Lucky 13 Flowers for Beginners

We've missed you! Now it's time to head out to visit us, make your plant purchases and get them properly planted in your yard or in containers! The sooner the better. In our tropical climate with the extreme heat and humidity that will occur June through September, it is very important to get all plants established and stable before it gets too hot. These plants will have a much better chance of making it through their first summer, which is the biggest challenge for new plantings in our area. Even a few weeks of time can make a big difference in whether these new plants can stabilize from the shock of being transplanted, and have ample time to start growing new feeder roots. One product that will definitely help with these two essential aspects for success is a product called Root Stimulator by Fertilome. This is an easy to use product. Just mix with water and pour over the roots of the plant. It helps with transplant shock and gives the plant nutrients, but most importantly, it stimulates new feeder roots. Proper watering throughout the first summer is also essential. Did you know that potting mixes and soils are not the same? Most commercial plants are grown in a soil-less mixture. Bark, peat, perlite and vermiculite are common components of this type of mix. To determine if a mix or soil is suitable for most plant growth, place that soil or mix in a container and water. Rather quickly, the water should drain from the bottom of the container. If it doesn't drain, it must be amended with coarse items to encourage drainage. Adding a premium bagged compost or planting mix to outdoor containers adds weight and will hold more moisture to facilitate blooming and hold the plant upright. MARCH TO DO LIST: -Plant perennials in the ground so they will be well established. -Restore color to beds and borders by replacing cool season annuals with summer bedding plants. -Summer vegetables can be planted now! Amend and feed the soil with the proper mixes. We can help! -All types of summer bulbs can be planted now such as: caladiums, canna lilies and elephant ears. -Now is the right time to plant citrus and avocado. Fertilize them when planting. -As the weather warms, move tropical plants (such as bougainvilla, crotons, hibiscus, etc) back outside gradually to reduce sun damage. -Fertilize the area where you planted spring bulbs using a bulb food. -Fertilize a light application to roses. -Fertilize houseplants and re-pot if necessary. -Protect plants from hungry snails & slugs. We can help! -Feed the hummingbirds! Put out at least one feeder, keep it clean and full to attract the hummingbirds. They begin arriving around March 21!

Start planting now to make sure butterflies have your garden on their radar! Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) Butterfly bushes (Buddleia or Buddleja) are large, fast-growing shrubs whose flowers are irresistible to butterflies. Buddleias are easy-care plants and have a fragrant scent, making them delightful for an outdoor gathering. Phlox Phlox is a low-growing, spreading plant that forms a blanket of blooms all summer. Perennial varieties are great for a year-round groundcover. Coneflower (Echinacea) Coneflower is one of the best flowers for attracting butterflies. It adds a flashy touch of color to the late summer landscape. Plant echinacea among a low growing perennial bed where showy flowers will stand above the rest. Lantana Lantana produces profuse color, showing off clusters of tiny, eye-catching blooms in a variety of hues. Typically grown as an annual, it's an excellent low hedge or accent shrub that you can also train as a standard. It attracts butterflies and tolerates our heat. Zinnia Zinnias are an absolute butterfly magnet. They are rich with nectar, and butterflies will gladly float around a large patch of zinnias for hours each day. Deadhead to promote rebloom, and consider planting a dwarf variety such as ‘Profusion’, so they don’t flop over later in summer. The "Double" varieties are gorgeous, resembling a lion's mane, but butterflies can have trouble reaching the nectar. Passion Flower Passion flower is an exquisite and beautiful bloom, and it is also the host plant of the beautiful Gulf Fritillary. Simply put, putting a purple passion vine in your yard guarantees heavy interest from butterflies, year after year. The caterpillars will eat the foliage before sprouting into butterflies, but passion vine is vigorous enough to regrow from any damage. This vine does like to spread; it would be better alone on a fence or trellis than in a mixed bed with other perennials. Black-Eyed Susan Black-eyed Susan is one of the great wildflowers of North America and was one of the first to become a domesticated garden flower. Its showy golden yellow flower head with black centers are a visual delight. Heliotrope Heliotrope has a sweet, pungent scent that some liken to the smell of cherry pie. It is large flowered yet compact and has attractive, dark green foliage and a bushy habit. Lavender Lavender is a perennial favorite for gardeners and butterflies alike, producing tall, fragrant spikes of purple blooms. Hailing from the Mediterranean, it's drought-resistant and can take the heat. Milkweed The only food source of Monarch caterpillars and a preferred source of nectar for many butterfly species, including the adult Monarch, there are over 100 varieties of milkweeds in North America. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) A type of milkweed, drought-tolerant butterfly weed isn’t picky about growing conditions. Give it a sunny spot, and you’ll be on your way to a flowery summer. Butterflies, bees and other pollinators can’t resist these bright orange blooms. This perennial pushes through soil in late spring, well after other plants are up and at ‘em. Pincushion Flower Pincushion Flower is an annual that is a member of the aster family. The plants grow easily from seed and with enough water and a little shade, will bloom from midsummer to any frost. We also have them all spring in the transplant form. Agapanthus Agapanthus comes to life in late summer. It features large, elegant, deep blue bell-shaped blooms that are clustered together on tall, sturdy stems. These showy flower heads stand well above the plant's foliage. Aster Aster is an herbaceous perennial that comes in a wide variety of colors. Its daisy-like flowers bloom in late summer and autumn in a sunny site. Salvia Salvia produces fragrant foliage and tall spikes of flowers, usually in shades of purple or white. Its nectar attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Sunflowers Cheerful, colorful sunflowers attract both bees and butterflies to the garden. Goldenrod Goldenrod is a perennial with bright yellow flowers that add color to a late summer garden Penta Butterflies and hummingbirds can’t resist penta's flowers, which perch prettily atop deep green leaves. Plants grow 18 to 24 inches tall and 10 to 15 inches wide. Joe-Pye Weed This statuesque plant adds strong architectural interest to your flower border and attracts butterflies by the dozen. Because perennial foliage usually declines after the plants bloom, choosing a late-season bloomer such as Joe-Pye weed ensures you have lush, beautiful foliage all season long. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) This stunning American wildflower loves moist, shady woodland areas and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds for miles around.

Spending time in the garden often involves shooing away bees, but have you ever stopped to think about the benefits that these and other garden pollinators provide to our environment? Think back to elementary or middle school. You probably learned that a pollinator helps carry pollen from the male part of the flower to the female part of that or other flowers. Although some plants and flowers do not need insects or animals to aid in pollination, many do. Some common pollinators are bees, wasps, moths, butterflies, birds, flies and small mammals like bats. Why is this important to us? According to the National Park Service, one out of every three bites of food you eat only exists because of these pollinators. These foods include fruits, vegetables, and seeds. Even the air we breathe is affected by pollination. Look around you. Those plants you see help to clean the air, supply oxygen, and feed wildlife. When you think of these things, it really puts the importance of pollinators into perspective. What can you do to help your friendly neighborhood pollinators? Here are some great tips from The National Park Service. Although these things may seem small, they are a BIG help to birds, bees and other helpful creatures. Plant native flowers that bloom at different times. Also, planting flowers of different sizes and colors in clumps as opposed to scattering them in your landscaping is beneficial to pollinators by making it easier for them to locate their lunch. Give your pollinators a drink! A shallow dish of water placed on your deck or patio will help pollinators stay hydrated. Don't forget to partially submerge stones or rocks in the container so they have somewhere to rest while drinking. Otherwise they may drown. Did you know that many plants that are called weeds are actually useful to pollinators? So you can take a break from pulling some of those weeds. Limit pesticides. Before using a pesticide, ask yourself: Are flowers in bloom or are pollinators active during the pesticide application? Are there alternatives? We carry organic solutions to many gardening issues. Remember, pollinators can be harmed if they consume nectar or pollen that has come into contact with pesticides. Alternatively, you can help reduce the risk of exposure by applying pesticides at night when bees and other pollinators are not active. Nesting and sheltering sites are always appreciated! Remember that different types of pollinators require different things. Some bees and pollinating beetles may use downed tree limbs and logs; many butterflies lay eggs and rear their young on host plants; a small patch of bare ground might serve ground-nesting bees. Potential nesting sites include trees (both living and dead), shrubs, brush piles, bare ground, and bee boxes. Click here to read our blog about building a Sacturary for pollinators in your backyard!

Pollinators play an important role. In fact, they are essential in the eco system surviving. The simple truth is that we can’t live without them! Virtually all of the world’s seed plants need to be pollinated. Let’s celebrate pollinators and help them do their job, which benefits us most of all, by cultivating the specimens they need to thrive. Butterflies: Everyone loves to watch butterflies flutter from flower to flower. It brings us a sense of relaxation to watch a butterfly, and to know we have planted what they love brings accomplishment! The most important thing to remember when creating a butterfly garden is to plant both nectar and host plants. Providing host plants for caterpillars to feed on, you will have a front row seat to the metamorphosis process! The caterpillars will consume the host plants then become a chrysalis before the adult butterfly emerges looking for the nectar plants. Then, the females will lay the eggs to hatch into a caterpillar so the cycle can continue. It’s important to plant host plants and not be discouraged with caterpillars eating the plant. It’s usually only temporary! Some host plant ideas are: Passionflower, Milkweed, Swamp Milkweed, Asters, Butterfly Weed, Dill, Hollyhock, Sassafras, Fennel, etc. Nectar plants for the butterflies serve their purpose, and are beautiful in your space! There are so many choices, and they all pack a pop of color to enjoy all season! A great idea to cover a problem area while luring butterflies to your yard is to buy seeds and sprinkle them in that area. The seeds will germinate and create a lasting love for you, and the butterflies! If you don’t have room for a garden, hanging baskets will do the trick just as nicely. Some great nectar plant ideas in shrubs are: abelias, butterfly bush, honeysuckle, spiraea, etc. Some great nectar plant ideas in perennials are: yarrow, butterfly weed, aster, daisy, cosmos, coneflower, joe-pye weed, sunflowers, salvias etc. Some great nectar plant ideas in annuals are: lantana, zinnia, penta, marigold, verbena, geranium, portulaca, allysum, impatiens, etc. One last important thing to note when planting your butterfly retreat is not to use any pesticides! You may be killing off the very insects you made the garden for. There are natural remedy options to repel harmful insects, like aphids. Talk to us in the Plant Health Care room to help point you in the right direction! Bees: As stated in the introduction, every garden requires pollinators, and bees are among the finest, and hardest working! Without bees, there would be limited flowers and far fewer fruits and vegetables to enjoy. In fact, about 30% of the food we all eat depends on the pollination of bees. Besides planting flowers they enjoy, consider bringing more bees to your garden by providing a safe place for their shelter and to lay their eggs. Pollinator houses are trendy and compact enough to be part of your patio décor. There are many bees that are great pollinators, such as the carpenter, mining, sweat and cellophane bees. However, some of the most well-known and easily identified bees are the honey and bumble bee. Both of these live in social colonies and are cavity nesters. They require a constant supply of floral nectar close to their hive all summer long. Some of the biggest threats to the healthy and continued existence of the honey and bumble bee are their habitat loss. Some great nectar plant ideas in trees and shrubs are: apple, redbud, willow, blackberry, blueberry, etc. Some great nectar plant ideas in perennials are: aster, bee balm, black-eyed Susans, goldenrod, joe-pye weed, penstemon, coneflower, savlias, stonecrop, sunflower, etc. Some great nectar plant ideas in annuals are: lantana, aster, catmint, alyssum, salvias, zinnias, lavender, marigolds, calendula, etc. As with butterflies, keep the bees in your garden by eliminating chemical use, especially when plants are in flower. Hummingbirds: The ruby-throated hummingbirds zip across our Southern skies twice a year. They begin migrating from Mexico during the late winter and early spring to head up north for the summer. Then, once it’s fall again (usually August), they will make their way back south to Mexico. Fun facts about hummingbirds: They are the smallest bird in the world! They can beat their wings about 75 times per second! Wow! They can drink 8x their body weight, and also consume about 500 insects daily! Time to get their feeders and your yard ready to fuel them! Hanging hummingbird feeders with sugar water attracts birds looking for a snack. Most feeders are red since this is the color proven to attract them. We sell safe nectar ready to hang to welcome these winged creatures! It’s important to note that if you’re DIYing your nectar, do not use red dye. Hanging a feeder from February through October is a good plan of action! You can also charm hummingbirds to your yard with a selection of their favorite nectar-producing flowers. They are actually attracted to plants with color, and not plants with scent. Red is their choice in color, but any other bright colors like pink, purple, orange and yellow will also attract them. Another important factor to their favorite plants is the shape. Tubular-shaped flowers accommodate their long, narrow beaks. Some great nectar plant ideas in shrubs are: azaleas, butterfly bush, abelias, bottle brush, etc. Some great nectar plant ideas in vines are: honeysuckle, tangerine beauty crossvine, etc. Some great nectar plant ideas in perennials are: bugleweed, bee balm, cardinal flower, columbine, coral bells, daylily, delphinium, gaura, hollyhock, hosta, phlox, gayfeather, rose mallow, cuphea , salvias, etc. Some great nectar plant ideas in annuals are: fuchsia, penta, geranium, sage, nasturtium, petunia, pineapple sage, red salvia, zinnia, etc.  An important note, similar to the butterflies and bees, refrain from using insecticides when attracting hummingbirds. They rely on insects for protein, especially during the summer, so they’ll help to clean out your beds of pests! For all pollinators, make sure you offer them an available water source, such as a birdbath!

One of the most joyous parts of gardening is planting COLOR! Unique, pretty, fragrant and COLORful flowers. Now you probably know, or remember, that we generally categorize flowers into two different categories. Can you guess the two categories? The first one is pretty easy, “Annuals,” and the second one, what is it again? “Perennial!” If you’re not completely sure on the difference between the two, let’s clear the air for you. An annual plant can be started from seeds or by transplants, and its defining characteristic is that it lives its complete life cycle within one season, or possibly up to a year, and then dies. An annual flower spends most of its energy producing flower and seeds for the purpose of reproduction. Hence why annual plants provide us with such striking and bold color in the garden. Depending on the type of plant, annuals can grow in full sun areas, full shade areas, in cold winter weather, and hot summer weather. So when selecting annual plants for Southeast Louisiana, make sure that you are choosing the right plant for the right location and for the right season. A true perennial plant is one that completes its life cycle within a season, and goes through a period of dormancy where it stores energy in its roots, underground, to be able to produce foliage and flowers in the next season. In the simplest of terms, a perennial plant will “come back each year.” Similar to annuals, different perennials will perform better in different locations. Here in the Lafayette area, with our lack of cold temperatures and abundant rain through the winter, be sure to plant your perennials in a well-drained flower bed. If the bed holds water, or receives too much water through the winter months, there is a high chance that the roots of the plant will rot through the winter months when it is dormant. Now that we are all clear on the difference between annual and perennial plants, we know that the thought of having ALL perennial plants that will ALWAYS come back year after year sounds amazing, but it is important to be realistic when planning out your flower beds. The MOST colorful, full and beautiful flower beds are not commonly filled with exclusively perennials. While several perennial plants provide beautiful color during their blooming period, annuals plants will almost always have more color for a longer period of time. So don’t be discouraged when you begin to shop for your flowers and find that all of the pretty colorful ones that you like the most are annuals.  Be open to mixing annuals and perennials together, and be open to having to replant some annuals once or twice a year.

Here are some phrases and terms us "plant people" may use when visiting with you on your plant choices! When they say texture? Texture refers to the plant’s foliage. Plants with small or narrow leaves are considered to be finely textured. Those with large foliage are identified as ‘coarse.’ This isn’t a value judgment- both fine and coarse textures are important to creating a beautiful landscape. When they talk about habit? Habit is the general shape of a plant. Some plants are round, like a ball. Others may have a columnar shape or taller and full all around. There are plants that are narrow at their base and wider at the top and vice versa. Having a variety of habits in your garden gives it a nice variety, just like different sizes will. When they look for contrast? Contrast is what makes a design ‘pop.’ Bright flowers and foliage look even better when planted near a classic evergreen. Contrast finely textured and coarser plants to add interest to the garden, and a variety of habits and sizes to create movement. Plants can also contrast with building elements, such as soft, arching shrubs planted near a spare, concrete bench. When they reference season of interest? This is a fancy way of saying when a plant adds color to the garden. Some plants have flowers, others have colorful foliage. Newer varieties often re-bloom or have bright foliage all season, so they have multiple seasons of interest. Some plants’ season of interest is fall, when their foliage turns bright colors or they produce fruit. And don’t think that there aren’t any plants with winter interest-many shrubs have evergreen foliage or vivid bark that is at its showiest when temperatures are lowest. When they specify dwarf? Dwarf does not necessarily mean small. It means smaller than is typical for the species. Some dwarf varieties can still get pretty large, although nowhere near as large as the traditional variety. Landscape professionals and horticulturists like dwarf plants because they fit more easily into residential landscapes and require less pruning.

Azaleas seem to boldly announce the arrival of spring when we see their bright blooms appear all over town and neighborhoods. Did you know that evergreen azaleas are primarily native to Japan and China? One of the best effects in a landscape is to plant a mass of the same variety. The result is simply stunning when viewed from a distance. As they mature, they will grow together creating a single mass appropriate to the space. Large-growing varieties make the perfect privacy screen or backdrop for seasonal bedding plants. The flowers azaleas produce come in a variety of colors, some even with stripes. The blooms can range from 1/2 to 5 inches across depending on the variety. Re-blooming varieties, such as the Encore, are very popular and recommended for continuous enjoyment. Encore Azaleas have a wide range of colors to choose from as well! The location they are planted is important, but varies depending on the variety. In general, evergreen azaleas do best in partial shade. In sun, you may find that some of the colors do not last well, and are prone to sun damage. Also be careful because the evergreen azaleas planted in full sun are prone to lace bug, an insect pest that lives under the leaves and sucks out the chlorophyll leaving tiny white dots. Azaleas prefer a moist, well-drained soil. If the soil is rich in organic matter, that's a plus! They are welcomed for container plantings. You'll want to break up the root ball to encourage the roots to start growing and become well established. They are very shallow rooted, so set the plant at the same level or even a little higher than the soil. To maintain soil moisture, always mulch- even if planted in a container. Be careful fertilizing and always read labels or talk to us if you're unsure. We recommend applying two weak applications spaced apart to avoid the risk of burning the delicate roots. Always fertilize after blooming, but avoid doing so in late summer and/or fall. If fertilized at this time, they will be discouraged from going dormant. Pruning should be done after their blooming cycle is complete, before fall. Be careful to avoid removing any more than 1/3 of the branches because it could weaken the plant. Be careful also not to prune in fall because it may encourage late season growth vulnerable to winter damage. General pruning can be done in the spring and early summer to shape them. Avoid pruning after mid-July because that's when they begin forming their buds. You don't want to cut those! If you'd like to share them with a friend, good news: they transplant easy! Be sure to use a root stimulator to avoid transplant shock and, yes, stimulate the roots. Share the joy of amazing azaleas! Learn about Lafayette's The Azalea Trail here!

Container gardening is a great way to enjoy all the pleasures of a garden without as much space, labor or time, but you don't have to sacrifice beauty. Plan your containers to use spillers, thrillers and fillers in dramatic combinations, and you'll have showstopping containers in no time. A key tip is to make sure you know where your container will be placed (sun/shade/partial) so all the plants will “speak the same language.” For example, a shade-loving thriller like Cordyline doesn’t enjoy the sun like fillers Zinnia would. For the best success, pick plants that enjoy the same conditions! We are always here to help! STEP 1: THRILLER The “Thriller” should be the largest, most colorful or most unusual in the container. Your “Thriller” is what draws attention to your container, and they are placed in the center or back of the container you choose. STEP 2: FILLER The “Fillers” function is to fill the space between the “Spiller” and the “Thriller.” The “Filler” should not outshine the “Thriller,” but work as a bridge between the “Spiller” and the “Thriller.” STEP 3: SPILLER The “Spiller” adds character to the container and softens the edges. Plants suitable for “Spillers” should have a trailing growth habit. “Spillers” should be planted around the rim of your container. Thrillers A thriller is the centerpiece of a container, and is often a tall, dramatic plant that immediately draws the eye. Opt for unique plants with unexpected textures or structures to create that thrilling spotlight in any container. An alternative idea is to have the thriller be an evergreen that is a staple year-round, and add in fillers and spillers to match the season. The selection of thriller plants, both in evergreen or seasonal varieties, is immense and would take a nice long stroll around our Garden Center to decide. However, here are some top ideas to get you inspired… Popular thriller plants include: · Elephant ears · Fountain grasses · Boxwoods, like the Spiral · Sky Pencil Holly · Agave · Agapanthus · Junipers · Salvia · Foxtail Ferns · Palms · Bleeding hearts with use of a trellis · Clematis with use of a trellis · Dwarf Meyer Lemon Tree · Lilies · Canna Lily · Cordyline Fillers Filler plants are smaller, mounding plants that literally fill in the excess space in a container, but they don't have to be boring. Look for colors, foliage shapes and textures that contrast well with your spillers and thrillers, and don't shy away from unusual options. The selection of filler plants, is immense (almost anything in our front color area) and would take a nice long stroll around our Garden Center to decide. However, here are some top ideas to get you inspired… Great fillers include: · Herbs · Small low and mounding ornamental grasses, like Aztec · Begonia · Coleus · Hostas · Ferns · Oxalis · Any seasonal color like zinnia, marigolds, celosia, vinca, etc Spillers Spillers are trailing plants that deliberately spill over the edge of containers to create a more organic, living feel to the arrangement. They can make a small container seem much larger. The selection of filler plants, is immense and would take a nice long stroll around our Garden Center to decide. However, here are some top ideas to get you inspired… Top spiller plants include: · Sweet potato vines · Clematis (could be a thriller also with the use of a trellis) · Nasturtium · Verbena · Trailing Petunias · Ivy · Lysimachia (Golden Globes blooms a yellow flower) · Delosperma/Ice Plant · Sedum, such as Lemon Ball · Trailing Vinca · Creeping Fig · Creeping Jenny · Cuphea (Honeybells, White, Bat Face, Bleeding Heart)  No matter which spillers, thrillers or fillers you choose for containers, use each container as an opportunity to experiment with new and unique textures, colors or arrangements, and have fun choosing new plants to try. The more dramatic the arrangement, the more attention your amazing containers will get!

Love tomatoes? Get ready for your best harvest yet, thanks to these easy-grows-it tips. Big, Beautiful Tomatoes Homegrown tomatoes deliver flavor and then some. Raising your own crop of sun-ripened 'maters is one of summer’s official best rewards. All it takes to grow outstanding tomatoes is attention to detail. Cover the basics, and you’ll be savoring a delicious harvest.  Choose the Right Varieties Take time to select tomatoes that suit your growing conditions. Also, select tomatoes that work for how you intend to use them. One of the many benefits of our local garden center is we only stock plants that are proven to do well in our area. You can find varieties for slicing, sauce making or salads. Lastly, choose varieties that deliver the flavor you crave. For instance, tomatoes exist that offer low acid, higher lycopene content, smoky overtones or intense sweetness. Plant Deep The best tomatoes come from plants with a strong root system. Give your plants a head-start on healthy roots by planting seedlings deep in the soil. Start by removing the lowest leaves on your seedling and burying the lower stem. Tomato stems produce roots easily. Any portion of the stem you bury will sprout roots that help nourish and support the fruit-laden plant. Start the Season Early An unspoken badge of honor always goes to the gardener with the earliest tomato. You can start seedlings indoors using a Grow Light, a perfect balance of the nutrient plants need in a “light bulb” form! Stake Tomatoes Keep tomato vines off the ground to protect ripening fruit from pests and diseases. Hoisting vines with cages or stakes also make it much easier to pick fruit. With tomatoes, disease is one of the top problems you’ll likely encounter. Staking and supporting vines increases airflow around leaves, which can help reduce disease outbreaks. Be sure to choose a tomato support that suits the mature size of the plant. Water Tomatoes Properly Tomato plants need consistent watering to yield the most healthy and flavorful fruit. When plants don’t get enough water, the result can be deformed or small tomatoes, and blossom end rot can develop (where the bottom of the tomato turns black). Because of how susceptible tomato plants are to fungus diseases, it’s best to water plants at ground level, using drip irrigation, soaker hoses or creative solutions like a tomato halo. This device holds three quarts of water, delivering it directly to the root zone of the plant, which encourages deep rooting. Mulch Soil It’s important to cover soil beneath tomatoes with a mulch of some kind, such as straw, grass clippings, compost or shredded leaves. Many tomato diseases spend part of their time living in soil. When rain hits the soil, particles splash up and can land on lower tomato leaves, leading to a disease outbreak. Covering soil is one way to help control tomato diseases. Mulch also helps the soil stay moist, which helps ensure a hefty tomato crop. One more great reason to mulch - it suppresses weeds. Prune Tomatoes Remove lower leaves on tomato plants to help reduce disease outbreaks. Wait until first tomatoes form, and remove leaves below the first fruit cluster. This helps prevent disease spores (living in soil) from splashing onto lower leaves during rainstorms. Combining a thick mulch with lower leaf pruning are two simple steps that bring big results toward improving your tomato harvest. Pick Problem Tomatoes It’s not unusual to visit your tomato patch and discover fruits with all kinds of problems . Heavy rain can cause tomatoes to crack as roots absorb so much water that it literally makes the tomatoes split their skins. This is a big problem with cherry tomatoes especially but it happens with all types. You might also discover tomatoes that critters have been nibbling. Squirrels, birds, deer, even turtles will chomp at ripening tomatoes, seeking moisture. Slugs, earwigs and stink bugs also attack tomatoes and break the skin. Anytime you have a tomato that’s damaged, the best tactic is to remove it from the garden. Bury it in your compost pile, toss it into a far part of your yard, carry it indoors to drop down the disposal — do whatever works for you. But definitely get rid of it. Problem fruits roll out the welcome mat to other pests (fruit flies, wildlife) and diseases. If possible, bury the problem tomatoes to try and contain any pest outbreaks. Keep Watch for Pests Try to visit your tomato plants at least every two days to keep tabs on ripening fruit and also inspect for pests. The tomato hornworm is one pest that can literally obliterate plants overnight. These caterpillars munch their way up and down a plant, making leaves disappear like a magician. They can be tough to spot. The easiest sign to watch for is frass (caterpillar poop), which resembles black peppercorns. If you see those, look beneath leaves for a hornworm, which usually hides during the day and feeds at night. Slugs also climb tomato plants to feast on fruits, and stinkbugs can wreak havoc too. With most of these pests, the best defense is to use gloved hands to knock the culprits into soapy water. As with any plant, we offer the right product solutions for their health care! We have many organic options for you to battle the bugs (and diseases) so you can get back to growing your juicy tomatoes!