I won’t lie. I’m new to the whole gardening scene. I got into it once I had this thing called a “yard.” Up until then, my life was just a string of failed indoor herb gardens and unintentionally sprouted potatoes. If it’s inside, high-maintenance, and gets its energy from photosynthesis, I’m probably going to kill it.
But once I had a yard and a sprinkler, it was completely different. I’ve discovered that I manage to keep things alive if they grow outside and are the plant equivalent of Cover Girl: easy, breezy, beautiful.
I’ve been encouraging some of my less botanically inclined friends to give it a try. And, hey, person reading this blog, I encourage you to try it too. Because if I can do it, so can you.
Here are some great places in Boulder to turn that brown thumb green.
Harlequin’s Gardens
This is a great place to go when you’re looking for local gardening knowledge. The staff here focuses on helping you choose plants that are right for the arid Colorado climate so you’re not constantly fighting with the bizarre Colorado weather. Not only will the staff help get you stocked up on gardening supplies, they have a wide selection of classes throughout the spring and summer to put you on the path for gardening greatness.
Plus, for those of you brave enough, they offer bee keeping classes and supplies so you can “grow” your own honey, too.
Long’s Gardens
If you’re looking for variety, this may not be the place, but good gravy, if you’re looking for irises, Lon’s Gardens is the place. This is a third generation iris farm that’s been locally owned and operated since 1905. If you want to plant irises, it’s safe to say that this is the place to go. You can even go to the farm and dig up the irises yourself!
Basically, Boulder grew up around Long’s, since it located in the middle of town near Broadway and, duh, Iris.
Creekside Tree Nursery
Next spring, I’m tackling planting trees in the yard. Creekside comes highly recommended as a great place to shop for trees in Boulder and have everything from coniferous and deciduous to shrubs. I was unaware this was a thing, but if you live in a home where you are required by the city or county of Boulder to grow a tree on your property, Creekside will give you 25% off each plant used on that project. Sweet.
McGuckin Hardware
Because it’s freaking McGuckins. I don’t know that you really need more of an explanation if you’ve ever been. I you haven’t, you need to go. Now.
Seriously, why are you still reading this article when you could be on your way to McGuckin Hardware at this very moment?
