Our head grower, Carol Hedstrom, was very excited to share her new favorite annual for the season.  Calibrachoas are popular annual flowers that look great anywhere, and are very easy to grow.  They are available in a wide range of colors, and most recently this little beauty, called Cherry Star.

Calibrachoas look like tiny petunias, but they aren't sticky, perk up after the rain and stay compact and bushy.  They trail and cascade over the sides of hanging baskets and other containers and will spread over flower beds.

Vigorous growth, heat tolerant and resistant to disease.  Very low maintenance and require little deadheading.  Grows best in full sun.  Fertilize once a month and water when the top of the soil is dry.   

We get it: there's nothing like a lush, vibrant green lawn.  But the desire to have the best lawn in the neighborhood is leading millions of households to expose their children, pets and water supply to toxic chemicals in the form of fertilizer, herbicide and pesticide.

You already know that synthetic chemicals can increase your risk of disease and cancers, but don't forget about your pets!  Your dog doesn't wear clothes or shoes.  They roll around in the grass and eat it.  Would YOU do that, knowing the chemicals you apply each year?  A study from Purdue University showed that dogs exposed to chemically-treated lawn (specifically 2, 4-D, commonly used in herbicides,) dramatically increased the risk of bladder cancer.  The study also suggests a link between Lymphoma and commonly lawn chemicals.  Read more about this study at fightcaninecancer.com.  Dogtime.com also has a good article about what pesticides to avoid and what symptoms to be aware of. 

Tips:

Use natural and organic fertilizers.  We carry AlphaOne Fertilizer: It's alfalfa-based, organic and made locally in Loveland, CO.

Keep your lawn healthy be spreading a thin layer of compost over the top.  You can also compost tea to fertilize naturally.

Find a new way of tolerating the weeds that volunteer in your yard.  Pull them by hand, pour boiling water on them, spray them with horticultural vinegar.  There are many organic remedies for dealing with weeds, but allowing a few to grow is the mark of a mature gardener.

Caring for your lawn organically will keep you, your pets, children, wildlife and the water supply safe.  Be proactive and reduce their risk by using organic fertilizers and tolerating the weeds.  Read more about organic lawn care.

Pansies (also violas) are one of the most popular annual flowers, and for good reason.  These delicate flowers are extremely hardy and thrive in cool weather.  Breeding has produced pansies that are more cold-tolerant, but there hasn't been much luck breeding a pansy that tolerates heat.  They will bloom until the hot days of summer set in.

Pansies are available in a huge range of bright and cheery colors and are very easy to grow.  Plant them in full/partial sun (they prefer morning sun and afternoon shade) and fertilize regularly.  Keep the soil moist, like a wrung-out sponge.  Pinch off spent blooms to encourage more blooms.

Pansies can be hardy to zone 4, and many gardeners see them survive all winter and push through the snow in spring.  Plant pansies again in the fall and will bloom early the following spring.

One of the simplest, best things you can do for your lawn is apply a pre-emergent in March.  Pre-emergent stops weed seeds from germinating in your lawn, flowerbeds, paths and driveways.  We recommend Natural Guard Corn Gluten.  Corn gluten meal is a byproduct of the corn milling process and a safe, non-toxic, effective alternative to chemical-based weed and feed products.

Pre-emergent is applied in March before weeds begin to germinate.  When you see the yellow Forsythia blooming, that's your cue.  

Corn gluten has a NPK ratio of 9-1-0.  The nitrogen is great for feeding your existing lawn, and it also inhibits seed germination by drying out a seed as soon as it sprouts.  It releases nitrogen slowly and feeds your lawn.

Tips:
Corn gluten needs to be wetted after applying, then allowed to dry for a couple days.  Check the forecast for rain.
Do not use in areas where you want to overseed your lawn.  Corn gluten will inhibit all seeds from germinating.
One application suppresses weeds for 4-6 weeks.

When you see a big, beautiful tomato, it's no surprise that it's the most commonly grown crop for home gardeners.  No store-bought tomato can even come close to rivaling the earthy, juicy, meaty tomatoes you can grow at home.

Store-bought tomatoes are hybrid varieties that are chosen for the durability during shipping and predictable harvest.  Taste isn't the number one concern.  While these hybrids have an important role in our food culture (think tomato sauce and soups,) we suggest you try growing a few heirlooms at home and taste the difference.  Take a look at our favorite large tomatoes. 

This weekend is Art in Bloom, a tribute to local artists and floral designers who excel at their craft.  There are nine artists on display and a floral design that recreates the essence of each piece.  Pieces will be on display until Sunday evening at closing time.  Come by to take a look and support local art!

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.