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🌿 Summer Sale Alert: 20% Off Everything in the Shop Until Monday! 🌞

Hey garden lovers!

We’re celebrating summer in full bloom here at Printhousedesign with a FLASH SUMMER SALE you don’t want to miss! Now through Monday, July 21st, take 20% off EVERY item in the shop—yes, everything!

Whether you’re just getting your garden growing or adding those final touches, we’ve got something for you:

🌼 Gardening Essentials – From practical tools to charming accessories, stock up for your summer gardening projects.
🌱 Seeds – Start planning for your next harvest with our beautiful flower and kitchen herb seed collections.
🌿 Live Plants – Find unique air plants and leafy friends ready to liven up your indoor or outdoor space.
🪴 One-of-a-Kind Planters – Our bestselling 3D printed planters are perfect conversation starters and make great gifts!

This is the perfect time to refresh your garden space, grab gifts for fellow plant lovers, or treat yourself to that planter you’ve been eyeing.

👉 Visit us at Printhousedesign1 on Etsy to shop the sale!

Hurry—sale ends Monday, July 21st at midnight. Happy planting and happy saving!

Stay rooted,

Angela- owner Printhousedesign1

5 Perennials to Prune in Summer for a Better Garden Next Year

When summer is in full swing, many gardeners are focused on watering, weeding, and soaking in the color. But this season is also a key time for one often-overlooked task: pruning your perennials. Giving a few of your plants a careful trim now can lead to more blooms, stronger growth, and a tidier garden next year. Here are five perennials that benefit from summer pruning—and a few tips on how to do it right!

1. Salvia (Sage)

Salvia is a garden favorite for its long blooming season and pollinator appeal. After the first flush of flowers in early summer, the blooms can start to fade and look a bit tired. By cutting the plant back by about one-third, you’ll encourage fresh growth and often trigger a second bloom. Deadheading spent flower stalks regularly also keeps the plant looking tidy and productive.

2. Geranium (Cranesbill)

Hardy geraniums can get leggy and flop over by mid-summer. Don’t be afraid to give them a bold haircut! Shearing the entire plant back to about 2–3 inches above the ground helps rejuvenate the foliage and encourages a fuller shape with possible late-summer flowering. Add a bit of compost or liquid feed afterward to support regrowth.

3. Catmint (Nepeta)

Nepeta is a hardy and fragrant bloomer that bees adore. Once the first round of flowers starts to fade, cut the stems back by half to encourage bushier growth and another flush of blooms. This also helps keep the plant compact and prevents it from sprawling too much over neighboring plants.

4. Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis)

While Lady’s Mantle offers beautiful chartreuse blooms in early summer, those spent flowers can turn brown and create a mess. Once the flowering fades, prune back both blooms and any tattered foliage. This encourages fresh new leaves that can stay attractive for the rest of the season.

5. Yarrow (Achillea)

Yarrow’s flat-topped blooms add structure and color to the summer garden, but once they fade, they can make the plant look tired. Deadheading or cutting back spent blooms not only encourages a second wave of flowering but also helps maintain the plant’s shape and strength for the following year.

Pro Tip: After pruning, give your plants a good drink and consider a light dose of fertilizer to help them bounce back. Also, don’t prune too late in the season—by mid to late August, it’s best to let plants begin preparing for dormancy.

With a bit of summer pruning, your perennials will thank you with a longer bloom time and a healthier, more vibrant return next spring. So grab those shears, step into the sunshine, and give your garden a mid-season refresh! 🌿✂️🌼

How to Change the Color of Your Hydrangeas Naturally

Hydrangeas are beloved for their large, beautiful blooms—and even more exciting, some varieties can actually change color depending on the pH level of your soil! If you’ve ever wondered why your neighbor’s hydrangeas are a deep blue while yours are bright pink, the answer lies in the chemistry of the soil.

Why Do Hydrangeas Change Color?

Not all hydrangeas change color, but Hydrangea macrophylla—commonly known as bigleaf hydrangea—can produce different colored flowers depending on soil pH. The pH level affects how aluminum in the soil is absorbed by the plant. Acidic soil (pH below 6) allows the plant to absorb more aluminum, resulting in blue blooms. Alkaline soil (pH above 7) blocks aluminum absorption, giving you pink flowers.

How to Turn Hydrangeas Blue

If you’re dreaming of blue hydrangeas, you’ll need to make your soil more acidic. You can lower the pH by adding:

Aluminum sulfate (available at garden centers)
Organic materials like coffee grounds, pine needles, or peat moss

Apply these amendments around the base of the plant and water deeply. Be patient—it may take a few weeks or even an entire season to see noticeable changes in flower color.

How to Turn Hydrangeas Pink

To shift your blooms to pink, the goal is to raise the soil pH and reduce aluminum availability. Try adding:

Garden lime (dolomitic lime works well)
Wood ash in small amounts

Test your soil first so you don’t overshoot the target pH. Remember, changing flower color isn’t instant—it’s a gradual process that requires consistent soil conditions.

What About White Hydrangeas?

White hydrangea varieties (like Hydrangea arborescens) usually remain white, regardless of pH. Their color is not affected by soil chemistry.

Final Tips

To control bloom color effectively, use a soil pH test kit regularly. Make adjustments slowly and gently over time to avoid shocking your plants. With a little effort, you can create the hydrangea hue of your choice—and even experiment with having multiple colors in one garden bed!

Sunshine Blooms: How to Grow Sunflowers This Summer

There’s nothing that says summer quite like the cheerful face of a sunflower turning toward the sun. These vibrant blooms are not only easy to grow, but they also attract pollinators, make beautiful cut flowers, and produce delicious seeds. Whether you’re gardening with kids or looking to brighten up your backyard, sunflowers are a rewarding plant to grow from seed.

🌱 How to Plant Sunflower Seeds

Sunflowers are best grown directly in the ground from seed. They don’t like being transplanted, so wait until all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to at least 60°F.

Here’s how to get started:

Pick a sunny spot: Sunflowers need 6 to 8 hours of full sun a day—more is better.
Prepare the soil: Loosen the soil about 2 feet deep and mix in compost or aged manure. Sunflowers have deep roots and appreciate well-draining, nutrient-rich soil.
Plant the seeds:
- Sow seeds about 1 inch deep.
- Space them 6 inches apart for smaller varieties and up to 24 inches for larger types.
- Water well after planting.

🌿 Caring for Your Growing Sunflowers

Once your sunflowers sprout, they’re fairly low-maintenance. Here’s how to help them thrive:

Germination Time: Sunflower seeds usually germinate in 7–10 days.
Watering: Water deeply once a week. More frequent watering may be needed during very hot, dry spells.
Support: Tall varieties may need staking to keep them upright, especially if exposed to wind.
Mulch: Mulching around the base helps retain soil moisture and reduce weed growth.
Feeding: Add a slow-release, balanced fertilizer when the plants are about 1 foot tall, especially if your soil is lacking in nutrients.

🌻 Bloom Time and Harvesting

When will they bloom?
Most sunflowers bloom in about 70 to 100 days from planting, depending on the variety. You’ll see a big yellow face open up and turn toward the sun—it’s a summer showstopper!

Harvesting Seeds:

Wait until the back of the flower head turns brown and dry, and the seeds start to loosen.
Cut the head off with about 12 inches of stem and hang it upside down in a dry, well-ventilated place.
Once completely dry, rub your hand over the seeds to remove them.
Store seeds in a cool, dry place in an envelope or jar for planting next season—or roast them for a snack!

🌼 Bonus Tips

Plant new sunflower seeds every two weeks for a continuous bloom throughout summer.
Try growing dwarf sunflowers in containers if you’re short on space.
Sunflowers attract bees, butterflies, and birds—making them a great companion to your veggie or flower garden.

This summer, let your garden shine bright with sunflowers. They’re easy, fun, and a joy to watch grow from tiny seeds into towering giants or sweet blooms. Happy planting! 🌻

“Spice It Up: A Complete Guide to Growing Jalapeño Peppers”

Grow Your Own Jalapeño Peppers: From Seed to Harvest (or Garden Shop to Table) 🌶️🌱

If you love a little spice in your life, growing your own jalapeño peppers is a fun and rewarding garden project. These fiery little peppers are perfect for salsas, nachos, pickling, or just adding a zing to your favorite dishes. Whether you’re starting from seed or picking up a plant at your local garden center, here’s how to grow and care for jalapeños every step of the way.

🌱 Starting Jalapeños from Seed

Growing jalapeño peppers from seed gives you the joy of watching the full life cycle of the plant and allows for more variety selection.

When to Start Seeds:

Start your jalapeño seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before your last expected frost date.

How to Plant:

Seed Depth: Plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting mix.
Containers: Use seed trays or small pots with good drainage.
Warmth is Key: Jalapeño seeds need warmth to germinate — ideally between 75–85°F. Use a heat mat if needed.
Light: Once sprouted (in 7–14 days), place under grow lights or in a bright, sunny window (14–16 hours a day).

Transplanting Outdoors:

Once your seedlings are 4–6 inches tall, have at least two sets of true leaves, and nighttime temps stay above 55°F, it’s time to harden them off and plant them outside.

🌞 Caring for Jalapeño Pepper Plants

Whether from seed or store-bought, jalapeños need similar care once they’re in the ground or in a container.

Ideal Growing Conditions:

Sunlight: Full sun (at least 6–8 hours daily).
Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.
Spacing: Space plants 12–18 inches apart to allow air flow and root development.
Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water at the base of the plant to avoid fungal issues.
Feeding: Use a balanced vegetable fertilizer every 3–4 weeks or add compost at planting time for a natural boost.

Tips for Success:

Add mulch around the base to keep moisture in and weeds out.
Stake plants if they become top-heavy with peppers.
Pinch off early flowers if the plant is small to encourage stronger root growth.

🧺 Harvesting Jalapeños

Jalapeños are ready to harvest when they’re 3–4 inches long, firm, and a glossy green. You can also leave them to ripen to red for a sweeter, spicier flavor.
Use scissors or garden snips to cut peppers off the plant to avoid breaking branches.
Regular harvesting encourages more pepper production!

🌿 If You’re Buying a Jalapeño Plant from the Garden Shop

Prefer to skip seed-starting? No problem! Buying a healthy jalapeño seedling from your local nursery is a great way to get a head start.

What to Look For:

Choose a plant that is short, bushy, and deep green — avoid tall, leggy, or yellowing plants.
Check the leaves for pests or signs of disease.

How to Plant:

Transplant outdoors once the risk of frost has passed and the soil is warm.
Gently remove the plant from its container, loosen the roots, and plant it at the same depth as it was in the pot.
Water thoroughly after planting and keep it well-watered for the first few weeks.

From there, follow the same care tips as above. Store-bought jalapeño plants often mature a bit sooner, so you’ll enjoy a spicy harvest even faster!

🌶️ Final Thoughts

Growing jalapeños is simple and satisfying. With sunshine, warm soil, and consistent watering, you’ll be rewarded with a bounty of peppers all summer long. Whether you start from seed or grab a plant at the shop, homegrown jalapeños will always taste better — and spicier — when you’ve grown them yourself!