March is here, and so is your official garden prep checklist! 🌱 In this episode, Shannon and Caitlyn are marching (literally) into spring with a jam-packed to-do list to get your garden thriving. From chitting potatoes (aka prepping them to sprout) to sowing tomatoes, peppers, and flowers, they’re covering everything you need to do right now to stay ahead of the season.

But they’re not stopping there — they’re also sharing smart bed prep strategies (hello, cardboard hoarding) and talking about their own garden experiments so you can learn what works (and what flops) without doing all the trial and error yourself. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned gardener, this episode is full of practical tips, a lot of laughs, and the friendly encouragement you need to make March your most productive garden month yet.

Plus, get a sneak peek of their upcoming guest, Anne of All Trades (@anneofalltrades), and the game-changing composting method they’re testing this month. If you’re ready to kick winter to the curb and get growing, this episode is for you.

Highlights:
🌱 The truth about chitting potatoes (and why you’re probably already doing it).
🌱 What you can sow and transplant this month (spoiler: a lot).
🌱 Clever bed prep hacks (your Amazon boxes finally have a purpose).
🌱 Why direct sowing is about to become your new favorite task.
🌱 Our favorite pepper varieties (and why bell peppers are kinda boring).
🌱 Hardening off 101 (because your baby plants deserve a soft launch into the real world).
🌱 Garden experiments we’re running — so you don’t have to.

Let’s go grow, baby! 🌸

Must-Have Gardening Tools: Game Changers for Every Gardener!

In this episode of Fostering Blooms, Shannon Foster-Boline & Caitlyn Blum break down the absolute best gardening tools that will make your garden life easier, faster, and more enjoyable.

We cover everything from the historical Sussex trug 🏡 to the life-changing Japanese sickle, plus essential tools for weeding, planting, pruning, and seed-starting.

🌱 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ The one tool every gardener wishes they had known about sooner
✔️ Why the Hori Hori knife is like a samurai sword for gardening 🗡️
✔️ The best weeding tools to save your back & time ⏳
✔️ How to use a stirrup hoe like a pro
✔️ Why a high-quality watering can is worth the investment

📌 Time Stamps:
00:00 - Welcome to Fostering Blooms!
00:09 - Introduction: Gardening Tools That Matter
02:12 - Show and Tell: Our Favorite Gardening Tools
04:29 - The Life-Changing Japanese Sickle
06:54 - The Stirrup Hoe: Weed Like a Pro
09:08 - The Widger: The Secret Seed-Starting Tool
10:43 - The Hori Hori: Your All-Purpose Garden Knife
12:36 - Watering Cans, Tarps & Other Hidden Essentials
16:21 - Final Thoughts & Our #1 Tool Picks

📢 Resources & Products Mentioned:
🛒 Shop Our Favorite Gardening Tools:

• Widger
• Stirrup Hoe
• Hori Hori Knife
• Japanese Sickle
• Sussex Trug
• Felco Pruners
• Haws Watering Cans
• Snips
• Tarps

👉 Love this episode? Don't forget to subscribe & leave a review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📺 Watch the video version on YouTube: Fostering Blooms Channel

In this solo episode of Fostering Blooms, Caitlyn takes you deep into the world of dahlias—one of the most breathtaking flowers you can grow.

From choosing the right varieties to planting, watering, and maintaining a thriving dahlia garden, she shares essential tips and personal insights to help you succeed.

🌿 Learn about:
✅ The best conditions for healthy, vibrant dahlias
✅ Common mistakes to avoid when planting & caring for tubers
✅ The top dahlia varieties Caitlyn is excited to grow
✅ How to deal with pests & diseases naturally
✅ Creative ways to expand your garden space

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned gardener, this episode is packed with expert advice and inspiration to help you grow stunning dahlias from tuber to bloom.

🎧 Tune in now and let’s go grow, baby!