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
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
“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
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
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
Looking for the latest method to display a houseplant? The Japanese form of ‘kokedama’ might be the answer. Picture a plant without a traditional container, surrounded by a mud ball, wrapped in moss and string, and then suspended from your ceiling. This is certainly an adventurous, creative, and wonderfully messy undertaking. If you are ready listed here are the steps-let’s kokedama! MATERIALS – Clay-based akadama (bonsai soil-... Read More
If you are feeling a bit melancholy because all your beautiful outdoor plants have passed on or gone dormant, you can move your green thumb indoors! This is the time of the season for Poinsettias, Paper Whites (Narcissus), Amaryllis and Christmas Cactus. Creek Side Gardens is stocking up on these traditional holiday favorites. The bulbs can be purchased as ‘bare root’ bulbs or as pre-potted plants.... Read More
Our community has enjoyed a beautiful, long garden season this year! Gardeners and all of us in the nursery business have been watching the days closely awaiting the First Average Frost and yes, it has arrived as predicted – in the small hours of October 28th. There are a number of gardening tasks which can still be completed before the ground freezes. Remember, the days... Read More
Dogs and cats alike will nibble and ingest green grass blades during the spring and summer months when availability and growth is plentiful. This behavior has been linked to boredom, curiosity, even nutritional necessity. Whatever the reason your pet decides to dine on greens, it becomes an important issue as the weather changes, the availability of grass is non-existent, pets spend more time indoors, and your houseplants start looking... Read More
Defined, mulch is a layer of organic or inorganic material spread on the surface of the soil to reduce moisture loss. Organic mulches are generally a better choicer because they offer the added benefits of improving soil structure and fertility. Organic mulches include compost (commercial or homemade), shredded bark, dried grass clippings (free of herbicides), aged sawdust, clean wheat straw, pine needles and other coarsely ground or shredded... Read More
