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Harlequins Gardens

Harlequins Gardens

Boulder's specialist in well-adapted plants

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Home | OLD-Blog

OLD-Blog

OTHER VEGGIE STARTS – 2022 Newsletter

March 24, 2022

Purple Majesty when cooked

POTATOES

Yellow Finn, Purple Majesty, Harvest Moon, and Norland Dark Red.

 

 

 

 

Heirloom Tohono O’odham Multiplier Onion plants

ONIONS

Patterson Red, Redwing, Walla Walla, Ailsa Craig, Red Long of Tropea, Red Geneva, Gladstone, Borrettano, Dakota Tears, Bianco di Maggio.

ALSO, Leeks and Shallots.

 

 

 

ASPARAGUS

JERSEY KNIGHT  (roots, 5 per bundle)

All male hybrid with big spears. Does not make seed, so doesn’t become weedy.  Best selection for dense clay soils.  Very productive and disease resistant.  Hardy to Zone 2.

PURPLE PASSION  (roots, 5 per bundle)

Beautiful deep burgundy-colored spears with high sugar content, delicious, tender, less fibrous, great in raw salads.

HARLEQUIN’S GARDENS 2023 SPRING NEWSLETTER

March 21, 2023

Dear Friends and Fellow Gardeners,

Welcome to Spring, to Harlequin’s Gardens and to another opportunity to mix your molecules with soil biology and partner with nature. Those of us who garden reap tremendous benefits, no matter how experienced or inexperienced we are. It’s no wonder gardeners are healthier and more cheerful.

          The 21st Century is an exciting time to be gardening because we are outgrowing the petroleum mentality of solving food and landscaping problems with chemicals and poisons. We are learning how to support Life with biological solutions. It is said that we are now in the Age of Biology because our biggest problems are biological and our most successful solutions are biological. And the United Nations has designated 2021-2030 the “Decade of Ecosystem Restoration.” Some people aren’t paying attention, but a lot of us have already assumed the job of helping to heal our environment, our people and our planet. Every act of kindness, of support, of nurturing and sharing, helps to uplift some pollinator, some frog, some bird, some microbe, some child, some hungry person, or somebody just like you.

[Read More]

EGGPLANT OFFERINGS – 2022 Newsletter

March 24, 2022

EGGPLANTS

GALINE
72 days, F-1 hybrid
Early, dependable Italian-style eggplant, mild, creamy-fleshed fruits averaging 1 lb., with glossy black skin.

[Read More]

SOIL LIFE PRODUCTS – 2022 Newsletter

March 24, 2022

VERY SPECIAL PRODUCTS TO BENEFIT YOUR SOIL LIFE & YOUR PLANT LIFE

The Garden Center at Harlequin’s Gardens is stocked with the best products to enhance your garden and allow you to grow organically. These include local bagged composts, mulches, garden tools, fertilizers and minerals, seeds, organic pest repellents, pots, compost tea and so much more! Below are descriptions of many of the products we have available only at our store.

[Read More]

PEPPER OFFERINGS – 2025 Spring Newsletter

March 21, 2025

PEPPERS 

A few of our NEW and “NEW AGAIN” PEPPERS: Offering 44 varieties!

Chimayo, courtesy Adaptive Seeds

CHIMAYO –   65 days, Open-pollinated, 4,000 – 6000 SHU, Capsicum anuum
A famous heirloom New Mexico chile. Medium hot, thin skinned and easy to dry 3-5” long fruit are probably the earliest Southwestern chile to ripen to red; makes some of the best tasting chile powder. Since it is not too hot, you can use it in large quantities and achieve flavor nirvana without running for the fire extinguisher; on the Slow Foods Ark of Taste 

[Read More]

Welcome to Spring and to our Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Harlequin’s Gardens – 2022 Newsletter

March 24, 2022

How did we possibly get this far? When we first opened in 1992, we had 2 acres a half mile down a dead-end gravel road, a dry well, a barn and a little greenhouse, and a few tables with plants. But we had a vision of a plant nursery that could serve Colorado’s Front Range and do it ecologically. We did have a country atmosphere and a great view. We had a lot of heart, but we only succeeded because an ever-increasing number of you found us and told your friends. [Read More]

ONE HEALTH – 2021 Newsletter

March 23, 2021

Can we have human health if our domesticated animals, wildlife, plants, and all nature are unhealthy, polluted, poisoned, weak and struggling? The answer seems to be NO. Climate Change “…coupled with a species-extinction crisis, habitat and soil degradation, pollution, extensive destruction of forests and coral reefs…” are all leading to our current health crisis.

These views emerged in a conference in October 2019, attended by 200 experts, which generated a call to action called The Berlin Principles. These 10 principles say basically that if we are to prevent future and worse pandemics, we must recognize and support the essential health links between humans, all other beings including microbes and our entire planet. We must support biodiversity which is critical to the infrastructure of life, health, and well-being on our planet. And this understanding must develop into strong institutions based on robust science and into policy and action. We must recognize that our decisions about our use of land, air, sea, and fresh water directly impact the health of humans, animals and ecosystems. When ecosystems are altered, becoming less resilient, we become vulnerable to more diseases.

Therefore, we must invest in a healthy natural infrastructure and fund the surveillance and protection of healthy ecosystems. (See One World One Health and Science Direct.)

COVID-19 has shown us the huge cost of inaction caused by the disconnect between science, economics, and politics. Taking the perspective of One Health gives us humans both the power and the responsibility to take on this huge problem at the root level.

We might ask ourselves: Why does the USA, the richest country in the world, lead the world in coronavirus cases and deaths? With only 4% of the world’s population, we have 25% of all cases and 20% of all deaths. This cannot be blamed on mismanagement alone. Our government has for years favored business profits over public health and environmental health. For example, the EPA website warns that glyphosate (active ingredient in Roundup) at 700 parts per billion can cause “problems with kidneys or reproductive difficulties” and yet 700 ppb is the permitted level in U.S. tap water.  Only .1 ppb is allowed in European Union tap water. Roundup also causes many problems with fungi, bacteria (like in our guts), kills insects, birds and in general undermines the health of our planet. It shows up in baby food and beer. This is one example of a poison in our ecosystem that is leading to the poor health in our nation and in our world.

 

Bayer says it will pay more than $10 billion to settle thousands of lawsuits from people alleging that their cancers were cause by Roundup, the company’s glyphosate-based herbicide.

The Sierra Club

Snow and Soil!

March 16, 2021

Wow!  That was an impressive snowstorm, even if it did arrive several days later than predicted. We know how hard many of us have had to work to clear paths through it.  And we hope everyone stayed safe, warm, healthy, and well-fed throughout. Colorado has been experiencing a long-term regional drought, so this addition to our mountain snowpack couldn’t be more welcome. Just think what a difference all this snow can make for Colorado’s farmers, many of whom have seen their ditch water allotments disappear in early July for the past several years.

[Read More]

Ready, Set, Plant!

March 9, 2021

Even though we are about to receive our biggest snowstorm of this winter thus far, you can still make great progress on your garden by starting seeds indoors or even outside if your garden is prepared and you’re quick and can sow them tomorrow morning! You can also plant our hardy perennials, vines, shrubs and trees that have overwintered outdoors ahead of the storm. And our Onion plants – they’re very cold-hardy, and the earlier they’re planted, the larger their bulbs at harvest time! And, if you can plant in a cold-frame, or under a low tunnel of sheet plastic or Row Cover Fabric, you can plant our spring vegetable starts! Heading varieties like Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower will give you [Read More]

Clematis Pruning Groups

February 9, 2021

Despite the access we have right now to our snow-free gardens, in general it’s not time to begin garden clean up. Undoubtedly (hopefully!) we will receive more snowfall in February and March and it is beneficial to keep leaves on the ground and last-year’s stalks on our perennials because this cover provides habitat for overwintering beneficial insects and it helps to keep the plant roots and crowns warmer.

In late February and early March it will be time to cut back certain Clematis vines, depending on their category. Here is an in-depth guide to the three Clematis Pruning Groups.  [Read More]

Feeding our Soil while Carbon Farming

January 26, 2021

Photo Credit: Aaron Favila – AP, and The Daily Camera.

Harlequin’s Gardens has become a member of the recently formed Coalition for Local Compost Climate Action. This is because Boulder County is getting ready to build a local composting facility to turn our organic wastes into fertility and climate action, which is very exciting!

For years we have been talking about the need for a local public composting facility. And now, driven by the pressure of Climate Change, it is even more obvious. We need to apply Nature’s waste recycling system, using microbes to remove valuable organic matter from the waste stream and turn it into healthy soil.[Read More]

Returning and New Seed Brands!

January 12, 2021

Seeds are selling, and sometimes selling out, at an unprecedented rate since Covid 19 forced so many people to stay at home, and thus inspired millions to try gardening for the first time. But we’re on it! Our racks will include loads of both tried-and-true favorites and exciting new varieties.

We will again be offering an excellent selection from our local seed houses, Beauty Beyond Belief (BBB) and Botanical Interests.

BBB’s specialties include individual wildflowers (many locally native!), wildflower seed mixes, and pollinator-supporting mixes specific to honeybees, butterflies or hummingbirds. Many of their offerings are hard to find elsewhere.

Botanical Interests goes to great lengths to provide all the information you need, and more (like an illustration of what the seedling looks like when it emerges), on both the outside and the inside of the packet, plus stunning, botanically accurate illustrations by highly skilled local artists adorning the front of each packet! We have carefully selected varieties from their catalog that will thrive in Colorado’s short season, early heat, cool nights, etc.

AND – NEW THIS YEAR! from MASA Seed Foundation, a wonderful line of locally-adapted seeds from master seedsman Rich Pecoraro and colleagues! Their seeds have been trialed, selected and reselected over the years to succeed in Front Range Colorado growing conditions. In our experience, these seeds have high germination rates and great seedling vigor, and develop into healthy plants, often with superior drought, heat and cold tolerance and disease resistance.

We will also offer a rack of Seed Savers Exchange selections. SSE’s mission is preserving genetic diversity by maintaining a vast seed library of heirloom varieties, many of which are found nowhere else. SSE packets generally offer a generous quantity of seed.

Winter Solstice 2020

December 15, 2020

This year the Winter Solstice will fall on Monday, Dec. 21st

This astronomical event is the time when the Earth’s north pole is tilted farthest from the sun, so that here in the northern hemisphere, night is the longest and daylight is the shortest. This day has long been celebrated because it signals the reversal of the trend, with days lengthening until Summer Solstice. So even though there is a lot of winter left, there will be more day light. It is the promise of rebirth, of Spring to come.

Peoples through different times and cultures have seen this event as a moment of rebirth and hope. [Read More]

Solstice Cheer from the Garden

December 15, 2020

Attractive Evergreens for Colorado Gardens

At the time of the Winter Solstice, we can be grateful for the evergreens in our Colorado gardens. Not every region of the temperate northern hemisphere can grow so many different beautiful plants with year-round presence.

There are so many evergreen (and eversilver, everblue, red and purple) hardy perennials, groundcovers, shrubs, herbs, and trees (and not just conifers!) we can grow here. They go above and beyond in their service as ornamental plants in all four seasons. [Read More]

Greetings to our Friends and Fellow Gardeners!

December 8, 2020

If, for the moment, we put aside the political anxieties and the shocking impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on all almost all aspects of life as we knew it, we can turn our attention to the spiritual and emotional healing embodied in the holiday season.  Winter Solstice, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Eid and Christmas are all joyful celebrations of possibility, hope, love. Environmentally responsible gardening is so also about love, possibility and hope.

A gift certificate for Harlequin’s Gardens will be appreciated by any gardener, new or seasoned, [Read More]

With Gratitude and Appreciation

November 3, 2020

Dear Friends & Fellow Gardeners,

Thank you so much for hanging in there with us this year as we scrambled to adjust to new circumstances and new protocols! We are truly grateful for your patience and loyalty, which made it possible to help so many people, many of them new to gardening.  In fact, one of the nursery trade magazines reported that in the US this year, there were 19 million new gardeners. There were days this spring when it felt like they were all coming to Harlequin’s!  We have the hang of it now, and if the pandemic is still a threat in spring 2021 (which is probable), we will be able [Read More]

Final Week of our 2020 Season

October 27, 2020

We’ve heard from some of you that your trip to Harlequin’s for holiday gifts was your first foray into shopping since the COVID precautions began! This is such a strong affirmation that we are offering something of real value and importance to you, and we are honored to have this level of support!

As you know, most in-person concerts, craft fairs and holiday events have been cancelled, making it difficult for artists to connect with their audience.

[Read More]

End of the Season Bee Maintenance

October 27, 2020

If you were lucky enough to get any mason bees nesting this spring, you’ll want to coddle them through the winter. Their populations are down throughout Boulder County because of the weather, and Tom Theobald, our usual supplier, isn’t even sure whether he’ll have any for sale next spring.

Mason and other native bees should be brought into a sheltered place with ambient (outdoor) temperatures, but with less fluctuation. These bees would normally nest in holes in tree trunks, which offer more stability in terms of temperature, moisture and, of course, protection from predators. Mason bees are already adults now and are safe to handle in their cocoons. If you used liners or reeds, take them out of the guard tubes and shelters and store them in the fridge. Ideally, unwrap the liners/reeds and just overwinter the mason bee cocoons. Place them in a Humidi-bee chamber and keep the lower pad moist.

You can do the same with leaf cutter bees but handle them very carefully as they aren’t yet mature.  Our supplier, Crown Bees, will be livestreaming a cocoon harvesting demo on Saturday. We also have large organza bags for storing blocks or shelters to protect from parasitoid wasps.

Now is a good time to stock up on supplies for the spring, replacing single use tubes and liners to provide clean sheets and immediate vacancy in your spring mason bee hotel!  Many folks have been asking about releasing bees in the spring.  We now have a special tube designed for exactly that which should make the process easier and clearer.

HOURS, EVENTS & SALES – 2021 Newsletter

March 23, 2021

MARCH

Open Thurs., Fri., Sat., and Sun., 9-5.

Beginning April 1, we are open Tuesday thru Sunday 9-5. (Closed Mondays.)

 

 

MAY 1 thru MAY 9th

Harlequin’s Gardens May Day Plant Sale.

 

SAT., MAY 1 at 10 am

Don’t miss our May Day Celebration beginning with the Maroon Bells Morris Dancers who will bring us fertility and merriment.  If conditions permit, we will have some delightful live music on the weekend. See updates in our e-newsletters.

 

AUGUST 23 thru 29th

Members Fall Plant Sale.

 

AUGUST 30 thru SEPT. 5th

Harlequin’s Annual Fall Plant Sale begins for everyone. This sale continues every week in September and October.

 

TASTE OF TOMATO

So sorry, not this year.

 

OCTOBER

Open Tues thru Sunday 9-5, the Sale continues.

 

OCTOBER 1st

Harlequin’s 2021 Holiday Market begins with Local Artisan Goods and Goodies and will continue through October 30th.

 

OCTOBER 31st

Closed for the Season.

 

 

 

We can drift along with general opinion and tradition, or we can throw ourselves upon the guidance of the soul and steer courageously toward truth. 

Helen Keller

Ready, Set, Plant!

October 15, 2019

What a storm we had last week!  With the windy conditions and record-setting low temps, everyone’s gardens looks very different this week and may need some attention.  If you haven’t already, this is a good time to review our blog about garden cleanup. The good news is that soil temperatures have cooled down to the optimal soil temperature for bulb planting, ~50 degrees.  And, our current mild daytime temps and above-freezing nighttime temps are ideal for planting perennials, and still good for planting roses, shrubs and trees. Inoculating with mycorrhizae and attention to fall and winter watering are the keys to success.

Bulb Planting and Tulipa ‘Paul Scherer’

Starting with bulb planting:  Recommended planting depths are to the bottom of the planting hole where the base of the bulb rests.  Planting depth can vary depending on how light or heavy your soil is – plant deeper in light soils, shallower in heavier soils.  (If you’re in doubt, a general rule is that planting depth is 3 times the height of the bulb.) 

You don’t have to dig a single hole for each bulb!  You can dig a large hole, say 8-14″ wide by 16-24″ long, to accommodate a large grouping, or swath of bulbs.  This is a great way to save time, to create a more naturalized look, and to combine two or three types of bulbs in one grouping. 

Single Early, Triumph, Darwin Hybrid, and Multi-flowering tulips should be planted 8″ deep to perform as perennials, and fertilized each year just after bloom. Be sure to allow the leaves and stems to wither naturally before cutting them down.

You may want to sprinkle bone meal in the bottom of the hole so that it can touch the bulb roots.  We love Root Rally, which is a blend of bone meal and Endo/Ecto mycorrhizae spores and plant nutrients, providing mycorrhizae life support for all plants.  (See more on mycorrhizae, below.)  Refill the hole and water well. 

See Eve’s ideas for ways and places to use bulbs that you may not have thought of!

Peruse our complete list of 2019 bulbs and individual images and descriptions 

Monarda didyma ‘Jacob Cline’

Planting perennials, roses, shrubs and trees:  The fall is a great time to plant perennials, roses and shrubs as they can focus solely on root growth instead of trying to reproduce.  After gently removing its pot, gently swish the root ball in a bucket of unchlorinated water with water-soluble mycorrhizae  (let the water sit overnight to release chlorine and add the mycorrhizae later).   Mycorrhizae is a beneficial fungi that attaches to roots, allowing them to better absorb water and nutrients.  This results in faster plant and root growth, and better transplanting success.  If you only have granular mycorrhizae on-hand, sprinkle it on the roots as you are planting.  Read more about mycorrhizae in Mikl’s article, “Mycorrhizae: The Hidden Marriage of Plants and Fungi”.

By gently swishing the root ball in water, the root mass will loose its pot-shape and individual roots will be lengthened.  This allows the ends of the roots to be planted deeper, helping to ensure long-term drought hardiness. 

After late-season planting, be sure to (hand) water deeply and frequently, at least twice a month for woody plants, throughout the winter. 

For specific info on rose planting, see Eve’s rose planting instructions.

Zauschneria garrettii ‘Orange Carpet’

Finally, a quick additional word on garden clean-up.  Some of our Southwestern plants should not yet be cut-back.  Wait until April to do so, which will give them additional time to gather and store nutrients, and keep the crowns of the plants from getting too cold. These plants include, but aren’t limited to, Agastache, Salvia  (S. lemmonii ‘Desert Rose’, S. reptans, S. x microphyllus ‘Royal Ruby’, S. greggii ‘Furman’s Red’, S. darcyi), Zauschneria (Hummingbird Trumpet), Scrophularia macrantha (Red Birds in a Tree), Scutellaria suffrutescens (Cherry Skullcap), Gaura lindheimeri.

It’s Time to Feed Your Plants

September 15, 2020

This is the perfect time to feed your roses, perennials, and lawn using a slow release organic fertilizer. This type of fertilizer won’t push undue growth now, but instead help your plants prepare for next spring. We recommend Mile High Rose Feed for your roses, Alpha One Fertilizer for your perennials, and Nature’s Cycle Organic Lawn Fertilizer for your turf.

[Read More]

Mother Nature’s Dryland Natives

September 1, 2020

On our hikes, it seems we’re often exclaiming, “What a beautiful plant combination!”.  Mother Nature’s inherent beauty and functional placement provide an amazing guide and inspiration for what we can create in our home garden or ecosystem. Mother Nature also helps guide us on how we can best support our pollinators.

In the new Harvest 2020 issue of Colorado Gardener (with a striking mushroom cover photo!), Mikl writes in ‘Blooming Without a Care’ about a selection of wonderful lesser-known dryland native wildflowers that can also be very successful garden plants in our semi-arid climate. [Read More]

Wake up and smell the garlic!

August 25, 2020

It’s time to buy your ‘seed’ garlic, which you should store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place until planting time, from mid-October to mid-November. Seed garlic bulbs are specifically chosen for planting because they are the healthiest bulbs with the largest cloves, and they are intact. By planting the largest cloves, you’ll be rewarded with a harvest of big, juicy bulbs.

Garlic has been cultivated since very ancient times. The varieties that developed in different areas express the terroir of their locale, greatly influencing the local cuisines.[Read More]

Ornamental Grasses – the flexible plant!

August 11, 2020

We often recognize grasses for their ornamental attributes – dynamic, flowing movement in the breeze, reflecting the dancing light, screening of unsightly areas, as well as their value in providing food and habitat for wildlife.  But the grasses are the plant family with the greatest economic value, and it’s interesting to think about grass-based agriculture, the oils derived from grasses, their role in making beverages such as sake, wine, beer, and whiskey, their importance in construction (think thatch roofs, basketry, furniture, fencing, bamboo framing, scaffolding), and of their use in reed instruments.[Read More]

Summer Veggie Gardening Q&A

August 4, 2020

We have been getting questions from customers about some of the vegetables in their gardens. Here are questions and answers about squash pollination and the many uses of fennel.

 

Q: Why did the first fruits of my squash plants fail to enlarge and ultimately turn yellow and fall off the plant?

A:  Squash and other crops in the Cucurbitaceae family (known as Cucurbits), like cucumbers, melons, gourds and pumpkins, bear separate male flowers and female flowers on each plant. [Read More]

Alpine Plants

July 28, 2020

Explore the spectacular floral displays of the Continental Divide while you can!

Hiking the West Ridge Trail on the Continental Divide

[Read More]

Successional Planting

July 28, 2020

How to maximize your output

Successional Planting is the continuous planting of crops following the harvesting of another planting. Depending on the plant, this can mean one annual planting for a long-season species, or multiple plantings for short season species. This process will help your garden to be as productive as possible, which is important in our short, highly fluctuating growing seasons.  Our friend, and occasional class instructor, Tracey Parrish, has developed a comprehensive Successional Planting chart that she has generously permitted us to share with you.  —Thank you, Tracey! 

In her document, Succ. planting-most updated, Tracey outlines Colorado’s Five Seasons, gives you ideas for succession plantings, and then provides detailed planting charts for root vegetables, peas/beans, herbs, greens/salads, brassicas, onions, and summer crops.  This five-page document is a wealth of information!  Succ. planting-most updated

 

Skokans’ Tragedy

July 28, 2020

Top left: Ian, Jill, and Eric. Bottom left: Kelsey and Avery. Not pictured: Daughter Morgan.

We were very saddened to learn that last Friday’s car accident involving a car and dump truck in rural Longmont took the life of Eric & Jill Skokan’s 17 year old son Kelsey and injured his brother Ian, as well as the truck’s driver and passenger. The Skokan Family are valued members of our community, friends of ours, and proprietors of Black Cat Farm, as well as the Black Cat Bistro and Bramble & Hare restaurants.  [Read More]

Life is Better when we Harvest Together

July 28, 2020

We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to protect one of the most unique parcels of land in Boulder in a way that would have lasting impact on the community for generations to come.  In 2014, Boulder native Timothy Francis and his wife, Kerry, broke ground on a half-acre garden called Dharma’s Garden—named after a deer who was born where the garden now stands. Their nonprofit was founded to pursue the greater vision of the whole five-acre property as a fully integrated educational farm and homestead.

Over the last six years, Dharma’s Garden has become a thriving center of social connection within the neighborhood. [Read More]

Great Hummingbird Plants for Your Garden

July 21, 2020

Hummingbirds are zipping and humming and sipping around our gardens, partaking of the summer’s bounty of nectar-rich flowers, many of which are ‘color-coded’ specifically to attract them. And you’ll want hummers in your garden, not only because they’re beautiful, not only because some plants depend on them for pollination, not only because migratory birds are imperiled, but also because they eat prodigious numbers of small flying insects like mosquitoes!  And did you know, some hummingbird have been known to live up to 25 years!

Here are some of the plants we sell that attract and support these flying jewels. [Read More]

Protecting New Plantings in Hot Weather

June 2, 2025

The best time of day to plant your new vegetable starts, or any other container-grown plants, is after sundown, when the temperature has decreased a bit and the sunlight is not direct. Avoid planting in windy conditions, which can desiccate the fragile plant. If you plant in the evening, plants will have all night and early morning to make some adjustment to their new homes.

We have found that applying mycorrhizae to the roots while planting vastly improves a plant’s ability to adapt successfully. You can use either a granular or water-soluble form.[Read More]

Virtually Touring Local Gardens

July 14, 2020

For over a quarter century Harlequin’s Gardens has shared plants, Eco-products, and advice for organic methods of gardening with our community. We are proud of the success so many have had and have wanted to share their results!  So, we’ve created Harlequin’s Virtual Garden Tour for our community to share not just photos of their gardens but also a little about gardening goals, styles and experiences–especially sustainable approaches. [Read More]

Recycle your Planting Trays, Pots & Bags

July 7, 2020

Clear your shed and help us out!

Accepting nursery trays, pots, and our clear soil product bags, March 1 – October 31

Since Harlequin’s Gardens began in 1992, we’ve been dedicated to sustainability. In general, this means providing plants that are well adapted to Colorado conditions so they will be successful with less water, fertilizers and pest management. But Sustainability is also reusing existing products, helping to reduce new plastics being introduced into the system. Over the years, Harlequin’s Gardens has constructed 50% of our structures with recycled materials, we reuse and recycle nursery trays, pots, and our clear soil product bags, and we make compost with our biodiesel tractor! [Read More]

It’s Okay to Prune Now

June 30, 2020

Important techniques

All spring we have been advising you not to prune out branches without leaves yet. After last October’s flash freeze and this March’s freeze of the new leaves, it was important to give shrubs, trees and roses time for a second set of leaves to come out before removing wood. By now we should be seeing new green leaves forming if the wood is still alive.

So now we can prune away any branches that are not leafing out. Do cut back to a leafed-out branch or sprout; don’t leave a stub. Some evergreens may still be looking very brown. Look closely to see if tiny leaves are forming amongst the brown ones. Use a broom or gloved-hand to brush away dead needles. If you start removing branches from a conifer it may never look good again, so if you see any green, give it a chance. [Read More]

Inter-dependence Day

June 30, 2020

We will be closed Saturday, July 4 for Inter-dependence Day.

It is clear that we have achieved our independence from England. We don’t really have to celebrate that anymore.

The next goal and success might be to understand and cultivate an awareness of our inter-dependence with all the peoples of our planet as well as an inter-connectedness with all the life forms that create a healthy, vital ecosystem-community.

The “self-made man” ideal and the “us versus them” point of view are really not realistic in the 21st Century. Our successful evolution and survival depend on a bigger, global, more inclusive, and more interconnected view.

BUZZZZ …. It’s Pollinator Week!

June 23, 2020

Pollinator week is a special time for Harlequin’s Gardens – a time when we can celebrate the hard-work of bees (honeybees, solitary bees, bumblebees) wasps, ants, flies and bee flies, butterflies and moths, beetles, some bats and birds, and some mammals.  They’re all around us, connecting the dots between flowers and food.

Come check out our special pollinator display, which is our whole facility!  Our perennial signage is marked with bee, hummingbird, and butterfly icons, but almost everything is important to bees, of which we have over 500 species here in Boulder County alone.  Even our native bunch grasses can provide nesting sites for bumblebees in the dried leaves at the bottom. [Read More]

Watermelon Dreams

June 16, 2020

(and Winter Squash, Canteloupe, Honeydew, and Pumpkin, too!)

Do you love the sweet fruits and vegetables of late summer as much as we do? Well then, PLANT THEM NOW! We’ve got the heat now, which they thrive on. To develop those natural sugars, these crops take more time to mature than many other veggies, mostly between 70 and 100 days from seeding. We’ve saved you some time by growing starts, LOTS of them, and most of the varieties we’ve chosen will mature relatively early.

All are open-pollinated unless otherwise indicated. Our selection includes:[Read More]

The History of Harlequin’s Gardens

June 16, 2020

In October of 2018, we were asked by the Rocky Mt. Chapter of the Rock Garden Society to give a program that would include a history of Harlequin’s Gardens. Mikl has been a member of that excellent organization since the mid-1980s and so he composed and presented this playful and humorous account of the evolution of our nursery. We think you will enjoy it!

 

A Not-so-BRIEF HISTORY OF HARLEQUIN’S GARDENS

Harlequin’s Gardens has just completed our 26th year in business. It’s practically a miracle. We were able to get our start and have survived this long because of some remarkable circumstances, some remarkable people, a genuine vision, strong determination, and just plain luck.

In the beginning, my ignorance kept me from knowing the depth of the hole I was digging myself into. I had no idea of how complex and all-consuming the nursery business can be. But it wasn’t all ignorance; I was smart too. Early on, I joined the Rock Garden Society, and later I married Eve Reshetnik. But I’m getting ahead of the story. [Read More]

Edible Flowers

June 9, 2020

Incorporating edible flowers in your cuisine not only adds visual appeal, but also can offer high nutritional value and great flavors. Edible flowers have been used for millennia in many cultures to enhance everything from salad to beer and wine. A quick internet query on “ancient edible flower recipes” revealed many results.  It could be a fun family event to recreate a heritage recipe!

The flavor of many flowers is improved by removing the sexual parts – stamens, anthers and pistils. And, you will notice how a flowers’ flavor can vary as the plant ages throughout the season, and with variations in the soil, and climate (think terroir!) [Read More]

Shrub and Tree Recovery Fertilizers and Mineral Supplements

April 28, 2020

AGE OLD ORGANICS DRY BLENDS

Grow Formula: 8-4-1.  a naturally based, high nitrogen blend of nutrients, including 1% calcium, which are slowly converted by soil microbes into plant available forms. Grow Formula is an excellent nutrient addition to potting mixes or soils and can be used as a top dressing on existing gardens and lawns.

[Read More]

Who Knew?

May 26, 2020

We couldn’t be happier to see so many people taking up gardening this spring! We can’t think of a healthier, more nourishing occupation (on many levels!) to engage in while spending a lot more time at home, especially with kids. We continue to do all we can to supply you with plants, soil-building products and other gardening supplies. Yet we know there will be some disappointments as we run out of some items prematurely.

But we have to tell you that this great surge in demand was not anticipated; not by us, not by our suppliers, and not by their suppliers either!  [Read More]

Harlequin’s Heroes

May 20, 2020

Meet our Staff!

We’re unmasking our retail staff just long enough to show their smiles and share their contributions at Harlequin’s Gardens!  (Stay-tuned for another edition featuring our Wholesale and behind-the-scenes staff!)

[Read More]

Hippety Hop …. Right into your garden!

May 12, 2020

Have you found that rabbits are becoming more rampant?

Due to habitat reduction and fewer predators, many people are seeing more rabbits in their garden. Here are tactics that can help you. 

  1. Strategically place deterrent plants among your more delectable plants. These include: very aromatic plants; prickly and spiny plants; tough, leathery leaves; toxic plants; and milky sap plants. (Ask to see our rabbit-resistant and deterrent list at the Nursery.)
  2. Newly transplanted plants are especially vulnerable and need extra structural protections or odor repellents (below).
  3. Cultural controls include removing protective cover such as brush piles where rabbits may hide. Remember, open space often makes animals more vulnerable to predators.
  4. Chicken wire fencing can be fairly effective if buried 4-8″ under the soil and at least 2′ high – although Eve reports rabbits jumping over 3′ high wire!
  5. Many odor repellents can be helpful, including our non-toxic Plantskyyd (in liquid and pellet forms), and Bobbex liquid concentrate or ready-to-use spray.  Although non-toxic, you may not want to use these products on edibles.  Also, remember to reapply according to directions taking into account current precipitation and irrigation rates.

Pruning Woody Plants in the Spring

May 12, 2020

Don’t be in a hurry to prune dead branches on woody plants this spring! Last fall we had warm weather followed by a fast-deep freeze, and this spring we had an 11-degree freeze after some leaves were out. Some branches and some whole shrubs may have died, but most will put out new leaves. So, it is best to wait another couple of weeks before pruning.

To know for sure if a branch is dead, try the old fingernail test: scratch a little bark on a smaller branch; if the wood under the bark is green, the branch is alive, if brown, it is dead. Also, wrinkled bark shows it is dead.[Read More]

Harlequin’s has the Best Customers!

May 5, 2020

THANK YOU!

We’ve all been through a lot of challenges together in the 28 years since Harlequin’s Gardens first opened: drought, watering restrictions, flood, the advent of genetically engineered seeds and foods and neonicotinoid systemic pesticides, wars overseas, wildlife extinctions, immigration bans, political divisiveness, economic crises, increased crowding and traffic, rising costs and stagnant wages, rising obesity and auto-immune disorders, alarming gun violence, the COVID-19 pandemic, increased stress altogether…….. [Read More]

Support Tree and Shrub Recovery

April 28, 2020

The ancient proverb “March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers” could be revised for Colorado as “March and April heavy snow, freezing temps, and strong winds bring forth May flowers”!  And this year was no exception.  Two recent cold snaps with temperatures reaching lows of 3 degrees F in our neighborhood, snows up to 36” in the foothills, and winds that will bring down any weak tree branches, wreaked havoc and impacted flower and fruit productivity.  So now it’s time to help support our shrubs and trees to recover.

The most influential factor in this process is soil biology, which is activated by warmth in the soil. [Read More]

Solar Cap Step-by-Step Demo

April 21, 2020

We love Solar Caps, and so do our tomato starts! Solar Caps consist of a sturdy welded galvanized steel wire frame that lasts for years, over which you drape the water-filled plastic bag that comes with the kit.  By positioning the Solar Cap where your tomato (or other warm-season veggies) will be planted, in 5-7 days your soil will be warm enough for planting (55+ F).  Following planting, Solar Caps form a personal greenhouse for your veggies, which improves growth throughout the season and won’t tip over or collapse. They protect plants from drastic spring temperature fluctuations and from nightly cooling. We leave the Solar caps on our tomatoes though the season, enlarging the opening in the top from a small slit at first to a fully open circle when plants have put on height and weather is consistently warm. We’ve had great success using them for many years and regularly plant our tomatoes by April 15!

Follow Eve as she sets-up her own Solar Cap:

1-Place the wire cage on the desired spot, pressing the legs firmly into the soil so the bottom ring sits on the soil surface.  [Read More]

Cheerful 50th Anniversary of Earth Day

April 21, 2020

April 22 is Earth Day, originally planned to bring a billion people into the streets to let our leaders know for sure that the health and resilience of our planet and our environment is of the Utmost Importance. Of course, neither a billion nor a dozen people are going to congregate on Earth Day this year.

But for Harlequin’s Gardens, Earth Day is special. First of all, our office manager, Chas Moore has his birthday on Earth Day.  Is it any wonder that he is now a manager of the most ecological retail nursery in Colorado?

Harlequin’s Gardens has been a pioneer and leader in sustainability in the nursery industry and a vehicle for organic veggie, herb and fruit plants and for classes and advice on organic gardening. [Read More]

This Week’s Plan

April 14, 2020

Designated as an essential Food Production and Agriculture business by Boulder County and the State of Colorado, Harlequin’s Gardens is open every Thursday through Sunday, 9am to 5 pm.  We take this privilege seriously and do not want to contribute to the spread of COVID-19. We are working hard to keep our space as safe as possible (sanitizing, limiting numbers of customers in our store, wearing face masks) and we need the support of our community.  When you come to Harlequin’s Gardens, we ask that you wear a face mask to protect yourself and others, and practice social distancing.  Thank you![Read More]

Mother Nature Marches On

April 7, 2020

We’re wearing our masks, keeping our distance, disinfecting, etc.  It couldn’t be more obvious that we are all connected by the air we breathe in and the biology we breathe out and share through what we touch. It’s not all bad. The microbes in our guts are responsible for helping digest our food and supporting our immune system. Not only that, but 90% of the cells in our bodies are microbe cells, and only 10% are human cells. Kinda makes ya think.

[Read More]

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We do not ship plants!

Our plants are for sale ONLY at our Boulder location. We DO NOT ship plants or any other products.  Come visit us!

Hours by Season

SUMMER HOURS
Tuesday-Sunday, 9AM-5PM

 

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Contact Us

303-939-9403 (Retail)
staff@harlequinsgardens.com

4795 North 26th St
Boulder, CO 80301

Sign-up for E-Newsletters!

Sign-up for our weekly e-newsletters to receive empowering gardening tips, ecological insights, and to keep up on happenings at Harlequin’s Gardens — such as flash sales and “just in” plants. We never share customer’s addresses!

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Our Hours

Seasonally, MARCH to OCTOBER.
MARCH HOURS:
Thursday-Sunday, 9AM-5PM

APRIL-OCTOBER HOURS:
Tuesday-Sunday, 9AM-5PM. Closing Oct. 30

JANUARY - FEBRUARY HOURS
Thursday-Saturday, 10AM-4PM

Mondays, CLOSED

The plants we grow are organically grown. All the plants we sell are free of bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides.