Welcome, Gardeners of All Kinds! New to gardening? Need a refresher? This site is your go-to guide for anyone interested in growing, whether you're just starting out, returning to the hobby, or a lifelong gardener. From soil testing and sunlight needs to pollinator-friendly planting and seasonal tips, we’ve gathered the essentials to help your garden thrive. With easy-to-follow advice, science-backed practices, and a passion for green spaces, this guide is designed for gardeners of all ages and experience levels. There’s something here for everyone, dig in and grow with us!
Be sure to check out the Zone Checker, and explore our other pages for more valuable tips on soil health, pollinators, and everything your garden needs to flourish.
Click below to visit the official USDA Hardiness Zone map and discover your planting zone.
Our community garden is a shared space where people from all walks of life come together to grow, learn, and support each other. Volunteers of all ages contribute to planting, maintaining, and harvesting — and the fresh produce we grow is shared among everyone who helps. It’s gardening with purpose and community at heart.
Whether you're sowing your first seed or planning your next pollinator bed, there's something here for you. Dive deeper into our plant guide, explore soil science, or check out upcoming events near you.
Explore the Plant GuideGetting involved is good for the community, good for your mental health, and brings us all together. Here are some of our upcoming events.
Learn the basics of starting seeds indoors to get a jump on the growing season. Perfect for beginners!
A fun-filled day for children to learn about plants, soil, and the joy of gardening through interactive activities.
Discover how to turn kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich compost to enrich your garden soil.
Join us in planting a variety of herbs and learn how to care for them throughout the season.
Encourage creativity as children create garden-themed art projects to take home and display.
Celebrate the season's bounty with music, food, and community activities for all ages.
If you see an event that you missed and you'd like to attend, let us know. We sometimes bring back events with high demand in the future.
If you see an event you missed and would love another chance to attend, let us know! We sometimes bring back popular events by request.
Learn how to design garden beds, rotate crops, and plan out a successful season from start to finish.
A fun, guided exploration for kids to spot bees, butterflies, and other garden helpers!
Discover sustainable ways to collect rainwater and reduce your garden’s environmental footprint.
Learn to grow more in less space with trellises, towers, and creative vertical solutions.
Join us for a relaxing morning of yoga among the plants — great for your body and mind.
Bring your extra seedlings and swap them with others! A great way to diversify your garden and connect with neighbors.
We would love to hear from you!
Our garden is open 24/7. Listed hours reflect when staff is available to assist.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
Welcome to the ultimate guide for growing your favorite plants successfully.
Soil and sunlight are essential for plant growth. Without the right conditions, even the hardiest plants will struggle to thrive. Soil serves as the foundation of your garden, acting as both the anchor and the primary source of water and nutrients for your plants. However, not all soil is created equal. Its composition, whether sandy, clay, silty, loamy, or peaty—plays a critical role in how well it retains moisture, drains excess water, and supports root development.
Good soil provides nutrients, supports roots, and helps retain moisture, but it must also drain well to prevent rot. Soil pH affects how plants absorb nutrients, too high or too low, and they can’t access what they need. Adding compost or adjusting pH with lime or sulfur can improve soil quality.
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Issue: Sunburn — leaves turn brown or develop white patches from too much direct sun exposure.
Fix: Relocate to a spot with filtered light or provide shade cloth during peak sunlight.
Issue: Insufficient sunlight — plants grow tall and spindly as they stretch toward light.
Fix: Move to a brighter location with more direct or indirect light, depending on the plant’s needs.
Issue: High pH — prevents nutrient absorption, leading to yellowing and weak growth.
Fix: Lower pH with sulfur or organic materials like pine needles or peat moss.
Issue: Low pH — causes aluminum toxicity and poor nutrient uptake. Yellowing leaves, brown spots, stunted growth, and more.
Fix: Add lime to gradually raise the pH to optimal levels for your plants.
Issue: Overwatering — causes root rot, yellow leaves, and fungal problems. Your plants will shed new and old leaves and the base may get mushy.
Fix: Improve drainage and let the soil dry between waterings. Use pots with drainage holes.
Issue: Underwatering — wilting, dry soil, and browning leaf edges.
Fix: Water thoroughly and consistently. Check soil moisture before each watering.
Issue: Nutrient deficiency — yellowing leaves, stunted growth, poor flowering.
Fix: Apply balanced fertilizer and amend soil with compost or organic matter.
Issue: Leaf scorch — from hot sun and dry conditions.
Fix: Water more deeply, apply mulch, and provide partial shade during peak heat.
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Issue: Tip burn — from inconsistent watering or mineral buildup.
Fix: Water with filtered or distilled water and flush the soil monthly to reduce salts.
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zones divide the U.S. into regions based on the lowest average winter temperatures. This helps gardeners choose plants that will survive the local climate. Zone 3 includes the coldest areas, while Zone 10 includes the warmest. Each zone has specific requirements for soil drainage, organic matter, and water retention.
In colder zones, sunlight is often limited and soil may stay wet longer, making good drainage crucial. Raised beds and sandy loam help prevent root rot. In hotter zones, the sun is intense, so mulching and shade-friendly plants are key. Soil may be dry or compacted, requiring compost and water retention strategies.
Understanding your zone helps you plan what to plant and how to care for it. Local extension offices and online tools can help determine your zone and offer advice on soil amendments and sun strategies. Knowing this can be the difference between a healthy garden and a struggling one.
Discover which plants grow better together and how to maximize your garden’s harmony.
Companion planting is a time-tested gardening method that pairs plants together to improve growth, deter pests, and enhance flavor. Certain plant combinations help each other thrive by enriching the soil, providing shade, attracting pollinators, or repelling harmful insects. For example, basil planted near tomatoes can deter aphids and improve tomato flavor, while beans fix nitrogen in the soil to benefit neighboring crops like corn. This natural approach not only boosts garden productivity but also reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. By understanding which plants grow best together, gardeners can create a more balanced, healthy, and self-sustaining ecosystem. Here are some of the most common companion planting methods
Basil repels pests and enhances tomato flavor.
Beans fix nitrogen that corn uses.
Onions repel carrot flies.
Radishes deter cucumber beetles.
Radish provides shade and loosens soil.
Dill attracts beneficial insects.
Basil helps deter aphids and spider mites.
Spinach shades the soil, helping strawberries.
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Celery repels pests that affect broccoli.
Nasturtium lures away pests.
Horseradish repels potato beetles.
Marigolds deter many pests.
Beets don’t compete with kale for nutrients.
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Onions deter many beet pests.
Garlic deters aphids and fungal infections.
Corn supports squash growth in the Three Sisters.
Peas fix nitrogen; turnips use it.
Both grow well together without competing.
Thyme repels moths that damage eggplants.
Sunflowers provide shade and attract pollinators.
Rosemary’s strong scent helps deter cabbage moths, keeping your cabbage and other brassicas safe from common pests.
Crossbreeding is the process of intentionally mating two different plant varieties to produce a new hybrid that carries traits from both parents. This method is used to improve flavor, resistance to disease, yield, or appearance. It involves collecting pollen from one plant and applying it to the flower of another, often followed by isolation to avoid accidental pollination. Over generations, gardeners can stabilize new plant lines that combine the best characteristics of both.
While crossbreeding can be exciting, it’s important to know which plants should not be crossed. Some combinations may produce sterile offspring, undesirable traits, or weak growth. Crossbreeding plants from incompatible families rarely results in successful hybrids. Additionally, always ensure you're not violating any seed patent or proprietary plant laws when experimenting. A basic understanding of plant genetics, pollination timing, and species compatibility is essential.
Identify and manage invasive species that could threaten your garden ecosystem.
Watch our helpful videos for visual guides on planting, maintenance, and garden hacks.
