Category: Tip of the Week

Farmed as early as 12,000 years ago, this grain endures today. Einkorn wheat holds a significant place in the history of agriculture and human civilization. Believed to be one of the earliest cultivated grains, einkorn has a rich history dating back to the Neolithic period. Its cultivation began in the Fertile Crescent, a region encompassing parts of modern-day Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Iran, where it played a vital role in the development of early farming communities. Archaeological evidence suggests that…

There are those of us who don’t relish contact with insects and worms while working in the yard, but many of them are quite beneficial. For instance: Ladybugs and lacewings prey upon damaging aphids and whiteflies. Ground beetles eat caterpillars and Colorado potato beetles, which may serve an important function in your garden. By establishing your landscape, you’ve created an ecosystem, and many of those insects serve a purpose. If pests are damaging your plants, you can consult a landscape…

How to control grasshoppers in your garden and landscape Having a dearth of grasshoppers is understandably upsetting to any gardener – we know firsthand the damage they cause to the crops we’re working hard to cultivate. Controlling grasshoppers in the garden can be challenging, but there are strategies you can try to minimize their damage and keep their populations in check: Remove Habitat: Grasshoppers prefer to lay their eggs in undisturbed soil, so by tilling or cultivating the soil around your garden…

Colorado Harvest Calendar for 2024 Knowing when fruits and vegetables are normally available and/or ready to pick in Colorado is helpful to gardeners who are reading seed packages ‘days to harvest’ info or putting plants in the ground and anticipating the bounty to come. This helpful Colorado Harvest Calendar lists fruits and vegetables ripening dates by “Early, Most Active, and Late”.…

What are the best ways to address damaged trees and potentially cracked limbs to keep them from becoming a liability? Be aware that the tree’s age will likely impact how it weathered the wind and that not all issues are easily visible. While young trees typically do not sustain serious damage, mature deciduous trees not only can be seriously damaged but have problems that aren’t obvious to an untrained eye. Be wary of cracks and splits in the limbs. Broken limbs pose…

Invasive plants can have negative impacts on landscapes and gardens. Here’s an easy way to learn if a plant is considered invasive (even when it isn’t noted on the tag). The Good: Some folks might argue that invasive plants have a certain charm. They’re often pretty resilient and can adapt to all sorts of environments. It’s almost like they have a survival superpower, being able to thrive where others struggle. Plus, in some cases, they can help prevent erosion, which…

April is National Lawn Care Month, and below we dispel some of the common myths about lawn care so you can get your yard off to the best start this season: Myth #1: The best time to replant the lawn is in the spring when plants are getting ready to bloom. Reality: Sowing seed in the spring sets up potential problems. Early season weeds will compete for the space – and hot and stressful months that are hard on developing…

It’s often said that the key to successful, sustainable plants is putting the right plant in the right place. But first, you need to know your place. That begins by learning your hardiness zone while you plan your landscape. Much of Colorado falls into zones 4-6, though Colorado’s fruit-growing area near Grand Junction can cross into zone 7. Stay in your zone Look for these numbers when buying seeds or plants for your landscape. Be realistic; you won’t be successful…

Learn how to make your yard a “Wildlife Habitat” The National Wildlife Federation is the organization that certifies individual gardens and yards as Wildlife Habitats. Founded in 1936, the Federation has been certifying yards since 1973.Certification requirements are in the green box below: Here’s an article that does a good job of explaining in detail what to expect and provides helpful links to key aspects of the process.To start the certification process, click here. This online application is for single site properties only.…

Cheerful Johnny Jump-ups (Viola) brighten garden beds and pathways in early spring. They are one of the first flowers we see as winter wanes. They are popular garden plants due to their brightly colored, dainty flowers, which come in a wide range of colors including yellow, orange, red, purple, blue, and white. The flowers are typically around 1 inch in diameter and have five petals, with the lower one often featuring a distinctive dark blotch or eye. Violas are very…