Plant & Gardening Trends

Colorado Smart Gardening

Colorado is a semi-arid state,  averaging 10”-16” of precipitation per year!  Waterwise landscaping, also known as xeriscaping, is planning and designing your landscape for low water usage, rethinking the use of turf grass and it’s huge water requirements, improving porosity of soil for more efficient water applications, selecting plant material by paying attention to their water requirements, reducing water waste with correct irrigation installations, applying... Read More

Challenges for New to Colorado Gardeners

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

Cool Weather Gardening – Veggies & Flowers

Growing Potatoes at Home Growing Tips: Seed potatoes aren’t really seeds at all. They are full-size potatoes that are allowed to start producing shoots in the potato eyes. You’ve probably seen this happen when you’ve stored potatoes in the kitchen for too long. Seed potatoes can be planted whole or cut into pieces, with each piece containing an eye or two (or three). Because potatoes... Read More

Starting Seeds Indoors

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

Early Spring Garden Clean Up

March is an excellent time to get started on garden cleanup projects.  With a little warmer weather, we are anxious to get in the garden and breath in the fresh spring air.  But it is too early for planting.  So, plan on cleanup projects this month and get them out of the way.  Then when the weather really warms up in April, Creek Side Grown... Read More

Houseplant Care

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. Window sills flooded... Read More

Indoor and Outdoor Seed Sowing

Garden seeds offer gardeners of all interests and abilities a simple and cost-effective method of growing new plants. Whether it is the latest and greatest new garden flower variety or a tried-and-true vegetable variety, seeds are an excellent option for starting new plants for your garden. Outdoor Garden Seed Sowing Outdoor garden seeds may be planted directly into the garden soil at the appropriate time... Read More

January in the Garden

Ssshhh, garden is sleeping… what else can you do in January? January is a nice rest period for the garden, and for we gardeners as well. Your garden is settled in for the winter, but your green thumb may be itching to do something outside in the yard or garden on a beautiful January day in Colorado.  Step out into the crisp wintry air and... Read More

Perennial Garden Planning

Site Selection – choose your garden location before designing it. Site selection is the first step in planning a successful perennial garden. Evaluate the location for sun and shade, wind, soil type and irrigation options.  Also consider ease of access, proximity to outdoor living areas, and visibility. Locate the perennial garden so that if possible, it can be accessed from two sides. This makes it... Read More

Vegetable Garden Planning

Vegetables can be demanding plants. Whereas ‘weeds’ can scratch a living anywhere, vegetables require attention. Most need fertile soil, protection from wind, regular watering, and some help to defend themselves against pests. You cannot simply dig a hole in the ground, plant your veg, and expect it to thrive.  A little planning before planting your vegetable garden will go a long way in helping to... Read More