Edible Gardening

I. INTRODUCTION

Many gardeners in Denver plant natives for beauty, pollinators, or low water needs—but some natives are also edible! From the vibrant prickly pear cactus’s edible fruits to the beautiful purslane that features refreshingly nutritious leaves, there are so many attractive yet delicious native plants you can add to your garden. Let’s explore unique native edibles, their health benefits, and how to grow them at home.

II. NATIVE EDIBLE PLANTS OF DENVER

1. Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia species)

The prickly pear cactus is easily recognizable by its flattened stem sections (pads) that resemble leaves; orange, purple, red, or yellow flowers; and oval, reddish-purple fruits.

Although grown ornamentally as a houseplant or in rocky gardens, the pads (“nopales”) and fruits (“tunas”) are edible when peeled.

Prickly pear cacti are loaded with important nutrients and are a rich source of fiber, antioxidants, and Vitamin C. They tend to do very well in sunny, dry, xeriscape-friendly areas.

2. Wild Plums (Prunus americana)

The wild plum is a fast-growing shrub with white flowers and small, succulent fruits whose color ranges from red to yellow to purple.

These sweet-tart fruits are great for jams, sauces, or fresh eating. They are also rich in vitamins A & C and can support digestion.

Wild plums grow best in sunny backyard edges and often work well as a small ornamental tree.

3. Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)

Another native shrub that does well in Denver gardens is the chokecherry. It features fragrant white flowers and pea-sized tart berries that turn from red to dark purple or black when mature.

The berries are edible and are best when cooked into syrups or jellies. Chokecherry is high in antioxidants and is a traditional digestive remedy.

For best results, plant where there is full sun to partial shade. Chokecherries are also excellent for hedgerows or natural borders.

4. Jerusalem Artichoke (Sunchoke, Helianthus tuberosus)

Jerusalem artichoke is a 6-10 ft. perennial herb with large golden-yellow flower heads.

Its tuberous roots are edible with a nutty flavor, and are often used like potatoes. But instead of starch, the tubers contain prebiotic inulin, which supports gut health.

The plant does well in sunny garden plots, spreads easily, and is great for naturalized corners.

5. Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)

Purslane is a fast-growing succulent herb characterized by fleshy reddish stems, green leaves, and yellow flowers.

The leaves are edible with a lemony flavor and are often used as a salad vegetable or pot herb. Purslane is considered quite nutritious and is particularly high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E.

It is also easy to grow, often thriving in garden beds and even cracks in walkways.

III. WHY GROW EDIBLE NATIVES?

Planting edible natives is a great way to reap delicious harvests, ensure the continued survival of native plants, and restore ecosystems.

These plants are drought-tolerant and adapted to Denver’s climate, making them easy to grow and maintain. They also serve a dual purpose by ensuring beautiful landscape plants while still providing nutritious food sources.

Growing edible natives also supports local pollinators and biodiversity, and is a fun way to reconnect with Colorado’s food traditions.

IV. NICK’S GARDEN CENTER CONNECTION

Native gardeners can find tremendous success when working with Nick’s Garden Center. Nick’s carries native plants, fruiting trees/shrubs, and gardening supplies to help customers try these unique edibles.

You can also depend on our staff to provide advice on planting natives in Colorado’s specific soil and climate.

If you are ready to give growing edible natives a try, stop by Nick’s for plant recommendations, supplies, and inspiration for a native edible garden.

V. CONCLUSION

Denver gardens can be both beautiful and edible with the right native plants. These plants are usually adapted to the local climate, making them incredibly easy to grow. Visit Nick’s Garden Center this season to explore native plant options that can bring unexpected flavors to your table.

Brussels sprouts are a great addition to your home garden. However, being a slow-growing, cool-season crop can make growing this nutritious vegetable a bit of a challenge. Learn how to grow Brussels sprouts in Denver and be sure to reach out to Nick’s if you need help choosing the best variety for your home garden.

When to Plant

Brussels sprouts are a cool-weather crop. Sow your seeds in late spring or early summer when the soil has warmed up to give your crop a good start. Otherwise, transplant young plants in late spring to coincide with a fall harvest. You can also time your planting for late fall for a winter harvest. When transplanting, consider using raised beds since the soil warms up faster.

When to Expect Harvest?

Brussels sprouts require a long growing season with most varieties taking between 90 and 100 days to mature. When the lower leaves start turning color from green to a lighter yellow, it is time to harvest. Check individual sprouts and harvest those with the desired firmness and size. If you wait too long, you will notice that the leaves turn yellow, and sprouts will start toughening. Such sprouts are also bitter and less tasty.

Watering

Water your sprouts deeply and consistently to support growth. A good starting point is 1-1.5 inches of water weekly. You can also check the soil moisture level to guide your watering frequency. Using a soaker hose is also recommended to deliver water directly to the soil while keeping leaves dry.

Amount of Sun

Brussels sprouts are a full-sun crop. They grow best in sunny locations, so choose a planting site that gets six to eight hours of direct sun daily. If your garden does not get the recommended amount of sunlight, consider planting in movable containers to optimize sun exposure.

Types of Pests to Expect

Several insects love to feed on Brussels sprouts. Keep a watchful eye for pests such as flea beetles, cabbage worms, cabbage loopers, cabbage maggots, spider mites, diamondback moths, cutworms, and thrips. These are pests that can damage the leaves and reduce productivity, cause stunted growth, or damage roots causing your plants to wilt and die.

How to Protect from Pests

Check young plants for pests before transplanting. If only a few leaves are affected, prune them before planting. You can also handpick worms, larvae, and aphids or scrape eggs from leaves to prevent the hatching and spread of pests. Other tips for protecting your plants from pests include:

• Using reflective mulches to deter pests such as thrips and aphids
• Planting tolerant varieties, if available
• Using row covers to provide a physical barrier against pests such as moths and flea beetles

Companion planting is also a great way to deter pests and improve your vegetable gardens’ productivity. Some good companions for Brussels sprouts include beet, sage, thyme, onions, rosemary, and carrots.

Additional Tips

Plant in fertile, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. You may need to add organic matter to improve soil fertility and texture.

During the growing season add a nitrogen-rich fertilizer every four to six weeks between rows and rake it into the soil to provide continuous nutrition until the crop matures.

In addition, pruning yellowing leaves allows your plants to focus their energy on sprout development, leading to bigger and healthier sprouts.
For better-tasting sprouts, wait for a few frosts before harvesting. You can find out more about planting, maintenance, and harvesting Brussels sprouts here.

Shop Nicks for Your Garden Needs

Growing Brussels sprouts is a relatively time-intensive but incredibly rewarding project. If you are looking for a new addition to your vegetable garden, drop by Nick’s to learn more about growing Brussels sprouts in Denver. We will help you select the right variety and offer tips and tricks to ensure you grow and harvest tasty sprouts. Contact Nick’s for more information or visit our store for all your garden needs.

Overwintering is a common practice in protecting cherished herbs from freezing temperatures. The gardening practice involves shielding plants by either relocating them indoors or wrapping them. One can also overwinter their herbs by setting up a greenhouse in their garden.

While many ways to shield plants from freezing temperatures exist, overwintering herbs indoors is best. This overwintering practice uses spare space in your home to shield herbs. It is simple and less costly if you have just a few herbs to overwinter.

Steps to Overwinter Herbs Indoors

Indoor overwintering is more than just relocating herbs to a basement, garage, or spare room. Rather, the task involves providing a conducive environment so the herbs can thrive. Otherwise, the herbs could perish from issues like poor lighting.

The following best practices can maximize the chances of herbs surviving indoors during winter.

1.     Choose the right herbs.

Not all herbs can thrive indoors. For this reason, before getting any herb indoors, ensure it can adapt to the indoor climate. Top herbs that do well indoors include rosemary, sage, thyme, and oregano. Other herb varieties like basil, cilantro, and dill will struggle indoors.

2.     Bring Your Herbs Indoors before the First Frost

Even the slightest frost can cause irreparable damage to the leaves and stems of herbs. For this reason, you should get the plants indoors before the first frost. You can use Denver’s local weather predictions to determine when frost is likely to begin falling.

3.     Inspect Your Plants for Pests and Diseases

As a rule of thumb, inspect your herbs for signs of disease and pests before overwintering them indoors. Look for signs of wilting, discoloration, and unusual spots to establish the possibility of disease. For pests, check for visible insects or eggs.

If you detect signs of disease or pests, treat the plant before bringing it indoors. Treating diseases and pests beforehand ensures you’re not introducing potential threats to your indoor gardening space.

4.     Repot Your Herbs Into Pots That are at Least One Size Larger Than Their Current Pots

When overwintering potted herbs, repot them into one size larger pots. The large pot will provide enough space for roots to grow and expand. As a result, the herbs will grow healthier. In addition to the large pot, use a well-draining potting mix instead of regular soil. Well-draining potting mix offers better aeration, reducing the risk of root rot.

5.     Place Your Herbs in a Sunny Spot

Like any plant, herbs need adequate sunlight for photosynthesis. As such, when overwintering indoors, place the plants in a place with enough sunlight. Such a place could be near windows, balconies, or a patio. As an alternative, you can use a grow light to mimic sunlight.

6.     Water Your Herbs Regularly

Herbs need adequate water to thrive indoors. The water supports nutrient uptake and optimal physiological function. Typically, you should water the herbs once the top two inches of soil dry out. Avoid overwatering since it can lead to root rot, wilting, and yellowing of leaves.

7.     Fertilize Your Herbs Every Few Weeks

Besides watering, fertilize the overwintered herbs after every few weeks. While any fertilizer could be appropriate, use a complete fertilizer. This fertilizer will nourish the herbs with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Some complete fertilizers contain additional nutrients like calcium, manganese, and boron.

8.     Harvest Your Herbs Regularly to Encourage New Growth

Regular harvesting stimulates the production of fresh foliage, promoting a bushier growth habit. Moreover, harvesting prevents your herbs from becoming overly tall. When harvesting, use sharp scissors or pruning shears to minimize damage.

Tips for Overwintering Herbs Indoors

Overwintering plants indoors demands constant attention and care. That’s the only way to ensure your herbs maintain robust growth, increased disease resistance, and enhanced productivity. Assuming it is your first time overwintering, use the following checklist to keep your plants in shape.

1.     Mist your herbs regularly to increase humidity
2.     Group similar plants together to create their microclimate
3.     Be careful not to overwater your herbs. Overwatering can cause death for overwintered herbs
4.     Fertilize your herbs regularly to help them stay healthy
5.     Harvest your herbs to encourage new growth

 What herbs are easy to overwinter indoors?

• Bay laurel
• Chives
• Lemongrass
• Thyme
• Mint
• Rosemary
• Sage

  What herbs are difficult to overwinter indoors?

• Basil
• Dill
• Cilantro
• Pineapple sage
• Parsley
• Borage

Learn More About Overwintering Herbs Indoors From Nick’s Garden

Since each herb is different, you should get a customized overwintering plan to maximize chances of your herbs surviving winter. Over the past 30 years, Nick’s Garden Center has helped Denver residents do gardening with success. We can help you too to overwinter your herbs with efficiency.

Contact us for more personalized overwintering tips.

Many gardeners assume that winter is never a good time of year to plant herbs. However, despite the freezing temperatures, you can still get a supply of fresh herbs simply by planting winter-hardy plants.

Nick’s Garden Center explains what hardy herbs are and how they’re adapted for this season. We also introduce you to the best herbs that can withstand Denver’s cold winters.

Find the right variety for your garden.

Understanding Winter-hardy Herbs

Winter-hardy herbs are a variety of plants that can thrive in winter. The herbs have special adaptations that help them thrive in harsh conditions such as frost. In particular, the winter-hardy plants have the following characteristics:

• Small leaves
• Waxy coating
• Thick bark
• Deep roots

Planning Your Winter Herb Garden

Planning is an important first step in winter gardening. It helps you take steps to protect your herbs from frost damage, root rot and general stress. So how do you plan your herb garden in the winter? Here are three crucial steps to take into account:

1. Assess your garden’s climate zone. Climate zone assessment provides information about typical winter weather conditions in your region. This knowledge will help you select appropriate herbs for your garden.
2. Choose the right herbs for your specific region. Not every hardy herb can thrive in your area. Therefore, shop around for winter-hardy herbs that are adapted to Denver’s winter weather.
3. Design a layout for your winter herb garden. Before planting, create a plan based on factors, such as sun exposure, growing habits, and garden size. Use this plan to determine the number of seedlings you will need.

Top Winter-Resistant Herbs

From perennial herbs and medicinal herbs to annuals, there is a wide range of hardy plants from which to choose. Below, the garden experts at Nick’s Garden Center present the best varieties of each category.

Perennial Herbs

Perennial herbs have a lifespan of more than two years. These herb varieties provide you with fresh herbs year after year without the need for regular replanting.

Some of the best perennial herbs that are ideal for winter in Denver are:

• Rosemary. Rosemary is a versatile, aromatic herb used for culinary and ornamental purposes. With proper care, it can live 15 – 25 years.

• Thyme. Thyme is a low-growing shrub with a leafy, hollow stem. It is a popular spice for soups, stews and vegetables.

• Sage. Sage boasts velvety, gray-green leaves that beautify your garden. You can also use the herb as a spice for root vegetables.

• Lavender. The plant has slender stems with silvery green foliage. It is famous for its calming and soothing properties.

Biennial Herbs

Biennial herbs usually have a life span of two years. They complete their vegetative growth in one year and flower and set seed the next. Like perennials, biennials save you the hassle of replanting each year.

Some of the best biennial herbs for winter in Denver are:

• Parsley. Parsley is characterized by light green, feathery leaves. Gardeners use it as a culinary herb to flavor salads and sauces.

• Chervil. Chervil has fern-like leaves with a bright green hue. It has an anise-like flavor that goes well with omelets and seafood.

• Angelica. Angelica has a tall stem with lobed leaves and clusters of greenish-white flowers. The herb is prized for its medicinal properties.

Cold-tolerant Annual Herbs

These herbs germinate, flower, and seed within one year. Unlike perennial and biennial herbs, annual herbs allow you to switch up your herbs each season and enjoy a variety of aromas, flavors, or therapeutic benefits.

The annual herbs that do well in Denver winters are:

• Cilantro/Coriander. Cilantro has bright green, parsley-like leaves that add beautiful character to your garden. Aside from its beauty, you can use the plant to flavor a variety of dishes.

• Dill. Dill has pinnate leaves and clusters of small yellow flowers. It is famous as a culinary herb used for pickling and seasoning seafood.

• Winter Savory. Winter savory is characterized by small, glossy green leaves and a compact growth habit. It has an aromatic, peppery flavor that is excellent for stuffings and meat dishes.

Medicinal Winter Herbs

Medicinal herbs are rich in bioactive compounds like alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds. These compounds are often anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, or immune-boosting.

Winter-hardy plants with potent medicinal value include:

• Echinacea. Echinacea has bright, daisy-like flowers with striking dark green leaves. It is a powerful immune booster.

• Lemon Balm. Lemon balm has heart-shaped leaves with a fresh, lemony scent. Its aroma helps you calm down.

• Peppermint. Peppermint has dark green, serrated leaves and small purple flowers. It relieves stomach ailments.

Get Your Winter-Hardy Herbs at Nick’s Garden Center

Nick’s Garden Center has been supporting Denver gardeners since 1987. We supply a wide selection of plants, including annuals, perennials, bulbs, trees and shrubs. Besides selling plants, we offer expert advice to help you make the right gardening choices.

Contact us to learn more about winter-hardy herbs.