The Manscapers’ Tips for Spring Planning

Image by Dane Tashima

FIND YOUR (OUTDOOR) VOICE: Start fantasizing and planning your dream garden by gathering inspiration and creating a mood board. The internet is a great resource - but if you're "screened out" flip through our book instead.

TAKE IT OUTSIDE: Grab a notebook, head outdoors (on one of the warmer days!) and begin to imagine your future garden. What worked last year? What didn't? Jot down any notes or ideas that may arise.

(WINTER) CLEAN: With the extra time inside, think about cleaning your outdoor gardening tools! From pruners to saws, your future self will thank you.

INSIDE OUT: Can't wait until spring? Start an indoor herb garden to satisfy the green thumb itch and heighten your winter dishes. We love planting parsley, rosemary and oregano inside

The Manscapers’ Tips for Fall Gathering:

COZY UP: To add comfort and coziness to your outdoor space, drape a blanket over the back of each guests' chairs. You can mix and match textiles to add character.

FORAGE AWAY: While decorating your table, don't be afraid to use alternative materials such as fruit, dry/preserved floral, or foraged materials from your own yard. Pinecones make great additions for those on the East Coast, while pampas grass elevates those in the West.

HEIGHT MATTERS: When placing items, keep in mind the height and size in relation to your guests' eye levels. If you're seeking height or more drama, place those items on nearby side tables or consoles. 

The Manscapers’ Tips for Fall Landscaping:

THINK (EVER) GREEN: Particularly for those on the East Coast, it is a great time to plant tree shrubs, trees, and evergreen plants that will stay green throughout the winter. 

HARDSCAPING: Now’s the time to focus on hardscaping, a.k.a building or fixing a patio/deck. This way, once spring comes - the focus can be on planting!

CLUSTER CONTAINERS: For those equipped, bring your outdoor plants inside for a winter vacation. For those not conducive to indoor life, cluster them together and move them closer to your home - which will radiate some heat. Adding a thick layer of mulch will help to keep the soil warm as well.

SHHH… PS: Nurseries often have their biggest sales this time of the year, so it’s the perfect time to make sure you’re not neglecting your outdoor oasis!

The Manscapers’ Tips for Drought-Tolerant Gardening

CHOOSE YOUR PLANTS: Don’t be fooled into thinking only succulents and cacti are drought-tolerant! Colorful favorites such as Black-eyed Susan, Lantana, Lavender, Sage and Coneflowers are all drought-tolerant and are some of our favorite staples in the garden. 

LAWN, BE GONE: Trade your lawn for a more modern alternative (and drastically cut water usage!) by using gravel walkways and chic minimalist pavers. 

LET THE RAIN FALL DOWN: Consider purchasing a rain barrel (we suggest one below!) and use that collection for watering. PS. Plants love the natural nutrients that come from rainwater. 

MULCH IS YOUR FRIEND: Adding a top layer of mulch can prevent soil from overheating, thus preventing moisture from evaporating in your garden. Plus, it prevents weeds from growing!

The Manscapers' Tips for Vegetable Gardening

Image by Dane Tashima

June is here! And I couldn’t be more excited for Summer. It’s time to get outside and enjoy the warm weather and the garden as it reaches full bloom. Even if you’ve gotten a late start this year, don’t worry - there’s still plenty of time to plant more produce, herbs, and beautiful blooms. This month, I’m sharing my tips for creating a successful and bountiful vegetable garden. So, come on and let’s get planting.

Hint: It’s not too late to start! Fast growing vegetables such as tomatoes, summer squash, green beans and cucumber will still have a bountiful harvest even when planted in June. 

FIND THE SUN: Keep an eye out in your garden for areas that see the most sun, as some produce (cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers) require eight or more hours of direct sunlight - while others (such as leafy greens) can survive on four!

CHECK THE RAIN: As you did with the sun, be sure to check if your yard has places where water seems to linger after a heavy rain as you want to avoid planting in these areas. 

START SMALL: You’d be surprised how much food can be produced from a few raised beds, and it’ll be so much more enjoyable if you start with only a couple of your favorite vegetables!

MEET MULCH: Adding a layer of mulch can help retain the moisture in your soil, which means less watering and weeding! 

PS. Keep a gardening journal to learn what works, and what doesn’t for next year!

The Manscapers' Guide to Container Gardening

Spring is finally here and I don’t know about you, but I’ve been so anxious to get out in the garden and start bringing my outdoor space to life. I love container gardening because it allows you to put plants anywhere, even right outside your front door. That’s especially important in Spring, when the garden is still coming to life. I want to see a bit of color! - Mel

STEP 1 - CHOOSE YOUR CONTAINER. One of our favorite parts! See below for one of the pots we are currently loving, or use a found object from within your home to repurpose as a planter! Check out @manscapersNY to find examples of eco-friendly and chic ways to use items you already own. 

STEP 2 - DRAINAGE. Proper drainage is very important! We recommend adding gravel to the bottom of your container, which will prevent the drainage holes from being blocked by soil. Fill your container with compost or your favorite gardening soil. 

STEP 3 - CURATE YOUR PLANTS. We love mixing and matching heights, color and textures to create a diverse and beautiful arrangement. 

STEP 4 - PLANT! We recommend starting with larger plants first, and filling in empty spaces with smaller ones. Don’t be afraid to get dirty, this is the fun part! Be sure to water once planted.