5 Reasons to Support Local

Whether you're wanting to add some color to the pots on your front porch steps, or wanting to plant those juicy tomatoes in your garden, there are many places you could buy these plants. But where is the best place to go? Sure, you could turn to your mass merchant store, but maybe this time, think more locally. If you have a local garden center, like Garden Valley Farmers Market, often times they offer a very wide variety of amazing plants/produce. So, without further ado, here are five reasons why we think you should support your local garden center:

1. Knowledge

Local garden centers, like Garden Valley Farmers Market, have a passion for all things gardening. Whether that's with the choices/varieties of colorful petunias that are hand picked by our owners, the fresh zucchini we just got in stock from our local farmers, or the tropical Hibiscus that's just perfect for North Carolina summer heat, knowing and learning what each plant’s needs are is very important to places like ours. Local garden centers tend to stay up to date on local weather and the specific climate zone they are located, which helps give you the accurate information that sets you up for a successful year. We can help you in deciding which flowers, shrubs, and vegetables to plant that will not only bloom, but thrive here in central North Carolina.

2. Quality

Quality is most important to us, and here’s why:

You get what you pay for. Local garden centers like Garden Valley invest in quality products, materials and supplies, which can sometimes be a bit more expensive for you, the consumer. But the phrase, "you get what you pay for", could not hold truer for us. There is much time and investment given to the plants and produce, including regular fertilizing of the plants and a constant pruning/dead-heading of the flowers in order to keep the plants healthy and at their prime.

Unique Selection. Local garden centers can also provide unique materials that would not normally be found at a mass merchant store. These items are hand picked by our owners in hopes that you will enjoy them just as much as they do.

Hint: It’s Not Consignment. Did you know that most local garden centers actually own the materials on the lot. It's bought and paid for, not purchased on consignment where it can be sent back if it doesn’t sell like in a lot of other bigger retail companies.

We want you, our neighbors, to succeed. Remembering that your success equals our success, is what makes the quality of the plants much higher at a local garden center. And it’s what makes our relationship with our community that much more important.

3. Customer Service

Shopping at local garden centers, like Garden Valley Market, can also mean that more personal attention is paid to the customer. Personal relationships are made and "regulars" become part of our gardening family. Locals can often provide the best tips and tricks as well, allowing us to learn more and share with our local customers. And we, at Garden Valley, LOVE the relationship and trust that is built between you and us.

4. Local Economy

Supporting local also means supporting your local economy. It's choosing to allow your funds to stay in your local community. And when you're purchasing your plants and produce from your local farmers market, you're purchasing and supporting your local farmers and growers in North Carolina too. We can't think of a better way to support your neighbors, friends and family.

5. Unique Community

One of the best parts of supporting local is something that you, the customer and consumer, can really enjoy. You get to keep a one-of-a-kind business, well, in business. And in return, you can experience the unique character that it brings to your local community. This can also increase your community’s tourist attraction, which means more money for your local economy. And, it's just plain FUN to go and get lost in the plants, get to know your gardeners, and enjoy the unique community that it brings to your life, and those around you.

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Thank you so much for joining us here. For more information on what Garden Valley Farmers Market is about, you can visit us here. We also offer free online produce ordering and pickup for NC locals! If you’re wanting to visit with us, come by any of our five North Carolina locations. If you’re wanting to follow along with us, you can do so either on our Facebook, Youtube, or our Instagram. And if you’re wanting to check out our other recipes and blog posts, or are needing more inspiration, follow us on our Pinterest.
We’d love to have you join us in our journey of
planting better,
eating better, and
living better.

Love, Garden Valley Farmers Market

5 Ways To Attract Pollinators To Your Garden

The birds, the bees...

and the butterflies: these are just a FEW of the many pollinators on this earth that serve such a secretly beneficial and beautiful purpose on this earth. But why do we need to make an effort to attract them to our gardens? Because pollinators are responsible for three-quarters of the world's food crops and many of the foods that we enjoy on a daily basis would not be existent without them. Because plants can not exist without the process of pollination. And plants are what's responsible for the air that we breathe and the food that we eat. So yes, pollinators are extremely important, because without them, our life as we currently know it, would not be. 

Did you know…
+ that some bees travel up to 3 miles just to visit your flower garden?
+ that hummingbirds can visit up to 1000 flowers each day?

Crazy, right? And with all of this work that they do, they need our help, and there are some things that we can do to give them an extra boost to their day.

So here are five tips on how to attract
pollinators to your garden:

p l a n t a n a t i v e g a r d e n

A native garden is basically just a garden filled with plants that are naturally found growing in your region. For example, honeysuckle is a naturally occurring shrub/bush that grows here in North Carolina, so adding that to your garden this spring/summer would greatly benefit your pollinators!

Also, some bees are what's called "specialists", meaning that they can only feed their larvae the pollen from a specific native plant. So without these plants, the bee colony would not survive.

If you're wanting to attract more hummingbirds, aim for tubular and long shaped blooms with your flower choices, something like Daylillies or Petunias.

c h o o s e t h e c o l o r

Did you know that these hard working species are actually attracted to certain colors?

To attract bees… bees LOVE purple and blue flowers. Some great options, that we do carry at Garden Valley Market, would be Lavender, Petunias, and Verbena. 
To attract Hummingbirds + Butterflies… we recommend colors of red, yellow, pink, and orange! Butterflies LOVE Lantana, and Hummingbirds love Petunias, Fuscia, and Lillies!

p r o v i d e w a t e r + r e s t

With how hard working these pollinators are, you better believe that they need a place to rest and refuel, and providing these places for them to do so is going to keep them coming back! They all need a place of still water to drink from. You can add some pebbles to a bird bath to make a great landing place for the insects so they won't drown.

a v o i d i n s e c t i c i d e s

Did you know that insecticides actually kill pollinators? KEEP So you might be TRYING to kill those pesky bugs eating your plant, but you're actually harming those beautiful butterflies and busy bees in the process. And insecticides are one of the reasons that the bee population has decreased to greatly!
So instead of going to insecticides first, try and google some natural alternatives and see if those work first. (There are also great organic options online that are safe for the environment, as well as pets and humans.)

k e e p t h e w e e d s

It’s early spring and we’re super excited to get our lawns looking fresh and green again… but maybe think twice about removing those dandelions and other weeds growing! Because these weeds are often the first flower that the pollinators source from when not many blooms have started yet! Instead, let them grow a tad bit longer until your garden starts coming along.

Let us know how you attract pollinators to your yard by commenting below!

We have MANY varieties of flowers for you to choose from at our stores, and a unique and beautiful selection of different shapes and colors. So come get your beautiful flowers grown just for your pollinators at home.

Thank you so much for joining us here. For more information on what Garden Valley Farmers Market is about, you can visit us here. If you’re wanting to visit with us, come by any of our five North Carolina locations. If you’re wanting to follow along with us, you can do so either on our Facebook, Youtube, or our Instagram. And if you’re wanting to check out our other recipes and blog posts, or are needing more inspiration, follow us on our Pinterest. We’d love to have you join us in our journey of planting better, eating better, and living better.
Much love,
Your Garden Valley Farmers Market Team

How To Grow French Marigolds

F R E N C H    M A R I G O L D S

It’s no big surprise that    f r e n c h m a r i g o l d s    hold the top spot in the floral department, and there’s MANY reasons why: they don’t require much attention to thrive, are easy to prune/deadhead, are deer resistant, they produce big, bright blooms from the Spring to Autumn, and they make great companions to your vegetable garden. 

COMPANION PLANTING

Marigolds are great for companion planting with vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, potatoes. Why? Because the deer hate the smell of them and so do certain insects that can be harmful to your plants. Plant these to deter any pests away. 

GREAT FOR POLLINATORS

The beautiful, show stopping blooms definitely stop the show for butterflies and bees. The nectar from these flowers makes a great source of food for important pollinators, and will also attract them to the other flowers in your garden. 

SOIL + WATER

These are seriously some of the easiest flowers to grow, because they have such a great adaptability to soil content. So if you’re choosing to plant in the ground, don’t worry about what type of soil you have, just plant them and watch them grow. The only thing worth mentioning about the soil content is that they do like it on the drier side, so don’t overwater them. 

LIGHT

Give these lovelies a TON of light. They love basking in the sun, so make sure they get at least 8+ hours of direct sunlight daily.

Don’t forget to leave us a comment below and let us know your favorite things about Marigolds!

Thank you so much for joining us here. For more information on what Garden Valley Farmers Market is about, you can visit us here. If you’re wanting to visit with us, come by any of our five North Carolina locations. If you’re wanting to follow along with us, you can do so either on our Facebook, Youtube, or our Instagram. And if you’re wanting to check out our other recipes and blog posts, or are needing more inspiration, follow us on our Pinterest. We’d love to have you join us in our journey of planting better, eating better, and living better.
Much love,
Your Garden Valley Farmers Market Team

Gardening for a Beginner; All About In Ground Gardens

In ground gardens are definitely the most budget friendly of the gardens becuase you aren’t paying for any extra materials, but they do take a bit of manual labor to get started. But don’t worry, we’ve got the  best tips and tricks on how you can start your own
I N G R O U N D G A R D E N .

(You can also check out our other two posts in this
3 part series on how to start either a Container Garden or a Raised Bed Garden)

W H E R E T O G R O W

As is the same with raised beds, the location of your garden really just depends on what you’re wanting to grow. If you’re growing vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, or squash/zucchini you will need a space with FULL sun, which is 6 or more hours of sunlight. But if you have an area that has less than 6 hours of  sunlight exposure, maybe try growing broccoli, carrots, or cabbage. It’s also beneficial for you to know which USDA zone you live in, which you can find here.

W A T E R I N G

DRAINAGE
Before choosing your location for your beds, make sure that your beds are not in a location where there is flooding.  Flooding causes your roots to rot, which means no bueno for your plants. 

WATERING
The best way to know if you are needing to water your plants is the standard test for any plant. Stick your finger about 3 inches  into the soil and it should feel slightly damp. If not, you’re probably due for a good watering. Also know that if it’s the hottest part of the day and your plants seem to be really sad and wilted, it might not mean that they need water. They often do this to reserve water. For this reason, checking the soil is always the best indicator on whether your plant needs water or not. 

HOW TO WATER
You can water each day with a plain old hose and water individually. If you do choose this method, be careful to not get the leaves wet as this can encourage fungus growth. Another option is by using a soaker hose. Although the best option for an in ground garden might be a drip irrigation system, as this can help get a specific watering amount that is unique to each plant. But either way, just make sure to water regularly so that your plant does not stress out. (And overhead sprinklers are quite inefficient, encourage fungus,  and wastes water, so we do not recommend this method.) 

S I Z E

You literally can choose whatever size you want, but one thing you might want to remember is to not “let your eyes be bigger than your stomach” or so to speak. If you’re first starting out, maybe try smaller this year, and then just add to it each year once you get the hang of things. 

S O I L

For in ground gardens, the best part is that you already have soil! All you probably need to do is just get your soil tested to see what you need to add to set your plants up for success. (Here is a helpful article on that here). It might also be good to add a layer of fertilizer, compost, and top soil in combination with your grounds natural soil. This will help to give your vegetables, fruits, and flowers a huge boost and keep them thriving. 

S U P P O R T

Surprise, surprise, surprise, your plant is growing! YAY! But don’t sabotage it by not providing it with enough support. Plants that climb and grow up like tomatoes need support to hold them up. This helps not only keep the fruits from touching the ground, but allows for better sunlight and aeration to reach through the plant. 

You can support your plant by building a “teepee” with some cane sticks and just tie the main branches to the cane as it grows. 

F E R T I L I Z E

To give your flower and vegetable plants a better chance, we advise working some fertilizer into your soil. Sprinkle a layer of fertilizer evenly over the top of the soil, work into your soil, and water it. Ideally this needs to be done 1 week or two before your start planting so that it has enough time to break down, but if not it’s not a huge deal. You can follow the directions on your fertilizer’s packaging as to how much to give your soil. Also remember that too much fertilizer can actually harm your plants, so please follow the directions. 

G E T T I N G S T A R T E D

Before starting, decide what you want to plant. For example, if you’re wanting to plant vegetables/fruit, ask yourself what you enjoy eating. What foods are sometimes expensive in the grocery store but you think would grow well in your container? Try those out and see how amazing gardening for yourself can actually be!

WHEN STARTING WITH SEEDS

This process takes more time to see the “fruits” of your labour, but you are able to have more of a variety in which plant you actually want, because your local garden center may not have access to those starters. But always be sure to check with your garden center, aka Garden Valley for those of you local to the Triad of North Carolina. You can also check out this post we released last year on why shopping local is important.

When starting with seeds, vegetables will generally need to be propagated into seedlings before they are placed into your pot. You can reuse some old plastic containers that you’ve used for food like yogurt containers, egg shells, citrus peels, . Plastic is preferable in the instance because it retains moisture much better than a clay pot. Whatever container you do use, make sure it is clean and that you poke holes into the bottom to allow for drainage. 

WHEN STARTING WITH STARTERS

With starters, the process is shortened and there is a better likelihood that your plant will survive. And we have plenty of starters vegetables and flowers to choose from at Garden Valley!

H O W T O S T A R T

1. Begin by removing the grass and weeds with a sod cutter, shovel. You can also do this if you’ve planned ahead and cover with black plastic for about a month or so. 

2. Til the area and remove and remove and big roots or rocks

3. Test pH level if you’re able to as this will help your soil be well balanced.

4. Spread about 2-4 inches of old compost or manure, and add anything that your soil might need to balance the pH levels. 

5. Mix all of the soil together well

6. Plan the layout by placing your plants where they will go, and remember to keep the mature plant in mind to avoid overcrowding

7. PLANT YOUR HEART OUT <3

(When planting, remember to also look at how deep your plant likes to be planted, as some only like
to be just below the surface, and some plants like to be planted deep into the soil.)

Don’t forget to leave us a comment below and let us know what you’re excited to plant this year!

Thank you so much for joining us here. For more information on what Garden Valley Farmers Market is about, you can visit us here. If you’re wanting to visit with us, come by any of our five North Carolina locations. If you’re wanting to follow along with us, you can do so either on our Facebook, Youtube, or our Instagram. And if you’re wanting to check out our other recipes and blog posts, or are needing more inspiration, follow us on our Pinterest. We’d love to have you join us in our journey of planting better, eating better, and living better.
Much love,
Your Garden Valley Farmers Market Team