Recent Posts

Christmas Gifts Gardner

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 …

Planting Shrub Fall

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 …

2018 OToole’s Garden Giveaway Contest Winners

Tuesday August 7, 2018

We want to give a great big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who participated in our very first O’Toole’s Garden Giveaway contest this year. We were bowled over by the response – over 200 submissions! Last week, we convened our panel of judges to decide on the winners. With so many incredible entries, it was hard to pick just a handful …

Ask A Gardener – Pumpkin Flowers

Wednesday July 11, 2018

A lot of people get nervous when they see tons of flowers on their pumpkin vines and no fruit, but rest assured you are right on schedule. Right around mid-summer, pumpkins will usually start to flower in large numbers. But this is only half of the pumpkin-making process. These early bloomers are just the pollen-producing male flowers. Male flowers tend …

Butterfly Bush

Monday July 9, 2018

Butterfly bush is one of the most versatile shrubs in the garden. Sometimes called "Summer Lilac," They’re fast growing, drought tolerant and provide beautiful color all summer long. The taller varieties make great background plantings, accent plants or even informal hedges, while the shorter varieties can fit right into your perennial beds. Their bright sprays of purple, white or pink …