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11 Best Self-Watering Containers for Florida Gardens

Best self-watering containers for plants

Did you know that using self-watering containers can reduce your garden’s water consumption by up to 65%? In Florida’s intense heat, that’s a game-changer. As someone who’s tested many self-watering containers in our challenging climate, I’ve discovered which features truly matter for Florida gardeners.

Let’s explore the top 10 picks for container gardening that can handle our scorching summers, frequent rains, and occasional freezes.

Essential Features for Florida Self-Watering Containers

Self watering containers for Florida should be durable

Florida’s climate presents unique challenges for gardeners, making it vital to choose self-watering containers designed to thrive in the state’s conditions. Here are the key features to look for:

UV-Resistant Materials for Sun Protection

Florida’s abundant sunshine can be intense, breaking down non-UV-protected plastics over time. Look for containers made from UV-resistant materials to ensure durability and longevity. These materials prevent cracking, fading, and brittleness, keeping your containers functional and looking good year-round.

Light-Colored Options for Summer Use

Dark containers absorb heat, which can stress plant roots during Florida’s hot summers. Opt for light-colored containers to reflect sunlight and help keep the root zone cooler. Colors like white, beige, or pastel shades are both practical and stylish.

Removable or Adjustable Water Reservoirs

Flexibility is critical when managing soil moisture in a self-watering container. Containers with removable or adjustable reservoirs make it easy to customize water storage based on your plants’ needs and the season. These features also simplify cleaning and maintenance to prevent algae buildup.

Hurricane-Resistant Design Features

Florida’s storm season requires sturdy containers that can withstand high winds and heavy rain. Look for containers with low profiles, weighted bases, or anchoring options to keep them stable during adverse weather. Lightweight plastic containers might tip over in strong winds, so consider heavier or reinforced designs, or be prepared to bring your plants indoors.

Smart Overflow Systems for Rainy Seasons

Florida’s frequent downpours can overwhelm poorly designed self-watering systems. Choose containers with overflow drains to prevent waterlogging and root rot. An effective overflow system ensures excess rainwater drains away while still allowing the reservoir to function as intended.

With these features in mind, your self-watering containers will be better equipped to handle Florida’s unique climate, keeping your garden thriving with less effort.

Top 10 Self-Watering Containers for Florida Gardens

Let’s look a bit closer at a few of the best models on the market.

1. Lechuza Balconera Color

Lechuza 15680 Balconera Color 80 Self-Watering Planter for Indoor and Outdoor Use, 31″ x 7″ x7″,…
  • Discover the perfect way to bring your patio and balcony to life with the Balconera, brackets sold separately
  • LECHUZA’s signature water reservoir supplies water to your plants as needed, extending the time between watering
  • The planter’s water-level indicator shows when the reservoir needs to be refilled

Specs:

  • Dimensions: 20″ (length) x 7″ (width) x 7″ (height)

Features:

  • Self-Watering System: The built-in sub-irrigation system delivers water directly to the roots, ensuring optimal hydration without overwatering.
  • UV-Resistant Material: Crafted from high-quality, UV-resistant plastic to withstand Florida’s intense sun, preventing fading or cracking.
  • Interchangeable Plant Liners: Removable liners make planting, repotting, and cleaning easy and convenient.
  • Overflow Drainage: Equipped with an overflow function to prevent waterlogging, particularly useful during Florida’s frequent rainstorms.

Pros:

  • Durable Construction: The UV-resistant material ensures long-lasting durability, even under harsh Florida weather.
  • Low-Maintenance Care: The self-watering system reduces the need for frequent watering, making it ideal for busy gardeners or those with frequent travel schedules.
  • Aesthetic Design: The sleek, modern look fits seamlessly into various garden styles, from traditional to contemporary.
  • Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of plants, from flowers and herbs to small vegetables like lettuce or peppers.

Cons:

  • Mounting Brackets Sold Separately: If you plan to mount this planter on a balcony or railing, the necessary brackets are not included and must be purchased separately.
  • Higher Price: The Lechuza Balconera Color is priced higher than many standard planters, which may be a consideration for budget-conscious shoppers. However, the features and build quality can justify the investment.
  • Limited Size for Large Plants: While great for smaller plants, the 20-inch length and shallow depth may not support larger, deep-rooted vegetables.

Availability:

Buy on Amazon.com or Walmart.com

The Lechuza Balconera Color is a durable, aesthetically pleasing, and functional self-watering planter that works well for Florida gardens. Its UV-resistant material and self-watering feature are especially beneficial for Florida’s hot climate, reducing the need for frequent watering.

While it may not be suitable for larger plants, it is perfect for flowers, herbs, and small vegetables. The higher price point and additional cost for mounting brackets may be a drawback for some, but overall, it’s a solid investment for anyone looking for a low-maintenance, high-quality planter.


2. EarthBox 80151 Garden Kit, Organic, Green

EarthBox 80151 Garden Kit, Organic, Green
  • Includes: 1 lb. Organic fertilizer, 1 lb. Organic dolomite, 4 casters, and 2 Black/White reversible mulch covers
  • Ub stabilized
  • Maintenance free
  • Award-winning, patented system
  • Green in color

Specs:

  • Dimensions: 29″ (length) x 14″ (width) x 10″ (height)
  • Water Reservoir Capacity: 3 gallons

Features:

  • Self-Watering System: Uses a sub-irrigation system with a water reservoir, providing consistent hydration to plants while preventing overwatering.
  • Pre-assembled Fertilizer: Comes with organic fertilizer included, offering a convenient and nutrient-rich growing solution for plants.
  • UV-Resistant Construction: The durable plastic construction is designed to withstand Florida’s intense sunlight without degrading.
  • Easy Setup: Designed for straightforward assembly and use, with a simple process for filling the water reservoir and adding soil.
  • Integrated Drainage: The self-watering system helps prevent overwatering while also providing built-in drainage to keep the plant roots healthy.

Pros:

  • Self-Watering Convenience: The system ensures that plants receive consistent water, reducing the need for frequent manual watering.
  • Organic Option: Comes with organic fertilizer, making it ideal for gardeners looking to grow produce without synthetic chemicals.
  • Space-Saving Design: Its compact size makes it perfect for small spaces like balconies, patios, or small gardens.
  • Durable and Long-Lasting: The UV-resistant materials ensure that it can handle Florida’s weather conditions over time.

Cons:

  • Large Size: It may not be suitable for those looking for a more compact container, as it requires more space than smaller containers.
  • Price: Compared to other basic planters, it is on the pricier side, though the included fertilizer and self-watering system may justify the cost.
  • Requires Setup: While it’s easy to assemble, it does require a bit of setup, which might not be ideal for gardeners looking for immediate use.

Best for:

  • Those looking for a self-watering container that’s perfect for growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers in small spaces like patios or balconies.
  • Organic gardeners who appreciate the inclusion of natural fertilizer for healthy plant growth.

Availability:

Buy on Amazon.com or Walmart.com

The EarthBox 80151 Garden Kit is an excellent option for Florida gardeners seeking a reliable, self-watering container that includes organic fertilizer and offers a simple setup. It’s particularly great for those with limited space who want a low-maintenance, efficient way to grow vegetables and herbs.

While it may be a bit large for some, and the price may be higher than some alternatives, the convenience of the self-watering system and organic materials make it a valuable investment for many gardeners.

3. City Jungle Self-Watering Planter

BioGreen Raised Garden Bed with Trellis CITY JUNGLE | 8.98 gal | 13“L x 24“W x 63.4“H |…
  • ROBUST TRELLIS FOR CLIMBING PLANTS: Enhance your garden with our trellis planter, designed for uninterrupted growth of vining flowers, vegetables, and top-heavy species like Tomatoes and Dahlias.
  • WEATHER-RESILIENT EXTENSIBLE DESIGN: Features a sturdy, weather-resistant trellis that extends up to 63 inches, ensuring optimal plant support and placement in any outdoor environment.

Specs:

  • Dimensions: 47.25″ (length) x 23.5″ (width) x 47″ (height with trellis)
  • Water Reservoir Capacity: 4.5 gallons

Features:

  • Self-Watering System: The built-in irrigation system keeps plants consistently watered, ideal for Florida’s hot summers and reducing maintenance.
  • Integrated Trellis: The attached trellis is perfect for climbing plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, and peas, allowing for vertical growth in smaller spaces.
  • Durable Construction: Made from high-quality materials designed to withstand the outdoor elements, including UV resistance to prevent fading and degradation from the sun.
  • Efficient Use of Space: With the raised bed and trellis design, this container maximizes gardening space in small areas like patios, balconies, and urban gardens.
  • Built-In Drainage: The bed features a drainage system that helps to prevent waterlogging and ensures healthy root growth.

Pros:

  • Space-Saving Design: The vertical trellis and raised bed design make it ideal for small spaces while still providing ample room for plants to grow.
  • Convenient Watering: The self-watering system reduces the need for frequent watering, making it a low-maintenance option for busy gardeners.
  • Versatile Planting: Suitable for growing a wide range of vegetables, herbs, and climbing plants, including tomatoes, beans, and cucumbers.
  • Durable and Weather-Resistant: The UV-resistant construction ensures it will last in Florida’s sunny climate without deteriorating.
  • Easy Assembly: Most users find the bed easy to assemble with minimal effort.

Cons:

  • Size Limitation: While it’s a great option for small spaces, it may not be ideal for gardeners who want to grow larger quantities of plants.
  • Water Reservoir Capacity: The 3.5-gallon reservoir may not be sufficient for larger or more thirsty plants, requiring extra watering during dry spells.
  • Trellis Height: The trellis is somewhat short for taller plants like tomatoes, so gardeners may need to adjust or use additional supports.

Best for:

  • Urban gardeners or those with limited space, like apartment dwellers or homeowners with small patios or balconies.
  • Gardeners looking for an easy-to-maintain, self-watering solution for growing a variety of plants, especially those that need vertical support.

Availability:

Buy on Amazon.com or Walmart.com

The BioGreen Raised Garden Bed from City Jungle is a fantastic choice for Florida gardeners with limited space who are looking for a self-watering, easy-to-assemble solution. Its space-saving design and integrated trellis are perfect for growing a variety of plants, especially those that require vertical support.

While the water reservoir might be a bit small for larger plants, and the trellis could be taller for some crops, its durability and low-maintenance watering system make it an excellent option for small-space urban gardeners.

4. Bloem Ariana Self-Watering Planter Pots

Bloem AP20908 Ariana Self Watering Planter 20″, Charcoal Gray
  • Capacity: 11 Gallons / Size: 21.5 in. Top width x 12 in. Bottom width x 17 in. Height
  • Self-watering disk included. The disk helps to store reserved water, which can be used up by the plants at a later time. Plant will absorb water when needed.
  • Sealed bottom to prevent leakage indoors. Optional knock-out drainage holes when used outdoors.

Specs:

  • Dimensions: 20″ (diameter) x 14″ (height)
  • Water Reservoir Capacity: 3.2 gallons

Features:

  • Self-Watering System: Equipped with an easy-to-use self-watering feature that helps maintain consistent moisture levels for your plants, reducing the need for frequent watering.
  • Durable Construction: Made from lightweight, high-quality resin that resists cracking and fading, even in full sun exposure typical in Florida.
  • Sleek Design: The modern, clean lines of the planter fit seamlessly into any garden or patio, adding aesthetic value without overpowering the surrounding space.
  • Drainage Hole: Comes with a drainage hole to prevent water from pooling at the bottom, ensuring your plants don’t suffer from root rot.
  • UV-Resistant: Built to withstand harsh sunlight, making it ideal for Florida’s year-round sun exposure.

Pros:

  • Self-Watering Convenience: The self-watering system means you don’t have to water as often, making it a great option for busy gardeners.
  • Lightweight and Easy to Move: Despite its large size, the planter is made from lightweight materials, making it easy to move around your garden or patio.
  • Aesthetic Appeal: The sleek, simple design complements a variety of plants, from native flowers to small vegetables, adding a touch of elegance to your outdoor space.
  • Durable in Sun: Resists fading and cracking under Florida’s intense sun, providing long-term use.
  • Affordable: This planter is reasonably priced, offering good value for its features, especially for those seeking a low-maintenance gardening solution.

Cons:

  • Size Limitation: While great for small to medium-sized plants, larger plants may not have enough space to fully thrive in this planter.
  • No Water Level Indicator: Unlike some other self-watering planters, this one doesn’t have a clear water level indicator, making it harder to gauge when to refill the reservoir.

Best for:

  • Florida gardeners looking for an easy-to-use, aesthetically pleasing self-watering planter for small to medium-sized plants like flowers, herbs, or small vegetables.
  • Gardeners who prefer low-maintenance options that don’t require daily attention.

Availability:

Buy on Amazon.com or Walmart.com

The Bloem Ariana Self-Watering Planter is an excellent choice for Florida gardeners seeking a sleek, low-maintenance option for smaller to medium-sized plants. Its self-watering feature and UV-resistant construction make it an ideal fit for the state’s sunny, often dry climate.

While it may not be the best choice for large plants or those with deep root systems, its ease of use, aesthetic appeal, and affordability make it a popular option for urban gardeners, patio enthusiasts, and those with limited gardening space.

5. Emsco City Pickers Raised Planter Beds

Emsco City Pickers Raised Planter Beds, Terra Cotta Colored, Pack of 2
  • Set of 2 raised planter beds, each with a terra cotta colored finish
  • Resin construction remains durable for many seasons
  • Casters on the base of each planter allow you to reposition them as needed

Specs:

  • Dimensions: 24″ (length) x 20″ (width) x 12″ (height

Features:

  • Self-Watering System: Helps reduce the frequency of watering by automatically supplying moisture to your plants.
  • UV-Protected Plastic: Designed to endure the Florida sun with its UV-resistant polypropylene construction.
  • Raised Design: The elevated height of the planter reduces strain on the back and knees, making it accessible for gardeners of all abilities.
  • Overflow Drainage: Prevents waterlogging by allowing excess water to drain away, protecting plant roots from being too wet.

Pros:

  • Easy Maintenance: The self-watering system makes it easier to maintain plants with less frequent watering required.
  • Durable Construction: UV-protected plastic ensures that the planter can withstand the Florida sun and rain without deteriorating.
  • Ergonomic Design: The raised height of the planter allows gardeners to work without bending over, making it great for anyone with mobility concerns.
  • Value for Money: A budget-friendly self-watering planter, offering convenience without a high price tag.

Cons:

  • Water Reservoir: While the self-watering feature is convenient, some users may find that the reservoir needs to be refilled more frequently, especially during hot, dry periods.
  • Depth: The planter’s depth may not be sufficient for larger plants or deep-rooted vegetables.

Best for:

  • People with limited space who want a self-watering option for small plants like herbs, flowers, or compact vegetables.
  • Those who prefer an easy-maintenance solution for gardening without needing to water as frequently.

Availability:

Buy on Amazon.com or Walmart.com

The EMSCO City Pickers 24″x20″ planter is an affordable and convenient choice for gardeners looking for an easy-to-maintain, self-watering planter. It’s perfect for herbs, flowers, and small vegetables, especially for those with limited space.

While it may not be suitable for larger plants, it offers great value for the price and performs well in Florida’s weather with its UV-resistant construction and self-watering features.


6. CedarCraft Convenient Self-Watering Elevated Cedar Planter

Specs:

  • Dimensions: 37.5″ (length) x 15.75″ (width) x 31.5″ (height)

Features:

  • Elevated Design: The planter is raised to a comfortable working height, reducing strain on your back and knees.
  • Self-Watering System: Includes a water reservoir to automatically irrigate plants, promoting healthy growth with minimal watering.
  • Durable Cedar Construction: Made from high-quality cedar wood, known for its natural resistance to pests and decay.
  • Overflow Drainage: Features drainage holes to allow excess water to escape, preventing waterlogging and root rot.

Pros:

  • Ergonomic: The elevated height makes it accessible for people with mobility issues, reducing the need for bending down while gardening.
  • Aesthetically Pleasing: The natural cedar wood gives the planter a rustic, attractive look that fits well in various garden settings.
  • Self-Watering: Reduces the frequency of watering and provides consistent moisture to plants, especially during the hotter months.
  • Durable and Long-Lasting: Cedar is naturally resistant to rot, making this planter a great option for long-term use.

Cons:

  • Assembly Required: Some users find the assembly process a bit challenging, as it involves multiple parts and tools.
  • Limited Depth for Larger Plants: The depth of the planter may not be sufficient for larger or deep-rooted plants.
  • Price: While it’s a high-quality product, some users feel it’s on the expensive side, especially when compared to other self-watering planters.

Best for:

  • Gardeners looking for a space-saving solution for small to medium-sized plants, herbs, and vegetables.
  • Those who prefer the aesthetic appeal of natural wood in their garden décor.
  • People with mobility issues who need an elevated planting option to avoid bending down.

Availability:

Buy on Amazon.com or Walmart.com

The CedarCraft Convenient Self-Watering Elevated Cedar Planter is a stylish and practical option for gardeners looking to grow herbs, flowers, or small vegetables with less maintenance. Its elevated design makes gardening comfortable, and the self-watering system helps keep plants hydrated.

While assembly may take some time and it may not be suitable for larger plants, this planter’s durability and aesthetic appeal make it a great choice for those seeking an attractive, functional addition to their garden or patio.

7. Dexceder 13.2 Gallon Self Watering Raised Garden Bed with Ventilation Transparent Lid Greenhouse

Dexceder 13.2 Gallon Self Watering Raised Garden Bed with Ventilation Transparent Lid Greenhouse,…
  • SELF WATERING & NO MORE ROOT ROT – The smart unique sub-irrigation system is one of the most appealing aspects among all Dexceder planters. The easy-to-use separated integrated water reservoir or catcher keeps your soil well aerated and automatic supplies plants with the right amount of ongoing…

Specs:

  • Dimensions: 35.8″ (length) x 17.7″ (width) x 17.7″ (height)
  • Water Reservoir Capacity: 13.2 gallons

Features:

  • Self-Watering System: Includes a built-in water reservoir at the bottom that automatically waters plants, ensuring consistent hydration.
  • Ventilated Transparent Lid: The transparent lid allows sunlight to reach the plants while providing ventilation to regulate temperature and humidity.
  • Durable Plastic Construction: Made from high-quality, UV-resistant plastic, designed to withstand outdoor elements and protect plants from harsh weather.
  • Raised Design: The raised bed design helps reduce strain on your back and knees, making gardening more accessible.

Pros:

  • Self-Watering Convenience: The self-watering system significantly reduces the need for frequent watering, making it ideal for busy gardeners or those in hot climates.
  • Ventilation and Temperature Control: The transparent lid with ventilation openings helps regulate temperature and humidity, creating a greenhouse-like environment for plants.
  • Durability: The UV-resistant plastic construction ensures the planter lasts longer, even when exposed to the sun and rain.
  • Ergonomic: The raised design makes it easier on the back and knees, perfect for those who want to garden without bending over.

Cons:

  • Lid May Get Too Hot: While the transparent lid provides sunlight, some users have mentioned that the plants can get too hot under direct sunlight, particularly during peak summer months.
  • Assembly: The setup process can be a bit tricky, and some customers found it challenging to assemble the unit without clear instructions.
  • Size Limitations: The bed may be a bit small for larger plants or a significant number of vegetables, limiting the range of crops that can be grown.

Best for:

  • Gardeners with limited space who need a compact, raised garden bed.
  • Those looking for a self-watering option to reduce the need for daily watering.
  • Individuals who want to grow small vegetables, herbs, or flowers with some protection from the elements.

Availability:

Buy on Amazon.com

The Dexceder 13.2 Gallon Self-Watering Raised Garden Bed with Ventilation Transparent Lid Greenhouse is an excellent choice for small-space gardeners looking for a self-watering solution with some protection from the elements.

While it may not be suitable for large plants and requires careful monitoring of temperature under the lid, its ease of use, durability, and ergonomic design make it a solid option for growing a variety of herbs, flowers, and compact vegetables.

8. Keter Urban Bloomer 12.7 Gallon Raised Garden Bed

Keter Urban Bloomer 12.7 Gallon Raised Garden Bed and Outdoor Herb Garden Planter with Self Watering…
  • DIMENSIONS: 32. 3 in. L x 14. 7 in. W x 30. 7 in. H
  • The easiest outdoor herb garden planter with built in water gauge it indicates when plants need additional moisture
  • DRAINAGE SYSTEM that can be opened or closed for full control of watering

Specs:

  • Dimensions: 24.2″ (length) x 15.7″ (width) x 30″ (height)

Features:

  • Self-Watering Reservoir: Features a built-in water reservoir that helps maintain consistent moisture levels, reducing the need for frequent watering.
  • Ergonomic Design: Elevated design allows for easy gardening without bending over, reducing strain on your back and knees.
  • Durable Resin Construction: Made from weather-resistant resin material, designed to withstand outdoor elements, and maintain its appearance over time.
  • Modern Look: The sleek, contemporary design complements urban and modern garden spaces, making it an attractive addition to balconies, patios, and small yards.
  • Easy Assembly: Snap-together design that doesn’t require any tools for assembly.

Pros:

  • Ergonomic Height: The elevated design is perfect for gardeners who want to avoid bending over, making it easier for those with mobility issues or back pain.
  • Low Maintenance: The self-watering system minimizes the frequency of watering, making it ideal for busy gardeners or those who travel often.
  • Durable and Weather-Resistant: The high-quality resin construction ensures that the planter will last through the seasons without cracking or fading.
  • Stylish Design: The sleek graphite color and modern look make it a great fit for urban or contemporary gardens.

Cons:

  • Smaller Planting Area: While it’s ideal for smaller plants, the limited planting space may not be suitable for larger vegetable varieties with expansive root systems.
  • Watering Reservoir Needs Monitoring: Some users mention that the water reservoir needs to be regularly checked to ensure it doesn’t dry out or overflow, especially in very hot climates.

Best for:

  • Urban gardeners with limited space looking for a compact, self-watering solution.
  • Gardeners who prefer an ergonomic, elevated design to avoid bending down.
  • Those with small or medium-sized plants, like herbs, flowers, or compact vegetables.

Availability:

Buy on Amazon.com

The Keter Urban Bloomer 12.7 Gallon Raised Garden Bed is an excellent choice for urban gardeners or those with limited space looking for an ergonomic, self-watering solution.

While it’s best suited for smaller plants and requires occasional monitoring of the water reservoir, its durable construction, easy assembly, and stylish design make it a worthwhile option for anyone looking to garden comfortably and efficiently in small spaces.

9. Mr Stacky Smart Farm

Mr. Stacky Smart Farm – Automatic Self Watering Garden – Grow Fresh Healthy Food Virtually Anywhere…
  • Change Your Lifestyle: Grow Healthy, Nutrient-Rich Food Easier, Faster, And More Convenient Than Ever Before All Year-Round, With or Without Soil. – We Believe That Growing Food At Home Not Only Provides A Healthier Life But A Happier One!​

Specs:

  • Dimensions: 18.5″ (width) x 36″ (height) x 18.5″ (depth)

Features:

  • Modular Stacking Design: The Smart Farm includes multiple stackable planting tiers that allow for vertical gardening, making it perfect for small spaces.
  • Hydroponic System: Designed for hydroponic gardening, it allows plants to grow without soil, using water and nutrient solutions for faster growth and healthier plants.
  • Self-Watering: The self-watering feature ensures that the plants receive adequate moisture without the need for frequent manual watering.
  • Durable, Food-Safe Materials: Made with high-quality, food-safe plastic materials, ensuring that your plants grow safely for consumption.
  • Expandable Design: You can stack multiple units together to expand your growing area vertically as your garden grows.

Pros:

  • Space-Efficient: The vertical stacking design allows you to maximize space, making it ideal for small gardens, balconies, or patios.
  • Low Maintenance: The self-watering and hydroponic features minimize the need for constant care and watering, making it perfect for beginners or those with limited time.
  • Faster Plant Growth: The hydroponic system promotes faster growth compared to traditional soil gardening, thanks to the constant access to water and nutrients.
  • Customizable: You can add or remove tiers to adjust the system’s size to fit your needs and available space.

Cons:

  • Learning Curve: While hydroponic gardening is efficient, it can be tricky for beginners who may need time to adjust to the system and monitor nutrient levels carefully.
  • Requires Regular Maintenance: The system needs occasional cleaning and checking of the nutrient solution to ensure optimal plant health. If not maintained properly, the plants may suffer.
  • Not Ideal for Larger Plants: Due to the vertical design and compact space, the system may not be ideal for larger plants or vegetables with deep root systems.

Best for:

  • Urban gardeners or those with limited space looking for a vertical gardening solution.
  • Hydroponic enthusiasts or beginners who want to try growing plants without soil.
  • Gardeners interested in growing herbs, small vegetables, or leafy greens.

Availability:

Buy on Amazon.com

The Mr. Stacky Smart Farm is an excellent choice for gardeners with limited space who want to try hydroponic gardening. Its vertical design and self-watering features make it a low-maintenance, space-efficient solution for growing herbs, small vegetables, and leafy greens.

While it may take a little time to get used to the hydroponic system, the faster plant growth and customizable design make it a worthwhile investment for urban gardeners or those new to hydroponics.

10. Vegepod – Raised Garden Bed

Vegepod – Raised Garden Bed – Self Watering Container Garden Kit with Protective Cover, Easily…
  • RAISED GARDEN BED KIT Vegepod Raised Garden Bed Kits are simply the easiest way to grow your own vegetables. You get the size of a raised garden bed with all the benefits of container gardening. The base contains the soil so neighbouring trees don’t steal nutrients.

Specs:

  • Dimensions: 48″ (length) x 48″ (width) x 30″ (height)

Features:

  • Self-Watering System: Includes an integrated self-watering system with a water reservoir and irrigation pipe, ensuring consistent moisture for your plants.
  • Protective Cover: Comes with a UV-resistant, breathable cover to protect plants from harsh sunlight, pests, and cold weather, extending the growing season.
  • Raised Bed Design: The raised bed design reduces strain on your back and makes gardening easier and more accessible.
  • Modular Setup: The system is modular, allowing you to link multiple units together for a larger growing area.
  • Durable Materials: Made from high-quality, UV-resistant materials to withstand outdoor conditions, including Florida’s hot sun and humidity.
  • Includes Legs: Elevated legs raise the garden bed off the ground, making it easier to access and protect the plants from ground pests.

Pros:

  • Effortless Watering: The self-watering feature ensures your plants receive consistent moisture, reducing the need for constant attention.
  • Space Efficient: Ideal for small spaces, balconies, or patios, where traditional garden beds may not fit.
  • Protects Plants: The included cover shields plants from pests and environmental stresses, allowing for a longer growing season.
  • Ergonomic Design: The raised height makes it easier to maintain your garden without the need to bend down, which is especially beneficial for those with physical limitations.
  • Quality Construction: Durable, UV-resistant materials are designed to stand up to outdoor conditions, making the Vegepod a long-lasting investment.

Cons:

  • Size Limitations: While perfect for small gardens, the 4×4 foot size may not be large enough for larger crops or for those with extensive gardening needs.
  • Initial Setup: Some users find the initial setup of the self-watering system and protective cover a bit time-consuming.
  • Price: The Vegepod is extremely expensive compared to other self-waterting raised beds, which could be a downside for budget-conscious gardeners.

Best for:

  • Small-space gardeners, including those with patios, balconies, or limited yard space.
  • Beginners or gardeners looking for a low-maintenance, self-watering system.
  • Anyone looking to grow vegetables, herbs, or flowers in a protected, ergonomic setup.

Availability:

Buy on Amazon.com or Walmart.com

The Vegepod is a great option for small-space gardeners, those looking for an easy-to-maintain, ergonomic garden bed, or anyone interested in extending the growing season with its protective cover. Its self-watering system is perfect for busy gardeners, while the durable materials and modular design make it a solid long-term investment.

While it may be expensive and somewhat limited in size, the convenience, ease of use, and additional features make it a great choice for anyone looking to grow veggies or herbs with minimal hassle.

11. Vego garden Tomato Planter Box with Trellis

Sale
Vego garden Tomato Planter Box with Trellis Self-Watering Rolling Raised Garden Bed for Climbing…
  • Innovative Watering System in Raised Garden Planter: A reliable and efficient solution for delivering water to your plants without having to worry about overflow. The water storage volume of the tomato planter box is about 9L, fill it once to water your planter for up to 1.5 months! This innovative design gives new gardeners a hassle-free way to start growing!

Specs:

  • Dimensions: 24″ (length) x 24″ (width) x 20″ (height)

Features:

  • Self-Watering System: Includes a self-watering feature with a water reservoir that ensures plants receive consistent moisture for optimal growth.
  • Trellis for Climbing Plants: Comes with a sturdy trellis designed to support climbing plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, or peas, ideal for vertical gardening.
  • Durable Materials: Made from high-quality, rust-resistant, and UV-resistant materials to withstand outdoor weather conditions.
  • Easy Setup: The planter is designed for quick assembly with minimal tools required.
  • Modular Design: The system is expandable, allowing you to link multiple planter boxes together to create a larger gardening area.

Pros:

  • Ideal for Vertical Gardening: The trellis system is perfect for growing vining plants like tomatoes, providing vertical space and preventing plants from sprawling on the ground.
  • Self-Watering Feature: Helps conserve water and reduces the need for frequent watering, which is especially beneficial for busy gardeners or in hot climates.
  • Durable Construction: The materials used are UV-resistant and rust-proof, making it a long-lasting option for outdoor gardening.
  • Easy Assembly: The planter box can be set up quickly, even for beginners, without the need for specialized tools.
  • Expandable: Can be connected with other Vego Garden planters, allowing you to create a larger gardening system.

Cons:

  • Size Limitations: The 24×24 inch planter may be too small for gardeners looking to grow larger tomato varieties or multiple plants in one box.
  • Water Reservoir: Some users mentioned that the water reservoir is relatively small for the size of the planter, requiring more frequent refilling during peak growing seasons.

Best for:

  • Tomato growers or those interested in vertical gardening who want to save space and grow climbing vegetables.
  • Small-space gardeners, especially those with limited horizontal space but room for vertical growth.
  • Beginners or those looking for a simple, low-maintenance gardening solution with self-watering features.

Availability:

Buy on Amazon.com or Walmart.com

The Vego Garden Tomato Planter Box with Trellis is a solid choice for small-space gardeners looking to grow tomatoes or other climbing vegetables. Its self-watering system reduces maintenance, and the included trellis helps maximize vertical space.

While it may not be the best option for larger plants or those needing a more extensive water reservoir, the planter offers great value for anyone focused on growing compact crops in a space-efficient manner.

Seasonal Considerations for Self-Watering Containers

When selecting self-watering containers for your Florida garden, understanding how seasonal changes can affect plant health and watering needs is crucial. The right container for the job can make all the difference, helping you keep your plants thriving year-round despite the state’s hot summers, occasional cold snaps, and rainy seasons.

Here are some key factors to consider when choosing and maintaining self-watering containers throughout the year:

Summer Strategies for Light-Colored Containers

During Florida’s long, hot summers, light-colored containers can help keep plants cooler by reflecting sunlight and reducing heat absorption. Dark containers tend to absorb heat, which can stress plants by raising soil temperatures.

Opting for white, light gray, or pastel-colored planters can help mitigate this issue, keeping your plants comfortable while maintaining proper hydration levels.

Additionally, containers with reflective surfaces may help prevent evaporation from the soil, keeping the water reservoir functioning efficiently during the hottest months.

Winter Adjustments with Darker Containers

In the cooler months, dark-colored containers may be your best bet. These containers absorb more sunlight, which helps keep the soil temperature higher—critical for plants that require warmth to thrive.

This is particularly important for container plants grown in the fall and winter, as the soil in light-colored containers can become too cool, slowing down root growth and overall plant health.

Dark containers can also hold onto a little extra heat on chilly nights, offering additional protection to sensitive plants.

Rainy Season Reservoir Management

Florida’s rainy season can pose a unique challenge to container gardening, especially when it comes to managing the water reservoir in self-watering containers. Heavy rains can fill reservoirs quickly, potentially leading to waterlogging and root rot if not properly managed.

Some containers are equipped with overflow drainage systems that help prevent excess water buildup, which is crucial for Florida’s intense storms. If your container doesn’t have this feature, consider adding a manual overflow or positioning containers in slightly elevated areas to help with drainage.

Hurricane Preparation Tips

Hurricanes and tropical storms are a part of life in Florida, so preparing your garden containers for high winds and heavy rain is essential. For larger containers, consider securing them with ties or moving them to sheltered locations during storm warnings.

Self-watering containers are often quite sturdy, but it’s still wise to avoid leaving them in places where they might topple or get blown over, even if the reservoirs are full.

Frost Protection Methods

While frost is rare in Florida, it can still happen in the winter, especially in northern regions of the state. Plants in containers are more vulnerable to temperature changes than those in the ground, so it’s important to take protective measures.

To help prevent frost damage, you can move self-watering containers to more sheltered areas, such as under eaves or near walls that retain heat. Wrapping containers with frost-resistant material or covering them with a light fabric at night can also help.

For extremely cold nights, consider using heating cables or blankets designed for plants to offer additional protection. You can also move them into sheds, garages and even under large trees.

Consider moving particularly sensitive plants indoors for the night.

Size Guide for Different Plant Types

Choosing the right size container for your plants is essential to ensuring their health and productivity. In Florida’s diverse growing conditions, container size can have a significant impact on how well plants develop.

From herbs to trees, understanding each plant’s space needs will help you make the best selection for your garden. Here’s a breakdown of the ideal container sizes for different plant types:

Herb Container Requirements

Herbs tend to have shallow root systems and don’t require very large containers, but they still need enough space to grow and spread. A container that is at least 12 to 16 inches in diameter is typically sufficient for most herbs.

For a single herb like basil, parsley, or thyme, a smaller container may be adequate, but larger herbs like rosemary or oregano may need more space.

If you’re planting multiple herbs together in one container, look for a size around 18 to 24 inches in diameter to allow them to grow comfortably without overcrowding.

Vegetable Planter Sizing

Vegetables generally require more space than herbs to accommodate their deeper roots and larger growth habits. For most vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, or eggplants, a 5 to 10-gallon container (approximately 16 to 20 inches in diameter) is ideal.

Larger crops like squash or zucchini may need larger planters—15 to 20 gallons or even more. For root vegetables like carrots or potatoes, deeper containers with a minimum depth of 12 inches are necessary to allow for proper root development.

Be sure to choose a container that can handle both the root depth and the width required for healthy growth.

Flowering Plant Specifications

Flowering plants, especially annuals like petunias or marigolds, generally do well in medium-sized containers. A 10 to 14-inch container is typically large enough to accommodate flowering plants, but larger varieties or those with extensive root systems, like hibiscus or geraniums, may require 18 to 24 inches in diameter.

If planting perennials or flowers that will need to be in the same container for multiple years, consider opting for a larger size to ensure the roots have enough space to grow each season.

Consider the growth habit of the plant as well—vining plants like sweet peas or morning glories may require deeper containers to accommodate their trailing roots.

Tree and Shrub Container Needs

Trees and shrubs require the most space, as their root systems are larger and need more room to develop. A 15 to 30-gallon container (typically 24 to 36 inches in diameter) is necessary for small trees or large shrubs.

Larger trees may need even bigger containers to thrive in a container setting. For example, citrus trees, which are popular in Florida, do well in 20-gallon containers, while larger trees like palms or smaller fruit trees may need a 30-gallon container or more.

Always ensure the container is deep enough to support the full growth potential of the root system.

Mixed Planting Recommendations

When planting multiple types of plants together in one container, you’ll need to consider the size requirements of all the plants involved. For mixed plantings, choose a container that is at least 20-30 inches in diameter to ensure that the plants have enough space for root growth without competing for nutrients and water.

For instance, a combination of herbs, vegetables, and flowers might do well in a 24-inch diameter container or larger, with adequate depth to accommodate the varied root systems. Remember to group plants with similar water and light needs to ensure they thrive together in a shared space.

By selecting the right size container for each plant type, you can ensure that your Florida garden flourishes throughout the year. Always consider the mature size of your plants and the root space they’ll require to avoid overcrowding and poor plant health.

Maintenance and Care

Proper maintenance and care are essential to ensuring that your self-watering containers continue to function effectively year-round. While these containers are designed to make gardening easier, a little attention goes a long way in keeping them in top condition.

Here are some key maintenance tasks for self-watering containers in Florida’s climate:

Cleaning and Sanitizing Procedures

To keep your self-watering containers functioning properly, it’s important to clean them regularly. Over time, dirt, algae, and mineral buildup can accumulate in the water reservoir and wicking system, which can affect water flow and plant health.

Begin by emptying the container and removing any plants. Use a mild soap solution or a 10% bleach solution to clean the container thoroughly, scrubbing all surfaces, including the water reservoir, the wick, and any drainage holes.

Be sure to rinse thoroughly to remove any soap or bleach residue, as they may harm plants. Clean your containers at least once every season, or more often if you notice algae or mold growth.

Winterizing Techniques

During Florida’s occasional cold snaps, it’s important to protect your self-watering containers from potential damage caused by frost or freezing temperatures. While Florida’s winter conditions are usually mild, it’s still wise to take precautions.

If you’re growing more frost-sensitive plants, move containers to a sheltered spot or cover them with frost cloth or blankets. For the containers themselves, you may want to store them in a dry, sheltered area if possible.

For those left outdoors, ensure that the drainage holes are not blocked, as trapped water can freeze and damage the container. Additionally, empty out any excess water from the reservoir to avoid freezing and cracking.

Reservoir Adjustment Guidelines

Proper reservoir management is crucial to maintaining healthy plants, especially during Florida’s hot summer months when containers can dry out quickly. Regularly check the water level in the reservoir and refill as needed, making sure to only fill it to the recommended level to prevent overflows.

During the rainy season, you may need to adjust the water reservoir levels to account for heavy rainfall, which can lead to waterlogging. In these cases, ensure that the overflow system is working properly and consider temporarily reducing the water in the reservoir if necessary.

In drier months, be mindful of evaporation and replenish the reservoir as needed to maintain consistent moisture levels.

Filter Maintenance

Many self-watering containers come equipped with filters to keep the water reservoir free from debris and to help with proper drainage. These filters should be checked and cleaned regularly to ensure that the system remains efficient. Use a soft brush or sponge to clean the filter, removing any accumulated dirt or organic material.

In some cases, filters may need to be replaced every season or sooner if they become clogged beyond cleaning. Regular filter maintenance will help ensure that your self-watering system continues to deliver clean, effective moisture to your plants.

Self-Watering Container Installation and Setup

Setting up your self-watering container correctly from the start will help ensure its effectiveness and longevity. While these containers are designed for ease of use, following the right installation procedures can significantly improve the growing conditions for your plants.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting your self-watering container ready for planting.

Location Selection Guidelines

Choosing the right location for your self-watering container is essential for plant health. For Florida gardeners, this means considering the amount of sunlight your plants need, as well as the protection from the elements.

Self-watering containers should be placed in an area that receives adequate sunlight based on the plants you’re growing. Most vegetables and flowering plants require at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight, while herbs and leafy greens may tolerate partial shade.

Additionally, if you’re using the containers on a balcony or patio, ensure they are on a flat, stable surface to prevent tipping.

Initial Setup Procedures

The first step in setting up your self-watering container is ensuring the bottom of the container is prepared for the water reservoir system.

Many self-watering containers come with a built-in water reservoir that needs to be filled properly before planting. Start by placing the container in its designated spot and checking that it’s level.

If the container has a built-in wick or water reservoir, ensure it is correctly positioned to allow water to move from the reservoir into the soil. If the container has an overflow valve, double-check that it’s free of debris and working correctly to prevent waterlogging.

Once your container is in place and level, fill the reservoir with water to the recommended level, but avoid overfilling.

Water Level Monitoring Systems

Self-watering containers often include a built-in water level monitoring system, allowing you to keep track of the moisture in the reservoir. These systems can come in the form of a simple water level indicator or more sophisticated sensors.

Regularly monitor the water level to make sure the plants are getting the right amount of moisture. Most containers feature a visual indicator that will show you when the water reservoir is low and needs to be refilled.

In Florida’s hot climate, you may need to check the water level more frequently during the summer months, as evaporation rates can be high. Adjusting the water level as needed will help keep your plants healthy and thriving.

Drainage Modifications

While self-watering containers typically have built-in drainage systems, there may be times when additional modifications are needed, especially during Florida’s rainy season.

Make sure the drainage holes at the bottom of the container are unobstructed to allow excess water to escape and prevent root rot. If you notice that the container isn’t draining properly, consider adding small pebbles or gravel to the bottom of the reservoir to prevent clogging.

Soil Mixture Recommendations

The right soil mix is key to the success of your self-watering container. For most plants, you’ll want a soil blend that is lightweight, well-draining, and moisture-retentive.

A good base soil mixture should consist of equal parts of potting soil, compost, and perlite or vermiculite. This combination allows for optimal moisture retention without becoming too compact, which can restrict root growth.

If you’re growing vegetables or flowers, it’s especially important to ensure that the mix drains well, as these plants are sensitive to waterlogged roots. Avoid using regular garden soil, as it can be too heavy and may clog the water wicking system.

For herbs, you may prefer a slightly drier, more sandy mix, as many herbs don’t tolerate overly moist conditions.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the best self-watering containers, issues may arise from time to time. Knowing how to address these challenges can help ensure the health and longevity of your plants. Here’s a guide to troubleshooting common problems that Florida gardeners might face with their self-watering containers.

Dealing with Algae Growth

Algae growth is a common issue in self-watering containers. Algae can develop on the surface of the water reservoir or even in the soil if the conditions are right.

While algae itself isn’t usually harmful to plants, it can promote the growth of unwanted pests and block sunlight from reaching the soil.

To prevent algae growth, regularly clean the container, especially the water reservoir. If you notice algae on the surface, scrub it off with a mild soap solution or a mixture of water and vinegar.

Additionally, ensure your container is placed in a location with proper airflow to prevent excess humidity, which can contribute to algae buildup.

Preventing Root Rot

Root rot is a serious issue that occurs when plant roots become waterlogged and suffocate due to poor drainage. While self-watering containers are designed to prevent this, it can still happen if the drainage system becomes clogged or the water reservoir is overfilled.

To prevent root rot, make sure your container has adequate drainage, even if it’s a self-watering model. Check the drainage holes regularly and ensure they are free from debris.

Managing Overflow Problems

Overflow can occur if your self-watering container is receiving more water than it can handle, either due to heavy rain or incorrect watering habits. Most high-quality self-watering containers are designed with overflow systems to prevent this, but occasionally they can get blocked or malfunction.

If you find your container is overflowing during a rainstorm, check that the overflow hole is clear of dirt and debris. If needed, gently tilt the container to allow excess water to drain. Additionally, ensure that the water reservoir is not filled beyond the recommended level to prevent spillage.

For added protection during heavy rain, you may also want to move your container to a sheltered spot, such as under a porch or overhang.

Handling Extreme Heat

Florida’s intense summer heat can be a challenge for self-watering containers. Extreme heat can cause the soil to dry out more quickly, especially if the container is placed in full sun.

To manage heat stress, consider moving your container to a location that provides some afternoon shade or using a reflective material to shield the container from the sun. It’s also a good idea to check the water reservoir more frequently during heatwaves, as the plants may consume more water.

Additionally, adding mulch to the top of the soil can help retain moisture and keep the roots cool. Be sure not to overfill the reservoir in an attempt to keep the plants hydrated; the self-watering system is designed to deliver water as needed, and too much water can lead to other issues like root rot.

Use Self-Watering Containers to Elevate Your Florida Garden

Self-watering containers are an excellent investment for Florida gardeners, offering a convenient and efficient way to manage watering needs, especially considering our persistant hot and sunny weather. With the right container, you can enjoy healthier plants with less effort, whether you’re growing herbs, vegetables, or flowers.

From UV-resistant materials to thoughtful design features like overflow drainage and adjustable reservoirs, these containers are built to withstand Florida’s unique climate challenges. However, it’s important to choose the right size, style, and features for your specific garden needs, ensuring your plants receive the best care possible.

While high-quality self-watering containers can be pricey, there are ways to stay within your budget without sacrificing performance. By carefully considering your needs and shopping around for deals or even building your own container, you can enjoy the benefits of self-watering gardening without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, these containers can simplify your gardening experience, and with a little research and planning, you’ll be able to find a solution that works for both your plants and your wallet. Happy gardening!

Posted on

Finding the Right Seed Trays for Spring Planting

seed trays with seedlings

Depending on where you live, you may already be planning your spring garden. Here in Zone 10a, I’m starting seedlings now to plant out in mid-February. But, I’m running low on seed trays, so I’ve been shopping around to see what direction to go in this year.

What Are Seed Trays

What are seed trays? Seed trays are small containers that let you get plants started before the planting season. They consist of small containers for soil or planting medium that let you germinate many seeds at once.

When we talk about seed trays, most people are referring to cell flats. Those are the flimsy plastic containers with divided sections for starting your seedlings.

In most cases, you’ll get a number of cell containers of six or four cells with a large tray underneath to catch any water draining from the plants.

They also often come with clear plastic covers to help hold in heat and moisture. I rarely use them myself, because Zone 10a is hot and humid enough. And generally, I find that seeds germinate and outgrow the lids too quickly.

But don’t throw them away! They come in handy as watering pans.

Some seed trays also come with a heating pad to encourage some of the more heat-loving seedlings, like eggplant.

But not all seed trays are made out of flimsy plastic. Some upgraded models will be sturdier. And you can also purchase biodegradable seed trays so you don’t have to disturb the roots when you plant them out.

Alternatives to Seed Trays

Seed tray cells are my usual go-to. I have a few dozen of them, but this year, I plan to really fill in the borders. In the past, I’ve also used everything from Jiffy pods to toilet paper rolls. And while both work, they only work well under certain circumstances.

For example, while Jiffy pods are pretty awesome, they have limited capacity. So you really have to consider how long you have until you can plant them out.

Toilet paper rolls are pretty super, too, and they’re a great way to reuse something that would often end up in a landfill. But they’re delicate and may not hold together long enough.

DIY seed trays

Why Use Seed Trays?

If you want to get a jump on your planting season, seed trays give you a distinct advantage. Instead of waiting until the conditions are perfect to plant them outdoors in the soil.

In many Southern gardens, fall is the best time to plant vegetables. It can simply be too hot during the late summer to plant your veggies in the garden. In my area, it’s simply too wet! Damping-off is common, and it’s frustrating to watch your little seedlings fall over and die.

I start many of my spring seedlings in December, but there is still a risk of frost or the odd freak freeze. Starting my plants in seed trays allows me to move them easily indoors should the temperature drop.

Seed trays let you germinate strong, healthy seedlings under the best conditions until the outdoor conditions improve.

Vegetable Starts

The best reason for using seed trays is that they let you extend your growing season.

You want to plant out your seedlings as soon as you can after your last expected frost so you can get more out of your vegetable garden.

In Atlanta, for example, you have a 50-50 chance of a frost after April 4. So, why not give your plants a head start by germinating them in seed trays in February.

For me, the 50-50 point falls on January 4, although I usually wait a little longer. The 10 percent chance falls on February 14, so I need to get planting now!

But if you examine most vegetable seed packets, you’ll see that that they recommend planting by soil temperature, not by date. Using starter trays lets you control that temperature, either by starting them indoors or providing a heating pad.

And when you look at the cost of buying starter plants, you can see why starting your own seeds is so attractive. I think our local home improvement store sells vegetable starts at about $5 each. Since you can reuse your starter trays season after season, growing from seed is a real bargain.

Which Vegetables to Plant

If you’re thinking about starting your plants in trays, note that some plants aren’t suitable to starting in pots. They may have delicate roots that go into shock when transplanted.

However, the following all do well in starter trays, so consider peppers, lettuce, eggplant, and tomatoes. If you want to start cucurbits before your planting dates, you can also use biodegradable starters like Jiffy pots.

Always plant beans directly in the soil where you intend to grow them. They’re pretty hardy, so even if you plant them a little too early, you should have no trouble with them.

Flowers Starts

Using starter trays lets you add tons of color to your borders on the first planting day of spring. It seems like the cost of annuals has really exploded over the last five years. Investing in a set of good starter trays means you’ll be ready on that first day of spring.

You’ll also be able to add more throughout your growing season. Here in 10a, I’ve planted annuals in February only to see them expire in May. I’ve learned my lesson, and this year, I’ll be starting annual in succession to make the most of our long growing season.

And if you love perennials as much as I do, it’s great to get a nice long start on them by starting them indoors in the fall. They often grow very slowly, compared to annuals, so being able to plant out good size perennials that you’ve grown from seed can save you a lot of money.

Most annuals will do well in starter trays. Consider favorites like impatiens, petunias, and vinca.

And my one big money-saving trick? When you take cuttings, use your seed trays! They’re super for propagating small cuttings for future flowers.

Successful Seed Starting in Trays

Before starting any seeds in trays, do some research to find out how they handle transplanting. There’s always some debate, so as in all gardening, it can be a gamble. But you may win out if you experiment.

I’ve seen some sources say to always plant cucumbers directly, but I’ve had no problems starting them and transplanting them out using seed trays. Most of my trouble with cucumbers come much later in the form of powdery mildew.

Before you reuse your starter trays, make sure you wash them thoroughly with soap and water. While you may get lucky a few times, a thorough cleaning can help prevent disease spread.

You’ll also want to make sure you transplant them when they’re ready. Transplanting a rootbound plant can mean damage. If it’s still too cold (or too hot or too rainy), plant them up in a bigger pot to keep them thriving.

Best Seed Starter Trays to Buy

If you live in the South, it’s time to prepare for spring planting now. And if you need to stock up on starter trays, take a look at a few of my top picks.

Burpee Self-Watering Seed Starter Trays

Sale
Burpee Self-Watering Seed Starter Tray, 72 Cells
  • GROW LIKE A PRO: Complete indoor seed starting set includes two 36 cell…
  • BIGGER, BETTER SEEDLINGS: Take the guesswork out of when and how often to…
  • STAY ORGANIZED: Seed starting grow kit also comes with two plant-o-gram…
  • GROW 72 SEEDLINGS: Tray has space for up to 72 seedlings in cells measuring…
  • 100% GUARANTEED: Burpee is committed to the success of all gardeners. We…

These starter trays from Burpee guarantee your plant won’t perish of thirst. This design with a self-watering mat also prevents damping-off by maintaining the right level of moisture. It comes with growing medium pellets of coconut coir and a humidity dome.

Hydrofarm CK64060 Jump Start Starter Tray

Jump Start CK64060 120V 17W Germination Hot House with Heat Mat, Watertight Tray, Cell Insert and 7″…
  • GERMINATION: Ideal environment for starting your seeds and cuttings by…
  • POWER: This UL-listed waterproof heat mat runs at 17 watts, 120 volts
  • HUMIDITY CONTROL: Features a 7-inch humidity dome for controlled humidity…
  • WHAT’S INCLUDED: Includes heat mat, humidity dome, watertight tray, and…
  • OPERATING TEMP: Operates 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit above ambient air…

If you need extra height for your starts, these seed trays have you covered. With a 7-inch dome lid, you’ll be able to provide plenty of room for your starter plants. It also comes with a heating mat to reach that perfect soil temperature. Offering 72 cells, you’ll be able to start plenty of beauties for your borders.

Park Seed Bio-Dome

Park Seed Bio Dome Seed Starter Kit with 40 Jumbo Cell Planting Block, Base Tray, Humidity Dome & 40…
  • Climate control. You can remove the clear vent as the plants grow, but at…
  • Incredible rooting medium. The bio sponge is simply the best way we’ve ever…
  • Bottom watering. You water the base of this tray, NOT the bio sponges…
  • Root strength. This goes along with #3 — these seedlings form LOTS of…
  • Ease of transplant. None of this business of transplanting the plug into a…

Park Seed offers a sterling reputation, and its starter trays deliver some distinct advantages. This model boasts biosponges, so you won’t need growing medium until you reuse it. And you’ll want to reuse them because their sturdy construction will last for years.

Getting a Head Start on Your Garden

With no White Christmas here in Zone 10, it’s isn’t hard to start dreaming of a Green Spring. Seed catalogs have already hit the mailbox, and I need to get to work.

First, research the plants you want to grow and get a good idea of how much room they’ll need and how soon you’ll need to start them before your last frost date. Check out info from NOAA for your dates.

And make sure you get starter trays that are the right size for what you’re planting, including the depth and the height of any humidity dome.

Let me know what you’ve got planned and how you’re starting your seeds this spring. I’d love to hear from you.

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Best Greenhouse Kits for Southern Gardens

best greenhouse kits for Southern gardens

Now that Florida is facing its annual cold season, it’s time to think about frost protection. Even here in Zone 10a, the temperatures can drop overnight, even to freezing and below. For Southern gardeners whose passion is tropical gardening, temperatures below just 50°F can be devasting. So, what ARE the best greenhouse kits for Southern gardens and our unique needs?

Between blistering sunlight in summer, torrential downpours, and sudden sharp frosty nights, gardening in Florida — or anywhere along the Gulf Coast — can be quite a challenge. The best greenhouse kits for Southern gardens will provide protection from frosts, hot sun, and torrential downpours.

Currently, we’re enjoying a freak winter downpour. Since it’s following a long drought, I’m not going to complain. But so far, my fall tomato plants have already been fried, drowned, and tipped with cold damage. Granted, I have a love-hate relationship with tomatoes.

A few years ago, my husband promised to build me a greenhouse. He even described his elaborate plans to reuse some PVC pipe. That was in 2020, after we had already spent four months rushing outside during the rare bitter cold snap, teeth chattering, covering tomato plants with every spare sheet or blanket we could find.

Then, we “enjoyed” the freak three-night freeze of 2022, and I knew it was time to invest in a real greenhouse, even if I didn’t have much of a budget.

What was the best greenhouse I could find without breaking the bank?

Easy-peasy — The King Bird extended polytunnel with sprinkler system.

A quick tour of my favorite new greenhouse

Why Do You Need a Greenhouse in the South?

While I have three growing seasons here, it seems that my fall garden plants just get started producing in the winter when we suddenly get a cold snap.

It’s the same with the spring — they just get established and start to bloom when a blistering hot day puts an end to progress.

I knew that I really COULD grow fool all year round if I had the right infrastructure. It’s entirely possible to grow all year long, if you have one of the best greenhouse kits for extending the season.

For example, it’s still too hot and humid in September to grow large tomato varieties, and they don’t really get going until October. That leaves them vulnerable in late December and January.

And while most people use their greenhouse in the winter, I decided that I could also use a greenhouse kit in the summer by adding a shade cloth to keep out the worst of the afternoon sun.

I lucked into the best buy I could make when I discovered the King Bird greenhouse that included a sprinkler kit for cooling off during the hot summer.

Wouldn’t it be great to have a shade house in place to save time (and sunburn)?

Most gardeners in the South just take the summer off. But the best greenhouse kit could be quickly modified with some shade cloth.

The best greenhouse kits make the most of your garden all year round.

Best Greenhouse Kits to Consider

I’m sold on my new King Bird greenhouse, but you may have other needs, less space, or even more budget. Here’s a shortlist to work from. I’ve also added a few others that look like likely options for a wide range of gardeners.

And of course, my top recommendation is:

1. KING BIRD Upgraded 15×6.6×6.6FT Large Walk-in Greenhouse

KING BIRD Upgraded 15×6.6×6.6FT Large Walk-in Greenhouse Heavy Duty Galvanized Steel Frame 2…
  • 【Watering Greenhouse】comes with a 15-ft water hose and irrigation kit that lets you water your plants easily and efficiently. You can adjust the water mist size and direction to suit your needs…
  • 【Steady Greenhouse】Less worry about strong winds or heavy snow damaging your greenhouse. KING BIRD greenhouse is built with galvanized steel, 3 top crossbars, 10 vertical bottom poles, and 2…
  • 【Ventilated Greenhouse】Enjoy two entrances with PE and zippered screen doors that allow you to access your plants from both sides. You can also roll up the screen windows and use the water…
  • 【Warm Greenhouse】The PE grid cover of KING BIRD greenhouse is specially designed to resist UV rays and extend its lifespan. It is also waterproof, odorless, and fits snugly over the frame to keep…
  • 【Trustful Greenhouse】KING BIRD always values customers’ experience the most. All KING BIRD greenhouse kits are provided with a 1-year warranty or more. Feel free to contact KING BIRD Team when you…

This greenhouse is GINORMOUS, and the durable white PE cover keeps it cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

This model has stood up to two named Florida storms as well as some freakishly late rain and windstorms over this winter.

2. King Bird Upgraded 10×6.6×6.6 Walk-in Greenhouse

KING BIRD Upgraded 10×6.6×6.6FT Large Walk-in Greenhouse Heavy Duty Galvanized Steel Frame 2…
  • 【Watering Greenhouse】comes with a 15-ft water hose and irrigation kit that lets you water your plants easily and…

If you don’t have 15 feet to spare, don’t hesitate to check out this smaller version, with the same high quality and special features as the larger version.

3. GoSunny Deluxe Greenhouse Kit

MEFELE Cln Deluxe Green House 56″ W x 56″ D x 77″ H, Walk-in Outdoor Plant Gardening Greenhouse 2…
  • Constructed with 12 wired shelves – 6 on each side, and measures 56″W x 56″D x 77″H, which makes space for all your…
  • Strong frame – built with heavy-duty powder coated steel. Include 4 ropes and 4 stakes to secure the greenhouse and…
  • Place the greenhouse indoor inside your garage during the cold winter or outside with no PVC cover during the hot…

This GoSunny model is one of the first portable greenhouse kits I’ve used in my current location, and it’s pretty darn good for the price.

This greenhouse is 56 inches wide by 56 inches deep, and it stands 77 inches tall. This means you have plenty of room to move around inside.

The powder-coated metal tubing frame is 16mm and the reinforced polyurethane cover is 0.4mm thick, so it’s durable and offers excellent protection from any cold spells.

It features straps to hold the zippered door open to allow ventilation, as well as two side windows with mesh.

This greenhouse kit comes with nail stakes and tie-downs to keep your greenhouse in place under windy conditions.

Inside, it offers 12 built-in wire shelves. You can also adjust them to your collection. And the whole assembly offers additional headroom for heat lamps or fans.

Unfortunately, it may not stand long against the Florida heat and humidity, but it’s a bargain for protecting plants against harsh sun, cold nights, and sudden downpours.

4. Eagle Peak 8×6 Portable Pop-Up Greenhouse

Sale
EAGLE PEAK 8×6 Portable Walk-in Greenhouse, Pop-up Indoor Outdoor Garden Green House, Zippered Doors…
  • EASY SETUP: Innovative easy setup technology allows ONE PERSON to set up this greenhouse in seconds. EAGLE PEAK pop-up greenhouse is ready straight…
  • STABLE AND STURDY: With a steel-ceiling roof, the construction of this greenhouse is rigid and durable enough to endure most outdoor conditions with…
  • SPACE TO WORK: Enjoy freedom of movement with the spacious walk-in 8×6 ft greenhouse. Shelving fits comfortably in it (Please search ASIN: B08ZJ8H558…

When I purchased my King Bird, I also purchased two of these pop-up greenhouses for emergency use. They were on sale at the time, and I couldn’t resist the price.

These are especially useful for covering in-ground climbing plants like cordoned tomatoes or cucumbers. I purchased them for hanging houseplants and in the hope that they would be easy to put up by myself when I sold plants at local farmer’s markets.

It turned out they were a bit too heavy for the purpose, but one has made a most excellent shade house. The structure is easily sturdy enough to hold many hanging plants for display. And it’s shady enough for Monstera and pothos on poles, too.

5. Gardman 7600 Extra Wide 4-Tier Greenhouse 

Gardman USA 7600 Greenhouse, 4 tier
  • Extra wide mini greenhouse
  • Easy to use
  • This product is manufactured in China
  • Quality construction and materials to last many seasons
  • Heavy duty reinforced polyethylene cover

If you don’t have much space and are looking for apartment patio greenhouse kits, this Gardman model provides roomy shelves and protection from the co

This is the perfect size for planting a few starts for spring.

It measures 63 inches high and is tall enough for four shelves of seed trays. It’s 18 inches deep and also extra wide, at 47 inches.

It has a sturdy, modular steel tubing frame that will hold up to the elements. You can also snap it together without any tools.

The reinforced polyurethane cover has a zipper front and each shelf is about 14 inches high. So, you can even add a heat lamp for extra warmth.

Gardman is a UK company that sources its materials responsibly. They have a 27-year history and specialize in garden décor, lighting, and bird feeders.

6. Strong Camel Large Walk-in Wall Greenhouse

Strong Camel Large Walk-in Wall Greenhouse 10x5x7’H w 3 Tiers/6 Shelves Gardening with Two Door…
  • Suitable Size:The new Walk-in greenhouse size: 10ft x 5ft x 7ft. 6 shelves height 15.7”, width 11”; net size…
  • Excellent Quanlity:The cover is water resistant, UV protected thick polyethylene (PE) which is non toxic and odorless,…
  • Useful design: Our greenhouse has 3 levels, and 6 shelves. Roll up zip doors at both ends for easy access, ventilation…

If you’re looking for lean-to greenhouse kits, check out this affordable and durable Strong Camel model. You can place it against any exterior wall for stability and reflected heat.

The CO-Z greenhouse is 10 feet long, 5 feet deep, and a generous 7 feet tall. It creates a warm little nest for your delicate plants on cold winter nights.

You can also protect your delicate seedlings from being washed out. The UV protection and green checking also prevent scorching in the dry spring heat.

The door zips open and rolls up to stay out of the way when you’re working and to allow in plenty of fresh air on warm days.

It also comes with wire shelving to make the most of the space.

It boasts a tubular steel frame and UV-protected polyethylene cover. You’ll also get guy lines, ground nails, and a screw kit for securing it to your exterior wall.

7. Outsunny 15′ x 7′ x 7′ Walk-in Tunnel Hoop Greenhouse

Sale
Outsunny 14.6′ x 6.6′ x 6.6′ Walk-in Tunnel Hoop Greenhouse with Mesh Door & 8 Windows, Large Green…
  • Walk-In Hoop Greenhouse Kit: This walk-in greenhouse gives you a personal plant nursery for your garden. Control heat,…
  • Look in or Let Air Out: Control the heat and humidity in your outdoor greenhouse by making use of the eight…
  • Heavy-Duty, Outdoor Ready: Our backyard greenhouse protects plants from wind, rain, and cold with a 140 GSM PE cover, a…

For those focused on high production, Outsunny offers an affordable tunnel greenhouse that offers professional size protection for the backyard grower.

This hoop house is great for year-round growing and urban farming. It’s 15 feet long by 7 feet wide and stands 7 feet tall when assembled. So, you can add heaters or fans for year-round use.

The reinforced galvanized steel tube frame is rust-resistant, and the 140 GSM polyethylene cover is reinforced with mesh. This also diffuses harsh sunlight in the summer season and allows 85% of sunlight in.

This makes it the perfect greenhouse for Florida, where the sun can defy even the chill of winter. It also provides much needed shade for spring and summer growing.

8. Quictent Large Portable Walk-in Greenhouse

Quictent 12×6.6×6.6 FT Greenhouse for Outdoors, Heavy Duty Large Garden High Tunnel Walk-in Green…
  • Mesh Zipper Door & 6 Vents – The front door of the greenhouse is equipped with 1 screen door to keep small unwanted…
  • Powder-Coated Steel Frame – Made of reinforced powder-coated steel, there’s less worry about rust which makes the whole…
  • Extended Cover – The extra skirt part of the cover at the bottom of the greenhouse makes it more airtight and secure:…

If you have a long and narrow yard, this Quictent model might be the best greenhouse kit for your garden.

It’s 12 feet long and 7 feet wide and measures 7 feet high.

The powder-coated steel frame offers extra support from middle rails and the polyethylene cover is extra long for attachment to the ground for stability.

It’s easy to assemble with Velcro straps and plenty of stakes to hold it down. There are doors on either end as well as six screened vents on the side for superior ventilation.

Quictent is also a Texas manufacturer with an A+ BBB rating, and they offer camping tents as well.

9. Palram Polycarbonate Greenhouse

Sale
Palram – Canopia 6×4 Greenhouse for Outdoors, Walk-In, UV Polycarbonate Panels, Heavy Duty Aluminum…
  • TWO PANEL TYPES PROVIDE ULTIMATE BALANCED GROWING CONDITIONS – Virtually unbreakable twin-wall polycarbonate roof panels…
  • STURDY THOUGHTFUL CONSTRUCTION WILL LAST A LIFETIME – Chosen by Better Homes and Gardens as the Best Overall Greenhouse…
  • STEP-BY-STEP DIY INSTRUCTIONS DESIGNED FOR HOMEOWNER INSTALLATION – Easy installation accomplished with sliding panels’…

If you’re in the market for a more permanent solution, Palram offers one of the highest reputations with buyers for greenhouse kits. While only measuring 6×4 feet, it’s a gorgeous specimen that will surely become the shining centerpiece in an ornamental garden.

It features twin-wall polycarbonate roof panels to protect plants from strong sunlight and an aluminum frame. The wall and ceiling panels are 4mm transparent polycarbonate.

10. Lovtimber 6×10 FT Polycarbonate Greenhouse

Lovtimber 6×10 FT Polycarbonate Greenhouse, Heavy Duty Walk-in Garden Plants Green House, Adjustable…
  • 【Walk-in Spacious Greenhouse】The ideal growing environment is large enough for you to plant numbers of plants,…
  • 【Heavy-duty & Durable Frame】The 4mm thick polycarbonate board can withstand outdoor temperature from -20℃ to 70…
  • 【Great Vents & Slide Doors】The greenhouse have 1 window vents are designed with 5 adjustable angles for proper air…

If you need more space for less money and are willing to give a newcomer a go, this 6×8 polycarbonate greenhouse has all the features of more established brands without the price tag.

It offers adjustable vents for reducing summer heat build-up and protects from cold with 4mm polycarbonate panels.

11. HOWE 8x14x7.5 FT Polycarbonate Greenhouse

No products found.

Add a professional-grade polycarbonate greenhouse for about half the cost by doing your own installation.

Protect a whole season’s worth of starter plants and store your garden equipment securely out of the elements.

Features double sliding doors and four vents for temperature control. The 6mm polycarbonate panels do double duty protecting your delicate plants from the cold, heat, and heavy rains.

Get a high-quality greenhouse and outdoor living space in one.

Using a Greenhouse in Florida and Other Hot Climate Zones

A Jump on Spring

I normally start my spring seeds in December. But quite frankly, I don’t have enough room for everything if we get a cold night. Last year, I moved dozens of seedlings inside when the temperatures plummeted. I lost a few trays because I foolishly stacked them and they crushed each other.

But a greenhouse means I’ll have plenty of room to keep my starts toasty and safe all winter long. I may even get some spring tomatoes this year.

Variety is the Spice of Life

Speaking of tomatoes, because I live in an area of the country that suffers from terrible heat and humidity, I have trouble growing big tomato varieties. They just suffer under the sun long before they produce.

So, I’ve been focusing on early maturing varieties and cherry tomatoes – which means I don’t get to enjoy the wide variety of heirloom vegetables I want to grow.

Choosing the Best Greenhouse for Winter

Too often, I’ll jump into buying something for my garden on a whim. Just ask me about all those soaker hoses I bought last month.

But in this case, I’m doing my research and due diligence before making a big purchase that will take up a lot of yard space.

Here are some things to think about before choosing a greenhouse.

Code Violations

In some neighborhoods or towns, you may need to get a permit. Usually, this will be for a permanent structure, perhaps with an electrical line or water access. You probably won’t need one for a small portable greenhouse or hoop house.

But do check with your local planning commission about what type of structures require a permit.

And don’t forget to check with your HOA or neighborhood association to make sure it doesn’t violate their requirements.

Allocating Space

Do you have enough room on your property for a greenhouse? Sometimes, you’ll find that the best place to put it for maximum efficiency is smack-dab in the middle of your back yard.

You’ll want it in the sunshine for the winter, but remember that placement under a tree canopy can help protect plants from a hard freeze, too.

Make the most of any southern exposure available to help keep your greenhouse warm. Also, placing your greenhouse near a light-painted wall with southern exposure can be the warmest spot in the yard. Buildings can reflect sunlight onto nearby plants as well as absorb heat during the day and release it over the night.

Place your greenhouse so it gets at least six hours of sunshine during the day. And remember, it’s also a good time to trim trees and bushes during their dormant periods.

Accessibility

You’ll also want to place your greenhouse where it’s easy to access from your home. Especially if it gets cold, you’re more likely to keep an eye on things if you don’t have to freeze to do so.

You may also want access to the outdoor hose bibb or GFCI outlet. Adding a portable electric heater turns even a cheap model into one of the best greenhouse kits for growing vegetables in the winter.

Knowing where you’re going to place it will help you narrow down all the possible choices to one that will work best in your garden.

Lovely greenhouse in a back yard.

Features to Look for in the Best Greenhouse Kit

Greenhouse kits come in a wide range of price points and durability options. You can find inexpensive models that hold a few shelves of seedlings for very little money. You can also find models the size of a small family bungalow, with sturdy metal frames.

So, think of what features you might need to get started.

How Big?

Last year, I only set up a few seed trays to get my spring garden started. So, I really only needed an economy model.

If you’re just getting a jump on spring starters for early vegetables, a smaller indoor/outdoor model will probably be one of the best greenhouse kits for you.

However, if you’re growing a significant number of plants and rely on them to feed your family, you may want to look at a more sizeable model. You’ll find hoop houses provide plenty of room for low cost.

If you need to overwinter delicate full-grown plants, you may want to look for height in a greenhouse as well as square footage. Check out models that offer shelving systems and hanging hooks.

And if you want to make a statement in your landscape design, take a look at some of the best greenhouse kits from makers like Grandio and Palram. While they do require some DIY skills to assemble, they’re much less expensive than hiring a contractor to build one.

Construction Materials

Portable greenhouses use plastic sheeting to protect your plants from the elements. The thickness can vary, but most provide adequate protection from winter chills in Zones 8 to 11.

More durable greenhouse kits use polycarbonate sheets, which are clear plastic, but sturdy like acrylic sheeting.

Poly-Sheeting Greenhouses

Most portable and economy greenhouse kits include polyethylene plastic sheeting and a frame made of aluminum, steel, or PVC piping.

The polyethylene plastic sheeting in kits usually runs between 2 to 6 mils thick. Although it may not last more than two or three years, you can also patch or even replace it should it be required.

Polycarbonate Greenhouses

The best greenhouse kits feature polycarbonate plastic panels in an aluminum frame. While they’re more expensive, they’re suitable for permanent installation.

However, they’re also harder to assemble. Especially if you’re planning on adding electricity and water to your greenhouse.

But if you have the DIY skills, they can really make a statement in your landscaping. Many are quite charming and attractive.

Commercial Greenhouse Kits

At one point in my budding horticultural career, I considered starting a hobbyist nursery. Then I discovered that you needed an inspection to sell plants to other gardeners. The good news was that I didn’t need one to sell produce.

A commercial size hoop house is just the thing if you have the room or are thinking of expanding into an urban farm.

Remember to check with your local extension office about any laws or regulations in place for your state. But who knows, you may have discovered the side gig that opens up a whole new career.

Greenhouse DIY

If you’re looking for a build your own greenhouse kit, you’ll find plenty of plans available online. All it takes is a few DIY skills and access to your local home improvement center.

And depending on your needs and ambition, you can build something as simple a hoop house or something as intricate and challenging as a solar-heated grow hut.

Walden Labs offers free plans online. I’ve been saving soda bottles for their Recycled Model for about a year now.

And if you’re looking for a fun craft, this small greenhouse DIY uses CD cases to create a cloche for a treasured favorite.

Gimme Shelter

I’m still not sure which one I’m going to opt for, but something tells me that I’m picking out my own Christmas present this year.

Either way, the best greenhouse kits are the ones you can afford and the ones you can use.

It may seem odd to get a greenhouse when you live in Florida and only get a few cold nights a year. But it will be nice knowing that I won’t have to stumble around in the dark, covering up whatever I can manage to see with whatever I can manage to find.

Do you have a greenhouse or hoop house? How did you finally settle on what kind to buy? Share your greenhouse tips in the comments.

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10 Awesome Gifts for Gardeners on Your List

Gifts for gardeners, mom, dad, or significant other

It’s that time of year, again! It’s the holidays, and for most people, thoughts of the garden are far off. Not in Florida! We garden year-round here, so our next plant or crop is always at the top of our minds. So, if you’re looking for great gifts for gardeners, we know exactly what to suggest.

Top Gifts for Gardeners At Every Price Point

Times are tight, so you don’t want to spend more than you have to in order to impress that “special someone who gardens” on your list.

Choose from our favorites below, from thrifty to indulgent.

1. Roo Gardening Apron with Pockets and Harvesting Pouch

If your gardener is anything like me, you may find yourself fishing seeds and green beans out of your pants pockets on wash day.

This is SO on my wish list!

The Roo Gardening Apron is the ultimate tool for hands-free, efficient gardening. This innovative apron keeps all your essential tools within arm’s reach.

The best part of the Roo Apron is the large harvesting pouch. Made of water-resistant ripstop nylon, this spacious pocket is ideal for collecting harvest or debris.

It features an adjustable cotton rope for easy emptying, ensuring you stay clean and dry during any task.

It also features multiple smaller pockets for your phone, tools, and gloves, making it a versatile companion for all your gardening needs.

Ergonomically designed, the Roo Apron ensures maximum comfort with a unique strap system that distributes weight away from the neck and shoulders.

It’s adjustable to fit a wide range of gardener sizes, suitable for anyone from 4’6” to 6’4”. It comes in green, blue, purple, and gray, so it makes one of the perfect gifts for gardeners of any size or type on your holiday list

2. Home & Garden Trends Garden Kneeler

One of my younguns got me one of these for Christmas a few years ago, and I still love it.

This version is extra wide for more comfortable seating. It’s also lightweight and easy to fold, but it still holds up to 330 pounds.

The best part is the tool pouches, which let you carry everything to any part of the yard without losing them or having to trudge back and forth.

These make excellent gifts for gardeners of a certain age, so make sure grandma and grandpa can putter in the yard in comfort.

3. Garden Hair Don’t Care Hat

Gardeners always have a sense of humor, and this is one of those gifts for gardeners that lets them know you’re in on the joke.

But it’s not just funny, it’s also practical. this hat

It’s a perfect blend of style, comfort, and practicality for garden enthusiasts. Crafted from 100% cotton, this classic baseball cap offers a natural, relaxed fit that ensures comfort while maintaining a balance between style and technical performance.

It features six panels and six ventilation holes, ensuring breathability and comfort in any weather, making it ideal for spring and summer activities.

This versatile hat comes with an adjustable size to fit most head sizes comfortably. The convenient metal closure allows for a custom fit, ensuring comfort and a secure fit at all times.

It offers protection against harmful UV rays with its pre-curved visor, keeping your skin safe and hair out of your face. Its moisture-wicking interior headband acts as a sweatband, keeping you cool and comfortable during hot summer days.

4. Play22 Complete Garden Tool Kit

The PLAY22 Garden Tools Set is one of the perfect gifts for gardeners who have just started on their journey. This comprehensive and high-quality collection of gardening essentials includes a sturdy carrying case and includes nearly every hand tool a new gardener could want.

Each tool in this set is made from sturdy steel, ensuring they are rust-proof, break-proof, and easy to clean. The ergonomic handles offer comfort during use, so it’s perfect for seniors or others with arthritis or carpel tunnel syndrome.

However, its thoughtful design and robust construction make this set an ideal gift for gardeners of all skill levels.

This set saves time and energy, providing immediate access to all the necessary tools for tending to the garden. With a lifetime warranty, the PLAY22 Garden Tools Set is a reliable and long-lasting companion for any gardening adventure.

5. Survival Vegetable Seeds Garden Kit

There may not be anyone as obsessed with seed collection as I am, but this Survival Vegetable Seed kit comes close with a wide range of veggie seeds to plant.

This collection makes great gifts for gardeners and preppers, both novice and experienced. This kit offers an extensive range of over 16,000 seeds across 35 easy-to-grow vegetable varieties, all non-GMO and heirloom.

It includes favorites like lettuce, beets, carrots, onions, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, peas, beans, and more, making it ideal for creating a diverse and thriving home garden.

Each packet includes complete growing and harvesting instructions. Grown, sourced, and packaged in the USA, this seed bank is an excellent gift choice for gardening enthusiasts, providing a sense of food security and self-reliance.

This Survival Vegetable Seeds Garden Kit is not just a collection of seeds; it’s an investment in sustainable, self-sufficient gardening.

6. NISAKU NJP650 The Original Hori Hori Namibagata Japanese Stainless Steel Weeding Knife

This is one of my favorite gardening tools that I own.

This is one of my top-tier gifts for gardeners, with an affordable price and made with craftsmanship and functionality.

Crafted in Japan, this weeding knife is made from the finest stainless steel, ensuring quality and longevity. The blade features inch markings, allowing gardeners to measure soil depth accurately, which is especially useful for planting bulbs and seedlings at the correct depth. This feature adds a level of precision to your gardening that standard tools simply can’t match.

The NISAKU NJP650 is a versatile multi-use tool, boasting both serrated and straight-edge blades. Its durability is unmatched, with a rust and scratch-resistant blade that maintains a razor-sharp edge through extensive use.

Ergonomically designed for comfort and efficiency, the knife has a blade size of 7.25 inches and a wooden handle of 5.25 inches, providing a balanced grip for various tasks. Weighing just 10 ounces, it is lightweight yet sturdy, offering ease of use for prolonged periods without causing hand fatigue.

7. Plant Theatre Cocktail Herb Growing Kit

For your gardening buddy who has turned to drink (or your drinking buddy who has decided to spend more time in the garden.

These cocktail herb growing kits make great gifts for gardeners who also like a tipple or two.

It’s an innovative way to infuse natural flavors into your drinks. This kit is not just about growing herbs; it’s about elevating your cocktail experience with a touch of gardening fun.

This kit offers a delightful variety of seeds tailored for cocktail enthusiasts, including cucamelon, blue borage, lime basil, hyssop, lemon balm, and mint leaves.

These herbs are carefully selected to add a unique and fresh dash of flavor to any beverage, making your cocktails stand out with home-grown, fresh ingredients.

The kit comes fully equipped with all the essentials needed to start your herb garden. It includes six pots, six peat discs for easy plant starting, six plant markers to keep track of your herbs, and a selection of seeds.

These herbs are perfect for displaying on any plant stand, adding a touch of greenery to your living space.

8. Grow Dammit Garden Sign

Do you remember what I said about gardeners and our sense of humor? Well, sometimes you just have to laugh when the harvest is poor and the flowers refuse to sprout.

This “Grow Dammit” sign is a humorous gift for gardeners, and it’s ideal for anyone who appreciates the joys and challenges of gardening.

It comes beautifully packaged in a gift box, making it ready to give for any occasion. The phrase “grow dammit” resonates with gardeners, symbolizing perseverance and determination in a lighthearted way. It’s sure to bring a smile to anyone who enjoys gardening.

The design of the sign is both natural and vintage, crafted from metal with a natural rust mark surface. This distinctive look allows it to stand out in any garden setting, adding character and charm.

This “Grow Dammit” garden sign is more than just another yard decoration; it’s a statement of humor, resilience, and the spirit of gardening.

9. Gaucha Designs Leather Garden Tool Belt

Go pro with this full-grain leather garden tool belt.

Step up your gardening game with the Gaucha Designs Leather Garden Tool Belt, an exquisite blend of functionality and style for gardeners, florists, and various professionals. This tool belt is more than just a utility item; it’s a fashion statement that combines practicality with elegance.

Crafted from full-grain leather, this 100% leather tool belt is designed for both women and men. It’s an ideal companion for carrying all your hand tools, making it perfect for gardeners, florists, and farmers.

The tool belt’s durability makes it a reliable choice for storing gardening tools like scissors, pruners, pliers, tree grafting tools, woodwork tools, and more.

Each belt is handmade, reflecting a passion for style and quality. The fashionable flair of this leather tool pouch sets it apart, elevating any workwear look.

The Gaucha Designs tool belt is one of the best gifts for gardeners who take growing seriously.

10. KING BIRD Large Walk-in Greenhouse

Hands down one of my favorite garden purchases this year and one that I highly recommend. If you’re looking for showstopping gifts for gardeners in your life, this is it.

This greenhouse caters to their gardening needs throughout the year, combining practicality with durability.

The standout feature of the KING BIRD Greenhouse is its innovative watering system. It comes equipped with a 15-foot water hose and an irrigation kit.

The system is designed to adjust the water mist size and direction. This ensures your plants receive the right amount of water without waste. Additionally, this feature is a boon during the hot summer months. It can be used to cool down the greenhouse with a refreshing spray.

It features two entrances with PE and zippered screen doors, allowing easy access from both sides. The screen windows can be rolled up to control the temperature and humidity inside, creating an optimal growing environment for your plants. This design also helps in keeping out unwanted birds and pests.

The PE grid cover of the KING BIRD Greenhouse is another highlight. It offers UV resistance to prolong the lifespan of the structure and safeguard your plants.

KING BIRD places a high value on customer experience and product quality. This is why they offer a 1-year warranty or more on all their greenhouse kits, ensuring peace of mind for the gardener. The KING BIRD team is always available to assist with any questions or support, underlining their commitment to customer satisfaction.

Overall, the KING BIRD Large Walk-in Greenhouse is not just a structure; it’s a comprehensive gardening solution, ensuring your plants thrive in a controlled and nurturing environment, regardless of the external weather conditions.

Whatever Your Budget, There’s Great Gifts for Gardeners on Your List

No matter where they live, your favorite gardener is looking forward to spring. If they live in Florida, you know they’ll be out there the day after Christmas, playing with every new toy that Santa brings.

And it doesn’t matter if you have a lot to spend or just a few bucks, my favorite gift on this list is actually the cheapest one at the time of writing this.

Your favorite gardener is sure to love anything you choose when you keep their passion for growing in mind.

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Great Last-Minute Gardening Gifts for Dad

Not all gardening gifts for dad have to be power tools!

There’s something about dads who work outside even after they’ve worked at a job all day. My dad was like that. With Father’s Day coming up, gardening gifts for Dad or Grandpa seem like an easy choice for guys like that.

They work all day in some stuffy office and spend hours commuting in their cars, but the minute they get home, that’s when the real work begins. They go into a trance, putting the crazy world behind them and focusing on one plant, one plot of dirt, one crop at a time.

Are you looking for some great last-minute gardening gifts for Dad? Or maybe you’re looking for gardening gifts for Grandpa because he was the one that shared his love of backyard growing with you when you were growing up.

Find gardening gifts for dad or gardening gifts for grandpa

I’ve got some great recommendations to make. I’ve spent a lot of time (and too much money) trying to make my gardening life more efficient, and even less painful. And some of these deserve a slot on any grower’s wishlist.

Here are some of my favorite gardening gifts for dads and grandpas, or any gardener on your list. You may even want to treat yourself!

1. Tuzoc Metal Garden Hose, 100FT

A garden hose may seem like a lame gift, but if Dad is getting up in years, I can tell you that garden hoses get heavier as you age. He may have been wanting one of these stainless steel garden hoses for ages, but they’re a little on the pricey side for someone on a fixed income.

It doesn’t take much to wrench a shoulder or pull a back muscle when you’re constantly watering in the summer heat. He’s going to LOVE this garden hose. It’s tough and durable while still being light enough to water everything without much exertion at all.

I recently picked one of these up, and I recommend it highly.

Buy on Amazon.

2. Black Iron Hori Hori Garden Knife

A hori hori knife is an indispensable tool for any gardening enthusiast. This Japanese-inspired wonder is a combination of a knife and a trowel, making it the ultimate gardening companion for any Garden Ninja.

Its sharp, serrated edge effortlessly cuts through soil, weeds, and tough roots, while the flat side can be used for digging, transplanting, and scooping. The sturdy blade is perfect for precision cutting and dividing plants, and the pointed tip aids in creating seed furrows or removing stones.

With measurement markings along the blade, the hori hori knife ensures accurate planting depths.

From planting to weeding and everything in between, the hori hori knife is a true multitasker and is my No. 1 go-to gardening tool.

Buy it on Amazon.

3. Rechargeable Battery Powered Garden Sprayer

You don’t have to be professional or spend professional kind of money to get a powered garden sprayer. Dad deserves a break from tedious priming and hand-pumping while tending the garden.

This rechargeable battery-powered garden sprayer makes plant care a breeze, and who doesn’t need a little extra help battling squash bugs and powdery mildew in the summer heat and humidity?

With a convenient and portable design, this innovative tool eliminates the need for manual pumping or carrying heavy containers. The battery-powered mechanism provides consistent and even spraying, ensuring uniform coverage. Best of all, it’s rechargeable.

I purchased a rechargeable powered sprayer in 2021 and it’s been a game changer.

You can buy it on Amazon.

4. Genuine Ladbrooke 6-Pc. “Master Grower” Soil Blocker Set 

On the other hand, if Dad is serious about self-sufficient vegetable gardening, he’s going to fall in love with the Ladbrooke soil-blocking system. No more fragile cell packs, no more weird, desiccated pellets in netting that never decomposes.

The right gardening gifts for dad make it easier for him to share his love of nature with his children

While you’ll find a number of knock-off soil blockers on the market, don’t be fooled by cheap imitations. Ladbrookes is the genuine article, made in England, where gardening truly is an elevated art form.

And if the big kit is too spendy, they do have smaller sets to fit your budget. I recommend starting out with the Mini 4, which makes 1-3/8″ dirt brownies in which tomatoes and peppers just thrive.

You can buy both on Amazon and avoid the international shipping fees.

5. AcuRite Iris (5-in-1) Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Weather Station

Because there’s nothing worse than spraying fungicides or fertilizer only to see all your hard work and money get washed away in the rain. Your favorite Garden Guru will love this weather station so he can stay on top of climatic conditions in the garden.

For gardening dads with a greenhouse or grow house, check out this Acurite package with three sensors for monitoring the temperature and humidity from the comfort of your home.

Acurite has been around for 80 years, and its reputation is stellar. I’ve been using a three-sensor black-and-white system from them for the last four years to keep tabs on the greenhouse, chicken coop, and bunny run. Well, at least that was until the bunnies buried their sensor while digging a new burrow.

So, we’re down to two sensors, but they’re both critical for monitoring conditions during those rare overnight freezes and in the heat of the day when plants (and chickens) can get dangerously stressed.

A wireless indoor/outdoor weather station is an essential tool for gardening dads. He’ll have access to accurate and up-to-date weather information, so he can make informed decisions about his gardening activities.

This information helps to determine the ideal planting times, adjust irrigation schedules, and take necessary precautions during extreme weather.

Buy AcuRite weather monitors from Amazon.

6. VIVOSUN Portable Garden Kneeler Seat

Garden Kneelers aren’t just for seniors. My son got me one of these about five years ago, and it’s still incredibly handy. Even if you don’t need a pad for kneeling or a handy seat, it’s an awesome portable caddy for your tools. I use mine as a small table to hold my coffee cup, phone, and Bluetooth speaker while I putter in the backyard and listen to the No-Till Growers Podcast while I work.

A portable garden kneeler/seat is a game-changer for dads and grandpas who appreciate a more leisurely garden experience. Kneel in comfort or just sit and relax while you enjoy the peaceful satisfaction of all your hard work.

The best gardening gifts for dads make it easier for him to enjoy his garden without pain.

The soft cushioning of the kneeler relieving the strain on your knees while the sturdy frame ensures enough stability and support to kneeling and rising so much easier. This kneeler/seat features handy storage pockets that detach and function as a tool belt.

You can buy it on Amazon and have it delivered wherever your dad gardens.

7. Gardenfather Tee Shirt

It’s hard to find gardening gifts for Dad when it seems he already has every tool, gadget, or going thing for his outdoor passion.

If Dad also has a sense of humor, maybe a Father’s Day gift on the lighter side is in order.

Dad Jokes deserve full retaliation, and what better way to show Pops that you inherited his lame sense of humor than a gag gardening gift?

It's hard to find gardening gifts for dad when it seem he has everything.

Although, it doesn’t have to be completely useless. There are plenty of funny gardening gifts for Dad that he’ll appreciate just as much for their practical use as the laugh factor.

Tee shirts are great gardening gifts for Bad because he’ll always have something comfortable he can wear while he’s working outside.

Hats are even more useful for keeping the sun off his face and out of his eyes.

Find more funny gardening gear for Dad on Amazon.

8. LANNIU Garden Tool Set

Now, if you can’t find the right gardening gifts for Dad because he’s a total noob and has nothing, then this handy set has everything and somewhere to put it, too.

There have been a lot of newbie gardeners in the last few years. Between the boredom of pandemic lockdowns to rising food prices to just the desire for a healthier lifestyle.

If he’s never gardened before, he may not have any tools at all.

This handy set has a full array of great starter tools for the newly-hatched gardener. It also works as a seat when you need a break or need to juggle seed packets.

Find great gardening tool sets for Father’s Day on Amazon.

9. Garden Grafting Tool Kit

Serious gardening dads deserve serious gardening gifts for dads. Help Pops take his self-sufficiency to the next level with this well-appointed tree grafting kit.

This choice is easy on the wallet but offers hours of gardening fun. Dad will be creating his own Frankentrees in no time!

For gardeners with small spaces or poor decision-making skills (like me), adding fruit trees can prove overwhelming. Which fruits to grow? Which varieties?

Why not try them all?

Learning how to graft fruit trees opens up a whole new world for avid gardeners and homesteaders. You can combine the desirable traits of different fruit tree varieties into a single tree.

By mastering this skill, he’ll gain the ability to create custom fruit trees with improved disease resistance, superior fruit quality, and increased productivity.

Find grafting kits for Pops on Amazon.

10. Greenhouse

I’ve talked about my love of greenhouse growing before. Sure, it’s Florida and there’s not much need for supplemental heat – but there IS plenty of need for extra shade and protection from driving rainstorms.

I’m adding this gift idea here because it’s on sale right now. It’s a pop-up, so even grandpas can set this one up by themselves. It’s just the right size for protecting seed trays from both cold weather and excessive sun.

Some of the larger greenhouses for the consumer market even offer watering kits, which is super nice when it’s too hot to stand outside with a hose.

Find greenhouses for every budget on Amazon.

11. The Day Off

Maybe the best gardening gifts for Dad are a few hours to relax — or at least a chance to snooze in the shade outside.

Everyone loves a hammock, but not everyone has two trees spaced exactly the perfect distance apart.

A freestanding hammock with a frame can go anywhere Dad wants it — full sun, deep shade, or even behind the shed where no one can find him all day.

When it comes down to it, your dad will probably love anything you get for him. Even if he already has six of them in the garage. (Even if you’re the one that got those other six.) He’ll really just be happy that you understand his need to weed.

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Take Advantage of End-of-Summer Garden Sales

Use end-of-summer garden sales to replace old equipment

Gardening in the South and Subtropics can be a struggle. Along with some crazy weather, we’re also so off-step with the rest of the country, that getting supplies can be impossible. You really have to be prepared and buy ahead. On the other hand, the rest of the country is holding some amazing end-of-summer garden sales just when we need them!

I don’t know how many times I’ve walked into the local home improvement store during peak gardening season only to find shelf after shelf filled with Christmas decorations. As soon as August hits, the mish-mash of holiday retail madness ensues. Back to school blurs into Halloween, which hints at Thanksgiving, and then crescendoes into Christmas. I’m now expecting to eventually find a skeleton in a Santa suit display at my local big box, ala Terry Pratchett’s Hogfather.

This is particularly demoralizing when you’re still trying to grow the ingredients for Thanksgiving dinner and Holiday gifts.

End-of-Summer Garden Sales to the Rescue

It pays to be prepared, and the one advantage we have is that you can find deep, deep discounts on garden tools and supplies as the gardening season ends in the rest of the country.

Most gardeners are done by July and may already have planted their Fall gardens. So, you’ll find plenty of discounts online.

You can even buy lots of seeds for cheap, because they must be sold by the end of December.

Pro Tip: If you pop your seeds into an airtight container and put them in the fridge, you can save them for years.

Some Awesome End-of-Summer Garden Sales on Amazon

Because I own a nursery, I have a rolling inventory of things I need and purchase on a regular or seasonal basis. I also purchase most of my supplies through wholesale outlets. So, I don’t do a lot of online window shopping.

However, just recently, I ran across a flurry of great discounts on Amazon for gardening supplies. Since Florida gardeners are just getting ready for our main gardening season, I thought I’d share them with readers so they could take advantage of end-of-summer garden sales.

RELATED READ: Florida Gardening: What to Plant in July

Please note that these discounts may not be available when you read this blog post. These are fantastic current discounts I found on the day of writing. So, YMMV when it comes to sales and discounts that may change.

Seed Starting Trays

If you need to replace your cell trays, it’s a good time to do so.

While Amazon Affiliate rules mean I cannot list the prices or ratings on the products, I’ve only listed products with discounts of at least 20 percent and ratings of over 4 stars from buyers.

Here are some of the best bargains I found today in seed starting trays:

MIXC 10 Packs Seed Starter Tray Seed Starter Kit with Humidity Dome
JIAQUAN 5-Pack 120 Cells Seed Trays Seedling Starter Tray
Guioiby 10 Pack Seed Starter Kit with Vented Humidity Dome

Seed Starting Mix

Some gardeners use seed mix, others use potting soil, and still, others use whatever they have lying around.

If you’re one of those gardeners that really relies on your vegetable harvest to put food on the family table, you don’t want to experiment. You need excellent germination rates and you need to make the most of every seed you sow.

I found some discounts on seed starting mix that will help you keep overhead costs down.

Espoma has won me over with its excellent products that really perform. I don’t get any commission for referring it like I do the other products on this list. But I’m so impressed with their gardening products, I don’t care. I had to share.

Black Gold Organic Seedling Mix

Potting Mix

Roots Organics Original Potting Soil with Mycorrhizae
PittMoss Plentiful Organic Potting Mix

I use a lot of potting mix, so I usually make my own. Organic formulas are usually pretty pricey, so finding them on sale is always a good thing.

RELATED READ: Freedom from the Big Box: Making Your Own Potting Soil

Fertilizers and Plant Supplements

Dr. Earth Organic 5 Tomato, Vegetable & Herb Fertilizer

Dr. Earth brand is one of my favorites, and I’ve used it many times in my garden. I was particularly impressed with their fertilizer for acid-loving plants and the effect it had on my touchy little gardenias!

J R Peters Jacks Classic 20-20-20 All Purpose Fertilizer

I’ll admit that I’m less than perfectly fastidious about being organic when it comes to ornamental plants, especially those in pots, like tropical hibiscus and houseplants.

Jack’s is one of the first fertilizers introduced to me during the early days of my interest in horticulture. A friend of mine in junior high who worked at his uncle’s nursery said it was their go-to feeding solution. And that was a very, very long time ago — last century! Jack’s has been around for ages and is still lauded by those who use synthetic fertilizers.

Alaska Fish Emulsion Fertilizer Concentrate

Alaska brand fish emulsion fertilizer is a solid product that I have used myself with good results. I’ve seen some very pricey ones online, but I’ve also noticed they do a lot of advertising.

Soil Inoculants

Myco Bliss Organic Mycorrhizal Fungi
Wildroot Organic 16 Species Mycorrhizal Inoculant

I’ve been watching a lot of seminars on soil health recently because it’s been just too hot to spend much time outdoors. I was interested to see one presentation that showed a dramatic increase in yields when the beneficial fungi to beneficial bacteria ratio was close to 1:1. Adding a mycorrhizal inoculant may be the quickest way to improve the soil health of your garden.

Gardening Tools

Fiskars Bypass Pruning Shears

Fiskars has a long-lived reputation for quality, so when I told my husband I wanted new pruning sheers, these are the ones he chose. And he was right — excellent quality!

SHARPAL 103N All-in-1 Knife Garden Tool Multi-Sharpener

They say you’re only as bright as your sharpest garden tool, and I suspect they’re right. Keeping your tools in good condition — sharp, clean, dry — doesn’t just extend their lifespan and save you money. It also makes them easier to use and prevents fatigue. No one wants you to spend 10 minutes sawing away a fruit tree branch when you’re pruning. It wears you out and damages your precious plant.

Hori Hori Garden Knife

I’ve been wanting a Hori Hori knife for years — and in fact, I got such a great price on it, I had to stop writing this to buy it. It’s not exactly David the Good’s machete, but that may be for the best.

You'll find discounts on plants at many end-of-summer garden sales

Treating Yourself on the Cheap

As gardeners, they are always some special tools we crave. Perhaps they’re a bit too expensive to justify. Maybe they’re just a better-built and pricier version of something we already have. Sometimes, we have trouble justifying spending money on tools that make gardening and homesteading just a bit easier.

When you find a tool you crave, just make sure you check out online stores in July and August for those end-of-summer garden sales. October and November are great months for in-store sales because even in the South, they’re clearing the shelves for fake trees and cheap ornaments from China to put on them. November and December are great for seed clearance sales. You’ll find there’s usually a lot of life left in those seeds.

It’s worth keeping an eye out for that special tool. A few I’ve purchased in the last couple of years seemed indulgent, but when it came down to it, they changed my gardening life.

All products were flagged as discounted on the date of writing, but you may find the sales have expired or ratings have changed.

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Seed Saving Hack: Gardening Game Changer

seed saving

I’m an obsessive seed collector. It’s probably pathological. I’ll buy them from the corner dollar store on sale, or at full price. I’ll buy seeds I don’t have room to grow. I will wade into median strips if a pretty wildflower or weed calls to me, looking for seeds. Seed saving can become addictive.

There are even plants I grow almost practically just to collect their seeds.

I know that sounds strange, so it would be more accurate to say that I grow and plant extra plants just to collect the seeds from them later.

I’ve even been known to risk my life to collect seeds.

That sounds even stranger, so it would be more accurate to say that I’ve collected seeds from dangerous plants thinking it was something else that looks a lot like something benign.

THAT was an interesting couple of hours.

I’ve been known to leave paper plants covered in spent blossoms sitting on any flat surface around the house, as well. I finally got that under control, and now I have storage with ventilation for drying seeds.

But storage has always been a problem. What do I do with them once I have them dried and bagged?

For years, I tossed plastic zip bags filled with seed and moisture absorbers into a big woven basket. Whenever I needed to plant seeds, I got to enjoy a whole hour or more of sifting through all the bags and trying to read the Sharpie labeling.

But then I saw something in a video or an article or somewhere that changed everything.

Photo Cases to the Rescue

There are a dozen different “manufacturers” for these photo cases. My guess is that small Amazon FBA sellers purchase them in bulk from Alibaba or some other factory in China, so the brand name probably isn’t particularly important.

But I can tell you that I got the one above from Amazon, and it has been a complete game-changer when it comes to storing and organizing my seeds.

I don’t miss spending hours browsing through my pile of plastic bags at all. I’m able to sort them according to what makes the most sense to me.

I’ve got brassicas all in one 4×6 container, tomatoes in another, lettuces in another, etc.

My seeds stay dry and organized while I’m creating soil blocks for planting them out. Better yet, the light packets don’t blow off the table or potting bench with every little breeze.

Seed Saving Benefits:

  • Easy to carry around the house and garden
  • Finding what I want takes just a moment
  • Seeds remain whole and uncrushed
  • Seeds stay dry and cool
  • Takes up very little space on my office shelves
  • Translucent containers makes it easy to assess what you have before opening

Heartily Recommended

I don’t normally like to flat-out recommend a product, and I’m not really recommending this particular seller or manufacturer, or model.

However, if you’re seed saving, whether your own seeds or purchased seeds, I can heartily recommend any of these photo cases for seed organization and storage.

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Adventures in Soil Blocking

soil blocking

You’ve seen them on YouTube, right? All those market gardeners when their beaucoup cool soil blockers? You may have even done some online shopping to see if soil blocking is right for you.

But boy, are those soil blockers expensive! Those farmer dudes must be raking it in!

(Of course, they’re not!)

But in all seriousness, a heavy-duty, reliable tool for production is going to cost you. I’ve been eying the complete Ladbrooke soil blocking system for a few years now.

Ladbrooke Authentic Soil Block Maker 5-Pc. Essentials Nesting System Includes Mini 4, Micro 20,…
  • The Genuine Ladbrooke Essentials 5-pc soil blocking set provides the starting blocks of the…

Looks amazing, right?

You get the mini cubes, micro cubes, and the dibbler all in one handy kit.

Or maybe the “Master Grower” set, with the 4-inch blocker, for, you know, pumpkins and stuff.

Ladbrooke Authentic Soil Block Maker – 6-Pc. Master Grower Nesting System Includes Maxi, Mini 4,…
  • Look for the Ladbrooke logo on the handles of the Mini 4 and Micro 20. The Master Grower is our full set that includes all the pieces for the well known “nesting” system of soil blocking. The Micro 20 has a new stronger, smoother design.

Truth is, I couldn’t really justify the cost.

Yes, it’s the premium brand for soil blockers, and they’re used across the world by professionals.

But I couldn’t bring myself to pay for them.

So, I did the next best thing (sort of) and got a cheap plastic one from Fiskars.

After all, Fiskers is a good brand, right? They’re my go-to for scissors and secateurs. Surely, they can produce an awesome soil blocker, right?

First, I mixed up some soil blocking mix. Soil blocks rely on a high fiber content to keep them together, so they require a large amount of coconut coir (or peat moss, if you use it).

Some of the classic recipes for soil block mix include four parts coir to two parts perlite to one part compost. Plus, a whole host of amendments.

This is kind of long, but you can watch my personal hero, Jim Kovaleski, mix up some beauties:

My own attempts gave me some trouble. Was it wet enough? Would it stick? Would they crumble?

My awkward attempts started with me shoving the soil mix INTO the blocker. Nothing like that smooth, super-efficient ka-chunk that I see on the You-Tubes.

And this is what I got.

The Downside of Soil Blocking

Yeah, they worked. They held together. Sort of.

But do you see that I get only 40 modules in a tray with the Fiskars, instead of the 72 I would have gotten with modules?

I’ll try this thing a few more times, probably for pumpkins this fall.

But I have to admit, I’m not in love with the inefficient waste of space with this “spherical” design. I could have just used Jesse Frost’s hand-made soil balls and saved myself the money.

The soil doesn’t eject from the device very smoothly, particularly with the mini-block insert.

And honestly, the finished soil blocks will not stand up if your dog stomps through them in the middle of the night.

YMMV

Fiskars Soil Block Maker for Garden Seeds with Natural Air Pruning, Eco Friendly Soil Blocking…
  • Fiskars Soil Block Maker helps you grow healthier seedlings by encouraging stronger root systems through natural air pruning

You can find the Fiskars soil block maker on Amazon if you’re interested in giving it a shot. If you don’t seed like a maniac, as I do, it may work for you.

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When to Fertilize for Your Southern Lawn Care Schedule

southern lawn care schedule

The unseasonably warm winter we’re having may be fooling us into thinking that spring has officially arrived. And some of us are already looking for a southern lawn care schedule. As if our lawns weren’t still all brown and dormant.

And no one can blame us. It seems that as soon as the winter solstice passes, and the holidays wrap up, the days grow longer so much quicker, that we can feel it in our gardener’s bones.

We can feel the sun return and the lengthening of the days. And 80-degree highs during the day aren’t helping matters.

On the other hand, it never hurts to be prepared. Setting up a do-it-yourself lawn care schedule before the question even arises is an effective way to plan a great gardening year. And a month by month lawn care schedule can ensure your lawn looks great this year and into the coming years.

When to Fertilize a Lawn in Spring in the South

Most lawns in the south are made up of what they call warm-season grasses. Warm-season grasses go dormant in the winter, turning brown and giving us at least a short break from constant mowing. Even during the wet winter we’ve been having.

Your southern lawn care schedule needs to be flexible to accommodate erratic weather patterns.

Warm Season Grass Varieties

Some common types of warm-season grasses used in Zones 8 to 11 include:

  • Bahiagrass
  • Bermuda grass
  • Centipede grass
  • St. Augustine grass
  • Zoysia grass

In the southeast, Bahia and St. Augustine are both popular choices. Bermuda and Zoysia are excellent choices in areas of the South that gets winter weather.

Centipede grass is great for those who want to cut back on lawn maintenance and spend less time on their southern lawn care schedule.

Your Southern Lawn Care Schedule and Dormancy

While our winter weather may seem warmer than usual, it may still not be consistently warm enough to return our southern grasses from dormancy. They prefer soil temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and nighttime temperatures can have a huge impact.

While the highs may hit the high 70s and even the 80s during the day, nighttime temps below 65 mean that our grass remains dormant. This may be perfect for growing tomatoes and lettuce, but St. Augustine is still sleeping and waiting for true spring.

It’s important not to fertilize before nighttime temperatures rise above 65 on a regular basis – unless you want to just fertilize your weeds. And feeding your lawn too early can mean severe damage if you get an unexpected cold snap.

That’s why it’s so important to plan ahead. If you really want a green lawn over the winter, consider overseeding with a cool-season ryegrass. Note, however, that you’ll run into problems when you overseed St. Augustine. You may find that the damage you need to do to your turf with scarifying isn’t worth the trouble. And without it, you may not get much growth from your seed.

Southern Lawn Care Schedule: When to Fertilize

If you haven’t overseeded with a cool-season grass, you’ll want to wait to fertilize until nighttime temperatures remain mostly above 65 degrees to prevent feeding your weeds.

Many experts will recommend fertilizing as soon as your last frost dates passes, but that may be too early unless you’re using a weed and feed with an herbicide. And frankly, herbicides are so often overused and are unnecessary. Unless you have an HOA breathing down your neck about every sprout of dollar weed, avoid them when possible.

Regardless of pressures from yard-police and gardening peers, weed and feed combinations can prove less than effective. In fact, you’re better off applying pre-emergent herbicides after the last frost date, in February or March, and then waiting a month or two before adding fertilizer. It’s more work, but it’s also more effective. If you haven’t noticed, weeds are pretty hardy little lifeforms. They’ll germinate at lower temperatures than grass will tolerant and will thrive with much less water. You want the Best fertilizer for Green Grass, not green weeds.

Fertilizing in the fall before dormancy is usually more than adequate to feed your lawn in preparation for the first flush of spring.  

Keep tabs on your temperature trends and then add fertilizer when it warms up consistently. In fact, depending on your location, the biggest challenge during the spring may be rainfall, not your lawn fertilizer schedule

Here in Florida, March lawn care means watering. Spring can be extremely dry, which can cause challenges for warm-season grasses trying to green up for spring. Your southern lawn care schedule may include weekly or twice-weekly watering but make sure your local watering regulations permit it.

The Lawn Controversy

Some people hate lawns and think they shouldn’t exist. I don’t know how many signs I’ve seen that say “Grow Food, Not Lawns” all over the internet. While I’m keen on sustainable landscaping and gardening and I love veggie gardening, I honestly think that these statements come from a position of ignorance.

Grasses are an important part of any ecosystem, and in the natural world, they cover up to a third of arable land on the planet. At least that’s the figure I recall. They feed a vast number of Bovidae: gazelle and bison, wildebeest, and buffalo. Which then go on to feed a vast number of predators.

Bovids eat the grass to nourish them and then return the favor by feeding it with their waste. They tend to migrate, spreading the love and allowing the grasses a chance to grow back.

In fact, grasslands are a better and more reliable carbon sink than forests, because they store most of it underground. Grasslands also prevent soil erosion and over time, improve soil quality with their ability to keep the soil aerated with their deep running roots.

Grasses and lawns are unfairly maligned. Keeping a green swatch of grass that isn’t overly treated is far better for the environment in the long run than mulching everything in favor of raised food beds. Mulch doesn’t retain as much moisture as a healthy lawn, nor does it prevent soil erosion as well.

While I’m a vegetable grower at heart, even I don’t want a front lawn full of corn stalks.

Lawns aren’t the problem. Your southern lawn care schedule isn’t the problem.

Our quest for the impossibly perfect lawn is the problem. While there’s nothing wrong with curb appeal, there’s just as much on offer with a mixed blend of grasses or a properly tended organic patch.

But grasses are hungry plants and use up a lot of nutrients when they’re actively growing. While using a mulching mower can add nutrients back into the soil, it may not be enough if hot and humid south. So, your southern lawn care schedule may include a dose or two of fertilizer every year during the active season.

Bermuda Grass fits in well with a Southern Lawn Care schedule

Why You Need to Understand Your Fertilizer

To look its best and remain resistant to disease and pests, your grass lawn needs a few basic nutrients. The main components of lawn food are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Most companies refer to this as the “NPK,” because those are their atomic symbols. You’ll also see a few minerals, like iron, manganese, calcium, and others.

Like any other plant, grasses need different balances of these nutrients depending on their stage of growth and the time of the year. This can make choosing the best fertilizer for your Southern lawn pretty complicated.

The best fertilizer for grass in spring tends to rely on nitrogen, while summer feeding may include potassium for disease and pest resistance. Phosphorus may only be needed for newly seeded lawns or occasionally for a fall feeding before winter depending on how well you kept to your southern lawn care schedule in previous seasons.  

Lawn Fertilizer Components

One way to determine which is the best lawn fertilizer ratio for your lawn and the season is to understand how the common nutrients affect the growth of your grasses. It also helps to understand how these nutrients are balanced in most commercial formulas.

For example, you may see the “NPK” listed a series of three numbers. These numbers express the balance of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in any given fertilizer. So, if you see a fertilizer labeled 13-1-2, that means it has 13 percent nitrogen, 1 percent phosphorus, and 2 percent potassium. You might also see other nutrients like iron, magnesium, or sulfur on the label.

Nitrogen (N)

Nitrogen is what all plants need for vegetative growth. Grasses produce a great deal of “green” biomass, so they tend to need lots of nitrogen. Most lawn fertilizers will feature a higher percentage of nitrogen than any other nutrient. And the Best lawn fertilizer for Spring may feature nothing but nitrogen.

Phosphorus (P)

In plants, phosphorus drives root development. Strong roots help plants, particularly grasses, remain drought resistant with strong, deep roots. Phosphorus is also important for flowering plants.

However, for lawns, your southern lawn care schedule shouldn’t include high levels of phosphorus, especially during your rainy season.

Potassium (K)

Potassium can boost the overall health of your grass and help it remain resistant to diseases and pests.

Which is the Best Lawn Fertilizer for Southern Warm-Season Grasses

You can find a broad range of excellent fertilizers for your Southern Lawn. Because you’ll probably need to fertilize three times a year, it’s a good idea to alternate between high-nitrogen and balanced fertilizers.

The best fertilizer to green up a lawn in spring is a high-nitrogen formula. You can also apply high-nitrogen blends again in the summer, to give them a bit of a boost. If you have wet, rainy summers, another boost of fertilizer can help replenish the soil, if necessary. I tend to only fertilize once in the spring, but my goals for my lawn are pretty low-key.

But if you’re looking for that amazing lawn, save the balanced formula for the fall, when you’re prepping your lawn for whatever amount of cold weather you’ll get. These help feed roots and improve disease resistance moving into the winter months.  

Types of Fertilizers for Your Southern Lawn Care Schedule

Slow-release fertilizers, organic or synthetic, may not provide that exciting rush of instant greening, but then they don’t tend to kill fish or cause algae blooms. For all of our learning and science, nature does have a system in place for feeding grasses and other plants. While we sometimes have to improve on that process, if it’s not necessary, don’t spend the money or stress that system.

Organic Fertilizers

Organic fertilizer is made from natural plant and animal materials like feathers, bones, manure or seaweed. Fish emulsion, made from fish scraps, is one of the most popular.

Organic fertilizers are becoming more popular, especially the slow-release variety that doesn’t’ result in a deluge of nutrients entering the environment and causing trouble in the local ecosphere.

Along with being better for the environment, organic fertilizers can be safer for your lawn, as well as your pets and kids.

Synthetic Fertilizers

I’ve been known to use synthetic fertilizers, if not pesticides, because they provide a lot of bang for your buck and they work quickly. Because they’re synthetic and somewhat bare forms of the basic element, plants can uptake them quickly and put them to work.

They’re also a lot cheaper.

They do come with some downsides, unfortunately. Because they’re concentrated, they can also burn your lawn and ornamental landscaping.

They can also leach into the water table very easily and can contaminate lakes, streams, and coastlines. Note that some areas have regular fertilizer bans during the rainy season.

And finally, while they’re quick to green up your lawn, they won’t improve the quality of your soil over time. Organic material doesn’t just feed your plants, it also feeds the microbes and insects that support the health of your plants. Earthworms and fungi like organic debris, not “MiracleGro.”

Forms of Fertilizers for your Lawn

Whether you chose organic or synthetic, you can find the best lawn fertilizers in several different forms for your convenience. Note that the form will affect how quickly it works and how long the benefits last.

Liquid Lawn Food

Your grass absorbs liquid fertilizers quickly and readily. But it’s important to make sure to use liquid lawn food when the grass is thirsty and hopefully when no rain is predicted.

Unfortunately, the effects don’t last very long. While liquid fertilizers are pretty good for greening up your grass early in the year or right before a big party, you’ll need to reapply it again after a couple of weeks.

Slow-Release Lawn Food

Granular fertilizers provide a slow-release feed that generally lasts serval months. You apply it to your lawn with a drop or rotary spreader after mowing. You may have to water it in, or at least apply it right before it rains. With slow-release formulas – the best time to fertilize a lawn is before or after rain. But check the instructions, since some formulas may vary.

The benefit of these slow-release fertilizers is that you only have to apply them every couple of months to maintain a green lawn. However, the downside is that they don’t work very quickly.

You can, however, use both liquid and slow-release fertilizers, especially if you use organic formulas that won’t burn your grass.

The Best Lawn Fertilizer for Your Southern Lawn

Now that you know more about lawn fertilizers, you can choose from some established and innovative new brands on the market.

1. The Andersons PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer 

This all-in-one formula features a slow-release action and host of vital micronutrients like iron, manganese, sulfur, copper, and zinc. And it won’t leave your soil quality wanting, as it includes a combination of humic acid and fulvic acid, which increase nutrient absorptions in your lawn grasses by stimulating important beneficial microorganisms.

This granular formula is easy to apply and is more finely milled than other brands so that you get improved coverage.

Specifications

  • NPK: 16-4-8
  • Form: Granular
  • Delivery: Spreader
  • Season: All season

2. Grow More 5705 Water Soluble Fertilizer

While this formula is high in nitrogen, it also provides a good balance of phosphorus and potassium for overall plant health. https://amzn.to/2tcTkY3

Grow More 5705 also features micronutrients such as copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc. This formula for athletic fields is a big hit with homeowners.

Specifications

  • NPK: 30-10-10
  • Form: Soluble power
  • Delivery: Sprayer
  • Season: Spring and summer

3. Simple Lawn Solutions Advanced 16-4-8 Balanced NPK- Natural Liquid Fertilizer

This all-purpose natural liquid fertilizer features a high-nitrogen blend along with micronutrients for overall health. It’s specially formulated for Southern lawns and recommended for St. Augustine, Bermuda, Bahia, Zoysia, Centipede, and Palmetto grass

No harsh chemicals and includes seaweed and kelp for improved soil.  

Specifications

  • NPK: 16-4-8
  • Form: Liquid
  • Delivery: Sprayer
  • Season: Any

4. Urban Farm Fertilizers Liquid Lawn Fertilizer

This concentrated formula offers a broad spectrum of complete nutrition for your lawn, as well as including important mycorrhizae and enzymes for healthier soil. Your grass will readily absorb this liquid formula and you can apply it easily with a hose-end sprayer.

With humic acid and beneficial fungi, this natural fertilizer makes use of bat guano, worm casts, and kelp for a healthy lawn that safe for your family and favorite wildlife.

Specifications

  • NPK: 3-1-2
  • Form: Liquid
  • Delivery: Sprayer
  • Season: Any

5. GreenView Fairway Formula Lawn Fertilizer

Need fast greening and long-term fertilizing? GreenView offers an immediate boost of nitrogen for quick spring greening. Then, the slow-release food kicks in to last up to 12 weeks of steadying feeding. It also features a boost of sulfur to help your grass take up nutrients faster and more efficiently.

So, save time and money while still getting the best of both liquid and slow-release fertilizers.

Specifications

  • NPK: 27-0-5
  • Form: Granular
  • Delivery: Spreader
  • Season: All-season

6. Ferti-lome Centipede Grass Fertilizer

For Southern lawns, this formula is just right for Centipede, St. Augustine, Bermuda and other warm-season grasses in the Southern lawn. The high nitrogen 15-0-15 formula keeps your lawn green and improves resistance in established lawns.

It also includes micronutrients like copper, manganese, boron, and zinc.

Specifications

  • NPK: 15-0-15
  • Form: Granular
  • Delivery: Spreader
  • Season: Spring and Summer

7. Milorganite 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer

This organic formula releases slowly and naturally to provide extra nitrogen and potassium to your lawn safely. One special bonus is its supplemental iron content, which greens up your lawn without causing excess growth. So, you get a green lawn without any extra mowing, which means less work for you and a lowered impact on the environment.  

It also contains calcium to improve acid levels in Southern gardens.

Specifications

  • NPK: 6-4-0
  • Form: Granular
  • Delivery: Spreader
  • Season: All season

Finding the Best Lawn Fertilizer for Your Southern Lawn Care Schedule

Knowing what type of grasses you have in your lawn and how it reacts according to seasonal changes empowers you to make good choices about your southern lawn care schedule.

And knowing what nutrients it needs – and when – makes choosing the best lawn fertilizer much simpler. You may want a quick green-up or long-term improvement. The good news is, you can achieve both if you follow your lawn’s cues.

What types of fertilizer have you found work best on your warm-season grasses? Feel free to share your favorite lawn feeding tips and tricks with our readers.

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How to Fix a Lawn Mower That Won’t Start

how to fix a lawn mower that won't start

Spring is in the air, your grass is shaggy, and you’re ready to cut the lawn. But if your mower has been sitting in your shed all winter, you may find yourself wondering how to fix a lawn mower that won’t start.

How do you fix a lawn mower that won’t start? You’ll need to troubleshoot it and identify the problem. You may need to change the spark plug, replace the carburetor, replace the filters, or just replace the fuel.

A gas-powered mower needs fuel and a spark to get going, and a number of things can get in the way. Fuel may not be getting from the carburetor to the engine. It may have a blocked fuel line, which means it may start but then die as soon as you start cutting.

Troubleshooting a Stubborn Lawn Mower

It’s not unusual for a gas-powered mower to have trouble starting after sitting in a garage or shed for months. Even here in the South, our lawns go dormant and don’t need mowing when the days are short. So, an idle lawnmower can become a troubled lawnmower.

The following tips on how to fix a lawn mower that won’t start should help you correct minor problems. The fixes are simple enough for most people. Try these quick fixes first before taking your mower to the repair shop or replacing it completely.

Before You Start

Before you start trying to figure out how to fix a lawn mower that won’t start, you need to take some safety precautions:

Wear Protective Equipment

Working on a lawn mower can mean cuts and scrapes from sharp metal edges, so work gloves are a must. Eye protection will also keep metal shards and gas fumes out of your eyes.

Disconnect the Spark Plug

Before troubleshooting a lawn mower that won’t start, disconnect the spark plug wire. It may bend back toward the plug and make contact, so cover the connection with electrical tape. Then tape it down as far from the plug as you can. Then, set the throttle to “stop”

how to fix a lawn mower when the cat is in the way.

What Causes a Lawn Mower Not to Start?

If you’re not sure how to fix a lawn mower that won’t start, begin with two of the most common issues that you can easily rectify.

Replace the Fuel

If you didn’t drain out any leftover gas before storing your mower for the winter, try replacing it. Exposure to heat, humidity, and oxygen can cause it to degrade, which means it may not work.

It may also have taken on water. Ethanol is a common additive to gasoline sold in the U.S. Unfortunately, it also absorbs water from the air, which ends up in your gas tank. And this means it can cause all sorts of damage to your mower’s engine.

So, check the fuel tank for old gasoline and replace it.

DO make sure you dispose of unused gasoline according to your local regulations. Check with a local auto parts store, as many offer this service.

Check the Mower’s Air Filter

Next, take the air filter out of your mower and check it. If you have a paper filter, you’ll need to replace it.

If you have a sponge-type filter, you can try cleaning it:

  • Remove the air filter cover and filter
  • Clean with diesel fuel, gasoline, or a specialized cleaner
  • Squeeze out all cleaner until it no longer drips and let dry.
  • Once dry, replace it and replace the cover.

Now that you have fresh gas and a clean filter, try starting your lawn mower again. If it still fails to start or the lawn mower starts and then dies, you can move on to the next troubleshooting steps.

Spark Plug and Wire

Start with the spark plug wire, checking it for cracks or frays. The connection should fit tightly onto the plug.

Then take a look at the spark plug. Remove the plug and check for physical damage. If you see any, you should replace it. Changing the spark plug on a lawn mower is a quick, cheap, and easy fix.

If it’s not damaged, it may be gapped incorrectly. However, you can clean it, check it and gap it using the following video from lawn mower manufacturer Briggs & Stratton.

Once you’ve checked or replaced the spark plug, replace it, reconnect it, and set the throttle to start on the mower and give it another try.

Briggs & Stratton Spark Plug For OHV Engines 5092K, Copper
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If it’s still stubborn and won’t start, it’s time to check the carburetor.

Clean the Carburetor

Carburetor problems are second only to spark plug issues when it comes to figuring out how to fix a lawn mower that won’t start. It can also cause your mower to run roughly or stall out.

Remove the air filter again and check your mower’s carburetor. You’ll need to check the inside to ensure that it’s clean and functioning. If fuel is not getting from the carburetor to the engine in your mower, use automotive carburetor cleaner.

Lawn mower carburetor replacement isn’t complicated, but if you’re itching to get to the yard work, try cleaning it first. A few quick shots of carb cleaner into the device works, but avoid any plastic parts if possible.

Then, reassemble and try starting your mower again. If it still refuses to start, try checking the vent in the gas tank cap.

Fuel Tank Cap and Primer

If your mower has a fuel tank with a vent hole, make sure it isn’t clogged. A clogged hole forms a vacuum in the tank, preventing the fuel from flowing.

Simply unscrew the camp to let air bank into the tank. Then clean out the vent with a wire.

Then check the primer button. Some mowers have rubber push-button primers that can deteriorate. You may need to replace it. Luckily, it’s a simple job and you can find plenty of videos that show how to replace the one on your machine.

Common Lawn Mower Problems

Now that you know how to fix a lawn mower that won’t start because of the most common problems, you’ll want to know how to deal with other problems that often come up.

How to fix a lawn mower pull cord

There are a couple of common problems that make the pull cord on your lawn mower hard to pull.

  • Safety bar not tightly pressed to handle
  • Mower sitting in tall grass that prevents the blade from rotating
  • Mower deck caked with wet grass

Lawn Mower Loses Power When Blades Engaged

If your lawn mower is losing power when you’re mowing, it’s most likely because your grass is too tall, too thick, or even too wet.

First, check that the deck isn’t clogged with grass. Then, raise the blade a notch to see if that resolves the problem. You may have to raise it by several settings until you get it high enough that the wet grass doesn’t stall out your mower.

You can lower the blade and make another pass on your lawn, but if wet grass is the problem, you’re better off waiting for it to dry.

If Your Lawn Mower Is Smoking

Overfilling and oil spills are the primary cause of a smoking lawnmower. You can wipe up any excessive spills with paper towels and then run the machine and let the oil burn off.

If your mower is smoking and running roughly or stalling out, however, you’ll probably need to have it checked by a professional.

What to do when your brand new lawn mower won't start

When Your Brand New Lawn Mower Won’t Start

Nothing is as frustrating as buying an expensive new machine for your yardwork only to have it fail on day one.

Before boxing it back up for the return desk, try a few of these tricks:

Priming

New mowers may have air in the fuel line and combustion chamber. So, make sure you prime it before starting it. Check the manual for priming directions.

Fuel Tank

Your new mower may have been a floor demo. So, check it to see if the retailer put fuel in the tank. If it’s been sitting around with fuel in the tank, you’ll need to replace it.

Two-Stroke Engines

Some mowers have two-stroke engines and some have four-stroke engines. While four-stroke engines use regular gasoline, two-stroke models are more complicated.

Two-stroke engines require a mix of gas and oil to run, so check your owner’s manual and follow the directions to the letter.

Choked Off

Some manufacturers ship lawn mowers with the choke in the closed position. This blocks how much air can get into the carburetor, which will prevent your brand new lawn mower from starting.

Open the choke to increase the airflow until it starts and stays running. Then return the chock to the normal position as indicated in your manual.

Cutoff Switch

Some new gas-powered mowers come with a safety switch that cuts off the fuel. If your mower has an electric starter, check the manual to see if it has a cutoff switch too.

These safety switches can make getting a brand new lawn mower started difficult if you’re not used to them. But they can prevent gas leaks and accidents.

Conquer the Mower, Conquer the Lawn

You now know a few tricks for how to fix a lawnmower that won’t start. Hopefully, you were able to get your trusty mower working and get out on that turf.

However, if none of these tips resolved the problem, it may be time to call a repairman. Call the manufacturer first, though, in case they have any other tricks to try. At the very least, they can help you find a repair shop in your locale experienced with their products.