Pumpkins and Mums

Ask A Gardener – Fall Container Plants

Monday August 21, 2017

Fall is an absolutely wonderful time for container gardening! There’s still many warm, wonderful days ahead to enjoy beautiful flower pots, planters and containers. Here are some of our picks for fabulous fall flowers: Traditional Favorites These annuals are absolute fall garden stand-bys. They give a beautiful pop of color throughout the season. If you’re looking for that classic autumn …

Ask A Gardener – Mushrooms in the Lawn

Tuesday June 27, 2017

Mushrooms are a lot like icebergs. What you see is just a tiny part of what is going on below the surface. The mushrooms sprouting up in your lawn are just the tip of fungi that live deep under the soil and help decompose buried organic material. A lot of times they pop up where a tree used to be, …

Ask A Gardener – Repelling Deer

Wednesday June 21, 2017

Oh deer! High Country gardeners are locked in a never-ending battle against the deer, elk and other woodland critters who like to make a meal of your favorite plants. As you know, there is unfortunately on such thing as a “deer proof” plant. “Deer resistant” plants are those that are generally not eaten by wildlife. They tend to be things …

Ask A Gardener – Bindweed

Saturday June 17, 2017

Yikes! Just the word “Bindweed” will make many Front Range gardeners break out in cold sweats. Bindweed is so tough to eliminate because of its extensive root system and vine-y growing habit. Pre-emergents usually aren’t very effective and neither is hand pulling. Because of this, usually the best way to eliminate bindweed is repeated, judicious applications of systemic herbicides to …

Ask A Gardener – Weed Grass

Monday May 8, 2017

Well, we have good news and bad news. The good news is that it’s not impossible to get rid of weed grasses, even if they spread by rhizomes. The bad news is that it can be difficult, depending on a few different factors. First, a little background on grasses. Grass grows in one of three different growth habits – rhizomatous, …

Ask A Gardener – Planting Under a Pine Tree

Tuesday May 2, 2017

Planting underneath any tree, particular a big, well-established pine, can sometimes be a challenge. The big tree creates much different conditions than exist the rest of your garden. But with a little planning and the right plants, you can have a beautiful flower bed anywhere! Acidity Many people worry that the needles from the pine tree raise the acidity in …

Ask A Gardener – Hollyhock Weevils

Monday April 17, 2017

It can be difficult to make a diagnosis sight unseen, but from your description and the time of year, it sounds like those black beetles could be hollyhock weevils. These natives of Europe are now pretty common throughout the state wherever hollyhocks are grown. Life Cycle Hollyhock weevils overwinter under the soil around the flowers and emerge in the spring …

Ask A Gardener – Fruit Trees

Saturday April 8, 2017

Fruit trees of many varieties can thrive here in the Denver area – apples, peaches, pears, cherries and apricots just to name a few. These trees not only produce delicious fruit but also burst into glorious bloom early in the spring. Best of all, most fruit trees are a snap to care for! Here’s our basic crash course in fruit …

Diagnosing Common Houseplant Problems

Thursday March 2, 2017

Like all plants, houseplants are susceptible to certain stresses and problems. The good news is that since your houseplants grow in a much more controlled area, it’s easier to tweak their environmental conditions until they are just right. The following chart can help you zero in on some of the most common houseplant problems by looking at the foliage, flowers …

Ask a Gardener – Winterizing Clay Pots

Wednesday November 9, 2016

Yes, clay pots can crack during the winter. As water freezes, it expands causing fissures and cracks in your pots. It’s the same thing that causes potholes to form in the road. Though it can happen to just about any material, the most susceptible pots are those made of terra cotta and clay. In fact, the very thing that makes …