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...

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...

Flowerpot Clean-up Tips: What to Do With Your Flowerpots When Your Flowers Are Dead

Friends, the end of the flowerpot season is like the end of a dinner party. You've had an amazing evening of laughter, stories and delicious food. (“Oh my God, that was so good! I need that recipe!”) Your heart feels so full. And then... you walk into your kitchen....

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...

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...

6 Ways to Protect Your Flowers From Frosts and Freezes

You know you've entered the "joys of western gardening club" when... It feels like summer one day... and the next day you're bracing yourself for frosts, freezes and snow. (I'm not crying. I have something in my eye.) If you'd like your summer annuals — your...

What Is a Plant Hardiness Zone? (And How to Find YOUR Zone)

When you buy a flower plant... You may notice a strange phrase on the plant tag that says: "Hardiness zones" or "Zones." If you're wondering, "What is a plant hardiness zone? What does that mean?", you're in the right place. At its most basic, a plant hardiness zone...

11 of the Best Gifts for Flower Lovers 2024 (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,...

“Can I Change the Flowers in My Flowerpots for Fall?”

I used to think that once you planted your flowerpots, that was it. Your flower babies were in there for the long haul. But I’ve come to appreciate that you can swap out the flowers in your pots. It's like changing your wardrobe for the seasons. If you want to change...

5 Drought-Tolerant Spring Flowers for Sunny, Dry Gardens (You Plant in the Fall)

Most of these spring flowers are low maintenance too! Let’s say you want to add a splash of color to your spring garden, but you live someplace dry, like Colorado or Utah. It would be nice to find spring flowers that don’t need a lot of watering, right? (Less work for...

How Can You Tell If a Perennial Is ‘Marginally Cold Hardy?’

It was a winter week to make a gardener shudder. In February 2021, an arctic blast covered the western United States like a frosty ice pack from the kitchen freezer. Where I live in Colorado, the high temperature for several days was a not-so-balmy zero degrees. The...

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,...