On my Twitter gardening account, a fertilizer was recommended to me by @enviiproducts: Early Starter. I read more about it on their website, and decided to give it a try. When I ordered, they were kind enough to send me samples of other products as well, including Deep Rooter, and Chill Out!

Envii's advice: “For initial growth/seeds we would say use Foundation to get the biology of the soil correct. Then when they break through the soil you can use Early Starter, but treat every 2 weeks and not to run off. As it is foliar applied the plant has no option but to take the product ‘on board’ and if you drown the leaves you will over power it.

Deep rooter is also worth using and this can be when the cold is no longer an issue but the plants are in early growth stage, again every 2 weeks – but you can also mix’n’match with Early Starter – just dose ½ amount every alternating 2 weeks: i.e. Early Starter wk1, DR week 2, ES week 3, etc.

Chill Out is obviously only good for hot weather/greenhouse/polytunnel.”

So far, I have used a bit of the Early Starter on my plumeria, which has just started to sprout leaves again, and on some 3-inch tall snap pea seedlings. I'm excited about experimenting with all the products during the coming growing season, and will post updates here.

Last Saturday I stopped by the San Lorenzo Lumber Garden Center in Santa Cruz, California. I was happily surprised to see so many varieties of plants in bloom, considering that it's only early February. I wandered around for about an hour, contemplating what I might add to my garden this year, while reading informational signs, smelling flowers, and watching bees.

So many possibilities. But I'll hopefully make wise investments in plants that are likely to grow well in my yard. I'll especially consider drought-tolerant species, shade-area perennials, and starting from seed when possible just to be frugal.