Even though we spend most of our time inside, indoor air quality is an often-over-looked issue. Common household items like furniture, upholstery, building materials and cleaning products can release toxins into the air of our homes and offices. Poor indoor ventilation can let airborne toxins build up, causing what doctors call Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). The symptoms of SBS for …
Recent Posts
Seed Starting Do’s & Don’ts
Monday February 11, 2019
DO Start with clean trays You can re-use last year’s trays but we recommend cleaning and sterilizing them. DON’T Use Regular Potting Mix because it’s probably not the best choice for your new little seedlings. Read Full Blog Entry…
Happy Groundhog Day!
Tuesday January 15, 2019
In February, we wait with bated breath as the famous groundhog emerges from his burrow and looks for his shadow, thus predicting the weather for the next three months. How did this strange series of events come to pass? Well, this most quirky of American holidays has a surprisingly long lineage. Read on to learn more about this wacky winter …
Holiday Gift Ideas for Gardeners
Tuesday December 11, 2018
O’Toole’s has a huge selection of gift ideas for every gardener – from green thumbs to green horns. Here are a few of our favorite gardening goodies!
African Violets
Wednesday November 14, 2018
African Violets are sometimes called “America’s Favorite Houseplant.” And it’s easy to see why! Their compact size makes them perfect for just about every nook and cranny in your home. Not only that, but they bloom for months and months with a cheerful array of whites, reds, purples or yellows. African Violets have a somewhat undeserved reputation for being a …
The World’s Hottest Peppers
Wednesday October 17, 2018
The title of “World’s Hottest Pepper” is always contested. Pepper heat can be a bit subjective and inconsistent. And it seems as soon as everyone agrees on a champion, a new hybrid emerges claiming insanely scorching heat. But one pepper has managed to hold off all comers for the past few years – The Carolina Reaper.The Carolina Reaper Along the …
2018 Tomato and Pepper Trial Results… sort of.
Tuesday September 18, 2018
Earlier this month, at our Littleton location, we celebrated our annual Tomato Festival. The Tomato Festival is usually when our resident veggie guru, Leo Ortiz, presents the results of our tomato and pepper trials. Each year in our community gardens, Leo grows one of every variety of tomato and pepper that we carry at O’Toole’s to see first-hand what works …
Five Reasons Fall Planting is the Best!
Wednesday September 12, 2018
We all know what it feels like when spring is full to bursting in those halcyon days of April and May. What better time could there be to plant your garden? But wise gardeners know to be patient. The fall is just as good, if not better, than the spring for planting perennials, trees and shrubs. Here’s five reasons why! …
Ask A Gardener – Aphids
Monday 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, …
Cut Flower Garden
Monday August 20, 2018
A bright bouquet of roses or a perfectly arranged centerpiece can completely transform a room. But don’t just settle for flowers on fancy occasions. Planting a cut flower garden is a great way to enjoy fresh cut flowers all season long! But cut flower gardening is a little bit different than growing a regular flower bed. So, here are a …