Fort Collins Nursery

Starting Friday, June 7, 2013, the fine folks from Fresh Start Produce Company will be vending the finest fresh produce at Fort Collins Nursery. From peppers, corn, and arugula to blueberries, lemons, and artichokes, you will find a wonderful array of delicious fruits and vegetables for sale.

Fresh Start boasts a wide variety of locally grown produce, as well as delightful treats from all over the United States. They provide both conventional as well as organic produce. They source food from farms statewide, so if there is something specific you are looking for, please let them know!

Fresh Start will be here on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through summer. They accept cash and credit cards.

For more photographs, check out our photo album on facebook!

By Jesse Eastman

I set out to write an article about the benefits of this drenching spring snow, and as I sit here wishing for warmer weather and beautiful spring flowers, I simply can’t bring myself to do it. Sure, all this moisture will do wonders to slake the powerful thirst afflicting our soil, but if you stepped outside into the deep slush on May 1^st you probably figured that out. Plants will explode following this snow, but that’s what happens when you water plants – they grow. You don’t need to be convinced of the importance of moisture in spring, especially in the midst of such an extended dry spell.

Instead, let’s talk about science, about botany, about averages, and common sense. To me, this snow is a perfect reminder about the fantastic ability of plants to adapt to an inconsistent world. Here on the Front Range, our last average frost date is May 15. That means that for all the years we don’t see frost any later than mid-April, there are many other years when a frost strikes well after that golden date. Despite this dramatic variation, plants still manage to thrive. They bloom, they produce seeds, they reproduce, and then, wonder of wonders, they do it again the next year.

You see, plants are incredibly versatile. They adjust to their conditions. In dry climates they might put down deeper roots to seek out limited moisture. If they receive less light than they are accustomed to, they consume less water. There is almost always more than one correct way to treat a pest problem, more than one proper way to nourish growth. On a practical level, there are very few exact answers in horticulture, and this is what makes it beautiful. If variety is the spice of life, Mother Nature brings the flavor. When we garden, we try our best to shape the natural world to meet our practical, aesthetic, emotional, and spiritual needs, and She does her best to surprise us.

If you’re anything like me, you’re ready to say goodbye to snow and hello to spring. You’re ready to plant tomatoes in the ground, hang up a hammock, and stop worrying about whether or not the peach trees will lose their summer crop to a late frost. A little consistency in spring weather would be a welcome comfort. On the other hand, can you imagine if every spring had identical weather? Human nature has some deeply ingrained desire for the thrill of uncertainty, a lust for surprise. So embrace the snow – it’s just a small part of what makes life interesting.

By Cortney Moore

I am a vexillophile. I almost can’t believe there is a word to describe my obsession. It all started when a friend from Chicago told me about flags and their popularity in the windy city. She showed me pictures and it was official.

I am in love with flags! And not just any flag, the garden flag.

There are cute ones adorned with frogs in sunglasses sipping lemonade, colorful flip flops, bright cheery birds tweeting “Celebrate the Day!” or a bright motif simply stating “Live Happy!”.

Whichever strikes my fancy I will be buying lots of them, one for each season and more when they fade. Rain boots with ladybugs, popsicles screaming summertime, hummingbirds and dragonflies. Yes, please, I’ll take one of each.

Flags will flutter in the wind and welcome you to my garden. Flags will haunt the neighborhood in October with jack o lanterns and witches. Flags with smiling snowmen will cheer guests in winter when all life is buried under a blanket of snow. Flags will bring Christmas joy with Santa and stockings.

Vexillology is the scientific study of the history, symbolism and usage of flags or, by extension any interest in flags in general, according to Whitney Smith, founder of the Flag Research Center.

And a vexillophile is any person who likes, admires or enjoys flags. Yep, that’s me, and my garden flags will symbolize the carefree nature of my garden as well as be used to catch the eye of any passerby. Who can deny the lure of a fluttering flag, especially a garden flag with a quirky frog princess or wise owl staring back at them?

Ok, I might be taking this flag thing a little too far, but I truly do love them and I would say they are a must for any garden. This is coming from a seasoned vexillologist or someone who studies flags. I have run the gamut on these garden flags; performing studies on their durability, visibility and cuteness.

I personally prefer the appliqué flag style. It really stands out in any garden. It appears to handle moisture better too. But nothing flutters like the suede garden flag so once again I am torn. And I’ll just have to have 1 or 5 of each!

Maybe some of you will join me as a vexillophile and help me make garden flags as popular in Colorado as they are in the windy city.

by Jesse Eastman

I come to you with a request, nay, a plea. I know it will be a dry year, and most likely a hot one, too. The City of Fort Collins has announced that starting April 1, 2013, Level 1 Water Restrictions will go into effect (More info here: http://www.fcgov.com/utilities/what-we-do/water/water-supply-demand/water-restrictions). In spite of all this, I am begging you PLEASE do not give up on your garden!

Of course, this may sound a little biased, a nursery owner telling you to keep on gardening even when water is tight, but here’s the thing: The best gardens in the world highlight plants that thrive in the local environment. You won’t see botanic gardens in Hawaii showcasing bristlecone pine, and you won’t see an arboretum in Moscow growing mango trees in their best demonstration garden. Nonetheless, both Hawaii and Moscow host incredible displays of horticultural wonder, and they do this by accepting the environment in which they exist and then reveling in it.  Here in Colorado, we live in a high plains desert, and if we embrace that fact, we can have truly awesome gardens and yards, even in a dry year.

Level 1 Water Restrictions do not impact landscape watering. They do limit lawn watering to two days a week. If the variety of grass you have in your lawn is chosen wisely, you can have a vibrant green lawn this year despite the restrictions. There are many blended lawn varieties that are well suited for a hot dry climate like ours such as Tuff Turf (Perennial rye, hard fescue, and Kentucky Bluegrass) and Front Range Classic (tall fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass). These blended types still achieve the rich lush green for which Kentucky Bluegrass is so well known, but maintain strong growth even under heat and drought stress thanks to the ryes and fescues blended into the mix. Water your lawn early in the morning to minimize water loss to evaporation. This allows the grass leaves to dry out as the sun warms up, reducing the risk of fungal and bacterial problems that can run rampant when water is applied in the evening and then left to sit on the leaves all night.

With no restrictions on landscape watering, good watering practices are more critical than ever. Take advantage of the opportunity to keep your landscape plants healthy by watering with a slow trickle, allowing time for the water to penetrate the soil and reach those roots deep in the ground. If you see any water pooling up on the surface of the soil or running off, slow down the flow and give it time to sink in. This is important both for new and established plants. For new plants, this will draw the roots deep, minimizing the risk
If you are considering adding plants to your landscape (and I hope you will), I encourage you to take a look at the multitude of beautiful drought-tolerant plants that are available. Ranging from the traditional options like Russian Sage and Yarrow to the more unique and exciting options such as Red Hot Poker and Chieftain Manzanita, drought resistant plants will surely be the highlights in this year’s gardens, and can dramatically reduce the cost of watering and maintenance, even in future years when drought is not a concern. of dry surface conditions. For established plants, this may be the only way to get water to the roots, as they should have already put down nice deep roots.

With all this in mind, consider for a moment the consequences of giving up on your yard. If you’re anything like me, you’ve invested a pretty penny in creating a landscape that should last for years to come. As you are probably aware, there is no such thing as a “set-it-and-forget-it” landscape, and this year is no different. The cost of maintaining your yard through a dry year pales in comparison to the cost of recuperating a yard that has been left to languish in extreme conditions. Even well-established trees and shrubs need a little extra help sometimes, and losing them can set your yard back significantly, not to mention your check book. So please, I implore you, for the sake of your yard and your wallet, don’t give up. Giving your landscape a helping hand through the upcoming dry season may be the best thing you’ve ever done for yourself!

By Jesse Eastman

As I sit down to write, the thermometer reads 43 degrees, although it feels much warmer. The sun is shining and the birds are making a ruckus. I’ve already met one customer wearing shorts. What happened to winter?

I think back on my childhood, and specifically, my birthdays. I was born in the heart of December. It was actually so cold outside when I was born that the hospital wouldn’t let my parents leave with me for a few days until it warmed up a little (in the week following my birth, the high temperature was a balmy 16 degrees. The low was -16). I can clearly recall December snowstorms that left more than enough snow for me to simply lie down and disappear, floating on the ground in an icy cloud of white). One year, when I was maybe 7 or 8, there was a picture on the front page of the Coloradoan of a man wearing cutoff jeans and no shirt playing tennis on my birthday, and I can remember the shock, the outrage I felt that nature had somehow cheated me of my usual arctic birthday traditions.

Now, as my birthday approaches once again, it seems ridiculous to hope for snow. I figure if I’m lucky it will at least stay below freezing for more than 12 hours at a time. I’ve been watering my landscape periodically (and you should be, too!) so that my trees, shrubs, and perennials don’t suffer the serious damage that a warm dry winter like this can inflict. I’ve barely even had to scrape frost from my windshield!

Without getting into a political debate on the causes of global warming, it is clear that we are experiencing dramatically decreased precipitation accompanied by dramatically warmer temperatures. Gone are the days of ‘set-it-and-forget-it’ winter landscape care, where we could count on Mother Nature to provide the adequate moisture and sustained cold temperatures our landscapes need to safely survive the winter. We have to monitor soil moisture, especially for newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials. We have to make sure our mulch is generously applied. We have to wrap delicate young tree trunks to protect their bark from our drying winds and brilliant sun.

This may sound like extra work, and to be honest, it is. I promise it will be worth it. You are reading this because you are someone who deeply understands the glory that is a beautiful landscape. You get thrills watching flowers bloom. You know that the tastiest tomato is the one you grew, and the most relaxing shade can be found under the tree you planted. Chances are good your neighbor isn’t as in touch with the awesome power of plants as you are, and you probably won’t see them doing much this winter in terms of outdoor plant care. If only they knew how much better your yard will look in the spring thanks to your small efforts now.

Earlier this week I heard a radio DJ say that anyone who was hoping for snow this winter needed to just “…get over it, it ain’t happening.” As I work through the grieving process, mourning the loss of my glorious December birthdays blanketed in frigid white fluff, I have only one request. For my birthday, I want you to water your landscape. Once or twice a month should do, and run your hose at a trickle – no need to let water runoff into the street. If I can’t feel like a Snow King on my birthday, I should at least be able to enjoy a beautiful spring, despite Mother Nature’s best efforts. That’s not asking too much, right?