Beauty abounds in the garden in July. The sweet scent of tall trumpet lilies fill the evening air.  Daylilies are in full swing, except for a few of them that bloom later anyway.  The promise of hoards of golden rudbeckia flowers are just around the corner.

This is the time of year I wished I lived on at least an acre, instead of my postage-stamp sized suburban lot. All I can think of are the other plants I don’t have room for. A bit of plant-envy, if you will.

red geraniums

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Gosh, I can’t believe it’s been 10 days since I posted last! Where does the time go?

Thought you would all appreciate seeing how the Topsy Turvy planters are doing.

I read somewhere that end of June and early July is the right time for including some more plant food in with the watering, so that’s what I did. The article said that if you’ve been watering regularly and creating a nice and strong support system of new growth, then the abundance of new fruit the added plant food produces will have stronger branches to support their weight. I don’t know. Sounded good to me.

The Roma tomatoes are growing like gang-busters, with over a dozen clusters of tomatoes doing their thing.  We’ve been able to pluck 2 of them and popped them in our mouths today. Sweet goodness!

Roma tomato plant is seriously heavy!

Bunches and bunches of new Roma tomatoes on their way!

Roma tomatoes getting bigger and bigger each time

The patio tomatoes look plump and round, just like little green apples right now. I’ve even seen a few of the beefsteak tomatoes the last few days. Not sure that was the right choice for the Topsy Turvy planter, but we’ll see as they get bigger.

Patio tomatoes look a bit like little green apples, don't they?

I’m most impressed with what looks like a bumper crop of banana peppers. I’ve been gathering a few recipes that sound like they are sure to please the tastebuds! Will fill you all in when I’ve been able to harvest a few and make my fresh-to-order goodies. The giant marconi sweet peppers are still happy and growing. These are supposed to get about 8 inches long. I’m not sure how much longer I can wait until I am able to grab a few, though. Looking forward to tossing some on the grill.

There seems to be a bad spot on one of the new bell peppers. Might have to cut that one off.

The first of the Anaheim peppers arrived! Just one. At least for now.

More banana peppers

Banana peppers anyone?

Giant Marconi are looking good!

More bell peppers

My first Anaheim pepper

The basil, oregano, cilantro and other pepper plants have taken over one of the Topsy Turvy planters. Can barely see it at all now.

Topsy Turvy planter with herbs and peppers is nearly overgrown!

A few of the sweet and bell peppers were ready to harvest…so I did. I can’t even tell you how scrumptious the banana pepper smells.

Need to cut these goodies up and have a nice, healthy snack on this warm summer evening. Bon Appetit!

My first picking of peppers and cherry tomatoes

Just a quick update on the Topsy Turvy tomatoes and peppers.

My last update mentioned that the Roma tomatoes weren’t producing new fruit. OK…I was wrong. I just didn’t see them. There are AT LEAST 6 more clusters of roma tomatoes growing, in various size stages.

A few of these new clusters look a bit deformed. What’s up with that? I’m sure it was something I did. Very odd looking indeed!

Deformed Roma Tomatoes

What’s even more surprising, the first group of tomatoes to appear are starting to turn red. R-E-D!!
They are still a bit small, though. Only about an inch and a half to two inches.

Roma Tomatoes turning RED

Roma Tomatoes beginning to turn color

The cherry tomatoes now also have several clusters growing, too. Can you spot them?

Can you see the cherry tomatoes?

Not to be outdone in the surprise department, look what has been hiding in the foliage! I JUST saw this banana pepper bad boy the other day, but it’s obviously been visible for several weeks now.  They are supposed to grow to about 6 inches, and this one is nearly there!!

You should have seen me do my happy dance. Hopefully none of the neighbors saw me.

Surprise! Banana pepper makes an appearance.

The sweet peppers are coming along nicely. Here’s an updated image for you. It’ll be interesting when it starts turning to the orange color it’s supposed to end up with. Will keep you posted.

I have about 3 sweet pepper plants and each of them have at least one each about the same size as below. Still, there are a lot of flowers on each of them and hopefully they’ll all turn into lovely peppers for me.

Orange sweet pepper

Joy, joy, joy!

I harvested about 8 sprigs of fresh cilantro today, about 3 – 4 inches long each. This is my first experience with growing cilantro (or even cooking with cilantro) so I was a bit surprised when my fingers smelled like citrus. Not sure what I expected, but it wasn’t citrus. Thought it might be more “herb-y”. You know what I mean, right?

I searched on www.allrecipes.com for a pico de gallo recipe and selected the first one, then made a few changes. Not that I know anything about making homemade pico de gallo, but the comments people were making sounded like good ones, so I went with it.

It was super-scrumptious! We threw together an impromptu dinner, grilling some hotdogs and heating up some of those awesome Grillin Beans from Bush (the Steakhouse Recipe is to die for, btw!) With fresh strawberries and tortilla chips, the pico de gallo was a perfect fit.

Here’s the Pico de Gallo we came up with, using our fresh cilantro picked from the garden less than 2 minutes before adding it:

• 7 Roma tomatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes or less
• 6 green onions, finely chopped using all parts of it (white and green)
• 1/2 large white onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• we substituted 2 small cans of diced green chilis for the fresh jalapeno the original recipe called for
• 1 fresh lime, squeezed juice into the mix (but could have used another lime)
• 7-8 sprigs cilantro, washed and finely chopped. We used the stems and all.
• 1 fresh avocado, diced (but could have used another avocado)
• salt and pepper to taste

Cut it all up, squeeze the lime juice in, and put it in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes. Serve cold with chips, or whatever you’ve got hanging around that sounds good. There was a lot of juice in ours and you may want to drain some of it, if you don’t like that kind of thing.

It didn’t even occur to me to take a picture of it until after 3 of us polished off nearly a third of it! LOL. This recipe made about 5 cups, as close as I can guess.

I wonder what else I can make with the cilantro. There will be plenty to use throughout the summer. My hope is that eventually we’ll also have fresh tomatoes from our garden we can use instead of the store bought ones we used tonight.

Homemade Pico de Gallo with fresh garden cilantro

Aren’t the months of June and July always spectacular in the garden? Seriously.

See what’s blooming in my garden right now and over the past week by scrolling through the slideshow below. I hope you enjoy it as much as I love taking the pictures.

That reminds me, I need to put new batteries in my camera. I’m getting a flashing red-looking battery.  Could have sworn I just did that a few months ago. Guess I’m giving my camera a real workout this season. LOL! Must always be ready for those Kodak moments, right?

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Celebrate Independence Day with The Hudson Gardens!
Here’s “what’s happening” this holiday weekend…

Happy 4th of July, USA!

Firefall: Sunday, July 4, 7:00 PM
This Colorado-based band with their mellow, easy, country/rock sound brought us many top 40 chart hits, including You Are The Woman, Just Remember I Love You, Strange Way, and Cinderella. Firefall is a pioneer of country/rock music characterized by mellow, easy country-rock sounds coupled with pop melodies and lush harmonies.
Fireworks display immediately following the concert.
Gates open at 5:00 PM. Concert at 7:00 PM.
Adults $20. Members $17.50. Kids (3-12) $10.
Purchase tickets online now!

Visit The Hudson Gardens! July 3 & 4: 9 AM — 3 PM; July 5: 9 AM — 5 PM
Don’t forget that our 30 acres of fabulous natural displays are open to the public all weekend long! Get out your walking shoes and bring your friends, camera, and picnic–and explore all The Gardens has to offer. From our classic Rose Garden to the new Plant Zoo and Chocolate Garden, you’ll be sure to find something for everyone to enjoy.
Adults $5. Seniors (60+) $3. Kids (3-12) $2. Members free.

Atlanta Rhythm Section: Sunday, July 11, 6:30 PM
Often described as a more radio-friendly version of Lynyrd Skynyrd or the Allman Brothers, The Atlanta Rhythm Section was one of many southern rock bands to hit the upper reaches of the charts during the late ’70s. Best known for the smoldering rock staple So Into You, the group continues to make concert appearances showcasing not only their hit songs, but their still outstanding musical abilities as well. The Atlanta Rhythm Section truly is the epitome of all the good things that the phrase “classic rock” implies.
Gates open at 5:00 PM. Concert at 6:30 PM.
Adults $20. Members $17.50. Kids (3-12) $10.
Purchase tickets online now!

Check out www.hudsongardens.org for more performing arts, visual arts, gardening, and educational opportunities.

There is always something happening at The Gardens!

With heat comes growth! Ain’t that the truth.

The tomatoes in the Topsy Turvy Tree are wild and crazy big. The patio tomato is now showing new tomatoes…finally! I am a bit surprised that I don’t see any new tomatoes on the Roma plant, but there are a lot of flower clusters that I’m hopeful will produce.

Patio tomatoes making it to the party

Roma tomatoes

These tomato plants are bigger than they look here

Yes, there is a Topsy Turvy Tree planter in there somewhere...

The peppers in the Topsy Turvy Pepper planter are also doing great. The sweet peppers each have one or two big ones on them, and the Anaheim and Yellow peppers have a lot of little buds that I think will turn into peppers as we head into later in the summer.

This orange sweet pepper is about 4 inches long now

Giant Marconi peppers happily growing

Topsy Turvy Pepper planter showing strong growth

The cherry tomato is nearly touching the ground and it’s time for me to find a new (and higher) home for it. Still working that part out.

Cherry tomato plant nearly reaching the ground. Need to move it.

The herbs are doing great, except for the marjoram. I think it’s dead. Basil, Oregano, Rosemary, and Cilantro are all happy campers. I’ll be harvesting some of the cilantro tonight for dinner. It’s time already, can you believe it?!?!

Topsy Turvy herbs are great!

The June bearing strawberries are done producing. Looking forward to seeing what the late season strawberry plants will give us.

Strawberry plants still plugging away, just not producing right now

Is your garden X-rated?

No not that x-rated, silly. Xeriscape, or xeric is the name of the game when living in a semi-arid locale such as Denver and much of Colorado. With the hot months just around the corner, our thoughts turn to ways we can add beauty without becoming a slave to our flowers and running up our water bill.

Xeriscape Colorado is a program of Colorado WaterWise. “Xeriscape promotes creative approaches to water conserving landscapes by helping people improve their landscapes and to reduce the need for water, maintenance and other resources.”

There are seven key principals to xeriscape gardening, as provided below by About.com:

1. Planning and Design – Have a Plan. Take a look at your garden’s topography, exposure and soil. Don’t try to fight your site. Create planting zones and group your plants by their needs. For example, groups tough, drought tolerant plants in areas exposed to full day sun, give less tolerant plants some partial shade and keep the more delicate or demanding plants for a spot near your water source.
2. Choose Appropriate Plant Material – You may choose to incorporate a few plants that will need to be coddled, but for the most part, selecting plants that thrive in your area during low water conditions will give you the best results. This often includes native plants that we so often take for granted. The choice of plants will vary by region, even within a single yard. You may also be surprised to see how many plants are considered xeric, once they have established themselves and when properly cared for.
3. Soil Improvement – The old adage that if you take care of the soil, the soil will take care of the plants, is very true here. The key, as always, is incorporating generous amounts of organic matter. This will improve water penetration and retention in any type of soil. Rich, loose, water holding soil will encourage good root development and lessen the plant’s need for supplemental water. It is best to amend your soil before planting and to regularly use organic mulch.
4. Mulch – Mulching is a naturally occurring process, but as gardeners we tend to want things tidy and we rake away all the leaves and debris that coat and decay into the soil. So we have to bring in more aesthetically pleasing mulch, such as shredded bark and compost.
5. Practical and Appropriate Turf Areas – Most of us still want some areas of lawn in our landscape and many of us want way too much lawn. Think about how much water, fertilizer and gasoline it takes to keep your lawn green throughout the summer.
6. Efficient Watering – Not all plants need the same amount of water and those needs may change with the seasons. If you’ve followed the steps above, you have your plants grouped by their water needs, including your lawn, and can water only where it’s needed.
7. Appropriate Maintenance – Yes, even a xeriscape garden will require some maintenance. Watering, weeding, pruning, deadheading and sensible pest management will all factor into the quality of your garden.

Plant selection is key to the success of a xeric garden, but don’t even think it’s going to be about rocks and cactus. There are so many plants that do quite well on limited water. If you get 1 inch or less of natural water per week then planting xeriscape plants fit nicely so you don’t have to provide much in the way of additional watering. In my xeric planter bed I water about once a month during the hottest of months: July, August, and September. That’s it. One deep and long soaking per month is all it needs from me. Mother Nature provides the rest.

The flowers that do best in my small suburban xeric planter bed are:

• Tulips
• Anemone
• Iris (miniature)
• Red Valerian
• Moonshine Yarrow
• Knockout Rose
• Threadleaf Coreopsis
• Blanket Flower
• Lilies
• Cupid’s Dart
• Missouri Evening Primrose
• Asters

Notice I don’t mention plants such as broom, brush, or cactus. Those are just not my cup of tea and don’t provide the look that matches the rest of my front yard garden. There are also others I would like to have incorporated, but don’t have the room, such as penstemon and poppy mallow. Update: I have just purchased some penstemon and a few sunflowers to add a bit of punch to this area. Will be planting them this afternoon.

The X-Rated Classification System for Xeriscape Plants is a useful guide for grouping together Xeriscape plants with similar watering requirements:
X-Rated plants prefer slightly dry conditions (about 1 inch of water per week)
XX-Rated plants prefer dry conditions (about 1/2 inch of water per week)
XXX-Rated plants prefer very dry conditions (about 1/2 inch of water per 2 weeks)

You can find a list of x-rated plants here, including trees and shrubs.

Average annual rainfall in Denver is 15.4 inches.
Summer months average rainfall: May = 2.32in., June = 1.56in., July = 2.16in., August = 1.82in., September = 1.14in..

If you’re not sure about what to plant in your xeric garden and you want some tips and ideas then a visit to several local xeriscape demonstration gardens is in order.

Visit Colorado Waterwise for a list of Xeriscape Demonstration Gardens for Thornton, Pueblo, Parker, Loveland, Ft. Collins, Denver, Colorado Springs, Broomfield, Boulder, Black Forest, and Aurora.

And also the Colorado Water Conservation Board has a list of Local Area Xeriscape Demonstration Gardens to visit.

Highlands Ranch Xeriscape Garden provides a nice brochure with lots of information and a list of xeriscape plants to use.

There’s nothing quite like the Tagawa Garden Center in Aurora, Colorado.  When I was looking for unique and hard to find evergreens for my small suburban backyard, I always found them at Tagawa.

Colorado Garden Design

If you find yourself wanting to learn how to master container planting, or how to grill the vegetables you’re growing, or what flowers to plant that love our Colorado heat, then Tagawa Gardens is the place for you. They have a whole series of classes created just for you. And not just you. They have classes just for the kiddies in our lives. How much fun is THAT?!?

Quite obviously, there’s NEVER a dull moment at Tagawa Gardens!

Check it out!

Sat., Jun. 26:

10:30 AM-12 Noon, Gardening Around Deer & Rabbits, Leslie. Learn what you can do to deter wildlife from “browsing” your prized Dahlias and Verbenas while being gentle with our environment.

2:30-3:30 PM, Kitchen Garden Grilling, Deb Whitakker.. Grilling from your garden is different from grilling meats. Some vegetables are better pre-cooked and finished on the grill. Delicate vegetables prefer fast cooking over a hot flame rather than slow grilling at cooler temps which causes them to fall apart and into the grill, and peppers and eggplant need to be thoroughly charred for the best results. Get the inside scoop on fast, easy grilling from your garden! Please register for this class so we have enough samples!

1-2 PM, Patriotic Kids “Fourth of July” Planting.  Becca & Grandma Mimi use the colors of the U.S.A to teach little gardeners about planting a container garden. Kid’s plant a small pot of red, white and blue flowers to take home.  Limit 15 children accompanied by adults, max. 3 children per adult, Mat. Fee: $7 per child, please register for this class!

Sun., Jun., 27:

11 AM-12 Noon, Gardening & Eating Locally; In Your Own Backyard, Carole Kastler of Camelot Design, CamelotDesign.net. Tricks and tips to grow your own food in a small space, with limited resources and starting late! You can still do it and do it effectively, plus get great tips for next year! See the mature plants and herbs that Tagawa Gardens has as well as mature container gardens and indoor growing materials. Check out the herbs and discover how to garden later into the fall and winter for more “year round” harvesting.

1:30-3:30 PM Cold Process Soap Making, Christina Blume, Herbalist. In this demo class  you’ll learn how easy it is to make cold process soap in your own kitchen!  Homemade soap contains moisturizing glycerin and is free of the harsh preservatives and chemicals found in commercial soaps that can be drying and irritating. You’d never believe that soap making was this easy and you’ll soon be making gifts for birthdays, hostesses, or showers! Take home an extensive handout full of recipes, web sites, and resources plus a bar of the handmade soap, a bottle of fragrance oil and a sample packet of soap pigments. Limit: 24 Mat. Fee $25, payable to instructor, please register for this class.

Sat., Jul. 3

Planting By Invitation Only!  11AM -2PM, Grey Kitty® Container Planting Invitational. Many of the non-profit groups participating in Grey Kitty® Animal Rescue event will be creating container gardens that will be sold at silent auction on July 10 & 11. All plants are donated by Simply Beautiful® so that each group collects 100% of the winning bid.  Come watch them create patio pots with Simply Beautiful® plants nd learn how to build summer container gardens, too, as a representative of Simply Beautiful will be on-hand to help! Attendance in the audience is open to the public, container garden planting by invitation only, groups must be participating in Gery Kitty® Pet Rescue Event in order to plant.

3-4 PM, Flowering Containers that L-O-V-E the Heat. Our sunny, Colorado summer can bake a lovely porch pot to a crispy crunch! Patty K. helps us avoid such heartbreak with plant varieties that thrive in our hot, hot, and intense summer heat and look gorgeous!

July 10 &11:

11 AM-3 PM Both Days, Grey Kitty® Birthday Celebration & Animal Rescue Event & Silent Auction. Visit with over 25 animal groups featuring pets available for later adoption! Learn about bunnies, cats, dogs, and many more—see our website for a complete list of groups participating. If you give a donation of $5 or more to any group at the event, you will receive a coupon for 10% OFF your purchase (see website for details)!
New for 2010!  Bid on lovely container gardens created by each animal group!  Each group’s pot will be on display in their booth and available via silent auction, with 100% of the proceeds going to the group that created the pot, thanks to the generosity of Simply Beautiful® Plants!

Special Guests: E.A.R.S. information (Electronic Animal Recovery System) courtesy of J. Dorn Nienaber, Farmer’s Insurance Group, The Nienaber Agency. Create a digital ID for each of your pets.  Included in the Home Organizer is a form to fill out on your animal.  In the event your animal is lost or missing you can email vital information to the local shelters and humane societies to recover your animal much quicker!

As of May 28, the following groups are participating  in the 2010 event:
(links to be provided soon)

All Setter Rescue (Silent Auction, Sat & Sun)
Animal Rescue & Adoption Society (Silent Auction, Sat & Sun)
Cat Care Society (Silent Auction, Sat & Sun)
Cavy Care Inc. Guinea Pig Shelter & Sanctuary  (Silent Auction, Sat & Sun)
Colorado Greyhound Adoption ((Sat & Sun)
Colorado House Rabbit Society (Silent Auction, Sat & Sun)
Dumb Friends League (Sat & Sun)
Edwards Foundation for Rescued Animals (Silent Auction, Sat & Sun)
Gabriel Foundation Aviary & Adoption Center (Silent Auction, Sat & Sun)
Good Samaritan Pet Center (Silent Auction, Sat & Sun)
HawkQuest (Silent Auction, Sat)
Mile High Ferret Club (Silent Auction, Sat & Sun)
Misha May Foundation (Silent Auction, Sat)
Pueblo Collie/Sheltie Rescue (Silent Auction, Sat & Sun)
Rocky Mountain Cocker Rescue, Inc. (Silent Auction, Sat & Sun)
Rocky Mounatin Great Dane Rescue (Sun)
Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue (Silent Auction, Sat)
Rocky Mountain Wildlife Concservation Center DBA The Wild Animal Sanctuary (Sat & Sun)
Westie Rescue Network (Silent Auction, Sat & Sun)

Sat., July 17:

10-11 AM, How to Build a Wormery Composter. Luan Akin shows how easy it is to recycle kitchen scraps into wonderful, rich compost in a small space with the help of our worm friends—perfect for any size garden, patio or balcony!

1-3 PM, Making your Own Ceramic Pot Fountain. Dee shows how to take simple parts—tubing pump, pot and a few others—and make a beautiful and unique fountain for indoor or outdoor use. This is a demonstration class only.

Sun., July 18:
Noon-3 PM, Xeriscape Cluster 1, Craig Miller. This is a condensed form of a 6-part series class! In Cluster 1, you ‘ll learn the Principles of Xeriscape and Principle 1:  Design. Xeriscape™ is not rocks and cactus, but a colorful, lower maintenance alternative to the water hungry landscapes we are most used to.  Learn the 7 principles of xeriscaping, and take away some great ideas for retrofitting your existing landscape, or installing a new one! The Design portion offers a way to have beautiful, livable landscapes without excess water use, and any good xeriscape begins with a good design.  Learn the basics of xeric yard and garden design in this instructive class.

July 24 & 25
Mountains & Plains Iris Society Annual Iris Rhizone Sale! Featuring iris rhizomes grown by members of Region 20 of the American Iris Society! All proceeds of the sale benefit this non-profit organization that promotes the appreciation and culture of irises.

Sat., July 24
Mountains & Plains Iris Society Annual Iris Rhizone Sale! Featuring iris rhizomes grown by members of Region 20 of the American Iris Society! All proceeds of the sale benefit this non-profit organization that promotes the appreciation and culture of irises.

10-11 AM, Perennial Grasses. Roxanne, one of our Perennial Experts, presents the positives about these loverly, graceful additions to the landscape that are at their best in late summer!

1-2 PM, Recycled Treasures for Your Garden–the Joys of Creative Repurposing ‘Show & Tell,’ Karen Z.  Do you enjoy creating whimsical garden art using ‘found objects, ‘thrift store finds’ , ‘cast offs’ & ‘dumpster treasures’ ? Let’s meet and share ideas and pictures!

Sun., July 25:
Mountains & Plains Iris Society Annual Iris Rhizone Sale! Featuring iris rhizomes grown by members of Region 20 of the American Iris Society! All proceeds of the sale benefit this non-profit organization that promotes the appreciation and culture of irises.

Noon-3 PM, Xeriscape Cluster 2, Craig Miller. In this condensed class, you’ll learn Principles 2, 3 & 4! Principle 2: Soil Preparation– next to design, soil preparation is the most important part of successful xeriscaping and gardening.  We will dish out the “dirt” on amending soil for a water efficient and healthy landscape. Principles 3 & 4: Appropriate Use of Turf & Plant Selection–the most controversial and misunderstood of the Xeriscape principles is the concept of appropriate turf. Turf grasses have a place in the landscape, even in Xeriscape.  We will provide you with guidance on this aspect of landscaping, as well as cover plant selection and proper grouping of plant materials in this informative class.

Sat., July 31:

10-11AM, Planning Now for Putting Your Water Garden to Bed for the Winter, Cyndie Thomas. Yes, it is a dirty job. Next spring you’ll reap the benefit of all your hard work this fall. Critical topics such as removal of summer debris, protecting tender plants by over wintering them indoors and “adjusting your pond fish feeding schedule” will be covered.

11:30 AM-12:30 PM, Tried & True Kids’ Refrigerator Jam. Becca & Grandma Mimi share a special bonding moment with your kids by making homemade preserves that are quick and easy, fun , and taste like you just picked ‘em. Mat. Fee: $7 (for lids, jars, etc.), please register for this class! Limit: 15 children (each must be accompanied by an adult.)

1:30-2:30PM, Growing Orchids in Colorado, Dee shows how easy it is to grow these beautiful plants indoors in our climate.  Light, water, transplanting and re-blooming are some of the many topics covered.

August

Sun., Aug.  1:
Application deadline for Holiday Gifts for Pets & Their People Craft Event November 6 & 7, 2010. See www.holidaygifts4pets.com for details.       

Noon-3 PM, Xeriscape Cluster 3, Craig Miller. This completes the condensed series featuring Principles 5, 6 & 7! Principles 5 & 6: Irrigation & Mulch. Irrigation is necessary in a xeric landscape, at least during the first few years while the plants’ root systems are developing.  And critical to making efficient use of that water is the appropriate use of mulch.  Principle 7: Maintenance–maintaining the landscape cannot be forgotten, even in a xeriscape.   Pruning, occasional weeding and pest management, checking that the irrigation system is functioning properly, and adjusting automatic irrigation systems as the seasons change will be needed.  Come learn what you need to know to maintain your xeriscape properly!

Thurs., Aug. 5:
4-7 PM, “Girl’s Thyme” Ladies Night Out. Be the first to take advantage of our 28th Anniversary Sale-abration! 50% OFF Perennials & Roses, 25% OFF Everything Else*, plus visit with local spas, cosmetics, clothing and jewelry vendors and other favorite ladies products. (Merchandise sold by Girl’s Thyme Out vendors  is not included in our Anniversary sale). (* see TagawaGardens.com for details & exclusions).

Fri., Aug. 6
28th Anniversary Sale Begins! 50% OFF Perennials & Roses, 25% OFF Everything Else*, through Thurs., Aug. 19 (* see TagawaGardens.com for details & exclusions)!

Aug. 7-8:
Anniversary  Weekend Celebration!!
Join us for a bake sale featuring home-made goodies prepared by Tagawa staff, to benefit Park Task Force!  Plus classes about preserving your harvest and adding color to your gardens for fall! Enjoy our Anniversary Sale discount as mentioned above!

Sat., Aug., 7:
9 AM-3 PM, Tagawa Employees Community Bake Sale to Benefit Parker Task Force! All proceeds benefit The Parker Task Force/Food Bank, a non-profit organization formed to assist residents of Parker, Franktown & Elizabeth who are in need of short-term assistance.

1-2 PM, Preserving your Harvest: Delicious Dried Foods from your Garden, Deb Whitakker.  Americans have been conditioned to think that fresh is best, but that’s frequently not the case. Drying produce is the ultimate in sustainability: no freezer burn, significantly reduce storage space, locked in nutrients, but the best part is the taste of specialty foods that are commercially unavailable, like powdered heirloom tomatoes that add incredible depth to soups and stews; kale and zucchini chips that are unbelievably delicious alternative to the MSG-laden GMO potato chips; Grand Marnier-marinated dried pears for topping pastry cream. No fee for this class, however please register for this class so we have enough samples for everyone!

Sun., Aug., 8:

11 AM -12Noon, Long-Blooming Perennial Color, Lina, Perennial Coach, directs us in choosing plants that ensure our gardens look fresh and dramatic well into the fall months!

1-3PM, Luxurious Lotions, Jackie Robb. Diethanolamine (DEA), Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Magnesium aluminum silicate.  Are these ingredients in your lotions or moisturizers?  Are they safe? Have you noticed that the ‘natural’ ingredients are listed towards the end of ingredients, meaning they are in the smallest amounts?  Come learn how to make your own moisturizing lotions without irritating and harmful chemicals at a fraction of the cost you would pay at the stores.  You will learn how to make lotions that are nutritious to the skin using truly natural and organic ingredients that will leave your skin feeling soft and supple.   Learn how to incorporate your favorite healing and moisturizing herbs you can grow in your own garden.  Participants will go home with samples of lotions made in class as well as a handout with many terrific recipes to try at home. Limit 30; Mat. fee $10, payable to the instructor, please register for this class!

Aug., 14-15:
Melon Daze! A new family event featuring classes and fun involving melons! Plus, locally grown melons of all types will be available for purchase!

Sat., Aug. 14:

9:30-10:30 AM, Kid’s Melon Salsa class, Becca & Mimi. Salsas made with melon are the best of both worlds (sweet and spicy). Share the fun of “cooking” this special treat together from “South of the Border!” Mat. Fee: $7 (for lids, jars, etc.) Limit: 15 children (each must be accompanied by an adult) please register for this class!

11 AM-12 Noon, Obstacle Course Melon Races. This comical race through an inflatable obstacle course is for children and adults alike. Who will make it through first?

12:30-1:30 PM, The Embellished Melon, Helen Lozynsky. Carve your own melon masterpiece –Bring a cantaloupe, a pairing knife and a cutting board. The class includes a discussion on how to grow melons plus their use in salads and as dessert. Limit:  25 adults, please register for this class!

2:30-3:30 PM, Kid’s “Melon Balloon” Toss. Children test their skills at gently tossing a melon balloon between pairs without breaking the “melon!”  After each successful toss, both kids take a step back and try again until there is a winner!

Sun., Aug., 15:

9:30-10:30 AM, Kid’s Melon Salsa Class, Becca & Grandma Mimi. Fruit salsas are the best of both worlds (sweet and spicy). Share the fun of “cooking” this special treat together from “South of the Border!” Mat. Fee: $7 (for lids, jars & misc.), Limit: 15 children (each must be accompanied by an adult), please register for this class!

11:30 AM-12:30 PM, Authentic Mexican Watermelon Agua Fresca, Alicia. There are stands throughout Mexico that sell this refreshing fruit drink that is also a favorite with the kids. A chilly, absolutely delightful afternoon treat that will refreshes to the core! Please register for this class so we have enough samples!

1:30-2:30 PM, Obstacle Course Melon Races. This comical race through an inflatable obstacle course is for children and adults alike. Who will make it through first?

Aug. 21 & 22:
Rocky Mountain Koi Club Annual Koi Show and Mile HIgh Daylily Society Annual Sale!
See fabulous koi on display, and koi and pond supply vendors available. Plus, daylily roots from Society Members gardens available for purchase, with all proceeds benefiting the Daylily Society! See www.RMKC.net or MileHighDaylily.com for details!

Sat., Aug. 28:

10-11 AM, Late Blooming Perennials. Lina directs us in choosing plants that ensure our gardens look fresh and dramatic well into the fall months!

12 Noon -1 PM, How to Stretch your Container Gardens into the Fall and Winter. Kris shows us which plants take a ‘bit of a nip’ in the air and look great doing so!

2-3 PM, Dangerous Plants in the Garden, Helen Lozynsky.  What you don’t know may be deadly. This class includes a discussion covering some common, yet lethal garden plants. Yet even with these potent plants, mankind was able to discover some of their positive aspects & put them to good use.

Sun., Aug. 29:

11 AM-12 Noon, 9NEWS Rob Proctor’s Perennials Gardens Layouts. Rob demonstrates, with style and flair, his winning design plans for perennials in a garden!
1-2 PM, Pruning 101, Craig Miller. So how do you properly prune that tree or shrub in your yard?  Why and when should you prune?  What should you look for when contracting with a tree care professional?  These and other questions will be answered during the course of this enlightening class.

2:30-4:30PM, Natural Skin Care, Christina Blume. In this class you’ll learn all you need to know about skin care from cleansing, to moisturizing and protecting. Cleansing grains, facial steams and cleansers, masques that remove all debris from pores, toners and astringents, acne & blemish treatments, 2 moisturizers, one for daily use that contains far more nutrients and anti-oxidants for your skin than anything available commercially and one which is profoundly healing for damaged skin and premature aging, lip balms and under eye nutrient oil.  Conduct a 2 month experiment and notice the difference in fine lines and wrinkles! Take home an extensive handout, facial steaming herbs, a 2 month supply of moisturizer and a tube of the lip balm. Your friends will all ask if they can purchase your handmade wonder cream! Limit 30: $25 mat. fee , payable to the instructor, please register for this class!

September

Sept. 4, 5 & 6:
Chile Pepper Fiesta! Fresh, roasted chile peppers will be available, plus enjoy fun classes about how to prepare tasty foods with roasted chiles! On all three days, Digital ID M.I.L.K. information (Managing Information on Lost Kids) will be available, courtesy of J. Dorn Nienaber, Farmer’s Insurance Group, The Nienaber Agency. The M.I.L.K. Digital ID was designed to provide parents & caregivers a convenient location to sore a digital photo & identification information regarding their children, which is stored on your computer hard drive and provides a vital identification tool in the event of an emergency.

Sat., Sept. 4:

9:30-10:30 AM Salsa Making for Kids, Becca & Mimi our Children’s Gardening Enthusiasts. Fruit salsas are the best of both worlds (sweet and spicy). Share the fun of “cooking” this special treat together from “South of the Border!” Mat. Fee: $7 (for lids, jars, etc.), Limit: 15 children (each must be accompanied by an adult), please register for this class!

11:30 AM -12:30 PM, 51 Ways to Use Roasted Chiles, Deb Whitakker. Tips on preparation & freezing and recipes for vegetarian, chicken and pork green chili, traditional Chile Rellenos & polenta crusted Chile Rellenos. Tasting included… Please register for this class so we have enough samples!

1:30-3 PM, Authentic Mexican Salsa Recipes, Alicia. Please register for this class so we have enough samples!

Sun., Sept. 5:

10:30-11:30AM, Salsa Making for Kids, Becca & Mimi our Children’s Gardening Enthusiasts. Fruit salsas are the best of both worlds (sweet and spicy). Share the fun of “cooking” this special treat together from “South of the Border!” Mat. Fee: $7 (for lids, jars, etc.), Limit: 15 children (each must be accompanied by an adult), please register for this class!

1:30-3 PM, Authentic Mexican Chile Rellenos, Alicia. Just enough heat to engage the palette and still be the “real thing.”  Shh, don’t let Alicia’s’ family know she’s giving out the secret recipe! Please register for this class so we have enough samples!

Mon., Sept. 6:

1-2 PM, Authentic Mexican Green Chile with Meat, Alicia. Please register for this class so we have enough samples!

Sept. 11 & 12:
52nd Annual Colorado Dahlia Society Show. Sat. 9 AM-5 PM, Sun. 10 AM-3 PM. We are honored to host this affiliate of the American Dahlia Society!  Their purpose is to stimulate interest in and to promote the culture and development of the dahlia. Come see beautiful flowers on display and chat with members about dahlias!

Sun., Sept 12:
1-2 PM, Choosing the Right Tree for the Right Location, Craig Miller helps you make the right decision when it comes to tree selection and planting. We will explore environmental factors that influence tree selection, what you should look for when purchasing a tree, tree placement and proper planting techniques. 

Sept. 18:
Bulb Festival! Classes about these fall-planted, spring-blooming miracles!

9:30-10:30 AM, Kid’s Container Bulb Class, Becca  & Grandma Mimi make bulbs magical for kids. How proud they will be next spring to see what they have created! Mat. Fee: $10, Limit: 15 children (each child must be accompanied by an adult), please register for this class!

1-2 PM, 9NEWS Rob Proctor’s Planting Bulbs for Spring Color. Rob specializes in planting bulbs in patio containers in the fall for an unbelievable flower show next spring! Learn his special tips for success.

Sun., Sept. 19:

11 AM-12, Noon How to Kill a Tree, Craig Miller. Our 5 step program for “Assisted Herb-icide” will teach you how to properly care for your trees.  From poor pruning to construction damage, improper planting to over watering, we will cover the tree maintenance practices that shorten the lives of trees in our urban forest.

1:30-3:30 PM, Fall Container Garden Charity Garden Party! Registration required, limit: 50. Check back heresoon for details and pricing!

Sat., Sept 25:
9  AM-4 PM, Rocky Mountain African Violet Society Fall Sale. African Violets and accessories will be available for sale, with all the proceeds from their sale going to The Society!

10 AM-12 Noon, Growing African Violets & Other Gesneriads, Dee. will make raising these great plants a cinch for you! Find out exactly what the plants want; light, Water and Temperature and Fertilizer. Don’t let their scary names frighten you.
Sat., Oct. 2
Garlic Festival! More details soon!

Tagawa Gardens Event page

Recorded Webinars

APR 6 2010 – Growing Locally In Your Own Backyard:Get Organized-Design
APR 12 2010 - Landscape Design Basics Part I
APR 13 2010 - Growing Locally In Your Own Backyard:Soil Prep, Raised Beds, Containers and Companion Plants.
APR 16 2010 - Landscape Design Basic Part II
APR 20 2010- Growing Locally in Your Own Backyard:Harvesting, Maintenance & Extending
APR 22 2010 - Landscape Design Basics Part III

There are so many good reasons to plant in containers rather than in the garden, from dealing with animals in the garden (more to follow in my next post about that) to sun, shade and space issues. One of the quickest ways to add a pop of color to your space is to plant a container. If you use smaller containers that are easily moved, you can find the right combination of sun or shade in your space. Also, they’re easy to protect if the weather turns nasty (never happens here, right?)

Multiple planters on an old step ladder

And remember to think outside the box—a container could be an old wheelbarrow, bike basket, watering can, stump in the yard or anything that will hold dirt and water. Containers can appear formal by using symmetrical pairs or nice urns, or very informal like using an old Schwinn bike basket.

A large composite planter filled with shade loving plants for a shady porch

If youwant to use a large container, there are some great looking lightweight composite materials out there, but they can still get very heavy if filled completely with dirt. Use packing peanuts or other lightweight filler material for 1/3 to ½ of the container, then plant as usual with your favorite potting soil.
For a lush, interesting container, plant numerous kinds of plants and pack them tightly into the container. Use some trailing varieties, one or two tall plants and some shorter flowering. I’ve used sweet potato vine with double impatiens, lobelia and a dwarf conical juniper for my large containers. A single flowering plant in a small container, clustered with other small contains is a good way to get more bang for your buck, or if you have a small space like a balcony or patio. I use annuals for the most part, but I also bring out all of my tropical and tender indoor plants for the summer. The fresh air and sunshine does wonders for them!
Use a good quality potting soil and remember that your containers may need frequent watering in the middle of the summer depending on sun and drainage. Wooden and clay pots dry out quicker than plastic or composite containers so check them daily. There are some great new products out there designed to retain water, so if you really can’t check your containers daily, then a trip to your local garden center to find one of these products will save both time and expense.
Fertilize every week—I like Miracle-Gro Bloom Booster—and enjoy your colorful planters all summer!
At the end of the season, a couple of things that will save time and money next year; discard all of the dead and dying plant material and save your potting soil. I transfer mine to a bit covered tub and store in the garden shed. Also, clean up and store your containers to bring out and re-use. If you’ve brought out your houseplants for the summer, it’s a good idea to repot and check carefully for mites, aphids and other insects before bringing back into the house.