Tag: summer
Patience – A Virtue Learned in the Garden
08/04/2012 Ken Lain, mountain gardenerPatience is needed for truly natural gardens. Early in June my gardener’s confidence was crushed when a tomato plant withered and wilted away underneath these seemingly green thumbs. Just a month later, following several inches of monsoon rain, seed that…
Read MoreHeat Loving Plants and Vibrant Lawns
07/21/2012 Ken Lain, mountain gardenerIt’s been ages since the last spring snow when it seemed as if our pansies would keep blooming forever. These days, working the garden during the heat of the day, you end up as hot and sweaty as your uncle’s…
Read MoreNo Weeds, No Bugs, No Problem
07/14/2012 Ken Lain, mountain gardenerSummer brings Russian sage in all its glory. However, it is so happy in mountain landscapes that this stunningly dramatic plant can get out of control or become difficult to maintain. That violet color also can seem overdone and overbearing…
Read MoreSuperheroes of the Summer Lands
07/07/2012 Ken Lain, mountain gardenerWell, we’re into July again, and with its rising humidity it presents the right climate to give growing things a very welcome and beneficial pick-me-up. Right now landscape plants are somewhat scrawny, starving, and ready to lap up whatever the…
Read MoreYou Can Have Your Shade and Eat It Too
06/30/2012 Ken Lain, mountain gardenerThe title of this week’s column refers to fruit trees. Not all fruit trees are created for life in the mountains; some bloom so early that due to frosty springs they rarely produce fruit. Because this is not an issue…
Read MoreKeeping Plants Heat Healthy
06/23/2012 Ken Lain, mountain gardenerThe official start of the summer gardening season begins this week. This is when many heat- loving plants glory in the arrival of 90-degree weather. Plants are much like people, and like people they have their favorite seasons. I happen…
Read MoreSummer Shade with the Best Trees
06/16/2012 Ken Lain, mountain gardenerI can’t think of many things that affect us as diversely as trees do. For starters, they contribute to numerous influences on our surroundings. They improve our environment by providing protection from wind and dust, by shading us from our…
Read MoreBlooms to Show Off Garden Parties
06/25/2011 Ken Lain, mountain gardenerAs we approach Independence Day and the garden gatherings that follow throughout the summer season, we worry that our gardens can look tired and heat stressed. That is unless we’ve planned ahead for summer-loving plants to take center stage. Because…
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