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

6 Pro Tips for Successfully Growing Tasty Tomatoes

6 Pro Tips for Successfully Growing Tasty Tomatoes

Tomatoes are the essence of summer here in North Carolina. Their gorgeous red, orange, purple, and yellow skins, filled with juicy, flavorful centers, leave us craving those fresh tomato sandwiches and homemade sauces all year long. And those gorgeous fruits, while not in short supply here at Garden Valley Farmers Market, can be grown on your own. With a little guidance, we can help you grow the juiciest tomatoes that are full of rich tasting flavor and have your vines overflowing all summer/fall long.

But before we begin, let’s go over the basics. Tomatoes need three things to grow: LOTS of sun, consistent watering, and proper soil nutrition. Without one of these three things, unfortunately, your tomatoes will not yield the best results and might leave you disappointed this summer. So let’s focus on getting these steps right… and you’ll be golden.

Without further ado, here are Garden Valley’s 6 professional tips for growing delicious, tasty tomatoes:

1. Planting from Seedling (that you purchased at Garden Valley, of course)

WHEN? For zone 7b, which is central North Carolina, it is recommended that you plant your seedlings in late April or early May (a few weeks after your last frost).

HOW? Plant your tomatoes deep into the soil, up to the first leaf. This encourages new root growth from the stems. And the more root growth for your tomato plant means a strong and healthier stem that easily allows nutrients to pass through.

2. Pruning

Pruning is an essential step in growing healthy tomato plants. Tomato plants produce “suckers”, which is just a cute word for branches that grow between the main step and the branch. If allowed to grow, they can produce fruit, BUT they also make it more likely for your plant to develop a disease. Suckers will eventually overcrowd your plant if left to grow, which inhibits the sunlight exposure as well as air flow. 

It’s also important to prune any dead branches that may have been damaged via a storm or etc. This will allow the other healthy stems to get all of the nutrients, instead of the dead branch.

Image via Gardening Know How

3. Watering

When first transplanting your tomato plants, lightly water the top layer of soil and be careful not to drown them. We also recommend adding a layer of mulch around the plants to help act as a moisture regulator. 

WHEN? When watering, time of day truly does matter. Water your plants as early in the day as possible to prevent an increase of disease chance to your plant.

HOW? To properly water, slowly water around the stem of the plant, allowing sufficient time for the soil to soak it up. Do not drench your leaves, because unfortunately, wet leaves encourage disease. Watering around your stem, not directly on it, will also encourage outward root growth.

Your tomato plants will probably need a daily water check as well. If they look a little droopy/wilted, it’s probably time to water them.

4. Light

Full sun. Period. 

5. Feeding

Tomatoes need lots of help with nutrients, and your backyard soil probably doesn’t cut it. Tomatoes LOVE nitrogen, which helps them grow healthy, tall, and FULL of fruit. So adding a good compost mix to your soil before planting will help your plants out tremendously. We also recommend fertilizing with a tomato specific fertilizer throughout the growing period to give them an added boost of nutrients. 

FARMER’S TIP
Add a raw fish and crushed egg shells at the base of your tomato when planting. Your tomatoes will thank you.

6. Support

Tomatoes need lots of support due to the heavy fruits that they produce. These fruits will cause the branches to fall and lay on the ground, which will cause rot to your tomato. They are also susceptible to wind damage, so using tomato cages are the perfect way to protect your plants from themselves and natural surrounding elements. 

Image via HGTV

5 Potential Pesky Pests and Problems

1. Tomato Horn Worm- those green giant worms that love to eat your ENTIRE plant. You can just pluck these off and chuck them far, far, far away.  

2. Aphids- Can be controlled with ladybugs (which love to feast on aphids) or a homemade organic insecticidal soap (1 T castile soap : 1 qt. water)

3. Slugs- sprinkle diatomaceous earth around your plant to prevent them from entering

4. Blossom End Rot- black spots on fruit, which basically means your plant needs more calcium. Just add a good tomato fertilizer and that should help.]

5. Cracked Fruit- caused by inconsistent watering. Will usually heal over time.

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From Garden Valley:

We wish you nothing but the best growing season, and that your tomato plants produce fruit “coming out of your ears”. If you need ideas on how to use your tomatoes, you can, of course, try this delicious Tomato Tart. OR you could try out this mouth watering Sicilian Pasta Sauce made by our own Susan Laparra. OR you could just make a good ole’ fashioned Southern Tomato Sandwich.

Whichever way you choose to use your tomatoes, we want to see them. Don’t forget to tag us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok! We can’t wait to see! @gardenvalleyfarmersmarket

Mum's The Word; All About Mums and How To Care For Them

With the new season of Fall finally here, cooler temperatures are approaching. And whether you love cooler temps or not, one thing that is sure to brighten all of our spirits is the beautifully colorful plant that we like to call the chrysanthemum, or in short, t h e g a r d e n m u m.

All About Mums

Did you know? The mum is both an annual and perennial.

That’s right! Depending on your climate and how you care for it, Mums can make an awesome come back the following Fall season. And with proper care, they can withstand the cold temperatures that the winter brings and deliver beautiful color each and every Fall season. It’s usually best to wait until Spring to allow for better root establishment, however, you can plant them in the fall as well. If planting in the Fall, make sure you give them plenty of protection to survive their first winter in the ground. This means resisting the urge to prune them and leaving the dried buds and leaves on the plant after it’s blooming season. Provide them with plenty of mulch to protect their sensitive roots from the cold.

What to look for

When choosing your mums, keep in mind WHEN you’re needing it in full bloom. If you have a last minute Fall party with guests attending, consider buying a Mum that is fully bloomed. BUT, if you’re looking for a Mum that will last for a longer period of time, choose a Mum with more unopened buds than not. This ensures that you will be able to enjoy the colorful blooms for a longer period of time.

Should you repot?

YES! We have many pottery options still available at all of our locations. Repotting your mum can be one of the best things you can do to set your mum up for success this Fall season. This prevents root rot, and allows more room for the roots to grow. More root growth means a healthier Mum with longer lasting blooms.

How to Care for Your Mum

Light

Mums can do okay in partial shade, but if you want your beautiful Mum to thrive, you need to give them full sun. If in the shade, this may cause your Mum to become “leggy” because it’s literally trying to reach for the sun. This also causes less flowering.

Soil

Mums prefer well-draining soil with compost or organic matter mixed in with it. Why add this to your soil? Because it creates a good environment that is essential to all plant’s health and growth.
Side Note: We have LOTS of Daddy Pete’s organic soil if you’re in need of any.

Water

Usually mums like to be watered every other day if in the full sun, but if the soil seems dry, go ahead and give it a nice soaking. Water until drainage seeps from under your pot. If in the ground, only water when the first inch of soil is dry.

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WE WANT TO KNOW…

what is your favorite bloom color of Mums? Let us know in the comments below. You can also share your beautiful pictures with us by tagging us on Facebook or Instagram. We can’t wait to see!

#gardenvalleyfarmersmarket @gardenvalleyfarmersmarket

Much love,
Your Garden Valley Market Team
…and Tappy

How To Care For Pansies

If you’re needing a show-stopping flower that will give your dull looking landscape some color, then you need some gorgeous Pansies. Not only are they easy to care for, but they will brighten up your landscaping view and leave you with beautiful, colorful blooms lasting for Autumn, Winter, and even into Spring!

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Did you know…

that pansies are edible? That’s right! You can eat them in salads (or whatever you desire). To add some beautiful color and a slightly minty flavor to your next recipe, chop them up and make it unique and full of taste.

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HOW TO CARE FOR PANSIES

Pansies are beautiful heart-shaped flowers that can add color to your garden beds, ground cover, or beautiful pots. Follow these easy instructions below to keep them thriving all season long:

Where

Plant in full or partial sun and your pansies will thrive.

When and How

Pansies do not like heat, so plant when the temperatures start to cool down. If local to North Carolina, we recommend planting your pansies in the Fall so that you can enjoy them all Autumn, Winter, and Spring! (If planting in beds, place them 7-12 inches apart to allow for room to spread)

Soil

Plant in moist, well draining soil.

Watering

Water only a few times a week because too much can drown them and cause root rot.

Pruning

Remove any dead blooms and cut them back regularly before they become “leggy”. This helps to keep them healthy and full of vibrant blooms.

WE WANT TO KNOW…

have you ever grown pansies? If not, will you get some this year? We have plenty to choose from at all of our locations. Let us know in the comments below. You can also share your Pansy pride with us by tagging us on Facebook or Instagram. We can’t wait to see!

#gardenvalleyfarmersmarket @gardenvalleyfarmersmarket

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. If you’re wanting to earn rewards and be easily connected with us, download our new App. 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