10 Flowers That Can Withstand The Heat

If you have hot summers like we do, here in Burlington, North Carolina, you understand that not all flowers will measure up to our hot summers. Some flowers just won't hold up to the hot sun, and are too delicate for the heat, like Foxglove, Stock, or Sweet Pea. BUT fear not, because there are still some BEAUTIFUL flowers that THRIVE in the heat all spring and summer long… even in August. Here are some great suggestions for your flower garden that you can plant all summer long:

Marigolds
Marigolds are a very hardy flower that LOOOOOVE the sun. They are beautiful and full of color and make a great addition to any garden, but can also be used as a cut flower for some mixed arrangements. Did you know that Marigolds can also be used to add some "tang" to your salads. That’s right, they’re edible and delicious.

Hibiscus
Hibiscus is one of our favorites here at Garden Valley. If you’re in need of a show-stopping plant with huge blooms that doesn’t whither away in the heat, Hibiscus is definitely THE ONE. They’re beautiful and will leave a lasting impression to you and your friends and family all summer long!

Sunflowers
Sunflowers are so easy to grow! And when you think of sunflowers, don't you think they just embody summer? These beauties need LOTS of sun, and some can even grow over 16 feet tall!!! Sunflowers also attract bees and birds and were even used by Native Americans to cure skin ailments.

Zinnias
Zinnias are one of the easiest flowers to grow and develop. They are also great because they are deer-resistant and may even help to keep other flowers safe because of it. Zinnias are, of course, beautiful in your garden or pots, but would also look beautiful in bouquets or arrangements for your home.

Geranium
Geraniums are colorful, easy to grow, and very fragrant. They are a great summer flower and one of our most popular at Garden Valley Market. Did you know that Geraniums are toxic to those pesky Japanese Beetles? And they can also survive inside during the winter if they have enough light.

Salvia
Known for it's healing properties, Salvia loves, loves, LOVES the hot and dry weather. They also attract the beautiful Hummingbird as well as Butterflies. Did you know it's a relative to Sage?

Petunias
Petunias are one of the most popular flowers, and for good reason. They come in a wide variety of colors and are a GREAT way to add some color to your garden or container. And they bloom all season long, so you can enjoy them both in spring and summer.

Verbena
Verbena is a charming flowering plant that blooms from spring to fall. With very little maintenance, this plant will add a beautiful addition to your landscape, flower boxes, pottery, and even a hanging basket. They LOVE the heat, and with a little bit of care, can transform your home from boring to charming in just a few easy steps.
You can read about how to take care of them here.

Lantana
Lantana is just a bright and beautiful flower that's tolerant of both drought AND humidity, which makes it so special. Also, butterflies LOVE Lantana. If you want to add more butterflies to your home, you need Lantana. It's also deer and rabbit resistant, allowing your blooms to actually stick around for longer than a day. Anybody else feel us on that?

Begonia
Begonias are an elegant choice, full of colorful blooms and character to make your home or office sparkle for many hot months. Thriving in part sun, these beautiful flowers would be the perfect welcome to any entrance, and the perfect peaceful addition to any back patio.

So if you live in a hot climate, like we do here at Garden Valley Farmers Market, you understand that not just ANY flower can be grown here. Choosing flowers that are hardy and can withstand the hot temperatures will not only save you some money in the long run, but will also save you some frustration, and keep you enjoying the flowers all season long, even into our hot August. Stop by one of our locations in North Carolina, and pick up some heat resistant flowers to add to your flower garden. We'd love to see you!
What are some heat loving flowers that you love to plant?

Warm wishes,
Your GVFM Team

Our Top 8 Indoor Plants And How To Care For Them

If you’re looking for easy ways to add some beauty in your home that will not only make it more beautiful, but also reduce stress and filter your air, then we HIGHLY recommend you come to Garden Valley Farmers Market and pick out some of the many indoor plants that we carry. Not only do they provide a warm, personal touch to your home’s decor, but they also remove toxins in the air and release fresh oxygen for you to breathe and enjoy.

Here are our top eight indoor houseplants that we recommend you add to your home
and how to care for them:

Bird Of Paradise
Light. Direct sun through a window or door
Soil. Well draining potting soil
Water. Water when surface of soil starts to look dry

Rubber Plant
Light. Bright, indirect light (can accomplish this by shielding the plant with a sheer curtain)
Soil. Well-draining and well-aerated soil
Water. In growing season (summer), keep the plant moist (Droopy leaves means that it needs more water)
You can also learn more about them here.

Succulents
Light. Succulents LOVE sunlight and need AT LEAST half a day of sunlight, depending on the variety you choose
Soil. Repot in a succulent soil
Water. Water heavily, but not often, making sure the soil is dry between waterings

Hoya Tricolor
Light. Bright, indirect light. Hoya also loves humidity, so it’s the perfect plant for a bathroom that has natural light
Soil. Well-draining soil with a perlite or pumice mix
Water. Less is better. Hoya hates overwatering, so make sure the soil dries out between waterings

Split Leaf Philadendron (Monstera Deliciosa)
Light. Bright, indirect light
Soil. Peat based potting mix
Water. Water regularly, allowing soil to dry slightly between waterings. You can also mist the leaves to create humidity, which mimics its natural habitat)

ZZ Plant
Light. These like indirect, moderate light, but can also survive in low light conditions (perfect for offices)
Soil. Not picky
Water. Only water when the soil has dried out (yellow leaves means too much water)

Pothos
Light. Do well in either bright/indirect light, as well as low light
Soil. Any potting mix is fine
Watering. Allow soil to dry out before watering again

Snake Plant
Light. Grows faster in bright light, but also does well in low light conditions
Soil. Well-draining cactus soil will do fine
Watering. Prevent overwatering by allowing soil to dry out

CAUTION: Even though these plants can be so beautiful, they can also be harmful and toxic to your pets and children. Please remember to research and take this into consideration when choosing your indoor plants.

And as a general rule of thumb, if you are going to repot your plants, remember to choose pots that have drainage holes in them (or drill your own) in order to prevent root rot. It’s also important to choose a pot that’s only 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the nursery pot. This will allow room for growth but will not engulf the plant.

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 inpsiration, 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

How To Care For Verbena And Keep It Thriving

If you’re looking for an easy, annual flowering plant that’s not fussy, drought tolerant, and attracts butterflies, Verbena is a great choice for you! With a variety of vibrant colors and soft leaves, these flowers are the perfect addition to any of your baskets, window boxes, or gardens.

HOW TO CARE FOR VERBENA

The best thing about Verbena is that that aren’t picky. In fact, the most common cause of their downfall is too much attention, aka over-watering and over-feeding them. Follow these tips, and you’ll be just fine!

Where to Grow.
Plant in the sunniest place possible. These beauties LOVE the sun (need at least 8 hours of direct sunlight), and are able to withstand the heat. Be sure to plant them in a sunny place that will help them bloom and thrive.

When and How to Plant.
The best time to plant your verbena would be in the spring, however, you can plant in the summer if special attention is paid to them while they are still establishing.
Remember to plant at least 6 inches apart to increase the air circulation. Water at least two times per week while the plant is still establishing itself into the soil.

Soil.
Verbena needs well-draining soil. That’s what makes them PERFECT for a rock garden, but obviously you can plant anywhere. If you’re planting in a garden or mixed container, be sure to plant in a mound formation in order to encourage adequate circulation.

Watering.
The best way to water your verbena is to inspect it every day. If the leaves look limp, then that’s a sign that it’s time to water. They only require about an inch of water a week, but during scorching hot weather, they might need a little bit of extra water.

Deadhead.
This is a very important step if you’re wanting your verbena to continue blooming. It won’t produce anymore blooms if it doesn’t have anywhere to grow. To accomplish this, just clip the top part of your flowers that hold the blooms.

Where to Purchase.
So where can you even get these gorgeous plants? We still have quite a good selection available for purchase at each of our locations at Garden Valley Farmers Market. We are local to the following locations in North Carolina: Greensboro, Haw River, Graham, Elon, and Burlington. So stop by today, and see just how beautiful these gorgeous plants really are.

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 inpsiration, 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

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Here’s a few photos sourced from Pinterest to give you all the Verbena inspiration that you’ll need!

How To Naturally Prevent Weeds

Weed prevention is one of the tasks of gardening that not only is time consuming, but is probably the most annoying. And sure, we could use chemical filled herbicides, but we don’t recommend it and here’s why: herbicides not only wash away and pollute our water, but they also kill important pollinators. Check this post out on why pollinators are important and how you can attract them to your garden.

So what can we do instead?
We’ve put together

5 Ways To Naturally Prevent Weeds

from growing in your yard and garden all year long.

1. Smothering.
So you’ve planted a garden, but you still have weeds growing? No problem! Just cut the weeds low to the ground, and then place either newspaper or cardboard over them. Cover with some mulch, and you shouldn’t have much of a problem with weeds. If you see a few stubborn sprouts shooting up, just repeat the process again. Not only is the method cost effective, but it’s also highly efficient and safe for the environment.

2. Cook Them.
Did you know that you can pour boiling hot water onto weeds and it literally cooks them. The next time you boil some tea, use the leftover water to pour on the pesky weeds.

3. Plant Close Together.
The more space you have between your plants, the more the sun will expose the ground. And the more the sun exposes the ground, the more opportunity for weeds to germinate. To avoid this, we recommend planting some flowers closer together, and digging a deeper hole to allow for root growth.

4. Vinegar.
What can’t vinegar do?! This process should NOT be used near precious flowers and vegetable plants. But it is great for sidewalks, driveways, and anywhere else that doesn’t have your gorgeous plants near them (maybe the ones you got from Garden Valley Farmers Market?). And sure, there are certain recipes that you can look up on Pinterest, but we recommend using undiluted white vinegar. Just add to a squirt bottle of your choice, and spray away!

5. Hand Weeding.
This method is not the most fun, but it is HIGHLY effective. The ideal conditions for hand weeding (if there are any) are with damp soil, maybe after a fresh summer shower? The key to this process is this: do it often. Just like cleaning a house, the more frequently you do it, the easier it is.

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Here are some tried and true tools that we recommend adding to your garden tool collection to make weeding your garden and yard much easier:

• Garden Knife- great for digging in tough areas

• Kneeling Pad- for protecting your knees while digging

• Garden Hoe- cuts weed roots deep under the surface

• Garden Cultivator- breaks up the top layer of dirt

What are some ways that you’ve found to be super helpful in preventing weeds?
Comment below and let us know!

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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. 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 inpsiration, 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