Let Love Grow with our Top 8 Relationship Tips

Do you ever feel like you have a special bond with the greens growing in your Tower Garden? Like maybe you and your herbs are “mint” to be? Or that you will love them until the end of “thyme”? And one day you hope to be “rose-married?”

We’re sorry for the puns (ok, maybe we’re not!), but it’s true: The relationship you have with your plants is real, from the moment you choose your seeds to the day you harvest them. And just like any other relationship, the one you share with your garden takes consideration and work.

Top 8 Relationship Tips from Tower Garden

1.     Know what you want in a partner.

And by partner, we mean plant. We suggest making a list of ideal qualities you’re looking for in a garden.

Do you want plants that are visually and aesthetically pleasing, like ornamental blooms such as hibiscus flowers and forget-me-nots? Or are you interested in something that’s maybe not as pretty on the outside, but instead will nourish you on the inside, like kale or broccoli? Planting a bunch of hot peppers just because they look colorful and festive on the vine won’t be very fulfilling once you realize they’re too hot for your taste!

Consider what’s important to you when planning for your garden.

2.     Be honest with yourself about the level of commitment you’re ready for.

Sometimes, good things take time. Sometimes, you may not be prepared to wait, and that’s perfectly okay. Knowing how much patience you possess as a gardener is crucial when choosing your plants.

The grower with a short attention span will see quick results with quick crops like arugula, kale, Bok choy and basil, which all take less than a month to grow.

But if you’re in this relationship for the long haul, you can enjoy the benefits of patience and reap a crop of brussels sprouts, pumpkins and tomatoes, which all take more than 80 days after planting to harvest.

3.     Don’t outright dismiss online dating.

Shopping for seeds or seedlings? While your local nursery will certainly have plenty on hand, we find it’s really important to buy them from a reputable source. A great way to locate them? The internet! There are incredible seed and seedling providers online, ones that’ll make you swear it’s love at first sight. Be sure and check out our Seed and Seedling Source Guide to find the perfect match.

4.     Love at first sight isn’t just in the movies.

See a seed packet or a seedling and just know it’s meant to grow in your garden? You should probably go for it! With very few exceptions, Tower Garden can grow a variety of vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers. So even if you’ve never grown that variety of crop before, plant it anyway. Learning along the way and experimenting is part of the fun of gardening.

5.     Pay attention to chemistry.

And by chemistry, we mean your pH, your water levels and your mineral blend. Taking care to monitor the “chemistry” going on in your garden is one of the easiest ways to ensure the maximum amount of growth in the quickest amount of time. And, after all, we can’t wait to see that love grow, right?

6.     Relationships take work, especially in the rough patches.

We’ve all been there: those frustrating couple of weeks where your seedlings aren’t quite full-grown plants yet, and your greens aren’t ready to harvest.

It’s a difficult time, and it can be hard to remember why you started this relationship with your garden in the first place - especially since it’s too soon to reap your reward. You might even be tempted to give up on your tower. But, have patience. And keep up with your maintenance practices to support healthy growth. Harvest will come in due time!

7.     Problems are easier to prevent than to fix.

Pest control, plant diseases and nutrient deficiencies are all easier to avoid than to reverse. Pay attention to what your plants are telling you by examining the leaves, stems and speed of growth for signs you may have underlying problems. Catching these things early will make all the difference and keep you and your garden on a healthy path to harvest.

8.     Tell your partner “thank you.”

And once again, by partner, we mean plants. The best way to show your garden gratitude for all it gives you is to harvest the produce and feed them to friends and family you love. Or by making a magnificent meal using your freshly grown greens. It’s a beautiful thing seeing what all the love, commitment and devotion can create in the end − whether it be a healthy salad, a green smoothie or an herbal tea.

What are some of the loving or unconventional ways you care for your garden? Let us know in the comments.