The Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a milkweed butterfly found in North America. Its recognizable orange and black wing pattern is particularly popular in the Rocky Mountains and can be seen migrating towards California and Mexico in late autumn.

 

Your hardiness zone will play a vital role when choosing which annuals or perennials to plant. Flowers, trees, shrubs and vegetables will thrive when grown in their favorable region. The Rocky Mountain region is a combination of zone 4 and 5 with an average “last frost” from May 1 through May 30 and an average “first frost” from September 1 through September 30. This translates to approximately 160 days for growing annuals depending where you live in these regions. Perennials will need to be hardy enough to go through the winter in order to bloom or leaf again in the spring, fall and summer.  Compared to  more temperate regions this grow season is relatively short although choosing the best plants for your region will increase the success for all of your planting and sowing. Cheers

Due to successful gardening endeavors, I am often told I have a “green thumb”. While flattered, what does having a green thumb really mean?

I don’t have a PHD in Botany and I’m not a genius. I am an average guy who has a desire to grow beautiful flowers and I pay attention to detail.  I follow simple instruction and plant, seeds and bulbs in the best environment possible. I believe everyone has the ability to have a green thumb.  All it takes is desire and willingness. If I can do it so can you!  Cheers

 

Numerous varieties of squash and pumpkins are planted in early spring and harvested in fall. Nothing says fall like carving a prized Jack O’ Lantern or enjoying a hearty fall recipe. Enjoy!

Basic Butternut Squash Soup

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 – 2 pounds Butternut Squash

2 cups Chicken Broth

1 cup Milk

Pinch of Nutmeg

Optional:

Sour Cream

Pumpkin Seeds

Chopped Chives

Salt and Pepper

Instructions:

Spray a 13 x 9 x 2 inch glass baking dish with vegetable spray

Remove seeds from squash, cut squash in half and place” squash side” down into pan. Pierce the peel and bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees or until tender.

Scoop squash into a food processor and discard peel. Add nutmeg, ½ cup chicken broth and puree until smooth. Transfer the mixture to a large sauce pan adding milk and remaining broth, simmer until hot and serve adding chosen garnishes.  Additional items might include a green salad and corn bread or garlic toast to complete your meal.

Cheers

 

Garden flowers lure necessary creatures like hummingbirds, bees and butterflies for the purpose of pollination. These delicate creatures are besieged by so many negative forces and your unpolluted garden space is a haven that will encourage this important process in our world.  Watching this miracle of nature has been something to behold and I appreciate your contribution to nature’s success!

There is a chill in the air and the pallet of colors is changing, fall has arrived. Fall is a wonderful time to prepare for next seasons blooms.

I recommend clearing weeds and spent annuals from your flower beds in fall as it is far easier than clearing debris after a long winter season. Adding compost to your soil will help maintain the correct PH level thru winter.

 

 

 

 

 

If you plan to enjoy Tulips or Daffodils in spring, September and October are considered the best months for planting bulbs. An early start will encourage healthy root development and insure hardy blooms.  Selecting your bulbs from a reliable source will guarantee joy in the spring time. Cheers

Not every garden is adorned with faux animals, mythical creatures or legends of lore.  I was never a fan myself but accepted two solar powered gnomes as gifts.  I’m a changed man!  Each evening I check to see if their little lights are shining and somehow I feel better knowing these creatures with the enchanting smiles are watching over the garden at night.  Don’t tell anyone, I have given them names!  Cheers

It is never too early to plan ahead for Spring planting!  The location of your garden will be a deciding factor when choosing flowers so ask yourself,  how many hours of sun, partial sun and or shade will your garden receive during the summer months and plant accordingly. My list of favorites this year were hardy, drought resistant flowers able to endure full sun for as long as twelve hours per day. The following choices produced brilliant blooms lasting from Spring through the end of summer, they were easy to grow from seed and produced an excellent cutting garden; Rudbeckia – Zinnia – Marigolds – Strawflower – Cleomes – Nicotiana – Snapdragon – Salvia and Sunflowers.  Cheers

 

Have you ever mistaken a hummingbird moth for a hummingbird? I have!  It’s pretty easy to do until you notice there antenna’s.  See for yourself.  Enjoy!

A key habit of a great gardener is good note taking. Tracking key moments during the grow season is not only important now, but will pay dividends in the near future. The ability to look back on previous weather patterns and plant performance during different stages is priceless.  Here is an example of a project note I made during the 2013 grow season. Enjoy!

4/16/13

It’s been awhile since I’ve updated the project notes. Many things have occurred such as more questionable seeds, changes in the production schedule and the relocations and re-designing of the flower beds. The acquisition of a Hoop House (12x7x7). The painted daisy seeds appear to be fine. They have a 95% sprout rate. But, I was not following the instructions for the second stage of their growth. They must be transferred to larger pots. That was accomplished 4/13/13. Approximately 72 plants with an average of 2 seedlings per container.  There’s another 36 to 40 that need to be transplanted as well. They appear to be doing fine after transfer 4/16/2013   The weather has not cooperated. It is time to harden the marigolds. Due to outside elements and pest the decision was made to purchase a hoop house for the second phase of growth and plant hardening. All plants can be moved to the hoop house at this time. The indoor greenhouse will serve as a backup light source for foul weather days.   I’ve revised the plant schedule numerous times. I’ve made the decision to eliminate the sunflowers this season and stick with the daisies. I’m currently working on the beds and flower location due to some newly discovered issues. In the far north 10’x10’ bed I discovered an underground cable. The area is now for emergency only.  I’ve had to reconsider the flower bed location due to the proximity of the hoop house. Yard prep is going according to schedule. It is a lot of physical labor involved in the bed making process.