May - The Garden Wise Journal - Newsletter
The Garden Wise Journal
Gardening is more than a hobby. It is a lifestyle.
Welcome to The Garden Wise Journal
Getting great results in the garden doesn’t come from doing more, it comes from doing the right things at the right time. This month, we’re dialing in the fundamentals that make the biggest difference, so you can grow with more confidence and less guesswork.
Feature Article of the Month
How to Grow Tomatoes Successfully in Colorado
If you’ve ever tried growing tomatoes in Colorado, you already know it’s not the easiest place to get it right. Between the short growing season, unpredictable weather, and dry conditions, most gardeners feel like they’re fighting an uphill battle. But the real shift happens when you stop fighting the environment and start working with it. That’s when things begin to click.
The difference between struggling plants and thriving ones often comes down to a few key fundamentals that most people overlook. Soil quality, watering habits, timing, and even how you support your plants all play a bigger role than most realize. Get those dialed in, and suddenly tomatoes become one of the most rewarding crops you can grow, even in a challenging climate like Colorado.
Once you understand how each piece works together, everything becomes simpler, more predictable, and far more productive. And the best part, you do not need to overcomplicate it. Just a few smart adjustments can completely change your results.
Discover this month’s featured article
Plant Profile
Oregon Grape Holly Plant Profile, Care, Varieties Guide
If you’re looking for a plant that shows up quietly and delivers all year long, Oregon Grape Holly is one of those rare picks that earns its place. It brings early season color when the garden still feels asleep, feeds pollinators when little else is blooming, and holds strong structure through winter without asking much in return.
What makes it stand out is its versatility. Whether you need height for a natural screen, a compact option for tighter spaces, or a rugged groundcover that actually thrives in Colorado conditions, there’s a version that fits. It’s one of those plants that adapts, supports wildlife, and settles into your landscape like it’s always belonged there.
And once it’s established, it doesn’t demand attention. It simply does its job, season after season, with very little intervention.
Discover this month’s featured plant
Monthly Tips
How to Grow Cucumbers in Containers in Colorado, Complete Beginner Guide
If your native soil is a mess or you just want more control, containers can be a smart way to grow cucumbers in Colorado. But cucumbers are hungry, thirsty plants, and containers do not forgive missed details.
- Going too small with the container is the first mistake most gardeners make.
- The right potting mix matters, garden soil can bring problems into the container.
- Moisture consistency is everything, especially when Colorado heat kicks in.
- A little planning with fertilizer can make the difference between weak vines and a real harvest.
- Going vertical with a trellis keeps vines cleaner, healthier, and easier to manage.
- Heat, wind, and container size all work together, so placement matters more than people think.
- The best cucumber variety depends on whether you want compact plants or full vining production.
Read the full cucumber container guide
Grow Tomatoes in Containers: Colorado Guide
If your soil is terrible, container tomatoes can be one of the smartest ways to grow in Colorado. But containers are less forgiving, so a few key choices can make or break your results.
- Small containers will sabotage your plants before you even get started, size matters more than most people think.
- Colorado heat can dry containers out faster than expected, and missing even a day can set your plants back.
- Nutrients don’t stick around in pots. If you’re not feeding consistently, your tomatoes will show it.
- Full sun helps, but too much heat can quietly stop fruit from forming when you least expect it.
- The right variety makes all the difference. Some thrive in containers while others struggle to keep up.
- Support still matters, even when tomatoes are grown in pots.
- Choosing determinate or compact varieties can make container growing much easier.
Read the full tomato container guide
Garden Myth Busting
Stop Misting Your Plants, You’re Not Helping Them!
It feels like the right thing to do. A quick mist, a little shine on the leaves, and you walk away thinking your plant just got a boost. But what if that habit isn’t helping at all?
The truth is, misting creates a moment, not an environment. And in some cases, it may be setting your plants up for issues you didn’t see coming. There’s a smarter way to give your plants what they actually need, and it has nothing to do with a spray bottle.
The Garden Wise Guy Radio Show
The garden doesn’t stop when the newsletter ends. Join Keith on the Garden Wise Guy radio show for timely seasonal advice, real garden stories, and thoughtful answers to the questions gardeners are actually asking right now.
Every Saturday from 7 to 9 am MST on Legends 810 AM.
Follow along on social media for steady inspiration between episodes, and if something is happening in your own yard, bring it to the show. Your question might shape the next conversation.
Have a question about your own garden?
Ask Keith a question for the next radio show
Keith Funk
The Garden Wise Guy