Thanks, Treebarb! I'll look for posts on winter sowing, and I'll look forward to the seed swap!

I grew up in Michigan, although I haven't lived there in many years. Before Arvada I was in London, England (container gardening only--we were in an 8th floor apartment) and before that, Boulder.. Here in Arvada the soil seems to be much harder clay, and it is WAY more windy. We've also had some issues with drainage which we've *hopefully* solved, although I'll be surprised if my naturalized daffodils from last year survived the flooding. I've rarely lived in a house for more than three years, but we plan to be in this one for the long haul, so it's exciting to have some longer-term projects.

Hello and Welcome, Faith.

You certainly have an appropriate name/handle for a gardener!

I'm not a near neighbor, up here on the ID/WA border. I do know a little about the problems with wind to a garden. Cool nights, Marmots, Mountain Cottontail bunnies ...

And then, Expectations, Patience, Belief in plants - at the very least.

I hope you join in often to share your experiences and thoughts with us here on RMG.

Steve

My name is especially apt for gardening because my middle name is Rainbow!

Welcome Faith! If you have garden/plant addiction and aren't afraid to admit it, you've come to the right place. Almost an acre? I'm so jealous! I live in Arvada too.

It sounds like you've already planted a lot! But if you find yourself with items to share or a wishlist, you'll be excited for our twice annual plant swaps. Even if you have nothing to trade or need nothing special, come anyway. You'll be amongst like-minded friends.

Looking forward to getting to know you and your garden. Pics are welcome!

Welcome, Faith! I mostly hang out in lala land here on the forum, but occasionally put my two cents in. I do love sharing photos of the garden and subsequent harvests during the growing season, but don't offer much insight elsewhere. Most of the folks here are much more seasoned than I and I learn much by just reading along. :) I think I'm the only one on the RMG forum that grows almost exclusively in containers, but I could certainly be wrong. I do have some in-ground strawberry patches and an in-ground raspberry patch, so those are fun.

I'm in Erie, so I hear ya regarding the wind - almost daily! The plus side is that it usually brings very warm weather with it this time of year. :)

I'll be direct-seeding some lettuce, radish, Asian greens and Swiss chard in my containers in 2-3 weeks. I've got some starts in the house (garlic chives, Chinese cabbage, lettuces and kale) that I'll begin introducing to the outdoors next weekend.

Wow, I didn't realize that you could do cool weather veggies quite this early! I am embarrassed to admit that I haven't even cleared out most of my raised beds yet (dead tomato plants are considered "winter interest," right?). I wish I could take advantage of this gorgeous weather we're having right now, but between a big work deadline and a sick kiddo, it's feeling a bit rough over here.

Welcome faith! Sounds like you're going to have a remarkable garden come spring! I hope you share photos with us!

I feel you on the glazed eyes, lol. My wife I think is going to slap me if she hears one more thing about plants (or birds, she is probably tired of birds too.)

I hope the kid feels better soon! I know that stinks! But we look forward to having you around!

Hi, Faith, welcome to Colorado and to the RMG group. As you can see, we're a pretty friendly bunch. :)

Dead tomato plants are every bit as pretty as dead lawns, so yes, winter interest in spades!

Glad you could join us!

Amester, nice to hear from you! You've been missed.

Hi Faith! Thanks for your post. I'm in Arvada, too. The beautiful weather this weekend has me outside playing in the yard and garden, and got me wishing I knew people to trade plants with. Enter the mighty Google, and here I am. Now I just need to wait for the late May/ early June plant swaps some of the others mentioned....

Hi Stace, welcome! If you (or any other Arvada/Denver folks) want to get together early just for fun, send me a message. I have lots of flower seeds that I'd be happy to share, some packed for this year and some for last: cosmos, poppies, blue flax, African daisies, Shasta daisies. There doesn't seem to be a medium amount of seeds between packet sized and a quarter of a pound for many seeds, so I've ended up with lots more than I need.

Welcome to Colorado and the forum Faith!

Thanks, Faith! I'm still learning how to successfully start seeds indoors. I planted a bunch last weekend, put them in a south facing window, and many of them have already come up and immediately gotten too leggy. From what I read, it looks like I need to buy some lights. At least in the "stoner state", grow lights seem to be a dime a dozen used on craigslist. The African daisies I planted were the biggest culprits. Have you had any luck direct sowing them?

Ooh, count me in for a Denver-area plant swap! Are you guys part of the Mile High Swappers, or is this a totally different group?

I've never heard of Mile High Swappers...sounds interesting! Although I really do enjoy the ones we have since I sort of know people.

Stace, all of my flower seeds I've direct-sowed, with the exception of a couple types which a friend started for me in his greenhouse. I direct-sowed the African daisies. They were only moderately successful but that was because I read that they "thrive in poor soil" so I didn't set them up for success. The ones that were in garden beds did great, while the ones in poor soil didn't do much of anything. I later read that they prefer sand, not clay. I will try direct sowing them again this spring.

Thats great information, Faith! Thanks! I especially appreciate the information that "thrives in poor soil" doesn't actually mean "thrives in Colorado clay". I assumed the same thing you did, and was hoping they would just grow wherever I planted them, in unimproved soil. I'm getting so excited for this planting season!