosting elderberry smoothie
servings: 2 people
Total time: 5 minutes
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups milk (can substitute with your favorite non-dairy option)
2 dollops greek yogurt
2 teaspoons elderberry syrup
Handful of spinach
1/4 cup strawberries
1/4 cup blueberries
1 banana (can substitute an avocado)
1 tablespoon chia seeds
INSTRUCTIONS
+Place all items in your blender
+Blend until smooth, approximately 60-90 seconds depending on your blender
s i d e n o t e s
+ If your fruit is not frozen or cold, you can always add a few ice cubes to get a colder temperature.
+Can also substitute an avocado for the banana if you aren’t wanting your smoothie to be as sweet.
How To Keep Your Fraser Fir Fresh All Season Long
Native to the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, the Fraser Fir tree is considered one of the most commonly bought Christmas trees to grace family’s homes all season long. And it’s a tree that most of us want to enjoy all season long, and maybe a bit after Christmas has ended? So let’s go through how we can keep our trees fresh all season long, shall we?
Native to the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, the Fraser Fir tree is considered one of the most commonly bought Christmas trees to grace family’s homes all season long. And it’s a tree that most of us want to enjoy all season long, and maybe a bit after Christmas has ended? So let’s go through how we can keep our trees fresh all season long, shall we?
Did You Know?
Did you know that North Carolina produces the majority of Fraser Fir trees, and that each tree takes about seven to ten years to grow to be 6 or 7 feet tall? But these beauties, if given enough time, can grow to be 50 feet tall (is anyone’s living room that tall?). Named after the Scottish Botanist John Fraser, these beautiful dark green trees give off an amazing scent that embodies Christmas and often is the reason many of us haven’t switched to artificial trees. And in 2005, the Fraser Fir became the official Christmas Tree of North Carolina.
When Choosing Your Tree
When choosing your beautiful tree, remember to feel the needles and make sure that they are not already dry. Doing so can save you a huge heartache and give you peace of mind in knowing that it’s a fresh tree that will last you all season long if you care for it properly.
It’s also very important, when choosing your tree from our lot, that your tree gets a “refresh”. We at Garden Valley, always provide a fresh cut at the trunk before we install it to your stand. This opens up any “clogged cells” in the tree and provides an open channel for it to receive water.
Keep It Watered
When you get your beautiful tree home, fill the stand with plain tap water and keep it filled throughout the season. Not only does this keep your tree fresh all season long, but it will also help to prevent any unfortunate fires that may occur… because bonfires are meant for OUTDOORS.
We welcome you to stop by one of our five locations and pick out a fresh Fraser Fir Christmas tree. Our trees are coming from the northwest region of North Carolina, and buying with us directly supports those farmers who have had it tough these past few years. We also have wreaths and garland to “deck” out your house even more!
We’d love to be a part of your Christmas experience this season. And while you’re here, don’t forget to enjoy some hot apple cider, and maybe you’ll even see a rare siting of our good ole shop dog, Tappy.
Have a Merry Christmas season, and we hope to see you soon!
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 follow along with us, you can do so either on our Facebook 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
Our Favorite Fall Front Porch and Landscape Designs
We’re so excited that the Fall weather is here and that the gorgeous Fall flowers are here with it! Ornamental cabbages, Mums, and Pansies are at their beautiful peak season. And with the help of Pinterest, we’ve decided to put together a post to give you some flower inspiration for your garden and landscaping this Fall season.
We’re so excited that the Fall weather is here and that the gorgeous Fall flowers are here with it! Ornamental cabbages, Mums, and Pansies are at their beautiful peak season. And with the help of Pinterest, we’ve decided to put together a post to give you some flower inspiration for your garden and landscaping this Fall season.
Landscaping Inspiration
Mums aren’t just for pots, and are actually a great way to add color and depth to your landscaping. Head over to this blog post to read more about them. We recommend bordering your fences, driveways, or house with these beauties to instantly add some Fall curb appeal.
Ornamental cabbages are versatile and have a TON of landscaping design options, as seen below. These can be combined with a huge variety of plants, and you can even place a few pumpkins in there to add some fun Fall touches.
Pansies are another wonderful option that provides you with vibrant colors and never ending blooms. They’re also super easy to maintain and only need a trimming every now and again. How gorgeous are these landscaping jobs viewed below?!
And of course, you don’t have to stop at just one option. You can easily combine all three of these options to make your house the prettiest landscaped home in the entire neighborhood. Here’s a few examples that are sure to provide you with the ultimate yard envy:
Front Porch Inspiration
Front porches are also a great way to add curb appeal and provide you with warmth and gratitude for these wonderful plants. Whether filling your window boxes or lining your steps with potted mums, ornamental cabbages, and pansies, any of these options would be a great way to fill your home with Fall.
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 follow along with us, you can do so either on our Facebook or our Instagram. And if you’re wanting to check out our other blog posts or 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 Market Team
and Tappy
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Garden Valley Farmers Market where we strive to
Plant Better.
Eat Better.
Live Better.
To read more about what our company is about, click the photo below. We’re glad you’re here.
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