Category: Tip of the Week

Several hardy herbs can survive or even thrive through cold winters, especially with a bit of protection. While most herbs are considered ‘tender’ (think basil, which dies back in the fall and certainly after first hard frost), some can actually withstand our cold, harsh winters, and some can even be cultivated year-round and even harvested when they’re covered in snow. Here are some top choices: Cold-Hardy Herbs Thyme – A perennial herb that survives freezing temperatures and often stays evergreen. Sage –…

Identifying snake holes in your yard can be tricky, because snakes often use existing holes made by other animals. Here’s how to figure out whether a hole you see somewhere in your yard or garden is a snake hole. Look at Hole Size Snake holes are typically round and range from about 1–3 inches in diameter, depending on the snake. Smaller holes (around 1 inch) might belong to garter snakes or small rat snakes. Larger holes (2–3 inches) might indicate…

Plants bolt when they sense it’s time to reproduce before unfavorable conditions (like hot weather) kill them. Bolting is when a plant—usually a leafy green or herb—suddenly sends up a tall flower stalk and starts producing seeds. This often happens prematurely, especially in response to heat, stress, or day length changes, and is considered a survival mechanism to ensure survival. Is Bolting Good or Bad? Bad for leafy greens (Lettuce, Spinach, Cilantro, etc.) Leaves turn bitter and tough or can…

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…