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Tulip builds to be planted in Smart Pots

Right Now: Plant These 5 Bulbs In Smart Pots For Summer Blooms

Bulbs are a great way to add color and interest to your garden, and they are grown better in Smart Pot! Smart Pots are made from breathable fabric, which allows for better drainage and aeration than traditional pots. This helps to prevent root rot and other problems. Smart Pots are also lightweight and easy to move, making them ideal for container gardening.
A woman is holding a red flower in a greenhouse. The greenhouse is filled with many red flowers, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere. The woman is enjoying her time in the greenhouse

Everlasting Poinsettia | Top Garden Gifts

The poinsettia is the star of the holidays, whether it’s the centerpiece of your dinner table or the welcome mat for your guests at the front porch. These beautiful plants are a must-have for any winter home. They bloom in mid-winter, and their stunning colors are created by bracts (persistent colored leaves) instead of flowers, so they last longer than regular flowers. They even bloom naturally under the long winter nights, so nurseries can easily bring them into color in time for the holidays. The beauty of poinsettias can last from Thanksgiving through Christmas, and sometimes even to Valentine’s Day! fun fact: you can keep your poinsettia blooming all year round if you give it the right care With Smart Pots, you can easily keep your holiday poinsettias looking their best all year long or gift one to your favorite garden friend! Smart Pot planters produce healthier roots by air pruning, which creates lots of smaller, fibrous roots. These roots absorb moisture and nutrients more efficiently, so your poinsettia grows faster and year-round. Smart Pot products support healthy root growth, and strong roots mean a stronger plant. Smart Pot containers stay cooler because they allow air to flow through the sides of the fabric. This means you won’t have to worry about circling roots and can keep your poinsettia in its Smart Pot for longer than traditional containers. Let’s transplant this poinsettia from its plastic nursery pot into a powerful Smart Pot! Step 1 First, you’ll want to unfold and prepare your Smart Pot. For this project, we are using 3-Gallon Smart Pots to transplant quart-sized poinsettias. Step 2 Next, fill your Smart Pot with a high-quality potting mix about 1/3 of the way up. We like using SunGro’s Black Bear Indoor & Outdoor Potting Mix which is formulated with biochar, a sustainable alternative to perlite that optimizes aeration. This will provider a layer of fresh soil for your plant to grow in. Step 3 Then, place your poinsettia with its nursery pot inside the Smart Pot to help guide where it will sit. Fill around with soil (just above the roots) Step 4 Take out your poinsettia, and remove it from its original nursery pot. Examine the roots for any disease and plug it into the center of your Smart Pot. If necessary, backfill with more soil and when you’re ready, generously water your transplanted poinsettia. SHOWSTOPPER 📸🪴 Aside from making great gifts, when summer comes around, you can transplant your poinsettia into the garden to add a beautiful pop of color! Choose a location with well-drained soil that gets 4 to 5 hours of sun per day. Mix in organic matter such as peat moss or compost into the soil. This will help maintain soil moisture and create a good growing environment for the roots. Grow a Loving Herb Farmacy This Mother’s Day, plant a Loving Herb Farmacy for yourself or a loved one! This charming little herb garden is the…Read More Grow a Loving Herb Farmacy How to Care for Norfolk Island Pine – Lifelong Houseplant From Holiday Tree to vibrant indoor houseplant, here’s how to make your Norfolk Island Pine last for years! Remember that charming…Read More How to Care for Norfolk Island Pine – Lifelong Houseplant 5-Minute Sunflower Garden Plant a 5-Minute Sunflower Garden with Smart Pot and Park Seed Ready to brighten up your garden in no time? A…Read More 5-Minute Sunflower Garden
Smart Pot Raised Bed Collage

The Future of Raised Bed Gardening

Raised bed gardening has become increasingly popular for its numerous advantages. It allows gardeners to cultivate thriving plants even in less-than-ideal soil conditions, and it offers improved drainage, better pest control, and ergonomic benefits. But what if there was a raised bed solution that was even easier to use and offered additional benefits? 6′ Raised Bed Planter Smart Pot Raised Bed Planter: Innovation in Raised Bed Gardening At the heart of the Smart Pot Raised Bed Planter lies the same innovative Smart Pot Geotextile Fabric™ that has revolutionized container gardening. This breathable material offers a multitude of advantages over traditional raised bed materials like wood or plastic: Simple Setup: Forget about the hassle of constructing wooden raised beds. Smart Pot Raised Beds require no tools! Simply unfold, fill with soil, and plant. Flexible Design: The non-rigid, flexible fabric conforms to uneven or slightly sloping terrain, making it perfect for yards that aren’t perfectly level. Built-in Sections: Unlike traditional raised beds, Smart Pot Raised Bed Planters feature built-in 16″ x 16″ sections. This allows for easy customization of your planting layout and provides additional structural support. Durable and Long-lasting: Made in the USA with high-quality materials, Smart Pots are UV-resistant and designed for over 5 years of outdoor use. Leave your Smart Pot Raised Bed outside year-round, or fold it up for easy storage during the off-season. Smart Pot Raised Bed Planters come in three standard sizes – 6ft, 8ft, and 12ft – offering plenty of space for a variety of plants. But for those with professional or commercial ambitions, Smart Pot can custom-build a raised bed to your exact specifications. Reach out to our Expert Team How to Use the Smart Pot Raised Bed Planter Choose a spot in your garden that gets plenty of sunlight Prepare the soil by adding compost or other organic matter Unfold your Smart Pot Raised Bed Planter Fill the Raised Bed Planter with soil Plant your seeds, seedlings, or starts Water your plants regularly Fertilize your plants as needed Enjoy your beautiful, healthy plants From vegetable gardens to flourishing herb havens, Smart Pot Raised Beds empower you to cultivate your dream garden with unmatched ease and success. Find your perfect Smart Pot Raised Bed Planter and discover the future of raised bed gardening today! FUN FACT: The Smart Pot Raised Bed Planter is one of nine patents honored from the US Patent Office to Smart Pot. —————————-> Where to Buy the Smart Pot Raised Bed Planter The Smart Pot Raised Bed Planter is available for purchase online and at select retailers. To find an Authorized Retailer near you, click here Smart Pot Bed Wetters Rated 5.00 out of 5 $9.49 – $11.79Price range: $9.49 through $11.79 Select optionsLoading Done This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Smart Pot Raised Bed Planter Rated 5.00 out of 5 $61.59 – $109.99Price range: $61.59 through $109.99 Select optionsLoading Done This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page My Favorite Smart Pot Product! I love the size of it and the opportunities are endless. This year I have mini watermelon growing in one compartment, yellow neck squash in another, and cantaloupe in the 3rd compartment. This is year 3 using the same raised bed and it still looks great! Diane K. Verified Smart Pot Gardener
Smart Pot Loving Herb Pharmacy

Grow a Loving Herb Farmacy

This Mother’s Day, plant a Loving Herb Farmacy for yourself or a loved one! This charming little herb garden is the perfect way to add fresh flavor to any meal, and it’s surprisingly easy to create using a milk crate and our trusty Smart Pot Milk Crate Liner. Milk Crate Gardens offer a ton of benefits Compact and portable: Place them anywhere, indoors or outdoors – on patios, driveways, rooftops, or even basements Easy to maintain: Smart Pot Milk Crate Liners provide excellent drainage and hold in soil, making watering and care a breeze Intensive planting: Maximize your growing space with a variety of herbs in a single container Sustainable: Repurpose a milk crate and grow fresh herbs without waste We’re not the only ones who love Smart Pot Milk Crate Liners. Even the Boston Red Sox use them to grow fresh produce from their rooftop garden, Fenway Farms. They use the bounty from Fenway Farms for chef cuisine at the suite level and in their concessions. Let’s get started on your own edible pharmacy! Here’s what you’ll need: Milk Crate (repurpose or purchase a crate) Smart Pot Milk Crate Liner (12”x12”x12” or 12”x18”x12”) Herbs of your choice (we’re planting chocolate mint, thyme, rosemary, Swiss mint, oregano, and Greek oregano) Quality soil (add compost for best results) Planting Your Herb Farmacy 1. Plan Your Herb Layout Arrange your chosen herbs in the configuration you’d like them planted in the crate 2. Unfold & Liner Up Unfold your Smart Pot Milk Crate Liner and place it inside the milk crate. Press the liner into the corners and flatten the bottom for a secure fit. Fold any excess liner over the edges of the crate 3. Fill Your Milk Crate Liner Fill the liner with a mixture of good quality potting mix and compost (optional) up to 2 inches from the top. Water the soil thoroughly until it reaches the consistency of brownie mix 4. Press Your Guide Using the pots of your herbs as a guide, press them gently into the soil to create indentations for planting. This will help when digging your planting holes 5. Planting Party! Remove the plants and carefully dig holes in the soil according to the root depth of each herb. Plant your herbs in the prepared holes and backfill with soil 6. Water Your Farmacy Give your Loving Herb Farmacy a good watering to settle the soil around the plants. For optimal growth, place your herb farmacy in a location that receives plenty of sunlight 7. Care Fertilize your herbs as needed according to the specific fertilizer program you choose. Smart Pots work with all fertilizer types Milk Crate Gardens can be placed almost anywhere, both indoors and outdoors – directly on the ground, on patios, driveways, rooftops, or basement floors. The Smart Pot Milk Crate Liner is a porous fabric, so place a tray or saucer underneath the milk crate when gardening on a valuable surface. This is a gift that will keep on giving throughout the season. it’s a thoughtful & sustainable alternative to traditional bouquets for Mom. With a little time and sunlight, your Milk Crate Herb Farmacy will soon be overflowing with fresh, flavorful herbs ready to elevate your culinary creations. Using Milk Crate Liner Smart Pots for Small Space Gardening Read More Using Milk Crate Liner Smart Pots for Small Space Gardening How to Care for Norfolk Island Pine – Lifelong Houseplant Read More How to Care for Norfolk Island Pine – Lifelong Houseplant Planning a Smart Pot Garden Read More Planning a Smart Pot Garden
Smart Pot Winter Care Blog Title Image

Smart Pots In The Snow | Cold Winter Care

As the frost settles in, you might be wondering how to protect your beloved plants in Smart Pots? Fear not fellow Green Thumbs! Smart Pots offer many unique advantages that make them surprisingly winter-hardy companions for your garden. Here's how:
Combat Pests in Your Garden with Companion Planting

Combat Pests in Your Garden with Companion Planting

Summer is in full swing, and that means it’s time to start thinking about pests. As the weather gets warmer, insects like aphids, beetles, and caterpillars start to become more active, and they may be looking for a place to call home; Your Smart Pot Garden is the perfect place for them, as it’s full of food and water. Companion planting is the practice of planting certain plants together to deter pests or attract beneficial insects. For example, marigolds are a great companion plant for tomatoes, as they help to repel nematodes, which can damage tomato roots. Garlic and chives can also help to deter pests, while mint attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs, which eat aphids. When choosing companion plants, it is important to consider the needs of your plants. For example, tomatoes need full sun and well-drained soil, while cucumbers prefer partial shade and moist soil. By matching your plants’ needs with the right companion plants, you can create a healthy and productive garden that is resistant to pests. In addition to deterring pests, companion planting can also improve the health of your plants by: If you are looking for a natural way to protect your garden from pests, companion planting is a great option. By planting the right plants together, you can create a healthy and productive garden that is resistant to pests. Here are a few of the best companion plants for deterring pests: MARIGOLDS Marigolds are a great choice for companion planting, as they have a strong scent that deters many types of pests including aphids, beetles, and whiteflies GARLIC Garlic is another great companion plant, as it contains sulfur compounds that repel pests ONIONS Onions are another member of the allium family, and they have similar pest-repelling properties to garlic and chives CHIVES Chives are similar to garlic, and they also have a strong scent that deters pests MINT Mint is a popular herb that can also be used as a companion plant. Mint deters many types of pests, including ants, mosquitoes, and slugs ROSEMARY Rosemary is a fragrant herb that can be used to deter pests such as cabbage moths and tomato hornworms DILL Dill is a member of the carrot family, and it attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs and hoverflies, which help to control pests BASIL Basil is a popular herb that can also be used as a companion plant. Basil attracts beneficial insects such as bees and wasps, which help to control pests By planting these companion plants in your Smart Pot Garden, you can help to deter pests and keep your plants healthy. In addition to companion planting, there are a few other things you can do to protect your plants from pests: Inspect your plants regularly: Inspect your plants regularly for signs of pests, such as holes in leaves, insect eggs, or droppings Remove any infested plants: If you find any infested plants, remove them from your garden immediately Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil: If you see a serious infestation, you can apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to your plants. Be sure to follow the directions on the label carefully Attract beneficial insects: Beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, help to control pests. You can attract beneficial insects to your garden by planting flowers that they like, such as marigolds, dill, and fennel By following these tips, you can help to keep your garden pest-free and healthy!
Bees on Smart Pot Growing Flower

Grow Pollinator-Attracting Plants In Smart Pot

Pollinators are essential for our food system. They pollinator crops, fruits, and vegetables, which helps to ensure that you have a bountiful harvest. However, pollinators are under threat from habitat loss, pestices, and climate change. One Way to help pollinators is to plant pollinator-friendly plants in your garden.
Smart Pot 3-Foot Raised Bed Planter

Smart Pot Lil' Shorty Raised Bed Planter: The Perfect Solution for Urban Gardeners

Do you live in a small space? Do you dream of growing your own fresh vegetables and herbs, but don't have the room for a traditional in-ground garden? If so, the Smart Pot Lil' Shorty Raised Bed Planter is the perfect solution for you!
Houseplant How-To With Smart Pots - by Jodi Torpey

Houseplant How-To With Smart Pots - by Jodi Torpey

Jodi Torpey, a garden writer, certified master gardener, and author of “The Colorado Gardener’s Companion: An Insider’s Guide to Gardening in the Centennial State,” offers valuable insights on keeping houseplants in Smart Pots. Read her tips in the article “Houseplant How-To With Smart Pots - by Jodi Torpey”
Healthy soil for potted plants

All About That Base

Or rather, your soil. Whether you’re amending an in-ground area or improving a growing medium for your containers and raised beds, there is no substitute for good soil. And not just good soil, the best soil. Working on your soil may be a little less thrilling than aisles of fresh green plants and racks of brightly colored seed packets, but if you don’t get down and dirty first you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Compost is the best and most earth-friendly way to build a nutrient profile and soil structure that will yield the most bang for your buck. A great recommendation is to use a Compost Sak for early spring leaf clean up, but first, you’ll want to harvest the black, crumbly, and rich compost that has already been cooking in it. (See why some gardeners call it nature’s black gold?) Compost is what containers and beds need to set the stage for great results. You can spread this home-made, primo plant food around your perennial fruits and veggies, top dress your Smart Pots and Big Bag Beds, and then you’re ready to start the process over again. This season’s dark and damp spring leaves go back into the Compost Sak to start the cycle again. Gardeners dream, envision, and invest so much into turning those visions into reality. But no matter how diligently you prepare and tend, if you’ve hurried through that first, critical step—soil preparation—you’ll always be playing catch up.
Planting seeds in Smart Pot containers for healthy growth

Starting Seeds in Smart Pots

Many gardeners enjoy starting their own plants from seed. Whether annuals, vegetables, perennials, or herbs, starting from seed means a greater selection of varieties and a reduction in cost. When you grow from seed, you can grow a whole lot of plants for very little money. Plus, planting seeds gives you greater control over how your plants are handled from sowing to harvest. While planting seeds isn’t difficult, below you’ll find a ten handy tips to ensure your success. https://smartpots.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Starting-Seeds-in-Smart-Pots-SD.mp4 10 Tips for Planting Seeds Select the right container Though there are many types of pots for plants, when it comes to starting seeds, Smart Pot fabric planter bags are an excellent choice. They’re lightweight, easy to handle, easy to wash, and their porous nature encourages exceptional seedling root growth. Start seeds from a single variety in a one gallon-sized Smart Pot, or if you’re growing multiple varieties, grow several of them together, in a larger Smart Pot. Choose the proper potting mix For optimum seedling growth, fill your Smart Pot with a peat- or coir-based, soil-less potting mix that’s formulated specifically for seed starting. The fine texture and lighter weight of these mixes give young seedlings the best start. Once the container is filled, moisten the potting mix to help it settle. Read the seed packet Because many seeds have specific requirements to encourage the best germination rate, it’s important to read every seed packet before seed planting begins. Some seeds, like begonias, impatiens, and petunias, need light to germinate and should not be covered with soil, while other seeds require complete darkness. Also, be on the lookout for seeds that require pretreatment before planting. For example, seeds with thicker seed coats may need to be soaked in water for a few hours before planting, or they may need their seed coat nicked with a metal file to encourage germination. The seed packet also helps determine when the seeds should be planted. Add the “days to germination” to the “days to maturity” noted on the seed packet, and subtract this amount of time from the date you’d like to make your first harvest. The resulting date is the day you should try to plant the seeds. Sow the seeds Once you’ve noted any specific germination requirements, it’s time to sow the seeds. Planting seeds in rows or blocks easily separates individual varieties, and since you’ll likely be transplanting the seedlings in a few weeks, you can sow the seeds fairly thickly. Space seeds at about two to three times their width. Mark each individual variety with its name and sowing date. Water and cover Water the newly planted seeds with a gentle shower, and then loosely cover the Smart Pot with a sheet of plastic wrap. The plastic wrap maintains a high humidity level around the seeds until they germinate, but to prevent fungal issues, it needs to be removed as soon as the first few seedlings emerge. Lights For the best results, place your newly seeded Smart Pot under a grow light or fluorescent tube shop lights. The lights should remain two to four inches above the plant tops; you’ll need to raise them as the seedlings grow. Use a timer to ensure the lights are on for sixteen to eighteen hours per day. Heat Optimum germination for most seeds occurs when the soil is slightly warmed. Place a seedling heat mat (available at your local garden center) under the pot to raise the ambient temperature ten to fifteen degrees and speed germination. This supplemental heat can be removed as soon as the seedlings have developed their first true leaves. Caring for your seedlings As your seedlings grow, continue to regularly water them. Do not allow the soil to completely dry out. To increase air circulation and cut down on possible fungal issues, you can set an oscillating fan to blow over the tops of the seedlings for fifteen minutes, twice a day. This is easily done by putting the fan on a timer. Transplant Once your seedlings develop their first set of true leaves, it’s time to transplant them. Gently lift the seedlings out of the smart pot by inserting a butter knife into the soil below their roots. Carefully separate the pried up seedlings by untangling their roots. Once separated, the individual seedlings can be moved to nursery cell-packs or small, three- or four-inch plastic nursery pots where they’ll continue to grow until it’s time to move them outdoors. After transplanting, fertilize seedlings weekly with a liquid, organic fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength. Acclimate Two weeks before the seedlings are set to make their way out into the garden, take the time to acclimate them to outdoor conditions. On warm days, move the seedlings outdoors and put them in a sheltered, shady spot for a few hours a day. Over the course of the next two weeks, gradually increase the amount of time the seedlings spend outdoors; at the same time, increase the amount of direct sunlight they’re exposed to on a daily basis. Eventually, they’ll remain outdoors all day and night. When this happens, it’s time to plant them out into the garden. By following these ten tips for planting seeds, a beautiful, productive garden is within easy reach.