One of our mottos here at H&G is: 'In Martha we trust.' The businesswoman, author, TV host, and all-around domestic expert is a consistent source of home and garden tips and tricks. We often pick up advice from her social media feeds and long-running blog.
On the topic of garden ideas, Stewart's green thumb has made her a natural collaborator with plant food company Miracle-Gro, who recently announced an official partnership with the multi-hyphenate. In celebration, Miracle-Gro published an in-depth interview with Stewart, wherein she discusses her infamous green juice recipe and her preferred gardening methods. Most notably, we gleaned some insight for first-time gardneners.
First and foremost, Stewart suggests that eager beginner gardeners start building skills slowly. There is so much to learn that it can't be tackled all at once. 'My best advice is don’t be overly ambitious because that will often lead to disappointment,' states Stewart in the interview.
She continues, 'Start small. Read seed catalogs and choose your seeds. I like to grow from seed. If you are more timid, buy well-grown plants, seedling plants, from a reputable store. The Bonnie plants that I have grown in my garden are really very nice, and I’m pleased at how successfully they mature into beautiful, beautiful vegetables and herbs. Just as nice as the plants I grow from seed.'
Additionally, Stewart recommends being realistic about the physical involvement that gardening entails. It's not easy, but it's certainly rewarding.
'Be prepared to give effort,' she says. 'Be prepared to work! You have to kill weeds, you have to water, you have to feed. I keep saying this to everybody. My big motto is: 'You eat every day; your plants want to eat also. You drink every day. Don’t take a drink until you water that plant that looks a little bit wilted on your windowsill, or in your garden. Don’t you dare take a drink!'
Finally, much like we take inspiration from Stewart's online presence, she herself recommends looking to social media for gardening guidance and tips, as it is a never-ending resource, full of new discoveries.
'I think social media has done a tremendously good thing in the proliferation of gardening and flowers, and orchard and sustainable gardening sites,' she states. 'I find myself going down rabbit holes - like all of us – looking at spectacular gardens, spectacular growing techniques, spectacular new methods of propagating and I think it has spurred a real grounded interest in gardening, farming and back yards.'
She continues, 'I learn a lot on social media… in a very short time. I learn how extraordinary things happen. I see “hacks” - they’re not exactly hacks - but more of a new generational influence on the way things that have been done for a very long time, and they’re still the best way to do things.'
'I am very active on my personal Instagram handle and my blog Instagram. I read all the feedback of my followers and always learn from them.'
Shop Martha's Favorite Soil
For beginner and veteran gardeners, Stewart swears by the Miracle Gro Organic Raised Bed garden soil.
This quick-release, natural fertilizer feeds plants for up to two months.
We concur with Stewart's advice about starting small – choose a select few seeds and work on growing and maintaining them before planting several different flowers and vegetables, as a lighter quantity will be more manageable.
