Reader note: I first published this article in January 2022, but the content is still relevant and timely! I feel strange saying, “garden trends,” because it implies a fad. Here today, gone tomorrow—like paint colors in a home or trendy flower colors. I’m not here to...
Gardening for Pollinators
Why Bees and Butterflies Are Like Puppies and Kittens
I originally published this article in 2022. Enjoy! Have you ever gotten a puppy or kitten? Chances are, you did a few things to get your home ready: Bought special food... Stocked up on toys... Rolled up rugs... Shut bathroom doors, so Buddy (or Mittens) didn’t turn...
Columbine Flowers: An Early Summer Flower to Attract Hummingbirds
Who else loves Columbine flowers? (I have both my hands up.) You’ll see Columbine flowers growing along alpine hiking trails in the Rocky Mountains… and in western gardens. When I see them on mountain trails, I want to turn into Julie Andrews at the start of The Sound...
Pre-Planned Gardens for Colorado and the West: Beautiful Gardens for Less Work
Buying flowers for western gardens can feel like a lot of work. Especially when you live in the semi-arid, gotta-have-some-moxie West — like Colorado and Utah! This isn’t a place where you a dig a few holes, plop in some flowers and watch them grow into a lush jungle....
What NOT to Do in Your Western Garden in February
Our perma-piles of snow are finally melting in Colorado. The sun is shining its warm rays. Birds are singing. And Costco has started assembling its spring pergola displays. Spring is starting to feel like it's within reach, even if it's still a ways off. It’s enough...
Where to Buy Native Plants in Colorado
Despite their growing popularity, some native plants can be tricky to find at many garden centers. Here are different places to buy native plants in Colorado. Plant sales at local botanic gardens These events are often held at local botanic gardens in the late spring....
Where to Buy Plants That Are Safe for Bees in Colorado and the West
Did you know that flowers and plants from the garden center often have a pesticide in them that can be toxic to bees? "What, whaaaaaaaat?" That pretty much sums up my reaction when I realized that my last impulse purchase was harmful to bees. If you want to create a...
“How Do I Know If Gardening Products Are Really Organic?”
A friend asked me: "How do you know if gardening products are really organic?" Maybe you've wondered the same thing. Certified organic garden products have a special seal on their packaging. You can see what the seals look like below. When you see one of these seals,...







