{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"In The NoCo","title":"The ‘chaos garden’ trend promises colorful, stress-free flowerbeds. Is it actually as easy as it sounds? ","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":525,"description":"\nGardening in Colorado takes work.  \n\nYou prepare the soil, choose what you want to plant, and lay out a design. Then once things start to grow, there’s all that weeding, pruning and manicuring – most of which is trickier given the Front Range’s tough soil and fickle climate.  \n\nOr – you could just grab a few random seed packets, sprinkle them over a patch of bare ground, and sit back and wait for those wildflowers to explode in a riot of color. \n\nThat's the idea behind a new trend that's taking over social media called chaos gardening. \n\nChaos gardens appeal to folks who want to embrace the joy of gardening without all that sweat equity. Proponents say it's also a no-fuss way to create habitat for pollinators. \n\nBut is chaos gardening really as simple as garden TikTok or Instagram makes it look?  \n\nDeryn Davidson, a sustainable landscape specialist with CSU Extension, recently wrote about the trend. She told Erin O’Toole that fall is a great time to plant your own chaos garden, as long as you’re willing to put at least minimal effort into it. \n\nDeryn also shared some recommendations for flowers that should thrive and attract pollinators to a Front Range chaos garden.  \n\nCheck out our recent conversation with Deryn about how state law supports homeowners who want to incorporate water-efficient plants into their landscaping without pushback from their HOA. \n* * * * *\n\nSign up for the In The NoCo newsletter: Visit KUNC.org\nQuestions? Feedback? Story ideas? Email us: NOCO@KUNC.org\nLike what you're hearing? Help more people discover In The NoCo by rating the show on your favorite podcast app. Thanks!\n \nHost and Producer: Erin O'Toole\nProducer: Ariel Lavery\nExecutive Producer: Brad Turner\n \nTheme music by Robbie Reverb\nAdditional music by Blue Dot Sessions\nIn The NoCo is a production of KUNC News and Community Radio for Northern Colorado.","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/deJ82RY9r1q1D4I5ARzsuuMZw17RvtIT7PwnQQPLPzk/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzI5MDcyLzE2OTUw/NzA5NjEtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}