Betty Cahill

Betty Cahill

Betty Cahill speaks and writes about gardening in the Rocky Mountain Region. Visit her site at gardenpunchlist.blogspot.com for even more gardening tips.

Fertilizing houseplants during their active growing season from early spring through mid-fall is necessary for positive plant health. (Betty Cahill, Special to The Denver Post)

How to grow houseplants — and keep them healthy

March 1, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

We appreciate our houseplants for many reasons; the pros far outweigh the cons.

Using a bottom heat mat under the seed tray is one of the best investments for starting seeds since they warm up the soil which can speed up seed germination. (Betty Cahill, Special to The Denver Post)

Gardening: With spring 6 weeks away, here’s how to start your seeds

February 10, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

The most important seed-growing information is right on the seed packet..

An inexpensive LED clamp-on plant light, strip lighting or a compact free-standing light fixture might suffice for a small tray of seeds. (Betty Cahill, Special to The Denver Post)

Gardening: The right lighting to get those seeds started for spring

February 3, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

Gardeners pass the winter months spending more time inside, giving our minds and hands projects that keep us thinking green thoughts. This is especially helpful when the dormant garden stares...

Jan. is the time to sign up for a garden class or two from local, independent garden centers and botanic gardens, like this Rose Symposium at Denver Botanic Gardens. (G.Holmes, via Betty Cahill, Special to The Denver Post)

Gardening resolutions for the new year

January 5, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

These tasks can recharge your attitude and set January in motion.

The podcast world is dynamic, with many offering accompanying videos to stream on social media sites. (Getty Images)

Need a gardening fix? Try these podcasts

December 8, 2024 at 7:08 a.m.

Some popular garden podcasts in 2024 were “The Joe Gardener Show," “Let’s Argue about Plants” and “A Way to Garden."

Mulch can guard against soil heaving (rising up from the roots), from temperature fluctuations, and prevent soil erosion where there is open soil like the vegetable garden. (Betty Cahill, Special to The Denver Post)

A final outdoor to-do list for Colorado gardeners

November 5, 2024 at 6:00 a.m.

Here are a couple of November ideas that will help your trees and other plants get through the winter.

An infestation of boxelder bugs (Boisea trivittata) on a bigtooth maple. (Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Special to The Denver Post)

Black and red boxelder bugs are creepy, but mostly harmless

October 22, 2024 at 10:13 a.m.

They may be crawling everywhere at your house right now. Here's why.

Try propagating clematis by using the trench layering technique. (Betty Cahill / Special to the Denver Post)

Fall gardening hacks you can tackle right now

October 8, 2024 at 7:14 a.m.

Don't sleep on your garden this fall -- there's plenty to do to prepare for future blooms.

It cannot be said often enough that to grow a healthy lawn, it is all about providing consistent, appropriate care that can help in preventing problems. (Betty Cahill, Special to The Denver Post)

Time to show your summer-beaten lawn some TLC

October 1, 2024 at 6:00 a.m.

This year has seen an uptick in turf-related projects along the Front Range and elsewhere in Colorado.

Home-grown pickles in brine, waiting to be sealed and canned. (Betty Cahill, Special to The Denver Post)

Preserving your summer harvest: Keeping tomatoes, peaches, berries and more all year long

September 30, 2024 at 8:58 a.m.

Preserving home-grown food never goes out of style.