Welcome to spring at Tonkadale! Today, we are talking definitions. Definitions to help you be the best you can be as gardener, plant parent, or otherwise.

Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sun, usually West or South facing or an exposed area.

Shade: 4 hours or less of direct, morning sun, dappled light, or intermittent light throughout the day. Usually in a covered area or the North side of the house. Indirect light.

Part Sun: 4-6 hours of morning sun, or late day sun. Not the heat of the day. Usually the East side of the house.

Annuals: Plants that like to party all season long, but don’t come back every year. Fertilize all through the growing season. Shop Annuals!

Perennials: Plants that like to party year after year. They take a nap in winter and come back in the spring. Fertilize once active growth begins.

Hardiness Zone: The Twin Cities area is Zone 4b. Perennial plants in our area can tolerate and will survive in temperatures down to -25 degrees F. Hardiness zones appear on perennial plant labels and are a good guide when determining winter survival. There are many other factors to consider, however that are out of the plants control – snow cover, moisture, sheltered area. Sometimes we can get away with a couple of Zone 5’s with a little luck from a micro-climate and extra winter protection.

Drop-in: The generic plastic pot we use for container gardens. Fill with fresh, Tonka Terra potting soil each season, pick your plants, and plant. Simply and gently “drop into” your heavy decorative containers. Dump and repeat in fall, winter, and early spring!

Beneficial insect: If you purchase a hanging basket at Tonkadale, you might notice a little tea bag looking thing on a stick or hooked on the hanger. These are sachets of beneficial insects. Good bugs, eating bad bugs. These bugs are microscopic and protect our baskets from pests like spider mites, white flies, and thrips. Don’t worry, they won’t invade your garden or home. They actually just kind of go away (die or eat each other) when their food source is gone. Simply toss the tea bag thingy in the compost or yard waste container. Read more about beneficial insects at Tonkadale.

Height vs heighth: It’s height. If you want something tall in your planter or in your garden – it’s called height not heighth.

Carts: Carts are conveniently and backwardsly located in the middle of the parking lot. Grab one on your way in!

Bathrooms: As you are entering Tonkadale, take a sharp right to get to your destination. We have baby changing tables too!

Plant Shoppe: The hottest destination at Tonkadale. Earsy care plants like Sansevieria, ZZs, Air Plants and Cactus live here. New pots and plants seem to be arriving on the daily. Local potterty and vintage pieces are featured here too!

Solutions Center: this is where you find your problem solving tool-kit. There are lots of Organic and safe for organic gardening options. Some of the hard stuff too for those extra tricky situations. Read the label and follow directions.

Determinate vs. Indeterminate Tomatoes: Indeterminate tomatoes continue to grow, flower and produce fruit until the first frost. They can grow up to 12 ft. in a season, but 6 ft. is more normal. They require substantial staking or hooping. Determinate tomatoes grow to a certain height, usually 3-4 ft. These types of tomatoes bloom, fruit, and ripen over a period of several weeks and then they are done. In our area that’s usually late July into August. Determinate tomatoes are suitable for containers and still require staking or hooping. Learn more about tomatoes on here!

Planting Mix & Compost: We recommend mixing planting mix or premium compost in with your native soil when planting new perennials, shrubs, and trees. Rich, well drained and healthy soil will set you up for planting success.

Mycorrhizae: A microscopic fungus that grows on and creates a symbiotic relationship with the roots of plants. Mycorrhizae allow for enhanced water and nutrition uptake and also stimulates microbial activity. Soil and fungus are so neat and so necessary. You can find mycorrhizae in two of our favorite products – Biotone and Purple Cow plant based compost. Use either when planting annuals, perennials, or vegetables this season.

Hori Hori Knife: The best gardening tool on the planet. Great for digging, dividing, transplanting, and being a garden goddess. Shop here!

Happy spring! Plant plants, it’s important.