INFLUENCER: Meet Providence Master Gardener and Arborist Joe Afonso

With a little help from daughter Laura of Buns & Bites, this gardener with a growing TikTok following shares how to get a green thumb

Photo courtesy of Joe Afonso

Posted Friday, April 1, 2022 9:57 am

Tips from Joe the Gardener

LEARN: Plant the right plant in the right place. Before buying any greenery, read the planting conditions usually found on the pot to see if your garden has a place for its requirements.

DESIGN: Plant flowers in groups of odd numbers and repeat; this catches and holds your sight along the entire bed. Set tall plants at the back of the bed, and medium to shorter ones toward the front, for interest. Add flowering shrubs and grasses to create height and add texture.

PREP: Add one to two inches of compost to the garden each spring to increase the fertility of the soil. Apply an organic fertilizer in the spring to give plants and lawn a boost. Add mulch before the hot weather arrives to retain moisture in the soil and keep the plant’s roots cool. When buying potted plants, tease out the roots before planting to ensure the roots don’t continue to grow in a circular fashion, causing girdling and choking the plant.

CARE: Water the garden and lawn with at least an inch of water each week, more often if the weather is hot and dry. Walk through the garden often to observe problems before they become a nuisance.

Follow along on Instagram and TikTok at @joethegardenerpvd

By Sascha Roberts

What made you want to start gardening?

My interest in gardening began as a way to improve the look of the small yard at my new house in Providence in 1986. The yard had no flowers or plants of interest. I had no gardening experience, but from reading gardening magazines and books, knew that plants can transform any space into something beautiful. I must have bought a hundred plants the first year; some survived a season or two, but most did not. But with each new season, my knowledge and hands-on experience grew, leading to my love of gardening.

If you had to choose your favorite plant, what would it be?

I love the cardinal flower, lobelia cardinalis. This two- to three-foot-high plant has brilliant sharp red flowers that are hummingbird and butterfly magnets. Plant several in a grouping and sit back and enjoy the show. Cardinal flowers like moist soil, so don’t let the soil dry out.

What are your favorite garden centers around the state for buying plants?

Central Nurseries in Johnston, The Farmer’s Daughter in South Kingstown, and Smith’s Nursery in Smithfield. All have great plant selections and helpful staff.