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
Cover crops or “green manures” have gone hand in hand with agricultural practices for a long time. Cover crops naturally re-enrich soil, protect it from erosion due to rain or wind, improve its texture, and feed soil organisms, which maintain a healthy ecosystem in the soil, breaking down minerals and nutrients that feed plants. As gardeners, our success is directly tied to the soil in... Read More
As August comes to an end, here in the Creek Side Gardens gift shop we shift from summer scents, such as lavender, to the smell of Spicy Apple and Pumpkin Spice. When you visit the gift shop this time of year, these scents will hit your nose, and you will know that a new season has arrived. Come shop for a new fall candle and... Read More
Lavender is a terrific mid-season summer perennial in our Colorado climate. Loves the sun, the heat and a little opportunity to dry out in between irrigation applications. Enjoy the flowers and share with the pollinators. And/or harvest the flowers to create scented crafts. Lavandula angustifolia is a small shrub native to the Mediterranean, despite its common name of “English lavender”. Lavender likes cool winters and... Read More
Japanese Beetles & Control Japanese beetles are coming! They can be very damaging to plants, especially roses, grape vines, Virginia creeper vines. Adults feed on leaves, buds and flowers of many common garden and landscape plants. Feeding on leaves is usually restricted to the softer tissues between the larger leaf veins, which results in a characteristic feeding pattern known and described as ‘skeletonizing’. More generalized... Read More
Not as much of a problem in Colorado, due to our hot, dry conditions. But slugs are one of the most common garden pests, though unlike most other chewing critters you find in your garden, they aren’t insects. Instead, slugs are land-dwelling mollusks that are more closely related to clams than beetles or caterpillars. Facing a slug infestation is serious business, filled with slime trails,... Read More
