Eagle County Sustainability Updates, 2024
With the continued evidence of climate change – increasing temperatures, drought conditions, and extreme storms and natural disasters like wildfires – it is imperative that we all make changes for the benefit of future generations. Alternative transportation,...
No, it wasn’t crazy
February 2010 On a cold snowy night south of Breckenridge in Blue River, I ecstatically joined friends and co-workers to witness the recent birth of some of earth’s finest creatures. Together in a pile of crossing limbs and dark fur lay 7 brand new puppies, so new...
Best Blooms of 2023
There is a magical feeling when the snow begins to dissipate and the signs of Spring begin to emerge. While each year is different, the songs of birds and changing colors are telling signs of the change of seasons. Yellow and white versions of daffodils brighten up...
Basics of Mountain Garden Design
Typically, when we are discussing landscape and garden design we hear terms like line, form, texture, color, scale, proportion, order, repetition, unity and rhythm. While these principles are important, how can we simplify them and think like a designer in our own...
For the Newbie Gardeners
There are many great benefits of gardening for your physical and mental health. Getting outside every day, the feeling of seeing your first seedlings emerge from the soil, and the taste of a home-grown tomato are just a few of the benefits that come from gardening....
Spring Todo List for Mountain Gardeners
I woke up to another 3 inches of wet, heavy snow today. Regardless of the continued snowy precipitation, there is still a feeling of Spring in the air. The Spring equinox has come and gone, and while the large snowbanks on my gardens will take some more time to fully...
Small Space Garden Design
It is not uncommon to have a small space to work with when creating your dream garden. More often than not, living in the mountains and high country requires sacrificing some outdoor space when purchasing or renting a home. With abundant outdoor space around you for...
Sustainability in the Landscape and Garden
Since 2011 Mountain Roots has been practicing Sustainable methods in our landscape and business models. With the continued evidence of climate change – increasing temperatures and drought conditions – it is imperative that we all make small changes for future...
Best Blooms of 2022
One of my favorite things about nature and horticulture is the change from year to year. This past season, we warmly welcomed more rainfall and moisture than we had seen in years. Not only were the drought stressed areas of the mountains given a chance to recover, but...
A Journey through Four Seasons (2021)
There is a magical feeling when the snow begins to dissipate and the signs of Spring begin to emerge. While each year is different, the songs of birds and changing colors are telling signs of the change of seasons. Yellow and white versions of daffodils brighten up...
Summer 2021
A Decade of Passions Planted
Ten years ago Mountain Roots began as a vision from a school business plan project in my Horticulture program in Fort Collins. Longing to return to the mountains and active lifestyle Summit County had to offer, this vision began to turn into a reality. Armed with a...
Garden Lover’s Holiday Gift Guide
Plant lovers and gardeners are relatively easy to please with gifts. More often than not, receiving a new plant for our home or garden is all it takes to charm a green thumb. Nonetheless as space runs out or significant others cut us off from adding to our...
Best of 2020
While each growing season in the high country can change from year to year, I think we can all agree that 2020 will be a year we always remember. Between the challenges and hardships faced staying at home more than usual, keeping loved ones safe and healthy, and...
Summer Love, 2020
Love was definitely not cancelled for these brides this summer! With venue, vendor and travel plans adapted for each situation, these couples still proceeded with celebrating their love. Congrats Taylor, Kalleen, and Andrea!
Garden Adjustments and Lifestyle Modifications for the Climate
Every gardening season in Summit County is unique. Obviously, Spring 2020 created its own surprises and challenges. I was elated to get outside of the house the last week of April 2020. After roughly 7 weeks jobless and quarantined, the snow melted and the plants...
Summit County Vegetable Garden Initiative
Welcome to the Summit County Vegetable Garden Initiative! Mountain Roots is excited to offer 2 different packages to encourage the growth of high altitude vegetables at your own home this summer. The Stay-at-Home Seed Starter Kit and Ready-to-Go Plant Starter Kit are...
Stay at Home with Nature
Biologist Edward O. Wilson describes “biophilia” as the connection between people and living, growing things, encouraging us to be a part of the web of life. Finding your natural connection to the earth and finding your specific role is necessary for your self-care...
Scary Times, and Seeds of Hope
Three weeks ago I attended one of my favorite events in the industry, the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle. At the time there were small whispers of uncertainty towards an unseen predator, but life felt pretty normal. I was inspired at the conference with...
Ali and Will’s Breckenridge Celebration
Early in July, Ali and Will's families gathered in Breckenridge for a week of celebrating. The group participated in the Breckenridge 4th of July parade with a wedding float and celebration for Will's service to our country. The following day, vows were exchanged at...
Best Blooms of 2019
One of the challenges of gardening at high altitude is the changes from season to season. Living in an area with a high altitude short growing season, the 2019 season was cut even shorter. While it is not uncommon to receive a few good snow storms in May, this year...
Basics of Floral Arranging
In 2019 Mountain Root's hosted 2 events teaching the Basics of Floral Arranging. The first was in early Spring at the Breckenridge Library. Participants learned the Basics while arranging fresh spring blooms with the snow still falling outside. The second event was...
Carrie and Richard’s Special Day
A year before their special day, Summit County locals Carrie and Richard hit the road in an RV with their furry friends on an adventure around the United States. After many adventures, they returned home to Parker, Colorado to celebrate their special day with friends...
Garden Tour 2019
On a beautiful summer day in July, Summit County residents and visitors toured local gardens in Frisco, Silverthorne, and Dillon. The event is put on by the Summit County Garden Club, and attracts hundreds of visitors. The tour allows visitors to ask homeowners and...
Steve and Kelly’s Intimate, Romantic Frisco Wedding
Frisco locals Steve and Kelly started their special day in the gazebo at the historic park in Frisco for an intimate wedding ceremony with family. Custom made drapery around the gazebo created more privacy for the family, and provided a beautiful back drop for the...
Summit Historical Society Pollinator Gardens
This Spring I was humbled and honored to receive the Environmental Champion Award from the Summit Chamber of Commerce at their annual Business Excellence Awards. 8 years ago, Mountain Roots was created around a Sustainable and Environmentally concise business model. ...
20 Minutes in the Garden
All around us, life is happening at a rapid rate. Work, family, friends, and hobbies can be hard to balance. Suffering from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) causes restrictions to your regular routine, often requires the elimination of certain activities, and...
Winter Growth
Each year as the temperatures begin to drop, the first snow falls from the sky, and plants shift from life to hibernation, I am overwhelmed with a bittersweet feeling of transition. As the seasons change and the final jobs are completed, I too begin to evolve into...
Best Blooms of 2018
One of the things I love about Horticulture is that every season is unique and constantly changing. I am consistently in awe every Spring as I watch for tree buds to wake up and the first signs of life coming from the ground. As the Summer continues I am able to view...
Sustainability in the Landscape Industry
Since 2011 Mountain Roots has been practicing Sustainable methods in our landscape and business models. With the continued evidence of climate change - increasing temperatures and drought conditions - it is imperative that we all make small changes for future...