Category: Outdoor living

Have you secured your gardening plans?  Weather allowing, Mother’s Day weekend marks the traditional time to plant annual flowers and vegetables and here in zone 4, freezing temperatures seem unlikely.  I have exposed my indoor seedlings to sun and cool temperatures from time to time and now it’s time to transfer these hardened young plants to their new home in my gardens landscape.  I take great pleasure in planting my annual flower beds during this time of season in great expectation of the beauty ahead.

Perennial plants rule during the early months of spring, the unseasonably warm weather in zone 4 has ignited a frenzy of early blooms.  Aquilegia, commonly known as Columbine is one of the most reliable perennial plants to bloom early.  The Columbine thrives in high altitude regions, capable of surviving late spring snow showers and able to lure butterflies and humming birds in the months ahead.  To initiate an early kick off to your unique garden setting, I suggest planting Aquilegia during the early spring months for many seasons of early blooms.  Cheers

Spring is here and it has sparked the arrival of some of my favorite flowering perennials. Lilac (Syringa Vulgaris) is a large tree like shrub that is a member of the olive family Oleaceae, they are native to the Balkan Peninsula and are widely cultivated for ornamental purposes. This free flowering shrub is one of the first to bloom in early spring, producing fragrant deep lavender-purple floral clusters making it the perfect selection to add to your gardens landscape for early spring blooms.

Water conservation efforts are needed in zone 4, the lack of inadequate snow and rainfall has triggered drought like conditions and we are in need of creative measures to keep our gardening schedule on course. Installing a drip irrigation system is one way to keep a garden green during a drought season.  This type of watering system will reduce the evaporation of spray unlike an overhead watering style system and discourage the spread of disease while watering your soil with pin point accuracy. A drip system keeps soil moist with the least amount of water waste. The system is affordable and adaptable to any garden scenario.  Cheers

In zone 4 we are experiencing an unusually dry end to the winter season, and with spring just around the corner, the lack of precipitation in the rocky mountain region has everyone concerned.  While areas at higher elevations appear to have adequate snow fall, the plains are suffering with drought like conditions. If these weather patterns persist it will lead to high fire danger and water restrictions for the summer months ahead. During these types of weather phases it is crucial to select drought tolerant plant varieties when you are planning for your next gardening season.  Cheers

Begonia Oblique is a member of the Begoniaceae plant family. Although it has perennial origins, I prefer to list them as an annual. They produce delicate floral sepals that can bloom in numerous types of conditions and perform marvelously in full sun but will exceed your expectations when planted in partially shaded areas. I take great pleasure in using them in a border setting or indoors for my container gardens.  Plant begonia’s after the last frost in well draining soil.  Cheers

Ageratum Conyzoides is an easy to grow annual flower that is native to Tropical America.  This plant is tall, willowy and will attract butterflies to your garden. It is also known as the “Tall Blue Planet” due to its vibrant blue circular spikes that appear to be suspended on long sturdy stems.  Ageratum is full sun, drought tolerant and will make an excellent addition to any cut floral bouquet.  Start seeds indoors 6 – 8 weeks before the last frost in your region, then simply transplant after danger of frost.

Give your seeds the start they need by implementing grow lights. Grow lights are not a substitution for sun light but can help your plants emerge healthy and strong. When combined with a plant starter tray and growing pellets it will create a successful growing system.  Cheers

Implementing mulch to your garden’s landscape is one way to optimize your growing conditions.    Mulch helps to retain the moisture in your soil and keeps weeds at bay.  The color of mulch can have a warming or cooling effect on soil which can enhance the overall garden yield and will serve as a deterrent for insects.  Cheers