Category: Tip of the Week

Investing in landscaping projects can significantly enhance the curb appeal and overall value of your home. Keeping up with landscaping projects around your home enhances the beauty and functionality of outdoor spaces, and makes living in your outdoor environment a pleasure.  Considering trying some of these this summer or early fall (you don’t have to do all of them at once): 1. First and foremost, keep a Clean and Tidy Landscape A well-maintained landscape reflects positively on the overall property. Regular maintenance prevents…

Regular deadheading of any plant promotes healthier growth. Deadheading irises, which involves removing spent flowers, is essential for maintaining plant health and aesthetics. And did you know that some iris will bloom a second time in a season if deadheaded as soon as possible after bloom? The optimal time to deadhead irises is immediately after the flowers begin to fade and wither, typically in late spring to early summer depending on the variety and climate. Throughout the blooming season, regularly…

400 of the irises are rare historical varieties that otherwise might be lost to time. The iris collection at Chatfield Botanic Gardens are part of a nationwide horticultural heritage movement to preserve heirloom irises. Click here for more info.  Note: this Botanic Garden location is closed May 28 – 29 for a private event.…

It can be difficult to know if stuff about gardening that we read on the internet (or hear from others) is true. In this article from The Old Farmer’s Almanac helps to dispel commonly believed myths related to gardening, and will save you time, money, and wasted effort too. Take a look at commonly held beliefs and garden advice topics, and see if you know which are true, and which are myths: Add sand to improve clay soil Water droplets…

Farmed as early as 12,000 years ago, this grain endures today. Einkorn wheat holds a significant place in the history of agriculture and human civilization. Believed to be one of the earliest cultivated grains, einkorn has a rich history dating back to the Neolithic period. Its cultivation began in the Fertile Crescent, a region encompassing parts of modern-day Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Iran, where it played a vital role in the development of early farming communities. Archaeological evidence suggests that…

There are those of us who don’t relish contact with insects and worms while working in the yard, but many of them are quite beneficial. For instance: Ladybugs and lacewings prey upon damaging aphids and whiteflies. Ground beetles eat caterpillars and Colorado potato beetles, which may serve an important function in your garden. By establishing your landscape, you’ve created an ecosystem, and many of those insects serve a purpose. If pests are damaging your plants, you can consult a landscape…

How to control grasshoppers in your garden and landscape Having a dearth of grasshoppers is understandably upsetting to any gardener – we know firsthand the damage they cause to the crops we’re working hard to cultivate. Controlling grasshoppers in the garden can be challenging, but there are strategies you can try to minimize their damage and keep their populations in check: Remove Habitat: Grasshoppers prefer to lay their eggs in undisturbed soil, so by tilling or cultivating the soil around your garden…

Colorado Harvest Calendar for 2024 Knowing when fruits and vegetables are normally available and/or ready to pick in Colorado is helpful to gardeners who are reading seed packages ‘days to harvest’ info or putting plants in the ground and anticipating the bounty to come. This helpful Colorado Harvest Calendar lists fruits and vegetables ripening dates by “Early, Most Active, and Late”.…

What are the best ways to address damaged trees and potentially cracked limbs to keep them from becoming a liability? Be aware that the tree’s age will likely impact how it weathered the wind and that not all issues are easily visible. While young trees typically do not sustain serious damage, mature deciduous trees not only can be seriously damaged but have problems that aren’t obvious to an untrained eye. Be wary of cracks and splits in the limbs. Broken limbs pose…

Invasive plants can have negative impacts on landscapes and gardens. Here’s an easy way to learn if a plant is considered invasive (even when it isn’t noted on the tag). The Good: Some folks might argue that invasive plants have a certain charm. They’re often pretty resilient and can adapt to all sorts of environments. It’s almost like they have a survival superpower, being able to thrive where others struggle. Plus, in some cases, they can help prevent erosion, which…