This will provide your gardens with the support needed to create healthy and productive gardens with each passing year.

• Start by removing all summer annuals that will not last through the winter and old plants from the garden area. Once the remaining fruits and seeds are removed from the plants you can add them to your compost pile. Any plants that show disease or mold place in the garbage.
• Remove all support stakes and cages from the garden area and clean with alcohol to disinfect and prevent diseases during storage. Once the garden area is clear you will be able to see if any weeds were hiding under your plants and can easily remove them.
• Perennial plants need proper nutrients to survive the winter and flourish the next spring. The basic rule for perennial vines is to cut them back leaving six of the healthiest, strongest canes on each plant and trimming the others to the ground. Perennials and ornamental grasses should be cut back to the ground. Cut back any thin or weak stalks and deadhead the wilted buds. It is important to fertilize your perennials for the winter add a layer of slow-release fertilizer like Wild Valley Farms Wool Pellets to the soil around the plants. This will hold the nutrients close and help support the root system during the winter months.

Once the garden plants are trimmed and the old is removed, it is the perfect time to replenish your soil. The herbs and garden plants that just finished their season relied on the nutrients that were in the soil leaving it depleted at the end of the season.

• Creating and maintaining proper soil nutrient levels is vital in next year's growth and ability to produce. Compost and mulches are ways to replenish nutrient levels, retain moisture content and reduce weeds taking root in your garden

Compost is decomposed organic material derived from two main components: "Greens” & “Browns.” It is made up from the layering, mixing- to provide oxygen for microorganisms to breath and break down the materials, and heating over time to kill seeds and pathogens of these two component categories. Studies show that using compost improves color, helps tomatoes and other plants stand up to common diseases. While considered a soil conditioner rather than a fertilizer, compost helps feed soil with a slow release of beneficial nutrients over time. It is best to add compost to soil each year to improve the overall soil structure increasing fertility and nutrients for growing.

Mulch can be any matter, organic or inorganic, that you put down on top of your soil. Materials used for mulch include everything from crushed rock and plastic sheeting to wood chips, discarded newspapers, pine straw, grass clippings, leaves, and straw. Mulch can be laid down on top of compost or topsoil 1 to 2 inches deep, usually in late fall & early spring. Mulch can help to cut down on your gardening chores by helping suppress weeds and hold moisture in your soil. This sheltering layer also protects tender plants from frost and cold in winter, and from evaporation and heat stress in summer. In addition, mulch helps moderate soil temperature, keeping a porous surface to allow water to get to roots and prevent soil erosion.

There are two main categories of soil porosity: micropores and macropores. These categories are based of the pore size or spaces. Depending on the size we can predict the levels of oxygen, nutrients, and the ability to retain water. The optimal porosity for plant growth is a ratio of both micro and macro-pores.

• Micro pores are smaller in size but are not affected by gravity and can retain water and nutrients longer. Due to the smaller pore size the movement of air and water is sometimes restricted making it difficult for the roots to extract both the nutrients and water. Clay soils have a greater ratio of micro-pores.
• Macro pores are a large pore size which allows air and water movement enabling optimal oxygen for root growth. The larger pore size also creates an environment for gravity to decrease the nutrients more quickly. Sandy textured soils, have a greater ratio of macro-pores.​ 

Understanding the role that porosity plays in creating healthy soil will impact what we add to our garden soil. Porosity is vital for optimal growth. The plants will degrade and die without a combination of both micro and macro pores. Leaving the ground dry and depleted of nutrients or waterlogged and stagnant. Assisting the porosity of the soil can be as easy as mixing in organic material such as wool pellets, worms, and planting annual lettuces into your gardens. 
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Wool pellets expand as they absorb water creating a space. That not only increase oxygen but holds the nutrients in the soil for root development. As they begin to biodegrade that space is replaced by air, increasing soil oxygen levels.

Introducing worms to the soil will increase the porosity of the top inches of your soil. As they create deeper tunnels in the soil it will also help with drainage preventing root rot.
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Consider adding lettuce that can be harvested at ground level and the root system left. Once harvested the roots will die off leaving spaces for water, oxygen, and other nutrients to fill their space.

​Summer and gardening are inseparable whether you are enjoying your garden or produce from the garden is enhancing that day’s adventures. Summer memories are filled with sneaking grapes from the grape arbor, picking sugar snap peas or seeing who could fill their bucket full of berries first. One of the best memories is the anticipation of the melons. Each day searching for the melons under the big leaves, watching it grow and hoping that today is the day.

 Also increasing the amino acids which are vital to protein synthesis and the producing of chlorophyll. Depending on your current soil nutrients once the flowers begin to form the plant will require higher levels of phosphorous and potassium. Phosphorous can help regulate the protein synthesis and energy transfer as the fruit matures. Potassium assists in the exchange of nutrients and water movement throughout the plant.  Even with great care and providing a nutrient rich soil melons will provide a greater yield and increase flavor profile when active pollinators are present. Create an environment that will entice pollinators by planting a variety of herbs and flowers in concentrated areas near by. This will provide nectar, pollen and areas for nesting and attracting the pollinators to your garden. 

 3 that we recommend!
Watermelons come in so many colors, shapes, and seed options that it can get overwhelming quickly. Sometimes starting with the old true and tested varieties is the way to begin. In the 1830s a variety nicknamed “Gypsy” made us all fall in love with watermelon. It has the traditional green and white stripes and is a long, large melon and can weigh up to 30 to 40lbs. This heirloom variety is called the Georgia Rattlesnake. This watermelon has a thicker rind and crisp sweet bright red flesh.
When to Plant: after last frost
Days to Maturity: 85-90
Fruit Weight: 30lb
Mature Spread: 72-96in
Cantaloupe is the perfect pairing to almost any summer event. The heirloom variety, Hearts of Gold provides beautiful 3lb round melons, with thin rinds and sweet orange flesh. This variety is not only known for its intense rich flavor but how early it ripens. Roland Morill out of Michigan created this new variety by crossing the Osage and Netted Gem melon varieties.
When to Plant: after last frost
Days to Maturity: 80-90
Fruit Weight: 3lb
Mature Spread: 36 - 72in
Armenian cucumbers are a melon and not a cucumber. They are also referred to as a snake melon or yard-long melon. They are slender with thin skin that can have color variations from dark to light green depending on the specific variety. The skin can be eaten, and the flesh is mild, crisp, and sweet. This melon is a versatile fruit as they are not only perfect for slicing fresh but can be added to both cold and hot recipes. These melons have been around a long time believed to come from the 15th century in Armenia.
When to Plant: after last frost
Days to Maturity: 70 
Fruit Size: 24in
Mature Spread: 48in

When considering your layout, notice that plants require different water for optimal growth. Without taking this into consideration your watering schedule could leave some of your plants receiving more than they can use while others are depleted. Placing similar plants together can help you, focus on providing plants the perfect quantity needed. Placing herbs, spinach, and lettuces on a watering system that is less frequent. Where most of the cruciferous vegetables require a more frequent watering schedule will optimize your water consumption. 
As gardener’s we understand the importance of preserving the earth and the responsibility to learn and use methods that safeguard the earth's resources. We can protect and use water with respect for the life that it creates. Understanding, that water is the very source in which we can create beauty in a way that enriches both the soil and one’s own soul. ​

​My Great Grandmother’s garden notebook was filled with flower sketches, garden layouts, and notes in the margins as she noticed through trial and error the relationship between plants as they grew side by side.  Finding that different varieties thrive when planted together as they provide mutual benefits to each as they grow.
As we explore this approach most known as companion planting, we will discover an increase in soil nutrients, see better yields, chase away pests, strengthen resilience against disease and attract pollinators. Remember that as always, the region in which you garden can influence the effectiveness of companion planting.​

​As we add companion planting into our layout, we can set our plants up to succeed knowing that corn, tomatoes, and rhubarb require more nitrogen. We can pair them with peas, beans, and clover which help fix the nitrogen levels in the soil.  ​​Another perfect partner for not only adding nutrients to your soil, but also absorbing water and decreasing nutrient run off, is using Wild Valley Farms Wool Pellets. This will help your garden grow stronger and more abundantly. ​

Planting varied sizes of plants together can also provide physical support and increase yield. Placing plants that thrive in partial sun and shorter in growth height, like lettuces and greens, will do great under taller plants such as peppers and tomatoes. Strong bushes can protect young bush beans and other plants from wind damage.
When using companion planting for pest control there are three approaches. The first is planting to deter certain insects away from the area protecting the susceptible plants. The second is attracting and catching the insects and third is attracting friendly insects to the area to manage the issue for you. For example, aphids love gardens and if you want to deter aphids plant garlic and chives with your lettuce. Alyssum will attract hover flies and other beneficial insects that can assist in controlling your aphids from harming the greens in your garden.

Most diseases are of a fungal origin, making garlic and its high sulfur content a natural fungicide. Chives can help protect your rose bushes from black spot and even decrease scab in apple trees.​
The presence of pollinators is vital for your garden. Creating an inviting environment for bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies will add to the beauty and health of your whole garden. Providing plants like sunflowers, honeysuckle, and a butterfly bush will attract them to the area. A wide variety of crops including melons need pollinators to produce a healthy crop. By adding herbs like fennel and dill near your melons it will not only add to the flavor buy will increase your crop yield.
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As you experiment with companion planting and adjust the layout of your garden accordingly you will be amazed with the results. The relationship between two plants can easily form a successful ecosystem that supports each other and the complete garden. Whether your goal is to increase soil nutrients, see better yields, chase away pests, strengthen resilience against disease, or attract pollinators, companion planting can provide a balanced approach to your gardening needs.

1. Walk around your space noticing the light and different temperatures around your home. Start with the area that gets the most sun or indirect sunlight.
2. Depending on what area you choose to start research the best plants for the light density in that area. Do not be discouraged if you suddenly realize that your home is lacking sunlight. There are species and varieties that can survive in lower light conditions.
3. Start small this is one of the main differences between your outdoor and your indoor gardens. The magic of your indoor space will evolve over time as you fall in love with each new plant. We suggest starting with 2-3 plants. Starting small provides you the opportunity to not only succeed but to learn and grow with your plants.
4. Be smart! All plants have unique qualities that are beautiful and sometimes dangerous. Please be aware of which plants are toxic to animals and children. 

​Here are some of our favorites:
The Peperomia plant family is an amazing choice for first time indoor gardeners. They are small plants, and most varieties grow slowly and rarely grow over a foot in height. Making them perfect for desktops, windowsill, and rooms with limited space. This plant family has more than 1500 species that have been recorded. Creating a diverse collection of stem patterns, colors, leaf shapes, and textures that are spectacular to enhance any space.
Caring for most Peperomia varieties is easy as they are very forgiving. They do enjoy bright indirect light but can adapt to lower light. They require less watering as you will need to only water them when the soil is dry. Peperomia are non-toxic to children and pets.
As we start into the winter months think about adding a peperomia to your home because the winter is when their growing season starts.

​These next plants are not just for adding aesthetics to a space, but they have added health benefits.
All plants, absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis. The small openings on the underside of the leaves are called stomata and they help regulate the speed of photosynthesis. The larger leaves provide more surface area producing more oxygen.
These next three plants are no exception they have been a part of many scientific studies and the results have proven they are some of the highest producing oxygen plants. As we continue to go about our lives, we find ourselves indoors more than ever which has led to a greater need of providing fresh air. Products have been developed to help with creating fresh clean air. Although many of those products can be putting chemicals into the air that can be harming our health. There are a lot of plants that are not only helping to oxygenate the world, but they also can remove harmful chemicals from the air helping to purify our environment. Here are three of our favorites. Do not forget to click on the links for more information on the other plants.​

​The number 1 issue with our indoor plants is over watering. The root system not only needs water but great porosity for increased oxygen to survive. When a plant becomes waterlogged the root cells will rot creating an optimal environment for fungal and bacterial infections to thrive. Here are a couple of ideas to help your plants flourish in your home. 

Did you know? A kilogram of dry wool placed in an atmosphere of air saturated with moisture releases about the same amount of heat as that given off by an electric blanket running for eight hours. This is because wool is Hygroscopic. Hygroscopy is the phenomenon of attracting and holding water molecules via either absorption or adsorption from the surrounding environment, which is usually at normal or room temperature. 
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Eggplants are heat-resistant vegetables, perfect for harvesting in late-summer. They grow quickly, and need a sunny location with rich, well-draining soil. We recommend Globe Eggplants for your warm areas like California! So, any fans of Olive Garden’s Eggplant Parmesan? We’ve got you covered. ;) https://flavorite.net/copycat-olive-garden-eggplant-parmigiana/

​Cucumbers

Ideal temperatures for cucumbers are between 50-95 degrees. They thrive in full-sun and heat! If you’re looking for the best heat-resistant cucumber, try the Olympic or Thunder! Here’s another refreshing summer salad!
​https://www.fivehearthome.com/tomato-cucumber-salad-with-olives-and-feta/

Thanks for reading! Readers in hot, sunny areas- what are your thoughts? Have you had success with any of these vegetables? Let us know!

Check out our products!

https://www.wildvalleyfarms.com/super-compost-tea.html
https://www.wildvalleyfarms.com/wool-pellets.html

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