Our community has enjoyed a beautiful, long garden season this year! Gardeners and all of us in the nursery business have been watching the days closely awaiting the First Average Frost and yes, it has arrived as predicted – in the small hours of October 28th. There are a number of gardening tasks which can still be completed before the ground freezes. Remember, the days... Read More
Dogs and cats alike will nibble and ingest green grass blades during the spring and summer months when availability and growth is plentiful. This behavior has been linked to boredom, curiosity, even nutritional necessity. Whatever the reason your pet decides to dine on greens, it becomes an important issue as the weather changes, the availability of grass is non-existent, pets spend more time indoors, and your houseplants start looking... Read More
Defined, mulch is a layer of organic or inorganic material spread on the surface of the soil to reduce moisture loss. Organic mulches are generally a better choicer because they offer the added benefits of improving soil structure and fertility. Organic mulches include compost (commercial or homemade), shredded bark, dried grass clippings (free of herbicides), aged sawdust, clean wheat straw, pine needles and other coarsely ground or shredded... Read More
Every plant which has been placed in a container, such as trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals are subject to the Colorado winter which includes the damaging freeze/thaw cycle, drying winds, and extreme cold temperatures. The above ground exposure for these type of plantings is more extreme than if they had been planted in the ground. Your containers need extra protection to ensure root and crown survival. Annuals will die... Read More
In the fall, we plant bulbs for spring. Seems strange but it is the cold of winter that they need for optimum color and growth. Tulips and Daffodils fall into the ‘bulb’ category. Fall planting bulbs grow in layers (like an onion), and are the most common. There are also other types (that aren’t even bulbs). Corms – Do not grow in layers. The old one... Read More
This is the best time of year to thicken your lawn and root it down. Reduce frequency of watering as the weather cools off, but water deeply. It is important to fertilize your lawn this Fall if you haven’t recently and Mid-September is the time to apply the first application of Fall fertilizer before the ground freezes. The direct benefits of Fall fertilization are; it... Read More
Fall bulb planting is an easy way to jump-start the spring gardening season. At most elevations, the best time to plant bulbs is mid-September to late October, so bulbs can establish roots before the soil freezes. It’s advisable to purchase bulbs in early September for best selection and variety. Choose bulbs that are large and free from disease or decay. To ensure higher quality, pick out bulbs... Read More
Hail can be devastating for a Colorado garden. Damage can range from a few bruised leaves to a total wipe-out of all foliage. However, plants want to grow, so with time and some extra care, lots of them will recover. Flowering annuals with no remaining foliage probably won’t recover after a hailstorm. Petunias usually survive if there is at least some foliage still on the plant. Clean... Read More
