Houseplants are more than just pretty decorations. Study after study has shown that living with plants provides real, measurable health benefits. Houseplants can improve your health, lift your mood and even make you more productive. With a houseful of plants around you, you’ll be able to…
Recent Posts
Poinsettias: Flowers of the Season
Friday December 9, 2016
Poinsettias are the quintessential Christmas flower. Though they are famous for they brilliant reds (almost 80% of commercially grown poinsettias are red), they also come in beautiful yellows, whites and pinks as well as variegated varieties. History & Lore Poinsettias, or more scientifically Euphorbia pulcherrima, are native to Mexico and can be found growing wild in tropical forests down the …
Paperwhites and Amaryllis
Wednesday November 9, 2016
Paperwhites and Amaryllis have become a holiday tradition for many gardeners and it’s easy to see why. They are easy to grow, they bloom fast and they make beautiful homemade decorations and gifts. And right now is the perfect time to start amaryllis and paperwhites so they’ll be ready for the holidays. Paperwhites Paperwhites are one of the easiest bulbs …
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 …
Spring Cleaning for Fall 2016
Thursday November 3, 2016
Do you spend the first warm weeks of May just cleaning up the wreck winter has wrought? Well, this year get out ahead of the mess with some simple housekeeping now. Remove any plant debris including any old fruits or veggies bugs and disease love old rotting produce left on the ground or on plants. Rake up leaves Dead leaves …
Why Do We Carve Pumpkins on Halloween?
Friday October 21, 2016
The practice of carving pumpkins on Halloween originated in Ireland during the Celtic festival of Samhain. According to legend, on Samhain night the door between the world of the living and the world of the dead was flung open and sprits and ghosts were thought to walk the earth. People would hollow out turnips to create makeshift lanterns, often carved …
Winterize Your Roses in Four Easy Steps
Wednesday October 12, 2016
“…the red, red rose. In ageless sleep, she finds repose.” Sleeping Beauty Now that autumn has arrived, it’s time to start getting your roses ready for their long winter’s nap. With a little bit of planning and prep, you can make sure your sleeping beauties wake up healthy and refreshed in the spring. 1. Get Your Roses Ready for Bed …
Frost Protection for Your Garden
Wednesday October 5, 2016
In the fall or early spring, temperatures can plummet without warning. Chalk it up to living in Colorado. But with a little preparation, you can protect your tender plants against frost and extend your growing season by several weeks Light Frost vs. Hard Frost A light frost is when the temperature dips below 32° at some point during the night. …
Tulip Mania!
Wednesday September 28, 2016
Economic bubbles, the rapid escalation in prices followed by an equally rapid drop, are all too familiar to us today. But did you know the very first economic bubble in history was started by something you probably have growing in your garden? In the 1600s, nothing more than the pretty little tulip kicked off a speculative frenzy that gripped an …
Ask a Gardener – Privacy Screens
Friday September 9, 2016
You know what they say, “good fences make good neighbors.” A hedge, tall shrub or a line of trees can be the perfect way to get a little privacy. Before your start planting, take a look at your yard and ask yourself a few questions. What kind of sunlight, water and soil is available? It’s always important to take into …