Up to Something in the Garden

Up to Something in the Garden I’m Kristin, and I’m always Up To Something in the Garden! If you love plants, propagation, and all things gardening, you're in the right place!

I’m based in Zone 7, Coastal Long Island, where I grow, experiment, and share my journey in the garden.

02/02/2026

When should you remove seed trays from a heat mat? 🌱
Affiliate Links: I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Save the Monarchs T Shirt: https://www.etsy.com/listing/4443429640/save-the-monarchs-plant-milkweed-t-shirt
Affiliate Links ( I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you)
Heat Mats (6Pack) : https://amzn.to/4af46O0
Barrina Grow Lights: https://amzn.to/4q9TC8p
Seed Trays: https://amzn.to/49VgcwJ
Epsoma Seed Starting Mix: https://amzn.to/4tfCi4u
Kingbird HoopHouse: https://amzn.to/3RArCeW
Vego Raised Beds: https://glnk.io/vzw5/89q

01/21/2026

🌱 Are Dollar Store seeds actually the SAME as big-box seeds? 😳
I compared 50-cent Dollar Store seeds to $2.49 big-box seeds from Lowe’s and Home Depot — and what I found might surprise you.
Many budget seeds and big-box seeds come from the same large seed suppliers, which means you may be paying more for branding and packaging, not better seed.
👉 Watch the full video to see:
• My Dollar Store seed haul
• Price + packet size comparisons
• When cheap seeds work great
• When premium seeds are worth it
🌼 Full breakdown in the main video —
https://youtu.be/y5ybp1CFJmg

12/27/2025

January is seed-starting season for gardeners who want early blooms and long-lasting flowers! 🌼
Many popular flowers take weeks—or even months—to grow and bloom, which means they must be started early indoors for the best results.
In this short, I share the flower seeds you should start in January, including slow-growing favorites like snapdragons, lisianthus, delphinium, foxglove, sweet peas, pansies, poppies, and hardy hibiscus—a plant known for its massive blooms and long growing season.
🌱 Starting seeds early means:
✔ Stronger plants
✔ Earlier flowers
✔ More blooms before summer heat
👉 Watch next:
🎥 January: Plant These Seeds Now
https://youtu.be/9bF-9mIiLbw
🎥 Starting Hardy Hibiscus
https://youtu.be/Nd7iqb91zgc
If you love seed starting, flower gardening, and getting a head start on spring, make sure to save this video and follow for more garden tips!

12/10/2025

Am I the only one missing the warmth and sunshine of summer? This cold is getting to me! Hurry Summer, Come back soon!

11/25/2025

Dear Black Friday… we’re good on big-screen TVs.
What we really need? GREENHOUSES on sale! 🌱💚
If you’re with me, check out this affordable hoop house I found 👇
https://amzn.to/3XNXQH1

11/03/2025

Autumn is the perfect time to amend your soil for a successful garden season next year.

11/02/2025

Don’t let your garden beds go to waste this winter! 🌿
Give your raised beds the nutrient boost they deserve this winter! 🌿 Spread a 2–3 inch layer of compost or aged manure over your garden beds before the ground freezes. This simple step enriches the soil, feeds beneficial microbes, and gets your garden ready for a strong start in spring. 🌸 Cover with straw or leaves to lock in nutrients and protect against erosion. Healthy soil = thriving plants!
My favorite commercial compost: https://amzn.to/4oOrqHS
Affiliate link, I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you!

10/27/2025

Your garden’s success starts underground. Fall is the best time to test your soil pH so you can make the right amendments before winter. Whether your soil is too acidic or too alkaline, small changes now can mean healthier, stronger plants in spring!
🌱 Quick Tip:
Ideal pH range: 6.0–7.0
Add lime to raise pH (less acidic)
Add sulfur or compost to lower pH (more acidic)
Affiliate Links (I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you)
Garden Lime: https://amzn.to/3JtTKjI
Garden Sulphur: https://amzn.to/3WqxR86
Give your soil a head start this season — because happy soil = happy plants! 🌸

10/20/2025

🌿 Don’t lose your tropical plants to cold nights! 🌺 If your hibiscus, gardenias, or other tropicals are starting to feel the chill, it’s time to bring them inside or move them to your greenhouse. In this short, I’ll show you exactly which plants can’t handle cool temps — and what to do next.
👉 Watch the full video to learn when and how to move all your plants indoors for winter — from annuals to hanging baskets — and what to do before bringing them inside to keep them healthy and pest-free. https://youtube.com/shorts/Fno-zgzTk9E?feature=share

10/16/2025

🍁 Collect Fallen Leaves for Free Garden Gold 🌿
Don’t bag up those fall leaves — they’re one of the best natural resources your garden could ask for! When leaves break down, they create leaf mold, a dark, crumbly, nutrient-rich material that improves soil structure, water retention, and microbial life. It’s like compost’s quieter, slower cousin — and your plants will love it.
🍂 How to Make Leaf Mold:
Gather leaves (avoid diseased ones).
Shred them with a mower or trimmer for faster decomposition.
Pile them up in a bin or corner of your yard.
Keep them moist and turn occasionally.
After 6–12 months, you’ll have beautiful, crumbly leaf mold to mix into soil or use as mulch.
🌱 You can also add shredded leaves to your compost pile — they provide carbon (“browns”) to balance nitrogen-rich materials (“greens”) like kitchen scraps and grass clippings.
It’s sustainable, free, and gives back to your garden year after year! 🌳✨

10/15/2025

🍂 Protect Your Plants This Fall! 🌿
Before winter sets in, give your garden a cozy blanket of mulch! Adding a thick 2–4 inch layer helps protect plant roots, regulate soil temperature, and prevent damage from freeze-thaw cycles. Plus, it locks in moisture, reduces weeds, and improves your soil for spring.
Use shredded leaves, straw, or wood chips — just remember to keep mulch a few inches away from stems and trunks to prevent rot.
Your plants will thank you when they wake up happy and healthy next spring! 🌷✨

10/14/2025

🌷 Get Your Garden Fall-Ready! 🍁
Before the frost hits, take a few simple steps to guarantee a stunning spring garden.

🌿 Tip 2: Divide and replant crowded perennials to keep them healthy and thriving.

These quick fall garden tips will help your plants come back stronger and more beautiful next year! 🌼

You should divide and replant perennials about 4–6 weeks before your first expected frost.
That window gives plants enough time to:
Grow new roots and settle in,
Recover from transplant shock, and
Prepare for winter dormancy.
✅ Example:
If your first frost is around October 30, aim to divide perennials by mid to late September.
Extra tips:
Water deeply after replanting to help roots establish.
Add mulch once the ground starts cooling (but not freezing yet).
Avoid fertilizing — you want root growth, not new top growth before winter.

Address

Bayport, NY
11705

Telephone

+16319268111

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Up to Something in the Garden posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Up to Something in the Garden:

Shortcuts

Share

Category