“Hardening off” may sound like some sort of difficult preparation for a college exam. Take heart. It isn’t. It isn’t even hard! Hardening off refers to the process of acclimating plants from indoor temperatures to the outdoors. Because plants usually are grown in greenhouses (or, as seedlings in our kitchen window!), they’ve been pampered. They need to be introduced slowly to the elements of wind... Read More
Houseplants bring a wonderful, lovely dose of nature indoors where you need it most, further helping us by purifying the air in our homes. At some point, you might notice some unwelcome visitors making your houseplants their home. Fungus gnats, also known as soil gnats, are small dark insects that look like fruit flies and live in the soil of houseplants. You might notice them... Read More
Creek Side Gardens proudly features Botanical Interests Seeds, a Colorado company. Every seed packet is designed to help gardeners succeed. Featuring gorgeous botanical artists’ renderings of each variety, each packet is like a mini-encyclopedia, full of information inside and out, to inspire and assist every type of gardener. Whether you are planting flowers, herbs or vegetables, following the information on the seed packet is your... Read More
Container gardening is very popular, especially for gardeners with no yards or limited growing area in the ground. All types of plants may be grown in containers. Annual flowers, herbs and vegetables work very well because their growing will be over at the end of the summer season. Your containers can then be replanted the following season with a fresh planting. Perennials, shrubs and trees... Read More
Christmas Tree Care Creek Side’s top-selling Christmas trees, are Noble Fir, Fraser Fir, Nordman Fir and Concolor Fir. To check a tree’s freshness, pull your hand towards you along the branch. Needles should not fall off Creek Side will provide a fresh cut by sawing an inch off the bottom of the trunk before setting in water. When trees are harvested, pitch oozes out and... Read More
This is a history of holiday plants and why they were used originally. We often forget the tradition of certain holiday plants; they have origins, and it is worth exploring why we kiss under mistletoe or why poinsettias are so common around Christmastime. Poinsettias Also known as the Christmas star or Christmas flower, the Poinsettia was first brought to the United States by the first... Read More
To grow amaryllis successfully indoors, follow these steps. It is worth it to have a showy display of gorgeous blooms greeting you on an otherwise dreary day. Choosing Your Bulbs There are many different varieties of amaryllis in different colors, fragrances, and flower types. One bulb will grow two stems, which in turn will produce four flowers each. If you want really big flowers, choose... Read More
With all the leaf raking going on, now may be a good time to consider building a compost pile. Use all those dry leaves and turn them into black gold for your garden beds. This process requires the right ingredients, blended together in the proper balance for this natural process to take place. It will require some of your time and attention to make sure... Read More
The crisp fall air excites everyone to go out to a pumpkin patch and pick the best one for you and your family. We bring them home, set them up for display or carving and within days they are being chewed on by squirrels or other pests or a nicely carved face now looks like a melting zombie. Here are some tips for preserving and... Read More
Oktoberfest is a two-week festival originated in Munich, Germany that celebrates beer, food, and culture. It’s held annually and ends on the first Sunday of October. The Beer Oktoberfest is known for its beer, which is typically served in one-liter mugs called “Mass”. In Germany, the festival features beer from six local breweries that adhere to Germany’s beer purity law, which limits ingredients to water, malt, hops,... Read More
