09Jul

Make Your Sprinkler Smarter

Tip of the Week, Water

July is Smart Irrigation Month and a peak month for outdoor water use and a good time to make sure you’re using irrigation efficiently. Considering using smart technology to save water and money. By investing in smart irrigation technologies, you can save water, money and time in caring for your landscape. Here are three irrigation technologies worth considering on your next upgrade: Rain/freeze sensors. Irrigating in rain and freezing conditions needlessly wastes water and can damage your landscape. A rain…

21Jun

Five Benefits of Mulch

Tip of the Week, Water

Temperatures are rising in Colorado, and our plants will be thirstier. If you got a late start on your garden due to the late-spring storms, you will need to water regularly to be sure plants are established and healthy. The drought is over—for now—but doesn’t mean we shouldn’t still try to conserve water. Give the plants the water they need and don’t waste a drop. One way to save water and dress up the landscape in the process, is to…

14Jun

Planting for Pollinators

Plants and Flowers, Tip of the Week

Welcome the birds and bees to your landscape! Colorado is growing by leaps and bounds, and with new development we can lose natural habitat for pollinators. But you can provide habitat with your own pollinator-friendly landscape. You may already have some in your garden but planting more can make your mini-habitat more appealing to birds, bees, butterflies, beetles, and more. Next week is Pollinator Week – a good time to think about ways to welcome pollinator bees and butterflies into…

31May

Consider Columbine!

Plants and Flowers, Tip of the Week

Rocky Mountain Columbine is an easy-to-grow perennial that blooms from late spring to early summer, reaching a mature height of 18” tall by 15” wide. Its flowers attract hummingbirds, and it is somewhat resistant to deer and rabbits. As the name suggests, it is well-suited to Colorado landscapes in the high country and along the Front Range. Though it is a native plant and often grows along hiking trails without irrigation, columbine in your garden will need regular summer water.…

24May

Help Your Lawn Grow Strong Roots

Tip of the Week

As scientists at CSU tell us, your grass is in a critical time right now. Spring is when it grows its feeder roots that capture water all season long. Turf scientists will tell you that too much water can spoil your lawn—especially in the spring. Don’t let your lawn’s roots get used to over-watering. Over-watering can cause turf roots to remain shallow in the top inch or so of soil. Shallow roots dry out sooner, causing stress and brown spots…

17May

Don’t let the weeds get comfortable

Tip of the Week

Now is the time to get ahead of the weeds! As the season warms up and our landscape plants are growing and blooming, they’re joined by weeds. By weeds, we mean unwanted plants—especially those that have the potential to outgrow and displace the plants we put in our landscape on purpose. Now is the time to get ahead of the weeds to prevent a larger problem later. Put an end to them when they first appear can prevent them from…

26Apr

Aerate for a Healthy Lawn

Summer, Tip of the Week

Your lawn has been resting all winter, and now is a good time to help it get in shape for the summer season. Aerating, a process of removing “cores” of soil from your turf, is a beneficial “exercise” as part of your landscape’s spring conditioning program. Spring snowfall has left the soil full of moisture, which makes it easier for the aerator’s tines to sink in and pull out plugs of grass and soil. The holes created allow water, nutrients,…

19Apr

April is Lawn Care Month

Spring, Tip of the Week

Want a beautiful lawn? Start your landscape off right this spring. Proper maintenance will keep your personal green space in tip-top shape for relaxing or entertaining. Consider grass cycling. Allowing grass clippings to remain on the lawn helps return nitrogen and nutrients to the soil. Water wisely. Provide your lawn a cycle-and-soak watering every few days, not daily. Watering your lawn too frequently often leads to shallow root growth. Control weeds. April is the ideal time to get in front…

12Apr

April Blooms Need Special Care

Plants and Flowers, Spring, Tip of the Week

At lower elevations and in protected areas, the early bulbs of spring are popping up to paint the first strokes of color across the landscape. Some places are seeing crocus and hyacinths – and daffodils and tulips are soon to follow. As we are well aware this week, April is (sort of) warming, but it can still be a time of heavy snow – and even a temperature dip into the deep freeze. Protecting early-flowering bulbs When the bulbs you…

14Dec

Practical holiday gifts for gardeners

Tip of the Week

The gardening season is long gone, and with it the aromas and flavors of seasonal herbs such as basil and rosemary. Still, we can enjoy their fresh flavors over the winter months by growing them indoors. Herbs make practical holiday gifts for gardeners and anyone who likes to cook with the freshest ingredients. You can order pre-made herb gardens online, but you’ll miss the fun of a quick DIY project. If your green thumb is itching to squeeze some soil,…