Cultivate: Garden Insights & Inspiration from IBG

Boise’s long sunny days, fertile soils, and dynamic growing season make the Treasure Valley a fantastic place to grow your own food. Whether you’re a new gardener or looking to level-up your veggie game, planting a vegetable garden here takes a bit of planning—and a lot of heart. At the Garden, we see vegetable gardening as more than just a hobby—it’s a community-building, sustainability-rooted practice with the power to nourish bodies and minds alike. Step 1: Know Your Climate and Zone The Treasure Valley falls in USDA Hardiness Zones 6b–7a, with a growing season that typically runs from mid-April to mid-October. Late spring frosts can still surprise us, so be sure to check historical frost dates and watch weather trends. Starting seeds indoors or choosing cold-hardy crops like kale, peas, and spinach can give you a head start. Step 2: Choose the Right Location Vegetables are sun-lovers. Aim for a…

Water conservation is more important than ever, especially in Idaho’s dry climate. A little planning in spring can help you create a garden that thrives with minimal water use. 1. Choose Drought-Tolerant Plants Opt for native and adaptive plants that require less water once established, such as: Flowers: Penstemons, Buckwheats, Globemallows Shrubs: Canyon Plume, Rabbitbrush, Fern Bush Grasses:  Basin Wildrye, Blue Grama, Seep Muhly 2. Optimize Irrigation Install drip irrigation or soaker hoses to deliver water directly to the root zone. Water early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation. Adjust sprinkler systems based on seasonal needs. 3. Improve Soil Moisture Retention Add organic mulch to keep soil cool and reduce evaporation. Amend soil with compost to enhance water-holding capacity. 4. Harvest Rainwater Use rain barrels to collect runoff from roofs. Design your landscape with swales or dry creek beds to direct water efficiently. 5. Group…

A garden is only as good as its soil. Whether you’re growing vegetables, flowers, or shrubs, taking time to improve your soil in spring will yield healthier plants all season long. 1. Test Your Soil Before adding amendments, conduct a soil test to determine pH levels and nutrient content. There are many extension offices throughout the valley that can provide reliable soil testing.  2. Add Organic Matter Enrich your soil with compost, aged manure, or worm castings. Organic matter improves drainage, boosts fertility, and enhances soil structure. 3. Avoid Over-Tilling Tilling can disrupt beneficial microorganisms and lead to soil compaction. Instead, gently loosen the soil with a garden fork and incorporate amendments without excessive disturbance. 4. Use Cover Crops and Mulch Planting cover crops like clover in the fall can improve soil health by adding nitrogen. In spring, mulching with straw, leaves, or wood chips helps retain moisture and suppress…

Timing is everything in gardening, and for Idaho gardeners, understanding when to plant is key to success. Whether you’re eager to start seeds indoors or itching to get plants in the ground, this guide will help you plan your spring garden. Understanding Idaho’s Frost Dates Idaho has diverse growing zones, ranging from USDA Zone 3 in the mountains to Zone 7 in the lower valleys. The last frost date varies but generally falls between late April and early June. What to Start Indoors February–March: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, onions April: Herbs like basil, flowers like marigolds and zinnias What to Direct Sow in Early Spring (Cool-Season Crops) March–April: Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, carrots April–May: Beets, Swiss chard, potatoes, onions What to Plant After the Last Frost (Warm-Season Crops) Mid-May–June: Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, beans, melons Best Native and Pollinator-Friendly Plants Flowers: Sunflowers, Yarrow, penstemon, blanket flower Shrubs: Serviceberry, currant, elderberry Grasses:…

Spring is one of those magical times in the Garden when everything starts to stir—buds swell, perennials push up from the soil, and the whole place feels like it's stretching after a long nap. But before you dive into planting, there’s some housekeeping to do. Giving your garden a proper spring cleanup helps set the stage for healthy growth all season long. Here are five practical steps to get things going: 1. Start with a Gentle Cleanup Winter usually leaves behind its fair share of mess—branches, soggy leaves, and dead plant material. Begin by clearing out anything obviously dead or diseased, but hold off on a total leaf cleanup until temperatures consistently reach 50°F. Many native bees and other pollinators overwinter in that leaf litter, so it’s worth waiting a bit for their sake. 2. Prune with Intention Now’s a great time to trim back damaged or dead branches on…