Home Gardening

  • 10 Direct Sow Cool-Season Vegetables

    10 Direct Sow Cool-Season Vegetables by Lara Wadsworth As winter loosens its grip and the days grow longer, avid gardeners eagerly anticipate the arrival of spring. February marks a pivotal time for garden planning and preparation, especially for those keen on direct-sowing cool-season vegetabl...

  • 10 Native Plants for Attracting Beneficial Insects in Southeastern USA

    10 Native Plants for Attracting Beneficial Insects in Southeastern USA By Lara Wadsworth The Southeastern United States is a beautiful symphony of sights, sounds, and … plants? Yes! This region is home to more than 11,000 different plant species. 3-4 thousand of those plants are completel...

  • 10 Native Plants for Pest Management in the Rockies

    10 Native Plants for Pest Management in the Rockies by Lara Wadsworth The Rocky Mountains are home to as many as 5000 plant species. Each plays its part in creating a diverse and symbiotic ecosystem. When we cultivate our gardens, we often choose plants simply for their look or popularity....

  • 10 Native Plants to Attract Beneficial Insects in the Midwest

    10 Native Plants to Attract Beneficial Insects in the Midwest By Lara Wadsworth Rolling hills, farmlands, forested valleys, and pristine lakes characterize the American Midwest. This is the region I call home, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Anyone who lives here is familiar with th...

  • 10 Natives of the Southwest USA for Pest Control

    10 Natives of the Southwest USA for Pest Control By Lara Wadsworth The Southwestern United States is a region incredibly unique to the rest of the country. The hot, dry weather can be challenging for plants and animals to thrive without additional help. That is why gardening with natives c...

  • 10 Seed Starting Tips For A Successful Garden

    10 Seed Starting Tips For A Successful Garden Written By Chelsea Hafer Embarking on the journey of starting your own seeds is an exciting step toward cultivating a flourishing garden. While the prospect may seem daunting for new gardeners, the joy that comes with watching seeds transform ...

  • 5 Common Landscaping Mistakes to Avoid

    5 Common Landscaping Mistakes to Avoid By Lara Wadsworth With the summer season approaching, landscaping projects are soon to be underway. Before starting your next project, consider these 5 common pitfalls of landscaping. By planning ahead and making smart choices regarding soil health, p...

  • 5 Reasons Everyone Should Grow Mizuna

    5 Reasons Everyone Should Grow Mizuna By Lara Wadsworth Mizuna is a delicious and unique Asian mustard green that should be more popular than it is. It is quickly gaining popularity anywhere that it is being used. Everyone should grow Mizuna because: It is easy to grow Mizuna takes little...

  • 5 Tips to Keep Deer Out of Your Garden

    5 Tips to Keep Deer Out of Your Garden by Chelsea Hafer Nothing can be more picturesque than the sight of a deer loping through a field – unless it’s on its way to the garden to chew your plants to the ground. That’s when Bambi turns into a destructive pest that you don’t want around. It’s ha...

  • 8 Flowers For Fall Planting

    8 Flowers For Fall Planting by Lara Wadsworth We all know about the spring rush to get our gardens planted before too much of the growing season passes. However, did you know that a wide variety of plants, especially wildflowers, will thrive in the coming year if you plant them in the fall...

  • 8 Undeniable Benefits of Wildflowers

    8 Undeniable Benefits of Wildflowers By Lara Wadsworth Many of us dream of the perfect wildflower garden. The stunning and vibrant flowers burst forth like fireworks in the spring and remain until the frost. It is low-maintenance and easy to enjoy from a window, balcony, or patio. However, ...

  • A Plant’s Journey from Germination to Fruition

    A Plant’s Journey from Germination to Fruition By Chelsea Hafer Plants, silent witnesses to the ever-changing seasons, embark on a fascinating journey from the tiny seed to the blooming flower. Understanding the intricacies of their growth stages unveils the magic that sustains life on our...

  • Brassica Brilliance - A Diverse Family Of Nutrient-Rich Vegetables

    Brassica Brilliance - A Diverse Family Of Nutrient-Rich Vegetables Written by Lara Wadsworth Brassicas are a group of plants belonging to the Brassicaceae family, also known as the cruciferous or mustard family. These plants are valued for their edible leaves, stems, flowers, and roots. Co...

  • Container Garden Vegetables

    Container Garden Vegetables by Ashleigh Smith Beans Beans are a perfect container gardening crop as they don’t take up much space. Beans come in two major categories, bush (12-24 inches tall) and pole types (5-8 feet tall). Bush varieties maintain a compact habit, while pole beans grow t...

  • Cover Crop Highlight: Buckwheat

    Cover Crop Highlight: Buckwheat by Ashleigh Smith Buckwheat is an amazing cover crop that is often overlooked. While there are many great cover crop options, buckwheat has several advantageous and valuable characteristics worth keeping around. Its strongest advantage is its quick growth. E...

  • Crack the Code: End Rapid Soil Drying

    Crack the Code: End Rapid Soil Drying by Lara Wadsworth Being watered is the most consistent input plants need from us. Unless they are outdoors in a rainforest, chances are they need to be watered. But why do they dry out so fast? This never-ending cycle can be frustrating at times, even ...

  • Cultivating Health: How Gardening Improves Your Well-Being

    Cultivating Health: How Gardening Improves Your Well-Being Written by Chelsea Hafer Gardening has long been celebrated as a fulfilling hobby, but did you know that it goes beyond being a pastime and can significantly contribute to improving and lengthening your life? In this article, we'l...

  • Days of the Last Spring Freeze

    Similar to the USDA hardiness zones map which helps growers anticipate the minimum annual temperature in their region, the annual frost dates easily help catalog the first and last 32°F days of the year. These first and last frost days of the year essentially “bookend” the growing season as we k...

  • Early Spring Vegetable Planting

    Early Spring Vegetable Planting by Ashleigh Smith Depending on your local weather and average last spring frost date, work in the garden may look different from one town to the next. For some, snow may still prevent you from working outside. If this is the case for you, begin by starting s...

  • Easy Guide to Pruning

    Easy Guide to Pruning by Lara Wadsworth Almost every yard in America has some kind of woody perennial in its landscape. Woody perennials do well with being pruned periodically. But, with so many different shrubs, ornamental trees, and more, it can be daunting to know how and when to prune....

  • Everything You Need To Know About Rain Gardens

    Everything You Need To Know About Rain Gardens By Lara Wadsworth Rain gardens are quickly gaining popularity for their perfect marriage of utility and beauty. What simply looks like a beautifully landscaped garden is actually a native habitat that serves as a storm drain and water sponge....

  • Extending Your Growing Season: Grow Longer with Low Tunnels

    Extending Your Growing Season: Grow Longer with Low Tunnels by Chelsea Hafer As gardeners and farmers, we all know the feeling of watching our plants thrive during the warmer months and then facing the disappointment of seeing them wither away as winter approaches. But what if there was ...

  • Extending Your Growing Season: The Power of Cold Frames

    Extending Your Growing Season: The Power of Cold Frames by Chelsea Hafer Gardening has come a long way, but some old-school techniques remain as valuable as ever. One such technique is the use of cold frames, a vintage season-extending tool that's been employed by gardeners for generations...

  • Forage Crops: Benefits for Livestock, Farmers, and Sustainability

    Forage Crops: Benefits for Livestock, Farmers, and Sustainability by Chelsea Hafer Forage crops play a vital role in ensuring the health and well-being of livestock. These crops not only provide essential nutrition but also improve soil health and sustainability. Before delving into the ...

  • Free Vegetable Growing Guide

    How to Grow Vegetables From Seed Check out our garden planner for more help! Starting your very own vegetable garden and seeing it through to harvest is one of the most rewarding activities that anyone can do. Here at True Leaf Market, we want to make the process of preparing your garden bed or...

  • Frost and Light Snow Tolerant Vegetable Varieties

    Frost and Light Snow Tolerant Vegetable Varieties by Chelsea Hafer As the winter frost descends upon our gardens and the first dustings of snow coat the world in a glistening white, one might assume that the time for cultivating fresh, homegrown vegetables has come to a halt. However, for ...

  • Growing Brussels Sprouts - A Nutrient-Packed Veggie

    Growing Brussels Sprouts - A Nutrient-Packed Veggie by Chelsea Hafer Brussels sprouts, deriving their name from the city of Brussels where they were first cultivated in the 16th century, prove to be a nutritious and flavorful addition to any home garden. Despite being a bit challenging to ...

  • Growing Grass From Seed: Simple Strategies for a Beautiful Lawn

    Growing Grass From Seed: Simple Strategies for a Beautiful Lawn By Lara Wadsworth Growing an entire lawn from seed can seem daunting, but Quicklawn grass seeds has made the process simple, easy, and exciting with reliable results. Experience success by following our simple guide to growin...

  • Guide to Growing Flowers - Let's Get Blooming!

    Guide to Growing Flowers - Let's Get Blooming! by Ashleigh Smith The presents have been opened, the boxes broken down, and now it is time to start thinking about the garden. What will you grow? When should you start planting? These are all questions that should be addressed well ahead of actu...

  • Guide to Heat Tolerant Bok Choy

    Guide to Heat Tolerant Bok Choy By Juliet Webb Bok choy Brassica rapa var. chinensis is a leafy green vegetable of the cabbage family. They are available with green or white stems, rosette shapes (Brassica chinensis var. narinosa), and flowering types (includes Choy Sum). Other names for Pa...

  • Guide to Pepper Types

    Guide to Pepper Types by Ashleigh Smith Peppers are one of the most popular summer vegetables to grow. They love the warm summer months and make the perfect summer snack, fresh salsa ingredient, pizza topping, or splash of color in your fajitas. Peppers are definitely one of my must have ga...

  • Guide to Salad Greens

    Guide to Salad Greens What Are Salad Greens? Salad Greens are any vegetable leaves eaten raw that may include petioles, shoots, and flowers. Many people simply think of lettuce, spinach, or kale as salad greens. The truth is these are only a small portion of greens available for fresh use ...

  • Heat Tolerant Vegetables

    Heat Tolerant Vegetables by Ashleigh Smith The summers just seem to be getting hotter. If you live in an area with hot summers, you might be wondering what you can grow successfully during these months. I have certainly planted a lovely patch of leafy greens and herbs just to have them b...

  • Help for new gardeners / growers

    If you're new to growing, we have some excellent information available on our site: _https://www.trueleafmarket.com/pages/help-info-guides-and-faq_ _https://www.trueleafmarket.com/pages/how-to-tutorial-videos_ _https://www.trueleafmarket.com/pages/starter-guides_ _https://www.trueleafmarket.com/...

  • Hortisketch

    Have you been sketching your garden plans on scrap pieces of paper and notebooks that have become lost through the seasons? There is now a better way to design, plan, and track the progress of your garden with the Hortisketch Garden planner. This all-in-one garden planner allows you to outline ch...

  • How To Control Weeds With Organic Home Garden Methods

    How To Control Weeds With Organic Home Garden Methods By Erica Groneman There are more ways to deal with pesky weeds than pulling out the conventional herbicide spray. Here are just a few tips to avoid synthetic products and control weeds using organic methods. Best Practice - Keep the ...

  • How to Grow a Giant Pumpkin

    How to Grow a Giant Pumpkin Guide by Ashleigh Smith & Erica Groneman Growing award-winning giant pumpkins is a sport. Giant pumpkin growers are as dedicated to their growth as athletes are to their sports. It is a world of its own! The current pumpkin world record holder is Stefano Cut...

  • How to Grow Tomatoes From Seeds

    How to Grow Tomatoes From Seeds by Ashleigh Smith Winter is finally melting away, and it is time to get planting! This is your reminder to start those seeds for the vegetable garden. If you haven’t already, start by identifying your last frost date. Then, count back the number of weeks you...

  • How to Start Seeds Indoors

    How To Start Seeds Indoors by Erica Groneman Whether you are just starting some herbs to keep indoors or getting ready to plant your seasonal garden, there are a few important steps to follow when you are starting your seeds indoors. This article will outline the steps to get your seeds re...

  • Integrated Pest Management in Home Gardens

    Integrated Pest Management in Home Gardens by Lara Wadsworth Integrated Pests Management, or IPM, is the best way to prevent and treat pest issues in a garden, greenhouse, or farm organically. The idea is to use as many tactics as possible to prevent and eradicate pests with natural proces...

  • Irish Gardens and Lucky Flowers

    Irish Gardens and Lucky Flowers by Ashleigh Smith Everybody wants to be lucky. We do things all the time to bring luck to ourselves and our friends or families. Things like wearing specific articles of clothing, crossing fingers, wishing on a star, repeating a saying, etc. Athletes often c...

  • Micro Mat Growing Pad

    Instructions - Micro Mat Growing Pad General Growing Instructions: For trays without drain holes : (recommended for microgreens & herbs) Add water into tray (amount may vary based on use). Place one Micro-Mat on the water surface (centered) and allow to absorb water. Pour off any excess wa...

  • Navigating Transplant Shock

    Navigating Transplant Shock By Lara Wadsworth Gardening enthusiasts, both seasoned and novice, often encounter the phenomenon known as transplant shock—a condition that can leave plants stressed, wilted, and struggling to adapt to their new environment. In this guide, we'll delve into the ...

  • Northeastern Natives for Attracting Beneficial Insects

    Northeastern Natives for Attracting Beneficial Insects By Lara Wadsworth The Northeastern United States is rich with American history, but did you also know that it is rich in plant biodiversity? Nature has learned through time how to work in harmony with the various species that attempt ...

  • Planning Your Spring Cover Crops

    Planning Your Spring Cover Crops by Ashleigh Smith When to Grow A Spring Cover Crop Cover crops are the perfect way to prepare your garden for a plentiful fall harvest if you are skipping the early spring vegetables this year. Instead of letting the weeds go rampant, reduce and suppress t...

  • Preparing Your Garden for Winter: The Fall Cleanup Checklist

    Preparing Your Garden for Winter: The Fall Cleanup Checklist by Chelsea Hafer As the vibrant colors of autumn leaves grace our landscapes, gardeners across the world are gearing up for an essential seasonal task—preparing their gardens for the impending winter. While it may seem like a b...

  • Rediscovering Kamut: A Nutrient-Rich Journey

    Rediscovering Kamut: A Nutrient-Rich Journey by Chelsea Hafer In the world of grains, Kamut stands as a venerable ancestor, a time-honored variety that has gracefully made its way back into the spotlight. The name Kamut, derived from the ancient Egyptian word for "wheat," paints a vivid pi...

  • Seed Finder Quiz

    Vegetable Garden Seed Selector Quizzes Get Help Choosing the Best Vegetable Varieties: We know it can be a challenge to choose the best variety of vegetables for your garden. Even for experienced gardeners, the number of options can sometimes be overwhelming. For example, we currently offer: ...

  • Short Season Vegetable Gardening - Early Maturing Varieties

    Short Season Vegetable Gardening - Early Maturing Varieties by Ashleigh Smith Gardening and growing food commercially continue to become a balance of supply, demand, and climate factors. It’s no secret climate and local weather continue to affect how we grow our food. If you find yourself...

  • Spreading Joy with Wildflower Shakers

    Spreading Joy with Wildflower Shakers by Ashleigh Smith Flowers have been a means of spreading joy for hundreds of years! Whether they are given to celebrate a relationship, mend broken bridges, show appreciation, or remember what was, flowers spark happiness. Flowers are not only linked t...

  • Spring Gardening Checklist

    Spring Gardening Checklist By Ashleigh Smith The days are getting longer and it is time to start your gardens! But wait…I still have snow outside. Is it really time to start gardening? Yes! A full spring garden starts by planning ahead and starting seeds indoors. If you wait until your fi...

  • Squash - Guide to Common Pests and Disease

    Squash - Guide to Common Pests and Disease By Lara Wadsworth Squash plants got you down? They are a Cucurbitaceae family member, which means they are afflicted by many of the same pests and diseases as cucumbers, pumpkins, and watermelons. This article is intended to identify the most commo...

  • Starting Your Garden

    Planning Your Garden 🌱 The garden should be carefully planned. Most of the space should be occupied by the family's favorite vegetables. The vegetable garden should be in fertile soil with ample water supply available. It should be easily accessible to all members of the family so that produce c...

  • Stimulating Roots with Mycorrhizae

    Stimulating Roots with Mycorrhizae by Lara Wadsworth The word mycorrhizae literally means “fungus root.” It is the word that describes the symbiotic relationship between fungus and plant roots. This unique occurrence is most prevalent in healthy, well-established soil, such as in forests a...

  • Strategies for Extending Your Growing Season

    Strategies For Extending Your Growing Season by Ashleigh Smith When Can I Start A Garden? Is it too late to start a garden? Too early? Is there an ideal time to start? It may seem like planting right after your last frost date in the spring is your only option. Really a garden can be star...

  • Successful Winter Gardening

    Winter Garden Success Winter Gardening Success Winter gardening can be as fruitful as Spring and Summer gardening--and some say, a little easier. The following is intended on helping guide you through what gardening styles and garden seed varieties may offer you the best results this winter sea...

  • The Fall Garden Basics

    The Fall Garden Basics By Ashleigh Smith With the approach of fall, it may seem like the garden is about done for the season. Don’t stop now! Many people mistakenly think the arrival of fall means you have to stop growing. Really it is the perfect “second spring.” With cooling temperatures,...

  • Tips for Growing Gardens

    Gardening Starter Guide | Tips for Growing Gardens Getting Started Topics Gardening is a very big topic. This getting started guide will give you some introductory ideas and links to resources on our website and on other websites that we believe will be helpful to you as a new gardener. What’s...

  • What are the USDA Hardiness Zones?

    USDA Hardiness Zones What Are The USDA Hardiness Zones? The USDA Hardiness Zone map is a climate survey completed in 2012 compiling the averageminimum extreme temperature in more than 60 cities throughout the country including outlier states Alaska and Puerto Rico. The average extreme minimum...

  • What should I grow in my zone?

    Every state has one or multiple agriculture extensions. We work closely with ours at Utah State University, and recommend for the best advice you do the same. Many varieties will grow well in most locations. You'll want to take into account frost dates and general length of growing season. To lo...

  • What Vegetables Can Be Pickled?

    What Vegetables Can Be Pickled? by Chelsea Hafer In the world of culinary artistry, pickling stands as a timeless technique that transforms fresh vegetables into tangy, flavorful treats. From the classic crunch of pickled cucumbers to the zest of pickled beets, a wide array of vegetables c...

  • When are 2024 seed available?

    You should know that seeds are a regulated commodity, we shop for the best rates we can find! Our Germination rates are tested by the State and compliant with our State Germination Laws. We do not categorize seed by harvest date, only germ rate.  All paper packets come end of year will be on sale...

  • When will you get more seed in ?

    Seed becomes available as harvests are completed across the globe. For now you can check back with us in a few weeks in regards to any specific varieties and we can look into whether we have it ordered or have an approximate date of arrival.

  • Why Are My Leaves Discolored?

    Why Are My Leaves Discolored? By Ashleigh Smith Plants aren’t exactly the easiest things to care for. Just like a child can catch a cold or develop a cough for a number of reasons, plants are also susceptible to a number of problems. Some of the most common include nutrient deficiencies tha...

  • Winter Gardening Checklist

    Winter Gardening Checklist by Lara Wadsworth Gardening is a lot of work in the spring, summer, and fall. Planting, tending to, and harvesting a garden are very time-consuming yet rewarding tasks. However, when the fall harvest is over, many people just sit and wait for spring to come. Don’...

  • Winter Rye - An Outstanding Cover Crop

    Winter Rye - An Outstanding Cover Crop by Lara Wadsworth Winter Rye is one of the most commonly planted cover crops in many of the northern states. It holds this title for good reason. The numerous benefits of planting Winter Rye undoubtedly outweigh any potential difficulties. This versat...

  • Your Gardening Resources

    What’s the Best Way to Get Started? 1. Your neighbors! They were once starting out just like you. If they are growing something you want to know about ask! Chances are you can grow it too! 2. Your farm supply and feed store. (IFA or similar) These guys usually grow on a larger scale, but that do...