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Echter's Home
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Summer Harvest is Here!
After patiently waiting out the chilly
spring weather, amending the soil,
planting seeds & starts, battling frosts
& heat waves, bugs and critters,
watering, weeding, and worrying ... we
can finally
begin enjoying
the summer harvests! Nothing
compares to the satisfying feeling of
walking out to the backyard for your own
freshly-grown produce. It doesn't get
any better than that, and every gardener
knows it!
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Knowing when and how to harvest is an
especially important part of growing
your own food. Why? Because it affects
the quality, nutritional value, and
flavor of your homegrown produce! Most
vegetables are best harvested just
before full maturity for maximum flavor
& texture. Regularly harvest your
fruits, veggies, and herbs as they
mature, so they'll keep on producing for
you throughout the growing season! Let's
dive on into the details!
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Tomatoes
For the best taste, wait to
harvest tomatoes until they're fully
colored. Then gently twist, and pull
from the vine. Cherry tomatoes often are
eaten before they make it into the
house.
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Bell Peppers
Fruit should be full size, but still
firm and crisp. For colored bell
peppers, leave fruit on the plant until
the desired color develops. Cut with a
knife or pruners, rather than trying to
pull the peppers off.
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Cucumbers
Harvest when they're firm and smooth.
Check on them often! If they're left on
the vine & become too large, they can
become bitter or pithy.
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Cantaloupe
The outer color should change to tan and
the fruit should pull easily from the
stem when they're fully ripe. You may
also notice a sweet scent when the melon
is ripe.
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Chile Peppers
Harvest as you would a bell pepper, but
remember that when you harvest can
effect the heat and sweetness of the
pepper. Harvest each variety to your
taste.
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Corn
Harvest after the silks become brown and
dry. The ear should be completely filled
out, and the end rounded instead of
pointed. Hold the stalk with one hand.
Use your other hand to grasp the ear,
and pull it down and away from the
plant. It should release fairly easily.
If needed, twist the ear slightly to get
it to pop off the stalk.
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Eggplant
Slightly immature and smaller fruits are
always tastier. Eggplants should be firm
and shiny. To harvest, cut with a knife
or pruners, rather than pulling from the
plant.
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Green Beans
Pick when the pod has filled out, but
before you can see the seeds bulging.
Simply grasp the bean pod firmly up near
the top where it connects to the vine.
Then use your thumb to gently pinch it
loose.
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Zucchini
Most zucchini varieties are ready to
pick when they reach lengths of around
six to twelve inches long. When it's
time to harvest, don’t try to pull the
fruit from the plant. You'll likely
damage your plant! Instead, cut the
fruit from the plant at the stem. Check
often, and harvest often to stay ahead
of this heavy producer!
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Harvesting Herbs
As a general rule, herbs grown for their
leaves should be harvested before they
flower. After they flower, most herbs
tend to lose their flavor or become
bitter. If the herbs are clean, don't
wet them before drying — the aromatic
oils will be lost! Herbs grown for their
seeds, like dill, fennel, coriander and
caraway, should be harvested as the seed
pods begin changing color. If you're
interested in learning more about herbs,
plan on attending our upcoming
Harvesting & Preserving Herbs
class on September 28!
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After The Harvest
Look for signs of trouble, such as
yellowing leaves, rotting fruit, or
unwanted pests. Be sure to put any
plants that have disease or insect
infestations into
the trash — not the compost pile!
Healthy plant foliage can go into the
compost pile after removing seed heads.
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It's the Dahlia Society of Colorado's
Annual Dahlia Show!
Join us as we host this annual event
showcasing prize-winning dahlias!
This year's theme: It's
a Picnic
Saturday, August 24th — 9:00-6:00
Sunday, August 25 — 10:00-5:00
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Our "End of Season" Patio Furniture Sale
starts now. At these prices, you can put
yourself into some really luxurious
furniture. Enjoy life outdoors with your
friends and family. We're offering
end-of-season pricing while there's
still time to enjoy your furniture this
year.
Patio Furniture Sale ends September 26.
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20% OFF
Perennials
Spruce up your beds
and borders for years to come with some
eye-catching perennials. Hundreds of
varieties to choose from. Save on all
perennials including new garden mums
just coming into bloom.
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30% OFF
Water Plants
(Seasonal Clearance)
Save on our selection of tropical and
hardy plants.
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25% OFF
Birdbaths
Your feathered friends will appreciate
it! Made from concrete, metal, ceramic
or glass. Many sizes, colors, and styles
to choose from.
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$16.95
Black Oil
Sunflower Seed
Attracts more birds than any other
single seed.
Stock up for the season with a 40 lb.
bag.
Reg.
$19.95
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$9.95
Wildflower Mixes
Mixes for aroma, shade or to create a
butterfly or hummingbird garden.
Includes seeds, mulch and fertilizer.
Covers 200 sq. ft. Reg. 13.95
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$12.95
Milorganite
All-purpose fertilizer for lawns and
gardens.
A slow-release
non-burning formula, so it can be used
during summer heat. Long lasting source
of iron.
36 lb. Reg. $16.95
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Offers good through Thursday, August 22
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Saturday, September 7
10:00-11:00 am
Discover trees, shrubs, and perennials
that grow well in our region. Learn
plant combinations and basic design
principles to create curb appeal, and
enhance your outdoor living spaces.
Presented by: Dan Lee
of Black Forest Landscape Design
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Saturday, September 7
2:00-3:00 pm
Discover new varieties of tulips,
daffodils, and other unique bulbs. Learn
how to properly prepare your soil and
maintain it for years of beauty. Plant
now for early spring color!
Presented by: Harriett McMillan,
Echter's Horticulture Specialist
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Butterscotch Biscuit Echibeckia
is an exciting new hybrid of
echinacea and rudbeckia
featuring the flower power of
both! The huge flowers are
perfect for cutting and are a
standout for fall containers,
pairing well with mums and
ornamental kale.
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Purple Waffle Plant
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Gro-Rich Garden Fertilizer
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Granny Smith Apple Tree
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Green Thumb Watering Wand
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French Tarragon
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Coupon
Buy Any Pot at Regular Price,
Get a Larger
(or higher-priced)
Pot for 1/2 Price
Choose from our selection in the
greenhouses or in the fenced
outdoor sales area. We have a
wide variety of sizes, styles,
and colors available.
w/coupon only-Offer
expires 8/29/19
Valid at Echter's Garden Center
only.
Coupons subject to change
without notice. Distribution on
property prohibited.
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Coupon
$12.00 Off 18 lb. Box
Colorado Peaches
Tree ripened by C&R Farms to
optimize flavor and quality,
then shipped immediately to
Echter's. These are juicy and
delicious. Call ahead to reserve
your box.
Reg. $39.95
w/coupon only-
Offer expires 8/29/19
Valid at Echter's Garden Center
only.
Coupons subject to change
without notice. Distribution on
property prohibited.
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Avoid overhead watering
when tomatoes, peppers, squash,
cucumbers, corn and other vegetables are
in flower. They need pollination, and
the pollen can be washed away, resulting
in fewer fruits.
Fertilize your vegetable gardens
to maximize your harvest. Fertilize
strawberry beds with ammonium sulfate
now for more berries next spring!
Vegetables will stay fresher
if you harvest them from the garden
early in the day. Clean them as
quickly as possible, and refrigerate
(except tomatoes which should not be
refrigerated for best flavor).
Pinch off the flower
buds of onions to direct energy to the
developing bulb.
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What's in a Name?
Black-Eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan
reflects the center of this North
American wildflower, a dark black to
brown with surrounding yellow
petals. There is no reference to a
specific ‘Susan’.
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52nd
&oGarrison
o(5150oGarrison
St.) |
Map
303-424-7979
Monday-Saturday
9-6 | Sunday 10-5
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