Category: Tip of the Week

Poinsettias which are the traditional plant of the holidays, are not poisonous. Studies published by the Mayo Clinic and info online from Colorado State University Extension confirm neither people nor pets will die from consuming part of a poinsettia. Their milky sap may be mildly irritating to people with sensitive skin, especially those who are latex sensitive. Washing with mild soap usually solves the problem. Eating large amounts of flowers and leaves can upset the stomach, but plants are not…

In Colorado, we love our landscapes and we are spending more time outdoors where we can enjoy them. With so much of our state in drought conditions and under water restrictions, we are reminded we need to look for plants that are easy to grow, can handle summer heat-and don’t need a lot of water. If you are looking for more water-wise ideas for what to plant this year, here are some plants you might want to bring home to…

We have so many plant choices in Colorado, it’s easy to lose track of plants that have always grown here. Yet, there are good reasons to have a few native plants growing in our yards. The No. 1 reason to plant natives is that Colorado is NOT an easy place to grow plants. We have wild temperature swings, hard freezes, a dry climate and harsh winters. We can and do grow non-natives here, but non-natives can take more work, develop…

If you’ve gardened for even a few weeks in Colorado, you probably have a serious dislike for bindweed. It looks like a miniature version of morning glory that seems like it will take over a garden, lawn, and landscape almost overnight. This vining and flowering plant starts out growing along the ground until it finds a vertical structure such as a tomato cage, trellis or fence to grab. Then it shoots upward grabbing and wrapping itself around the vertical form…

Spring is prime time for planting new trees. It gives them a long growing season to get settled into their new home. Before you select a tree or two and start planting, weigh the expert advice of Keith Wood, urban and community forest manager for Colorado State Forest Service. His number one recommendation is to plant a diversity of trees in your yard, throughout a neighborhood and within the community. Wood’s wisdom, shared by all dedicated arborists, now applies more…

Mowing lawns less frequently is practical, time saving and economical when it comes to having a pollinator friendly yard. These are the findings recently published by the U. S. Department of Agriculture based on research conducted in residential yards in western Massachusetts. Researchers found those who mowed lawns every 2 weeks, rather than weekly or every 3 weeks, created “more abundant flower resources” – namely flowering weeds – which, in turn, will attract and nourish bees. That said, do you…