Skip to main content

Outdoor Living Trends 2024

By Gardening Blog No Comments

Our slogan at Himmel’s is Get Outside – and we live in a great place for it! As the weather warms and schedules become crammed with sports activities, concerts, picnics and other school and social events, it’s natural to long for some quiet space to relax and unwind. That space could be in your own backyard!

Check out the latest outdoor living trends for 2024 and gather inspiration for creating the tranquil backyard oasis of your dreams.

Go Big with Hardscaping

Outstanding outdoor gathering spaces are designed for comfort, convenience, and entertainment. Start with a patio large enough to accommodate seating for family and friends. Patio trends this year include large format pavers in monochromatic colors, porcelain pavers, permeable pavers, and bluestone. Do you enjoy cooking outdoors? Consider a grill nook with a few built-in stone planters for handy access to fresh herbs and veggies, or go bold with a complete outdoor kitchen and bar area beneath a custom pergola.

Carefully designed seating areas bring the comfort of indoor living to the outdoors, whether it’s a book and coffee nook for two, an outdoor bar for a few, or a bench and firepit combo for your whole crew! Trends in outdoor seating include bold sitting boulders that double as accents, and cozy Adirondack chairs with pillows situated close to the firepit for long nights hanging out with family, friends, and neighbors.

Fire features are trending more than ever, and are available in a wide range of sizes and finishes to suit your unique style. Oversized firepits and fire tables are very popular for those who love entertaining larger groups. Want to try something different?

Consider a cauldron style firepit that doubles as a grill.

The soothing sound of splashing water adds a touch of Zen-like tranquility to your outdoor space. Trends in water features include small scale fountains, bubblers, reflecting pools, and tiny ponds that incorporate interesting materials.

Don’t forget lighting! Color-changing LED lights controlled with an app on your smartphone are the latest in landscape lighting, and can transform your yard with fun and festive seasonal color!

Formal Gardens with Classically Inspired Architectural Elements

Carefully manicured landscapes in cool shades of green and white can bring a sense of peace and elegance to your surroundings, separating your space from the hectic outside world. Crisp hedges create privacy, while a few well-placed topiaries or carefully pruned trees add a three-dimensional quality that draws the eye. Stone paths and thoughtfully selected statuary add architectural interest. Columns, pillars, and urns in marble tones are timeless elements! The whole effect is enhanced by a few touches of whimsy – either with pops of perennial color in shades of purple and pink, a small water feature, or an ornate mirror or sundial as a focal point. Even the smallest spaces can benefit from the classic elements of a formal garden.

Native Plants to Attract Pollinators

The native trend is no longer a trend… It’s here to stay! Native plants benefit the environment by creating food and habitat for beautiful birds, precious pollinators, and local wildlife. The many varieties of native trees, shrubs, grasses and perennials create 4-season interest, featuring outstanding flowers and fragrance, evergreen interest, edible berries, gorgeous fall color, and more! Even a small patio planter full of flowering native perennials can benefit bees and butterflies. Enhance your outdoor space with a few native selections and draw nature into your oasis!

Make it Happen

Wherever your daydreams take you… let the friendly experts at Himmel’s Landscape and Garden Center help you transform your yard into a uniquely beautiful habitat.

Contact landscaping@himmelsgardencenter.com or call 410-255-7730 to schedule a free consultation.

Bulk Garden Materials Pasadena, MD

Bulk Material – Mulch, Soil, Compost, Stone, Sand

By Himmel's Blog No Comments
Whether you’re prepping raised bed vegetable gardens, building a DIY patio, or applying fresh mulch to your garden beds, at some point you will need to decide about bulk material – what to buy, how much the project requires, and where to purchase the material.
Himmel’s can help!

Know what you are paying for!

Himmel’s sells bulk items by volume. This is because we do not have a mechanism for weighing material to sell by the ton. Our machines are equipped with ½ yard and 1-yard buckets. A yard is a volume measurement.

  • Note that 1 yard is approximately equivalent to 1.5 tons
  • A half yard is approximately equivalent to ¾ tons

If you are comparing pricing for bulk material, make sure to ask if the material is sold by the yard or by the ton. Once you have your price list, you can do some simple math to break all the pricing down to ½ ton increments and make a fair comparison.

Price per ton vs. price per yard – The Math!

Divide the price per ton by 2 to arrive at the ½ ton price, then multiply by 3 to arrive at the price per yard [because remember… one yard = ~1.5 tons].

Or – divide the price per yard by 3 to arrive at the price per ½ ton.

This quick equation will allow you to compare ½ ton pricing among different vendors.

For example:

$50 per ton / 2 = $25 per half ton. $25 per half ton x 3 = $75 per yard

$75 per yard / 3 = $25 per half ton

Quality, convenience, and price are important factors to consider when purchasing bulk material.

Make sure to compare delivery fees too!

But How Much Do I Need?

The amount of material depends on the type of project. For construction projects, safety regulations and building codes require a specific amount of aggregate or material for a base layer. The depth depends on whether the project is for pedestrian or vehicular application. For mulch beds,  2-3” is generally sufficient, although some gardeners prefer up to 4” of mulch. The amount of soil, compost, or fill dirt is related to the volume required for the area. A cubic yard measurement will most accurately meet your volume needs.

 We offer 3 options to help you determine the amount of material required for your project!

  1. Check out our materials calculator at himmelsgardencenter.com
  2. Call 410-255-7730 and ask for help! Our friendly and courteous staff will help you determine which product is best, and how much you will need.
  3. Calculate your volume needs using the steps listed below to arrive at cubic yards:
    • First determine square footage. Measure L x W for square footage. If your beds are oddly shaped, you can divide them into quadrants, or make a general sq. ft determination and round up to the nearest whole number.
    • Determine how deep you want the mulch/soil/stone to be.
    • Divide the square footage by the appropriate number to arrive at cubic yards:
      • 4″ deep – divide by 81
      • 3″ deep – divide by 108
      • 2″ deep – divide by 162
      • 1″ deep – divide by 324

For example, if you have 4 raised bed gardens, each one is 12’x4’, and you want to top-dress with 4” of compost:

12’x4’ garden bed = 48 sq. ft.

48 sq. ft. x 4 garden beds = 192 total sq. ft.

192 sq. ft. / 81 = 2.37 cubic yards.

Round up to the nearest whole number. You will need 2.5 yards of compost to top-dress your beds!

Next Steps

It’s the perfect time of year to start planning your next project! We would love to be a part of it.

Call Himmel’s or visit us online and let us help you determine your material and quantity needs. And if you decide you just don’t feel like doing it yourself, contact  us for a free consultation, and let our friendly and detail-oriented landscaping and hardscaping crews do it for you!

Phone:(410) 255-7730
Landscaping@himmelsgardencenter.com

Materials Calculator

Bulk Product Description

Topsoil –  locally produced, double screened topsoil suitable for a variety of landscape applications including backfilling, planting grass seed, and garden beds. $40 per yard. Delivery and pickup available.

Leafgro – also called leaf compost; made up of shredded leaves and grass clippings that are completely decomposed. Leafgro is locally produced. Excellent for overseeding or installing sod. Also used to amend soil for planting. Can be mixed with topsoil. Customers sometimes order half and half; this is usually a mix of half leafgro/half topsoil. $40 per yard. Delivery and pickup available.

Mushroom Compost – this is a blend of organic matter most suitable for vegetable and herb gardening. Can be mixed with topsoil. 1 part mushroom compost to 2 parts topsoil = 6.5 pH; perfect for gardening. $40 per yard. Delivery and pickup available.

Fill Dirt – Screened fill dirt for backfilling and for construction projects. Not recommended for gardening. $32 per yard. Delivery and pickup available.

Mulch – all Himmel’s high quality mulches are shredded hardwood. The dyed mulch is dyed with vegetable dye and is non-toxic. Prices range $35 – $58 per yard. Delivery and pickup available.

Concrete Sand – Useful for many construction, hardscape, and landscape applications. Concrete sand is the final layer before pavers are installed. Cannot be used as playground sand because it gets very dusty when dry and sometimes there are large, sharp particles. $90 per yard. Delivery and pickup available.

Crusher Run – Also called CR-6, crusher run stone is a mix of coarse and fine aggregate used in construction and hardscape applications. CR-6 is the base layer for patios and retaining walls and should be tamped down to builder specifications for safe use. Himmel’s carries blue gray CR-6 for $90 per yard. Delivery and pickup available.

57# Stone – This stone is about 3/4″ in size. 57# stone is multipurpose and used in construction, hardscape, landscape, and drainage applications. Himmel’s carries 57# stone in two colors: marble chip [white] for $95 per yard, and blue gray for $95 per yard. Delivery and pickup available.

Chesapeake Blend River Rock – River rock, also called river jack and Delaware rounds, is a multi-colored stone with a smooth surface used for decorative applications. Himmel’s carries river rock in 3/4″; 1-3″; and 3-5” sizes. All sizes are $250 per yard. Delivery and pickup available.

Other aggregates and materials like rip rap, pea gravel, and more, are available for direct delivery. Just ask!

Plant of the Week: Eastern Redbud

By Plant of the Week No Comments

Common name:

Eastern Redbud

Redbud

Botanical name:

Cercis canadensis

(SER-sis kan-a-DEN-sis)

The Eastern Redbud is a deciduous tree native to North America. They are most known for their showy magenta buds that bloom into pink flowers in early spring. The buds and blooms appear before the leaves.

  • Light Requirements: Eastern Redbuds can tolerate full sun to partial shade conditions. It is important to note – if your redbud is in full sun it will require more frequent watering. (It prefers some shade in this area in the heat of the summer.)
  • Water Requirements: Water regularly for freshly planted trees until the roots are established, about the 1st year. You can check the soil, about 2” in depth, to check if water is needed.
  • Characteristics: Redbuds are most known for their showy buds in early spring. Their leaves are typically green throughout late spring to late summer, and then shift to a golden coloring in the fall.
  • Uses: Redbuds work as a great understory tree due to their mature size of 20 – 30 ft tall by 15 – 25 ft wide. If space permits, they also work well with multiple redbuds planted in a grouping.
  • Interesting Facts: The flowers can be eaten fresh or fried. The blossoms are also edible and can add a bright, citrusy taste to salads. The unopened buds can also be pickled and used as a caper substitute.
  • Varieties:
    • Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ is one of the most popular cultivars, with deep purple foliage and rose-colored flowers.
    • Cercis canadensis ‘Ruby Falls’ is an excellent redbud for small spaces. Its weeping habit, red-purple flowers and heart-shaped leaves will bring elegance to any garden.
    • Cercis canadensis ‘Flame Thrower’ is a Himmel’s favorite! Leaves emerge purple and quickly turn to red as they expand. As an individual leaf matures, it transitions from purple to red to reddish-bronze and ultimately yellow-green. Because all leaves are in different stages of development at any particular point in time, the tree displays a brilliant array of colors, especially during stages of active growth.
The redbud tree is in the legume family!
Redbud buds, flowers, and fruit (seed) can be eaten raw, pickled, or cooked.
The Redbud is the state tree of Oklahoma!
Hellebore Plants

Plant of the Week: Hellebore

By Plant of the Week No Comments

Common name:

Lenten Rose

Christmas Rose

Botanical name:

Helleborus spp.

There are approximately 15 different species of hellebores and are native to much of Europe, as well as parts of Asia and China. While they are not related to a rose, the common names refer to winter bloom times which contain the Lenten and Christmas seasons.

All parts of hellebores are toxic when ingested and can cause skin irritations in some people. Due to its toxicity, it is rarely eaten by deer or rabbits.

  • Light Requirements: Part to full shade
  • Water Requirements: Prefers drier soils if planted with rich organic matter
  • Characteristics: Hellebores are a mostly evergreen perennial with an attractive, bushy growth habit, typically 12 to 24 inches. They are noted for flowering in late winter or early spring. Flowers are in muted shades of white, green, pink, purple and near black.
  • Uses: Because they tolerate dry, heavy shade, they don’t need to compete for water like other perennials do. That makes them excellent plants for under trees in woodland gardens, as shady borders or groundcovers. They also perform well in containers with plants that have similar needs.
  • Interesting Facts: Hellebores make great cut flowers and because of their early blooming nature and delicate flowers, they are sought after for bridal bouquets, centerpieces and other arrangements for winter weddings. In medieval Europe, the flowers were often used to decorate wreaths or garlands during the Christmas season.
  • Varieties:
    • Helleborus x. ‘Anna’s Red’ (FrostKiss Series) has rosy red flowers which fade to burgundy and lush marbled foliage.
    • Helleborus x. nigercors ‘Honeyhill Joy’ has large, outfacing creamy colored flowers over shiny, blue tinged foliage.
    • Helleborus x. ‘Pippa’s Purple’ (FrostKiss Series) has smoky pink flowers with burgundy flecks. The soft green foliage has a unique marbling.
Hellebore Plants
The colored “petals,” are actually sepals, which are little protective wrappers for the flowers inside
Tough, evergreen leaves and unique flowers are deer and rabbit resistant!
Hellebores are in the Ranunculaceae family, and related to anemones, peonies, and buttercups
These lovely perennials thrive in shaded areas, making them perfect for a woodland garden
We offer multiple varieties in 1G size for $29.99
Forsythias at Himmel's

Plant of the Week: Forsythia

By Plant of the Week No Comments

Common name:

Forsythia

Golden Bells

Botanical name:

Forsythia spp.

Forsythias are flowering shrubs that belong to the olive family. They grow at a rapid rate and are long lived. Forsythia can be forced to bloom indoors before it would normally occur outdoors. Between early January and late February, cut branches, bring indoors and place them in water. Flowers will open in about 10 days

  • Light Requirements: Full to part sun
  • Water Requirements: They prefer loose, well drained soil. They will tolerate poor soil and will be fairly drought resistant once established.
  • Characteristics: Depending on the cultivar, they grow from 3 feet to 12 feet tall and wide. Profuse yellow flowers appear on long arching stems and open before leaves emerge, usually in March. Forsythias bloom on old wood so do any pruning right after blooming to avoid cutting off next year’s buds. Remove one-fourth to one-third of the oldest (largest) stems at ground level every other year once they are established.
  • Uses: Forsythia can be used as a specimen, in a mixed border or as a background in a perennial bed. They make a great living hedge and are great for hillsides to help with erosion issues.
  • Interesting Facts: When it rains, their flowers tip downward to protect their pollen.
  • Varieties:
    • Forsythia x. intermedia ‘Lynwood’ has larger yellow flowers than other cultivars. They also have better fall foliage that turns an attractive yellow.
    • Forsythia x. intermedia ‘Show Off’ is smaller and compact, growing 5 to 6 feet. It is also full of flowers from the ground to the end of the stems.
Forsythias
Forsythia belongs to the olive family!
Forsythia symbolizes spring and renewal! The bright yellow flowers represent the arrival of spring and the renewal of life, making it a popular choice for seasonal decorations.
These cheerful plants were named after William Forsyth, a Scottish botanist who introduced the plant to England in the 18th century.
Forsythia flowers have long been utilized in traditional Chinese medicine for their medicinal properties including treatment of nausea, sore throat, and fever
‘Show Off’ Forsythia in 3G size, $49.99 at Himmel’s Landscaping & Garden Center
Snake Plants at Himmel's

Plant of the Week: Snake Plant

By Plant of the Week No Comments

Common name:

Snake Plant

Mother-in-law’s Tongue

Order Online

Botanical name:

Dracaena trifasciata

(previously Sansevieria trifasciata)

Snake Plants are a clumping, broadleaf evergreen houseplant in the Asparagaceae (asparagus) family. It is native to West Africa. Snake plants are a relatively easy plant to care for, and can do well in low light settings. This makes it an optimal plant for office settings or places around the home with low light.

  • Light Requirements: Snake plants can tolerate a range of light from bright indirect light to low light conditions.
  • Water Requirements: Allow the soil to become just dry before watering, then water deeply. Be careful not to overwater the snake plant, or let it sit in water. This can lead to root rot. Yellowing leaves are a sign of overwatering.
  • Characteristics: Snake plants are easily recognizable due to their sword shaped leaves. Leaves can be green, striped, or outlined in yellow.
  • Uses: Along with many other houseplants, snake plants contribute to cleaning the air in their environment.
  • Interesting Facts: This plant is visible on the porch in Grant Wood’s 1930 painting, American Gothic
  • Varieties:
    • Dracaena trifasciata ‘Hahnii’: Also called bird’s nest snake plant, ‘Hahnii” grows to just six inches tall.
    • Dracaena trifasciata ‘Laurentii’: This variegated cultivar has creamy yellow leaf margins.
    • Dracaena trifasciata ‘Twisted Sister’: Twisting leaves bear horizontal stripes with yellow variegated edges. It grows to 15 inches tall.
    • Dracaena Trifasciata ‘Golden Flame’: ‘Gold’ or ‘Golden Flame’ cultivar sports gray-green foliage that has yellow-gold patternation.
Snake Plants at Himmel's
The snake plant originally comes from the dry and rocky areas of tropical Africa
Snake plants are related to aloe and agave! All are in the same family – Asparagaceae
As snake plants age, they might burst into sudden, surprising bloom – small sprays of greenish-white, fragrant flowers
Snake plants like to be very snug in their pots, and don’t mind being root-bound!
  • We offer several varieties in 4.5″ pots for 8.99
  • Purchase online and pickup at Himmel’s while supplies last
  • Delivery options available
Order Snake Plant
Witch Hazel Plants in Maryland

Plant of the Week: Witch Hazel

By Plant of the Week No Comments

Common name:

Witch Hazel

Order Online

Botanical name:

Hamamelis spp.

(ham-ah-MAY-lis)

Witch hazels are large shrubs or small trees that have several desirable attributes, and offer year-round interest in the landscape. Plants are typically upright-spreading and loosely branched.They prefer moist, rich, well drained and slightly acidic soils.

  • Light Requirements: Full to part sun, best flowering in full sun locations.
  • Water Requirements: Prefers moist but well draining soil.
  • Characteristics: Witch hazels grow 8 to 20 feet depending on the cultivar. Fragrant ribbon shaped flowers in yellow to orange to red appear along the branches in winter or early spring. Fall leaf color is yellow to red depending on the cultivar.
  • Uses: The somewhat zigzagging branches offer interesting form as a specimen plant, and its upright nature lends itself to an opportunity for under-planting with bulbs or small perennials. It is a valuable shrub for a naturalized border or in a woodland, wildlife or winter garden.  Flowers are pollinated by nocturnal moths. Wild turkeys eat the seeds and small mammals and birds eat the fruit.
  • Interesting Facts: Witch hazel has several medicinal properties including use as an astringent and an anti-inflammatory. In fact, it is one of the very few American medicinal plants approved as an ingredient in non-prescription drugs by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The common name refers to the use of the forked twigs for “water-witching” or as divining rods to locate water sources.

Varieties:

  • Hamamelis virginiana is the common witch hazel. It is native to eastern North America and is found along stream banks from Canada to Mexico and can tolerate clay soils.  The common witch hazel is noted yellow, slightly fragrant flowers which open from October through December. Fall foliage is a bright yellow.
  • Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold’s Promise’ is a cross between the chinese and japanese varieties. It is an upright, vase shaped variety noted for its sweetly fragrant yellow flowers that bloom later than other cultivars, February to March.
  • Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’ is a cross between the chinese and japanese varieties. It grows 8 to 12 feet and is noted for its coppery red blooms from January to March. The foliage turns attractive shades of yellow, orange and red in fall.
Witch Hazel Plants in Maryland
Early settlers witnessed Native Americans using forked branches of witch hazel to find water.
Shivering moths pollinate witch hazels! The renowned naturalist Bernd Heinrich realized that there was a group of owlet moths called winter moths or shivering moths that are active on cold nights. These moths have a remarkable ability to heat themselves by using energy to shiver, raising their body temperatures by as much as 50 degrees in order to fly in search of food.
The extract of the bark and wood is used as a mild astringent and is used to treat everything from acne to eczema.
Common names: Winterbloom, Snapping Hazelnut, Striped Alder, Spotted Alder, Tobacco-wood, Water-witch
Witch Hazel – Blooming now!  We offer this in 2 varieties:
  • ‘Arnold Promise’ in 7G size for $179.99. Yellow blooms.
  • ‘Diane’ in 3G size for $29.99. Orange blooms.
Order Witch Hazel
Himmel's Calathea Plants

Plant of the Week: Calathea

By Plant of the Week No Comments

Common name:

Calathea, Prayer Plant, Peacock Plant, Rattlesnake Plant and others

Botanical name:

Geopperita species, formerly Calathea species

There are about 50 species of Calathea Plants, all with unique characteristics and traits. They are native to Central and South America so you would expect them to prefer hot and humid areas that mimic a tropical forest. They can benefit from frequent misting or a room with a humidifier.

  • Light Requirements: They prefer bright but indirect light. Direct sun will cause the leaves to burn and the colors will bleach out.
  • Water Requirements: Keep the soil moist but avoid over watering. Calatheas do better with small frequent waterings. Rainwater or distilled water is best because they are sensitive to chlorine and fluoride in tap water.
  • Characteristics: Calatheas offer a wide range of leaf shapes and vivid color patterns and variegations. Even the underside of the leaves can provide a pop of color.
  • Interesting Facts: These plants have been called prayer plants because of the daily movement of the plant’s leaves, known as nyctinasty. Some plants in this family move their leaves up at night and lower them during the day. Botanists believe this allows the leaves to follow the sun’s movement and maximize the amount of light the leaves absorb.
  • Varieties:
    • Calathea lancifolia is commonly called rattlesnake plant. The long leaves have wavy edges and purple undersides. The tops of the leaves have alternating dark green blotches.
    • Calathea orbifolia features bright green, oblong leaves with subtle silver stripes.
    • Calathea leopardina has bright, almost lime green leaves with dark green stripes that start at the midrib and extend almost to the edge of the leaf.
Himmel's Calathea Care Sheet
Calatheas purify the air by removing harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) such as benzene and formaldehyde.
Studies show that houseplants like Calathea reduce stress and anxiety and increase productivity!
Calathea are also known by the common names prayer plant, zebra plant, rattlesnake plant, peacock plant
Calathea plants are pet safe and non-toxic to both cats and dogs!
Philodendron at Himmel's

Plant of the Week: Philodendron

By Plant of the Week No Comments

Common name:

Philodendron

Botanical name:

Philodendron spp.

Philodendrons are one of the most popular houseplants, thanks to their reputation for being low maintenance.They are native to the West Indies and the tropical rain forests of Central and South America.

  • Light Requirements: Most philodendrons prefer indirect light but this plant is quite tolerant of low light conditions and will grow well under artificial or existing room light.
  • Water Requirements: They prefer for the soil to be evenly moist, but not soggy, but will tolerate dry conditions if you forget to water them. Philodendrons prefer a humid environment.
  • Characteristics: There are 2 types, vining or climbing and non-climbing. The leaves can be heart shaped, oval, lobed, deeply cut and spear shaped. 
  • Uses: This is a great air purifying houseplant.
  • Interesting Facts: Philodendrons produce an inflorescence known as a spathe, similar to a Peace Lily.
  • Varieties:
    • Philodendron x ‘Birkin’: This variety is non-climbing and offers thin white stripes on its green leaves.  Starting life as an all-green juvenile, ‘Birkin’ develops its sophisticated striping with maturity.
    • Philodendron ‘Prismacolor Lemon Lime’: Not to be confused with another Philodendron cultivar of the Heart Leaf Philodendron that also goes by Lemon Lime which is a trailing plant, this plant is an upright variety with longer golden, yellow-green or lime-foliage.
    • Philodendron panduriforme: This is a vining variety that can reach 6 feet or more and has dark green, arrow shaped leaves.  
Philodendron at Himmel's
There are over 400 different varieties of philodendron! Wow!
Philodendrons are an effective organic air purifier, filtering out harmful toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene!
The beautiful philodendron is considered a symbol of abundance and prosperity!
Philodendron can easily be propagated from stem cuttings!
Himmel's Wellness Gardens

2024 is the Year of the Wellness Garden

By Gardening Blog, Gardening Blog No Comments
Craving a space to unwind and let the troubles of the world drift away with the breeze? A place where windchimes softly sound in harmony with the birds, where the fragrance of fresh herbs and lavender soothes the senses, and where the miracle of nature unfolds before your very eyes?

2024 is the Year of the Wellness Garden, and for good reason. We are inundated with the noise and pressures of deadlines in a digital world. Because we are always on the go, our diets and sleep schedules suffer, contributing to a decrease in overall health and wellbeing. We are tired and strained, and as a result, our relationships deteriorate. Perhaps the greatest toll is on our inner peace and balance.

It’s time to reclaim your health and manifest more peace and quiet in your life by building a Wellness Garden – a quiet spot, intentionally designed to provide nourishment in the form of fresh vegetables and herbs, and therapy through nature’s healing touch.

Here are 4 easy steps to start a Wellness Garden in your own backyard:

Step 1: Plan

  • What is the main purpose of your Wellness Garden?
  • Will you be creating new areas, raised beds, or containers?
  • How much space, time, and motivation are you willing to invest?
  • Which vegetables and culinary or medicinal herbs do you want to try?
  • How will you source the tools, plants, and other materials required?

Step 2: Prepare

  • Select the space with the best sun exposure for your in-ground beds, raised beds, or containers
  • Remove debris and existing turf to prep the new space for in-ground beds, or install raised beds
  • Conduct a soil test to determine if additional nutrients are required
  • Add additional soil and organic matter like mushroom compost, manure, worm castings, or other amendments
  • Make sure a water source is available and easily accessible
  • Draw a layout to maximize the space using the square foot gardening method or other system
  • Consider comfort – add a bench or comfortable lawn chair
  • Personalize it – add some whimsical elements like windchimes or garden décor – things that make you smile

Step 3: Plant

  • Start seeds like tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers indoors
  • Follow seed packet instructions to ensure they are started at the ideal time for transplanting
  • Monitor health and growth of seedlings
  • Harden off and transplant seedlings into beds or containers
  • Purchase started transplants to supplement seedlings
  • Direct sow crops like peas, squash, and melons
  • Don’t forget to add edible flowers, fragrant herbs, or other plants that increase joy

Step 4: Maintenance

  • Water appropriately
  • Fertilize as needed
  • Control weeds
  • Monitor for pests and diseases
  • Don’t forget to have fun…
  • Gather your herbs and produce, cut fresh flowers, and enjoy the harvest!
Would you like to learn more about Wellness Gardening? Have you always wanted to try growing vegetables and herbs but don’t know where to start? Are you curious about the ways herbs and vegetables can contribute to improved health?
 Join us for Saturdays with the Sage Tomato at Himmel’s Landscape and Garden Center on January 13th at 10AM and find out!