The crisp, cold season is wrapping up but there is still so much winter produce to eat! From kale, to cabbage, citrus and more, winter foods are abundant. Cooking seasonally is nutritious and connects you to your local farms as well as the earth beneath your feet. In the Pacific Northwest, most people consider summer cooking as the main event for local produce. But, there is a variety of different winter produce to experiment with around this time of year.
A new season is beginning and it's the perfect time to transition into fall decorating! While not as many plants are in bloom now as they were a few months ago, there are still plenty to appreciate. Plants and flowers like hanging baskets are offered all year round at Tacoma Boys! And as the weather starts to cool down just a bit, signs of the fall season are near. That means it's time to refresh and redecorate with seasonal plants to match.
The gorgeous blooms of springtime mean hanging flower baskets are a common sight around here! The spring season brings with it the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of flowers around every corner and in many ways. Hanging flower baskets are a great way to plant spring flowers with little maintenance or need for a green thumb. They’re easy to get started with, take care of, and rearrange if necessary.
The sun is shining, vegetable gardens are full, and spring flowers are in full bloom! Flowers are beautiful, natural decorations that should be enjoyed all year long— But when it comes to the spring season, blooms are even more prevalent in many front yards, table tops, and kitchen counters. Bouquets of cut flowers as well as live flowering plants are easy to use as decoration and diverse enough to spruce up any space.
As we move through April and into May, it’s time to appreciate the beauty of spring gardening! The start of spring is on March 20— It’s a lovely time of year in which the Pacific Northwest is full of blooming flowers and growing plants. Many gardeners start ahead of time to get ready for spring gardening— That means planting seeds and starts, weeding, and otherwise preparing for plants to grow. While you can have fun gardening all year long, the majority of Pacific Northwest gardening tends to take place during the months of spring and summer.
As the days shorten and cool off, it’s easy to assume that your gardening days are done for the year. However, there are plenty of plants that thrive in these exact conditions. Tacoma Boys Markets are here to help you stretch your growing season. Check out what you can plant this week to set up your edible Fall and Winter Garden.
What to Plant Now & How to Enjoy Eating It…
Arugula
Arugula is a sprinter in the garden world. It takes less than a month to grow from seed to harvest. Sow some now then cut it back to enjoy in salads, pizza, or in your sandwich. It will grow right back after you cut it, so you can enjoy another crop.
Though you won’t be able to sow and reap full sized carrots this late in the season, you can still enjoy baby carrots throughout the winter. Sow seed generously and thin baby carrots throughout the fall and winter. Remaining carrots will have more room to grow and you can harvest full sized carrots later in the spring.
Mustard greens add a nice, peppery punch to salads and are rich in Vitamins A and K. Mustard seeds germinate and grow quickly, making them a great addition to your fall and winter garden. Sow mustard seeds through September to produce a fall crop for your enjoyment.
Radishes are another sprinter of the garden world. They take less than a month to grow from seed to maturity. Plant a crop now and again in two weeks to squeeze two crops in before freezing temps arrive.
Both of these plants in the allium family can be planted until early November and remain in the garden to be harvested as desired. If you already have them growing, you can also divide them and multiply the areas they are grown in your garden.
These can be planted in the fall to overwinter and enjoy next spring and summer. If you are the type that likes to plan ahead, get these going so you can feel proud of yourself in several months when you begin harvesting.
Three ways to enjoy Garlic, Onions, Spinach, and Kale:
If you’re lamenting the coming of winter, planting a garden can help change your outlook. Harness these remaining days of sunlight and relative warmth and you’ll reap a reward on those cold days ahead. We still have a great stock of plants, seeds, compost and gorgeous ceramic pots. You can find everything you need for your edible Fall and Winter garden–including the help of knowledgeable staff–here at Tacoma Boys Markets.
DIY gardening is a great way to get creative and have fun while making something beautiful. Just about everyone enjoys the sight of greenery and blooming flowers and plants. Whether it be throughout your front yard or right in the living room, plants are great decoration. Plus there are so many different ways to decorate with plants! If you want to do it yourself, you may not know where to start. But DIY gardening can be easy and enjoyable both indoors and outdoors. It just takes a little bit of learning and planning to make a beautiful garden.
DIY Gardening
If you want to get started with your own DIY gardening, you’ll need a couple things to get going. Tools like gloves, shears, small and large shovels, and rakes are essential. You’ll also need a watering can or hose with a nozzle. When you’re ready to start planting, Tacoma Boys has all the potting soil, pots, and plants you’ll need! This includes plants that are suitable indoors, outdoors, and both. Some plants are conventionally potted up and ready to go for your DIY gardening project. Or, you can choose your own pot to go with your plants. Some people go all out with their DIY gardening with yard decorations and a thought-out landscape design- But it can also be as easy and simple as you want it. If you want to go all out and completely refresh your outdoor space, you may want to consider the services such as those offered by professionals at Red Shovel Landscaping. This way you can make use of landscape design, grounds keeping, and lawn care to give your garden a new lease of life.
PNW Plants
Here in Washington, we’re lucky enough to be surrounded by abundant PNW plants. The Pacific Northwest is known for its beautiful greenery and forests. Everywhere you look is another evergreen or batch of climbing ivy! That’s why so many people like to decorate with PNW plants at home. There are an incredible number of different native plants that do great outdoors. Some of these plants can be transferred indoors, too. One example is sage, which thrives outdoors as well as indoors. Several kinds of outdoor plants do really well here and thrive year-round, while others grow tall and bloom seasonally.
Indoor Plants
When shopping for indoor plants at Tacoma Boys, there is a lot to choose from! You can even find the perfect trendy standing pot to go alongside. If you have pets, do a little research ahead of time to ensure the plants you purchase are nontoxic. Check out this list of nontoxic plants by the ASPCA if you have pets. In general, houseplants can be considered tropical, desert, trailing, flowering, and more. Some common houseplants you’ll see indoors or at Tacoma Boys include:
Spider plants
Succulents, cacti, and aloe vera
Peace lily
Snake plant
Pothos
Monstera
Fiddle leaf fig
Outdoor Plants
Tacoma Boys offers a variety of plants suitable for your outdoor garden. In the summer, it’s easy to be drawn to flowering plants. Some of these are considered perennials and have blooms that die each winter. There are plenty of plants and foliage that do well outdoors year-round, though. Hanging baskets are great for outdoor plants because they’re beautiful and perfect for summer! For some tips on how to use hanging baskets, check out our blog all about it. Some common outdoor plants you’ll see around the Pacific Northwest or at Tacoma Boys include:
Plantain lily
Ferns
Geranium
White sage
Begonias
Dahlias
Gardening Tips and Tricks
If you’re just starting out, some basic gardening tips can be helpful in guiding you through the process. Anyone can grow plants and produce at home! It just takes a little learning and practice to care for a garden. These gardening tips and tricks might help you get started.
Start Slow
Resist the urge to plant dozens of different plants. Rather, start with just a couple. Take the time to care for the plants and grow your garden from there. This allows you to slow down and get to know your plants.
Keep Safe
If you have fuel for your lawnmower and strimmer, you’re going to need to keep it out of reach of children and pets. Similarly, if you have any fertilisers (try to stick to organic and peat-free) that you keep in the garden, these should also be kept safely. You can visit website for cabinets to store your dangerous goods in, helping to keep you and your family safe.
Know The Sun
It’s important to keep in mind that the sun and shade varies throughout your home and yard. Where one plant thrives, another may struggle. You should know how much direct and indirect sunlight shines in an area before you plant there.
Keep Tools Nearby
Try a gardening belt or grab a basket for your tools. It’s certainly easier to grab them from a handy spot nearby than take breaks to run to the shed for tools. This can help you remember to weed or prune when you spot something amiss in your garden, too.
Plant Conveniently
Plant your garden where you can easily access it. This makes it easy to water your plants regularly- and harvest when it’s time, too. While you’re at it, build an herb garden in your kitchen! The convenient location means you can grab fresh herbs whenever you’re cooking.
When you’re ready, start your DIY garden at Tacoma Boys! You’ll find all the potting soil, plants, and ceramic and concrete pots that you need to get started gardening. To stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!
A home herb garden is a beautiful way to add aroma and flavor to your kitchen. It’s easy for any beginner or advanced gardener to get started growing a variety of herbs. Herb gardens are simply a group of live herbs growing in a container of soil. Usually, an herb garden is grown indoors so the freshest seasonings are right at your fingertips. Then you can grab some garnish for a ‘Gram-worthy plating or whip up homemade sauces quickly!
Herb Gardens
An indoor herb garden is easy to care for because you can keep a close eye on it. It requires just a small amount of maintenance for a big, tasty payoff. Use whatever herbs you want! Common herbs to start your herb garden include basil, rosemary, oregano, thyme, parsley, dill, and sage. These are used often to cook dishes in cuisines all over the world.
Herb gardens are a great way to save money and waste less, too. Purchasing packs of herbs in plastic packaging is a thing of the past! You can simply pick them fresh from your herb garden whenever you need a little extra something for your meal. A pretty kitchen and tasty food has never been so simple.
Starting an Herb Garden
Starting an herb garden is one of the easiest ways to add extra pizazz to your meals. It’s as easy as picking a sunny spot (like the kitchen windowsill) and selecting your favorite herbs. Avoid invasive herbs like mint, which grows abundantly like a weed. Pre-made kits make starting an herb garden quick, but it’s easy to put your own together with fresh starts or cuttings of plants. You can use herbs already planted in soil and just transplant them to your container of choice. Tacoma Boys offers a wide range of potting soil for your fresh herbs to grow in a raised bed or container.
If you’d rather take it outside or take things on the go, Tacoma Boys’ various ceramic pots are a beautiful option. Our guide on planting herbs in ceramic pots offers some great tips on choosing just the right pot.
How To Care For Herb Gardens
One reason starting an herb garden is so simple is because of the low maintenance required. It’s quite easy to care for your herb garden and doesn’t require extra materials. Some people may opt for plant food or fertilizer, but it’s not necessary.
Water the herbs once or twice a week, depending on what herbs are planted. To see if your herbs are thirsty, touch the first inch or so of the soil of the plant. If it feels dry, go ahead and gently water the roots.
Harvest the herbs regularly as you cook and eat. Frequent harvesting is good! It encourages further growth of the plant. Go ahead and dry or freeze the fresh herbs if you won’t use them immediately.
Sun is important for your herb garden. Some herbs like more or less sunlight, but most will do well with an average of a few hours per day.
Prune flowers when they pop up. It’s not necessary, but some herbs such as oregano and thyme will sprout flower blooms in the spring and summer. To keep your plant bushy and encourage growth of leaves (the part you harvest), snip the buds.
Cooking with Fresh Herbs
Cooking with fresh herbs is an easy way to elevate many dishes. It’s also super rewarding to reap the benefits of your gardening skills (fork, meet mouth)! Some meals and dishes can be based entirely on an herb, or simply use it as an extra ingredient or garnish.
Breakfast
Persian Herb Frittata by The Kitchn makes great use of fresh dill and other herbs. Just start with Smith Brothers Farms Premium Eggs.
Lunch
Pesto pasta is made with fresh basil or parsley, lemon, pine nuts, and quality olive oil and grated parmesan cheese. Our favorite ingredients for a pasta pesto include Tacoma Boys Olio Dorato Lemon Garlic Olive Oil and Delallo Organic Farfalle Pasta.
Dinner
Strip Steak with Chimichurri Sauce by Jessica Gavin with Rosemary Roasted Potatoes by Rachel Cooks. Fresh oregano, cilantro, and parsley come into play in the chimichurri while rosemary perfectly seasons Baby Red Potatoes. We like Prime Grade Top Sirloin for this meal.
Snack
Pull-Apart Sour Cream and Chive Rolls by Bon Appetit. Cooking with fresh herbs makes these buttery tolls tasty enough to enjoy as a snack any time of the day. Bob’s Red Mill Bread Flour makes them soft and flaky.
Cocktail
Basil alongside mint or lime is one of the tastiest ways to use fresh herbs in a drink. This recipe uses fresh basil alongside cocktail basics like simple syrup and club soda.
Basil Mojito
Ingredients (serves 2)
10 fresh basil leaves
Juice of two limes (2 ounces)
1 ounce simple syrup
4 ounces white rum
Club soda to top
2 lime wedges and basil leaves to garnish
Directions
Lightly muddle the basil and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
Add the lime juice and white rum and shake with ice for 30 seconds.
Strain into two glasses and fill with club soda to preference.
Garnish with lime wedges and basil leaves and enjoy!
Get Creative In the Kitchen
Swing by your local Tacoma Boys to get prepped for those fresh and flavorful meals made with your herb garden. No matter what you have planned for the menu, fresh herbs are almost always a thoughtful addition. To stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!
We have no doubt that vegetable gardeners are behind the scenes, plotting, planning and even beginning to sow for their summer gardens. February and March are still plenty cold, but our moderate climate allows for some early planting. When you come in and visit us, you’ll see that we, too, have the gardening bug and are filling our lot with everything you need for your summer garden. Some people think about the whole lot! Perhaps a new shed, or maybe removing a couple of trees for a wider space, in fact, some even think about consulting with some Milwaukee hardscape suppliers to see what they might need for a new hardscaping project like a patio or paved path. However, not everyone has quite the same zeal for gardening a large plot. Tilling and sowing and maintenance on a large scale might not be your thing. Enjoy a small scale garden and add beauty that you can savor with a patio herb garden.
Think Savory
A sprinkle of fresh chopped herbs at the end of cooking time elevates a dish from good to spectacular. Why not grow your own herb patch just outside your kitchen window? A patio herb garden grown in containers is just as stunning as a non-edible arrangement. Try some of these combos to add beauty, aroma, and flavor to your patio garden.
Rosemary, Sage, and Thyme
You can use the gardening concept of using a “thriller, filler, and spiller” even in an edible garden, though nothing in this arrangement counts as just a filler, when it is all edible! For this arrangement, place an upright growing rosemary in the center of the pot as a thriller. Sage comes in a variety of leaf colors and acts as a great filler next to the rosemary. Along the outside of the pot, a few thyme plants will fill in the added space and spill over the edges as it grows. This perennial arrangement should provide beauty and flavor for years to come.
Parsley, Marigolds, and Nasturtiums
This is another great, and edible, “thriller, filler, spiller” combination that will wow with its vibrant color. Parsley, at the center of the pot, will provide an upright green spray as a backdrop for sunny marigold plants. Marigold petals add stunning color and a peppery kick to salads.
Plant nasturtiums around the edge of the pot and they will dramatically spill over the edge. Both their leaves and flowers are edible, with a spicy taste akin to arugula. Add the flowers to salads or rice dishes for a pop of color. Don’t be surprised when the hummingbirds constant your patio. They are fond of the nectar from nasturtiums’ vibrant flowers.
For more great edible flowers, check out this list.
Mint, Mint, and More Mint!
Mint gets a bad wrap in the vegetable patch because it is a vigorous grower and becomes invasive, but it lends itself perfectly to container gardening. The plant will be constricted by the pot and will grow lush without taking over.
Spearmint is the most commonly used mint for mixed drinks, especially mojitos. If you only want to grow one mint variety, this is a great standard. The variety of mint flavor profiles and leaf colors is quite diverse. You might find that pineapple mint, chocolate mint, or lemon bergamot mint is more your speed.
If you choose to grow more than one variety of mint, be sure to plant each in separate pots. The flavor profile of each mint tends to get muddled and bland when they are grown together.
Pocket Planters: Not Just for Strawberries
Fill a pocketed, strawberry planter with your most used herbs for a quick one-stop shop, when it’s time to prep dinner. Place an upright herb, such as basil, in the top of the planter and tuck herbs with a trailing habit into the side pockets: oregano, lemon balm, tarragon, rosemary, and thyme are all good options. Just avoid mint in this planting, unless you fancy a pot full of mint.
With a few simple plant pairings in your patio herb garden, your patio can become a sanctuary and a culinary inspiration. Stop in to see which pots and herbs call out to you. Our ceramic pots are always Buy One Get One Free, so you can make a big impact quickly.
For insider tips on how to keep plants and flowers fresh and longer lasting, download Tacoma Boy’s how-to guide here. Then, stay up to date on insider deals and specials when you sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!
Are you lamenting the end of gardening season? Or maybe you’ve got a black thumb and can only keep plastic alive. Either way, we at Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce have just the thing your plant-loving heart needs. Succulents!These hearty little fellas are cute as buttons and–most importantly–hard to kill. Ideal for your mantle, tabletop, bathroom shelf, or any other spot that could use a little life, these saucy succulents are a perfect way to brighten up your home. Just in time for fall and the PNW’s notoriously dreary winters!
Still pessimistic about your ability to properly love and care for these adorable little houseguests and give them the long life they deserve? “I’ve killed succulents before,” you may say. Well, have no fear. Here, we’ll walk you through not only the great selection of saucy succulents available at your local Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce locations, but also how to help them live their best life. Because, even if they are hearty…you still have to read instructions. So first, a foray into the general care of succulents.
3 Tips to Happy Houseplants
1. DO NOT OVERWATER.
I know what you’re thinking. “I thought plants LOVE water.” They do. But enough is enough, and too much is way too much when it comes to succulents. This tip is first because many a succulent has died at the hands of a water-happy gardener.
The trick is to forget about them for looooong stretches of time, past the point when all your other plants would have shrivelled up and died. Then guilt water it like crazy. Really soak it. Then forget about it again. Seriously though, infrequency is key, but so is the deep soak. It gives them all the water they need, but a chance to dry out in between. This is especially important in Washington winters. If it takes a week for your towel to dry out, how do you think your plant feels? Wet. That’s how it feels. Give it a break.
2. Succulents, like sinuses, need drainage.
Repeat this tip like the life-giving mantra it is. It goes hand in hand with the overwatering tip. They’re both weapons to fight your sweet little succulent’s greatest enemy: soggy roots. And before you get overwhelmed by fancy gardening terms like “drainage,” calm down. It just means make sure your pot has holes in the bottom. All that water from the occasional guilt downpour has to have somewhere to go. How would you like to sit in a soggy mud bath for a week or more? Your plant doesn’t like it either. When it comes to extra water in your pot, take Elsa’s advice and “Let it go.” Hairy the houseplant will thank you.
3. May the sun shine upon the face of your saucy succulent.
Succulents would love to be outside in Arizona more than they want to be in your house. Once you swallow that tough pill, your life and the life of your new little friend will be easier. Honor its roots (see what we did there?) by giving it a room with a view of the sunny outside life it longs for. Or at least a spot by a window. Preferably, a window that gets a lot of sun. If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, that means a southern-facing window. Still struggling? Go inside. Face the sunset. Is there a window to your left? That’s a great home for Hairy!
Now that you’ve read our tips and are thus an expert succulent grower, you’re ready to pick out your new friend. Succulents grow in a wide variety, and we have plenty to offer at Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce. We try our best to set you up for success, so the following are our sauciest succulents, guaranteed to thrive in the PNW. Ok, no guarantees, but we’ve done our best to overcome your black thumb, and that’s all we can really do. Without further ado…
Tacoma Boys’ Lineup of Saucy Succulents
Hens & Chicks (Sempervivum tectorium)
Ok, even the name is cute! Hens and Chicks are clumping rosettes that stay green all year long. They flower a lovely purple in the summer, and their babies are easily transplantable (hence the clever nickname).
Rattail Crassula
So the name’s not so cute, but the plant more than makes up for it. It’s known for the multitude of tiny little leaves that flock its stems in an arrangement that creates a square shape. Some people call it “Princess Pines,” and we’re here for it. This little guy is an “invasive species,” but we like to think of it as ambitious!
Stonecrop (Sedum “Coppertone”)
Called “Stonecrop,” because the only thing easier to care for are stones (who says gardeners don’t have a sense of humor?). This is the plant for you! These plants (along with many succulents) literally get their start just by lying on top of soil. That’s it. You can do this! Bonus: They sprout a cute little white flower in midsummer.
Panda Plant (Kalanchoe)
Yep, you heard right. It’s called a Panda Plant, and it’s adorable. Soft, fuzzy and spotted, it’s basically a pet you don’t have to feed. But speaking of feeding pets…don’t feed Panda Plant to your pet, as it’s toxic to them. But if you’re a cat free home looking for a fur baby to call your own, Panda Plant is the succulent for you!
Shop Succulents and More at Your Local Specialty Store!
So there you have it, ladies and gentlemen! And those are just to name a few of the saucy succulents we have to offer here at Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce. After you pick out your new greenery, don’t forget to check out our incredible selection of pots. Right now, you can buy one and get TWO free! Head to one of our locations today and get everything you need for happy, healthy succulents today!
