We are here for you! You’re in the high desert/steppe now, with short growing seasons, sudden temperature changes, unpredictable precipitation, low humidity, drying winds, alkaline soils that are low in organic matter and nitrogen, hot summers and cold winters. Despite these challenges, gardens can thrive here, and be productive, rewarding and beautiful!
Our gardens can support us by providing beauty, nutrient-dense food and plant medicine, and shelter from temperature and weather extremes. At the same time, our gardens can give us an opportunity for nurturing that goes beyond our own garden plants, supporting our entire local ecosystem, including our essential insects, birds, native plants and other wildlife.
Not only do we have decades of experience to share with you when you come out to Harlequin’s Gardens to shop, but we also offer classes and other resources specially geared to those of you who are new to gardening in Colorado or new to gardening altogether. These will guide you in the right direction in your plant choices, timing and planting methods, soil preparation and care, watering practices, pest and disease control methods that are safe for you, your children, your pets, our pollinators and our larger environment.
If you have friends or neighbors you think would benefit from our classes and resources, please encourage them to subscribe to our e-newsletters.
Check-out these helpful resources that are also available on our website in the Resources section!
SEED SOWING 101 by Penn Parmenter. Colorado Gardener Educational Issue 2017 – Learn how to start seeds indoors. (Scroll to page 7 on the link.)- WHAT VEGGIES TO PLANT WHEN – Connect your planting times with the holidays!
- BOULDER CULINARY GARDENERS (BCG) PLANTING CALENDAR – Front Range Vegetable Planting Guide for Foothills and Plains
- CSU MASTER GARDENER VEGETABLE PLANTING GUIDE – Advice from our local CSU Master Gardeners on when to plant various veggies.
- SUCCESSIONAL PLANTING CROP OPTIMIZATION AND SEASON EXTENSION – Guidelines from renowned Boulder gardener Tracey Parrish on planting continuous vegetable crops throughout the season.
- HARDENING OFF – The process of acclimatizing a plant to the wind, sun, and temperature elements.
VEGETABLE GARDENING CLASSES:
In addition, this weekend, and in the coming weeks, we are offering two very informative vegetable gardening classes, all taught by our very own Mimi Yanus! On Saturday, April 16th at 10:00 AM, and repeated on Saturday, May 7th at 10 AM, is Getting Started in Vegetable Gardening. Then on Saturday, April 23rd at 10 AM, Mimi will share the Best Vegetables for Colorado. Read class descriptions and register!