Arvada, CO

If you're thinking of waiting to sell your house until prices go up, remember that the price of the house you're going to buy will go up too.

So the answer to this questions depends on whether you will be downsizing, or buying up.

In the market for homes between Denver and Boulder, lower-priced homes are 'recovering' more quickly than higher-priced homes. So waiting will mean you will almost certainly pay more for that smaller house than you would pay now. However, if your larger home also increases in value, you would be better off financially if you wait.

I don't have a crystal ball, but I don't believe prices will be increasing on large homes any time soon. You may have to wait several years. So the other thing to consider is, will your life be improved by downsizing now? If so, it's probably better to make the move now.

On the other hand, if you plan to buy a larger house, you're in a great position to buy now. You will be buying that larger home at prices much lower than you would have paid a few years ago, and your smaller house is in pretty stiff demand right now, so it is also a good time to sell.

Best of both worlds!

Check out my market reports for Arvada homes, broken down by price range. You'll see what I'm talking about. I issue a new report each month, so you can easily follow the local trends, if you're so inclined!

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How lovely it is to use fresh herbs in cooking. It's sweet to trek out to the home garden and clip herbs as needed, but if your home is in the Denver to Boulder vicinity that pleasure isn't available in the winter.

So ... grow herbs indoors!

I haven't done a lot of this yet, but will increase my indoor herb gardening, because I'm so happy with the results with my basil plants.

These are growing in pots, which are in an AeroGarden 3. I'm using this equipment wrong, I'll tell you up front. The plants are supposed to grow directly in the water - no soil at all. But I wasn't happy with the results when I grew plants that way.

I had two basil plants in a pot outside last summer, and when the cold temps arrived I transplanted them into smaller pots that would fit inside the AeroGarden.

I have to tell you - they have done better under these lights than they did outside. Whenever I want some fresh basil for pizza, spaghetti, a sandwich, I just snip some and it grows back quickly.

The plants are sitting on my desk, so often throughout the day I will pinch off a little piece of leaf and the scent fills the room. Heavenly!

Let me know if you have experience with indoor herb growing. I'd like to know what herbs you've grown, and what equipment you used.

Happy Gardening!

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I love gardening, but my ‘real’ job is helping folks buy and sell homes, mostly between Denver and Boulder. If you’re in need of assistance with residential real estate between Denver and Boulder, Colorado give me a call. Maybe we could squeeze in some gardening talk too!

Copyright © 2012 Joetta Fort

There's not much to look at in high plains home gardens during the winter months, unless gardeners specifically make it happen.

I suspect most gardeners here between Denver and Boulder just put the gardens out of their minds for the winter months. But those of us who would love to see something green and alive even when it's brrrrrrrrr-cold outside work harder at it.

If you feel like I do, you need to know about Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis). Low-growing, shade-loving plants that bloom in the very early spring here between Denver and Boulder. They look great, even in January after being buring under snow multiple times.

I'm going to plant more Lenten rose in this area, so there will be a whole area of green instead of the winter brown so prevalent around here.

The blooms of Lenten Rose are quite exotic, but not always easy to see. They tend to face downward and hide under under the large leaves. If you shop around for Lenten Rose, try to find varities that have upward-facing blooms.

Hardiness zones 4-7. Don't let anyone graze on your Lenten Rose, as they are toxic (but the good news is - they're 'deer proof'!). See lots of pictures of Lenten Rose here. As with all perennial plants, try to buy from growers in a zone similar to yours.

I was perusing online articles, and found one written about Lenten Rose by a southern gardener (Grumpy Gardener - his blog is fun to read!), called Do You Know the Secret to Lenten Rose?Grumpy Gardener was told the secret to Lenten Rose is lime.

He goes on to say his Lenten Rose do fine without adding lime, but the main reason I'm mentioning this is to say that the soil here between Denver and Boulder is less acidic than most, so you shouldn't need to add lime. But if your Lenten Rose aren't doing well - and you have them planted in light shade - check the pH of your soil.

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Copyright © 2012 Joetta Fort

This is the first year for this event, so come on out and make it a success! The following was taken directly from the Olde Town Chronicle. You can get the Chronicle in your own inbox, via info@oldetownarvada.org.

Enjoy free parking in Olde Town Arvada! Click for an Olde Town parking map.

St Patrick's Day Celebration in Olde Town Arvada Saturday, March 17th, 2012 Historic Olde Two Arvada is starting a new signature event in our community to celebrate St Patrick's Day in Olde Town. We want to bring new eyes and foot traffic into our vibrant district and what a great day to do so. We hope to have another great destination for folks to have a fun, family event in the Western Suburbs of Denver. This event will be held on Grandview Ave between Olde Wadsworth and Webster from 1pm-6pm with live bands, arts/crafts booths, food booths, kids entertainment, and beer/wine sales. The street will be closed to traffic to make this a fun and safe event for all. We know the Olde Town St Patrick's Day Street Fair will become a signature event for our growing Main Street Community. Please check our website andFacebook page for any new information regarding this exciting event.

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7702 Ralston Road, Arvada, CO 80002

(Olde Town Arvada, just a block west of The Eggshell on Ralston / 58th)

(303) 358-7253 Shelly Steinhaus, owner

"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, live well, if one has not wined and dined well." - Virginia Woolf

Stop in for an excellent meal at Bella Bistro if -

• You really enjoy good food
• You're tired of chain restaurants
• You don't want to drive down to Denver
• You don't want to pay for parking
• You love Arvada, and want to support local business

I've been wanting to sample the fare at Bella Bistro ever since I heard of the place opening, and finally got to visit last month. It was a Christmas-time luncheon, and I loved every minute.

Cozy atmosphere, friendly and attentive staff. And the food - everything was excellent. It makes me want to go back again just thinking about it!

Click this link * Bella Bistro * to check out

• the ever-changing menu of favorites and seasonal specialities
• special events
• read the Women's Day and Westword articles about Bella Bistro
• cooking classes
• Bella's blog

I encourage you to visit Bella Bistro, one of the best places between Denver and Boulder.

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Copyright © 2012 Joetta Fort