To those who grow food, flowers, and plants to nourish the earth, our bodies, and our spirits, thank you. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Black Forest Garden Club ..read more

'Tis the season to find the perfect gift for the gardeners in your life (including you)! - sublime botanical scents are in every product from this Florence, Italy company. One of their most special products are little scented wax tablets infused with botanicals like winterberry, roses, and pot pourri.  The tablets are ideal for imbuing closets and drawers with a subtle yet notable botanical smell and last for years.  $38 for a box of two.  first published in 1995 - this fun read is as current today as the day it was written.  Filled with musings, advice, and comfort for gar ..read more

Don't be a statistic this year - learn how to fireproof your Christmas tree According to the National Fire Protection Association, numerous house fires, injuries and even deaths are caused by Christmas tree fires. from HomeShow Garden Pros details how to keep your family and your tree safe during the holidays. Tips include information on choosing the right tree, keeping the tree well-hydrated, checking your decorations, and location of the tree plus a Fire-Resistant Tree Recipe that will keep your live tree fresh and fragrant for longer ..read more

Christmas cacti are popular houseplants known for their vibrant blooms that typically appear around the holiday season. Here's a guide on how to care for a Christmas cactus and get it to bloom around the holidays. Christmas cacti prefer bright, indirect light. A location near a window with filtered sunlight is ideal. Avoid placing the plant in direct sunlight. An environment with temperatures between 60-70°F is ideal. Avoid exposing the plant to drafts or sudden temperature changes. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Allow an ..read more

Powdery mildew is very difficult to eliminate, so keep things clean to eliminate its spread to other plants and trees. Removing every trace of powdery mildew-ed leaves from your trees, shrubs, and/or plants is difficult to do, but giving it your best shot is important to prevent the spread of this fungal disease and it's spores in your garden or landscape. Powdery mildew creates a white powdery substance on the leaves of plants and trees, which affects the plants' ability to produce energy through sunlight (leading to stunted growth and reduced yield and making the plant/tree look unwell and n ..read more

Extraordinary embroidery with real flowers, leaves, and branches The art world serves all walks of life, including gardeners. by artist Olga Prinku, oversized embroidery hoops are the backdrop for creating art using natural matter with embroidery as the technique. See this outstanding botanical artistry up close here. Look at the collections under the "Artworks" tab. Dried Flower Embroidery: the Art of Flowers on Tulle ..read more

The U.S. grows and sells pumpkins each year. When thrown into the trash they go into a landfill where they emit an enormous amount of methane gas - a potent greenhouse gas. Instead throwing pumpkins in the trash, consider: is an excellent option, as it allows pumpkins to decompose naturally, enriching the soil and reducing methane emissions. recommends cutting it up into pieces and leaving it in a composting area in your yard that animals cannot access. Covering with leaves helps the nutrients to soak into the soil. Colorado Parks and Wildlife also has a page on how to dispose of pumpkins - lo ..read more

Did you know that bats are the good guys? According to a recent article published by Colorado State University, "bats are often vilified due to their spooky association... a depiction that has costly impacts. These misunderstood mammals are in decline {and} their value is underappreciated. Bats play a critical, positive role in all environments around the world. At Colorado State University, bats are a central focus of several research efforts, including ways to protect and advocate for bat populations, the role bats play in infectious diseases, and their role in ecosystems. The article lays o ..read more

Unleash your inner designer with a holiday porch pot workshop This class will teach you how to arrange a stunning winter planter to make your porch or patio pop for the season! Starting with a stylish white container, you’ll learn how to arrange fresh evergreen boughs and seasonal embellishments to take home something with that personal touch. $50 reservation ($70-$140 finished project range) Saturday, November 18 | 3:00-4:30pm – click here to reserve your spot Sunday, November 19 | 2:00-3:30pm – Thursday, November 30 | 11:30am-1:00pm ..read more

Spend less time and effort raking leaves with these cool tools Fall is a wonderful season to leaf-peep and enjoy watching the seasons change. It's another story when it comes to cleaning up the leaves, however. on best tools for efficiently cleaning up your yard's leaves will have you reconsidering the old leaf blower and wanting to try a new, clever tool instead. 10 favorite tools to clean your yard this season ..read more