Basil is a tender annual, meaning it doesn't tolerate cold temperature, nor will it survive Colorado's winter.  Start basil seeds indoors in April, then transplant outdoors after all frost danger has passed (usually May 20.)

Rich, fertile soil is the key to a bountiful crop of basil.  Amend your soil with organic compost before planting.  Use an organic fertilizer with every watering.  Keep the soil moist, like a wrung-out sponge.  Too much moisture fluctuation in the soil can make leaves bitter.  If you're unsure when to water, get your hands dirty!  Dig your fingers into the soil a cou

Basil prefers full sun (6-8 hours,) but will tolerate a little afternoon shade.  As it begins to grow, pinch it back periodically to keep the plant short and bushy.  It is a "pick and come again" plant, meaning you harvest several leaves at a time, but not enough to weaken the plant.  Don't allow the plant to flower, or leaves will turn slightly bitter.

Have you ever stopped to consider that the dandelions you're spraying with herbicide are actually good for you?  Dandelion greens contain vitamin A and C, and the leaves are high in lecithin, which helps replace cell membranes and helps the liver process toxins.  It's also very high in beta-carotene.

Gather leaves by severing the crown of the plant right at ground level.  Smaller leaves are less bitter than larger leaves.  Don't forget that the bitterness stimulates digestive juices and aids the liver.  Strip the leaves from the central vein, wash in water/vinegar and rinse clean.

You can also harvest and eat the long taproot.  It's often used to lower blood sugar in diabetics.  Use it like carrots or parsnips.  Harvest only the dandelions from your yard or an area you're positive hasn't been sprayed with herbicide or other chemicals.

We love hosting fairy garden parties!  Happy birthday Maggie!

Spring starts early in our greenhouses!  We grow our own annuals, perennials, vegetables and herbs.  Our head grower, Carol Hedstrom has been with us for more than 10 years and her experience makes all the difference.

When you buy plants from a local greenhouse, you're supporting the local economy.  Visit our greenhouse and you'll be introduced to a whole of experienced and avid gardeners.  We love to see new faces and help new gardeners be successful.  There are no stupid or wrong questions, so flag down one of our nursery staff for a little horticulture education before you pack up your plants and head home.

For the brown (or black) thumbs out there, give Tillandsia a go!  Air prefer to be mounted on something that does not retain water.  they can be suspended by fishing line, mounted on cork, glued on rocks, etc.  Tillandsia do like humidity and need water!  Mist them several times a week, and submerge them in tepid water for a few minutes every few weeks.

Starting your garden from seed is cheap, and easy!  A packet of seeds runs from $1.70-3.00 and you can store the seeds you don't use for the next year.  

Seed starting supplies (trays, cell inserts and humidomes) are inexpensive and reusable each year.  You can reduce your costs even more by using yogurt cups, eggshells, small paper cups and other found objects you already have on hand.  Eggshells?  That's right, read P Allen Smith's blog to learn more.

The most expensive investment is a simple T5 fluorescent light fixture, available from any garden center or home improvement store.  Seedlings need 12-18 hours of light each day to grow strong and stocky, rather than tall and leggy.  Read more about starting from seed here.

The people have spoken, and they want to make compost!  We weren't expecting such a large turnout for Phil's composting class!  Our classes are usually held in our conference/classroom, but we have to move everyone to the greenhouse.

Making your own compost is easy, inexpensive and arguably the best thing you can do for your soil.  Colorado is notorious for red, clay soil that doesn't drain well.  Adding compost loosens the soil and makes pathways for microbes, oxygen, earthworms and roots.  You can make your own from kitchen scraps and yard waste.  Read more about making your own compost here.