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March 9, 2014
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Getting your green thumb going in Weld County

Each spring, people begin the adventure of starting their own garden at home.

Their interest can quickly fade, however, because of the weather and altitude challenges in Weld County.

However, despite what may seem like a large limitation on what can be grown in the area, there are many flowers, herbs and vegetables that can thrive in Colorado’s climate with the correct gardening setup.

Beginning gardeners should start by testing their soil for any chemicals that would harm their future plants, said Maureen Howser, greenhouse technician at Miller’s Greenhouse in Greeley.

Additionally, the type of soil should be determined, as it will greatly impact the amount of labor needed to get the area plant-ready.

If the ground is primarily clay, sand and compost will need to be added to create the correct mix. However, if sand makes up more of the soil, gardeners will need to lay down topsoil before planting, Howser said.

After testing the soil, gardeners should figure out the size and location of their desired plot.

The south side of houses will offer the best light to grow Colorado crops, said Eddie Maxwell, co-owner of Happy Life Gardens in Evans.

If the area cannot be in direct sunlight for the entire day, Maxwell said that shade should be limited to the mid-afternoon when the sun is the hottest and plants reap less benefits.

During the setup process, gardeners need to ensure the walking space between crops is wide enough for them to step without compressing the soil over the seeds, Howser said.

Once a location has been chosen and a layout established, grass and weeds should be pulled out and the soil well tilled before adding the final layer of compost or topsoil and planting seeds, she said.

When preparing to place plants in the ground, one popular option is to begin growing temperature-sensitive herbs and vegetables indoors until suitable weather arrives around Mother’s Day. Once the weather warms, these plants can be transferred into the ground outside.

However, gardeners should take care not to immediately transfer their plants from indoor pots to the soil outside. Instead, plants should hardened by being gradually introduced to the outdoor climate a few hours a day, Maxwell said.

If bouts of warm weather make gardeners eager to get plants in the ground, leafy crops such as kale and broccoli can survive temperatures as low as 20 degrees, Happy Life Gardens co-owner Melissa Maxwell said.

“Stick with plants that can handle cooler climates, have the garden ready and get ready to cover them if there is a cold spell,” Eddie Maxwell said.

Light blankets, frost blankets and plastic can be used to protect plants from frost damage when cold weather rolls in. However, plastic should not touch the leaves of the plants underneath it as it can transfer cold temperatures onto the leaves and damage the plant, he said.

Additionally, some temperature-sensitive plants, such as tomatoes, can be started outdoors before Mother’s Day with the protection of water walls, a wrap that surrounds the plant with water to prevent frost damage, and heat hats that insulate the plant from the cold, he said.

Once warmer temperatures arrive, gardeners in the area can begin looking at placing warmer-weather plants such as basil, thyme, green chilis, potatoes, bush beans, squash, watermelon and asparagus.

When planting herbs, gardeners face many cultivation options.

Whether they decide to maintain a small herb garden inside year round or plant them in an outdoor garden, it is necessary to regularly trim the blooms from the plants in order to maintain flavor for culinary use.

If the blooms are not trimmed, Howser said, the plant loses many of its valuable essential oils that contribute to taste and smell.

Vine plants such as tomatoes and some beans need to be placed in cages or on support systems to ensure they do not touch the ground, which can cause vine rot, Melissa Maxwell said.

When it comes to watermelon and squash, however, mounds of soil should be made with the seeds planted at the top so that the vines are above ground and do not rot.

If vegetables and herbs are not the desired focus of the garden, greenhouses in the area sell heartier breeds of flowers that can be placed in the ground as the weather begins to warm up.

Among them are pansies and primrose, which many shops, including Happy Life Gardens, begin to stock in the coming weeks as colder weather recedes, Eddie Maxwell said.

Gardening work does not end when all the plants are in the ground, however.

Regularly maintaining the soil and plants in the garden ensures a successful harvest each year.

Preemptive measures can be taken to cut down on pest population by planting rows of onions, which keep out rabbits, and patches of marigold flowers to repel aphids and whiteflies, Howser said.

However, if insects begin damaging plants, gardeners can make crop-safe insecticide soap by combining one gallon of water, one tablespoon of soap, such as Ivory brand hand soap, and one tablespoon of cooking oil, she said.

Additionally, litter, such as trash and dead plants, should be regularly cleared from the ground as they can draw insects and snails that will damage the garden.

Due to Colorado’s dry climate, watering plays a pivotal role in the health of outdoor gardens. Gardeners should use organic mulch, which keeps in moisture and keeps out heat, in addition to adjusting their watering schedule to the needs of their garden and soil, Howser said.

Finally, would-be gardeners without a lawn or yard space should not fear.

Many vegetables, such as salad greens, can be grown in pots and kept indoors in areas of plentiful sunlight and yield well year round, Melissa Maxwell said.

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The Greeley Tribune Updated Mar 12, 2014 11:02AM Published Mar 16, 2014 02:07PM Copyright 2014 The Greeley Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.