THE HIGH COUNTRY GARDENS' RECIPE FOR HEALTHY SOIL
by David Salman, President and Chief Horticulturist

Unfortunately, many new homes, especially in subdivisions, are built on infertile sub-soils (top soil has been removed and sold) and/or on extremely compacted soils (as a result of grading and leveling to build roads and foundations). Corrective action is imperative for new plantings to have any chance at all of transplanting and growing successfully.

Soil Preparation
When you're planting new flower beds or individual trees and shrubs, loosen compacted soils by roto-tilling to a depth of 12" or digging wide holes and incorporating essential nutrients and compost to bring life back to the soil.

We recommend our Soil Preparation Kit; or you can buy the components individually. Use all three products at planting time.

1. Use Planters II, a natural trace mineral fertilizer, to infuse over 30 minerals that promote healthy plant growth and the growth of beneficial microbes in soil. Dig into the soil at planting time and top-dress around established plants every year or two in the fall.
2. Add TTP Supreme Compost, a mix extremely high in nutrients and available iron, making it ideal for iron deficient plants in alkaline soils. And it's loaded with living bacteria that continue to produce nitrogen in the soil.
3. Also add Yum Yum Mix, our top pick in organic fertilizers. A blend of plant-based nutrients, use it by the handful when planting, top-dress established plants or dig it in.

Unless you're planting into dark, humus-rich prairie or forest soils, inoculate plants with Earth Magic and Protein Crumblies (essential mycorrhiza or 'root friends') to optimize root health and greatly improve the uptake of water and nutrients.

Following this, maintain a regular program of mulching and fertilizing with natural and organic products. In a few short years you'll see a dramatic improvement in all aspects of your soil.

SUNSET OVER GRAY AND BLUE
Our Xeric Pre-planned Garden

If you're new to gardening or if you're new to xeriscape gardening, then our Pre-planned Gardens will give you the confidence to get started. All the plants selected have been matched for their watering needs, soil type and growing conditions. Best of all you don’t need to have design skills or experience to create a beautiful perennial border.

Our newest offering, designed by David Salman, President of High Country Gardens, the "Sunset Over Gray and Blue" garden beats the heat using perennials and ornamental grasses with cool foliage, bright flowers and a tapestry of textures. Contrasting different leaf shapes and colors add striking, textural elements. The colorful flowers add complementary colors. On its western edge the garden blooms orange; the eastern portion has flowers of blue and pink over leaves of gray and blue. Site in full, hot sun in well drained, non-clay soil. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds and is resistant to deer and rabbits (once established).