Category: Tip of the Week

There’s no shortage of Summer festivals in Colorado this year! Veg Fest – June 8, Auraria Campus Denver (and also September 28 for one day). A celebration of plant-based living, featuring vegan cuisine, speakers, and entertainment. Strawberry Days – June 20-22, Glenwood Springs (128th Anniversary of this festival!). Saturday is the best day to attend for the free strawberries and ice cream. Colorado Lavender Festival, June 27-29, Palisade. Dozens of lavender farmers, artisan craft vendors, delicious food vendors, outstanding music, free lectures and workshops,…

Betty Fort Alpine Gardens in Vail are a national AND local treasure The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail are a remarkable high-altitude botanical treasure nestled at 8,200 ft in the Rocky Mountains. We’re extremely fortunate to have this extraordinary garden resource in our ‘back yard’. Here’s what makes this garden so special (especially to those of us gardening at high altitude): World‑Class Alpine Collection One of the highest botanical gardens in North America, dedicated exclusively to alpine and mountain plants…

Butterflies are vital to the environment because they help pollinate plants, support biodiversity, and serve as important indicators of a healthy ecosystem. This informative article from UCHealth showcases the butterflies we see most commonly in Colorado, with descriptions about each accompanied by wonderful photographs that both kids and adults will appreciate seeing so that you can identify  them when they visit your garden!…

Always prune lilacs after they are finished blooming, never before, for best blooms next year. The best time to prune lilacs is right after they finish blooming in late spring or early summer, usually in June in our area. Prune annually to maintain a good shape, support good health, and facilitate abundant blooms next year Warning: if you wait until late summer or fall to cut spent blooms or cut back the plant, you’ll remove the buds for next season’s…

Birds often collide with windows because they see reflections of trees, sky, or open spaces and mistake them for safe passage. These collisions can cause serious injury or death, especially for migratory birds. Birds do this because they don’t see glass as glass, or any sort or barrier. They think the the window is part of the sky and landscape, or occasionally they’ll attack a window when they see their own reflection in it (this is more common during mating season).…

IMPORTANT NOTE: THE MUSHROOM SHOWN IN THE IMAGE ABOVE IS NOT AN EMPEROR MUSHROOM. CONTACT AN EXPERT BEFORE FORAGING FOR EMPEROR MUSHROOMS OR ANY KIND OF MUSHROOM. The Emperor mushroom (Agaricus julius) was chosen after a selection process by students, a teacher, and mycologists. The Emperor mushroom is a notable species indigenous to Colorado’s high-elevation spruce-fir forests and is a favorite of local foragers. Closely related to the West Coast’s Agaricus augustus, or “The Prince,” A. julius distinguishes itself with…

PlantWave is a unique device that translates a plant’s subtle electrical signals into harmonious music. By attaching two sensors to a plant’s leaves, PlantWave detects micro-fluctuations in the plant’s electrical conductivity — variations influenced by factors like water movement and photosynthesis. These fluctuations are graphed as waves and then converted into musical notes, creating real-time melodies that reflect the plant’s activity levels, and offering a novel way to connect with the natural world. The accompanying PlantWave app allows users to listen…

Rock gardens are super low-maintenance, and grow well in our altitude, climate, and periods of drought Rock gardens are low-maintenance landscapes that conserve water and thrive in a variety of climates, making them ideal for our drought-prone areas. They bring a natural, rugged beauty to any outdoor area. They provide year-round visual interest with a mix of stones, succulents, and hardy plants, creating a unique and natural aesthetic that shine in any Colorado outdoor space. Click here to see 19 different…

Outdoor Colorado has produced a video showcasing some spectacular wildflower viewing spots in Colorado. The list includes: Crested Butte Roxborough State Park Indian Peaks Wilderness Yankee Boy Basin Shrine Pass Closer to home wildflower viewing Dawson Butte Staunton State Park (dogs are allowed) Castlewood Canyon State Park – East  Canyon  Preservation Trail (opens May 1) Roxborough State Park (see link above)  Try the Willow Creek Trail. Denver Botanic Gardens Wildflower Walks Timing is everything with wildflowers The best time for wildflower viewing in Colorado generally…

Creating a bee bath is a simple and thoughtful way to support pollinators in your landscape. Bees need access to clean, shallow water, especially in warmer months when natural sources can dry up. To make one, use a clean shallow dish or bowl—something no more than an inch or two deep—and fill it with fresh water. Add small pebbles, shells, marbles, or flat stones that rise above the water’s surface to provide safe landing spots for the bees to perch…