According to some predictions, Colorado could see a colder, snowier winter this season than we’ve seen previously. The Front Range got a sneak preview with a snow storm just before Halloween, and much of the state saw frigid temperatures. The storm this week was an early reminder to have a plan in place to keep your sidewalks and driveways safe. Here are some snow shoveling basics: Shovel your sidewalk after it snows. It’s the right thing to do, and in…
What if we told you that you can actually improve your landscape by not bagging your leaves for trash pickup? Instead, you can mulch your leaves and leave them on the lawn. Mulched leaves will bio-degrade, providing nutrients to the grass roots, micro-organisms, and worms in your landscape. They also help regulate the soil temperature when it gets cold, retain moisture in soil on dry days, and can reduce weed propagation next year. But you can’t simply let leaves sit…
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…
The growing season is definitely winding down, and it’s time to take care of fall landscape chores. Hopefully you winterized your irrigation system or got your sprinkler blowout done ahead of our big storm on Thursday. Now let’s think about getting our trees ready for winter. Prune shade trees so they will be better prepared to handle wind and snow. If there are dead or damaged branches from yesterday’s (or even last year’s) storms that have not been pruned, they…
Fall has just begun and now it’s time to think about putting our landscape and plants to bed for fall and winter. It’s a good time to give plants a little extra TLC that will pay off in a healthier and nicer landscape next spring. September and early October are critical times for plant care and moisture. Even with the nights cooling off—maybe you’re looking ahead and shutting down our sprinklers to avoid damage from an early freeze—you should keep…
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…
National Dog Day is Monday, August 26—time to celebrate our four-legged friends. If you’ve got a canine family member, keep them in mind when maintaining your landscape. Avoid potentially dangerous plants Many dogs dig up or chew bulbs and plants. If your dog is a curious type who likes to dig or taste what’s growing, keep dangerous plants in an area that pups can’t access or avoid them altogether. Some plants that could make your dog sick: Spring flowering bulbs…
If you’ve got an herb garden, you’ve probably been enjoying fresh herbs in your meals. But by now, you might be getting a little bored of them or simply have more than you can reasonably use. With a little effort, you can manage your herb garden and boost the flavor in your meals for months to come. If you’ve got more herbs than you need right now, harvest them for later use. Some herbs can be dried Cut a bundle…
Saving seeds from your summer and fall veggie (and flowers) harvest saves you time and money next year when you go to plant anew. It’s easy to harvest seeds from this year’s garden for next year’s crop. We can’t wait to eat that very first ripe tomato that comes off the vine. It’s tough to resist the urge to enjoy it in a salad or BLT. Saving the seeds from your first tomato of the season can benefit next year’s…
