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True Leaf Market Knowledge Center

a child holding microgreens

Microgreens Activities for Kids: Easy Gardening Fun at Home

Written By Lara Wadsworth Getting kids involved in gardening and food production is a wonderful way to create lasting bonds and educate them about food and nutrition. Microgreens are a super-easy way to do this! You can grow them right...

Ashleigh Smith

May 13 · 7 min read · 0

May 13 · 7 min read

cherry tomatoes on the vine

Easy Tomato Pruning Tips Every Home Gardener Should Know

Learn how and when to prune tomato plants for healthier growth and bigger harvests. This beginner-friendly guide covers simple pruning steps, common mistakes, and tips for home gardeners.

Ashleigh Smith

May 13 · 5 min read · 5

May 13 · 5 min read

Top 10 Annual Flowers For Container Gardens From Seed

Top 10 Annual Flowers For Container Gardens From Seed

Written By Lara Wadsworth Container gardens are an easy, affordable way to add vibrant color and beauty to patios, balconies, entryways, or windowsills. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned green thumb, these annual flowers are perfect for creating interest...

Ashleigh Smith

May 6 · 7 min read · 0

May 6 · 7 min read

two women potting flowers on a wood table

May Planting Guide By Zone

Not sure what to plant in May? This zone-by-zone guide takes the guesswork out of gardening with tailored recommendations for vegetables, herbs, and flowers based on your USDA hardiness zone. Learn what to start indoors, sow outdoors, and how to make the most of your growing season.

Ashleigh Smith

Apr 29 · 13 min read · 0

Apr 29 · 13 min read

lettuce in a landscape border

Living on the Edge: 10+ Edible Plants for Landscape Borders

Written By Lara Wadsworth Why settle for pretty when your garden and landscape borders can be tasty too? If you’ve ever met me, you know that I love beautiful plants that are also utilitanian. Plants that feed the soil, feed...

Ashleigh Smith

Apr 22 · 7 min read · 0

Apr 22 · 7 min read

Microgreens A Beginner's Experience with green microgreens

Growing Microgreens at Home: A Beginner's Experience

Written By Lara Wadsworth Microgreens seem to be used at every gourmet restaurant, are being talked about in every health magazine, and are having more and more scientific research released about the purported health benefits of these little plants. While...

Ashleigh Smith

Apr 15 · 10 min read · 0

Apr 15 · 10 min read

A woman carrying a tray of seedlings outdoors

How to Harden Off Seedlings in 5 Easy Steps

Written By Lara Wadsworth Hardening off is the process of gradually exposing your seedlings to new outdoor conditions to help them adjust without experiencing transplant shock. This is when a seedling becomes delayed, stunted, or even dies after being transplanted...

Ashleigh Smith

Apr 15 · 5 min read · 5

Apr 15 · 5 min read

Questions to Ask Yourself For A Better Garden

Questions to Ask Yourself For A Better Garden

Written By Lara Wadsworth Planning a garden each year can feel very daunting. With so many possibilities, it can be challenging to know what to plant and where. But the key to success lies in careful review of the previous...

Ashleigh Smith

Apr 8 · 6 min read · 0

Apr 8 · 6 min read

A seedling emerges from the ground

Why Your Seeds Aren’t Sprouting: Germination Tips and Troubleshooting Guide

Written By Lara Wadsworth Thousands of people every year flock to garden centers nationwide to buy young seedling plugs. While it is incredibly convenient to buy seedlings ready to be planted in the garden, starting seeds at home has some...

Ashleigh Smith

Apr 2 · 13 min read · 0

Apr 2 · 13 min read

box of fresh vegetables in the garden

Fight Rising Grocery Prices with Victory Gardens

Throughout history, we have seen many reasons for failures in the supply chain when producing and shipping food crops. At the forefront of these historical losses, we have seen pest and disease outbreaks, weather fluctuations, poor growing practices, labor shortages,...

Ashleigh Smith

Apr 2 · 7 min read · 6

Apr 2 · 7 min read

cucumber seedlings

April Planting Guide by Zone

Written By Lara Wadsworth They say that April showers bring May flowers. I say that April seed sowing brings September harvesting! It's not quite as quippy, but it's still true. For much of the country, April is just the beginning...

Ashleigh Smith

Mar 24 · 13 min read · 0

Mar 24 · 13 min read

How to Improve Soil Drainage

Written By Lara Wadsworth Proper soil drainage is a major part of a successful garden. When the soil retains too much water and becomes soggy for long periods of time, it can cause problems with plant health, inhibit root growth,...

Ashleigh Smith

Mar 20 · 6 min read · 0

Mar 20 · 6 min read

blue hydrangeas

How to Change the pH of Your Soil

Written By Lara Wadsworth Soil pH is an important and frequently overlooked factor in gardening and agriculture. It dramatically impacts plant health and can be the difference between a thriving ecosystem and a garden with plenty of room for improvement....

Ashleigh Smith

Mar 20 · 5 min read · 0

Mar 20 · 5 min read

A woman lets soil fall from one hand to the other

Understanding Soil Texture and Common Soil Problems

Written By Lara Wadsworth Gardening can be likened to cooking. Your plants need the right ingredients in order to achieve success. Your garden soil is the foundation of your plant's health and success, so it's essential to get it just...

Ashleigh Smith

Mar 18 · 8 min read · 0

Mar 18 · 8 min read

food scraps and compost

How to Compost Without Attracting Animals

Written By Lara Wadsworth Many gardeners are completely deterred from composting due to critter attraction. This is a major problem for many urban, suburban, and rural residents. The reality is that there are animals everywhere, and if you are putting...

Ashleigh Smith

Mar 18 · 5 min read · 0 ·

Mar 18 · 5 min read

Understanding the Essentials of Soil Composition

Understanding the Essentials of Soil Composition

Written By Lara Wadsworth Understanding the composition of your soil is key to understanding your garden and succeeding as a grower. The best soils for growing nearly any plant are loamy soils. Loam is a balanced mix of sand, silt,...

Ashleigh Smith

Mar 11 · 8 min read · 0

Mar 11 · 8 min read

hands holding compost over soil in a garden

A Beginner’s Guide to Soil Amendments

Written By Lara Wadsworth Whether you are a true gardening beginner or only just getting into soil science, amendments can be a daunting subject. Soil amendments are seemingly magical ingredients that can transform your soil, leading to healthier plants and...

Ashleigh Smith

Mar 10 · 8 min read · 1

Mar 10 · 8 min read

Women in Agriculture

Women in Agriculture

March is recognized as Women’s Month, with March 8th, 2025, also being recognized as International Women’s Day. To celebrate, we wanted to highlight some key contributions made to the fields of Agriculture and Horticulture by notable women. While women have...

Ashleigh Smith

Mar 3 · 8 min read · 0

Mar 3 · 8 min read

girl holding a wildflower bouquet

The Beauty of Regional Wildflowers

Written By Lara Wadsworth What goes through your head when you see a wildflower? Probably something about how beautiful and amazing it is, right? While wildflowers are impressive earthly adornments, their significance extends far beyond beauty. Flowers of all kinds...

Ashleigh Smith

Feb 27 · 7 min read · 4

Feb 27 · 7 min read

gloved hands transplanting vegetables

March Planting Guide By Zone

Written By Lara Wadsworth March is the month that most people equate to spring, or at least the promise of spring. Temperatures are steadily warming up (whatever that means for you), and while the northern zones are likely to experience...

Ashleigh Smith

Feb 24 · 11 min read · 0

Feb 24 · 11 min read

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