Shea Simmons
If someone tells you they have a gardening secret, you might think it’s just a special fertilizer mix or something. That’s why this vegetable garden hint from Martha Stewart’s personal plant caretaker is a bit unexpected.
Ryan McCallister became a bit of an internet celebrity in 2020 after it was revealed he was quarantining with Stewart and continuing to care for her garden. Clearly, he’s knowledgeable if he’s good enough to move in with Stewart. But, don’t take our word for it—you can check out his work for yourself.
To up his gardening game, McCallister doesn’t turn to fancy fertilizer or expert-level gardening books, as you’d probably imagine. Instead, his secret is a plain old seed catalog. McCallister prefers the catalogs to gardening books because they’re packed with more information, and they’re far more specific.
“[Some] have full sections on essentially what to do and how to do it,” McCallister told Apartment Therapy. “And I trust them more because it’s particular to the actual seed that you’re buying.”
If you’ve never used a seed catalog before, there are tons of free options, and, for most, you don’t even have to wait to have them delivered. Many have moved online, so you can access them from the comfort of your couch.
Whether you’re just getting into gardening, or you’re a seasoned pro, it appears that a seed catalog is a valuable resource. If you need a little extra help, you can also check out a companion planting chart.
[Via Apartment Therapy]
