Mulch is any material placed on top of the soil to suppress weeds, conserve soil moisture, add organic matter, and provide an attractive backdrop for plantings. Mulch can also reduce erosion, improve the soil’s structure and fertility as it breaks down, and stabilize soil temperature fluctuations. As you can see, there are so many good reasons to make mulch a part of your garden. But,... Read More
“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
One of the best things about gardening and working with nature is the change of seasons. And with each change of seasons brings new hopes, attitudes, and opportunities. Springtime Springtime is arguably the most exciting of all the season changes because it really feels like a new beginning. We can wipe last year’s experiences off the map and begin anew. A fresh start for fulling... Read More
In the rush of the holidays, after the “who for” lists are completed, don’t forget to include yourself and your family in the celebration. Consider decorating your home with fun and personal holiday accents, winter greenery and flowers. Meaningful Living Spaces Creating a meaningful living space in our home provides us a quiet place to decompress after stressful days at work; they provide us a... Read More
As your houseplants take a break for the winter it can be easy to accidentally kill them with kindness. Here’s how to avoid overwatering and even nurse overwatered plants back to life. Do the finger touch test Get into the habit of checking the soil before you reach for your watering can. Simply touch the surface of the soil with your finger. If it feels... Read More
As the heat of the summer carries on everyone seems to scatter to a local pool or vacation away from home. Remembering that the heat of summer is also tough on our pollinators who visit our gardens daily. We can keep them coming to feast as long as we provide clean feeders and a must, WATER! Hummingbird Feeder Care – The best choices to feed... Read More
Winter in Colorado may seem dull and lack luster of any color. The days are short and we long for the first signs of spring. But winter has its own charm and if you look close enough you might be surprised what you see. Grab a camera and take a stroll along the river side or greenbelt or foothills and see the beauty of winter.... Read More
View Our Holiday Wreath Making Video Here: Materials: 1 – 14” Diameter 2-Ring Metal Wreath Form 1 – 24-gauge Floral Paddle Wire (16’ length) Assorted Evergreen Branches 3 – Pre-Wired Pinecones 1 – Decorative Bow Instruction Sheet (video link available on www.plantsbycreekside.com) Tools: Pair of By-Pass Pruners or Sturdy Kitchen Shears Ruler or Measuring Tape Pair of Garden Gloves Container(s) for water to keep greens... Read More
A succulent is a fleshy-leafed plant that is tolerant of drought due to the retention of extra water in the leaves or stems. Succulent plant varieties include: Sedum Sempervivum Echeveria Aeonium Crassula Aloe Haworthia Cacti In general, the term “succulents” is used to categorize plants that have fleshy parts and a similar need for some water, bright light, and a tolerance of drought. While there... Read More
Homegrown herbs are wonderful to have on hand for culinary purposes, natural beauty recipes, and for their natural healing properties. Just because the cold season is beginning does not mean that you have to say goodbye to your herb garden. Many herbs can overwinter outdoors if cared for properly. Some hardy herbs do well outdoors in all seasons. For these plants, you can leave them... Read More
