Forsythia is Colorado’s spring starter pistol—blooming on bare stems before winter gives up. Keith breaks down how to grow, prune, and force it indoors.
Forsythia: Colorado’s First Sign of Spring | Garden Wise
read more
Keith Funk is one of Colorado’s most trusted garden voices, known for his warmth, humor, and practical plant wisdom. For more than three decades, he has helped gardeners understand their soil, choose the right plants, and create thriving landscapes that fit Colorado’s unique climate. Whether on the radio, in the garden center, or teaching in person, Keith’s mission is simple. Help people grow with more confidence, more color, and a lot more joy.
Keith’s love of plants runs deep. As a kid, he was the one poking around flower beds, curious about how things grew and why some plants thrived while others struggled. That early curiosity never went away. It grew into a lifelong fascination with the way gardens can transform not only a home but also how people feel in it.
For more than three decades, Keith has been a trusted voice in Colorado horticulture. As host of The Garden Wise Show on Legends 810 AM, he has spent Saturday mornings answering listener questions from the high country to the plains, mixing solid science with practical, real-world advice and plenty of laughter. Colorado gardeners know Keith for his clear explanations, creative problem-solving, and down-to-earth style that makes even complex topics feel approachable.
Off the air, Keith has helped thousands of gardeners through his years at Echter’s and now at Nick’s Garden Center, where he has guided everyone from brand-new plant parents to seasoned green thumbs. His Denver gardens have been featured on tours, showcasing his passion for water-wise, four-season landscapes that are as resilient as they are beautiful.
Today, Keith continues to teach, inspire, and cheer on gardeners at every level. Whether he is walking a listener through a pest problem, writing Q and A features for Colorado Gardener, or sharing plant wisdom in person, his mission is the same. Help people succeed, help them have fun, and help them see what is possible when they dig in and grow.
Keith believes gardening is ultimately about connection. To the soil, to the seasons, and to each other. He loves watching that spark of confidence when someone realizes they can grow more than they ever thought possible and that their garden can truly feel like home.