With this amazing weather and the promise of summer days ahead, it’s easy to get excited about adding beauty and bounty to your yard! We have put together some projected availability lists for some of our plants such as fruits, rock garden plants, and vines. Take a look and get inspired about the possibilities! Please call us to verify availability.
Beginning in May, 2012 we will be offering Fairy Gardening classes. These are hands-on 90 minute classes, ideal for parents/children or grandparents/grandchildren. Children must be able to sit for 30 minutes prior to gardening activity. Class fee includes: Instruction, container, soil, gravel, 5 plants, and 2 accessories. (Children must be accompanied by an adult. (One child per registered adult.) 10 spots per class are available. Classes are $50 per spot. Come in or call us at 970-482-1984 to register. Classes are first come, first served.
May 19, 2012:
10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. – Fairy Gardening
2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. – Dinosaur Gardening
June 23, 2012:
10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Fairy Gardening
2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.: Outdoor Fairy Gardening
July 21, 2012:
10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Fairy Gardening
Fairy Gardening: Bring home a little magic and whimsy with your own fairy garden! Learn how to create and care for these miniature wonders.
Dinosaur Gardening: Fun for boys and girls of all eras! Use succulents and stones to create a prehistoric paradise.
Outdoor Fairy Gardening: Take your Fairy Gardening skills outside into your own yard! Discover which plants are suited for outdoor use and get creative ideas about using gifts from nature that can be incorporated into your Fairy Garden. Go ahead; make your neighbors jealous of your little slice of magic!
(This class does not include container, soil, or gravel.)
A lot is being made these days of “re-purposing” materials. Used street sweeping brushes are being re-purposed as scratching posts for rhinos and buffalo in zoos. Shoes are re-purposed as decorative flower pots. I even have a clock hanging on my wall made from a re-purposed hubcap. Not to be left behind, we here at Fort Collins Nursery have created what is, as far as I can tell, the world’s first Raised Garden Bed Kit made using re-purposed materials.
These easily installed beds are made from re-purposed pallet collars. What’s a pallet collar? Glad you asked. A pallet collar is a wooden frame with hinges at all four corners. It is designed to fit snugly atop a European pallet (30″x48″) so that loose materials can be shipped on a pallet. Once they have served their purpose, however, they become yet another piece of detritus in an ever-growing waste stream. We have found that these pallet collars are the perfect size for a raised garden bed, and after extensive research and development, have put together a fantastic kit that makes garden bed construction quick, easy, and affordable.
As you can see above, these beds are the perfect height for a raised bed, and they don’t look half bad, either! As you might expect from those highly efficient industrial types, these are made from a very inexpensive wood, my guess is pine. Therefore, they may be prone to rotting after only a season or two of use. However, the plastic liner included in the kit should extend that lifespan significantly.
If you want to see these beds in action, just stop by the nursery and check out our display garden. We are using our beds to grow pumpkins and sunflowers in anticipation of our annual Pumpkin and Sunflower contest, but you can use yours to grow just about anything your heart desires. So, if you’re looking for an economical alternative to cedar raised beds and want to do your part to reduce landfill waste, give these beds a try. You’ll be glad you did!
When it comes to gardening, buying your seeds in bulk makes good sense. For those with larger outdoor gardens we offer many varieties of the following seeds in bulk:
We also have bulk Sweet Pea annual seeds that will seed themselves and give you lovely fragrant climbing blooms, year after year.
If you have limited space, no yard at all, or an interest in sprouting your own food year round, we have a wonderful option for you! We carry bulk ORGANIC seeds for sprouting in the following varieties:
Sprouts are so easy to do yourself and are a healthy & delicious addition to salads and sandwiches. All of our bulk seed is sold by the ounce. Stop by today and we will get you started!
Check out this informative video on sprouting seeds yourself!
We are excited to be able to offer you an incredible variety of Tropical Fruits and Citrus, available in our greenhouse.
Following, is a list of the Tropical Fruits and Citrus we have in stock, stop by and pick up something exotic for your home!
Tropical Fruits:
Citrus:
Last year the trees in Fort Collins collectively were dealt a devastating blow. The snowstorm that smashed through our town left nearly no tree untouched. One of the majestic elm trees here at Fort Collins Nursery suffered such severe damage that for safety reasons we had to have it removed. We called Davey Alpine Tree Company out, and they removed all the limbs that posed an immediate safety risk, but because their services were in such great demand at that time, they had to leave the trunk standing and move on to the next job. With a ten foot high tree trunk jutting up out of our newly exposed patio area, our minds began to race – what could we do with such a massive trunk?
Soon, the answer came to us: Chainsaw Mama. We had seen her work at her shop in Loveland on the way up the Big Thompson Canyon. Chainsaw Mama (Faye Braaten) is an expert chainsaw artist. She has been carving for twelve years, and her work can be found far beyond the borders of Colorado. She came out to take a look at our tree, we discussed a few ideas, and scheduled for her to return in February.
Watching her work is fascinating. The form for our sculpture is all in her head. I asked her if she had it all drawn out, and she admitted to drawing a few rough sketched of dragonflies and butterflies to make sure she was carving them the way she wanted, but other than that, the only blueprint exists in her mind’s eye. She uses four different chainsaws, each with its specific use depending on what stage of her sculpture she is on. To watch her wield a tool that is nothing more than a crude cutting tool in most people’s hands is to watch a master.
With the growling buzz of the engines and sawdust flying everywhere, our sculpture takes form. Two massive rose flowers sit atop the pedestal, supported by massive vining stems. More roses take form along the trunk and butterflies and dragonflies nestle between the leaves and stems. The strong scent of two-stroke fuel deceives passersby – how could they know what magnificent art is taking place?
The trees in northern Colorado suffered a collective tragedy last year. We were dismayed when we realized this wooden giant had lost this battle with the elements. Trees are the hallmark of an established landscape, and tell the stories of the generations of people who have enjoyed their shade. When a massive tree dies, the character of the environment around it is profoundly altered. Isn’t it nice to know that the end of life for a tree can still lead to the creation of new beauty?
Below are some pictures of Chainsaw Mama carving our tree. More pictures will be added as her work progresses!
Look for locally grown plants in Fort Collins Nursery pots.
A lot of noise is being made these days in support of local businesses, and it isn’t just hype; a collection of studies showing the economic impact of a dollar spent locally vs. a dollar spent at a national or international chain shows that when you shop from locally owned businesses, it generates more economic growth within the community and supports businesses that generally provide the majority of local jobs at better wages than national and international chains.
Not to toot our own horn (well maybe just a little bit), Fort Collins Nursery has been locally owned and operated since 1932. We have always operated with the belief that we thrive at the mercy of our community, and this belief has treated us well. Every year we donate thousands of dollars in cash donations, sponsorships, and donations of plants and gardening supplies to local non-profit organizations. We make every effort to buy locally grown plants and locally produced products. We like to think we are about as local as it gets, and we have just taken a huge step forward to be even local-er.
Come this spring, you will see tons of #1 (1 gal.) perennials in light brown pots bearing the Fort Collins Nursery logo, the Talking Tree. Each plant you see in one of these pots is guaranteed to be grown right here at our nursery. In fact, we already grow most of our perennials here. In 2011, out of 65,237 #1 perennials that moved through our nursery this year, 56,567 of them were grown right here at the nursery. We just found a better way to show you which ones are which so you know your plants are true locals.
We are proud to be local, and we know you are, too. Now you can garden with the peace of mind that if a plant comes in one of our branded pots, it is a true hometown hero.
Fort Collins Nursery has fresh cut Christmas trees that are sure to awaken your olfactory senses and brighten your home.
Our Sub-Alpine Firs and Lodgepole Pines are native, wild grown Colorado Rocky Mountain trees that are shipped directly to Fort Collins Nursery after harvest. Sub-Alpine Fir trees have a silvery-blue cast and plump needles while the Lodgepole Pine is covered with cones and has open branching, allowing room for more ornaments.
Our Fraser Firs and Scotch Pines are plantation grown trees. Fraser Firs are very symmetrical, full and have a strong evergreen aroma. The Scotch Pine is the most economical tree, is light weight, and therefore easier to hold up in a stand.
Let one of our wonderful aromatic trees permeate your space this season. With trees starting at just $29, Fort Collins Nursery is sure to help you find just the right tree.
After a long, cold winter, who can resist the early blooms of daffodils, crocuses and tulips? Although September is the best time to plant bulbs, you can plant up to Thanksgiving day (as long as the ground isn’t frozen).
Fort Collins Nursery offers the best in bulbs! Chose from our wide selection: tulip, daffodil, narcissus, snowdrop, hyacinth and allium. Don’t know which bulbs will perform best for you? Take this quiz from Better Homes & Gardens.
Enjoy the delicate, fast-grown blooms of indoor paper whites? Start your paperwhite bulbs in the next few weeks for fragrant flowers throughout the holidays. We now have amaryllis bulbs, too!
We also have all great selection of bulb accessories: gravel, vases, bulb planter tools, books and bulb fertilizers. Don’t forget a pot for your paperwhites!
For more on bulb planting and care, visit the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Fall-Planted Bulbs and Corms fact sheet.
Get first choice of Fort Collins Nursery’s 2012 tree selection. New deciduous and fruit trees are now on display and in brilliant autumn color. All shade and ornamental trees are 20% off from Sept. 22-Oct. 5, 2011, for Garden Club Members!
Take one of these beautiful blue-sky days to browse the tree lot and you’ll be sure to find something perfect for your yard.
Fall is a great time to plant a new tree — less frequent watering, less stress from hot summer days, and plenty of time to establish a root system. Our container-grown trees transplant much easier then bare root.
Are you a Garden Club Member? Our current Garden Club Specials often offer discounts on trees. It’s free to become a member, and savings begin the same day you sign up!
We also offer regional delivery and planting, call 970-482-1984 or stop by Fort Collins Nursery for details.
Did you know tomato plants like salty soils? In other parts of the country with acidic soils, Epsom Salt water produce bigger blooms and healthier tomato plants. Magnesium Sulfate helps the plant absorb phosphate fertilizers and increases the plants natural resistance to disease. Since Colorado soils are loaded with calcium and magnesium, you should only [...]
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