Category: Tip of the Week

When you plant according to the ‘micro-climates’ within your unique property, plants live longer, healthier lives. CSU Extension recommends you take a good look at the sun that hits the ground around your property. Look at each area separately to determine if it gets any direct sunlight at any part of the day, especially in spring and summer. Also consider how much moisture or precipitation each area gets.  Full shade is considered two hours or less of sun per day.…

For those that want to capture every minute of birds being birds at your bird feeder – a smart bird feeder (with camera) is for you! Features to consider when looking for a smart bird feeder: Camera Quality: Look for a bird feeder with a high-resolution camera to capture clear images and videos of visiting birds. Connectivity: Ensure that the bird feeder is compatible with your smartphone or other devices. Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity allows you to monitor and control the feeder…

Dive into the world of edible landscaping, where your outdoor area becomes a vibrant canvas of delicious plants. Edible landscaping is a concept where ornamental plants are replaced with edible plants, creating a landscape that is not only beautiful but also provides food. It merges the practicality of gardening with the aesthetics of landscaping, offering both visual appeal and productivity. Imagine your garden as not just a feast for the eyes but a source of culinary ingredients right at your…

Let’s embark on a comedic journey through the wonderful world of seed catalogs, where the vegetables are pristine, the flowers are flawless, and reality is on vacation. Ah, the season of seed catalogs—a time when gardeners transform into dreamers, and the promise of a bountiful harvest is just a page turn away. Seed catalogs have a way of making even the most mundane vegetables sound like rockstars with their seductive descriptions. “Tomatoes that’ll make your taste buds do the cha-cha”…

From the Mourning Dove who sleeps with one eye open (and only half it’s brain asleep) to the Ruby Throated Hummingbird who slows down its body processes at night to conserve energy, this book will entrance and delight. What It’s Like to Be a Bird by David Allen Sibley is a captivating exploration of avian life that seamlessly blends science and art. Renowned for his meticulous bird illustrations, Sibley takes readers on a journey into the everyday activities of birds, offering…

The magic, color, life and whimsy of gardens on full display in these incredible botanical sanctuaries. Architectural Digest has assembled the ultimate list of must-visit gardens from around the world. Whether you’ve been designing for a decade or a lifetime, a visit to an imaginative and well-designed outdoor space can be a source of inspiration… and can help enhance your own skills and perspective. – Architectural Digest Here are the gardens on the list, and here is the full article with descriptions…

Colorado State University’s Extension, in partnership with Gov. Jared Polis, the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, and University of Colorado Museum of Natural History, has co-authored the most comprehensive report of pollinator health ever undertaken in Colorado. The Colorado Native Pollinating Insects Health Study assesses the health of Colorado’s native pollinators, evaluates state policies for safeguarding pollinators, and makes recommendations on how to preserve and protect them.  According to this article from CSU about the study, “Pollinators play…

A little effort now will make work easier when spring arrives. Lubricate your shears, pruners, or other cutting. Sand or replace wooden handles. Go shopping for tools that need replacing or could use an upgrade. Look for ergonomic tools that make the work less taxing. If the mower wasn’t winterized by draining gasoline, changing the oil, etc., do it now. Have it serviced and sharpen the blade long before it’s time for that first mow. To clean and sharpen your…

For 2024, Pantone has chosen a color that symbolizes nurturing, warmth, and a gentle embrace of the future: Peach Fuzz. This velvety, soft hue, resting between the vibrancy of pink and the calmness of orange, marks the 25th anniversary of Pantone’s Color of the Year program. Unlike last year’s bold Viva Magenta, Peach Fuzz brings a more neutral palette.…