Although I’m a huge fan of fertilizer, there is one time of the year when it shouldn’t be applied and that is during the Fall season. Fertilizer sends nutrients to your plants that gives them the message that it’s time to grow which is why it’s important to use it in the spring and summer […]

The weather is finally beginning to cool down and you may be thinking of moving your houseplants back inside for the winter. It’s a great way to continue enjoying them, but there are some steps you should take in order to ensure success. Most houseplants are tropical in nature so they will not survive our […]

A backyard orchard can be a most rewarding and fun gardening project and may be easier than you think and Fall is the perfect time to start. Since the ground is still warm from the summer sun, trees planted now will root in easily before cold weather arrives, and since the temperatures have cooled, there […]

If you’ve been fertilizing regularly throughout the summer, your tomato patch probably looks like a jungle right now since the summer rains have arrived. If you are having trouble getting the fruit to ripen because the plants are so bushy and dense, you can try pruning them. Tomato pruning or topping isn’t talked about much […]

It’s that time of year when your mouth waters for a fresh, red, ripe, juicy tomato, but sometimes when you go out to pick one, you find that they aren’t forming the way they should or that they just don’t look right. This could be due to several things and I want to highlight two […]

If you’re like many people, you may be planning a summer vacation to escape the heat of our Southwest Colorado summer. One of the hardest parts of being away may be leaving your garden to either fare for itself, or be tended by a capable friend or neighbor. Scorching hot temperatures and unpredictable rain make […]

Grasshoppers are one of the summer pests that cause exasperation in gardeners as they can level your plants in record time. Dating back to the early Triassic period, about 250 million years ago, they’ve been around for ages and have developed quite the survival system so if you have an infestation, they can be tricky […]

Summertime has arrived in our area with temperatures soaring into the 90’s. While some of your plants may be showing signs of stress, there are others that thrive in this hot, sunny environment. In fact some of my favorite summer annuals are those that perform well in the garden under these conditions while putting on […]

The Friday before Memorial Day is designated as National Poppy Day and this year it falls on May 27th. If you’ve ever been out and about on Memorial Day weekend, most likely you’ve seen members of the American Legion at businesses selling small, red poppies that you can tuck in a buttonhole or wear on […]