Tag Archives: planting a garden

Perennials to Plant in August

If you are ready for some fresh new color in your garden, it is still too early for fall color and mums. So what can you plant? Well August is the perfect month for perennials. Here are some great perennials that can be planted in August.

Bridge's penstemon

Sonoran Sunset. Bright violet flower spikes that grows to 15-18″ tall and 12-15″ wide.

Coronado. An orange selection, the Coronado Red is covered in small red blossoms, both grow to about 2-3′ tall and 2′ wide.

Sunset hyssop. This perennial has grey leaves and pink flowers with purple bract growing to 20-30″ tall and 18-24″ wide.

Bridge’s penstemon. This western native has scarlet-orange flowers and in mid-summer is great for attracting hummingbirds.

Orange Carpet Hummingbird trumpet. Also a hummingbird magnet, this orange perennial spreading low to the ground, 5-8″ tall by 1-2″ wide.

Little Trudy catmint. Blooms throughout the summer, a small version of the traditional blue-flowering catmint, this perennial does not grown taller than a foot.

What are you looking forward to planting in your Denver area garden this month?

Source and Photo Credit: www.alcc.com

Planting Edibles and Growables Together

Now is the time to start planting those annual flowers, tender veggies, perennial herbs and berries. Plus, those beautiful flowering perennial plants that bring the landscape alive with color and texture. Early May is the perfect time to fill your garden with color and flavor!

A new trend in the garden is to mix the edibles with the growables. Here’s a great example from the ALCC.com, by interspersing parsley and broccoli, for example, among perennial plants and the annual flowers you’ll be planting soon adds new interest in the garden.

It is also a great idea to compare edibles with companion plants because the right combo can help deter unwanted pests.

Here are a few suggestions of what perennial edibles and hardy vegetables to plant in early May:

Starter plants of lettuce (if you haven’t planted seed), broccoli, cabbage, kale and onions.
Perennial herbs like oregano, thyme, lavender and sage.
Fruits: strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and fruit trees.

Are you ready to start planting this week?

Source and Image: ALCC.com

How long do seeds last?

When you think about it, nature can be such a miraculous event. It’s almost like magic how these tiny seeds that are planted within the Earth grow to be huge pine trees, shrubs, pumpkins, strawberries and so much more. If you are getting ready for the Spring planting season, now is the perfect time to begin sorting out those old seeds and ordering your new ones.

If you are wondering about using last season’s left over seeds there is some information you need to know. Some plant varieties produce seeds that can last for centuries, but they are the exceptions. Plants like Anasazi beans that are collected from the cliff dwellings in southwestern Colorado that were planted soon after discovery were good to grow. Other long-lived plants are beans, corn and grain, but it’s important to note that their hybridized versions that are mostly used today do have a shelf-life. The best thing to do is check the expiration date on old seed bags and throw away the expired seeds.

Lifescape Associates can get your Colorado garden and landscape ready for the Spring season. Just give us a call at 303-831-8310.

Photo: beginningfarmers.org

Fertilization Done Right

A major factor in taking care of your landscaping is fertilization. You want to make sure you don’t over fertilize or under fertilize. A landscaping professional or possibly someone at your local garden center can recommend a proper fertilizer for your yard.

Fertilizing your yard twice a year, at least, is a good idea. The best time to fertilize your yard is in the Spring and in the Fall; never in the bright sun. Plus, it is important that you water your yard following fertilization. When planting new plants, it’s always a good idea to mix in fertilizer and new soil. That way, over the period of a year, the plant will have a nice time release of fertilizer.

If you’re wondering how to fertilize your yard, stick with these 3 facts:

1. Choose a quality nitrogen fertilizer (containing controlled-release nitrogen)

2. Then apply the right amount/rate (about one pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn area)

3. Apply at the right time of the season ( make sure to pick the right season based on the climate of where you live)

Photo: Ehow.com

Learn where to Place your Plants

A common landscaping mistake that people make is improperly placing plants. You have to remember all the necessary components that support plant growth - the proper sunlight and the amount of exposure. When you purchase a plant, be sure to carefully read the small tag the comes with it. Those tags will give you the proper instructions for that particular plant and will help you place and care for it properly.

Also, when you are planting trees, take into consideration how big the tree could grow and how much space it will need to grow. And last but not least, choose a plant that will look good in your yard all year round.