August Garden Planning You might think that we have lost our minds but…now is the perfect time in the season to begin planning your garden and landscape for next year. Look at your garden. What do you see? Consider this, every day that you walk through the garden or relax on the patio you are making small observations about your flowers and landscape. What is... Read More
Number one August tip is to sit back, relax and enjoy your summer garden in all its glory! Invite friends and neighbors over to show off and celebrate all your hard work! You deserve it! If you can’t sit back and relax…there is plenty to do…. Consider seeding a fall crop of lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, beets, peas etc. Basil and cilantro may also be... Read More
How are your tomatoes growing? Problems with Blossom End Rot? The dark grey, black-sunken area on the blossom end of tomatoes. Though many people think blossom end rot is a disease, it isn’t. Blossom end rot is not caused by a bacteria or fungus, nor is it something that is caused by an insect pest. It is a physiological disorder thought to be caused by... Read More
Pruning Annual Baskets and Container Gardens Cut back petunias, callies, verbena, scaevola, sweet potato vine and others to refresh your pots. Follow the straggly stems half-way up the side of the pot or basket. Then use a sharp pair of shears to trim the stems all around the container like a bowl cut. Prune off dead foliage or undergrowth that looks bad. Dead head flowers to keep... Read More
Hot Weather Water Tips When the temperature goes over 90 degrees; an extra dose of love and care will help keep your flowers flourishing throughout the summer. Check flowers twice daily for water, once in the morning and again in the evening. Some pots/beds may require additional water applications to fight the heat. In the landscape, any newly planted roses, perennials, shrubs, or trees will require additional irrigation... Read More
Weed/wed/ noun a wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants. A plant out of place. The hard work of plant selection and planting for the season is finished. The lawn is growing. Perennial flower beds are filling in. Vegetable gardens are just beginning to grow. And what happens? The weeds set in. Now is the perfect time to... Read More
Growing small fruits such as raspberries, blueberries, grapes, blackberries, gooseberries or even patio citrus trees are often overlooked as a sustainable addition to your garden. Most varieties do well here in Colorado but often require certain growing conditions for each different fruit. Raspberries, Blackberries and Boysenberries Ever-bearing or Fall-bearing raspberries seem best-suited for the Front Range, according to tests conducted by Colorado State University. Creek... Read More
Powdery mildews are one of the most widespread and easily recognized plant diseases. They affect virtually all kinds of plants. In Colorado, powdery mildews are common on lilac, grape, roses, turfgrass, vegetables (such as cucumbers, squashes and peas), crabapple and Virginia creeper, among others. Identification Powdery mildews are characterized by spots or patches of white to grayish, talcum-powder like growth. Tiny, pinhead-sized, spherical fruiting structures... Read More
Aphids Commonly found on trees, shrubs, and garden ornamentals. Aphids feed by sucking sap from a plants new leaf growth. When populations are severe the damage can cause wilting, leaf curling, and dieback of shoots and buds. The sticky honeydew (aphids waste material) is an attractant for ants, yellow jacket wasps, flies, and bees which can be as much a nuisance as damage done to... Read More
While planning your spring garden, consider adding native plants and more diversity to make your yard a haven for pollinators and wildlife. As agriculture has intensified and our populations have grown, a lot of habitat has been lost, so even a pot of flowers on the front porch can make a big difference by supporting hundreds of pollinators. If you’re adding plants with pollinators in... Read More
