Learn what is damaging your tree, and how to stop it. Distinguish between plant damage brought on by diseases, insects, or a nutrient deficiency. Learn to identify these pests and how to protect the trees. Beetles and bugs are damaging our trees. Ash Bark Beetle – These beetles are accounting for most of the decline of the Ash trees. Bark beetles infest and reproduce in live trees. They may infest the entire tree. Spring pruning and disposal of infested branches…
Japanese beetles have descended upon many Front Range communities. These exotic pests love many of our favorite plants, including roses, Virginia creeper, sunflowers, and green bean plants. But before the adult beetles wreak havoc on plants, leaving behind lacy skeleton of leaves, their white grubs are busy at work chewing on our turf roots. If your lawn is looking damaged, it could be due to any number of causes including heat stress. But if you are seeing Japanese beetles in…
Now is a good time to refresh garden areas, as some annuals have likely begun to fade. Choose some perennials that will tolerate the hot days still ahead and bring color to your garden for the rest of the growing season. Gardens are where plant science and art come together. Start by selecting plants that will grow in Colorado’s harsh hot and cold climate and that need very little water. Then select the ones you will plant based on their aesthetic…
A favorite family activity each 4th of July may be to have a sparkler and write something in the sky! The majority of people usually just throw the used sparkler on the ground and forget about it, well do not do that! It is bad for your lawn! Get a bucket of water! Fill your bucket with water and have everyone put the used sparklers straight in the water instead of burning holes in your lawn! If you have any…
Pollinators need sources of water for many purposes, including drinking. Butterflies, for example will gather and sip at shallow pools, mud puddles or even birdbaths. You can easily create one of these water sources in your landscapes. Why it is important to provide water for beneficial insects. · Pollinators need sources of water for many purposes including drinking and reproduction. · Foraging honeybees collect water to dilute honey, regulate humidity, and cool the hive. · Butterflies get salts and nutrients…
Homeowners need to know how landscaping can help protect their homes. Planting and maintaining a “defensible space” of landscape is more difficult to ignite, can offer significant fire protection. Steps to become more fire wise with your landscapes: Avoid placing plants to close together. Spacing plants apart from one another keeps fire from traveling between them or “climbing” up smaller bushes into the more flammable branches of nearby trees. Remove flammable debris. Dead trees, shrubs and small plants growing close to,…
Much like any appliance in your home, sprinkler systems need a tune-up. Efficient tune ups may include: *Running each sprinkler zone and looking for broken heads or dirty nozzles where the spray does not look consistent. *Making sure that nozzles are not mis-aligned and spraying rocks or concrete instead of the lawn. Straighten any sprinkler heads that are leaning to the side. *Make sure there is even drip irrigation while it is operating to be sure that emitters are not…
Why use drip irrigation? Drip irrigation systems save water by controlling a slow drip to the roots of the plants. Pipes can be either above surface or buried below the soil to target the root zone and minimize evaporation. When partnered with smart irrigation technologies, drip irrigation helps maximize water resources more efficiently. Keep in mind that roots follow water, if you are watering only the top 3 – 4 inches, your trees and shrubs are going to grow shallow…
The ground is warm, we shouldn’t have any more freezes (fingers crossed), sprinkler systems are turned on and nurseries are getting truck deliveries of new plants daily. Now is a great time to visit your local nursery or garden center and check out some of springs best “smart” plants. Local nurseries and garden centers do a great job of bringing in plants that are “smart” for this area, plants that have been shown to work in Colorado. In this dry…
A living gift is a great idea for Mother’s Day. Whether she lives in an apartment or in a house with a big yard, there is a plant for every mom. Hanging baskets can brighten up a porch, balcony, or sunny window. Many garden centers offer a variety of sizes and color combinations. They can be moved easily, so she can bring them indoors if we anticipate a late-spring frost. Fragrant Plants To make Mom’s porch, patio, or yard smell…
