Thank you for purchasing plants from Urban Gardening with Gray, I have taken the time to create care instructions to help keep your new plant baby thriving. Should you have any questions about the vegetables, herbs or ornamental plants, feel free to email at Urbangardeningwithgray@gmail.com

Enjoy your Garden!

– Gray

Here’s a quick guide on how to care for basil plants:

Watering:

• Water basil plants regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soaked
• Basil drinks a lot of water when it’s hot, so check soil moisture frequently
• Wilting is a sign the plant needs water

Light:

• Basil thrives in full sun, needing 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day
• In hot climates, afternoon shade can prevent leaf scorch
• Indoors, place basil in a very sunny window

Temperature:

• Basil grows best when days are warm (70°F-85°F)
• It’s sensitive to cold and may die if temps drop below 50°F

Feeding:

• Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks
• Or top dress with compost or worm castings monthly

Pruning:

• Frequently pinch off tops of stems to prevent flowering
• This promotes bushier, more flavorful growth
• Never prune more than 1/3 of the plant at once

With the right light, water, nutrients, and pruning, basil is very low-maintenance. Provide those simple needs for an endless supply of fresh, fragrant leaves!

Here are some tips for properly caring for bell pepper plants:

Sunlight:

• Bell peppers need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day
• Choose a sunny spot in the garden that gets sunlight most of the day

Soil:

• Plant peppers in well-draining, fertile soil rich with organic matter
• Amend soil with compost or aged manure before planting
• Aim for a slightly acidic soil pH around 6.0-6.8

Watering:

• Keep soil consistently moist, but not soaked
• Water deeply about 1-2 inches per week
• Mulch around plants to help retain moisture

Fertilizing:

• Use a balanced vegetable fertilizer according to package instructions
• Side dress with compost or fertilizer once fruits form
• Avoid over-fertilizing which can reduce fruiting

Support:

• Provide sturdy cages or stakes to support the plants as they grow
• This prevents branches from breaking under weight of peppers

Temperature:

• Peppers thrive in warm to hot temperatures, ideally 70-90°F
• If nights get below 60°F, cover plants to keep them warm

Pest Control:

• Watch for common pests like aphids, cutworms, or spider mites
• Use row covers as a physical barrier early in the season
• Treat with insecticidal soap, neem oil, or other approved products

With the right conditions of sun, water, nutrients, and protection, bell pepper plants will produce an abundant crop of crisp, flavorful peppers.

Here are some tips for properly caring for cabbage plants:

Soil

• Cabbage grows best in nutrient-rich, well-draining soil high in organic matter
• Amend soil with aged compost or manure before planting
• Maintain a slightly acidic soil pH of 6.0-6.5

Sunlight

• Cabbage needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day
• Plant in a sunny area of the garden with good air circulation

Water

• Keep soil evenly moist, providing about 1-2 inches of water per week
• Inconsistent watering can cause cabbage heads to split
• Use mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds

Fertilizing

• Work in a balanced vegetable fertilizer at planting time
• Side dress with compost tea or fertilizer once heads start forming

Temperature

• Cabbages grow best in cooler temperatures between 60-70°F
• Extreme heat or cold can cause poor head development
• Use row covers to protect from frost and pests

Pest Management

• Look for common pests like cabbage worms, aphids, and root maggots
• Use row covers as a barrier, remove pests by hand, treat with Bt or neem
• Rotate crop location each year to disrupt pest/disease cycles

With fertile soil, consistent moisture, and protection from heat/pests, cabbages will develop into dense, flavorful heads. Harvest when heads feel compacted and firm.

Here are some tips for caring for French marigold plants:

Sunlight:

• French marigolds thrive in full sun and need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day
• Choose a spot that gets sunlight for most of the day

Soil:

• Plant marigolds in well-draining soil that is nutrient-rich
• Amend soil with compost or aged manure before planting
• They can tolerate slightly alkaline soil up to pH 7.5

Water:

• Keep soil moist, but not saturated – marigolds don’t like wet feet
• Water deeply once or twice per week
• Apply mulch to help retain soil moisture

Fertilizer:

• Use an all-purpose balanced fertilizer once per month
• Or top dress with compost to provide nutrients
• Avoid over-fertilizing which can cause leggy growth

Deadheading:

• Regularly remove spent flower heads to promote continued blooming
• Use pruners or pinch off old blossoms down to a leaf node

Temperature:

• Marigolds thrive in warm temperatures between 70-80°F
• They can tolerate some cold, but frost will damage plants

Pest Control:

• Marigolds have natural pest deterring properties
• But watch for spider mites, aphids and nematodes
• Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap if needed

With the right sunlight, soil, and care, French marigolds will bloom beautifully all season long in the garden or containers. Deadhead for best flowering.

Here are some key tips for properly caring for tomato plants:

Sunlight:

• Tomatoes need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day, ideally morning sun.
• Choose a sunny, well-drained spot in the garden.

Water:

• Tomato plants need about 1-2 inches of water per week.
• Water deeply at the soil level, avoiding getting the leaves wet which can lead to disease.
• Use mulch to help retain soil moisture.

Support:

• Install sturdy stake, cage or trellis to support the plant as it grows taller.
• This prevents the heavy fruit from breaking branches.

Fertilizing:

• Add compost or well-rotted manure to the planting hole.
• Use a balanced vegetable fertilizer every 4-6 weeks.
• Avoid over-fertilizing which promotes leaf growth over fruit.

Pruning:

• Remove any suckers (side shoots) that develop in the crotches of the main branches.
• Thin out densely packed branches to improve air circulation.

Pest & Disease Control:

• Inspect plants regularly for pests or disease issues.
• Remove any affected leaves or spray with an approved organic treatment if needed.

With the right mix of nutrients, water, sunlight, and support, tomatoes will reward you with an abundant harvest of delicious, fresh fruit! Consistent monitoring is key.

Here are some tips for properly caring for pecan trees:

Sunlight:

• Pecan trees need full sun exposure, at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Select a planting site away from buildings or other trees that could shade it.

Water:

• Newly planted pecan trees need deep watering 2-3 times per week.
• Established trees require 1-2 inches of water weekly during the growing season.
• Consistent soil moisture is important, especially when nuts are forming.

Soil:

• Pecans prefer well-draining, fertile soil that is slightly acidic (pH 6.0-7.0).
• Amend soil with compost or other organic matter before planting.
• Avoid compacted or poorly-draining soils.

Fertilizing:

• Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring before bud break.
• Side dress with nitrogen fertilizer after tree has leafed out.
• Zinc may need supplementing in some soils.

Pruning:

• Prune annually in late winter to open up the canopy.
• Remove any dead, damaged or inward-facing branches.
• Thin out shoot clusters to improve air flow.

Pest/Disease Control:

• Monitor for potential issues like pecan scab, aphids, or webworms.
• Use preventative spray treatments based on local extension guidance.
• Practice good garden sanitation.

With the right soil, sunlight, nutrients, and care, pecan trees can be very productive for decades. Proper watering is especially key for developing quality nuts.

Here are some tips for caring for English ivy plants:

Light:

• English ivy can tolerate a range of light conditions from full sun to full shade, but does best with partial shade or dappled sunlight.
• Too much direct sun can scorch the leaves.

Water:

• Water ivy plants thoroughly, but allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
• Ivy prefers evenly moist, well-draining soil conditions.
• Established ivy is drought tolerant once rooted in.

Soil:

• English ivy grows well in most soil types, as long as it is well-draining.
• Amend heavy soils with compost or pine bark to improve drainage.
• It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH.

Pruning:

• Prune ivy regularly to keep it from becoming overgrown and unruly.
• Cut back excessive vines and remove damaged or discolored stems.
• Prune in spring before new growth emerges.

Support:

• Provide a trellis, stake or other support for ivy to climb on.
• Or allow it to trail as a ground cover in garden beds.
• Ivy will root wherever its stems touch the ground.

Temperature:

• English ivy is cold-hardy down to around 0°F.
• It goes semi-dormant during winter months.
• Extreme heat can stress the plant.

With proper soil, light conditions, and periodic pruning, English ivy is a vigorous, low-maintenance plant that makes an excellent groundcover or climbing vine.

Here are some tips for caring for pothos ivy (Epipremnum aureum):

Light:

• Pothos do best in bright, indirect light but can tolerate low light conditions. Avoid direct sunlight which can scorch the leaves.
• East or north-facing windows are ideal for indoor pothos vines.

Water:

• Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Then water thoroughly.
• Pothos are drought-tolerant, but prolonged dryness causes leaves to wilt.
• Yellow leaves can indicate overwatering.

Soil:

• Use a well-draining potting mix. Add perlite or orchid bark to improve drainage if needed.
• Pothos can become root-bound but do fine when slightly pot-bound.

Temperature:

• Pothos prefer average warm temperatures between 65-85°F.
• They can tolerate periods of cooler temps but not freezing.

Humidity:

• Higher humidity is better, but pothos adapt to typical home humidity levels.
• Mist the leaves or use a pebble tray to increase humidity around the plant.

Fertilizer:

• Feed every 2-3 months during spring/summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength.
• Reduce or stop fertilizing in winter.

Pruning:

• Prune off dead or damaged vines as needed. This encourages bushier growth.
• Pinch off growing tips to promote branching and bushiness.

With their trailing vines and tolerance for neglect, pothos make excellent easy-care houseplants. Provide bright, indirect light and avoid overwatering for best results.

Here are some tips for caring for Monstera adansonii (Swiss cheese vine):

Light:

• Monstera adansonii prefers bright, indirect light. Too much direct sun can scorch the leaves.
• An east or west-facing window is ideal for indoor plants.

Water:

• Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Then water thoroughly.
• Soil should never remain soggy. Inconsistent watering can cause leaf edges to brown.
• Mist the leaves occasionally or use a pebble tray to increase humidity.

Soil:

• Use a well-draining potting mix made for aroids or epiphytes.
• A chunky mix of bark, perlite, and peat or coir works well.
• Repot every 2-3 years in the spring.

Temperature:

• Warm temperatures between 65-85°F are best for this tropical vine.
• Avoid cold drafts and temperatures below 60°F.

Fertilizer:

• Feed every 2-4 weeks during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength.
• No fertilizer is needed in winter when growth slows down.

Support:

• Provide a moss pole, trellis or stakes to allow the vining stems to climb.
• Vines can also be allowed to trail in hanging baskets.

Pruning:

• Prune off dead or damaged foliage with sterile pruners as needed.
• Cut back leggy vines to encourage fuller growth.

With the right potting mix, bright indirect light, warmth and consistent moisture, Monstera adansonii will reward you with lush, climbing vines covered in its iconic leaf fenestrations.