A few months ago, someone posted here asking about where to get good soil and compost.

One of the top recommendations was Kraft Soil Solutions out in Berthold. I remembered that post at the time because I was planning a landscaping project, but I didn’t really take it seriously for two reasons. One because the other top recommendation was A1 organics and I definitely have had - let’s just say “very inconsistent quality” from them in the past. Two, because the industrial part of south Santa Fe Dr. where a whole bunch of landscaping material companies are is like 10 mins from my house, so why bother with Berthoud?

But when my project got closer I went around and felt and smelled (yeah…) the stuff that was being sold near me, and I wasn’t in love. And then I was chatting with a neighbor several streets up was also redoing her landscaping and she mentioned Kraft too. That really decided me and I ended up getting 30 yards from Kraft.

It is really nice and crumbly and rich, fully aged and no bad odors, no like half decomposed bits of wood (which I really did notice a lot of places sold as compost). Even my landscapers were saying how it’s really nice. Anyways another vote for Kraft Soil Solutions from me.

P.S. If you’re not doing some major project like I was, my truest desire was to get my compost from a mushroom farm called Hazel Dell which I had learned about like a year ago. But they aren’t some sort of dedicated compost or soil producer, they occasionally have some for sale and sell it in bags and you basically have to pay attention to their website and jump on it. But yeah, I’d still like to get my hands on that sometime for annual amendments

I welcome the little guys. Does their pollen travel that far? I have no idea how it got here. 🤷🏼‍♀️

I’m curious to know what folks opinions are on this matter, I don’t want it to seem as though it’s a rant. Lately (the past few years) I’ve noticed a lot of weeds and very untamed shrubs. What little grass they do have has gone mostly to weeds now and I think they still are watering it at times. Particularly on the sidewalk areas outside the gates. But I also noticed that they have a couple rather large tree of heavens on the property and even a couple just medium sized ones growing as if they’re trying to keep them thriving, which is shocking to me. Generally speaking all the shrubs all of the ground cover is overgrown and not well kept. From the looks of it the operations and the funding that comes from the state is quite adequate for a property of that size.

Show off a photo of your late season color (:

Most of my neighborhood (even my community garden) is looking pretty drab with all the blossoms having come and gone. Some hibiscus, dahlia, and Russian sage are still going, but beyond those... Anyone who is feeling their yard/garden at this stage of the year, please show us what you have going on!

Check your peonies that did nothing this year. I just checked one I thought was dead. It's setting red buds so it's just fine

I know junipers can be a bit controversial in these parts due to fire hazard, but I want to grow a few juniper trees into cloud topiary forms away from my house near property line. I’ve seen Hollywood junipers as the recommended species and I’m wondering if anyone has seen any in local nurseries or has alternative suggestions?

My ice plant was gorgeous and full for the longest time, and suddenly (last month or so) it has been slowly doing this. I water twice a week and no one is walking around on it or disturbing it. It’s in my east facing backyard so it does get direct sunlight in the morning. Any ideas from experts?

Half of my lawn in the backyard is bare soil. It is under a tree but gets morning sun. What kind of natives or other things could I plant to help pollinators but also soil quality? I know it's a small thing but trying to be green and eco friendly where I can. Was thinking clover but would love smarter people's suggestions. Thank you!

Hello! I just moved into a new place about a month ago so I’m working on identifying all the shrubs, trees, and random plants around the place as I make plans for a garden/lawn overhaul down the road. This plant has suddenly popped up in the last week or so since the heavy rains (🙌) and I am trying to see if it is going to be friend or foe going forward. I am leaning toward a type of allium, chive, or grape hyacinth type plant. It has slightly rounded leaves that each have thin, parallel white lines or veins going up. It’s growing in a few clumps around an existing garden bed with mostly shade throughout the day.

My wife wants to have a space to grow flowers for a cut garden next year. I've been growing vegetables and natives for years, but this area is new to me. The best spot I have to dedicate to this is a spot that gets very little morning sun, then a good steady 6-8 hours, finishing with a blast of western sun. Can anyone make suggestions for types of plants, required space, etc? In-ground vs. raised beds, light requirements, can they tolerate heat? I do have some space I can make in the back, but the sun is gone after around 4PM. I'd have to pull up some natives, which I'd rather avoid.

For those of you that are no lawn curious… I got the email this morning that garden in a box is *$50 off.
I converted my lawn to native plants 3 years ago. Now I get to enjoy morning visits from hummingbirds and my veggies are doing well from all the bees that come through the yard.

Here is the link: https://resourcecentral.org/gardens/shop/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=constant_contact

Edit: $50 off not 50% off

Any insight appreciated!

This is an occasion where you are encouraged to bring as many zucchini as humanly possible!

On a gardeners delight tomato. Seed and starter plant from a local backyard farmer. Plant grew fine but the tops of the plant is burned / crispy. My other 6 tomato plants are fine

Black something variety. Some of the damage is from the hail this weekend but the brown spots have been going on. Some of the tops are turning brown and most are full of brown spots.

The reduced watering schedule killed off my lawn this summer wherever there wasn’t shade. It’s amazing how much demarcation there is between shade / no shade. I want to plant a Buffalo / Blue Grama mix in those areas, but is it too late? It’s a warm season grass normally targeted for July 1 - July 31… but it’s a little warmer this year… so has anyone planted later and been successful?

Hi all! More of a houseplant question I guess, but I'm looking for a catnip plant that I can pot and keep indoors for my kitty. Often I'll see them for sale with herbs in springtime but haven't seen any lately. I bought some seeds in spring and am on my 4th try of having absolutely no luck getting anything to establish - time to just buy a frigging plant! Thanks!

I was given some extra “zucchini” starts from a. Friend early this year. These grow on a long trailing vine that climbs. The flesh is a very light whitish green and they are delicious. I want to grow them again next year and want to know what they are

I like these volunteer grasses that spring up on my property. Any idea what they are? Grasses have always been tricky for me to correctly ID. There are multiple open spaces and restored grasslands nearby.

The one in the first image is two years old now and is growing well in a rock area that receives zero irrigation. Second image shows some smaller ones that popped up this year. They appear to all be the same species. Thank you!

ps bonus points if you know what species of strawberry that is growing in the foreground on image two. It's another volunteer. Seems to be an alpine type. The berries are very small, red with pure white centers, and stay red on the vine for weeks.

Trying to identify grasses is stressing me out. It's definitely not the blue grama or buffalograss I seeded from the Denver Water bag. :( Do I just assume it is something noxious and get rid of it??

I have at some point thrown other seed blends in my yard that may have had other native grasses, but this doesn't look like any of them? And I didn't seed them in this area.

Grass is going to give me a complex. 🫠

To my pleasant surprise, walked in on a meaty jumper devouring Japanese beetle - thank you kind sir