Gardening in East Tennessee is rewarding, but it comes with challenges—clay-heavy soil, unpredictable weather, and long growing seasons. To keep your plants healthy and thriving, you need the right fertilizer. That’s where Espoma shines.
At Willow Ridge Garden Center & Landscaping, we love Espoma’s organic fertilizers for their natural, sustainable approach to plant nutrition. Whether you’re growing vegetables, flowers, shrubs, or trees, Espoma delivers the nutrients your plants need—without harsh chemicals or synthetic additives.
Why Choose Espoma Fertilizers?
Espoma has been a leader in organic gardening for over 90 years, offering high-quality, slow-release fertilizers that feed your plants and improve your soil. Here’s why they’re a great fit for East Tennessee gardens:
- 100% Organic & Eco-Friendly – Made from natural ingredients, Espoma fertilizers are safe for pets, people, and the environment.
- Boosts Soil Health – Infused with Bio-tone microbes, they enhance soil structure and nutrient absorption for long-term plant success.
- Slow, Steady Feeding – Unlike synthetic fertilizers that wash away with heavy rains, Espoma products release nutrients gradually, promoting steady growth.
- Tailored for Specific Plants – Whether you need to feed vegetables, acid-loving shrubs, or newly planted trees, Espoma has the right formula for the job.
The Best Espoma Fertilizers for Tennessee Gardens
- Plant-tone: All-Purpose Powerhouse
Perfect for flower beds, trees, shrubs, and vegetables, Plant-tone provides balanced nutrition for strong roots and vibrant growth. Apply it in early spring and mid-season to keep your plants thriving.
Best for: Perennials, annuals, shrubs, and general garden use.
- Holly-tone: For Acid-Loving Plants
East Tennessee’s acidic soil is ideal for plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, and blueberries. Holly-tone enhances their health, ensuring deep green foliage and abundant blooms.
Best for: Azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, hollies, hydrangeas, and blueberries.
- Tomato-tone: Bigger, Healthier Harvests
Want juicy, delicious tomatoes? Tomato-tone contains extra calcium, helping prevent blossom-end rot, a common issue in Tennessee gardens.
Best for: Tomatoes, peppers, and other fruiting vegetables.
- Garden-tone: A Must for Vegetables
Packed with essential nutrients and beneficial microbes, Garden-tone fuels strong, productive plants all season long.
Best for: Vegetable gardens, raised beds, and edible landscapes.
- Bio-tone Starter Plus: Strong Starts for New Plants
Planting new trees, shrubs, or flower beds? Bio-tone Starter Plus jumpstarts root development with mycorrhizae, helping plants establish quickly—even in Tennessee’s compacted clay soil.
Best for: new plantings, transplants, and garden installations.
When & How to Apply Espoma Fertilizers
- Spring & Fall: Apply Plant-tone, Holly-tone, and Garden-tone in early spring as plants start growing. A second application in late summer or early fall helps prepare plants for winter.
- During the Growing Season: Use Tomato-tone and Garden-tone every 2-4 weeks for continuous feeding.
- For New Plantings: Mix Bio-tone Starter Plus into the soil when planting to help roots establish faster.
Find the Right Espoma Products at Willow Ridge!
At Willow Ridge Garden Center, we’re here to help you grow a thriving, beautiful landscape. Whether you’re planting a flower bed, starting a vegetable garden, or landscaping your yard, Espoma’s organic fertilizers provide the natural nutrients your plants need to succeed.
Stop by our garden center in Oak Ridge, TN, to browse our full selection of Espoma products and get expert advice tailored to East Tennessee’s unique gardening conditions. Have questions? Give us a call at 865-481-3825, or visit our website for more gardening tips!
Happy gardening!