Deer Resistant Perennials and Shrubs

Creek Side is featuring a group of summer flowering perennials and shrubs that are deer resistant.  Of course we all know that there are no plants that are deer “proof”.  But our featured list would not only be a great start for consideration as additions to your garden or landscape. because they are deer resistant but also Drought Resistant! Perennials Achillea – Yarrow Agastache –... Read More

A Good Summer Start

Finally!  Beautiful summertime weather conditions in store for the next couple of weeks.  Remember the 90 degree days last June?  What a relief it has been this year to experience moderate temperatures.  And if it is relief to us, it certainly has been a relief for our flowerpots and landscape plants as well. You have probably noticed a decrease in water demands from your plants. ... Read More

Why your Clematis is not Blooming

If your clematis vine is growing but not flowering, there are several reasons (or a combination of them) that could be preventing your clematis from flowering. Improper Pruning Pruning plants is both an art and a science. We prune for the welfare of the plant and our own aesthetics. With clematis, you really need to know what you’re doing because it’s easy to accidentally remove... Read More

Deer Resistant Annuals for Sun

Having a lush, colorful garden where deer live is possible, if you choose plants with known resistance. Flowering Tobacco There are several different garden-worthy flowering tobacco species, cultivars, and hybrids such as Nicotiana. All nicotiana have tubular flowers adored by hummingbirds, and since the blooms emit their fragrance in the evenings, the primary pollinators you’ll spy feeding on them are nocturnal moths. Just keep this... Read More

Mosquito Repellent Plants

Most insect-repelling plants do so with their natural fragrances, which keep annoying mosquitoes away and introduce wonderful scents throughout your garden. Place these plants in areas where you and guests will often be such as by a seating area or a doorway. Lavender Their lovely fragrance comes from its essential oils that are found on the leaves of the plant. This plant is very tough... Read More

Organic Vegetable Gardening

When we think of eating healthy, we may think about eating organic produce or fresh home-grown organically grown vegetables. Mainly because we may prefer to know where our food comes from and that it has not been sprayed with chemicals.   But this notion of organic gardening does not fully encompass the full scope of what organic gardening really means. Organic definition: 1a) relating to or... Read More

Deer and Rabbit Garden Aversion

Mixed tactics work best Despite gardeners’ best efforts, deer will damage landscape plantings. The two questions most frequently asked are: “What can I plant that deer won’t eat?” and “How can I stop deer & rabbits from browsing on my favorite plants?” The simple answers are that there are very few truly deer-proof or rabbit-proof plants and that, if they are hungry enough, repellents, scare... Read More

Raised Bed Garden Plans

Are you planning to build and/or install a raised bed? Raised beds can go anywhere that gets six to eight hours of sunlight a day. And they can be any size you like.  This article is mainly about the standard rectangular raised beds that are generally built from untreated wood or concrete blocks, as well as what you might want to think about when preparing a raised... Read More

Colorado Garden Soil Improvement

A little understanding of our weather conditions and working in our dry, limiting soil properties will help you improve your garden soil and make smart plant choices this gardening season. Soil is a fascinating mixture of microscopic to larger forms of life (earthworms are good), plus varying amounts of air, water, decomposing living matter, aka organic matter, and different-sized soil texture particles or pores (there... Read More

The Best Herbs for Tea

These are some favorite tea herbs that are easily grown in the home garden and the reasons why to consider growing them. When planning what you will grow this year, why not include some herbal tea? Bee Balm (Monarda) Brew the leaves into an aromatic, medicinal tea that tastes like mint but milder. It is purported to combat colds and flu, and the tea is... Read More