Blog Archives

Father's Day Gift Ideas for Gardening Dads

6/18/2026

The best gifts for the gardening Dad combine practicality, comfort, and a little fun - something he can use while doing what he loves.

Top Father's Day Gift Ideas for Gardening Dads

1. A Quality Hori Hori Knife
This versatile Japanese gardening tool digs, weeds, cuts roots, and plants bulbs. Many gardeners consider it indispensable.

2. Professional Pruning Shears
A durable pair of bypass pruners makes pruning shrubs, roses, and perennials easier and more precise.

3. Garden Kneeler and Seat
A padded kneeler that converts into a seat is a thoughtful gift for dads who spend hours tending the garden.

4. Broadfork for Soil Health
Perfect for vegetable gardeners, a broadfork loosens compacted soil without disturbing beneficial soil structure.

5. Garden Tool Tote
A sturdy tote keeps tools organized and can be customized with his name or initials.

Gift ideas for the Vegetable Gardener

Raised bed kit
Drip irrigation starter system
Harvest basket
Garden journal

Gifts for Nature-Loving Dads

Bird feeder or birdbath
Bluebird house
Pollinator plant collection
Subscription to a bird identification app or magazine
Wildlife camera for the garden

For the Dad Who Loves to Cook

Herb drying rack
Garden-to-table cookbook
Outdoor pizza oven accessories
Specialty pepper or tomato seed collection
Personalized grilling herbs planter

Luxury Garden Gifts

Copper watering can
Engraved garden tools
High-quality garden hose and reel
Custom garden sign
Outdoor garden fountain

The Gift of Time
Sometimes the most appreciated gift is offering to help with a project:

Build a raised bed together
Plant a tree
Install a drip irrigation system
Create a pollinator garden
Spend a day gardening side-by-side

"For the dad who helps things grow—whether it's tomatoes, trees, or family—thank you for the care, patience, and wisdom you cultivate every day. Happy Father's Day!"

How to harvest basil so your plant keeps producing all Summer

6/18/2026

Harvesting basil correctly is the secret to keeping plants lush, productive, and full of flavorful leaves all summer long.

More basil please! With it's aromatic scent and prolific growing habit (if tended correctly), basil is a beloved staple of the Summer kitchen.

Instead of picking individual leaves here and there, use clean scissors or pruners to snip stems just above a set of leaves. This encourages the plant to branch out, creating two new stems where there was once one.

Once your basil reaches about 6–8 inches tall, begin harvesting regularly by removing the top few inches of growth every week or two.
To maximize production, never remove more than one-third of the plant at a time, and be sure to pinch off flower buds as soon as they appear. Flowering signals the plant to focus on seed production instead of leaf growth, which can reduce both yield and flavor.

With regular harvesting, consistent watering, and plenty of sunshine, a healthy basil plant can provide a continuous supply of fragrant leaves from late Spring until the first Fall frost.

Additional Resources
How to store and freeze basil
More tips on pruning basil
Video on how to store and freeze basil and other herbs for later use
How to use herbs from your garden - recipes

Miller moths are irritating, yes, but they are also hugely important in stitching ecosystems together

6/17/2026

Miller moths are the adult form of the army cutworm and are a familiar sight across Colorado each spring and early summer.

As Miller moths migrate westward toward the mountains, they often seek shelter in homes, garages, and gardens during the day, becoming a nuisance despite being harmless.

They don't damage plants as adult moths, and they DO serve an important ecological role as a food source for birds, bats, and other wildlife before continuing their journey to higher elevations, where the real work begins.

In this fascinating article about Miller moths in Enchanted Outpost Magazine, we learn that these pesky critters are worth learning more about.

After vexing us in the lower elevations of the Front Range, Miller moths migrate to the cooler elevations of the Rocky Mountains where they feed on high-country wildflowers and also become an important food source for trout (who feast on those that have fallen into river waters), birds, and even bears who consume them by the thousands.

Read the full article here (Scroll down the home page to the digital flipbook magazine - page 172-173. Best viewed in Google Chrome).

Merlin Bird ID App is a marvel (and so fun to use)

6/15/2026

The Merlin Bird ID app is a free bird identification tool developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

This fun to use app helps gardeners (and other users) identify birds by sight, sound, photos, or by answering a few simple questions about the bird they observed.

For Colorado gardeners, the Sound ID feature is especially fun during seasonal migrations when your garden may host dozens of species you never realized were there.

The app is powered by the massive eBird database and the Cornell Lab's Macaulay Library of bird photos and recordings, making it one of the most comprehensive birding apps available.

What Makes Merlin Special?
Sound ID
One of Merlin's most popular features is Sound ID. Open the app, tap "Sound ID," and let it listen. The app identifies bird songs and calls in real time, often recognizing multiple species at once and displaying their names as they sing. This feature has introduced countless people to the birds around them, even when they can't see them.

Photo ID
Take a picture or upload one from your camera roll, and Merlin will suggest possible species using artificial intelligence trained on millions of bird photos. Recent updates have improved accuracy using more than 6 million training images.

Step-by-Step Bird ID
If you don't have a photo or recording, Merlin can identify birds by asking a few questions about size, color, location, and behavior. It then compares your answers with local bird records and seasonal occurrence data.

Bird Packs for Offline Use
You can download regional bird packs, allowing you to identify birds even when hiking or traveling without cell service. These packs include photos, sounds, maps, and identification information.

Global Coverage
Merlin has expanded dramatically and can now help identify birds worldwide, covering more than 10,000 species and serving millions of users in countries around the globe. Awesome feature for travelers!

Why Gardeners Love It

Learn which birds are visiting your yard
Identify migrating species during spring and fall
Discover which plants attract specific birds
Track hummingbirds, bluebirds, finches, and other backyard favorites
Deepen your connection to nature while working outdoors

A Few Limitations
Like any identification tool, Merlin is a work in progress as they endeavor to build out the database. Background noise, unusual calls, mimicking birds, and limited regional sound data can occasionally result in misidentifications. Most birders view it as an excellent learning tool rather than a replacement for field guides and observation skills.

Merlin Bird ID is considered the best free birding app available. Whether you're trying to identify a mystery song in your Colorado garden, confirm a hummingbird species, or learn more about visiting birds, it puts an entire field guide in your pocket and makes bird identification easy and enjoyable.

Can we successfully grow blueberry plants in our area?

6/5/2026

We can grow blueberries where we live, but they have very specific soil requirements.

Growing blueberries at high altitude in Colorado can be rewarding, but they require more preparation than many other berry crops because they have very specific soil requirements.

The biggest challenge is that most Colorado soils are naturally alkaline, while blueberries need acidic soil with a pH of 4.5–5.5. Many gardeners have the best success growing blueberries in raised beds or large containers filled with an acidic planting mix designed for blueberries, azaleas, or rhododendrons.

Choose the Right Varieties
Look for cold-hardy northern 'highbush' varieties such as:

Patriot blueberry
Northland blueberry
Bluecrop blueberry
Jersey blueberry
Northblue blueberry

Planting two or more varieties improves pollination and often results in larger harvests.

Site Selection

6–8 hours of sun daily
Protection from drying winter winds
Consistently moist, well-drained soil.
If your soil is clay, don't plant in it. Used a raised bed or large container instead.
If your soil is sandy remember that it loses moisture and nutrients quickly. Water more frequently and apply a thick 4-inch layer of mulch to preserve moisture.
Organic-rich growing conditions

Morning sun with some protection from intense afternoon heat can be beneficial at higher elevations.

Planting Tips

Incorporate rich compost, pine needles, bark or cones (crushed fine), or other acidic organic matter before planting. You can also consider adding elemental sulfur to the soil to lower the pH.
Space plants about 4–5 feet apart
Mulch heavily with pine needles, shredded bark, or wood chips.-

Watering
Blueberries have shallow roots and dislike drying out. At Colorado's altitude and low humidity it is imperative to:

Water deeply and consistently
Mulch to conserve moisture
Continue occasional watering during dry winter periods when the ground is not frozen

Winter Considerations
Most recommended varieties are hardy enough for Colorado winters, but late spring frosts can damage flowers and reduce fruit production. If a hard freeze is forecast while plants are blooming, cover them overnight with frost cloth or lightweight sheets.

Fertilizing
Use fertilizers formulated for acid-loving plants. Apply lightly in early spring as growth begins and avoid excessive fertilization, which can damage roots.

Protecting the Harvest
One challenge many Colorado gardeners underestimate is birds. Blueberries often become ripe just as birds discover them. Lightweight bird netting is often the only reliable way to ensure you harvest more berries than the birds do.

Is It Worth It?
Absolutely - if you're willing to manage the soil.

For many Colorado gardeners, growing them in large containers or raised beds with acidic soil is the easiest path to success. At our higher elevation, choosing cold-hardy varieties and maintaining the proper soil pH will be the keys to a productive blueberry patch.

Once established, blueberry plants can produce fruit for decades, offer beautiful spring flowers, attractive fall color, and delicious harvests.

How does heavy rain affect newly planted veggie and flower seeds?

6/5/2026

A downpour can create several problems

A heavy rain can be beneficial for newly planted vegetable seeds if it provides gentle moisture, but a downpour can create several problems.

The force of the rain may wash seeds out of rows, move them deeper into the soil than intended, or expose them on the surface where they can dry out or be eaten by birds. Small seeds such as lettuce, carrots, and basil are especially vulnerable to being displaced.

Heavy rain can also compact the soil, reducing the oxygen available to germinating seeds and making it harder for delicate seedlings to emerge. In poorly drained areas, excess water may cause seeds to rot before they have a chance to sprout.

After a storm, inspect your planting area for erosion, crusted soil, or bare spots. If seeds have washed away, you may need to replant.

A light layer of straw, compost, or floating row cover can help protect newly seeded beds from future heavy rains while still allowing moisture and sunlight to reach the soil.

Signs Your Seeds Are Fine

The soil remains moist but not waterlogged
No visible washouts or gullies in the bed
Seedlings begin emerging within the expected germination perio

Signs You May Need to Replant

Large bare patches where seeds were sown
A hard crust forms on the soil surface
Standing water remains for more than a day after the rain
No germination occurs after the normal germination window

For Colorado gardeners, a spring thunderstorm can often deliver a half inch or more of rain in a short time. Raised beds, gentle mulching, and well-amended soil are the best defenses against seed loss from heavy rains.

Superstar shade-loving perennial that blooms all season

6/3/2026

Coral bells (Huechera family) 'Firefly' is a winner in Colorado shade gardens

Coral Bells is the ultimate versatile and colorful perennial for shady areas of the garden in our area. They sport multi-season interest and a long bloom time (especially the 'Firefly' variety).

Firefly' has a compact habit and deep green leaves and produces a profusion airy spikes of red-fading-to-pink bell-shaped flowers on wiry stems (great as a cut flower in a bouquet). Flower spikes are 12-18 inches tall.

Looks great in borders, containers, shade gardens, under trees, and in mixed perennial beds.

Light Preferences

Best: Partial shade to dappled shade.
Tolerance: Performs in full shade (color may fade) or morning sun/afternoon shade. Protect from strong afternoon sun to avoid leaf scorch.

Soil & Water

Well-drained, humus-rich soil; prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH.
Moisture: Consistent but moderate moisture. Do not overwater or waterlog. Mulch around plant to conserve moisture but keep away from crown.

Feeding

Fertilizer: Light application of balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring or a top-dressing of compost; avoid heavy nitrogen which can reduce leaf color intensity.

Temperature & Hardiness

Hardiness: Firefly is hardy to USDA Zone 4 and typically tolerates cool winters.
Mulch in Fall to protect crowns; remove mulch in early spring to prevent rot.

Maintenance

Pruning: Remove dead and damaged leaves throughout the season; trim flower stalks after they bloom to keep the plant tidy and encourage fresh foliage.
Coral bells benefit from dividing every three to six years in early Fall to rejuvenate clumps and control spread.
Pests and Diseases: Coral Bells are generally a nicely low-maintenance perennial. Watch for crown rot in poorly drained soil, vine weevils (the larvae eat roots), and powdery mildew in crowded conditions.
Propagation: By division in Spring/Fall.

Post-Peony bloom tips for even better blooms next year