Here in Colorado we are lucky to enjoy outdoor living even when there’s a chill in the air. The key to extending outdoor enjoyment beyond the summer is to harness the elements of fire and light. Start a (safe) fire! A cozy fire feature brings people together, prolongs a good conversation and adds ambiance to your outdoor living space. For young people, it can mean one more campfire and round of s’mores to enjoy. Stay warm on a chilly fall…
Plant bulbs now for bright and cheery spring color Autumn officially begins on Monday, but it’s a good time of year to plan ahead for your spring bulb garden. Rather than lament the end of summer, use the weekend to get out into your yard to plan some color for next year! Scope out your garden Choose the right location in your landscape, preferably an area that gets full sun—at least six hours each day. Think about which flowers you’d…
Plant perennials this weekend Perennials are a solid, sustainable option for ongoing seasonal color. Late summer and early fall are great times to plant and divide these plants that keep on giving. Three benefits of planting perennials They come back. Plant a perennial once and that same plant can beautify your landscape year after year. Perennials provide great value because, unlike annuals, you need only purchase and plant them once. They should return to bloom again many years, getting larger…
It’s time to give your landscape some TLC before winter! Even with the grass slowing down and temperatures cooling, you still need to give your landscape a little TLC to keep it healthy as we head toward its winter “hibernation.” Follow a few steps to build a hardier lawn for the winter that will return to its full green glory next spring. Apply a final application of fertilizer. Using the same fertilizer formulation you used earlier this season is fine.…
Looking to do some yard work over the long weekend? There’s still time to plant leafy greens, brassica plants like broccoli and Brussels sprouts, and root vegetables like beets or carrots. Late summer’s cooling night-time temps and shorter days with less sunshine offer them the right conditions. Don’t give up on the growing season yet – plant fall harvest flavor in your garden this weekend! Root vegetables Since root crops take time to develop, read the seed packets and look…
Fall is when we need to start paying attention to the moisture our trees need to survive the months ahead. Trees are the most valuable elements of our landscapes and we need to be ready to water them this fall and winter. In the Denver metro area, October 2018 received less than 1 inch of precipitation. This dry spell follows on the heels of a hot, dry September during which temps on 80% of days were above normal and overall…
If you mow your leaves and leave them on top of the lawn, you will save yourself time and back-breaking work raking, bagging and pulling heavy bags out to the curb. You will help to cut down the 8 million tons of leaves that end up in landfills nationwide each autumn. In landfills, leaves create methane gas that heightens global warming. On your lawn, mulched leaves: Create nutrients and thereby reduce fertilizer needs. Help maintain soil moisture. After three consecutive…
