Fall is here but it feels like winter. Normally temperatures are in the mid sixties this time of year, it is twelve degrees today.  We are experiencing a year of extremes.  Record heat and dry conditions in   spring and summer sparked fires and rendered the air quality hazardous to our health but I must stay hopeful that winter will bring the moisture we desperately need.  I experienced that hope while shoveling this morning.  Among a sea of white snow I saw a flash of yellow which turned out to be a snap dragon.  This prompted me to write about and feature this hardy, tough as nails flower this month.  They are one of the most durable flowers you can plant.  Snap Dragons bloom throughout the year surviving many diverse conditions.  They have been a year around staple throughout my garden.  They are magnificent flowers and are easily propagated by tossing a handful of seeds just about anywhere.        Cheers

 I began growing flowers seven years ago and it has been a privilege to experience some of the beauty this planet has to offer.  This odyssey encouraged me to write an eBook, “The Flower Affect”. The book is a personal diary and guide. I identify all of the flowers I have grown and pass along gardening knowledge made simple to help you have a successful growing experience.  I encourage harmony with nature! Please download your copy today at Lulu.com, iBooks, Barnes & Noble, Rakutan Kobo and help to create a more beautiful world.

Fall is a great time to plant bulbs and planting them in the correct soil will insure healthy blooms for seasons to come. For example, here in zone 4 I add a fresh layer of compost to break down soil that contains a large amount of clay.  There are three types of bulbs, Hyacinths, tubers and croms. It is imperative they are purchased from a reputable source.  Bulbs come in a variety of shapes and sizes and perform best when they are planted at the correct depth and position. I enjoy tulips and daffodils in spring and gladiolas in summer. Once the initial work is done they will be enjoyed for several seasons.    Cheers  

The saying goes “if you don’t like the weather in zone 4 just wait 10 minutes and it will change”.  A cold front is moving into the Front Range bringing an abrupt end to the growing season. All while we are still enduring high summer temperatures.  It’s not unusual for this to occur in zone 4 but not until late October or early November.  This epic news has initiated a scramble to bring in pots of flowers, pick vegetables and drain water hoses as temperatures fall below freezing from the mid 90’s in a 24 hour period.  The moisture will be well received in the high country and aid in controlling several fires that are still raging.  Weather patterns continue to change and have a profound effect.  Being prepared for the unknown is becoming our new normal.   

 A colorful garden border can accentuate any landscape setting.  The use of sun- loving bright flowers like Petunias, Marigolds, Zinnias and Black Eyed Susan’s can add flaming color to any border.  Did I mention that this selection of flowers is also drought tolerant? This year my front yard garden boarder consisted of several varieties of Rudbeckia in front of a rock retaining wall which were the result of several years of re-seeding.  Enjoy!

The “dog days of summer” are here and The Heat is On!  There has been no relief this season from the high temperatures and blazing sun in zone 4.  The hot, dry conditions continue to take its toll on people and plants alike.  Over the years I have applied simple methods of hydration to get through these difficult periods. I water my plants during the early morning hours because my garden will have full sun at 7 am. In addition, I water at the base of my plants to reach the roots.  The water is well received when the ground is cool.  Try a couple of these tips and hopefully your garden will excel during these hotter than average temperatures.  Cheers

A last minute addition to my vegetable garden this season was tomatoes.  Seeing my first ripe, juicy tomato made me realize that I’d reached a summer milestone that is very important to most gardeners.  There are more than 250 varieties of tomatoes.  Did you know that tomatoes support healthy eye sight, cardiovascular health, cancer fighting and more due to a high concentration of nutrients and antioxidants?  I will be utilizing my tomatoes in combination with my jalapeno peppers for salsa.  Sow seeds indoors 6 – 8 weeks before the last frost.  The seeds should germinate in 6 – 14 days.  Plant them  18 – 24 inches apart.  Enjoy!

Over the years I have written numerous articles about and taken several videos of butterflies in flight.  I am always amazed as I witness these beautiful creatures.  This week I noticed one lone butterfly lingering throughout the day. At times I thought I was seeing double but I was not. The single Tiger Swallowtail was now being joined by three others hovering over a patch of delphinium. What a delight! I have never seen this many all at once during any season.  I discovered they are known as Sulphers and are common along roadsides, in fields and in gardens.  They are especially attracted to alfalfa, clovers and other legumes.  Please enjoy the video below, I call it “ Butterfly Madness”.   Cheers!

Today I am feeling very blessed, I have been witnessing a wonderful scene occurring in my garden.  A few seasons ago I wrote about delphinium https://zinniaboy.com/delightful-delphinium/ and now that it is blooming I am witnessing the interaction between flowers and insects. Watch as a butterfly performs the miracle of pollination.  Enjoy!