Blog Post Archives - Page 2 of 18 - Nick's Garden Center

Nov 10

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5 Best Low-Maintenance Shrubs to Plant in Denver

By buhv | Blog Post | No Comments

Dry winds and extreme weather characterize Denver’s climate. This semi-arid climate does not support many outdoor plants since the soil is also alkaline. However, Denver’s harsh climate should not limit your landscaping dreams, since several low-maintenance shrubs can spruce up your garden. The low-maintenance shrubs can survive with minimal watering and require less pruning. They are also less prone to diseases, meaning you spend less on pesticides and herbicides. But what shrubs do well in Denver’s climate? Continue reading to learn more about easy-to-grow, low-maintenance shrubs for your Denver garden.

Key Considerations for Denver Shrub Selection

The desire for beautiful gardens has inspired homeowners and other stakeholders to research the best landscaping ideas for Denver. But before you select shrubs for your garden hedge, consider whether they can survive in Denver’s climate. Here are key factors to consider.

Drought Tolerance. Denver’s semi-arid climate necessitates water conservation. Select shrubs that survive with minimal watering.
Cold Hardiness. Denver winters can be freezing. Choose cold-hardy shrubs that will survive through the chilly winters.
Wind Resistance. Denver experiences dry and strong winds in winter. The winds stress some plants, leading to stunted growth or weathering. Select wind-resistant shrubs for your garden.
Soil Conditions. Denver soil is mostly alkaline. Since many plants do not do well in alkaline soils, select shrubs that can tolerate Denver’s soil.

List of Recommended Low-Maintenance Shrubs

While you can have a beautiful green garden in Denver, the semi-arid climatic conditions limit your choice of outdoor plants. However, the limitations should not derail your landscaping objectives. Here are five low-maintenance shrubs that do well in Denver.

1. Peking Cotoneaster

The Peking cotoneaster is a medium-sized attractive shrub that does well in Denver. It has small green leaves and pink or white flowers. While most gardeners prefer Peking cotoneaster for its foliage, its apple blossom-like pink flowers are also spectacular.

Peking cotoneaster’s cold hardiness is remarkable. It can endure freezing temperatures of up to -40. This low-maintenance shrub also survives on minimal moisture, meaning it does not require frequent watering. Pruning is also minimal, with experts recommending pruning after flowering.

2. Red Twig Dogwood

The red twig dogwood is a large deciduous shrub with small dark green leaves that turn purple-red in fall. It blooms in late spring or early summer to give white flowers. The red twig dogwood is a low-maintenance plant that only requires watering during a dry spell and can tolerate partial shades. It does not require frequent pruning, with most gardeners only pruning the shrub after two to three years.

3. Buffaloberry

Buffaloberry is another excellent option for Denver gardeners looking for hedging shrubs. It grows to thirteen feet tall, but some can be as short as three feet. Buffaloberry has small dark greenish leaves and blossoms to yellowish or brownish flowers. Most gardeners prefer it for its low-maintenance needs since it can tolerate infrequent watering and partial shade. Pruning is also done annually in late winter or early spring.

4. Elderberry

Elderberry is another drought-resistant and cold-resistant shrub that does well in Denver. The shrub can grow to 12 feet tall, but some species reach 5 feet high. It features large bright green leaves and white flowers. Pruning is done annually in late winter or early spring. Since it is a low-maintenance shrub, you only water it during dry spells.

5. Staghorn Sumac

Staghorn sumac is a fairly large shrub with green leaves and yellow-greenish flowers. It is among the best landscaping shrubs in Denver because it tolerates alkaline soil conditions, withstands strong winds, and does not require frequent watering. Pruning is done in late winter or early spring.

Visit Nick’s Garden Center for All of Your Landscaping Needs

While Denver’s climate and soil conditions do not support many outdoor plants, Nick’s Garden has a variety of low-maintenance shrubs for your gardening ideas. Contact us today to learn more about shrubs and outdoor plants to include in your Denver garden.

Oct 22

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5 Winter Care Tips for Houseplants in Denver

By buhv | Blog Post, House Plants | No Comments

Winter Houseplant Care Tips - Denver Although Denver winters are mild, freezing and sub-zero temperatures can last for days or weeks. As the days become shorter and colder, plants become less active and achieve little growth. The changes in the weather and plant metabolism call for a modification in routine care. Generally speaking, winter is a rest season for most plants, including houseplants. You can adjust your watering schedule, reduce fertilizers, and improvise natural light and warmth to keep the plants healthy. The following 5 tips will help your houseplants retain their lushness and natural charm throughout the cold season.

1. ADJUST LIGHT AND TEMPERATURE

Plants require light to maintain a healthy look and growth. Without sufficient light, your houseplants develop thin and long stems as they try to reach some light. They may also lean towards the nearest source of light.
As days shorten, indoor plants may not get adequate light. You can use artificial light when natural light becomes inadequate or relocate the plants to a place with sufficient natural light.
Freezing winter temperatures are also not ideal for houseplants. Avoid placing the plants near open windows or front doors, as this exposes them to cold drafts and sudden temperature changes. Similarly, direct high temperatures affect the houseplants, meaning you should keep them away from heat radiators.

2. ADJUST YOUR WATERING

Winter days are cold, and the houseplants tend to slow their activities. As such, your plants require less water than they did in spring and summer. However, they still need water to survive. The trick here is avoiding under or overwatering. Use well-draining pots, and always check moisture levels before adding more water. You can use your finger or moisture meter to know when your plants need more water.

3. IMPROVE HUMIDITY

Humidity is essential for the healthy growth of plants. Its levels impact water and nutrient absorption through the leaves and processes like transpiration and photosynthesis. During the winter, indoor humidity drops as you heat your house. You can increase humidity for your houseplants by grouping them together, misting them, or placing the pots on a pebble tray with water.

4. BALANCE FERTILIZING

Houseplants reduce metabolism in winter and increase it in spring and summer. During the winter season, your houseplants may not require much nutrients. However, they still need some nutrients to survive. Balancing fertilization ensures you do not starve the plants or overfeed them. Too much fertilizer may also cause root-burn and salt accumulation.

You can balance fertilizing using a water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half or a quarter of the recommended strength. Slow-release granular fertilizers also balance winter fertilizing. You can also use organic fertilizers that do not lead to chemical build-up and root burn.

5. PEST AND DISEASE CONTROL

Houseplants are susceptible to diseases and pest attacks in winter. During winter, the plants have slowed down their metabolism, and the weather weakens them.

Common pests that affect houseplants in winter include aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, fungus gnats, and whiteflies. Some common diseases include root rot, fungal infection, and powdery mildew.

The best method of controlling pests and diseases is prevention and early detection. Prevention requires you to eliminate or reduce risk factors. You can prevent common pests and diseases by keeping the plants in adequate light, temperature, and moisture. You can also use preventative pesticides and fungicides.

Early detection controls pests and diseases before they harm the plants. Some early signs of infestations or diseases include stunted growth, yellowing, leaf drops, and blotches. Pests are also visible, and you can see them on the leaves or stems.

Once you detect infestation you can handpick the pests, use readily available rubbing alcohol, or spray the plants with a recommended pesticide.

COMMON WINTER HOUSEPLANT PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Some common winter houseplant problems include;

Leaf drop. You can control leaf drops by improving lighting, treating nitrogen deficiency, and balancing your watering schedule.
Yellowing leaves. Yellowing leaves may happen due to moisture imbalance, cold, and sudden temperature changes. Balance your watering schedule and avoid exposing the plant to temperature drifts.
Leggy growth. Leggy growth refers to thin, long stems with few leaves. You can treat it by increasing light or moving the plant into a well-lighted place.

IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF YOUR HOUSEPLANTS WITH NICK’S GARDEN CENTER

Winter poses significant challenges to houseplant enthusiasts. Your plants may get inadequate light and imbalanced temperature and moisture, leading to leaf drops, yellowing, and leggy growth. But do not give up on them. Contact Nick’s Garden Center for houseplant winter care tips and solutions to common problems.

Oct 09

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How To Care for Air Plants and Revive Dying Ones?

By buhv | Blog Post, House Plant Advanced, House Plants | No Comments

Nicks Garden Center - Air Plants Air plants are an excellent houseplant option. They improve indoor aura and integrate with your interior deco for enhanced aesthetics. Most homeowners also choose them for their low-maintenance nature. But like any other indoor garden, air plants require a specific care plan. Missing a step in the care plan or overdoing something may lead to their death. So, if your air plants are looking dull or require replacement now and then, this article will help you identify possible mistakes and how to correct them.

Types of Air Plants

Air plants belong to the epiphytes group. Epiphytes use their root-like structures to attach to other plants or rocks. Unlike other plants, they do not use their roots to absorb water or nutrients from soil or host plants. They use their leaves to tap water and nutrients from the atmosphere. Since they do not draw water and nutrients from the soil, you can hang them in the living room, place them on decorated pebbles, or in a glass vase.

Air plants fall into two categories— mesic and xeric. The xeric type is associated with a desert-like climate and attaches to rocks in its natural habitat. It has a grey or fuzzy appearance with broad leaves.

The mesic is associated with the moderately humid regions, where it thrives under tree canopies. Its leaves are smoother and greener when compared to the xeric type.

Where Can They Survive

Air plants are native to Central and South America. However, they can survive in diverse climatic regions and adapt to your local climate. The only variation is that some naturally thrive in a desert climate, while others like the humid rainforests.

How to Care for Air Plants

Air plants are naturally low-maintenance houseplants. When you observe the simple maintenance standards, air plants can live between two and five years. Use the maintenance plan to care for your air plants.

Maintain a Watering Schedule

Air plants use their leaves to absorb water. You can water them using any of the following methods;

Misting

Misting refers to watering the air plants using a spray bottle. The spray bottle forms a mist over the plant, allowing it to absorb enough water. However, misting does not keep the plants hydrated for long, necessitating frequent irrigation.

Rinsing

You can also water your air plants by holding them under running water. You can then place them on a paper or cloth towel to drain excess water. Rinsing allows them to remain hydrated for some days, meaning you can do it biweekly.

Soaking

Soaking is considered the best and easiest air plant watering method. You gather the plants, soak them for 20 to 60 minutes, and drain off excess water.

Signs of Good Health

A healthy air plant has its leaves firmly attached. They also preserve their natural color with no signs of wilting.

Signs of Ill Health

Leaves falling off and generally looking wilted is a sign of ill health in air plants. A soft and soggy base is another sign of sickness.

Reviving a Dying Air Plant

Several reasons can lead to ill health. Your air plant can suffer from dehydration, excessive watering, direct or insufficient light, and inadequate nutrients. Check your watering schedule to reverse dehydration or excessive watering. Switch to rainwater or unchlorinated water.

Move the plant to a well-lit place away from direct sunlight if you suspect lighting issues. Finally, spray the plants with Tillandsia fertilizer to provide nutrients and allow the plant to thrive.

Learn More About Air Plants from Nick’s Garden

Nick’s Garden has years of experience in caring for air plants. Contact us to learn how to preserve your air plants for enhanced indoor ambiance and aesthetics.

Jul 27

325

Nick’s Green Chile Recipe

By Nicks | Blog Post | No Comments

Nick’s New Mexico Green Chile

Serves 6

Ingredients:

4 cups water
4 cups roasted & peeled chopped green
Chile peppers
10 oz. canned tomatoes crushed with juice
2 cloves – fresh garlic minced
1/8 Cup bacon drippings or lard
1/8 Cup Flour
Salt to taste
2lbs. Cubed cooked pork or meat of choice. (Cook Beforehand)

Directions:

In a dutch oven, heat bacon drippings until hot. Add flour until it looks like elmer’s glue. You may not need all the flour. Brown flour until caramel brown; if you don’t brown well enough, chile will look chalky.

Add water, whisking until all lumps are gone. Add tomatoes with juice, chilies, garlic and salt. At this point, chile may still be too thick; add a little more water; not too much. Add meat and let Simmer for 10 minutes.

Ta Da and Enjoy.

Watch our video to see how easy it is to make Green Chile

Jul 23

0

How to Prevent or Reverse End Rot on Vegetables

By buhv | Blog Post | No Comments

Tomato End Rot End rot or blossom end rot is a physiological condition that affects vegetable fruits. It can affect both raw and ripe fruits. You will know your crops are affected by this disorder when you spot a brown, leathery rot developing on or near the blossom end of the fruit. The rot begins as a small brown lesion that widens as the condition worsens. Secondary infection may attack the rotting end, creating a black mold.

What Causes End Rot

Some farmers associate end rot with fungal infections or conditions managed with fungicides or pesticides. Such farmers spend a lot on chemicals, with little or no success. The only good thing about the condition is that it does not spread from one plant to the other. So what causes end rot?

As mentioned earlier, end rot is a physiological or environmental disorder caused by calcium deficiency due to inconsistent watering. In short, end rot is a calcium deficiency condition. Plants affected by this condition either receive an inadequate calcium supply or have absorption problems. That explains why the condition is related to inconsistent watering or drought.

Plants may also suffer from the condition due to root damage. Damaged roots impact calcium intake, leading to this physiological disorder. Acidic or waterlogged soil may also lead to blossom end rot.

Plant Issues Similar to End Rot

Several plant issues can be mistaken for end rot. Proper diagnosis is required to establish whether your plants suffer from end rot or other conditions. Some conditions with almost similar conditions include.

Sunscald

You can confuse sunscald and end rot as both conditions have almost similar symptoms. However, the brown patch in sunscald infection appears on the side exposed to the sun.

Blight

It is also possible to confuse blight and end rot. However, blight attacks the entire plant, while rot affects only the fruits. Blight is a fungal infection, while blossom end rot is a calcium deficiency condition.

Anthracnose

Another fungal infection that can be confused with end rot is anthracnose. Anthracnose starts with tiny dark sunken lesions that widen and merge, causing the fruit to rot.

Vegetables Impacted by End Rot

Most fruit-bearing vegetables are susceptible to end rot. However, the condition often affects tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, eggplant, pumpkin, squash, and watermelon. The condition only affects crops with calcium deficiency or those growing in acidic or waterlogged soils.

How to Prevent Blossom End Rot

Blossom end rot occurs when your plants do not get sufficient calcium or experience watering issues, where plants get insufficient excess water. You can prevent this physiological condition from affecting your plants by;

Ensuring your plants get enough calcium from fertilizer and foliar
Adopting a consistent watering schedule that ensures the soil is not waterlogged or dry
Applying mulches to prevent excessive moisture loss
Avoiding activities that injure plant roots
Test and manage soil PH to reduce acidity

Reversing Blossom End Rot

You may want to reverse the effect of end rot and save your crop. However, the affected fruit cannot be treated. You only prevent the condition from affecting subsequent fruits. Luckily, the condition does not attack the entire plant. With sufficient calcium supply and a consistent watering schedule, you can be assured of the next harvest.

Learn More About End Rot from Nick’s Garden

Blossom end rot can impact your yield if not managed effectively. However, you can reduce its risk by providing sufficient calcium and maintaining a consistent watering schedule. You can also prevent this condition from attacking your crops by ordering a soil PH and nutrient test from Nick’s Garden. Contact us today to learn more or speak to an expert.

Jun 21

0

How to Protect Your Colorado Garden from Pests and Rodents

By buhv | Blog Post | No Comments

Japanese Beetles A vegetable or container garden can ensure a constant supply of fresh foods for you and your loved ones. The Colorado growing season supports numerous crops, some that thrive in the warm summers and others that equally do well in the cool fall season. With simple crop management skills and post-harvest preservation techniques, you can have enough supply of organic foods. Pest and rodent control is one of the most important crop management skills. Without a good control plan, pests can ruin your garden. In this article, we will learn about common pests in Colorado and how to keep your crops pest-free.

Importance of Protecting Your Garden from Pests and Rodents

You have numerous reasons to protect your vegetable garden from pest infestation. Here are a few reasons why you should protect your vegetable garden from pests and rodents.

Increase Yields

Pest and rodent attacks injure, break, or cause other crop damage on your crops. The injured crops become unhealthy and stunted, leading to decreased yield. Keeping the pests and rodents away from your vegetable garden maximizes yield when integrated with other crop management practices.

Helps in Controlling Diseases

Controlling pests and rodents reduces the risk of crop disease infection. Some pests and rodents can contribute to the spread of crop diseases. Besides attacking crops, pests like aphids can spread viruses, while rodents introduce fungal diseases into your crop garden.

Cost Saving

Treating a pest-infested garden can be expensive. You can avoid the high treatment costs by protecting your vegetable garden from pest infestation.

Preserving Garden Aesthetics

Spending time in a green garden is therapeutic. However, a pest-infested garden is unattractive.

Common Pests in Colorado and The Plants They Impact

While we may not exhaust the list of crop pests in Colorado, here are the most common ones.

Aphids

Aphids are small insects that affect a range of vegetables, including kale, cabbages, and tomatoes. They suck juices from the plants, leading to leaf discoloration, curling, and yellowing. Aphid infestation also leads to stunted growth.

Japanese Beetles

The Japanese beetle attracts over 300 plant species, including grass lawns, roses, potatoes, grapes, and peppers.

Whiteflies

Another common garden pest is the white fly. It is related to the aphid, and its infestation weakens the affected crops.

Rodents

Rodents are small gnawing mammals such as rats, mice, porcupines, hamsters, beavers, and many more. They attack almost every part of the crop, including stems, leaves, roots, tubers, fruits, and seeds. They cause huge losses since they not only damage field crops but can also damage stored grains, fruits, and tubers. Larger rodents like squirrels and chipmunks damage ripe fruits, including tomatoes and cane tops. The rodents are more active in summer and fall.

Birds

Birds also pose a risk to your vegetable garden. They can uproot seeds, damage seedlings, eat fruits, berries, and grains.

How to Protect Your Crops Against Pest and Rodents?

You can apply different methods to protect your plants from pests and rodents. You can prevent pests and rodents from accessing your garden or use various management methods if your crops are infected. Preventative measures include the use of;

Physical barriers like netting and cages
Preventative chemicals like pesticides
Organic methods like introducing pest and rodent predators
Control measures, on the other hand, include pesticide spraying, handpicking, trapping, or introducing predators.

Control Pests and Rodents for Increased Crop Yield

Pests and rodents impact plant health and yield. Controlling pests and rodents can improve plant health and maximize yield. Nick’s Garden can help you identify common pests and rodents in Colorado and the different control methods. Contact us today to learn more about protecting your garden from pests.

May 20

0

Vegetables to Plant in Denver in the Summer

By buhv | Blog Post | No Comments

Vegatables Growing your vegetables can help you put fresh organic foods on your table. Moreover, preparing your vegetable garden and watching the green crops flourish can be a fulfilling summer activity. However, the short growing season in Denver makes it difficult to choose the best summer vegetable to plant. This guide will help you choose the best vegetables for your garden next summer.

Denver’s Growing Season

A growing season refers to the period that favors crop growth from planting to harvesting. In Denver, the period is quite short. Farmers in Denver have about 153 days to grow their crops. The growing season begins in early May and extends to the first fall (October 3) frost. You can use Mother’s Day to mark the beginning of the planting season.

While the growing season in Denver may appear short, it can support the growth of several vegetable varieties. All you need to know is the crop’s seed-to-harvest period to check whether it fits in the short growing season. Once you understand the growing season and the vegetables that can mature in that period, you maximize your can maximize your produce.

Plants You Can Still Plant in The Summer and Get a Harvest

As we mentioned earlier, the growing season is enough to grow an unlimited number of vegetables. Moreover, some vegetables require even maturity periods shorter than the growing season. That means some vegetables do well when you plant them early, while others will still thrive when you plant them in mid or late summer. Use this guide to plan your summer vegetable gardening.

Crops that Do Well When Planted in Early Summer

Cucumbers

You can start your summer gardening with cucumbers. This warm-season vegetable has become a staple in Denver gardens. Cucumbers are easy to grow and take 50 to 65 days from planting to the first harvest. Cucumbers are best when you harvest them before they begin to yellow.

Tomatoes

Another vegetable to plant in early summer is the tomato. Although tomatoes take only 100 days to mature, we recommend planting them early in summer since they only thrive in warm weather. You can grow them from seeds indoors in spring and transplant them in summer. You can also buy seedlings ready for transplanting.

Peppers

Preppers are also warm-season crops that take between 60-150 days to reach maturity. You can grow them indoors from seeds and transplant them in early summer when the weather gets warmer.

Okra

Plant your okras early in summer, between 15 and 25 May, to fully utilize the short growing season. Okras take 55 to 65 days to mature, and you can harvest them for the next 10 weeks.

Vine Plants

Vine plants also do well when planted early in summer. You can grow them from seeds or buy seedlings.

Mid – Late Summer

Slightly late, but still want to spend part of your summer in the garden? You can still grow the vegetables and still get a harvest.

Zucchini

Zucchini takes 45 to 55 days to mature, meaning you can plant them in late July or early August and still get a good harvest.

Squash

You can still plant your squash mid-summer since it only takes 50 to 65 days to mature.

Pole Beans

The pole bean is another excellent crop to plant in mid-summer. This delicious vegetable is only 55-65 days mature.

Bush Beans

Bush beans are another excellent choice for mid-summer gardening. They only take 45 days to mature, meaning you can plant them in July.

Late Summer Vegetables

It’s never too late to begin summer gardening. You can plant the following plants late in the summer for a fall harvest.

Lettuce
Radishes
Beats

Looking for an Engaging and Fulfilling Outdoor Summer Activity? Start a Vegetable Garden

Do not run out of summer outdoor activity ideas when you have a vegetable garden. Contact Nick’s Garden Center for vegetable seedlings you can plant in summer and enrich your food basket.

Apr 17

0

Which are The Best Pepper Varieties to Grow in Colorado

By buhv | Blog Post | No Comments

Peppers Several reasons make pepper a preferred outdoor plant. You can also grow this versatile crop in your backyard and spice up your culinary. This guide will help you learn tips about pepper growing in Colorado and where to buy healthy seedlings.

Why Peppers are a Favorite Garden Crop in Colorado?

Here are a few reasons why peer is a good plant for your Colorado kitchen or vegetable garden.

Favorable Climate

Pepper requires warmth and enough sunlight to flourish and increase yield. While Colorado has a mixed climate with favorable and unfordable weather conditions, the warm months are enough to grow your pepper. Moreover, pepper can withstand significant temperature changes, meaning you should not worry about the cold nights during the growing season.

Short Growing Season

The mixed climate in Colorado may not support crops with long growing seasons, which explains why pepper is a good option for this area. Pepper takes between 60 and 150 days to mature. The short growing season allows you to plant and harvest your crop before extreme temperatures.

Resistance to Pests and Diseases

Pepper is relatively resistant to common crop pests and diseases in Colorado. Disease and pest resistance means you can plant and harvest your pepper without stretching your crop maintenance budget. With routine crop care and watering, you can be sure of a bumper harvest at the end of the growing season.

When to Plant Peppers Outside in Colorado

Successful pepper farming depends on your crop management skills. Crop management skills include transplanting at the right time to ensure your crops mature before the end of the short growing season. You can germinate your pepper seeds indoors and transplant them when the outside conditions are favorable. You know your transplanting time is favorable if;

The night time temps are above 50
There is no imminent danger of frost
It is the month of June and sometimes July, depending on the weather

Planting Too Early Can Stunt Pepper Growth

Pepper is a warm-season crop that requires night temps of above 50. These temps begin in June. Planting before June may stunt your crops for the following reasons.

Soil temps may be too cold to support root development, leading to stunted growth
Planting too early puts your plants at risk of frost, which can stunt or kill them. The last frost occurs in May, explaining why we recommend transplanting in June or July.
Planting too early increases the risk of transplant shock, which can slow crop growth.

Types of Peppers that Grow Best in Colorado

Most pepper varieties will do well in Colorado. However, the following pepper varieties are the best to grow in Colorado

Anaheim
Ancho /Poblano
Apache
Banana
Big Jim
Burning Bush
California Wonder
Cayenne
De Árbol
Giant Marconi
Gypsy
Habanero
Habanero Orange
Hot Cherry Peppers
Jalapeño
Jalapeño Gigante
Jalapeño Purple
Mariachi
Mirasol
Pepperoncini
Purple Beauty
Purple Beauty
Red Beauty
Red Cap Mushroom
Sandia
Scotch Bonnet
Scotch Bonnet
Serrano
Sonora
Sweet Banana
Sweet Cherry Pepper
Thai Hot Pepper

Peppers with Shorter Seed to Harvest Timeline

As mentioned earlier, Colorado has a short pepper growing season. While good timing can help you remain within the planting season, choosing a variety with a shorter seed-to-harvest timeline is a better option. The following varieties mature fast and thrive well in Colorado.

Anaheim Peppers
Hatch Peppers
Jalapeño Peppers
Sweet Bell Peppers

Can you Grow hot peppers In Colorado?

While many peppers thrive in Colorado, hot peppers can be challenging to grow. The hot pepper varieties take longer to mature. However, you can plant them indoors and transplant them to fit in the short growing season.

Start Your Pepper Garden Today

Pepper thrives in Colorado, and incorporating it in your garden can ensure enough supply of this delicious spice. Nick’s Garden Center is here to support your pepper-growing journey. Contact us to order healthy pepper seedlings or a crop management guide.

Mar 26

0

Boost Your Bedroom’s Oxygen Levels at Night with the Following Houseplants

By buhv | Blog Post, High Sunlight | No Comments

The common knowledge that plants can only release oxygen during the daytime is inaccurate. Some houseplant varieties produce oxygen at night, helping keep your bedroom fresh and improving sleep quality.

Nick’s Garden Center sheds more light on these oxygen-producing plants. Find out how plants produce oxygen at night and the varieties that are great for your bedroom.

Understanding Nighttime Oxygen Production

Some plants produce oxygen at night through a process called Crassulacean Acid Metabolism. However, a single plant might not have enough oxygen to freshen your bedroom. As such, you’ll need multiple nighttime oxygen producers to add more oxygen to your bedroom or any other room.

Top Nighttime Oxygen Producers

Most plants that produce oxygen at night are succulents and cacti native to semi-arid areas. They photosynthesize at night as an adaptation to reduce water loss during the day. The specific varieties you’d want to add to your interior include:

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata)

The Snake Plant is one of the most popular plants producing night oxygen. This indoor plant has fleshy, sword-like leaves that look great in any room. Unlike many houseplants, the snake plant is low-maintenance, as it can survive under indirect light, infrequent watering, and limited fertilization.

2. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)

The Spider Plant is another great houseplant for boosting bedroom oxygen. This plant stands out for its arching green and white striped leaves. Beyond aesthetics and the ability to produce oxygen at night, the spider plant can withstand neglect for some days and still maintain its stunning beauty.

3. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum)

Popularly known as the Devil’s Ivy, golden pothos have charming heart-shaped leaves on long vines. This plant has several benefits above producing oxygen at night. It absorbs toxins from indoor air, improves indoor aesthetics, and requires minimal maintenance.

4. Money Plant (Epipremnum Aureum)

The Money Plant has round leaves resembling coins on a climbing vine. These plants add positive energy to your interior, not just beauty and oxygen. Moreover, these plants are known to bring good luck and prosperity to homes.

5. Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)

Philodendrons come in diverse varieties, featuring heart-shaped or lobed leaves. Like many plants on this list, Philodendron is low maintenance. It requires moderate watering, meaning you won’t strain to keep it hydrated. What’s more, the Philodendron is available in multiple varieties with varying aesthetic characteristics.

6. Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis Miller)

Aloe Vera is a succulent with fleshy, spiky leaves. It is well-known for its potent medicinal properties, helping treat many conditions. Aloe Vera’s succulent leaves store water for future use, eliminating frequent watering. In addition, aloe vera has excellent resistance to pests and diseases, further making it low maintenance.

Additional Tips for Bedroom Oxygen Boost

A single nighttime oxygen-producing plant might not provide enough oxygen to your bedroom. For this reason, you should place multiple plants for a more significant impact. In addition to adding more plants to your bedroom, you can boost your bedroom’s oxygen levels in the following ways:

Combine CAM plants with regular daytime oxygen producers for a 24/7 boost
Ensure proper ventilation for optimal air circulation
Maintain healthy plants for the best oxygen production
Install air purifiers
Avoid smoking in the bedroom

Order Your Nighttime Oxygen Producing Plants at Nick’s Garden

Adding a nighttime oxygen-producing plant into your bedroom is an excellent way to boost oxygen levels. The plants produce oxygen, improving sleep quality, respiratory health wellness, and alertness.

Nick’s Garden Center has all oxygen-producing varieties so that you can get your most ideal.

Contact us and share your favorite nighttime oxygen plant to help expand our list.

Mar 03

0

10 Best Low-Maintenance Indoor Plants For Busy Enthusiasts

By buhv | Blog Post | No Comments

Different from pieces of art, indoor plants need some care to maintain their natural charm. Such care entails pruning them to shape, controlling pests, and keeping them hydrated; all these activities can take some valuable time off your schedule.

However, with low-maintenance indoor plants, you just require a little effort to keep your plants in top shape. Nick’s Garden has highlighted 10 of the best low-maintenance plants that can survive with infrequent watering, low light, and poor soil conditions.

1. Rose Petals of Simplicity

The rose petals of simplicity boast dense foliage with vibrant flowers that blend effortlessly in any interior. Unlike ordinary roses, the petals of simplicity have excellent tolerance to disease and pests. In the bargain, this indoor plant requires minimal pruning. The disease resistance and reduced need for pruning make the petals a great fit for busy plant enthusiasts.

2. Peace Lily

The Peace Lily is another great addition to your easy-to-care-for indoor plant. The peace lily boasts glossy green leaves and showy white blooms, which add instant charm to your interior. Beyond the beauty, the Peace Lily has excellent tolerance to low light conditions and infrequent watering.

3. Orchids: Delicate Elegance Made Simple

Orchids are known for their attractive flowers with uniquely stunning colors. The plant has thick leaves which store water for use during dry days. As such, the orchids can maintain their striking beauty, even with infrequent watering.

4. Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)

The Moth Orchid brags of strikingly beautiful flowers, which help brighten tables and window sills. This houseplant features on the list of low-maintenance varieties since it survives well in indirect light. In addition, this moth orchid can maintain its beautiful blooms with infrequent watering.

5. Gerbera Daisies

Gerbera Daisies charms with 3 to 4-inch long flowers with shades of yellow, pink, salmon, lavender, or white. These daisies need watering after the first 1 to 2 inches of soil dries up. This means you won’t need to water them frequently.

6. African Violets

African Violets grace your room with white, pink, or bicolor blooms sitting atop velvety leaves. These flowering plants require moderate watering and minimal grooming to maintain their charm. They also grow well under poorly lit rooms, albeit with artificial lighting.

7. Snake Plant

The Snake Plant features sword-like leaves with striking patterns. This indoor plant can survive up to a month without watering. Besides its excellent tolerance to dry conditions, the snake plant does well in poorly lit rooms, and it has superb resistance to common pests.

8. Begonias

This is easy to care for begonia boasts lush foliage and attractive flowers with red, pink, yellow, and white colors. The begonias are a great fit for your indoor hanging baskets. They feature on the list of low-maintenance plants since they have moderate water needs.

9. Sunpatiens

The Sunpatiens takes a slot among easy-to-care-for plants for tree things — sturdy stems, tough foliage, and thick petals. The foliage and petals have excellent resistance to diseases. Likewise, this indoor flowering plant is resistant to mildew.

10. Living Prayer Plant

The Living Prayer features unique folded leaves resembling hands in prayer. It has low to medium light requirements, making it ideal for rooms that get inadequate exposure to sunlight. Moreover, this indoor plant requires moderate watering, so you won’t have to keep up with daily watering routines.

Get All Your Easy to Care for Indoor Flowering Plants at Nick’s Garden

At Nick’s Garden, we understand that everyone has a unique taste when it comes to choosing houseplants. For this reason, we have all popular indoor plants, including the hard-to-come-by low-maintenance varieties. Shopping with us will save you the stress of hopping from one center to the other, looking for your favorite variety.

Contact us to order the low-maintenance indoor plant you want.