Healthy Seacoast gardens begin with healthy soil. Learn how thoughtful compost planning throughout the year can improve drainage, boost plant vigor, and support stronger shrubs and ornamental trees in Zone 6b. With the right timing and local know how, your compost can become the foundation for a more resilient and beautiful landscape in Portsmouth, Rye, Exeter, and beyond.

Confused by the numbers on your fertilizer bag? On the New Hampshire Seacoast, understanding what 4-10-3 or 10-10-10 means can make all the difference in how your garden grows. Learn how nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium work together to build healthy roots, lush foliage, and resilient plants in our coastal Zone 6b climate — and how to choose the right mix for your soil and season.

Even in the quiet of winter, your garden can be a lifeline for birds and pollinators. By leaving seed heads, providing shelter, and maintaining healthy shrubs and ornamental trees, Seacoast landscapes can support wildlife through the coldest months in Zone 6b. Thoughtful winter care creates a garden that is not only beautiful, but alive all year long.

Forsythia is one of the brightest signs of spring on the Seacoast, but without proper care it can quickly turn into a tangled thicket. The key to keeping it healthy and full of blooms is timing—prune right after flowering, never in fall or early spring. Remove a third of the oldest stems each year, avoid shearing, and give it full sun, mulch, and nutrients for best growth. With the right approach, forsythia will stay graceful, balanced, and bursting with yellow flowers every spring.

Now is the perfect time to plan and order your summer flower bulbs for a vibrant Seacoast garden. With the right varieties, proper soil preparation, and careful timing in Zone 6b, dahlias, lilies, and other summer bloomers can bring lasting color to gardens in Portsmouth, Rye, Exeter, and North Hampton. Thoughtful planning today sets the stage for a stunning, healthy landscape all season long.

Starting a cutting garden from seed is one of the most rewarding ways to enjoy fresh flowers all summer long. With proper soil preparation, smart plant selection, and careful timing in Zone 6b, you can grow strong, long lasting blooms in Portsmouth, Rye, Exeter, and North Hampton. A thoughtfully planned cutting garden adds beauty to your landscape and fills your home with flowers straight from your own backyard.