Betty Cahill

Betty Cahill speaks and writes about gardening in the Rocky Mountain Region. Visit her site at for even more gardening tips.

Colorado gardening tips: How to avoid landscape failures

April 30, 2024 at 10:41 a.m.

Landscape design and planting techniques are personal choices by homeowners, unless you are moving to a house that is already landscaped. Unfortunately, mistakes and missteps can happen when planting and...

Rose of Sharon blooms on new wood each year, so if the shape is a bit unruly or has gotten a bit too tall for the space or too close to a structure, by all means prune it now or by early May. (Timothy D. Wood, provided by Proven Winners)

Tips for perennials, shrubs and vegetables in the spring

April 7, 2024 at 6:00 a.m.

We never complain about spring rain or even snow since all moisture is welcome and needed for water use, landscapes and agriculture.

The Elanos Rose Geranium, a lightly scented deep pink geranium with an upright spreading habit (14 by 14 inches) that deserves a place in mass plantings, borders, baskets and containers. (Deborah King, provided by Tagawa Gardens)

New must-have flowers and plants for the upcoming Colorado gardening season

April 3, 2024 at 7:23 a.m.

Visits to the garden center to explore the new season鈥檚 plants might equal the excitement of arriving at a much-anticipated, never-been-to-vacation destination.

Just like washing our hands to remove germs and bacteria, we need to do the same for our garden tools. (Betty Cahill, Special to The Denver Post)

How to get your tools prepped for spring planting

April 11, 2024 at 3:37 p.m.

If your trowel handle bends like a paper drinking straw, maybe it's time for a new one.

The timing, seeding and planting information on seed packets can vary per company. (Betty Cahill, Special to The Denver Post)

The countdown to growing season is on. Here’s how to start seeding indoors

February 27, 2024 at 7:18 a.m.

With the first couple of months of the new year behind us, gardeners are focused on one thing: the countdown to the outdoor growing season.

Yellow roses -- which once represented greed and jealousy -- now offer good health, joy and friendship. (Betty Cahill, Special to The Denver Post)

The origins of Valentine’s Day and the messages behind gifts of bouquets

February 13, 2024 at 6:00 a.m.

You can鈥檛 go wrong sending roses for Valentine鈥檚 Day, but other cut flowers, even plants, score meaningful points, too.

Jim Borland's pile of compost reaped last year was quite large for a backyard operation. (Provided by Jim Borland)

Creating your own Colorado compost pile is easy — and saves money

February 7, 2024 at 7:36 a.m.

Let it rot.

Water when temperatures are above freezing during the middle part of the day so there is time for the moisture to soak in before sunset. (Betty Cahill, Special to The Denver Post)

How to pay attention to your Colorado grasses and trees in the dry winter months

January 29, 2024 at 7:27 a.m.

Dry January may be good for your health, but a dry January climate is not healthy for your landscape.

Technically, growing micro-greens and lettuce under indoor grow lights is ideal, but if saving on expenses try growing them near a sunny window (not too close to chill the seeds). (Betty Cahill, Special to The Denver Post)

Grow food indoors this winter — with micro-greens

January 16, 2024 at 12:16 p.m.

When the steps are broken down, it is much simpler than you think.

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) with solid green leaves is a commonly grown houseplant with pretty heart-shaped leaves and trailing growth habit. (Betty Cahill, Special to The Denver Post)

Don’t start your indoor tomato seeds too early, and other Colorado garden resolutions for the new year

January 1, 2024 at 6:00 a.m.

New Year's resolutions are seldom kept, at least in the long term -- not that a person shouldn't give it a go.

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