We’re dealing with widely fluctuating summer weather temperatures right now, but it’s time to look ahead to fall when it comes to tree care. The greater-than-normal precipitation we’ve seen this year has had quite an effect on our landscapes. Plants—and weeds—grew a lot with all that extra moisture, and so have many of our trees. You may have noticed a growth spurt of branches and leaves on both new and mature trees. That’s a good thing, since we want our…
Hot days and precipitation can create a perfect environment for insects in our gardens and landscapes. Gardeners along the Front Range and higher elevations should be on the lookout for pests that could make a meal of their plants. Let’s talk about two common Colorado pests: Aphids Aphids commonly appear on mixed lettuce greens, radishes, broccoli and kale. Marigolds and lemon thyme planted in your edibles garden can help deter this messy pest. If you have roses of any kind,…
Keep color blooming the rest of summer! By late July, it’s not unusual to have patio containers or flower beds that are a mix of thriving flowers and foliage and some stragglers that are less than lush. If you didn’t set your timer to water while you were on vacation, or you got too busy to fertilize and deadhead flowers, you might have some sad spots in your landscape or container garden. But all is not lost—there are some quick…
The summer heat started later this year, but July is finally earning its reputation as the hottest month of the year. If your plants have been thriving as a result of early summer precipitation, a return to hot, dry weather could be a difficult transition. The best defense is a good offense The best way to help your plants survive Colorado’s altitude, intense sun, cold winters, and hot summers is to select plants that like to live here.We’re not in…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
