We get asked quite often about the best ways to grow a healthy and more productive garden – so as the garden season approaches in full force during the coming weeks here in the Midwest – we thought we would share 5 of our most helpful tips to growing a great garden. 1. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch Your Plants! Applying a healthy amount of mulch around the base of your garden plants is a big key to healthy and productive garden! Mulching helps plants retain valuable moisture, while keeping the soil temperature regulated. A healthy 2″ ring of mulch 10 to 12″ around each plant will also help keep out weeds that compete for nutrients. The best choices for mulch are grass clippings, finished compost. shredded leaves or straw. Stay away from wood chips as a plant mulch – they are fine for using in walking rows, but they can create an imbalance in the soil when used next to plants. See: The Basics of Mulch 2. Practice Proper Watering Techniques Believe it or not – but it is usually the watering process – or more precisely too much or too little water that leads to the demise of most gardens. When the plants are very young and [...]