Old-fashioned annual flowers like nasturtiums and zinnias have made a huge comeback in gardens and containers. Because of an increased interest in supporting pollinators and butterflies, the popularity of cut flowers, and because they’re beautiful and easy to grow, this group of annual flowers are gaining in popularity. Not to mention, growing flowers from seed is a great budget choice as well! Quick Growing from... Read More
April and May are terrific months for planting perennials! The cool nights and bright days offer the newly transplanted plants a little time to relax, get situated in their new locale and begin growing roots. Incorporate organic matter like Creek Side’s Natures Yield compost to the soil at planting time to help create a superior rooting environment. Keep watered thoroughly for the first few weeks... Read More
A little planning before planting your vegetable garden will go a long way in helping to create a productive and manageable garden space. Focus your resources on planting only enough of what you would like to eat and enjoy. Vegetables may be grown in containers as well a traditional ground bed. Follow these tips to success Don’t make it too hard or be ready for... Read More
When we think of eating healthy, it may be the thought of eating organic produce or fresh home-grown organically grown vegetables. Because we would like to know where our food comes from and that it has not been sprayed with chemicals. Plants that have not been sprayed with chemicals is an important component of organic growing. But another component of the organic equation is how... Read More
Perennial Definition: A perennial plant will recur each year in the garden. Alternately, an annual plant is one and done for the season. A perennial’s foliage dies back to the ground each winter while the roots survive. The foliage remerges in the spring. A perennial typically takes 3 years to fully establish (sleep, creep, leap). Perennial Planting Considerations: Right Plant, Right Place Light: Sun... Read More
A well-designed perennial garden can provide many years of beauty and enjoyment. Careful selection of plant materials and thoughtful planning can result in a full season of color. A thoughtful design can help you achieve your garden goals including water efficiency, pollinator attraction, family functionality and beauty. Journaling Chances are you’ve thought about a new perennial garden before you’ve reached the actual design task. Utilize... Read More
Gardening in Colorado can be challenging. Hot and Dry Due to the high elevation, sunlight is frequently of high intensity and the humidity generally is low. This will require more frequent water applications to your lawn, landscape and flower pots throughout the year. Poor Soils Most population centers are on heavy clay soil. These soils have poor aeration that limits root growth. The best solution... Read More
March is a great time to get out into your garden and lawn areas and assess what can be done now for the upcoming season. Garden Beds Remove leaves and debris from the garden and raised beds. Apply a pre-emergent such as Preen for weed control. If you didn’t cut back plants in the fall, now is the time to remove dead flowers and leaves.... Read More
Starting seeds indoors offers an opportunity to exercise your green thumb before the warm spring weather rolls around. If you have particular vegetable or flower varieties you love, but do not find them at the nursery, consider looking for seed and starting them yourself. Now is the time of the year to plan that out. Starting seeds indoors now also extends your gardening season, allowing... Read More
The “secret” to success with taking care of house plants is to create the same ideal conditions as they would enjoy in their native habitat. Indoor Plant Lighting Wondering what plant to put where? Here’s an indoor plant lighting guide to four categories of light exposure for house plants. Sunny (direct sun) location? Within 2 feet of a south- or southwest-facing window. Windowsills flooded with... Read More
