July is the ideal month to add a shade or fruit tree, a berry plant, summer flowering shrubs and perennials to your landscape. Plants root quickly in the warm summer soil. With the arrival of monsoon rains, plants thrive even more. The increased humidity and shade from a cloud floating overhead are a relief to you and your plants. Heat Loving Perennial This is the best time to add summer-blooming perennials to garden containers and flowerbeds. Perennials are those flowers that come back … [Read more...] about Essential July Garden To-Do List
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January is the Time to Prepare Garden Soils
Gardeners know the better the soil, the larger the harvest, the brighter the flowers, the easier the gardening. Once you’ve tried digging the first planting hole in a mountain garden, you figure it out. Our native soils are HARD! Successful gardens always come down to soil quality. Skimp on spring preparation to “soften” the ground, and a garden’s production drops close to zero. January is my month to amend garden beds, turn the soil, and let the garden rest before planting begins March 1. … [Read more...] about January is the Time to Prepare Garden Soils
Five Gardening Tips to End 2020 Strong
The days grow short as we move into the end of the 2020 gardening season. This is the time when gardeners like to relax, sip some tea while warming our feet by the fire, and reflect on our gardening successes and near misses of the past season. But, gardening activity doesn’t come to a complete halt, as there are a few things to do in December. Here are my five gardening tasks for closing out 2020 strong and ensuring that our plants prosper in the New Year: #1 Houseplants Watch closely for … [Read more...] about Five Gardening Tips to End 2020 Strong
Examining the Top Evergreen Trees for Mountain Landscapes
This is the season when decorated evergreens dominate living rooms and sparkle in the winter landscape. The list provided grows best outdoors and is often used as a living tree through holiday celebrations, then planted in the yard when the festivities are over. Here is a list of the top seven evergreen trees that stand up to mountain wind and winter cold and resist the naturally occurring insects and diseases found at higher elevations. You will find each at the garden center. Below you’ll … [Read more...] about Examining the Top Evergreen Trees for Mountain Landscapes
Growing, Reaping Benefits of Rosemary
Rosemary is commonly used in cooking to flavor soups, sauces and meats. Perhaps less well known, it also has many health benefits and can be used as a natural remedy for a variety of ailments. Here are 10 health benefits of rosemary that will prompt you to grow this plant and find ways to use this valuable, fragrant herb. Cancer Prevention - Rosemary contains carnosol, found in studies to be a potent anti-cancer compound. Researchers have had promising results of its efficacy against breast … [Read more...] about Growing, Reaping Benefits of Rosemary
Planting the Hardiest Perennials in Local Gardens
Gardening may be one of America’s favorite hobbies, but it does have a downside. Imagine investing dozens of hours and hundreds of dollars redecorating your bedroom, only to have it crumble to ashes in less than a year! That is a good analogy to planting and nurturing a garden that withers away after one season. Fortunately, not all plants will go belly-up each fall/winter. By choosing those vigorous perennial plants that tolerate a wide range of growing conditions, you can be assured that your … [Read more...] about Planting the Hardiest Perennials in Local Gardens
Planting the Hardiest Perennials for Local Gardens
Gardening may be one of America's favorite hobbies, but it does have a downside. Imagine investing dozens of hours and hundreds of dollars redecorating your bedroom, only to have it crumble to ashes in less than a year! That is a good analogy to planting and nurturing a garden that withers away after one season. Fortunately, not all plants will go belly-up each fall/winter. By choosing those vigorous perennial plants that tolerate a wide range of growing conditions, you can be assured that your … [Read more...] about Planting the Hardiest Perennials for Local Gardens
Eight Fragrant Shrubs for Mountain Gardens
What is the most fragrant plant? Which flower has the best smell? What is the most fragrant flower in the world? What is the most fragrant lavender? What is the most fragrant rose? Shrubs have many uses in the landscape, but gardeners who appreciate sweet-smelling plants will be especially drawn to the most fragrant of these shrubs. Whether cold-hardy or tropical, bushes in this group are valued for scenting the air and thereby diversifying the enjoyment of your yard. The blooms on many of … [Read more...] about Eight Fragrant Shrubs for Mountain Gardens
Experiencing the Seedy Side of Watters Garden Center
The 2018 organic seed has arrived at Watters Garden Center. Each packet is stamped with an official non-GMO seal, ensuring that these seeds have not been genetically modified. Make sure to verify a seed’s freshness date, organic status and whether it is genetically modified before you buy your seeds for this spring. If you buy your seed online, there are some cautions that are important to have in mind before hitting the “Buy it Now” button. Make sure to check for seed freshness. Seed should … [Read more...] about Experiencing the Seedy Side of Watters Garden Center
Boxwoods Make A Garden Look Better
Thanks to its versatility, boxwood can fit into any landscape, whether a formal or casual design. In winter's sparse garden, this shrub’s strong shape, rich green color and air of old-world formality can dominate the scene. In summer, when the garden is in full bloom, it blends into the lushness, providing shape and structure. There are about 90 species and over 365 different kinds of boxwood. They vary tremendously in size, shape, leaf characteristics, growth rates and hardiness. The secret to … [Read more...] about Boxwoods Make A Garden Look Better