Brand Showcase: Favorite Soil/Fertilizer!

Welcome to the Treehouse Library! In this post, we will discuss my personal favorite gardening products/brands (specifically soil and fertilizer) that I have always had fantastic experiences with.

Why these are my top choices:

Organic Certified/Approved or Offers Organic Certified products
OMRI Listed^® and Registered CDFA Organic
Affordable
Widely Available
Produced in the USA
Species-specific products available
Increases Growth and Yield
Easy-to-Follow Directions for Use

⚜️#1 Favorite Brand: Espoma (Check them out at https://www.espoma.com/)

Espoma continues to hold the #1 spot in my favorites list for many reasons.

⟶ Multiple Certifications for Organic Use 🌱

⟶ Safe - No Hazardous or Toxic Ingredients ⚠️

⟶ Minimal Waste, Plant-Based, and Solar Powered Manufacturing ♻️

⟶ Provides Support for Community Gardening Programs

I highly recommend you give these products a try:

💚 Espoma Organic Earthworm Castings - This is gardening gold, and yes, it's worm poop! This is a very common all-purpose, all-natural fertilizer and soil conditioner that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants. I absolutely love using worm castings in old leached garden beds, indoor plants that haven't been repotted in a while, suburban soil, food gardens, and basically everything else! It helps produce vigorous foliage and root growth, improves soil structure by adding organic matter, increases stress resistance, etc.

💚 Espoma Bio-Tone Starter Plus - This is a fantastic starter/plant food in general. I have used this formula for many juvenile plants, new planters, newly established garden beds, etc. Bio-Tone includes beneficial microbes and mycorrhizal fungi, which are important for nutrient uptake, water absorption, disease resistance, stress protection, soil health, and preventing the need for repeated or prolonged fertilizer use.

💚 Espoma Plant-Tone - All-purpose plant food for bigger blooms, greener foliage, and faster growth. It's a slow release, long-lasting powerhouse of a plant food that is safe for people, pets and the planet! You can use this just about anywhere; I have had lots of success using Plant-Tone for shrubs, groundcovers, planters, old leached garden beds, etc.

💚 Espoma Flower-Tone - The best choice for perennials, annuals, hanging baskets, container gardens, etc. This product promotes and prolongs blooming, and it works for all types of flowering plants. By using this on my own roses, nasturtiums, bee balms, and many other types of flowers, I have witnessed increased budding, faster/bigger blooming, blooms that last longer, enhanced aromatics, and enhanced rooting in the soil. Reminder: Espoma does produce species-specific plant foods, like Rose-Tone, Bulb-Tone, Holly-Tone, etc., but this one serves as a great all-purpose flower food.

💚 Espoma Garden-Tone and Tomato-Tone - A wonderful all-purpose plant food for herbs and vegetables. This is a rich blend of organic ingredients enhanced with beneficial microbes that helps enhance flavor, increase yield, increase rooting, etc. It can be used as early as 7-10 days after planting and is slow release and long-lasting! Tomato-Tone is specifically for tomatoes, but it can also be used as an all-purpose vegetable plant food. By using both of these, I have had larger and more flavorful tomatoes, increased yield of cucumbers and pumpkins, aromatic and delicious basil and cilantro, etc. Highly recommended!

💚 Espoma Berry-Tone - The superior plant food for fruits and berries! This blend is also enhanced with beneficial microbes, helping your plant to produce more/bigger blooms, increase fruit yield and size, enhance aromatics and flavor, increase rooting, etc. I have to be honest - I have limited experience with this one, but it is highly recommended, and I have seen it work! I used Berry-Tone for my strawberry plants, and noticed an increase of blooms, faster growing fruit, and an enhanced taste and smell. Try it out for yourself!

💚 Espoma Orchid! Bloom Booster and Indoor! Houseplant Food - If you're an Orchid lover like myself and so many others, I highly recommend the Orchid! Bloom Booster - if desired. Let me clarify - as I've had more experiences with Orchids over the years, I have rarely noticed a need for fertilizer. However, if you have an Orchid that has flower spikes but not many blooms, blooms that aren't very vibrant, or smaller blooms than you would like, try it out! I have heard rave reviews about this product from other horticulturists, and because this is a liquid plant food, it feeds instantly. The Indoor! Houseplant Food is a similar great choice for Pothos, Fiddle Leaf Figs, and Monsteras.

⚜️ #2 Favorite Brand: FoxFarm (Check them out at https://foxfarm.com/)

FoxFarm is yet another fantastic soil and fertilizer company that has earned a top spot on my list of favorites.

⟶ Offers Many Certified Organic Products 🌿

⟶ Very Wide Range of Ingredients and Product Types 💪

⟶ Greenhouse Tested to Ensure Quality and Consistency 🏡

⟶ Beautiful and Eye-Catching Artwork 🖌️

I highly recommend you give these products a try:

🤎 Happy Frog^® Potting Soil - One of my top favorite soils for use in potted plants and container gardens! This potting soil is amended with beneficial microbes and mycorrhizae that increase rooting and nutrient uptake. It also has worm castings as part of the default mix! I have been using Happy Frog for years with lots of success. If using for a succulents or cactuses, make sure to add orchid bark and perlite to make it a chunky soil mix (they need drainage)!

🤎 Bush Doctor® Kelp Me Kelp You® Seaweed Plant Food - This is a 100% organic, kelp enriched liquid plant food that can be used for regular application as well as hydroponic systems. It's free from harmful chemicals and is suitable for use in vegetable, herb, and fruit gardens, as well as flowers. It can be used as often as every other week during the growing season!

🤎 Happy Frog® Dry Fertilizers Line - Happy Frog has its own line of dry fertilizers for many different uses. They have an all-purpose fertilizer as well as specific blends for tomatoes, citrus and avocado, Japanese maple, fruits and flowers, azaleas, etc. The NPK ratio is always clearly stated on the front of each package, making it simple and easy to know exactly how much of each nutrient you are applying.

One-Woman Crew

Every project is done by hand — just mine! Larger jobs may take several days to complete, and bad weather can delay progress. Thank you for your patience and trust as I work with care.

I come to you!

I don’t have a storefront — I bring my services directly to your home or business. Whether you're residential or commercial, I travel to you for consultations and hands-on work.

Tools of the Trade

No need to provide equipment — I bring my own high-quality tools and gear to every job. Just point me to your garden space, and I’ll handle the rest.

Weather Happens

If rain or extreme weather rolls in, services will be rescheduled for the next suitable day — no late fees, no worries. Nature sets the pace, and I’m happy to work with it.

Fully Insured

Magnolia’s Garden is fully insured. I am not liable for pre-existing issues in your garden or damage to undisclosed underground systems like irrigation lines. Transparency keeps us both protected.

Cash or Zelle, Please!

I currently accept payment via cash or Zelle. Other payment apps are not supported at this time. Thanks for keeping it simple! I will accept checks, but they are not preferred.

Frequently Asked Questions

🌞 I work with clients in the Northern Virginia area, including but not limited to:

· Burke, VA

· Springfield, VA

· Alexandria, VA

· Fairfax, VA

· Annandale, VA

· Arlington, VA

· McLean, VA

· Vienna, VA

· Lorton, VA

· Occoquan, VA

❓ If you're nearby and unsure whether you're within range, feel free to reach out.

When choosing who to entrust your garden sanctuary to, you may wonder: what sets me apart?

🌼 I’m a proud graduate of the Horticulture Technology Program at Northern Virginia Community College, where I earned my degree Magna Cum Laude. This program is uniquely tailored to teach: Landscape design & installation, Grounds maintenance, Floristry, Greenhouse & nursery management, Garden center operations, Marketing & sales in horticulture-related fields

🌿 I’m well-versed in: Proper pruning techniques, Soil health & integrated pest management, Floral arrangement & seasonal décor, Four-season food production, Herbalism & native plant propagation, Landscape construction & garden design

I’ve worked with a wide variety of clients and gardens across Northern Virginia for 2+ years, and I continue to learn and grow every day.

✨ My specialties are:

Native planting and sustainable, eco-conscious gardening practices

Creative, theme-based garden design: Cottage, Chaos, Gothic, or whatever your heart dreams up!

Pollinator havens, edible gardens, and rain gardens

Gentle, thoughtful plant care with deep respect for each species’ needs

Personalized spaces that reflect your aesthetic, goals, and values

I offer garden care, consultations, and design services year-round. That said, the level of physical labor naturally slows down during colder months, and certain services are best performed in specific seasons. I’ll always recommend what’s best for your garden based on timing and long-term success.

Standard rate for physical labor and in-person gardening services is $30/hour. First consultation is free. Design consultations, artwork, and specialized projects may vary based on scope, materials, and time. Custom packages, seasonal deals, and bundle pricing are available — just ask!

NEW CLIENTS: To schedule a consultation or garden service, simply fill out the contact form on the "Booking" page. From there, we’ll set up a time to meet and discuss your goals. Please allow 3-5 business days for a response via email. RETURNING CLIENTS: Head to the "Booking" page and select your requested service and date/time slot. Please allow 3-5 business days for a confirmation and response via email.

Life happens! I kindly ask for at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment. This helps me plan my time and allows me to offer the spot to another client. Repeated last-minute cancellations may result in a small fee, but I’ll always communicate this in advance.

If it’s your first consultation, no need to prep — just be ready to walk through your space and share your ideas. For follow-up visits or physical garden work, I may ask that pets be secured, and gates unlocked. If you’d like to share photos or inspiration ahead of time, that’s always welcome! If you live in an HOA-regulated neighborhood, please be sure to stay up to date on your community’s yard/garden regulations.

I proudly use eco-friendly, organic, and sustainable practices in every garden. I specialize in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to address pest issues in a gentle, mindful way that supports soil health and local ecosystems. If a pest/disease issue cannot be effectively treated via organic/sustainable practices, clients should contact their preferred pest control expert.

Yes! Whether you have a spacious backyard or a cozy balcony, every space has garden potential. I offer design solutions and maintenance for container gardens, patios, vertical gardens, and other small-space setups. Let’s bring beauty and greenery to your unique spot!

I do not provide traditional lawn care that requires heavy machinery like riding mowers or aerators. However, I’m happy to help with hand-weeding, reseeding, patching, applying organic weed suppression, and offering guidance on sustainable lawn alternatives. If you're looking to improve the health or appearance of your lawn without heavy equipment, I’ve got you covered!