Spring & Summer Annual Flowers - Five Simple Techniques to Maximize Flower Bloom.

Spring & Summer Annual Flowers - Five Simple Techniques to Maximize Flower Bloom.

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

Annual flowers can be designed to make a wonderful display in your patio container garden, annual flower bed or even dispersed among a perennial bed. There are five key elements (Soil/Soil Preparation, Plant Selection, Watering, Fertilizing, and Deadheading) to help maximize bloom to keep a colorful and inviting appearance in your garden throughout the spring and summer months.


1) Site Selection/Plant Selection


The plant material selected to grow in a container or in an annual flower bed is directly correlated to the sun’s exposure. In areas of high sun exposure you would want annual grasses, petunias, lantana, lobelia, zinnias, marigolds, daisies, geraniums, cuphea, sweet potato vine, verbena and other annual flowers and colorful vegetation to accent the area being planted. In shade areas, you want to have dahlia, ageratum, begonias, impatiens, calibrachoa, pansies, coleus, angelonia and other plants adapted to flower and be colorful in low light conditions.


2) Soil/Soil Preparation


There are two situations which will be discussed; Containers & Pots and Annual Flower Beds.


Containers & Pots


The best investment you make every year or each time you replant your containers & pots for your patio garden is the soil. Having fresh sterile soil gives a clean start by eliminating the risk of pathogens from previous years. (If flowers in a container were infected the previous year, either replace the container, sterilize the container or plant a different variety of plants in the container.). Containers & pots need a specialized soil, one that helps retain both moisture and nutrients while still supplying the necessary air for the roots. The soil needs to contain a mixture of vermiculite, perlite, moss, sand or whatever mixture for which the specific plants need.


In the Denver area a potting soil needs the ability to drain quickly, yet still hold a massive amount of water. Colorado’s intense sun rays and dry air suck the water out of the soil in the containers. It is important to have a soil mixture which will withstand Denver’s conditions.


***Regular soil from your garden should never be used, especially in Colorado. The soil does not provide the appropriate drainage required and our Colorado clay soils pull away from the sides of a container making it difficult to rewet.


Annual Flower Beds


Flowers which are being planted in the ground need a sandy loam which has a lot of organic matter. Organic matter acts as a sponge, retaining water for uptake by the colorful flowers. It is important to have a soil structure which drains well. The drainage allows oxygen into the soil, this air in the soil profile is an important factor in root growth. If the soil does not drain and remains saturated, the roots will actually suffocate or suffer hypoxia (tissue being deprived of oxygen) in the roots. This leads to roots which only function at around 10% of normal roots. If your soil is not the proper mixture, it should be amended.


Amending the soil is best done by adding organic matter in the way of composted dairy manure. This nutrient rich soil additive is relatively inert when bought completely composted and screened. In most situations for amendment of soil I recommend 5 cubic yards per 1000 square feet to be roto-tilled into the newly established annual flower bed. With the initial amendment of heavy clay or just to decrease or eliminate the need for fertilizing that year, 7 cubic yards of composted dairy manure should be used for annual flowers in Denvers soils. A different approach which is more work, is to remove the soil down one foot to 18 inches and add new planting soil or potting soil. However you wish to prepare your garden bed water should be added to “wet” the soil as to prevent the from soil sucking the water out of the new plants & flowers.


3) Watering


It is important to the survival of the plant material to have sufficient water, especially if just planted. Once planted all annual flowers and colorful vegetation needs to be thoroughly watered 2-3 times after planting. After initial watering, all plants which got knocked over should be up righted and adjusted as necessary to ensure good soil contact. Soil should be allowed to dry slightly to reduce pest and disease issues. Irrigation by a drip emitter system, drip tubing or netafim is the best way to help your annual flowers survive. Irrigation mainly acts as an insurance policy to give the minimum amount of water to survive. When combined with hand watering during the week, the vegetation really takes hold and the flowers bloom exquisitely.


***Pots need to be hand watered often. In Denver this may be twice daily, once daily or even once every couple days. As always, the weather, the size of the pot, the exposure to the sun and the type of plant material in your containers will dictate the watering schedule needed to make your patio garden look wonderful.


4) Fertilizing


Adding the needed nutrients to any plant will make it grow better, stronger and provide intense flower color. A general balanced flower fertilizer of 10-10-10 is recommended in most situations. (The numbers represent a percentage of the total contents, in this case; 10% Nitrogen - 10% Phosphorous - 10% Potassium ; the other 70% is just inert or inactive material). Each plant requires different amount of each nutrient to promote adequate vegetative growth, root growth and flowering.



With fertilizers there are two different ways it is released, immediately or over time. Great care should taken in order not to poison the plants with too much fertilizer. Miracle-gro is a quick release fertilizer and can be used every few weeks to help promote healthy growth. Too much of this fertilizer at one time and it may cause water to be unavailable to the plants. An osmocoted fertilizer pellet will fertilize the soil around it over weeks as water deteriorates the pellet layers. This is the safest way to fertilize as the amount needed to be toxic is greater with the slow release formula.


***A way to stay organic is to use a natural compost and amend the flower bed, as stated earlier.


5) Deadheading


Annual flowers generally only last one year. Their whole goal in this short life time is to reproduce. The beautiful flowers produced by the plants is the vessel of reproduction. When a flower is spent it usually means it has become fertilized and will produce a seed pod. Since the goal of annual flowers is to reproduce, most the energy created in the plant will be allocated to the production of seed. To redirect this energy, the seed pods must be removed in a process known as “deadheading.” It is important not to just remove the flower petal, but the base of the flower itself. This can usually be done by pinching the soft stem tissue with nails of your thumb & index finger. Some people prefer scissors, just remember they are dangerous tools and should be handled with care.


This combination will help your annual flowers look their best and provide spring color through to the first freeze. Please note that most annuals are annual in Denver due to the frost. In the Denver area, it is best to plant after mother’s day (May 10) to account for the frost.


Here at A Better Garden, we understand some people don’t have time to do all the work to have a great looking flower display. We will happily work with you to set up installation of flower pots, containers, annual flower beds or planting within a perennial bed. We provide full installation, maintenance and can even provide sprinkler renovation or addition to get water to your pots or new flower beds. Call us today (303) 433 - 3750 and get Annual Flower Maintenance for your home or office.

Plan a Colorado Vegetable Garden - A Rewarding Experience to Add to Your Family’s Activities.

Plan a Colorado Vegetable Garden - A Rewarding Experience to Add to Your Family’s Activities.

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

Home grown vegetables are a great, healthy way to add nutrition to family meals. Planting a vegetable garden starts with timing of planting seeds, starting them indoors or buying vegetable starts from your local greenhouse. Along with this, you must consider how much area to devote to growing a crop and stagger planting time and variety to ensure a continuous harvest. Crop rotation is an important factor in reducing pathogens in your home garden. Home vegetable gardening is a rewarding experience and should be done to provide healthy food for your family


The first thing which needs to be done to have a good harvest is knowing when to plant each vegetable. Some seeds require what is known as stratification to have a seed germinate. Stratifying a seed can be accomplished by a thaw freeze cycle or even by washing away certain chemicals produced by the plant. Various seeds only germinate under the right temperature. This is why it is usually easier to research the veggies you are wanting grown in your garden to see the best way to plant the crop. A good choice is always to go down to a nursery and get plants which have already been started. Some gardening services also offer at the least installation, while others, such as A Better Garden Maintenance LLC, install, maintain and assist in harvesting your garden.


Planning spacing and which types of vegetables seeds to sow for the harvest can be a new experience. Along with the area devoted to supporting a plant of a specific crop, you must also look at use of the garden area in regards to shading, crop height, water usage and any effect on second plantings of fall season or cool season crops. Something to consider in a garden recommendation for planting does not mean the plant will be confined between these areas. Watermelon and squash are very invasive and can quickly cover lower and slower growing plantings. Planting these along your path will help in allowing this unutilized area to become a space to grow a juicy melon. Additionally tske a look at planting corn as this may cause a shading effect which will affect the crops grown behind and beside it.


You also want to consider planting based on having a continuous or prolonged harvest. This is done by planting every few days or choosing different cultivars of the same vegetable. Most vegetables have an estimated time to harvest based on field trials conducted. By considering sun, harvest time, invasiveness, and how to prolong your harvest you will have a garden which provides fresh vegetables for your family throughout the season.


Call now (303) 433 - 3750, if you need consultation for a vegetable garden in the Denver Metro Area. It is a great opportunity to work as a family or enjoy the fruit of your land. A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC is a full service lawn maintenance &, garden maintenance firm which offers services for both residential and commercial properties.

Great Denver Gardens-Off Season Preparation is Essential to Having a Great Garden.

Great Denver Gardens - Off Season Preparation is Essential to Having a Great Garden.

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

Denver’s is snow finally melting and temperatures are forecasted to stay in the 40’s and 50’s for the next week or two. Now is a good time to get the rest of the leaves cleaned up in your garden. Some bushes need to be rejuvenated or just cleaned up. Adding mulch to your garden will make your yard have color during the bleak days ahead until spring. A little extra care now can make your Denver garden healthy and vigorous this growing season.


Plant growth is stunted when disease is present. Many plant pathogens over winter in the leaves of the plants they effect. Removing these leaves from the garden will seriously decrease the risk of pests and diseases being present this next gardening season. With perennials last years leaves have lost their color and began new basal growth (new lush green growth at the bottom or base of the plant). These plants need to have the old growth of the plant cut off and removed from the garden. Remember, most perennials die back to their base and begin new growth for the next season. Bushes are similar, yet are more specialized since their growth produces lignins which strengthen the previous years growth.


Shrubs are also termed as a “woody plant” since these chemicals produced affect the strength of the shrub, usually allowing it to grow much larger than a perennial. They also will produce new buds towards the end of the growing season which are where the new leaves or beautiful flowers are produced for the following Denver spring. It is important to understand the bushes characteristics, such as whether the buds will be flowers or leaves, before pruning any branches of shrubs in your garden. If necessary it is important to revitalize the shrub when growth gets too old or to remove any spent flowers such as rose hips or other seed pods created last year. Branches that cross each other and which might rub together should be removed as well. All debris such as branches and the extra leaves stuck between newly branches should be removed to give your garden a wonderfully clean look.


When the garden is clean of all leaves and debris, mulch should be the next consideration. There are a few varieties of mulch to choose from. Shredded cedar and bark mulch are the by far the most popular selected. They add a lovely touch to any home or business in Denver or Greenwood Village. Various people also appreciate a more recycled and colored mulch. Metro mulches are produced from construction waste, tree limbs and other recycled products. These woody materials, once recycled and steam treated to reduce weed seeds, are stained different colors to accent your house or commercial building. Mulch beautifies your property and by helping to retain water in the soil, enriches the life of all plants in your garden.


Great gardens, whether in Golden, Denver, Lonetree or Greenwood Village, are based upon the preparation provided when plants are not visibly growing. Your garden‘s, whether residential or commercial, risk for disease is reduced as leaf debris and pruning debris is removed. A well groomed woody plant or shrub, from pruning, makes for healthy, vigorous growth in the upcoming spring season.
Mulch will give some color to the bleak winter days where your garden plants sits seemingly idle. If these items are out of your skill range or if you just do not have the time, give us a call (303) 433 - 3750 and we can help you have A Better Garden.

Setting Up Your Compost

By:Whitney Gronseth

A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

Now is the perfect time to make that compost bin that you have been meaning to get to. But how do you do it? You can make one yourself for little or not cost, or you can buy one at a store at a higher cost, but with more convenience. One do it yourself option goes something like this; Get a large metal garbage can. Drill holes (or hammer a large nail through to make holes) every 3-4" all around the can, in rows about 3-4" apart. To turn the compost, you just tie the lid down with a bit of twine through its lid and the handles on the side of the can, tip the whole thing over, and roll it around the yard a bit. If you decide that you would like to save time and purchase one, you can find them at various home improvement and gardening stores. Prices range from very inexpensive to a bit costly depending on the quality and features of the bin.

Now that your compost bin is set up, now what do you do? First, make sure that you place your compost bin some where away from the house in a shady area. Direct sunlight will dry the compost out. Next, put dry leaves or newspaper in the bottom of the bin. Fill it to about 1/8 – 1/4 full. Now take dirt from your garden and fill it to the half way point of your bin. Now take various organic scraps and paper products and place them in the bin. These are things like eggs shells, orange rinds, grapes, paper towels, etc. Next stir your compost bin, making sure that the scraps are covered with dirt. Spray the mix with lukewarm water till it’s moist, but not soaking wet. Add food scraps every couple of days ensuring that you stir it every time you add something. You will need to wait a few months before using your compost. Make sure that you save at least a third of it so you can make new compost as needed.

There are some common problems that you may run into with your compost bin. First is smell. If it’s far enough away from the house, you may not need to worry about this. But if it does start to become noticeably smelly it is either too wet or has too many un-decomposed scraps in it. Hold off on adding any more water and scraps for a few days and make sure to stir it well. You may also run into our furry friends and insects getting into your compost bin. First make sure not to put any meat in your compost bin. This will attract them like fruit flies. Speaking of fruit flies, if this becomes a problem, add dry soil to the top of the mix. You can also add ammonia to the compost. This will make sure that mice, raccoons, etc. stay out.

Once your compost is ready, you will still need to keep it in the shade for a few days before use. This is because the material is still producing heat from decomposition and will harm or kill the plants that you put it on. Take off the lid and put it into the shade and out of the rain. Leave it there for a few days and when the bin is cool to the touch, your compost is ready for use!

Take the time now to ensure that your garden is beautiful this summer. Call 303-433-3750 for all of your gardening needs and start making your garden healthy now!

Shrubs and Trees - Little thoughts that make a big difference

Shrubs and Trees - Little thoughts that make a big difference

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

A Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) has an amazingly brilliant red fall color. It adds interest to your landscape just like the Aspen (Populus tremuloides) clumps which set ablaze our Colorado mountains with gold. Another popular shrub which has a bright red fall color is aptly named “Burning Bush” or Winged Euonymus (Euonymus alatus). Bushes and Trees are ever present in the garden. Many have color branches or beautiful flowers. There are bushes and trees for all situation presented by the Denver landscape.



When installing shrubs or trees in the Colorado landscape it is important to dig a hole which is two to three times (2x-3x) the size of the pot or root ball. Amending the soil is required in certain municipalities for commercial landscape installations and is a water conservation practice. It is heavily recommended to amend all Denver soils by A Better Garden Maintenance, college professors and other professionals. It is important to recognize the water and light requirements of all plant material being installed into a Denver garden prior to planting into the landscape. The amount of shade and sun differ depending on the type of plant. If you like we can develop a plan together which fits your unique landscape’s needs. This can be done during regular garden maintenance or as a special enhancement project.



We attempt to be flexible to fit your schedule. If you want to have a garden installed in your back yard or just need to reclaim and restore your existing landscape, call us. We can give you an estimate on the cost or just setup it up to perform the services on a time and materials basis. We operate across the majority of the Denver Metro Area. We service the Denver Highlands, Golden, Lakewood, Highlands Ranch, Lonetree, Greenwood Village, Centennial, Belmar, Bo Mar, Littleton, Stapleton, Englewood, Wheatridge, Arvada, Washington Park, Congress Park, and other areas in between for sprinkler repair, weekly lawn mowing, weekly garden maintenance, seasonal pruning of shrubs and garden renovation & cleanups. Call today to start service. We look forward to helping you in pursuit of A Better Garden.

Container Gardening - Not just for Annual Flowers

Container Gardening - Materials & Preparation is Critical!

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

Concrete and patios should not limit the garden potential you have at your homeor business. In these concrete porches, paver patios, and other open space you can have beautiful color and even produce vegetables. Installing tomato plants along with marigolds will brighten up the grey and give you delicious mile high city ripened tomatoes for those summer salads.



Container gardens do take more maintenance, yet the reward is worthwhile. If you choose to have a container garden, make sure toco use a large pot and the correct media (potting soil such as Miracle Grow can be used, but is not ideal). We use a special composition of media which specially for the needs of Colorado. If you are using Miracle Grow or a similar potting mix, adding peat moss and vermiculite helps by increasing water holding capacity for the media.

A few things to remember:

The media in pots dry out much quicker than soil in the ground. Pots should be watered daily and in some situations multiple times per day if in direct sunlight. Drip irrigation should be on a separate irrigation drip valve which is used to support only annual flowers and vegetables. Drip irrigation should only be regarded as a fail-safe and hand watering deeply should not be neglected in any circumstance.


Installing high grade media (soil) you ensure good root establishment and a higher ability to retain water. Media for container gardens should be replaced and fresh & clean media should be used one year to the next to prevent disease. This is similar to how farmers rotate crop to reduce pest populations.

Ensure you have a large enough clay pot, container or plastic liner. This has many positive affects survive the heat and drying effect of direct sunlight. An added trick to help to protect expensive clay pots is the added use of a liner. A liner is a plastic pot, or insert, to allow reduced pressure and corrosion of the container. Each type of flower and vegatable has differing rooting structures and rooting depths. Having a deep liner or pot helps maximize growth and flowering.


To maintain healthy plants, the contents of a containers with flowers or vegatables should be checked daily for correct moisture if it is not irrigated. In the case of flowers, dead/dying flowers and seed pods should be removed to increase and rejuvenate bloom. Vegatables, such as tomatoes, produce their fruit (in this scenario, tomatoes) from flowers. These flowers can be thinned to increase size of each tomato or to help establish the plant in the beginning. Research the type of plant you are going to plant in your Denver container garden or have A Better Garden Maintenance help you with your gardening needs.


Contact us today if you would like to have a beautiful variety of flowers to accent your Denver business or Greenwood Village residence.

Garden Cleanup is Here- Schedule now to get prompt service

Spring Garden Cleanup is Here- Schedule now to get prompt service

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

Already the grass is starting to show a little green through the yellow straw. The garden is bursting with the first buds of spring. Color is sinking back into the world around us. Tulips and hyacinth will be emerging and giving the hope of color and warmer weather. Daffodils will be shining brightly in the midst of the garden. In May, the Tall Bearded Iris will be blooming. All this is possible by making sure the garden has been cleaned, planted and maintained properly.

Many landscapes are built through a lifetime of labor. Even when landscape construction happens there is something else that is an afterthought. A touch the designer didn't think was desired can be added by a small construction crew or by gardeners. The amending, planting bulbs & perennials, trimming back bushes properly, mowing the lawn at the right height (most home lawns require to be cut at 2 1/2" - 3"). Hand weeding, restoring mulch, and watering properly all lend to having a well groomed yard or commercial property. All processes of leaf & garden cleanup(spring cleanup, fall cleanup), regular mowing at a proper height(cutting no less than 1/3 of the grass blade at any one time), lawn core aeration (spring & fall), fertilizing (slow release granular 3-4 times per year), proper watering methods (deep, less frequently instead of shallow, frequently) all lend to a synergism allowing your lawn, garden, retail business or office park to look its best.

Garden Celebrations – Utilize Your Home Gardens to Celebrate Life

Garden Celebrations – Utilize Your Home Gardens to Celebrate Life

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

There are so many people with lovely gardens in their estate which are not utilized and celebrated. Gardens are meant to be shown to allow others to see the beauty offered to you in your own yard. Spruce up that lovely garden at your estate and allow someone to have a wedding at your place. I have been to a wedding where a friend allowed them to use his sprawling 2 acre estate to say their vows. The natural setting allowed the area to be transformed into a chapel under scattered skies.

A customer who lives in Cherry Hills Village throws an annual 4th of July celebration. The 5 acre estate, complete with apple orchard, is serviced once a year. We come in and assist the gardener, who is already on staff, to complete the preparations by weeding and pruning as necessary. She is always excited that every year we are able to assist her in throwing a wonderful party in her lawn and garden areas.

As always there are other ideas to spruce up parties. Ask a local artist or two to display their work for your guests to peruse. Sean Powell and Austin Parkhill are two up and coming artists with different painting styles. Also, remember to plan ahead for the maintenance your garden is going to require. If you want to have flowers for spring color at your gathering, make sure you consult us to have them installed and maintained for a wonderful display. This should be an enjoyable experience and we hope to help make it that way.

A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC is here to listen to your needs and provide solutions to fit you budget. Call us at (303) 433 – 3750 to set up a Garden Maintenance Contract which fits your needs today.

Spring Leaf & Garden Cleanup - Yard Restoration and Renovation

Spring Leaf & Garden Cleanup - Yard Restoration and Renovation

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

The snow is melting and the garden areas are being exposed. Now, before the buds break on the shrubs and trees, it is time to remove the leaves and debris from the garden. The leaves being left in the garden can cause issues with pests and disease. It is a great thing to remove the potential hassle and it makes the lawn & garden look great.

Here is an example, the garden below was not cleaned up for two (2) landscaping & gardening seasons.
"Accumulation of leaves & debris in the garden can cause disease and pest issues"

The important things to remember for a spring garden clean-up;

1. Cut back perennials to the "basal growth." Basal growth is the new soft shoots coming out of the base of the plants in your Denver garden. You should not have any dead plant material left on the garden perenials unless it is the shoot leading to the fresh groth.


2. Remove any overgrown sections. Gardening is about what you want to see; if you do not appreciate how the garden looks it needs to be pruned to make it look nice.


3. Large shrubs should be trimmed as needed by their species. Some shrubs such as Dogwoods are thinned to allow new colored wood. Lilacs need to be pruned after flowering in the spring. Some shrubs need to be pruned for a gradual renewal also known as sheering. Some shrubs might need to be fully rejuvenated. Schedule a gardener to come out and perform this service if you are unsure.


4. Rose bushes need to have the winter dieback and rose hips pruned out. Sometimes thinning cuts and new trellising/posting are needed to support bushes.


5. Broken Branches should be cleaned up to provide a proper & clean cut for the plant to heal.


6. Weeds should be pulled by hand or sprayed chemically to reduce issues throughout the season.


7. Leaves & garden debris should be removed with a wire rake first and then a blower should be used to give a clean garden area.


8. Top Dressing of all organic mulch beds should only be done as needed (mulch should not be deeper than 4 inches)

Below is the same picture after the garden had a spring garden cleanup was performed.

Reclaiming a garden is not only possible but a reality when we help you have A Better Garden.

CONTACT US TODAY TO SCHEDULE A SPRING CLEANUP.

(303) 433 - 3750

Annual Flowers - Spring Color

Annual Flowers - Spring Color

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

When people hear Spring Color, they think everything from flowering fruit trees, spring bulbs and the flowers people plant after the last spring frost(around mother's day in Denver). The first two, fruit trees and spring bulbs, need to be planned and planted way before spring. Flowering trees can be added while they are blooming and usually do well. Yet today, we will talk about the immediate effect of Annual Flowers.



Annual flowers are the best idea to add constant color to your property. They accent not only you garden, but the crisply cut grass as well. Yet, not all annual flowers are the same. The reason they are called annuals is, for the most part, they need to be newly planted every year. I say mainly because such flowers as snapdragons, dianthus, and even some petunias may overwinter and be growing come spring time. Some even re-seed throughout their growing season. As an annual, the only goal they have is to make more seeds to further their germplasm. Either way it is important to choose the right annuals for the location, cost, and texture.



There are lots of spring annuals to choose from to give your commercial or residential garden a burst of color. Some are better in a container garden, while others look amazing in large displays on the ground. Below are some geraniums which look amazing when well maintained (deadheading & ground aerated by hand).







Some annual flowers, such as petunias, are by far the cheapest, quickest spreading and most vibrant display of color for which you can ask. The brillant display comes with a heavy price, a lot of flower maintenance. All these petunia flowers produce seed pods, after being germinated by bees, wasps or other insects, which need to be removed. It is important to note that the whole seed pod needs to be removed, not just the dead petals & sepals. When these seed pods are removed, known as deadheading, the plant then attempts to produce more seeds. This is done by first producing more flowers for you to enjoy.



Remember, some annual flowers are specifically grown in shade or sun. Some are available because people like the unique texture they bring. The more exotic flowers should generally only be planted into flower container gardens as other flowers will highlight the complexity and uniqueness. Before planning out your annual flowers consider the height, shape, color, and other characteristics which will affect your spring color planting.



A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC just wishes to remind everyone we both install and maintain annual flowers. Please contact us for more information.

Randy Penns Iris Garden - Directions to the Iris Garden

Randy Penns Iris Garden - Directions to the Iris Garden

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

It is still a little early since Iris will be in bloom come May-June. I will be having a blog up here to hopefully give dates of bloom for varieties at Randy Penn's Iris Garden. Check out http://www.abtrgarden.com/iris_garden.html come May and it should be running.

If you need directions, the Iris Garden is in Englewood, CO:

Approximate address, if mapquesting, is
4110 S Huron Ct, Englewood, CO 80110-4529

General Directions to Randy Penn's Iris Garden:

Coming from the North (Downtown Denver & Arvada Area):

If you are coming north from Denver, the easiest way to take is Santa Fe Blvd/Hwy-85. From I-25 in Denver take Santa Fe South to Oxford Ave in Englewood. Go East on Oxford Ave. into Englewood. The Iris Garden is located on the South side of Oxford at Huron Ct.. This is about halfway between Broadway and Santa Fe in Englewood.

Coming from the South (Littleton and Highlands Ranch Area):

If you are coming South from Littleton, the easiest way to take is Santa Fe Blvd / Hwy-85. From C-470 in Highlands Ranch take Santa Fe North to Oxford Ave in Englewood. Go East on Oxford Ave. into Englewood. The Iris Garden is located on the South side of Oxford at Huron Ct.. This is about halfway between Broadway and Santa Fe in Englewood.

Coming from the East (East Denver and Centennial):

If you are coming East from East Denver the easiest way to take is Hampden Ave / Hwy-285. From Hampden Ave / Hwy-285, take Santa Fe South to Oxford Ave in Englewood. Go East on Oxford Ave. into Englewood. The Iris Garden is located on the South side of Oxford at Huron Ct.. This is about halfway between Broadway and Santa Fe in Englewood.

Coming from the West (Morrison, Golden, Lakewood, etc):

If you are coming West from Lakewood or Morrison, the easiest way to take is Hampden Ave / Hwy-285. From Hampden Ave / Hwy-285, take Santa Fe South to Oxford Ave in Englewood. Go East on Oxford Ave. into Englewood. The Iris Garden is located on the South side of Oxford at Huron Ct.. This is about halfway between Broadway and Santa Fe in Englewood.

Winter Watering

Winter Watering

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

The Denver area is considered to be a semi arid climate. Essentially this makes our front range community a desert. Infrequent rainfall and snowfall do not put much moisture in our soil. This is especially true with moisture from a snow event. Even with a 3 inch snowfall, we only receive around a quarter inch of precipitation. We almost never receive enough rain or snowfall to support the true need of the plants in our yards. This moisture needs to be supplemented.

The addition of water during the winter months is a critical addition to the health of all plants (pansies, perennials, shrubs and trees). These plants do not shut down over the winter as it appears. The lack of moisture can cause dehydration of the branches and stems. When this happens in trees, it cause either winter die back or weakens the cells in the branches. This is a process called "cavitation." Essentially the cavities of the xylem, with which the plants pull up water, are destroyed and no water can pass through. This not only affects the physiology of the plant, but also the structural integrity. Winter Watering, done in the correct fashion, can help deter these effects.

Winter watering should only be performed when the air temperature is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Watering should only be performed during daylight hours to reduce the possibility of creating ice. Use of a watering wand with shut-off on the handle is recommended. During the winter a garden should be watered as much as necessary and as the weather permits.

Thank you for reading. Please visit us on the web at http://www.abtrgarden.com/ .

We hope these tips will help you have A Better Garden.