How to Protect Your Deck from Planters
Planning for a summer staycation has led to increased interest in home gardening across the Front Range. For homeowners looking for an easy way to use their green thumbs or spruce up their outdoor living spaces, container gardens and planters are an especially popular choice. But a word of warning: those planters can end up damaging your deck if you aren’t careful. If standing water collects underneath them, it could cause stains, promote mildew and mold growth, and even end up rotting the wood in your deck. […]
Time to Plant Sweet Berries and Fragrant Herbs
Berries and herbs tend to grow slowly, and because of our short growing season here, are best cultivated from starts, which are available now at garden centers, farmers markets, supermarkets and hardware stores. If you try to grow these from seed, well, it might be winter before you see anything! Keep in mind that container plants in general are considerably more exposed to the elements, (heat, cold, moisture and dryness) than plants in the ground. In Colorado it’s advisable to go with plastic pots which won’t evaporate water as quickly than the porous earthen terra cotta pots. (That being said,[...]
Deck to Table Dining
Our March issue offered helpful tips for designing an “on deck” container garden. Now we’re ready to “get growing!” If you’re up for the container gardening adventure, the rewards are great – imagine the joys of watching plants you’ve carefully tended grow into maturity. How wonderful is a dinner party with friends and family gathered round enjoying the “fruits” (and vegetables) of your labor from the deck where they were raised? There’s just no better way to impress your guests! Salad greens such as arugula, mustard, and mesculun, sassy, baby and braising mixes as well as lettuces grow quickly and[...]
Gardening On Deck: Dress It Up
You’re probably familiar with interior design and decorating, but did you know that you can also give your deck a makeover with “exterior” design? Container gardening is so easy. It brings the garden to you and works in whatever space you have available. You can grow anything and everything from fruits and vegetables to flowers and herbs, and there’s no better time to start planning your own “on deck” garden than now! Map It Out Deck space is finite, and you’ll want to use that space in the most effective way possible. Planning is key – step back and take[...]
