WesternGardener
Jodi Torpey, Denver, CO, UScontributor
Jodi is a garden writer, certified master gardener and author of “The Colorado Gardener’s Companion: An Insider’s Guide to Gardening in the Centennial State.”
She has a special interest in helping other gardeners learn how to cultivate successful gardens in challenging environments. As a Colorado native, she has first-hand gardening experience dealing with poor soil conditions, extreme temperature fluctuations, intense sunlight and the lack of reliable precipitation.
Her favorite topics include xeriscaping, using native plants in the landscape, planting vegetable and container gardens, conserving water in the landscape, creating backyard habitats and gardening with her dog, Rufus T. Smudge.
In addition to her book, Jodi’s writing is published on home and gardening websites, in national magazines and regional newspapers. She also manages her own website and blog, www.WesternGardeners.com, an online guide to gardening in the West. Follow her on Twitter @WesternGardener
gardening interests: Container Gardening, Cooking, Culinary Herbs, Edible Landscaping, Herbal Crafts, Organic Gardening, Sustainable Living, Urban Gardening, Vegetables, gardening in a dry climate
Member Since: 10/13/2009
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Grow a Spring Centerpiece
Growing a spring centerpiece from carrot tops is a fun way to recycle kitchen discards and get kids interested in the science of growing plants.
Find the Sunniest Spot for Your Plot
Most gardening experts say a productive vegetable garden needs about 8-10 hours of sun each day. Here’s an easy paper-and pencil method to find the sunniest spot in your yard.
Take Your Plants for a Ride
The Rotary Garden is an innovative new product that’s perfect for growing edibles in small spaces. Wheels make the garden portable so it can be moved to where ever the sun shines brightest.
Grow this Frittata...and more
“Grocery Gardening,” Jean Ann Van Krevelen’s newest book, is all about planting, preparing and preserving fresh food. It’s perfect for cooks who want to be better gardeners or gardeners who want to be better cooks—and everyone in between.
Canned Vegetable Seeds a Thrifty Idea
One-gallon cans of jumbo-sized packets of garden seeds can be a thrifty alternative for home gardeners who plant large gardens. Each large can contains 16 different veggie favorites and gives new meaning to “canned vegetables.”
Veggie Pizza is Super for any Party
The party menu for the Big Game isn’t limited to burgers, brats and hot wings. A hearty veggie pizza is a super healthy alternative.
Pickled Ginger is Sweet and Spicy Condiment
Pickled ginger is familiar to sushi and sashimi fans because it helps cleanse the palate between servings and extinguish the wasabi fire. Pickling is just one way to use this versatile root.
Add Some Spice to Your Life
Until you’ve experienced the pleasure of growing sweet red peppers and then grinding the dried pods into fresh paprika, you won’t know what you’ve been missing. One whiff of fresh paprika and you’ll never want to buy grocery store paprika again.
How to Improve Your Stock Options
Discover the hidden value of potato peels, carrot tops and other kitchen discards. Gain big dividend every time you cook up a batch of vegetable stock.
Cheap and Easy Winter Greens
Growing your own garlic greens during the winter is an inexpensive way to feed two needs at once: a gardener’s need for growing and a cook’s need for something tasty.
Renee's Garden Offers Personal Touch
Renee Shepherd, founder of Renee’s Garden, goes to extraordinary lengths to offer gardeners high-quality vegetable, flower and herb seeds. She selects easy-to-grow varieties, tests them in her own trial garden and writes detailed instructions for planting and growing.
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Keeps On Growing
In 1998, long before the eat local movement took hold, Jere Gettle sent out his first Baker Creek Heirloom Seed catalog. Twelve years later his company continues the tradition of passing along old-fashioned seeds like generations of gardeners before him.
Botanical Interests Grows Gardeners
Botanical Interests is a Colorado-based seed company whose beautifully illustrated seed packets contain much more than just seeds.
Sprouts Make Windowsill Gardening Easy
Homegrown sprouts are perfect for windowsill gardening any time of the year. Just add water and watch them grow.
This Spud's for You
Potatoes are one of the easiest root crops for home gardeners to grow. Order your specialty seed potatoes now for delivery next spring.
Gifts from the Kitchen--Homemade Red Wine Vinegar
Want to impress the foodie on your gift list this year? A bottle of homemade red wine vinegar is sure to please the pickiest palate.
A Sage Way to Delicious Dining
Since medieval times, garden-grown sage has soothed digestive troubles, cured coughs and treated sore throats. It also makes one delicious herbed stuffing for the holidays.
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Planting for a Snack Attack
The Best Snacks on EarthA major player in the potato chip biz boasts it “grows the best snacks on earth,” but I have to disagree. The best snacks on earth are grown in my...
"Homegrown: A 21st Century Family Farm"
JadaE | March 14th, 2010
Chives Are a Must-Have in the Kitchen Garden
ChrisMcLaughlin | March 13th, 2010
When is it too early to start...
susie_y | March 13th, 2010
Grow a Spring Centerpiece
WesternGardener | March 11th, 2010
