Hailstorms can be an unexpected – and unexpectedly expensive – surprise in the Spring and Summer, but even if you’ve been lucky enough to avoid dings in your hood and cracks in your windshield, hail may have taken its toll in other ways. Hail forms when the pressure below large storm systems is too high…
Many homeowners ask us how much improved landscaping will actually raise their home value. With the seller’s market here in the Front Range, we imagine it’s something on everyone’s mind who might be considering selling their home. It’s an important question, and one that we take very seriously. We think professional landscaping adds value at…
Although it may seem that vegetable gardens have just begun growing well and planting is done, it’s time to seed crops for fall harvest in July or early August. Sixty day crops planted in July will mature in September as weather is cooling. Look at seed packets and note the days to harvest. Count back…
Fall is the time of year when we hear stories about the “cukamelons” and “zucchalopes” that grew in someone’s vegetable Garden. Scientifically speaking, some plants will cross-pollinate with others. However, crossing is limited by differing numbers of chromosomes in the parents, which is referred to as species incompatibility. What vegetables really do cross with what?…
During summer, irrigation is the key factor if you want to grow quality vegetables. A few examples illustrate this point. Beans require more frequent irrigation than most other vegetables for optimal production. Beans in the blossom- and fruit-growth stages use the most water of any vegetable. Depending on temperature and wind, beans may…
Success at starting vegetables from seed outdoors begins with proper soil preparation. After organic material is mixed into the soil, level the surface and remove large clods for a fine bed. There should be no cracks in the surface of the soil where small vegetable seeds can be buried. A rule of thumb is that…
Starting vegetable and flower seeds indoors is easy if these steps are followed. The first is seed selection. Make sure they are high-quality and free from weed seeds. Hybrid seeds generally cost more than non-hybrid cultivars but may have increased vigor, better uniformity, larger yields, resistance to some diseases and other desirable qualities. If…
To choose the best method of setting up a home Garden, consider the type of soil in the Garden plot. Native top soils in the west can range from light, sandy soils to heavier clays, or to adobe types that dry like concrete. These soils are commonly found in new housing developments, where all the…
The site of a vegetable Garden will greatly determine its success. The amount of sunshine a Garden plot gets throughout the day, the soil type and other factors play a role in a Garden’s productivity. Fruiting vegetables, like tomatoes, squash and peppers, require a full day of sunlight. Root vegetables, like carrots and beets,…
Regardless of where one lives, growing conditions are bound to be different from the conditions described in most Gardening books. To plan a successful Garden, ask some questions. Which vegetables grow well in this area? What soil types are common? Are there unique conditions in the Garden to consider, for example, high winds, compacted soils,…
It’s necessary to plant bedding plants as soon as the danger of frost is past or when the soil warms sufficiently. In Colorado, planting is usually safe from about mid- to late May, depending on the types of plants and the area of the state. Consult with employees of local nursery or Garden centers for…
Bedding plants for flowers and vegetables are available as seedlings, known as transplants. They’re sold by Garden centers, nurseries and through the mail, or they can be grown in a bright window or under fluorescent gro-lights. When buying transplants, the condition of the plant is often more important than its variety. A good transplant would…
