Hello Garden Besties,
I wanted to send a quick check-in as we head deeper into the spring gardening season. I hope you are getting excited and feeling ready to get started in your garden.
If you have been needing a little nudge, let this be it.
Gardening brings me so much peace, but I also know that when you are brand new to it, getting started can feel overwhelming. There is so much information out there, and it can be hard to know what actually matters most in the beginning. So today, I want to walk you through a few simple things that can help you get started with more confidence.
Start With Your Climate
Before planting anything, take time to understand your climate and how it will impact your garden.
First, make sure you know your USDA hardiness zone. As I shared in the previous newsletter, your zone helps you understand what is most likely to thrive in your area. But if you are gardening outdoors, do not stop there. It is also important to observe your specific microclimate.
Ask yourself:
What in my outdoor space might impact my garden?
Which parts of my yard get the most sun?
Which areas stay shady?
Are there trees or bodies of water nearby that could affect temperature or attract pests?
When it rains, are there areas where water tends to sit?
These questions can help you identify potential challenges before you plant and make better decisions about where to place your garden and what to grow.
Timing Matters More Than You Think
One of the most important things you can learn as a gardener is your frost dates.
Your last spring frost date helps mark the transition from winter into spring and gives you a better idea of when it is safe to start planting. Most vegetables fall into one of two main categories: frost-tolerant or frost-sensitive.
Frost-tolerant crops, such as lettuce, spinach, kale, collards, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, radishes, beets, turnips, onions, and peas, can often be planted about 2 weeks before your last spring frost date because they are generally able to handle light frost and cooler temperatures.
Frost-sensitive crops, such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, basil, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, okra, beans, corn, melons, and sweet potatoes, are best planted 2 to 4 weeks after your last spring frost date, once temperatures have warmed more consistently and the danger of frost has passed.
Timing can make a huge difference in your garden success, so take your time here. And while frost dates are helpful, remember they are still estimates. Pay attention to the weather in your area and give yourself a little wiggle room, especially with how unpredictable the seasons have been lately.
Prevention Is the Best Pest Control
In the last post we talked about pest prevention, and I will include that link below in case you missed it.
Many pest issues start before you ever see damage in the garden. When you understand your climate, follow the right planting windows, and grow crops in the season they are meant for, you reduce plant stress from the beginning. And because stressed plants are usually more vulnerable to pests and disease, timing plays a major role in prevention.
For example, I am often asked how to keep pests off collards. That question usually comes up when people are trying to grow them during the warmer months. Since collards are frost-tolerant and tend to perform best from fall into early spring, adjusting your planting window to cooler weather can make a big difference. Cooler conditions often mean less plant stress and lower pest pressure. In many cases, prevention starts with timing.
Companion planting is another helpful layer of prevention. It will not eliminate pests completely, but it can help reduce pest pressure, attract beneficial insects, and support a healthier garden overall.
Here is a companion planting chart you can include:
Companion Planting Chart
Crop | Companion Plants | Why They Work Well Together |
|---|---|---|
Tomatoes | Basil, Marigolds | Basil may help deter certain pests, and marigolds can help attract beneficial insects |
Peppers | Onions, Basil | Onions can help confuse pests with their strong scent, and basil is a great space-saving companion |
Cabbage | Dill, Onions | Dill attracts beneficial insects, and onions can help deter some pests |
Cucumbers | Dill, Nasturtiums | Dill attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, while nasturtiums can act as a trap crop for pests |
Lettuce | Green Onions, Rosemary | Green onions can help deter certain pests with their strong scent, and rosemary is a fragrant herb that may help confuse or repel some common garden pests |
Squash/Zucchini | Nasturtiums, Radishes | Nasturtiums may help draw pests away, and radishes are often used to help deter squash pests |
Now that we have the basics out of the way, are you ready to get started?
My course is still available if you want more guidance as you build a strong foundation in the garden. It is designed especially for beginners and includes self-paced videos, a workbook, and a planning tool to help you grow with confidence. If you use code GROWFOOD, you can get the class for $56 through March 31, 2026.
A Few Updates From Me
Spring is in full swing, and I have definitely been busy. Here is a little rundown of what I have going on right now:
YouTube
I have been working hard to grow my YouTube channel. So far this month, I have posted two long-form videos and I am still in the middle of editing more. One thing about YouTube is that it takes a lot of time, especially as a small business owner wearing so many hats. I am often the person behind the camera, the one writing the script, coming up with the ideas, filming, and editing. I have come a long way, but I am still building and learning how to become more consistent. I will link two of my most recent videos below.
Tour de Cure
This Sunday, March 29, 2026, I will be riding in the Tour de Cure to help raise money for the American Diabetes Association. This will be my second year participating, and I am really excited about it. While it is not directly related to gardening, it is connected to wellness, which is also important to me. I have been doing cycling classes for the last two years, so this is something I truly enjoy. If you would like to support my ride, I will include the link below.
Hoss Garden Club March 2026 Feature
I have been part of the Hoss Garden Club for about a year now, and I have truly enjoyed receiving my box each month. For the March issue, I was featured for Garden Club members and submitted an article focused on container gardening using the Hoss Root Pouch, which I really enjoy using. If you have been curious about the garden club, I encourage you to take a look at the different membership tiers and see if it might be a good fit for you. After clicking the link, click on “Subscription Box” from the main menu.
Keynote Speaker
This year, I also have the honor of serving as the keynote speaker for my chapter’s gala. As a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., this opportunity feels especially meaningful to me. I have been creating content since 2021, and this is my second major speaking engagement as the founder of PharmUnique.
If I am being honest, I have a tendency to downplay my own success, but this opportunity feels like one of those moments worth truly pausing to acknowledge. It has allowed me to reflect on the impact I have had on my community through the work I am building with PharmUnique. Because so much of that work happens behind the scenes, stepping into this role feels both affirming and deeply special.
Speaking has always been a gift of mine, and I am grateful for the opportunity to use it to encourage and celebrate the high school honorees as they prepare for their next chapter. If you are in the Orlando area and interested in attending, I will include the link below if you want to attend or send a general donation.
That is all for now.
Get out in the garden and get to planting.
See you in the soil.
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