Western Gardening Blog
Inspiring western gardeners to grow beautiful flowers with less effort in Colorado, Utah & the intermountain west
The latest flower tips
What to Do With Old Potting Soil (the Dirt From Your Pots)
What can you do with the dirt in your pots after your flowers have died? Good news! You have a few options for what to do with old potting soil. Let's assume, for a sec, your plants were healthy at the end of the season. If yes... Here are 4 things to do with old...
When’s the Best Time to Cut Back Perennials in Colorado and Similar States?
It's tempting to want to get out early in the fall and tidy up your western garden for winter, especially if you're having a mild fall. But is it too early? When's the best time to cut back perennials in Colorado and similar states? In this article, you'll get the...
“When Should I Empty My Flowerpots?”
In the fall, one of the questions that often comes up is: "When should I empty my flowerpots?" There are different schools of thought on when to empty your flowerpots, so I'm going to share several options. That way, you can decide which makes the most sense for you....
3 Plants That Struggle in Western Winters (What NOT to Plant in Your Colorado Landscape)
No one wants to end up with extra garden chores and sad-looking plants But that’s what can happen if you accidentally pick plants that are known to struggle in Colorado landscapes — particularly during winter. So, in this tip, you’ll get the scoop on 3 popular plants...
What to Do BEFORE You Empty Your Flowerpots
It would be awesome to be named "The Perfect Gardener" after a summer of growing flowers — complete with dancing squirrels and a pitch-perfect choir of cicadas. But alas, most of us weren't born with a spade in one hand and a geranium in the other. So, the next best...
Is It Better to Empty Your Flowerpots in the Spring or Fall?
I used to leave everything in my flowerpots until spring. The whole shebang. Dead flowers, old potting soil, all of it. And for a few years, everything was fine. But then, I lost a few flowerpots to cracking. (Ugh.) I also learned about some pesky insects that like to...
“Should I Water My Garden in the Fall in Colorado? What About Winter?”
Winter is a marathon for our plants in Colorado. It's an endurance test, and it can take its toll on our landscapes. Typically: Most of us don't get a lot of precipitation during winter in Colorado. We get drying winds that pull the moisture out of plants. We also get...
Popular Spring Flowers for Western Gardens… You Plant in the Fall
It may seem like a strange time to chat about spring flowers... ... when we have pumpkins and Halloween decorations appearing in stores. But if you're interested in growing spring flowers... Autumn is the ideal time to plant spring bulbs in most parts of the West. For...
What to Do With Outdoor Pots in the Winter, So They Look Good for Many Seasons
The seasons are changing. It's time to figure out what to do with your outdoor pots in the winter. (Good thinking!) Before you start getting winter snow and freezing temps, it helps to: 1) Empty the dead flowers and dirt (or "soil" in garden lingo) from your outdoor...
How Frosts and Freezes Affect Your Flowers
When I was first learning how to garden... I used to think that 32 degrees was the temperature I needed to keep an eye on for my flower plants. 32 degrees is when water freezes, so that must be the point when my flowers will freeze too, right? But over time, I've...
11 of the Best Gifts for Flower Lovers 2025 (That Western Gardeners Will Loooove)
Looking for fun gift ideas for flower lovers in the West? You'll find 11 of the best gift ideas for flower lovers below — perfect for holidays, birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day and more. And if you’re looking for gardening gift ideas for yourself… well, then,...
How to Choose Fall Flowers That Last Longer: 3 Simple Tips
When you're strolling through the garden center or dashing into the grocery store and all those pretty flowers are smiling up at you, it's hard not to choose the showiest flowers you see. "Well, helloooooo there." But if you'd like your fall flowers to last longer,...
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