Most of us were taught that gardening is about control, about battling unruly, ravenous nature to succeed with our objectives. And a very complex and prosperous industry sprang up in the late 1940s to provide us with the power and weapons to meet those expectations. Petroleum products from World War II chemical weapons, defoliants and bombs were reformulated to solve our plant problems and feed the world. These chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides have now had 50-60 years to show that this aggressive, heartless and poisonous approach has failed. Foods with little nutritional value and a polluted world are inspiring a strong international movement toward sustainability.[Read More]
Gardening from the Heart
Gardening Without Fear
The key to minimal maintenance and a low input approach is Gardening Without Fear. The solution to gardening without fear is twofold: being empowered to garden successfully and being relaxed and tolerant. If we are fearful, we will react to every little problem, worry and criticize ourselves. Then we might seek an immediate solution like some poison.
We have been guided to believe that we need these petroleum products by companies that sell them. In fact, these products weaken the support systems of plants and make them more vulnerable to diseases, pests and drought. The truth is—we don’t need them.[Read More]
Invasive Plants and Weed Profiles
Last month we raised the issue of invasive introduced plants and the idea of being responsible gardeners who respect our native habitat and make an effort to not release invasive plants into the wild. We began with obvious noxious weeds that are having strong negative impacts on our native populations of plants and animals. This month again I am profiling weeds which have been declared as noxious, but this time a question is beginning to arise about under what circumstances are some of the less aggressive weeds invasive? In other words, is it possible that we might find a middle way that guides us strictly with the truly harmful invasives and more leniently with the less aggressive and more useful weedy plants? These are questions I am asking myself and will be asking in future interviews. We also welcome your views on this issue.[Read More]
Invasives August Issue
In February 2000 President Clinton established the National Invasive Species Council. Agriculture secretary Dan Glickman, Commerce Secretary William Daley and Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt were asked to work together on a plan to minimize the economic, ecological and human health impact of invasive plants and animals not native to the US. The executive order on Invasive Species directs federal agencies to prevent the introduction of invasive species, to control populations of such species in a cost-effective and environmentally sound manner, to monitor populations, restore native species, conduct research and promote public education on invasive species.[Read More]
Invasives Intro
One of the hot subjects in horticulture these days is the issue of the invasiveness of introduced plants. Since they did not evolve here, they lack natural enemies, and whereas most are harmless, some have engulfed vast areas of wilderness, national forests, range and farm lands. This has led some people to campaign for “natives only” and others to attack the introduction of new plants as an ecological nightmare. In response to these attacks some in the plant industry have dismissed these fears as invalid over-reactions. As Colorado gardeners, most of us can be both excited by new plant introductions that are well-adapted to Colorado conditions, and feel very protective of our natural ecosystem and our native plants. In a series of articles, we hope to uncover some truths regarding these issues and to educate ourselves about how to work with this situation in a constructive manner.[Read More]
Nitrous Oxide
The forgotton greenhouse gas and how it relates to growing plants
Nitrogen is one of the most essential nutrients for plants. Nitrogen is required for building amino acids, DNA and RNA, in stimulating growth, supporting health and is a critical ingredient in chlorophyll, the chemical needed for photosynthesis. In our gardens, when nitrogen is lacking, plants are small and yellow, and roots do not perform well. In Colorado, almost all our soils are deficient in nitrogen and organic matter. So we gardeners often add fertilizers and composts to our soils.[Read More]
Pea-Planting Advice
Local advice from our friend Elizabeth:
Hi All, I have been trying a new technique (at least for me) of starting peas in sections of guttering (which I got at Resource) in the greenhouse, growing them on until they are about 4 inches tall, and then transferring them to a trench in the garden. So far it seems to be working fairly well. The peas germinate really fast and grow quickly in the greenhouse. You could probably do it in a house too. I plug up the ends of the guttering with a piece of foam and duct tape. When I am ready to transfer them, I dig a trench, remove the foam and duct tape, spread the sides of the guttering away from the soil, and slide them out of the guttering into the trench. The sliding is the tricky part. I have found it takes two people to go well: one to guide and encourage the peas along, and one to lift and shake the guttering, as you have to get it to a fairly steep angle for the peas to slide. I’m using galvanized guttering, but plastic might work better as it would be smoother. So far they have adapted well to the outdoors, and we shall see how they grow on and produce. There’s lots of videos of this on the web. Thought this might be a good solution to slow germination in our really unpredictable springs.
Canadian Roses for Colorado
The Canadians, like their English and French ancestors, have a great love of roses. However much of Canada is in zones 4, 3 and even zone 2. Therefore many of the hybrid tea and floribunda roses bred in modern times have not been tough enough for Canadian gardeners. So the Canadians set their own federal agriculture department to work on breeding roses that succeed in Canada. Not only do these roses do well north of our border, they are very successful in Colorado, even in our higher elevation environments. Our 10-20 below zero winters and dramatic temperature changes can kill or significantly injure more tender roses like the hybrid teas and floribundas. So gardeners in Colorado who don’t have time to remove large masses of dead canes, hill soil around the canes to protect them for winter, and who have less inclination to spray and fertilize frequently, find the Canadian-bred roses provide a rewarding and easy-care alternative.[Read More]
Difficult Broadleaf Evergreens for Colorado
In the last issue I discussed the easy broadleaf evergreens for Colorado and this time we will go into the difficult ones. Many people have killed or had poor success with rhododendrons, hollies, azaleas and daphnes etc. so it is good to understand these plants further. Unfortunately in my sunny, low-water gardens, I have had little experience with them so I went to two people who have plenty of experience, Don Zaun and Allan Taylor.[Read More]
Feed the Soil, Not the Plant
It is widely known that nitrogen is essential for plants. It is a major component of amino acids, DNA and chlorophyll. It is necessary for photosynthesis, the alchemical process of turning sunlight, carbon dioxide, minerals and water into oxygen and sugars that is the food that feeds life on earth. In Colorado, most of our soils are deficient in nitrogen.
But too much nitrogen can be a problem, especially high nitrogen chemical fertilizers. Bill McKibben, author of The Art of Balancing Soil Nutrients states, “Although all plant nutrients are critical, none seem to produce such quick and dramatic effect on plant growth as nitrogen does. It is because of this reason that nitrogen has been over-used and abused.” A 20%-30% nitrogen fertilizer can make a spring lawn turn bright green practically overnight, and can make plants in a greenhouse or garden grow and look mature really fast. So what’s the problem?[Read More]
Flood Recovery for the Garden
Flood recovery is not a problem most of us have had to deal with before so we can only try to solve the problems individually and make adjustments in the future.
The main problems seem to be:
1) Soil washed away-erosion
2) Soil dumped on top of plants, trees and existing soil
3) Plants washed away
4) Weed seeds deposited on the soil 5) manure and sewage and unknown contaminants deposited on the land[Read More]
Easy Broadleaf Evergreens for Colorado
In the winter when the deciduous plants have dropped their leaves, the evergreens really stand out. If we go for a walk, especially in the older neighborhoods, what evergreens do we see? The greatest numbers are spruces, firs, pines and junipers. In general these conifers with their narrow needles or scales are adapted to our cold temperatures, strong winds and sunny winter days. But there are other woody evergreens to be seen in Colorado neighborhoods: the broad-leaf evergreens. In general their wide leaves transpire more and are more prone to desiccation in our drying conditions; however by choosing the right plants and siting them in their right places, we can enjoy these less popular but deeply satisfying winter-green shrubs and vines. In this article I will discuss the easy broad-leaf evergreens for Colorado and in the April issue we will talk about the difficult ones.[Read More]
Climbing Roses for Colorado
Many Colorado gardeners have been frustrated in their attempts to grow climbing roses. The main problem seems to be that the tall canes die back and though they may bloom, they look like shrubs, not climbers. We are green with envy of the European and Californian gardens with roses cascading over and festooning pillars, walls and bowers. Why can’t we achieve this? I think we can, but not without a very discriminating approach. First of all we must realize that our cold temperatures and especially the rapid cold-hot-cold changes, and our drying winter winds are death to all but the hardiest rose canes.
Henry Kelsey Rose
Henry Kelsey (1984 Kordesii cross) is an Explorer Series rose from Ag. Canada that is hardy to Zone 3 and is considered by many to be the best red-flowered climber for cold climates. It is very vigorous and grows strongly even in lean soils. Whereas it can be grown as a low arching shrub to 4’, it excels as a short climber to 8’-10’ and looks especially good trained down a split-rail fence. The flowers are semi-double with prominent golden stamens, opening a luscious deep red and fading to a pinker medium red. The fragrance is light but pleasant and the clusters of flowers repeat from June until frost. Where I have grown it in a very low water area over the last five years it has performed well and has not died back on the trellis, but repeat flowering is intermittent rather than continuous. One of the truths of xeriscape is that not all plants that grow well on low water, flower as well. Sometimes just one or two deep waterings during bloom time will make a big difference in flower production.[Read More]
Five Little-Used Xeriscape Shrubs
Fortunately, there are many choices of drought-tolerant shrubs. And not only can they tolerate drier conditions, the fact that they are taller than most perennials and groundcovers helps them to compete better with weeds, giving them a greater survival potential in untamed, harsh or more industrial locations. In native ecosystems, it is often the shrubs that begin to pioneer a barren ground, and the shade and wind-protection they create, gives more favorable microclimates for other plants to germinate and find a home. There are many fine non-native shrubs for xeriscapes, but in this article, I am mostly going to describe some of my favorite native shrubs for drier conditions.[Read More]
Mulching the Garden
MULCHING THE GARDEN
Benefits of Mulching:
1) prevents evaporation; holds moisture
2) reduces weeding; makes weeding easier
3) reduces fungal diseases; prevents splashing of spores onto bottom leaves
4) feeds the soil; as mulch decomposes, worms take nutrients into the soil[Read More]
Mulches and Mulching
Applying a mulch around our plants can be one of the most effective ways to improve their health and success, especially during hot and dry conditions like we had in 2012. Mulches have many benefits, but it is important to know how to use them to avoid problems.
Mulch conserves water by reducing evaporation 10%-50%. Usually a 2”-4” deep layer is best, and the material needs to be open enough to admit rain and irrigation and dense enough to resist evaporation. It is a good idea to apply mulch after the soil has been deeply watered or soaked with a good rain. Then the mulch will hold the moisture. Beware of materials like unshredded leaves which can act like shingles, and dry compost or sawdust which are hydrophobic, meaning they are difficult to wet. These problems are worse on a slope where water can run off instead of penetrating.[Read More]
Nitrogen Fixation and How We Can Use It
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for all living things. Where does that nitrogen come from? It comes from the atmosphere, which is composed of 78% nitrogen; but that gas is quite inert, meaning it can’t combine with other elements until it is broken into a simpler form. This process takes a lot of energy to “fix” the nitrogen. There are three processes that can fix nitrogen: atmospheric, Haber Process and biological.
Atmospheric fixation occurs when the high temperature of lightning splits the nitrogen gas so it bonds with oxygen and moisture in the air to form nitrates that fall to the earth with rain. This natural fertilization benefits plants. Some people have asked, Is it my imagination that my grass looks greener after a thunderstorm? Maybe not; it could be due to the nitrogen as much as to the water.[Read More]
What the GMO?
GMO has become a dirty word and a symbol for Monsanto’s corporate control over our health. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are the result of slamming DNA (genetic material) from one organism with the DNA of another, yielding altered characteristics. The bizarre results are discarded and the profitable ones, like being unaffected by the herbicide Roundup, are reproduced. Current approved GMO crops include Roundup Ready corn, soybeans, canola and this year, sweet corn. The advantage with these crops is that a farmer can have easy perfect weed control, by spraying the whole field with the herbicide Roundup, killing the weeds but not the crop.[Read More]
Goldflame Spirea (Spiraea bumalda ‘Goldflame’)
Here’s a shrub that won’t grow over the living room windows, spread half-way across the driveway or send suckers up in the perennial border. It stays a compact 2’-3’ high and a little wider. It’s name comes from its spring leaf coloration which begins a russet or bronze-red mixed with yellow, changing to yellow-green and then green. The flowers are pinkish and bloom for a long time. Then again in the fall the spring leaf colors return to a golden copper-orange. This variety is very heat tolerant and has been successful in my xeriscape garden for 7-8 years. Occasional winter dieback has been slight and easily sheared off with hedge clippers. I also use the hedge clippers to remove the spent flowers after blooming.[Read More]
Soil: The New Frontier
Do any of you have dirt under your fingernails? Good. You and all gardeners have direct experience with soil. Those of you who don’t get your hands in the dirt probably will, because soil and soil building is the next frontier. Why do I say that?
Because until recently our understanding of soil and our approach to soil fertility was steeped in ignorance and misunderstanding. We’ve been in the Dark Ages.
Does anybody know the meaning of a new paradigm? It does not mean coming up with a new idea; it means coming up with a new perspective, a new ground from which to begin our thinking. We are entering a new paradigm in relation to the earth.[Read More]
A Bad Year for Fire Blight
This is a bad year for fireblight which is a bacterial disease which affects mostly apple, pear, crabapple, hawthorn and Mt. Ash. It is spread in the presence of moisture and enters the trees through wounds and open blossoms. Colorado is the worst state in the US for fireblight.
Because of our moist spring and extra wounding caused by hail, there is a lot of infection. Symptoms include black, hooked twig ends, brown or blackened leaves, dried up fruits and sunken cankers that can be a dull orange or black. Fireblight is a difficult disease to manage because there is no cure. Spraying chemicals is not recommended by CSU because they are not very effective, timing is critical and spraying must be repeated.[Read More]
Cold-Hardy Climbers
At the end of last season I wrote about how to succeed with climbing roses in Colorado. Besides winter watering and careful siting out of the worst wind, the most important factor is the choice of very cold hardy roses that are grown on their own roots. The books may say we are zone 5 but when the temperature drops from 50 at noon to 5 at two a.m., we better hope our rose is zone 4 or even zone 3 hardy. With climbers this is even more true because if the canes die back to two feet the rose may still bloom but it won’t function as a climber that year. Here are a few of the toughest and most cold-hardy climbing roses for Colorado. [Read More]
Philadelphus – Mockorange
Nearly everybody has met the memorable fragrance of mockorange, said to imitate the smell of orange blossoms. There are over a hundred species of Philadelphus, and of these, about 40 are native to North America. Many of the yards of Boulder County and Denver have at least one specimen. What is so good about this shrub? Dirr says, “In flower they are attractive to some, but the rest of the year are real eyesores.” Wyman said their fall color is not vivid, their fruits are not ornamental, no winter interest, but they are “cultivated 50 weeks of the year in order that their flowers may be appreciated for two weeks.” However I happen to love mockorange, and one of the 2001 Plant Select shrubs is ‘Cheyene’ Mockorange. So let’s look into the good qualities.[Read More]
Geraniums for Sun or Dry Shade
Hardy Geraniums are in general very serviceable and these four have been very useful and successful for me. They are tolerant of diverse and adverse conditions and are especially useful in dreaded dry shade.[Read More]
Fireblight: How to recognize it and deal with it (1997)
One of the most damaging and most perplexing diseases of the Front Range is fireblight. It is a bacterial disease affecting apples, crabapples, pears, Mt. Ashes, pyracanthas, quinces, hawthorns and occasionally cotoneasters. Fireblight does not affect cherries, plums, peaches or shade trees.
When the bacterium with the lovely name Erwinia amylovora enters the trees through an opening such as a wound, a pruning cut, the open blossom or leaf pores, the tissues quickly die causing blossoms and leaves and young twigs to suddenly wilt and turn black as if scorched by fire (hence the name “fireblight”). As the bacteria spread through the tissues, secondary infection continues through the season and bark areas die, become sunken and turn black or reddish-orange. These areas are called “cankers”. Sometimes large numbers of leaves turn black but the infection stays confined to small twigs; sometimes entire large branches die; occasionally the entire tree will die.[Read More]
Groundcovers Project in its 18th Year
In 1993 I sent a survey to 29 local horticulturists to get their suggestions on the best groundcovers for a demonstration project we were planning at Harlequin’s Gardens. I asked them to list 5-10 groundcovers that could be used to replace bluegrass in low traffic areas, that would need a quarter to a half the water of bluegrass, have few pests and diseases, would grow densely to limit weeds, would look good in most seasons and would not be invasive in gardens. The survey was typed on a typewriter and most of the replies were hand-written. People did drive cars back then. But that was a long time ago and I had a lot to learn.[Read More]
Serviceberry
Saskatoon Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia)
A winter-hardy (zone 4) native shrub of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains. It has beautiful coarsely toothed leaves that are attractive even in the dry summer. The flowers are white and apple-like, fragrant and appear very early in the spring. Delicious blueberry-like fruit follow in midsummer. Birds are very fond of them and the American Indians used to mix these serviceberries with fat and buffalo meat to make their winter staple, pemmican. The Canadians have been working to develop this plant for fruit production.[Read More]
Hardy Geraniums
Hardy Geraniums are one of most versatile an adaptable perennials for our area. Available in many colors and habits, they can be useful in sun and shade, moist and dry, as a single specimen, as companion plants and as ground covers. These are not to be confused with the Pelargoniums which are the house plant, container and bedding plant “geraniums” which are not hardy outdoor plants in Colorado. The name “geranium” is derived from a Greek word meaning little crane, hens the common name “cranesbill” which refers to the appearance of the seed heads. The majority of the species of geraniums are native to the northern and mountain regions of Eurasia and North and South America although some are found in South Africa, India, Indonesia etc. Most grow in grasslands, meadows, roadsides and open woodlands. Therefore the natural habitat for most hardy geraniums seems to be sunny and moist or part-shade and moist or dry.[Read More]
Japanese Beetle is Here
Japanese Beetle is one of the most damaging insect pests in the Eastern and Midwestern US, but until recently, Coloradans were spared that challenge. It entered the US in 1916, but took until 2003 before a population was established in Colorado. This first infestation was in the Palisade area on the Western Slope. Even though eradication efforts were mostly successful there, established populations have been found since 2005 in Pueblo, southern Denver, Englewood, at DU and at Denver Botanic Gardens. Populations are being seen now in Boulder and Jefferson County.[Read More]
Heat-Tolerant Plants
Most of our native plains plants and shrubs including:
Sumacs
Penstemons
Rabbitbrushes
Desert Four O’Clock
Saltbrush
Heterotheca
Artemisias (Sages)
Thelesperma
Gambel Oak
Sulfur Flower (Eriogonums)[Read More]
Small Shrubs that Fit In
There has been a lot of interest at our nursery, and in current plant-breeding programs for smaller shrubs. Most of the old-time favorite shrubs are very large. Most lilacs, viburnums, honeysuckles, forsythias, privets, elderberries, serviceberries, butterfly bushes and hibiscus are 6’-12’ high and often as wide. These are great to provide screening and big masses of color along fences or the back of the border.[Read More]
Managing Grasshoppers without Poisons
Nolo Bait is not a poison. It is a parasite that only affects grasshoppers and Mormon Crickets. It will not harm people, pets, wildlife or beneficial insects. It is most effective on small grasshoppers. In 3-4 weeks up to 50% of the grasshopper population will die. In addition, their eggs will be infected for the following season, and because grasshoppers are cannibalistic, they spread the disease. Put out shallow trays of the bran bait in small quantities. Wind, rain and contact with soil organisms can reduce bait available to grasshoppers.
Ducks, chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl can significantly reduce grasshopper populations. They must be fenced and put inside a safe structure every night to protect them from predators. They will also eat some plants, like vegetables.[Read More]
Managing Weeds Organically
This is the perfect time to apply Corn Gluten to prevent new weeds.
There are simple steps you can take now to keep your garden organically weed-free all season long
Smoketree
Cotinus, known as Smoketree, is a genus of woody plants appreciated for their “smoky” flower plumes and for their leaf color, especially in autumn. Michael Dirr in his famous Manual of Woody Landscape Plants says “…it may be the best of all American shrub/trees for intensity of color.” Two species and many selections and hybrids offer leaf colors ranging from rich blue-green, maroon red, purple-red and yellow-gold; and the fall colors are even more vibrant. With the current passion for new plants, it is curious that Smoketree is not seen more often in our western landscapes.[Read More]
Lavandula – The Lavenders
Lavenders are great xeriscape perennials for Colorado, which bloom in the heat and dry of July and August. They are native to the rocky hillsides of the Mediterranean region. Here as well, they like good drainage, full sun, our alkaline soil and dry, loamy humus. Lavenders are aromatic herbs with gray foliage, the leaves as well as the flowers being strongly fragrant.[Read More]
Roses that Survive and Thrive in Colorado
After last November’s 77 degree cold plunge to 13 degrees below zero, most roses suffered die-back, some died to the ground and some died completely. But there were roses that had only minimal damage and some that will bounce back with a good show of vigorous growth and generous flowering this year. Here are some observations and conclusions about growing sustainable roses in Colorado.
Roses are cane shrubs, similar to blackberries and raspberries. Their wood has a pithy center and is not as hard or as strong as a lilac. Consequently roses are more vulnerable to insects, diseases, desiccation and cold, but another consequence is that they can grow and regrow much faster than woody shrubs like lilac and viburnum.[Read More]
Lawn Alternatives and Groundcovers
In our American communities, one of the responsibilities of home-ownership is to keep the ground covered. Bare earth, like weeds, indicates lack of care. So then, how do we cover the ground? The cheapest, fastest, and easiest way is to roll out bluegrass sod. “Instant” landscapes can be accomplished with a supervised construction crew that knows little about plants. And as long as water was plentiful, bluegrass was the unquestioned solution.[Read More]
Sungari Redbead Cotoneaster
The 2017 Plant Select shrub introduction is a woody plant with a tongue-twister of a name, a long history of survival at the old Cheyenne Horticultural Station, and has a heart-warming story of two great local plantsmen who brought it out of obscurity into Colorado gardens.
Cotoneaster racemiflora soongorica or Sungari Redbead Cotoneaster is a very tough and beautiful shrub, having survived over 40 years of neglect at the closed and unwatered Cheyenne High Plains Horticultural Research Station. It grows 6′-8′ high and wide with arching branches. The dark green leaves that are gray-white underneath, are attractive in themselves, and the flattened clusters of white, Hawthorn-like flowers are some of the showiest of all cotoneasters. They attract bees and other pollinators. Following the flowers are showy red fruits, a quarter of an inch or more in diameter. These berries are not messy and are popular with garden birds. They cluster along the thin branches, appearing as ropes of beads — hence the common name.[Read More]
Pest Management for Bees
Overview: The Good News: 100,000 insect species; only 200 pests. We do not need neonics or any toxic pesticide to grow plants well. The solution is human attention, biodiversity, nutrient-dense soils, application of nontoxic management, and tolerance.
The Bad News: Most people and most nurseries don’t know the good news. They believe the chemical companies that we need to fear and attack insects and fungi as enemies.
More Good News: The concern of ordinary citizens who call nurseries and businesses and ask them if they are using systemic neonic poisons in their plants, is having a powerful effect. These companies now know we care and will buy plants that are neonic-free if we can. This could get them to change.[Read More]
Pruning Article for Boulder Home and Garden
For many people, pruning is the maintenance job they most fear and dread. And it is good to be wary, because a tree that is badly pruned can dominate a landscape with its ugliness for years, can be more prone to breakage and disease, and can have a much shorter life.
Tree and shrub pruning have four basic aspects: the practical or aesthetic interests of the owners, the biology of how trees “heal”, the physics of what makes a branch strong or weak, and the art of how to create beautiful forms.[Read More]
Pyrethrum Insecticides: Are they Safe?
Pyrethrum is one of the best known botanical insecticides, effective against a wide variety of insect pests and generally considered safe to use. Is it really safe? To answer any question about pyrethrum it must first be explained that what is referred to as “pyrethrum” can be many different products. There is pyrethrum, the raw flowers; pyrethrins,the extracts from the flowers; and pyrethroids, synthetic pyrethrum. In addition many other insecticides and enhancers are often added to formulations which are called “pyrethrum”.[Read More]
Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse Rose Garden
Boulder Valley Rose Society
Hardy Roses Demonstration Garden
1770 13th St. Boulder, Colorado
This garden, planted in 1998, is both the Hardy Rose Demonstration Garden of the Boulder Valley Rose Society and an environment that delights the senses and calms the spirit, such as you might find at a teahouse in Tajikistan.
Designed by Eve Reshetnik-Brawner and Mikl Brawner, the garden includes 43 varieties of roses of many types, including Old Garden roses, Species roses, Canadian, Modern Shrub and David Austin’s English roses. These roses were chosen for their Old World Character, cold hardiness and disease-resistance. In addition, these roses are not grafted, but grown on their “own roots” which makes them tougher and longer-lived. These qualities have allowed the Boulder Valley Rose Society to maintain this rose garden without the use of chemical fertilizers, fungicides and pesticides. These roses are examples of how successful roses can be in Colorado.[Read More]
Bundle Up Your Plants!
Spring snow is on it’s way!
This week will be a challenging one for gardeners; we will have night temperatures in the mid-20s Wednesday through Friday, before the next warming trend. We are also expecting snow and perhaps sleet. There are a number of ways to protect your plants including row cover, solar caps, upside-down pots. See below for details. [Read More]
Veggies, Seeds, Special Events, and Classes!
VEGGIES, SEEDS, SPECIAL EVENTS, & CLASSES!
So many opportunities this spring!

Harlequin’s Gardens offers a lot of exceptional and unusual varieties of veggies that you won’t find anywhere else!
Our selection of cool-season veggies continues to expand daily as do
our perennials. There are many veggies, including onions, leeks, Asian
greens, bok choy, and heading type of brassicas (broccoli, cauliflower,
cabbage) that will yield larger and better results if they are planted
sooner, rather than later in the season. (Eve with Graffiti Cauliflower, right.) See our website for many of our veggie descriptions.
This is also the best time to get many types of seeds in the ground. Our collection of Botanical Interests, Seed Savers, and Beauty Beyond Belief seeds contain many interesting and heirloom varieties for you to try.

If
you’re unsure about the best ways to approach veggie gardening, or want
to expand your knowledge, we have two classes this weekend that will be
of great help. On Saturday at 10 AM, our own Mimi Yanus will guide you in her popular “Getting Started in Veggie Gardening” class. Then, at 1:00, Tracy Parrish follows with her “Succession Planting” class where you’ll learn how to maximize your garden space and keep your veggie garden in continual production.
On Sunday at 1:00, Mikl will share how you can have a successful lawn without using toxic chemicals in his “Organic Lawn Care” class. See below for more details and call 303-939-9403 to reserve your seat!
As of April 1 we’re now OPEN DAILY from 9 AM to 5 PM, and until 6 PM on Thursdays.
POTATO STARTS
… will be arriving late next week! This year we will have German Butterball, Kennebec, Mountain Rose, and Purple Majesty selections. See our website for descriptions!
GOOD NEWS SPECIAL EVENT!
Neighbors, farmers, gardeners, citizen activists, the politically weary, the financially skeptical, the poetically inclined, pollinators, seed savers, CSA members, folks who want to know where their food comes from and where their money goes, and all who would like to put the culture back into agriculture and the civil back into civilization, all who would like to make our community healthier and our soil more fertile (which, as fate would have it, also pulls carbon out of the atmosphere, go figure!), all who take to heart the morning news reports about the collapse of insect populations and the urgency of climate change and who are no longer content to place all our bets on distant markets and distant political solutions. . .yes, you, us, we of Boulder, of the Front Range, of the environs between the Great Plains and the Continental Divide. . . we’re coming together to enjoy
—ADMISSION FREE—
. . .which could stand for Americans for Healthy Agriculture (AHA!), but doesn’t, because there is no such organization, but it stands for bunches of us coming together in a spirit of radical neighborliness, and for AHA! moments towards which we are heading, courtesy of these festivities, CO-HOSTED BY SOIL (Slow Opportunities for Investing Locally) and HARLEQUIN’S GARDENS, with help from our friends at Boulder County Farmers Markets, Savory Institute, Fresh Thymes Eatery, Organic Sandwich Company, Backpacker’s Pantry, Charlotte’s Web, and 78 individuals (on our way to many more, we trust) who have begun making 0% loans to local farmers and food enterprises, in the name of diversity and health, in the name of relationships putting transactions in their place, a small token of the esteem in which we hold those who are tending the soil and building the local food system. . .So, you are cordially invited to join in an afternoon of shared learning and community celebration, along with a few words from
and others, and. . . including poetry, music and other forms of cultural invigoration and mutual appreciation. Conviviality! Conversation! Door prizes! Radical neighborliness!

Who knew?! Something is afoot! AHA!
For more information contact woody@slowmoney.org.
BACKYARD VINEYARD CLASS

Have you dreamt of starting your own backyard vineyard? Our friend, John Martin of Stonebridge Farm, will be teaching an introductory class this Sunday, April 7, from 1:00-4:00 at Stonebridge Farm. To attend email John Martin.
Interested, but not able to attend? Come to John’s Sunday, April 28 class at Harlequin’s Gardens: GROWING GRAPES ON THE FRONT RANGE at 1 PM.
In this class John will present an overview of varieties suitable for
this region, considerations for site location, trellising options, pest
protection measures, and a brush across two basic pruning techniques. Call 303-939-9403 to register.
APRIL CLASS LIST
Call 303-939-9403 to reserve your seat!
Our weekends are loaded with great classes you won’t want to miss! Our customers tell us that our classes have given them tremendous value, with practical and current information from local experts who have spent years honing their skills in Colorado and will help guide you to success. We are charging $15 (unless otherwise stated) for our classes to support our speakers and Harlequin’s educational direction. It is best to pre-register for these classes both in case they fill up, or too few people register and we have to cancel. Pre-payment assures your place in the class. You can register at the nursery, by mail, or by calling 303-939-9403. We are unable to take class registration by email at this time. Most of our classes run from one-and-a-half to two hours in length, and sometimes longer for hands-on classes, or if there are a large number of questions. See the complete March Class listing below, or on our website.
Sat, Apr 6 at 10 AM
GETTING STARTED IN VEGETABLE GARDENING with Mimi Yanus
If you are new to Colorado, new to vegetable gardening, or have been unhappy with the results of your earlier attempts, this class is for you. Learn from Mimi what you need to know to make your new organic vegetable garden successful and bountiful, even in Colorado conditions! (This is a repeat of Mimi’s March 16 class.) Class cost: $15
Sat, Apr 6 at 1 PM
SUCCESSION PLANTING: OPTIMIZING PLANTING TIMES TO INCREASE GARDEN YIELDSwith Tracey Parrish
Learn the techniques and timing to maximize your garden space and keep your veggie garden in continual production
throughout the seasons. This class provides participants with an
extensive planting schedule table, outlining when and where to start
your seeds, the time to transplant out and when to expect harvest.
Tracey is an expert in culinary gardening. Class cost: $15
Sun, Apr 7 at 1 PM
ORGANIC LAWN CARE with Mikl Brawner
You can have successful a lawn without using toxic chemicals! Learn
how to support healthy soil and soil life using compost, organic
fertilizers, aeration, proper watering, and mowing, and how to avoid and
deal with weeds. Class cost: $15
Sat, Apr 13 at 10 AM
EDIBLE LANDSCAPING with Alison Peck
Learn how to grow fruits, nuts, vegetables, vines and herbs in your yard, beautifully.
Learn which plants are the most successful and how to integrate them
into your landscape. Alison has been designing edible landscapes for 25
years; she owns Matrix Gardens landscaping. Class cost: $15
Sat, Apr 13 at 1 PM
DO-IT-YOURSELF DRIP IRRIGATIONwithAlison Peck
Drip Irrigation can be easy! Come learn a simple, easy way to design and install a system that can be connected to an outside hose bib with a battery-operated timer, giving you an inexpensive automatic watering system. We will also discuss how to convert an existing sprinkler system to drip irrigation. Class cost: $15
Sun, Apr 14 at 10 AM
THE ART AND SCIENCE OF PLANTING DROUGHT-TOLERANT PLANTSwith Panayoti Kelaidis

Do you know what parts of the world your xeriscape plants come from? Whether they’re adapted to spring moisture, summer monsoons, or winter snow-cover? In what type of soil conditions they thrive? How to group plants with similar needs so they will all succeed? Don’t miss this rare opportunity for an enlightening explanation of the sets of growing conditions in which our Colorado-adapted garden plants evolved, including prairie, steppe, desert, foothill and montane, with an emphasis on steppes. Panayoti Kelaidis is Senior Curator and Director of Outreach at Denver Botanic Gardens, one of the world’s foremost botanical experts, an internationally acclaimed, inexhaustible and enthusiastic font of knowledge, passionate plant-explorer and gardener, a founder of the Plant Select program, and lead author of DBG’s groundbreaking book ‘Steppes’. Class cost: $15
Sun, Apr 14 at 1 PM
SPRING PRUNING with Mikl Brawner
There are shrubs that should not be pruned in the spring and there are shrubs, roses and vines that are best pruned in spring. Learn which to prune when, and how to prune for strength, beauty, and production of fruit and flowers. (This is not a repeat of the Fall Pruning Class.) Class cost: $15
Sat, Apr 20 at 1 PM
FEARLESS ROSE PRUNING with Eve Brawner
Eve will demonstrate and discuss why and how to prune roses in a fearless and confident manner. She
will also discuss feeding, watering, etc. to maximize your success with
growing roses. Wear long pants, long sleeves, gloves, and a hat and be
prepared to be outside. Class cost: $15
Sun Apr 28 at 10 AM
DRYER PLANTS FOR A NEW LANDSCAPE ERA with Kelly Grummons
Many beautiful cacti, century plants (Agave spp.), yuccas, and their relatives thrive in our harsh climate. These
plants look as good in the winter garden as they do in the summer.
Kelly is well known for his work with these hardy plants and is expert
at using them in the garden. We’ll discuss companion plants, soil
preparation and garden construction. Kelly Grummons is a Horticulturist
and Owner of Prairie Storm Nursery (coldhardycactus.com and
dogtuffgrass.com). Class cost: $20
Sun Apr 28 at 1 PM
GROWING GRAPES ON THE FRONT RANGE with John Martin
Thanks to recent development in grape varieties, you, too can
successfully grow table grapes and wine grapes on the Colorado Front
Range. This workshop will present an overview of varieties
suitable for this region, considerations for site location, trellising
options, pest protection measures, and a brush across two basic pruning
techniques. Whether you are interested in fruit or wine, let’s explore how the taste of your grapes and wineswill define this locality. John and his partner, Kayann Short, tend nine different varieties of grapes and make wine at their CSA farm, Stonebridge, in Longmont. Class cost: $15
Referrals

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Social Media
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We’re looking forward to seeing you this week! In gratitude,
Eve, Mikl
and the super hard-working Staff at Harlequin’s Gardens
HARLEQUIN’S GARDENS 2021 SPRING NEWSLETTER
Welcome to Spring, to Harlequin’s Gardens and to another year of the challenges and joys of being alive on Earth, along with the opportunities, work, and healing rewards of gardening. It is both curious and common sense that as we nurture, we ourselves are nurtured.
One of the most powerful and telling lessons of 2020 has been how intimately we are all connected with each other. Now we are all aware that we share air and biology with the whole world. Our human bodies are, in reality, half human cells and half microbial cells. And these microbial partners do contribute to our digestion, immune system and even cognition. And the balance of organisms depends on who we are in contact with and what we are eating. [Read More]
We Have Soil Products for You!
It’s time to prepare your soil!
Thank you to all those who helped us with a successful opening day, last Friday!
And a big thanks to those who braved the elements later in the weekend
to stop by! Throughout the month of March we’ll be open four days a
week from 9 AM to 5 PM on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
March is a great time to focus on soil enrichment and we’re
stocked with great products that will help you prepare for the season
ahead. You’ll recognize many products which we’ve stocked for
years and we’re also trying out some new and exciting items. As always,
we welcome your feedback on them all!
Classes

This weekend we’re featuring three great classes. We start on Saturday, March 9 at 10 AM, with two of our favorite Permaculturists, Tara Rae Kent and Daniela Escudero sharing some important principles to create more resilient and regenerative systems in our own gardens in their “Intro to Permaculture” class. Free Admission!

Stick around on March 9 because at 1:00 we have a one-time-only presentation on “Cover Crops: Why, How and Which” with Clark Harshbarger.
Clark who is employed with the USDA-NRCS as a soil scientist and
recently as director of Regenerative Farming at MAD Agriculture, will
soon be moving to eastern US. For this special presentation we are
renting a larger space next door at the Boulder Circus Center. This special class is only $20. (See the list of cover crop seeds that we’re offering, below.)
Finally on Sunday, at 1:00 pm, Mikl with share how to address “Fireblight” issues, which were a hardship for many gardeners last year. See below for more details and call 303-939-9403 to reserve your seat!
MARCH CLASS LIST
Call 303-939-9403 to reserve your seat!
Our weekends are loaded with great classes you won’t want to miss! Our customers tell us that our classes have given them tremendous value, with practical and current information from local experts who
have spent years honing their skills in Colorado and will help guide
you to success. We are charging $15 (unless otherwise stated) for our
classes to support our speakers and Harlequin’s educational direction. It is best to pre-register for these classes both in case they fill up, or too few people register and we have to cancel. Pre-payment assures your place in the class. You can register at the nursery, by mail, or by calling 303-939-9403.
We are unable to take class registration by email at this time. Most
of our classes run from one-and-a-half to two hours in length, and
sometimes longer for hands-on classes, or if there are a large number of
questions. See the complete March Class listing below, or on our website.
Sat, Mar 9 at 10 AM
Introduction to Permaculture with Tara Rae Kent & Daniela Escudero

Permaculture is a design science that is informed by cycles and patterns in nature. This helps us create more resilient and regenerative systems, whether those systems are gardens, farms, businesses, or events. We
will explore the ethics that guide a permaculture design and the
principles that help a design take form, as well as real life examples
and projects that are a part of our lives. The class will
include: 1) an introduction and exploration of the Permaculture Ethics
and Principles, 2) real life, active and diverse examples of
permaculture designs, and 3) a tour of Harlequin’s Garden’s Permaculture
Design. Free admission!
Sat, Mar 9 at 1 PM
Cover Crops for Gardeners: Why, How & Which with Clark Harshbarger

In
the current soil revolution, we are learning how to nurture and care
for our soils and the soil life that is the true source of soil
fertility. Cover crops are becoming recognized as one of the keys to soil fertility and soil health.
When our annual crops die in the fall, if we do not replace those crops
with living plants, then the microbes that depend on the nutrients
“leaked” into the soil from plant roots, will die or decrease. Besides
that, cover crops are a method to use photosynthesis to grow organic
matter and nutrients including nitrogen to add to the soil, so we have
to buy fewer amendments. In addition, many cover crops support beneficial insects which help control pest insects, and they reduce erosion.
But which cover crops do well in Colorado and when do we plant them and
when should we cut them, and how do we prevent them from becoming weeds
or competitors? And how best to combine them? Harlequin’s Gardens has been looking for someone to teach us these things, who really knows how to do it in our local conditions. And this year we found the right person. So this is a great opportunity that will not be available next year, because Clark Harshbarger will
be moving to eastern US. For the last two decades, Clark was employed
with the USDA-NRCS as a soil scientist and recently as director of
Regenerative Farming at MAD Agriculture.
We have rented a bigger space than our classroom, but people will have to register ahead of time to make sure they get a seat. Clark’s class will be held at the Boulder Circus Center, next door to Harlequin’s Gardens, south in the big metal building in the Trixie Room. Register by phone at 303-939-9403. This will be a 2 hour class and we will be charging only $20.
Sun, Mar 10 at 1 PM
Fireblight: Pruning, Nutrition & Culture with Mikl Brawner

Last year was the worst year for this bad bacterial disease of apples and pears. Mikl has had over 40 years of experience with fireblight, and will teach and demonstrate proper pruning, and explain how to bring a tree back to health even if a lot of the tree is blighted. Class cost: $15
Sat, Mar 16 at 10 AM
Getting Started in Vegetable Gardening with Mimi Yanus
If you are new to Colorado, new to vegetable gardening, or
have been unhappy with the results of your earlier attempts, this class
is for you. Learn from Mimi what you need to know to make your
new organic vegetable garden successful and bountiful, even in Colorado
conditions! Class cost: $15. (This class will be repeated on Saturday,
April 6th at 10 am.)
Sat, Mar 16 at 1 PM
Mason Beekeeping with Tom Theobald


The
importance of our native ‘solitary’ bee species to the pollination of
our crops, flowers, and native plants is receiving increased attention.
For over 30 years, Tom Theobald of Niwot Honey Farm has been propagating one of the most ‘useful’ species, Mason Bees (Blue Orchard Bees),
and will teach how to attract and care for these gentle native
pollinators. Mason Bees are not a replacement for honeybees, but they are excellent pollinators of the early fruits – cherries, apples, etc. They
stay close to home, don’t sting, don’t require the year-round
commitment of a colony of honeybees and provide a great way to introduce
children to the world of pollinators. Harlequin’s Gardens will have
filled straws (containing male and female adult bees in hibernation) for
sale for $12 a straw.
IMPORTANT: You must RESERVE your Mason Bee straws IN
ADVANCE by calling Harlequin’s Gardens at 303-939-9403. Pre-payment of
mason bee straws is required. Class cost: $15. (Note: this class is a repeat of Tom’s March 2 class.)
Sun, Mar 17 at 1 PM
Dwarf Conifers for Gardens and Landscapes with Kirk Fieseler
A renowned expert in conifers at Laporte Avenue Nursery in Fort Collins, Kirk Fieseler will discuss dwarf conifers for small landscapes and rock gardens. Learn the origins and propagation techniques for dwarf conifers as well as how to grow them in containers and in the garden. Kirk will talk about the most successful species for our climate and soils. Class cost: $15. (Pictured right: Farmy, P. edulis. Photo by Kirk Fieseler.)
Wed, Mar 20 – First Day of Spring
Sat, Mar 23 at 1 PM
Get Equipped for Beekeeping with Kristina Williams


For beginning and established beekeepers, alike! Kristina will demonstrate how to build and crosswire frames. Learn the lingo of beekeeping supplies and take a tour of our Bee Barn. Harlequin’s
Gardens is upgrading frames and foundation to be as strong as they can
be and still use beeswax. Our resident entomologist and Bee Barn Babe,
Kristina Williams, will share her vast knowledge with you! Free Admission! (Photo credit, right: Red Hot Pepper)
Sun, Mar 24 at 1 PM
Building Topsoil & Fertility with Mikl Brawner

Mikl will discuss how to support soil life, enrich poor soils, and improve plant health and nutrition from the bottom up: composts, fertilizers, mulching, worms, deficiencies, and tilth. Class cost: $15
Sun, Mar 31 at 1 PM
Cold Hardy Cacti and Succulents with Kelly Grummons

We are proud to present acclaimed CO horticulturist Kelly Grummons, director of Prairie Storm Nursery, a business that includes ColdHardyCactus.com and DogTuffGrass.com! An
expert in selection and propagation of rare and unique plants for
Colorado, Kelly will discuss a variety of exceptional new winter hardy
cacti, agaves, yuccas, and outdoor succulents, and include choosing
appropriate sites, soil prep, fertilizing, and ongoing care. Class cost:
$20. (Photo credit, left: ColdHardCactus.com)
Products for Building and Supporting Healthy Soils

Harlequin’s Gardens has been studying soil health for many years now, because
soil health is needed for plant health, for plant resistance to pests
and diseases and for nutritional value of plants. We believe
that a strong Soil Life with all the beneficial fungi, bacteria,
earthworm etc. is the goal to digest the nutrients in the soil and make
them into plant-available forms.
Our soils also are deficient in organic matter and available nutrients. Colorado
soils do have nutrients, but many are not in a form that’s available to
plants. So, Harlequin’s has sourced most of our soil-building products
from businesses as local as possible, almost all from Colorado. Local
products use our local wastes (like landscape wastes, beer wastes, food
wastes, beetle-kill pine, mushroom waste, dairy cow manure, chicken
manure). This supports local businesses to recycle and because trucking
distances are greatly reduced, we are cutting down on carbon emissions.
Putting these organic wastes into the soil also sequesters carbon. And
because carbon is one of Life’s main building blocks, these products
help build fertility.
This year we have many returning products and some new products that we’d like to tell you about.
Humate
This is a mined carbon concentrate that multiplies microorganisms and has the effect of making nutrients in the soil available. We have been using this for years in our potting mixes.
Corn Gluten
A non-toxic, weed-and-feed with 9% nitrogen. It
inhibits seed germination, but is harmless to plants with root systems,
people, worms, and microorganisms. The effect can last up to 6 months
and is especially useful in lawns. Apply in September/October, and again
in late February/March to prevent the majority of existing weed seeds
from germinating.
Alpha One
100% organic fertilizer for vegetables and ornamentals. Contains:
7% Nitrogen, 2% Phosphorus, 2% Potash, 1% Iron, 1% Sulphur, with a pH
of 6.2. Formulated in Loveland for Colorado Soils.
Richlawn 5-3-2 Fertilizer
A 100% organic product comprised of dehydrated poultry waste.
It is listed by OMRI for organic use and is ideal for lawns, trees,
shrubs, annuals, perennials, vegetables and roses. One bag covers 2,000
sq. ft. of turf.
EcoGro Compost
A Class 1 Compost made from leaves, grass, chipped branches, and beer wastes. It
has a healthy population of microorganisms and diverse nutrients. It
is very stable and will not burn or steal nitrogen. It is fine
textured, low in salts with some woody particles. The pH is 8.3; the
NPK 1-1-1.
Eko Compost
Made from forest and recycled wood products composted with poultry manure. Use
Eko Compost in vegetable and flower gardens, on lawns, trees, shrubs.
to Improve soil’s physical, chemical, and biological health.
Eko Lawn Topdressing
Finely screened compost perfect for top dressing lawns after aeration. Holds moisture next to the roots increasing drought tolerance. Supports microorganisms.
Symbiosis Potting Soil – NEW!

Symbiosis Potting Soil is a plant-based compost, made
from coconut coir, perlite, azomite minerals, calphos, rock dust, kelp
meal, oyster shell, dolomite lime, earthworm castings, mycorrhizae and
Alaska humus.
Fort Vee Potting Mix – NEW!
This compost-based potting mix is best for starting seeds and transplanting seedlings and houseplants. It
is composed of composted manure and plant material, peat moss, crushed
granite and basalt, blood meal, kelp meal, bone meal, gypsum,
vermiculite, coconut coir and biodynamic preparations. It’s best to wet
before use. Used very successfully last year at Kilt Farm.
Ocean Forest Potting Soil
A nutrient-rich soil for planting seedlings. It
performed well in our tests. Contains: composted bark, sphagnum peat,
fish emulsion, crab, earthworm castings, loam, perlite, bat guano,
granite dust, kelp meal.
EcoPett
A natural pine coop bedding (or cat litter!). Contains
recycled beetle-kill pine and activated carbon, making it very
absorbent, with powerful odor control. It outperforms and outlasts hay
and wood shavings. Expands up to 5X when wet. Reduces cleaning by 50%.
Not a soil amendment, but a local, recycled beetle-kill pine product to
help care for your poultry and other small animals.
Products Coming Soon!
Harlequin’s Fertility Mix

A
mix of Biosol Certified Organic 6-1-1 Fertilizer, humate, molasses,
endomycorrhizae, and calcium. Increases root mass, top growth, soil
life, and productivity naturally. This is not just a fertilizer. The combination of ingredients and mycorrhizae act synergistically to support fertility. It has received rave reviews! Try it and let us know your experience.
Rocky Mt. Minerals
From Salida, this broad spectrum of many different minerals that support
plant strength and immune function, including 11% Calcium, 6% Sulfur
plus magnesium, iron, and many others. The big difference with this
product is that its geothermal source makes these minerals much more available.
Mushroom Compost
From a local mushroom farm. Dark, rich humus that feeds soil life, improves soil structure & aeration, saves water. Great soil amendment for veggies, perennials, roses & shrubs. Also, a superb mulch for roses.
Dairy Cow Manure Compost
Nutrient-rich compost made from manure of dairy cows – NOT fed hormones and only given antibiotics when sick. (No rBGH given.)
Coco Loco Potting Soil
A superior coir-based potting media produced from coconut husks, making
it one of nature’s most abundant renewable resources. This mix also
contains earthworm castings, bat guano, kelp meal and oyster shell. It
resists compaction, easily rewets, and absorbs evenly for excellent
aeration and maximum drainage.
Biochar
A highly adsorbent, specially-produced charcoal applied to soil as a means to increase soil fertility and agricultural yields and sequester carbon.
Related New Products
Two great publications by the highly respected Bio-Integral Resource Center (BIRC), who
specializes in finding non-toxic and least-toxic, integrated pest
management (IPM) solutions to urban and agricultural pest problems.
“Alternatives to Glyphosate” – NEW!
Glyphosate is the main ingredient in Roundup herbicide, and a probable
carcinogen. This resource is derived from the latest scientific
research.
“IPM for Cannabis Pests” – NEW!
Registered insecticides are illegal and toxic pesticides make no sense.
Insect Saver – NEW!
Having trouble with insects in your house? Catch
wasps, bees, moths, flies, spiders, beetles, even earwigs, one-handed,
swiftly, easily, without hurting them! Observe the insect through the
clear container, then open it to release them outside. This is the German-made Schutzgreifer that
we have been searching for. We had purchased a couple of these nifty
devices and used them for years, but couldn’t find a supplier. Now we
have them and you can too! They operate one-handed, like scissors: simply open, place over the insect and gently close. Even works on drapes and upholstery.
Cover Crop Seeds – NEW!
We’ve expanded our offerings of cover crops to better meet your gardening needs.
- Fall / Winter Cover Crop Mix
- Spring / Summer Cover Crop Mix
- Ephraim Crested Wheatgrass
- Blue Grama
- Hairy Vetch
- Red Clover
- Austrian Winter Peas
- Daikon Radish
- Dwarf Essex Rapeseed
- Annual Sunflower
- Quatro Sheep Fescue
- Morgan Spring Oats (organic)
- Spring Triticale
- Buckwheat (organic)
- Organic Spring Cover Crop Mix
- Harlequin’s Gardens Mountain Native Mix
- Harlequin’s Gardens Foothills native Mix
- Harlequin’s Gardens Xeric Mix
Referrals
Know anyone that would also enjoy receiving our blogs? If so, forward this blog to them and they can click here to subscribe.
Social Media
Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the most up-to-date information and photos! We’re looking forward to seeing you this week! In March we are open every Thursday-Sunday, 9-5.