For Growing Canadian Roses, Colorado Is A Perfect Fit
Here in Colorado’s extreme climate, we want a shrub that’s hardy, blooms most of the season, tolerates pretty much any soil type, and doesn’t get many pests or diseases. The Canadian hybrid shrub rose...
View ArticleTo Repel Insect Pests, Consider These Plants
Anywhere there is standing water, mosquitoes will thrive. While chemical repellents are big business, there is a natural alternative. The scent of several plant species help to keep mosquitoes away.
View ArticleFor Summer Solstice, Balance Garden Work With Relaxation
There's always something to do in the garden. You can spend the longest day of the year weeding, digging, mowing and pruning. Or you can take time to relax and enjoy the flowers and fruits of your...
View ArticleHummingbird Moths: From Pest To Pollinator
It may be early in the summer, but Hummingbird Moths are making their appearance in Colorado gardens. According to CSU entomologist Whitney Cranshaw, northern Colorado could see an abundance of...
View ArticleCaring For Heat Stressed Plants In Colorado's Climate
The middle of the summer in Northern Colorado is characterized by sweltering heat, with daytime highs in the 90’s. That means many plants will suffer from the hot Colorado sun. While trees come...
View ArticleSix Easy Steps For Growing Garlic
Garlic planted along the Front Range in the autumn is ready for harvest the following July. Like spring flowering bulbs garlic will set roots and start growing in the warm autumn soil. As the soil...
View ArticleOrganic Or Not, Local Food is Better For The Environment
Organic produce in the grocery store is labeled as good for the environment. No pesticides on the produce may reduce soil and water contamination, but organic goods that come from faraway places...
View ArticleThe Buzz Of Late Summer Is Here
From birds chirping to the wind blowing through the trees, summer is a great time to kick back and listen to nature. The hot days of late summer also reveal a unique electric buzzing sound.
View ArticleGrass Clippings: An Environmental And Time-Saving Fertilizer
Instead of breaking your back bagging those grass clippings after mowing, consider the benefits for leaving the cut grass on the lawn as fertilizer.
View ArticleThe Extra Challenges Of Mountain Gardening
It may come as no surprise that higher elevations place higher demands on plants. The key is figuring out what plants are appropriate for the cooler mountain climate. Cold hardiness is only one...
View ArticleGot Peaches? 3 Easy Steps To Keep ‘Em Longer
Mmm… Colorado Peaches. Early and mid-season varieties are best eaten fresh. Mid-season varieties ripen in August. They include Sullivan, Blake and Globe. Late ripening varieties include Elberta ,...
View ArticleHow To Diagnose An Ailing Plant
When things go wrong with plants there are steps to get to the root of the problem. Systematic sleuthing considers all of the possibilities when identifying the source of the cause behind a sick plant.
View ArticleSpring Is The Status Quo, But Fall Planting Is Equally Effective
Spring may resemble the time when most gardeners commence planting, but autumn is just as good of a time when it comes to ideal conditions for establishing new plants. Whether to transplant new flora...
View ArticleFall Preparation For Next Year's Garden
At some point in September, we’re going to have a frost or freeze. That marks the end of most annual flowers and the vegetable garden. As we move into the fall, the days won’t be too hot and the nights...
View ArticleUnpredictable Fall Weather Challenges Even The Hardiest Plants
To enjoy Colorado is to appreciate summer temperatures even well into the fall. While this weather is wonderful for people, it’s quite confusing for plants. Like other life forms, plants need to...
View ArticleThe Countless Ways To Utilize Winter And Summer Squash
It’s October and that means we’ll begin seeing more and more squash and pumpkins on display. These annual, trailing vines are native throughout the Western Hemisphere. The family includes soft-sided...
View ArticleFall Garden Cleaning: A Great Time To Make Compost
With the fall garden clean up come piles of yard waste generated from dead-heading, weeding, mowing and moving plants. Tossing all of that organic matter doesn’t make sense, especially when it can be...
View ArticleMaintaining Soil Moisture For Healthy Plants
One of the joys of horticulture and gardening is it’s a continual learning process. Just when you think you know how a plant is going to react, nature throws a curve ball and the plant doesn’t react as...
View ArticleCSU Announces The Best Annual Flowers Of 2014
One plus for the residents of Fort Collins is that their community is host to Colorado State University's Flower Trial Gardens. Located along College Avenue, the gardens feature annual flowers,...
View ArticleProtecting Perennials After A Cold Front
A drop in temperature by 60 degrees in just a few days may be damaging to perennials, shrubs and trees. There isn’t a thing we can do about the cold front that came through the Front Range this past...
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