Creek Side Gardens

All American Egg Nog

Eggnog, or egg nog is a chilled, sweetened dairy-based beverage traditionally made with milk and/or cream, sugar, whipped eggs (which gives it a frothy texture) and spirits such as brandy, rum or bourbon. The finished serving is often garnished with a sprinkling of ground cinnamon or nutmeg. Eggnog is often provided to guests in a large punch bowl, from which cups of eggnog are ladled. Eggnog is traditionally consumed throughout Canada and the United States from American... Read More

Winter Watering in Colorado

Dry air, low precipitation, little soil moisture, and fluctuating temperatures are characteristics of fall and winter in many areas of Colorado. Often there is little or no snow cover to provide soil moisture from October through March. Trees, shrubs, perennials and lawns under these conditions may be damaged if they do not receive supplemental water. The result of long, dry periods during fall and winter is... Read More

Holiday Potpourri

The wonderful aromas of Christmas are in the air and to keep the holiday smells fresh is to add a little bit of humidity to our dry, indoor environment during the Colorado winter. The following DIY recipe will do both! Make an extra batch (uncooked) to share or freeze the recipe ingredients and pull out at a moment’s notice. Ingredients • 3 cinnamon sticks (3″-6″ long) • 2... Read More

Beware the Pogonip in December!

The word pogonip refers to an uncommon occurrence-frozen fog. The word was coined by Native Americans to describe the frozen fogs of fine ice needles that occur in the mountain valleys of the western United States and Canada. According to their tradition, breathing the fog is injurious to the lungs. What is also injurious – to lawns, trees, and shrubs, is the lack of snow cover and moisture, especially... Read More

Holiday Plant Care Tips

“Bring in the trailing forest-moss, Bring cedar, fir, and pine, And green festoon, and wreath, and cross, Around the windows twine! Against the whiteness of the wall Be living verdure seen, Sweet summer memories to recall, And keep your Christmas green.” Lucy Larcom     Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulchermia) Select plants with uniformly green foliage and no lower leaves missing. Moderately moist soil; water thoroughly whenever... Read More

Hibernation – “A Long Winter’s Nap”

After consuming all the wonderful dishes which adorn most Thanksgiving tables and with stomachs full “hibernate” is a very welcome thought. To hibernate is to be inactive or in a dormant state or period. Although this sounds delightful after a large holiday meal, it is a survival mechanism for a number of species. When food is scarce or temperatures severe, a light sleep (torpor) or a deep sleep (true... Read More

Greenhouse Winter Preparation

As the cold temperatures and snow come rolling in this time of year, the Green Team has been busy preparing the greenhouses for winter.  Most of the Creek Side greenhouses are empty this time of the year.  The heaters are turned off and the irrigation lines have been drained to prevent freezing.  It is amazing how much they will warm up during the winter months... Read More

Poinsettia Selection and Care

Selection Poinsettias do well in the home and keep their color sometimes until mid-March. The showy red, pink, white, yellow, bicolored or speckled modified “leaves” are called bracts. With proper light and temperature, they accumulate the anthocyanin pigments that give them their color. The flowers (cyathia) of the poinsettia are in the center of the bracts. Male and female parts are present, along with a... Read More

An Unlikely Vegetable – Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts, or Brassica oleracea gemmifera, are related to other better-known vegetables in the Brassica genus like broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. They are part of the cruciferae or mustard family, so known because of a four-part flower in the shape of a cross. HISTORY: Sprouts were believed to have been cultivated in Italy in Roman times, and possibly as early as the 1200s in Belgium. The modern Brussels... Read More

Indoor Plant Safety

The weather has changed, the holiday season is in full swing! Adults, children and pets will be spending more time indoors and distractions abound. It is a good time to assess the location of all houseplants and holiday plant additions. It is important to know the botanical name of all plants in your home in case any part is accidentally ingested by a child or pet. Common... Read More