Ask A Gardener!

What gardening issue has you perplexed? Do you have trouble with tomatoes? Problems with pansies? Issues with Iris? The experts at O'Tooles are here for you. Ask a Gardener is your very own garden advice column where you can ask those tough gardening questions.

Throughout the season, we'll be picking customers' questions to feature on the Ask a Gardener page our website. If we pick yours, you'll win a $10 O'Toole's Gift Certificate! Just submit your question, along with your name and email address below.

How Was Your Gardening Season?

How was your gardening season? We’d love to hear which plants in your yard handled this year’s dry weather the best, or if you ran into any challenges you’d like tips on addressing next year. Drop us a note using the Ask a Gardener form on this page!

Blog

5 Common Beginner Gardening Mistakes to Avoid

April 17, 2023

Gardening can be a fulfilling and rewarding hobby, but it’s important to avoid common mistakes to achieve the best results. Whether you’re a beginner gardener or starting a plot in a new space, starting too big can lead to less than great yields. Starting small and adding on as you learn about pest control, soil composition, weeds, and light is

Ask a Gardener – Japanese Beetle

June 11, 2020

Japanese Beetles damage plants as both adults and larvae. Adults feed on soft leaf tissue, leaving skeletonized foliage. Larvae feed on roots, especially turf grass, leaving dead, brown patches in the lawn. Cech out this blog entry for tips and products to address both the larvae and the adult bugs.

The Three Sisters and Companion Gardening

March 1, 2019

Native Americans relied on three principal staples for survival; corn, beans and squash. These crops were so important to the Indians that they were often called "The Three Sisters," and they perfectly illustrate the concept of companion plants. All three sisters work together and support each other to their mutual benefit. The tall, sturdy corn stalks provides a frame for

Ask A Gardener – Aphids

September 10, 2018

Aphids are probably the most common garden pest in the whole world. There are over 4.000 different species of aphids spread out across every continent except Antarctica. Here in Colorado, according to the CSU Extension Office, “few plants grown (here) do not support at least one aphid.” Symptoms and Signs Aphids can be extremely varied in appearance (coming in green,