FoxFarm Blog

Our Budding Mascot “Buddy”

2012-08-30T16:38:31-07:00

Buddy is what we call an All-American breed (mutt). At eleven years old, we think he is a handsome young feller. Clearly, dark blue matches his season.

Every now and then, Buddy gets to come by for a visit. He is a great sport and loves to hang out at our Humboldt County headquarters. As you can see, he is pampered and well-loved.

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Natural fertilizers can be very appealing to dogs because they contain fish meal and bone meal. We recommend keeping products out of reach and restricting access to a newly fertilized area of soil. If ingested, expect a little stomach upset and provide plenty of water. As always, if you are concerned for your pet’s health, consult your veterinarian.

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If your dog is ever lost, check out the online services in your local area for help; the web can be a great resource. In Humboldt County, California (where Buddy hangs out most of the time) you can go to:

Paws for Cause, Pet Harbor, craigslist Lost+Found

HOT SUMMER GARDENING

2012-08-23T11:10:53-07:00

Most of the country is sweltering under record-breaking heat right now, and many parts of the country are facing water restrictions. We’re on the phone every day with gardeners who are trying to keep their plants alive through the hottest days of summer on record. Here are some of our summer-survival tips:

WHEN TO WATER Morning soaks help the plant to take up the water throughout the heat of the day—when they need it most. Watering in the cool early morning enables water to soak in before it has a chance to evaporate on the soil's surface. Many plants benefit more from a deep soak once a week than from frequent, shallower waterings.

FERTILIZER TIMING Apply Happy Frog® Fertilizers just before a deep morning soak. This enables the water to do its work of distributing the nutrients down through the soil. Just the opposite is recommended for liquid fertilizers. Applying a liquid fertilizer AFTER a deep soak prevents the nutrients from being leached out of the soil and carried away with the water.

HEALTHY ROOTS Beneficial microbes extend the effective area of your plant's root system, allowing the roots to reach farther for moisture and nutrients in the soil. Our Happy Frog® dry organic fertilizers contain mycorrhizae to help strengthen the root system during times of stress, like a hot summer day.

TOO HOT! Water temperature matters. When watering during the warmer part of the day, you risk using water that has warmed in the hose. Plants are sensitive to changes in soil temperature, or warm water at the roots. A good rule of thumb would be a temperature of around 65°F, neither cold nor hot to the touch.

SUMMER VACATION If you’re going on vacation, keep your container plants alive by using a drip irrigation system set on a timer, or set smaller plants in tubs of water and let them absorb water through the base of the container. Our Ocean Forest® Potting Soil is a premium potting soil designed to help retain moisture and give container plants the extra support they need. Use an organic mulch like our Happy Frog® Soil Conditioner to help hold in moisture. Spread along the surface to keep the moisture from evaporating out the soil at this hottest time of the season.

Organic Gardening: It’s Only Natural!

2012-06-06T14:58:33-07:00

A healthy garden does not require the use of harsh chemical products or synthetic fertilizers. At FoxFarm, we believe the best approach to gardening involves working WITH the environment as opposed to just dumping chemicals into the soil. Organic fertilizers are carbon-based compounds that naturally increase the productivity of plants. It starts with a vibrant microbial colony that breaks down organic matter resulting in rich nutrients. FoxFarm strives to follow the example of Mother Nature with natural soils and fertilizers that maintain a healthy microbial balance.

Where once it was thought that a beautiful garden can only be achieved through chemical fertilization, many gardeners are looking to the lasting benefits of a natural and organic gardening experience. Fruits and vegetables have more flavor; flowers have more fragrance and color. Many groups and garden clubs enjoy discovering and sharing the benefits of organic gardening as public interest and awareness increases.

FoxFarm's Michael Smith shared information and ideas for incorporating organic fertilizers and soils with a group of ladies from the Lakeshore Garden Club at the Lexington Gardens Nursery which is located on Lake Huron, just south of Lexington, Michigan.

Lexington Gardens is one of Eastern Michigan’s premier destination centers for fabulous color and variety of annuals and perennials. With upgraded facilities and many new accessory lines, the gardening enthusiast can find items to customize the garden into a unique environment (www.lexgardens.com).

The Race is ON!

2012-05-23T16:00:31-07:00

FoxFarm will again be sponsoring local painter and sculpture Duane Flatmo in the 2012 Kinetic Grand Championship on Memorial Day Weekend, May 26, 27, and 28. The Kinetic Grand Championship is a 3-day race along California's northern coast from Arcata to Ferndale. Teams will test their human powered all-terrain vehicles on Humboldt County's roads, dunes, beaches, and even into the waters of Humboldt Bay!

Duane is calling his vehicle "Road Kill Cafe".

For more about the race: Kinetic Grand Championship.

Welcome! Churchill’s Garden Center NH

2012-05-14T09:28:46-07:00

Churchill’s Garden Center is one of New Hampshire’s premier destinations. Located in Exeter, New Hampshire, they offer some of the finest and hardiest perennials, annuals, herbs, vegetables, trees and shrubs.

Pictured are staff members Linda, Brandon and Nancy during their Mother’s Day Event that featured Fox Farm’s inaugural product introduction.

Jump Start Your Garden!™

2012-04-10T09:50:32-07:00

Since ancient times, frogs have been symbols of rebirth and renewal. If you’ve ever walked along a river or through a damp forest, you know that frogs thrive in healthy habitats. FoxFarm Happy Frog® organic fertilizers provide gentle nutrition to help the plants in your habitat thrive.

100% Organic & Natural
Safe to Use; will not burn plants
Contains 19 species of Mycorrhizae, fungi, and beneficial soil microbes
Encourages a strong compact branching structure that supports more abundant buds and blooms
Visually appealing package design attracts customers

Each Happy Frog® blend is designed to meet plant-specific requirements. All Happy Frog® fertilizers work in harmony to gently release nutrition over a one month period as well as encourage millions of beneficial soil microbes to flourish with organic ingredients.

Jump Start (3-4-3)
Tomato & Vegetable (7-4-5)
All-Purpose (5-5-5)
Rose Food (4-4-5)
Fruit & Flower (5-8-4)
Acid Loving Plants (6-4-4)
Premium Lawn (8-2-6)
Japanese Maple (4-8-5)
Bulb Food (3-8-8)
Bat Guano (0-5-0)
Steamed Bone Meal (3-15-0)

Available in 4lb. re-sealable pouches and 18lb. bags.

Getting a Jump Start on This Summer’s Garden

2012-03-08T13:44:16-08:00

As the days begin to lengthen and the sun shines brighter, many gardeners start to get antsy for the summer growing season. Here are a few tips on getting a jump start on your garden this summer.

THE RIGHT TIMING: Starting your seeds at the proper time is crucial for getting the most out of the growing season and maximizing the potential of your plants. Different plants and varieties will have different recommended start times, usually based around the average last frost date. For information on the average last frost date in your area and recommended seed starting dates, search online.

GERMINATING SEEDS: Light Warrior is an ideal medium for starting seeds and seedling development. Simply fill a seed starting tray or cell tray with Light Warrior and moisten the soil, then plant your seed at the appropriate depth. Some seeds will require light or heat to promote germination; placing your seed starting tray on a heat mat works great for warming your soil to a proper temperature, and putting your tray near a south facing window usually provides ample light for those seeds that require light for germination.

SEEDLING CARE: Once your seeds sprout, begin feeding with Big Bloom Liquid Plant Food at 2 tablespoons per gallon of water with every other watering. Your seedlings also need light at this point. Placing your tray near a south facing window will provide sufficient light, but may result in stretchy plants that reach toward the light.

To encourage vigorous compact growth, try putting your seedlings under a fluorescent light. In addition to the perfect air to water ratio that Light Warrior provides, the heat mat will come in handy for promoting good root development.

TRANSPLANTING: When roots begin to emerge from the bottom of your cell tray, your seedlings are ready to be transplanted. Some varieties will be ready to be transplanted directly to the outdoor garden at this time, and some will enjoy just being bumped up to the next container size and remaining under artificial lighting inside. Either way, transplanting into FoxFarm soils will be much appreciated by your plants. Begin feeding with FoxFarm liquid nutrients according to the Feeding Schedule, or for a completely organic approach, mix some Happy Frog Jump Start Fertilizer into your soil and supplement with Big Bloom, Microbe Brew, and Kangaroots.

And always remember... Have fun in the garden!

Winter Gardening in Mild Climates

2012-01-09T11:51:33-08:00

While other parts of the country are currently shrouded in snow, we here in coastal northern California are lucky enough to be gardening outdoors during the shortest days of the year! The mild coastal climate rarely dips below freezing, and the plentiful rain triggers the grass to green up before the new year. For those of you who also enjoy mild winter weather, here are some tips on how to get the most out of your outdoor garden this winter.

WHAT TO PLANT: Green, leafy plants like lettuce, spinach, and chard can thrive in lower temperatures, so they are a good choice to plant in your winter garden. Other plants that will do well include those from the Brassica family (including broccoli, cabbage, and kale) and short day onion varieties.

WHAT NOT TO PLANT: Leave the tomatoes and peppers indoors under your HID lights. Those plants like long days and a bit of heat; 15 hours of darkness and 31 ̊ nights, not so much!

JUST RELAX: Happy Frog Fertilizers are a great, low-maintenance way to keep your plants healthy when there is too much rain to use liquid nutrients. Simply mix some of this granular organic fertilizer into the soil of your new container or in-ground plantings or work some into the top inch of your soil around the base of your plants monthly.

TAKE IT EASY: Since the days are shorter and the sun is less intense, your plants will slow their metabolism and photosynthesize less. This means that growth will be a little slower, but it also means that you can use a bit less fertilizer than you would in the full sun of the summer. Reduce your fertilizer application rates by 20-30% in these more harsh growing conditions.

KEEP ‘EM COZY: use our Happy Frog Soil Conditioner as a mulch around the base of in-ground perennials. This will insulate sensitive roots from colder temperatures over the winter as well as add beneficial biology and organic nutrition to your soil.

And if your winter weather is not so mild (or even if it is), maybe it’s time to think about building a greenhouse for next year to take advantage of the best light source around! Cheers!

What's Goin' On?

2011-11-28T12:01:00-08:00

Whenever possible, we would like to recognize our retailers for their eye-catching displays and generous support. Recently, we got an enthusiastic shout from Nick and Mike at Discount Hydroponics in Rochester, NY, after we sent FoxFarm promotional material for their event.

Nice looking displays, guys!

Below: Discount Hydroponics grow tent...all grown with fox farm fertilizers! (discounthydroponics@yahoo.com)

Need promotional material for your event? Reach us at foxfarm@foxfarmfertilizer.com

Nutrient Program for Fall

2011-09-26T10:34:24-07:00

On a recent visit to Barrels & Branches in Encinitas, California, FoxFarm's sales rep snapped this photo of another great display by a retailer. Retailers who sign up for the Fall Nutrient Program can take advantage of incentives, and avid gardeners can turn up the juice with FoxFarm offerings!

Retailers, choose from different incentives to get your customers ready for fall–– Gardeners, if you don't see it, ask your retailer about the FoxFarm Nutrient Program and Bring Your Plants to Life!