What to get an organic gardener for Christmas

Are you browsing through gifts for your friendly, neighborhood organic gardener? Why not? Don't you love me? I shared all that zucchini with you last year, remember? OK. You caught me. This is actually my wish list. Hey, if I don't get it out there, how will anyone know? So, from pricey to dollar store, common to unusual, here's what this organic gardener would like for Christmas this year. Chances are, your favorite organic gardeners may have the same sugar plums dancing in their heads.

A rototiller would be awesome, thank you!

Every year, we rent a rototiller to break up the soil. Every other year, we do it late because someone forgets how early crops need to planted. I don't know how he forgets. I nag him enough. So this year for Christmas, if you really love me, please put a pretty red bow around the biggest, toughest rototiller you can find. I will repay you in produce, since my garden is likely to be more prolific if I actually get it started on time.

A garden gadget or two is always welcome.

But please do not get me anything “As seen on TV.” Do not get me that rotating spiked weeder on a stick. I already have one. It sucks. Likewise that wrinkled up cloth hose thing. Bought it Used it once. It sprung about 25 leaks. Just goes to show you, don't believe everything you see in a demo video.

Please get me anything that makes gardening easier.

I'm not getting any younger. I need all the help I can get. You don't even have to buy anything. Will you work the garden for food? I promise I won't make you hold up a cardboard sign. If you're feeling lazy, though, just head for any home improvement store. An organic gardener can never have too many hoes, shovels or bottles of earth friendly pesticide. Smaller budget? The dollar store sells hand gardening tools.

How about a load of compost?

Every year, I get free compost from the hospital where my daughter works. I also make my own. For some reason, it's never enough. My veggies are hungry! So, if you have a truck, don't offer to move me. Just head on over to your local landscaping materials center and fill that baby up with the good stuff. Heck, you can dump it right smack on my front lawn for all I care. It needs some love anyway.

Every organic gardener loves GMO free seeds.

The problem is, not everyone knows where to get them. Confused about what seeds your favorite gardener might like? Just buy an assortment. Got an organic gardening fanatic who's trying to survive the apocalypse? Check out the seed bank assortments. These seeds last for seven years! Hey, who knows? There have to be some survivors . I'm pretty sure if I'm one of them, I'll still be here, working my garden, like always.

How to use a live potted tree for a greener Christmas

Environmental concerns may have you thinking about using a live Christmas tree for the holidays. Artificial trees often end up in land fills. Real cut trees are often used once and discarded. You can donate them to your city mulching and recycling program but somehow it never gets done. Why not try using a live, potted Christmas tree this year? Not sure how to do it? These tips can help you keep your live Christmas tree in the best condition before, during and after the holidays.

Keep it outside for a few days, or not.

When you first purchase your live Christmas tree from a nursery where it has been kept outside, give it some time to adjust. Moving the tree may cause it some shock. Keep it outside for a few days until it gets used to being taken from home.

If your tree was purchased from an indoor nursery, bring it in the house right away.

Keep in natural light.

Once your live Christmas tree is ready to bring into the house, keep it in natural light. Live Christmas trees do best in front of a large window. This gives them the sun they need on a daily basis. Keep the soil moist, not wet. Extremes of any kind may cause your live Christmas tree to go into shock and die.

Avoid heat and air ducts.

Fluctuating temperatures are no good for your live Christmas tree. Take care to place it away from heat and air ducts. Even though evergreen trees are used to the cold, they don't appreciate going from hot to cold and back again. They're used to the more gradual temperature changes of mother nature.

Wait to decorate and be gentle.

Once you bring your live Christmas tree indoors, give it a breather. Let it adjust to the new environment in your home before loading it with ornaments. When you do decorate, go a little lighter than you normally would. Skip the lights or just use a few. Decorate gently and without heavy ornaments.

Harden off before re-planting.

Just like any other plant, a live Christmas tree should be hardened off before bringing it outdoors in the pot. To harden off your tree, bring it out of doors for a few hours each day. Do this for four or five days before leaving it outdoors permanently. It's best to leave it outdoors in the pot for the winter. However, do make sure the pot is sheltered from the elements. Plant in spring to green up your yard.

Working the Denver garden in winter and early spring

For some Denver gardeners, winter is a welcome reprieve from gardening. Others wish they could garden all year. If you're in the latter group, you'll be glad to know that in Denver, at least, you don't have to stop gardening when the snow falls. Here's how you can garden throughout the winter in Denver.

November

The first day of winter is usually somewhere around the 21^st of December. That doesn't mean it won't be nippy in Denver before then. Officially winter or not, November is usually considered a winter month. In Denver, however, it's still very possible to keep cold hardy vegetables like greens and root vegetables growing right up until the first of December. If you have a cold frame or greenhouse, you may be able to grow them all winter. It all depends on how cold it gets.

In November, you can likely still finish your garden clean-up tasks. You may even still have some produce to harvest. Yes, there will be cold days. There will also be warm ones. Take advantage of them when they come to finish the last of your big garden tasks, set up those cold frames, pick off the last of the harvest and more. December is not quite as Denver garden user friendly.

December

Denver Decembers can be bitterly cold. They can also be seasonally warm. That's due, of course to the semi-arid climate. While it may be possible for procrastinating Denver gardeners to continue their garden clean-up into the weeks prior to Christmas, there are no guarantees. A better bet would be to use this time to wrap up those garden themed Christmas gifts. Your homemade salsa, sauces, jellies, jams and even your excess squash and pumpkins make a wonderful gift for those without a garden.

You can also start herbs indoors for next year's garden and continue tending any hardy veggies you may still have growing.

January

It's January already? In Denver, January is typically frigid. Time for gardeners to stay primarily indoors. Order and/or peruse those seed catalogs. Checking your seed inventory first insures that you won't over-order. Believe it or not, January is also a great time for planting onion seeds. Starting early gives them time to develop into mature bulbs for planting.

Re-pot any herbs that have outgrown their starter pots.

February

February is all about paper plans. Make a scale sketch of your garden spaces. Take a look at the seeds you have in stock. Consider the plants you plan to buy or grow. Pencil everything in so you can make necessary changes easily. Take size and height into consideration. In Denver, the general rule is to plant your rows running from north to south. Taller crops should be planted in the westernmost rows, shorter ones in the east, toward the rising sun. This way, as the sun makes it's way across the sky, no plant is shaded by another.

Don't forget to check that your neighboring veggies are compatible.

It might surprise some newer Denver gardeners to know that February is also a great time to start tomatoes and peppers indoors or in a heated greenhouse. Once again, that early start insures that plants will be a healthy size and in good condition for planting when the time comes. They will have to be re-potted, trimmed and fed as they grow.

March

Use March to start the rest of your veggies indoors in Denver. There are also some crops like peas, squash and corn that can be started from seed outdoors in late March. If you're not sure which ones, check the Farmer's Almanac.

April/May

Winter is pretty much over by the end of April in Denver. You should have your garden space tilled and ready and a few hardy seed crops planted by May 1^st. Some can be planted sooner. You may still see snow or frost in April, but the garden soil should be workable, for the most part.

By the first of May, you should have most seeds planted. Tomatoes and peppers will have to wait until mid-May or the first of June, weather dependent. Don't do any heavy planting without checking weather reports. And remember, Denver is on the edge of the tornado belt. Be ready to quickly protect plants from those spring storms that begin in June.

Last minute Christmas gift ideas from the garden

Got extra house guests coming for the holidays? No time to shop? Depleted your Christmas money several weeks ago? Why not look to your garden harvest for ideas? Sure, gardening season ended long ago. That's alright. You can still make use of your harvest with some of these last minute Christmas gift ideas from the garden.

Spice things up.

Surely you have some strings of peppers hanging in your root cellar. You can dress them up with a bow for a quick last minute gift. Better yet, rehydrate them. Make some pepper jelly or red hot sauce for your unexpected guests. This garden gift is even Christmas color themed!

What else is hanging around?

If you're like most gardeners, you have an abundance of dried herbs. Why not share them as Christmas gifts? Wrap them in cheesecloth and tie for handmade herbal tea bags. Seep them in vinegar for a tasty condiment. Make herbal extracts by soaking them in Vodka. Or, simply fill a set of pretty spice jars.

Take stock of your canned goods.

They're not in fancy jars because you made them for personal use. That's OK. A little fluff can fix that issue. Pair assorted garden canned goods in a pretty little fabric lined basket. Top it off with an herbal sprig for a festive homemade Christmas gift. It's a natural!

How about that surplus squash?

You have scads of it stored in the basement. From zucchini to pumpkins, there's way more than you can eat. Why not put together a colorful mix of assorted squash and other root veggies? Pack it in a grapevine cornucopia for added flare.

Last minute gifts from the garden aren't meant to be fancy.

They're meant to be useful and delicious. So, don't sweat over the details. Just assess your inventory and put your imagination to work. Somewhere in your house is the perfect garden gift for those unexpected Christmas guests.

Grow your own herbal soap scents in the garden

Do you have any idea how easy it is to grow your own herbal soap scents in the garden? Well, let me tell you. It's so simple, you'll wonder why you've never done it before. It's much easier than making the soap itself. If you're a soap-maker, for fun or profit, making herbal scents is one of those things you must try. Anyone can do it. It's not hard to make your own extracts.Then, just add them to your soap batch for a lovely natural scent.

Perennial herbs are quite easy to grow.

Just one tiny herb plant can grow into a big patch in a single season. They tolerate a lot of different climates. They're not fussy about soil as long as there's good drainage. They do prefer sun to shade in most cases. Still, it's best to check the label when planting herbs you're unfamiliar with in the garden. Trim them back at the end of the season. Next year, they'll pop right back to life.

Scent combinations:

Perennial herbs like thyme, rosemary and sage give homemade soap an old fashioned twist. Combine them with florals to make your own unique soap scent combinations. Rosemary lavender is a classic.

Basil and cilantro are popular soap scent choices.

These herbs grow best indoors, but can be grown outdoors in partial shade. They like a lot of water. Still, you'll want to make sure they drain well. You will have to plant them yearly, if grown outdoors. Indoors, with proper care, the same plant can last several seasons.

Insider tip:

I have my basil growing under my outdoor faucet. That way, my leaky hose connection does the watering for me every time I turn the water on.

Scent combinations:

Basil and cilantro mix well with citrus scents for soap-making. Try cilantro lime, lemon basil and more.

How about growing some minty garden soap scents?

Growing mint requires little or no work. The challenge is getting it to stop growing. Mint likes sun and good drainage. Other than that, you just plant it and watch it prosper.

Insider tip:

Like most seasoned gardeners, I grow my mint in pots. Doing otherwise might jeopardize other herbs. Mint likes to take over and does so rapidly.

Scent combinations:

Mint goes well with food scents like vanilla, almond or fruit.

Note:

Aloe Vera is no herb, but you can save a lot of money by growing your own to add to homemade soap.

How to make herbal extracts:
 
*Fill a pint jar with your choice of washed, crushed herb.
*Fill the jar with clear vodka and cover.
*Place the jar in the sun.
*Let it "brew" for a couple weeks.
*Strain.
*The liquid is your extract.

Yes, it's that simple to make herbal soap scents from your garden.

Wrong season? That's OK. Herbs grow well in your kitchen window too. There's just no stopping them. Why not plant some herbs for soap-making today? Even if you don't sell your soaps, your friends and family will love them as gifts or for everyday use.

Great Christmas gifts from the garden - Herbal vinegar

Use herbs from your garden to make infused vinegar for holiday gift giving

Give the gift of herbal vinegar for Christmas. Herbal vinegar is one of the easiest things you can make from your Denver garden. Herbs grow like weeds here in the hot dry summers. Who wouldn't love this gift that makes salad dressing a breeze? You can flavor your herbal vinegar with whatever you wish.

To make herbal vinegar gardening gifts you will need clean mason jars or other jars with lids. You will also need enough white or apple cider vinegar to fill the jars. The amount and type of herbs used will reflect your taste and the kind of herbal vinegar you would like to make.

Basic instructions for herbal vinegar

*Pack ½ cup rubbed herbs into each pint mason jar.
*Heat vinegar until it comes to a boil.
*Pour 12 oz. vinegar into each jar with the herbs.
*Allow the vinegar to cool.
*Cover jars and steep for several weeks in the refrigerator.

*Transfer to pretty vinegar dispenser bottles for giving.

Got houseplants but few windows?

Gardening indoors in a home with little natural light can be frustrating. That's especially true in winter when you can't put plants outside. Not everyone can afford or make room for grow lights. How can you make the best use of the light you do have? Is there a way to make sure all your plants get some light without knocking a wall down? Could you use plants that love the sun a little less? Here's some ideas that might help your indoor winter garden along when you have very few windows.

Make better use of glass patio doors.

So, you don't have a lot of windows. Do you have glass patio doors? If you do, I'm sure you have a few plants in front of them. Have you thought of using only one side to enter or exit in the winter? Chances are, you don't use the yard that much off season anyway. If you can manage it, you'll have a lot more space for your sun loving plants. Remember to use all the space by hanging some and putting the rest below.

Shelves allow for more plants.

A shelf in front of your patio door increases plant display capacity in cold months. Use shelves in windows for smaller plants. You don't need special windows to accommodate shelves. Simply nail supports to the inside of window frames. Your shelves needn't be fancy either. Cut 2x4 planks to fit the windowsill. Rest them on the side supports.

Widen your windowsills.

Maybe your windowsill isn't big enough to accommodate your winter houseplants. That's alright. Expand the space by using a wide board, screwed to the sill. You can finish the board any way you like. Check your local home improvement store for finished shelving if you're not handy with a paintbrush. Glued on decorative edging gives a more finished look.

Shifting plants insures sunlight for all.

Some homes and apartments are truly dark. Basement apartments are one example. If your home has just one or two awkwardly placed windows, you can still have a few winter houseplants. Simply rotate them so each one gets some light every few days. As long as you stick to plants that don't require extreme sun, they should be fine.

Some plants prefer indirect light.

Not all plants need to be placed in windows. Some prefer a less intense light. So, when placing your winter plants, group them according to sun needs. Start with those that need the most sun. Be sure they are closest to the light. Work your way outward with the rest of your plants. It's an easy way to insure your plants are happy in winter, even when you have very few windows.

Garden planning – Denver winter yard and garden clean up

Sometimes Denver winters are delayed. This picture was taken in late November.

Hey there, Denver gardeners. Are you planning for your spring garden? There's one thing you may have forgotten. Is your yard and garden clean and ready for planting? If not, this is a great time to tackle it. Here in the Mile High City we have a lot of intermittent warm winter days. Why not use them to ready your garden for spring? After all, you can only pencil so many plans before you start yearning for the outdoors. So, what exactly can you do midwinter in the garden?

You can pick up the trash.

Winter winds sweeping trash into your yard? Fallen twigs and branches everywhere? Doggy-poo getting the better of you? Kids toys all over the yard? If you picked all these things up now, it won't be such a chore in the spring. Wait for a day when there's no snow on the ground and get it done.

While you're at it:

*Check for and discard broken garden pots.

*Make a note of landscaping issues, such as peeling paint on fences and borders.

*Check your garden decor for damage too. (Wind chimes, gazing balls, etc.)

Are you really going to use that thing?

Remember all those fabulous free finds you found on last year's scrounging expeditions? Make plans to use them now or discard them. You know if you wait until spring, you'll be too busy to construct those beds from that scrap lumber or make that awesome planting tower from those pallets. Why not do it now, while you have time? (On those warm days, of course.)

Organize tools in the garage or shed.

If you're like most gardeners, it takes days to find your tools in the spring. Why not plan ahead for that eventuality? Now's a great time to weed out the tool shed or garage. Crank up the tunes. Open the doors for a breath of fresh air. On days when Denver winter temps hit the 50's you might even think it's springtime. Plus, cleaning clears the cobwebs out of your head.

Stake out the tilling zones.

Do you have areas that will need tilling, come spring? Why not stake them out to make it easier? Just pace off the areas you wish to till. Pound a stake in at each corner. Now, come spring, it's just a matter of renting a rototiller and getting it done.

Take a last look around the garden.

Are there any clean-up chores you missed last fall that need doing? If so, make a note of them or just do it. Don't have time to do it all today? Frigid out? Ground too hard? That's OK. Denver has plenty of warm days in winter. You can catch it next time.

Denver winter gardening: Maintaining compost piles

Compost is a must for organic Denver gardeners. Even if you use Hugelkultur piles, you'll also need compost to amend soil in other beds. Denver winters can be harsh, however, they are generally milder than in the rest of Colorado. That makes it easier to maintain compost piles. That being said, it does still snow and get well below freezing in the metro area, for at least a couple months in winter. So, how do you tend compost in mile high snow and freezing temperatures?

Sometimes tending compost is just impossible.

You're not going to be able to tend your compost piles in 2-3 foot snow drifts. That's OK. The snow will provide needed moisture for the pile. You won't always be able to effectively till frozen compost either. That's OK too. Provided, that is, that you have been diligently tilling up to that point and continue to do so whenever possible.

Denver warm spells

Denver warm spells are of great benefit when it comes to maintaining compost piles in winter. Be sure to take advantage of them. Whenever the pile is warm enough to till, be sure to get out there and get it done. If it seems dry, add water. This is important because in drought years, compost piles will not get enough snow to keep them cooking.

How about that Denver sun?

Use it well in winter. Placing a cold frame over compost piles in Denver can effectively keep compost hot nearly all winter. That means composted soil will be ready to use much sooner. This doesn't always work in colder climates, further from the sun, like in the eastern U.S. However, for Denver, with those 300+ days of sunshine and mile high altitude, it's a perfect solution.

Note: If you don't have a cold frame or glass, use clear plastic to warm compost with the sun.

Don't forget to make additions.

Throughout the winter months, be sure to add kitchen vegetable waste, coffee grounds, etc. to your compost pile, just as diligently as you would in warmer months. Keep a bucket in the kitchen to collect scraps on snow days. These can be brought out weekly, on good weather days. Denver snow doesn't generally “stick” or accumulate for more than a few days due to the close proximity of the sun.

Tip: Hot, black, leftover coffee (straight from the pot, with nothing added) provides both warm moisture and nutrients to the compost pile in winter.

Straw cover:

Straw makes excellent insulation for compost piles in winter. Covering your compost and Hugelkultur piles with straw insulates them from the cold so they can cook all winter. You will have to remove the insulating straw from compost piles to turn them. Still, it's well worth the effort in order to have your compost done by spring.

Note: To add kitchen scraps in the cold, simply make a hole in the straw, then re-cover. Till the scraps in on warmer days.

What is a Hugelkultur?

Hugelkultur is a gardening technique that limits water use, eliminates the need for fertilization, provides oxidization and more. In short, it's the most awesome way to garden ever. A neighbor recently told me about this crazy gardening method. He's had a lot of success with it. My garden is all planned and laid out for the year. Next year, though, you can bet I'll be trying out Hugelkultur. So, what is it, exactly? Why isn't everyone gardening this way?

Hugelkultur in short

Hugelkulter begins with a huge pile of large branches in a cleared, 3x6 area. You can do several piles if you wish. Each one will be a garden bed. Generally, people use large branches from downed or fallen trees. On top of that goes medium, then small branches. The Hugelkultur is finished off with compost material such as kitchen waste, then ordinary topsoil, then a natural mulch, such as straw. The finished pile is relatively tall. Hugelkulturs start at around 3-5 feet high.

That sounds incredibly high, doesn't it?

It will stay fairly high. However, keep in mind that as your Hugelkultur ages, it will shrink somewhat from natural decomposition.

What are the benefits?

Water conservation

How does Hugelkultur save water and watering time? The wood in your Hugelkultur will readily soak up and retain rain water. Buried under layers of soil, the wood becomes a water reserve for your garden bed. You'll seldom have to water at all. This is wonderful news for physically limited gardeners or those who haven't a lot of spare time. Best of all, retaining water isn't the only way Hugelkultur saves time and effort in the garden.

Fertilizer

How does Hugelkultur eliminate the need for fertilizer? Conventional gardening sometimes involves a great deal of science, soil testing and the like. Not so with Hugelkultur. It actually turns fertilization into a self maintaining process. A Hugelkultur mimics the way forests self fertilize. Wood falls, leaves tumble over the wood. The whole thing breaks down and fertilizes forest growth. No soil testing. Mother nature takes care of the hard work. All you have to do is plant and weed.

Oxidation

How does Hugelkultur provide air for plantings? Remember, under your Hugelkultur pile is that lovely stack of wood. Between the branches are natural air pockets. The air pockets provide proper air circulation that your plants can take advantage of. So, there's no more worrying about loosening your soil, either.

Is there anything that a Hugelkultur can't do all by itself?

Well, it can't plant itself. So, as a gardener, you'll still have that. You'll also want to wet it thoroughly when you first build it, just to get things started. It can help with fall clean-up. Why? Because you can just let the plants rot in place. In fact, you should. It's all part of the natural process that keeps a Hugelkultur functioning well and provides nutrients for the bed.

More benefits: 

It's also a great way to dispose of wood from clearing your yard and garden space. There are no beds to construct and no yard prep to do. Yet, you can easily reach all your plants without bending and stretching. A Hugelkultur provides awesome drainage too. The Hugelkultur seems to do it all.

Why don't more people use Hugelkultur?

Wow! This Hugelkultur stuff is making me wish I hadn't already laid out my garden. How about you? I wonder why it's not more popular. Well, it is sort of ugly. Plus, people tend to use more conventional methods, particularly when offending the neighbors is a concern. But hey, if you're like me and don't have to worry about what the neighbors think, Hugelkultur is a gardening technique you might want to try.

Why gardeners love the snow

Why would a gardener love the snow? Isn't that depressing for gardeners? Well, actually, just like anything else, it depends on how you look at it. So, today, as I watch the flakes fly, I'm reflecting on all the reasons gardening and snow make a great combination. Shall I enlighten you? There's more to snow in the garden than you might think. 

Obviously, snow saves on watering.

You don't have the time or the energy to water daily in winter. Thank goodness for the snow. All winter long, it keeps your trees, shrubs, dormant herbs and such watered. It saves on your water bill so you can pay the heat bill. Plus, there's no lugging around hoses or trying to determine which plant needs what. Just relax. Watch the winter wonderland drift into your garden.

Snow keeps the house clean.

You spent all that time in the garden this summer. It was wonderful, but the house has been somewhat neglected. Now that the snow is falling, you can catch up on household maintenance. That's the beauty of seasonal change. It allows you to vary your tasks from garden to home. Now, bring out those lovely poinsettias you've been nurturing. Imagine how pretty they'll look in front of the glass patio doors with all that snow falling outside.

Snow time means gifting time.

It's the season for giving loved ones gifts from the garden. You worked hard all fall. You have strings of hot peppers. You made jams and jellies galore. Your sauces are just the right amount of spicy. Now it's time to share them with friends and family. Snowfall means holidays. Holidays mean giving. What better gifts are there than those you grew and made yourself?

Snowfall is a great excuse to eat those canned goods.

Don't forget, your own cupboards are full of yummy delights for you too. In the summer, you made use of all those wonderful fresh veggies. Now that the snow is falling, it's time to indulge in your own canned, stored and frozen delicacies. This is the season to break out the pickles and other homemade family favorites. You didn't plan on giving it all away, did you? Snow time is the right time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

When you can't garden, you can....

What's one of the nicest things about snow for gardeners? It keeps you from gardening. Hey, you love to garden. Still, everyone needs a break. Most gardeners have to be forced to call it quits. I know I do. Now you have plenty of time to plan and plot next year's awesome garden. Let's face it, if it weren't for the snow, you'd still be at it. So, enjoy the snow. It's good for your garden and it's good for you.

Denver winter gardening: Digging new and raised beds

One of the nicest things about gardening in Denver is the fact that the soil only freezes completely solid for a short time. It usually waits until late winter to do so. That makes it possible to do a little digging in early winter for next year's garden. While it may seem a bit insane to be digging garden beds in winter, doing so can save you quite a bit of work in the spring.

Planting early is a stronger possibility if your bed location has already been cleared and partially dug. Certainly, you will still have to loosen the soil and dig in your amendments before spring planting. Still, having the weeds cleared and the basic outline of the garden space decided on before spring makes things a whole lot less stressful.

Denver typically has quite a few warm days before January hits. In fact, some years, even January can be mild. Why not take advantage of those warm days to lay out and dig the basic area you wish to plant in come spring? Of course, you won't be able to dig every day in winter. You may not get all your beds dug, either. Still, the more you do now, the less you'll have to do later.

Another thing you can do in early winter is to prep your raised bed areas. Simply scrape off the top layer of soil and grass. Then, put your raised bed in place. Be sure to discourage early spring weed growth by stapling landscape fabric or cardboard onto the bottom of your raised bed before filling it with soil. Cardboard is porous enough to provide drainage and solid enough to block weed growth.

Bonus tip:

When using raised beds, cover the top of the soil with landscape fabric and cut holes for planting, just as you would for in-ground planting in heavily weeded areas. Even though raised beds get fewer weeds, over time, those weeds will sneak up through the soil to intensify your labor. Having surface coverage will discourage them from doing so.

Christmas gifts for the gardener in your life

Even if they're surrounded by snowdrifts, the gardener in your life is already thinking about gardening. Likely, they're planning next year's garden. Why not give your favorite gardener a Christmas gift to reflect their passion? Gardening is a soulful hobby. A gardener is easy to please. Anything that reminds them of digging and gardening in rich, dark soil makes a thoughtful Christmas gift for the gardener.

Herb garden kit

It's winter and the gardener is longing to get their hands into the soil. A window herb garden kit will keep them from getting cabin fever in the months ahead. Purchase seeds, miniature pots and soil as a Christmas gift for the gardener.

Gloves and apron

A pair of gardening gloves and an apron make a thoughtful Christmas gift for the gardener. A gardeners hands suffer much abuse when weeding and planting. Gloves and an apron are a present that will make this hobby more pleasant.

Gardening lotion

Even with gloves on, the hands of a gardener can become dry and chapped. Sometimes a gardener is uncomfortable in gloves as well. Consider a stocking stuffer of a good lotion for the gardener. I recommend corn huskers lotion or bag balm.

Manicure

The fingernails of a gardener are often filled with gardening soil and plant residue. A manicure or manicure set would be a nice present for the gardener who cares about their appearance.

Gardening tools

A set of nice hand tools is always useful as a Christmas gift. No matter how many trowels you have, they are difficult to find when needed. Try giving this present with a nice tote or back to keep their tools in.

Knee pads

Knee pads will keep the gardener from scraping up their knees while weeding or hand gardening. This Christmas gift also adds cushion for their comfort.

Sun protection

Protect the gardener from the sun with a stocking stuffer of sunscreen. Consider a hat for the gardener as well to keep the heat at a tolerable level.

Boot scraper

The gardener has a messy job. A boot and shoe scraper might be a welcome Christmas gift for them. Less time cleaning floors means more time in the garden.

BPA-free water bottle

A gardener should keep hydrated. Gardening is strenuous physical activity. A nice water bottle or cooler is a caring present for the gardener.

Gardening book

Surely the gardener does not know everything there is to know about their hobby. How about a nice gardening book as a present to further educate them?

Growing fall and winter lettuce in Denver or anywhere

The hot summer climate in Denver is not always good for growing cool weather crops such as lettuce. I grow lettuce for most of the year in Denver but find the cool fall and winter lettuce to be the best tasting.

To grow fall or winter lettuce in Denver, most years, you will need either a greenhouse or cold frames. Of course, in drought years, when the snow is slow coming, it's possible to grow them conventionally until the snow falls.

In those drought years, you can plant fall and winter lettuce directly in the garden just as the summer crop is planted. Be sure to border the sides of the plants with straw or mulch as they grow. You may also need to cover the plants in extremely cold weather. Remove covers during warmer days to expose plants to the sun.

If it's not a drought year, you don't have space for a greenhouse and don't wish to build cold frames, fall and winter lettuce can be grown indoors. Just place pots near an un-insulated window so they receive both sun and cold temperatures. Cold snaps will improve the flavor and crispness of lettuce. It is important to protect the lettuce from prolonged or extreme freezing.

I find that leaf lettuce works best for fall and winter planting and growing. If you find summer leaf lettuce bitter, don't worry. Lettuce grown in the fall and winter doesn't present that bitter flavor or wilty texture the heat promotes. Check the labels on seed packets to find the best lettuce for fall and winter growth. Some are even labeled as winter lettuce.

Fall and winter lettuce planted directly in the garden in non-drought years, must be surrounded by a cold frame or greenhouse structure. My container and raised bed garden is set up so that I can add plastic covering in the winter months. A very simple cold frame can also be constructed using heavy plastic and 2x4 plywood. Glass frames will keep fall and winter lettuce warmer on severely cold days.

Lettuce can be planted about every three weeks to keep a continuous supply going throughout the year.

In severe winters, to avoid bending and working cold winter soil, I sometimes grow mine in window pots. I plant about four pots at a time, rotating pots for continual new growth.

Is winter gardening possible in Denver?

Ummm, maybe.

Well, that depends. What kind of gardening are we talking about? What year is it? What month is it? What day is it? Fluctuations in Denver weather can be frustrating for gardeners. You just never know what the winter will be like. It could snow in September or be seasonally warm all winter. It could do both. That's what makes gardening in Denver so much fun. So, what's a mile high gardener to do?

The simple answer

The simple answer is go with the flow. However, it's not always that simple. One day, you could be digging in 70 degree temps. The next day could bring a foot of wintery white that freezes your hard work solid. What's more? Well, due to the influence of the purple mountains majesty, AKA the Rocky Mountains, even the best of meteorologists have a tough go with predictions. Luckily, there are ways of getting around the ups and downs of Denver winter weather.

Make winter crops portable.

Maybe it's obvious. Maybe you hadn't really thought about it. Still, the best way to insure that your winter veggies survive see-saw Denver temps is to plant them in pots. Bring them out when it's nice. Bring them in when it's not so nice. Problem solved. Or not.

Who wants to lug pots in and out in winter?

Well, no one, of course. So, get yourself a little red wagon. Use a piece of plywood as a ramp over your back steps. Leave the pots in the wagon, whether they're inside or out. Of course, you could also simply leave them inside all winter. What fun is that? Plus, they will thrive in natural sunlight on warm days.

Green-houses are awesome.

Unfortunately, not everyone can afford them. Cold frames made from old windows placed over raised beds work wonderfully for shorter plants like lettuce. For taller foliage, nail two together as a triangular roof. Cover the ends with heavy duty clear plastic for easy access.

Of course, you don't have to garden in winter at all.

You can concentrate on nurturing your houseplants instead. You can plan next year's garden. You can even start your herbs and onions early. They'll be fine in pots until spring. And on those days when it does warm up a bit, you can take care of all that fall clean-up you didn't get to before the snow fell.

Whatever you do

When it comes to winter gardening in Denver, never assume you have it all figured out. That next heat wave or snow storm is lurking right around the corner to prove you wrong. The best you can do is take it one day at a time and enjoy the ride. Life is always an adventure in the Denver garden.

How to use fall leaves the green way

You've raked up all the leaves into neat little piles, trimmed the trees and added the clippings to the mounds. Now what do you do with them? Sure, you could bag them up and send them packing. That's what a lot of people do with their fall leaves and yard clippings. It's not very environmentally friendly, though, is it? Using fall leaves the green way is really quite simple.

Jump in them

That's right, I said jump in them. Remember how fun this was when you were a kid? It still can be. So, before you go green with your fall leaves and yard clippings, take some time to have a little fall family fun.

Feel the leaves crunch under your feet. Jump into the piles with wild abandon. Forget about the neighbors. Enjoy fall like you did as a child, by running and jumping in the leaves right along with the kids. It crushes the leaves up for green projects too.

Then get started on more conventional  recycling of your fall leaves and yard clippings.

Compost them

This is a pretty obvious green use for all those fall leaves. Why not start a compost pile? Make organic compost to use as fertilizer or soil for next years yard and garden. It's about as green as you can get. Don't worry if you've never done it before. It's really very easy to do. It's not a perfect science. Pretty much anyone can do it.

Mow them down

So you think compost is too complicated? Maybe you're just too busy to maintain a compost pile. Here's a simple way to fertilize your lawn each fall. Keep the leaves right where they fell. Mow them over several times and turn them into a fine powder. Leave the ground leaves right on the yard for a quick green fertilizer. Recycling fall leaves and yard clippings was never so easy.

Note: Take care not to leave ground completely covered. It needs air to survive.

Mulch them

How else can you go green with fall leaves and clippings? Use them as mulch. Save money on mulch by using what you already have on hand to bed down plants for the winter. You can also spread crushed leaves all over the garden bed as fertilizer. Organic matter like leaves and yard clipping will assimilate itself into garden soil over the winter. Recycling autumn leaves and yard clippings the green way doesn't have to be complicated.

Why Denver area homeowners are watering in November

I know, right? Usually by November in Denver, you can retire from gardening for a few months. Oh, we don't get hit with the white fluffy stuff as early as some states. Still, Halloween brings a few flakes and it's definitely chilly enough for perennial plants to go dormant by now. But in years of drought like this one, plants still need a good weekly watering up until the snow falls.

That's because until they get cold enough, plants do not go dormant. And of course, non-dormant plants use and need more water.

Don't forget the lawn. While it may seem wasteful, watering your lawn at least weekly in times of drought is essential. Now, I have to interject that in the Denver area, and most of the west, having a full yard of green grass is not exactly environmentally friendly. That's why a lot of counties here allow and even suggest that part of your lawn be planted with perennial natives.

The Denver area is semi-arid. Which means that green grass is an “import” here. It's not really made for this climate. Therefore, it takes a whole lot more maintenance and resources than other alternatives. That being said, if you already have a grassy lawn, you don't want it to be so dry that it becomes a fire hazard. So at least until snow falls, be sure to keep grass watered enough to be safe from wildfire.

But folks, there is something else to consider. This current drought is a harbinger of things to come. So, whether you live in the west or somewhere else, keep in mind that fresh water is not the renewable resource we often think of it as In the future, it's destined to become scarce if we are not careful about how we use it now. So, even though we have to water, we should do it with care and consideration of the value of water to our survival.

So plant those natives to gradually replace your non-native green grassy lawn. There are native grasses available for whatever area you live in that will use less water. Some of them need no watering at all, other than that of mother nature.

Bonus water saving garden tips:

*When you water your veggie garden, water individual plants, rather than the entire surface area.

*Try container gardening to save even more water.

*Situate hanging plants above other plants so that draining water won't be wasted.

*Plant only what you will use.

*Water your plants with used (gray) water.

And while you're at it, look into other lifestyle changes that help reduce water use.

*Take those shorter showers.

*Use water saving devices on faucets.

*Buy a water saving toilet or put a brick in the tank.

*Don't run the water while brushing your teeth.

*Do full laundry loads to avoid water waste. Etc. etc.

And something you might not have thought of:

*Eat less meat and dairy. 

(Raising livestock takes tons of water by way of both growing feed and direct consumption!)

In short, do everything you can to save water for future generations. But do water your thirsty plants, because plants help keep us alive too!

Fall and winter care produces better roses

Take care of your roses in the fall and winter for the best spring blooms. It's true that roses are relatively winter hardy. However, there are a few things that will help them winter better. Don't forget about caring for roses in the fall and winter if you want pretty roses in the spring and summer.

Weeding and mulching around roses in the fall will save you work in the spring. Some weeds survive in the winter, stealing moisture and nutrients from roses and other perennials. Mulch will also help roses retain water in the winter months.

Water and feed roses well just before the first frost. Be sure to also water roses throughout the winter when needed. Usually snow does this job for Denver gardeners. Still, there are those drought years to consider. Water only when the temperature is above 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do not prune roses heavily in the fall. Wait until spring for optimum new growth next season. Pruning roses in the fall can stunt their growth the following year. Prune only to shape and dead head, rather than changing the size of the bush.

Roses are cold hardy. However, taking these steps will produce a much healthier rose in the spring. Be kind and gentle to your roses in the fall and winter. Keep the weeds away, keep them watered and gently shape them in the fall for ultimate spring blooms.

Denver gardening in fall rains

What is there for Denver gardeners to do when those seasonal fall rains hit? Plenty. You won't have that issue to worry about in drought years, like this one. Still, some years, the wet season may cause you to postpone the yard clean-up. Still, there's no shortage of garden tasks to be done before winter hits full force. Not all of them involve outdoor work.

Why not clean up the houseplants?

Remember those beautiful houseplants you've been neglecting during gardening season? It's time to give them a little love. It's also a great time to weed them out in order to make room for any outdoor plants that live inside in winter.

You'll need a place to store garden tools this winter.

Another indoor area that likely needs a clean-up is the tool shed or garage. During gardening season, you leave a lot of tools protected in the garden where they're handy. Once winter hits, they'll need a more weather-proof home. Unfortunately, over the summer, that home has become a cluttered mess. Why not take advantage of rainy fall days to clean it up?

Taking inventory during fall rains.

While you're cleaning up the tool shed or garage, take inventory. Fall is a great time to buy discounted garden tools in Denver. Sort through your tool collection. What needs to be replaced or repaired? Stock up on trimmer string and other garden supplies. Buy pots and planters for next year. You'll save big and be all ready to garden when spring hits.

Get those fall bulbs ready for planting.

You can't plant them while it's raining. What you can do is to decide where they will go. Make a “map” of each garden area, marking where each type of bulb will be placed for optimum growth and beauty. Sort the bulbs out accordingly. Once the rain stops, the ground will be saturated. That makes it nice and pliable for planting. Since all your decision making is done, placing bulbs after fall rains will be a snap.

Pay close attention when the rain falls.

Where is it flowing? What are your flood zones? Which areas are high and dry? All this information will help you to plan and plant next year's garden. You can't make it stop raining. Why not use the rain for good? Plus, at least while it's raining, you won't have to water!

Fall garden maintenance: Outdoor furniture

Most gardeners have invested heavily not only in plants but in outdoor furniture and accessories to enjoy when gardening is through for the day. Outdoor furniture beautifies the garden but takes a beating from the elements each summer. Spend a little time protecting and storing garden furniture at the end of the gardening season. Why replace it when a little fall maintenance keeps it good as new?

Wooden garden furniture

Use a good furniture oil on wooden benches and such at the end of the gardening season before the snow flies. Furniture that has lost finish or luster should be sanded down and re-finished for next year. Replacing wood garden furniture due to a few scratches is wasteful. Once the finish is dry, store or cover the furniture for the winter.

Plastic garden furniture

It may not seem as if plastic garden furniture needs a lot of fall maintenance. Damage from the sun, wind and rain cause scratching and fading on plastic furniture. Give plastic furniture a good washing in the fall. If needed use spray paint designed for plastic to give it a new fresh look. This will cover scratches and faded spots by bonding to the plastic.
Note: This is a great opportunity to switch to a new color scheme as well.

Cushions

Garden furniture cushions often fall victim to the elements and wear and tear. Give cushion covers a good cleaning. Replace the covers if needed. If your cushions have become worn and don't have covers, consider making some. No seamstress skills? Just wrap them in a decorative blanket and pin at the back.

Tarps and canopies

Tarps and canopies suffer summer wear and tear too. Sometimes sun exposure causes the fabric to separate. Fall is the time to mend any holes or tears in canopies and tarps. Iron on or self stick canvas patches can be purchased in fabric and craft stores. Be sure to put a patch on both sides of a hole or tear for durability.

Gutter cleaning, sealing and repair tips

Keeping gutters properly maintained is vital to the longevity of your home. Leaking, badly aligned or missing gutters cause serious damage to your foundation, exterior walls and more. Gutter repair and maintenance may be done by homeowners who don't mind braving ladders and aren't afraid of a little sweat equity. Of course, hiring a professional insures the job is done right, without all the stress and strain of a DIY project.

Gutter cleaning

If you're a homeowner, one of the annual tasks you'll have to face is cleaning the gutters. It's a messy job, but someone has to do it. Neglecting gutter duty causes fallen leaves and debris to clog up the works. Gutters that aren't cleaned in the fall will very likely cause issues in winter. Whether you scoop them out by hand or use special tools, gutter cleaning is essential home maintenance. While you're at it, don't forget to check for leaks and needed repairs.

Gutter repair

Repairing gutters might include:

• Sloping gutters for more effective drainage.
• Patching holes caused by corrosion, age or bad weather.
• Adding or extending downspouts to lessen foundation damage.
• Replacing missing or broken gutters.
• Replacing gutter hangers.

Gutter sealing

After cleaning and repairing gutters, run a garden hose to remove any residual debris and check for leakage. Where are those leaks hiding? Naturally, the most common place for gutter leaks is at the seams. Corner seams undergo the most stress and consequently, have the most leaks. Look for gutter caulking at your local home improvement store. It should seal most leaks sufficiently.

Notes:

*Be sure the surface is dry before caulking.

*Gutter leaks should be sealed from the inside.

Get a head start with fall planting for spring growth

You've weeded, tilled and tossed all your viable waste in the compost heap. You've raked, dead headed, lifted, mowed, fertilized and trimmed. Did you think you were done with fall maintenance? Not on your life. It's time to start planting for next year.

Remember how overwhelmed you were last spring with all the tilling, hoeing, planting and such? Doing some spring planting in the fall can shorten that spring to-do list.

Won't all the little seedlings freeze their knees off? Absolutely not because you don't plant seedlings in the fall unless you're growing fall crops like lettuce. There are a host of other things you can plant in the fall to save on spring garden maintenance.

Perennial flowers are down to the very lowest prices at most gardening centers. Remember, it's dormancy time for them. They may look really bad now. Plant them anyway. You'll have a beautiful plant next spring at less than half the price you would pay if you waited. Plus you won't have to buy them again for many years, if at all.

Fall is also the time to plant bulbs. Lift out your old bulbs for storage and plan anew. Sit down with paper and pen. Map out the best locations before fall planting. Next spring, you'll have a fresh new look to the flower garden.

Don't forget those onion and garlic bulbs. Planting them in the fall makes for one less spring vegetable gardening task.

Barring snowfall, you can plant hardy bushes and trees in the fall too. The ground is all tilled and ready to go. Why not add an accent bush here and there? Remember to keep trees away from sewer and water lines to avoid root clogged drains and pipes.

Most herbs are cold hardy perennials too. Why not give the herb garden planting a jump start too? Don't forget to bury prolific herbs like spearmint in pots so they don't crowd out other plants. Happy fall planting!

Don't let fall garden chores overwhelm you

There's a long list of things that must be done in the garden before the snow falls. Luckily, at least here in Denver, the snow doesn't look to be falling anytime soon. I guess drought is good for something. You don't have do it all at once this year, or even think about it all at once. That's great if you're into gradual gardening, like me.

When it comes to fall garden chores, force yourself to look at the smaller picture.

If you start thinking about the vast amount of work facing you, it may never get done. Instead, address a different issue each day until there are no more issues to be addressed. It's a much simpler approach and one that doesn't leave you all stressed out. After all, gardenig is supposed to be a pleasure, not a pain.

Address the worst garden clean-ups first.

For instance, yesterday, I did a thorough fall watering on the perennials. I left the dead heading. That's tomorrow's job. I'm trying to not even think about it today.

As you work your way through the list....

Things become easier and easier toward the end of the season when you do the worst things first. Plus, they don't sit there, nagging on your brain and causing you to lose sleep. So, once you do your worst task, check for the next worst. File it in your brain to do tomorrow. Don't worry about the next day or the day after. It's just too stressful.

Worry is unproductive in the garden.

Spending the end of gardening season fretting about all the work that needs doing does nothing to get it done. It also makes you miserable and not much fun to be around. So, take it one day at a time. Address your worst tasks first. Before you know it, they'll all be done. More importantly, they'll be done without all the stress.

Ban these deadly fall clean up materials from your compost bin

You might think that any fall yard waste makes good compost material. You might be wrong. Not everything that you cut, rake and trim is suitable for composting. One type of tree is bad for your compost. Hidden toxins could be lurking in your yard waste. Pets can spoil leaves for composting too. So, what fall clean up materials should you leave out of your compost?

Black Walnut trees can be toxic

If you're into Hugelkutur do not add the wood of Black Walnut trees to your Hugelkultur pile. Black Walnut contains a toxin known as juglone which can impact or stunt the growth of other plants. It is, however, safe to use Black Walnut leaves in your Hugelkultur or compost pile. They do not contain enough juglone to do harm.

What's in your grass?

Do you use chemical pesticides or fertilizers on your lawn? Do you know if the lawn service you use is a chemical free company? If chemicals have been applied to your lawn, it may be best to leave those grass clipping out of your compost. Why go to all the bother of using organic methods if you're just going to dump chemical laden grass in the pile?

Do you have pets?

Do they use the yard as a restroom? If so, when you rake leaves, you are also raking up pet waste along with it. Some manures are beneficial to gardens. Dog and cat feces are not. Even if you are diligent about picking up waste, leaves that have come in contact with it can cause a toxic issue in your compost.

What to do about pet waste issues

One solution is to only let the pets go in specific areas. For instance, the back yard might become a designated area for pets, while the front yard is never used for pets. This way, you can still use the front yard leaves for compost. You might also consider investing in a dog run so pet waste stays contained.

Anything that's sprayed with chemicals is out.

Avoid using chemically treated yard leaves or foliage trimmings in compost. Did you spray your fruit trees for insects? What about your shrubbery? Chances are, the majority of the leaves on your lawn belong to you and have been cared for by you. Don't use them in compost if you know that they've been sprayed with chemicals. Better yet, use only green pesticide and fertilizer options to begin with.

Think about the neighbors a bit, but don't panic.

You may not know what the neighbors have used on their trees and bushes. That's scary, isn't it? After all, their leaves blow into your yard and get raked up too. There's not a lot you can do about that. Luckily, the chemical content should be low. Unless of course, you have a neighbor who sprays the holy heck out of everything. In that case, it's your call whether to use raked leaves in your compost.