Strawberries do well in Colorado gardens when they are protected from hungry critters and watered properly. Did you know strawberries aren’t actually berries but accessory fruit? The juicy deliciousness we eat doesn’t come from the plant’s ovary, as in other berries, but the space the ovary sits inside called the receptacle. A strawberry’s skin is… Continue reading Strawberries for Colorado
Category: Plant Care
To know me, is to love me. The best thing you can do for a plant is to understand its origins. But you also must know what your garden can offer. Plants need light, water and nutrients to varying degrees. Nursery plant tags guide you on the basics of care. But every garden every garden is different. Each has microclimates, making some areas deserts, or others rain forests. In the wrong combinations, disease can flourish. Plant care takes all these into consideration.
Chores before another spring snow includes potting dahlias
Today is supposed to be 70+ degrees, a perfect time to get some seeds sown and tender perennials potted up to wait for the last frost. The new normal for spring in Colorado includes large swings in temps from 70 to 20 and back again. Only the hardiest plants can take frost on their new… Continue reading Chores before another spring snow includes potting dahlias
March Propagation
Any seed packet that says to start your plants indoors 8 weeks before last frost should be started in March in Colorado. Sowing vegetables in Colorado usually requires you be ready come March to get your grow on. If you want to know a less expensive way to start seeds indoors, check out, 3 essentials… Continue reading March Propagation
The apple tree is damaged during a trim
This apple tree is the centerpiece of my zen garden. A small circular walk leads around its graceful limbs and twisted trunks. In the afternoon its shades my stone patio and lounge. It provides interest in the north part of my yard. In 2021 it produced so many yummy fruits I couldn’t use them all.… Continue reading The apple tree is damaged during a trim
Claire Austin rose is planted
I probably shouldn’t have waited until July to plant. But better late than never. This rose and another Austin were purchased as bare root. While determining where they would go, I put them into a temporary pot in potting soil. They took off and the Claire had four bunches of rosebuds by this morning. The… Continue reading Claire Austin rose is planted
The art of staking in a flower or vegetable patch
There is nothing better than an architectural piece of a garden. Giving extra support is a necessity for plants like tomatos and beans. In small gardens a squash can take over a whole bed, so growing vertically is a must. Supports need the right amount of heft to faithfully hold up its cargo and yet… Continue reading The art of staking in a flower or vegetable patch
Miss Bateman Clematis
Originally published 5/30/2011 Clematis are part of the Ranunculaceae family. I very much like my Miss Bateman Clematis, a deciduous perennial climber. I planted two last year in my Colorado garden and both are faring well. They have reached a height of about 3 feet and are growing vigorously. They need a better attachment to… Continue reading Miss Bateman Clematis
Dianthus cuttings
In my garden I have 4 Dianthus gratianapolitanus ‘Cheddar Pink’ on a mound with good drainage. An herbaceous perennial with deep pink flowers float over a lovely grayish green leaves, they form nice clumps of evergreen ground cover. These incredibly spicy clove scented flowers bloom in early summer. herbaceous – an annual or perennial… Continue reading Dianthus cuttings
Planting Prunus persica ‘Redhaven’ peach
Planting Date: 3/8/2021 The nursery near me had 3 varieties of semi-dwarf peach trees. My desires are pretty general. I want a delicious peach that can reliably ripen before a frost (as early as early September) and one that is hardy. Prunus persica hails from an intermountain region of China, in the province on Nanjing. … Continue reading Planting Prunus persica ‘Redhaven’ peach
Bonsai boy care instructions for juniper Nana
Bonsaiboy.com The dwarf juniper is the most popular evergreen in the united states. When we think of a traditional bonsai and what it should look like, we think of a juniper procumbens nana. it is very hardy, long lived, and tolerates many adverse conditions. Juniperous procumbens is a low growing juniper native to southern Japan.… Continue reading Bonsai boy care instructions for juniper Nana