Get answers to some of our most commonly asked questions here! If you don’t see what you’re looking for, give us a call.
PLANT CARE FAQ
Zones are the separate planting zones defined by the USDA. This map helps gardeners determine which plants will grow best in their area. Middle Tennessee is in zone 7a. Plants have their own designated hardiness zones. If a plant does not include zone 7a, it will grow as an annual in our area. If a plant does include zone 7a, it will grow as a perennial.
Annuals will only live for one growing season. Biennials complete their life cycle in two growing seasons. Perennials, though they may go dormant, will come back year after year.
There is no hard and fast rule. Some plants need their soils to stay evenly and consistently moist and will need to be watered more frequently. Others like their soil to dry out completely before being watered again. A general rule of thumb is that if the soil is dry to the touch when you stick your finger in an inch deep, it’s time to water again.
We love Espoma Organic products! They are 100% organic, making them safe for vegetable gardening, and are made in a 100% solar powered facility.
| PLANT | RECOMMENDED ESPOMA PLANT FOOD |
|---|---|
| All | Bio-tone Starter Plus or Plant-tone |
| Acid-loving plants (hollies, azaleas, hydrangeas, ferns, and more) | Holly-tone |
| Roses | Rose-tone |
| Bulbs | Bulb-tone |
| Any flowering plant | Flower-tone |
| Fruit, shade, or ornamental trees | Tree-tone |
| Tomatoes and other plants that need more calcium | Tomato-tone |
| Vegetables and herbs | Garden-tone |
| African violets | Violet! African Violet Plant Food |
| Succulents and cacti | Cactus! Succulent Plant Food |
| Orchids | Orchid! Bloom Booster |
| Indoor plants | Indoor! Houseplant Food |
The best time to plant trees is in the fall. As temperatures drop, the trees will focus on growing strong roots rather than leaves. This will help them grow bigger and better in the spring.
For other plants, wait until the last frost has passed. Our average final frost date is April 15. If you get annuals or perennials in the ground before then, keep a close eye on the weather and have frost cloth ready!
Lemon, lime, orange, and other citrus trees are too tender to be planted outside in our zone. Keep them in a very sunny spot in your home that can be heated when cold weather comes.
A general guideline is to dig a hole that is twice as wide as the nursery container and just as deep.
Screened topsoil is just dirt. It has no nutrients and gets hard when it’s wet. It’s best for filling holes, seeding grass, or leveling the ground. Garden soil is a blend of screened topsoil, mushroom compost, and other organic materials. It has a high nutritional value and drains well, making it perfect for any gardening projects.
There is no organic product that will kill weeds. Mulch and pine straw can help control weeds in your beds. You can also put down landscape fabric underneath your mulch to keep weeds and unwanted grass from popping up.
Dig it up immediately and throw it away. Don’t compost or burn it. Also, don’t plant another rose in its place because the virus could still live in the soil. Any other plant will be fine there.
STORE FAQ
We do offer rentals of all our products. The rental costs of green goods is 40% of the retail price, and hard goods are rented for 30% of the retail price. An additional 10% is added for every additional day after 3 days.
We do deliver any product to your location. Deliveries are a flat fee ($20 to $300, depending on the item being delivered) + $3 per mile from Martin’s Home & Garden to your location.
All grocery and bulk soil sales are final. All other items must be returned within one week of their purchase date. Plants must be in good condition. Returns will be processed in the form of store credit or a product exchange.
Leashed dogs are welcome to visit the store anytime to get lots of pets from our team! However, only humans and service animals are allowed inside The Market.
We accept cash, checks, and credit/debit cards (including American Express). We also accept Android Pay and Apple Pay.
We do not keep sod in stock, but we can order it. Sod is only available by the pallet. Call or stop by the store to place your order.
Martin’s Home & Garden no longer sells barns, pergolas, play sets, etc. We also no longer sell any replacement parts or hardware for items that were previously purchased when we did carry these products. Please contact Mountain Barn Builders at (888) 863-8030 or Countryside Woodcraft at (615) 789-3270.
