Each year, the National Garden Bureau (NGB) chooses its plants of the year in several categories: annuals, perennials, bulbs, shrubs, and edible plants. This year they also added a houseplant to the roster. Below are their picks for 2022. Take some time to learn more about these trendy plants and plan to add them to your own landscape in the new year: Gladiolus (bulb) – Dramatic flowers grow from these bulbs (corms, to be exact) each summer. Fun fact: Gladiolus is the official…
Did you know that your landscape can support wildlife? There are many birds that overwinter in Colorado, including chickadees (pictured), juncos, crows, and the striking cedar waxwing. A healthy landscape can provide food and shelter for them. Many landscape plants can be a home or a meal for birds. Sunflowers, yarrow, and blue flax are among the plants that can give sustenance to our feathered friends. Yarrow can provide nest material as well. Trees and shrubs like blue spruce, Rocky Mountain juniper,…
This Sunday is National Poinsettia Day. Poinsettias are a great gift for this time of year. While they are not edible and could cause mild illness, they aren’t poisonous to kids or pets. Use them to decorate your home without fear but know that it can take some effort to keep them alive and healthy in Colorado. If the gift recipient isn’t a dedicated plant lover, you might consider a different, hardier gift plant. If indoor houseplants are more their speed,…
Over the last couple of years, many of us have spent more time than ever in our yards. When you were giving thanks last week, we hope that you spent a moment appreciating all that your landscape does for you. Our outdoor spaces can give us: Better health. Gardening is a great method of exercise. It’s also good for you mental health, helping boost your mood by interacting with nature. Better environment. Plants clean the air and provide oxygen. They cool our homes…
The Front Range continues to experience drought conditions. To avoid winter drought stress, we need to water our landscapes. Drought stress can dehydrate roots. Freeze damage can leave plants vulnerable to insects or other stressors later. Stressed lawns can attract pests like turf mites. By the time summer heat returns, your plants may no longer be strong enough to survive. Warm days during fall and winter dry out plants and roots. Supplemental watering during dry spells in the fall and winter can…
Are your garden tools ready for winter? Take some time now to clean them up and protect them from the elements. You’ll thank yourself next spring when they are ready and waiting when it’s time to get into the garden again. Once you’ve mowed the lawn for the last time this season, prepare it for sitting dormant. Disconnect the battery and spark plugs. Clean it up. If it is gasoline-powered, drain the gasoline. Consider changing the air and fuel filters if necessary.…
Were you one of the many people who planted new trees during the pandemic? If you’ve got a young tree with thin bark, you should consider wrapping it for the winter. Why wrap a tree?Colorado’s big temperature swings can cause frost cracks or split bark. Our sunny winter days can cause sunscald on tree bark that is left exposed after leaves fall. Using a tree wrap can protect the vulnerable bark of young trees against the harsh Colorado climate. Trees like…
If you haven’t planted bulbs yet for next spring, there may still be time. Planting now gives them time to develop roots before the ground freezes. It’s an easy project as long as you know a few things to do – and not do – when planting. Do: Choose a location that is well-drained and gets plenty of sun. Plan your planting around bloom time. Daffodils and crocuses will appear early in the season, while tulips will come along later.…
It takes a little effort to help your landscape ease into the fall and winter. Hopefully you’ve already winterized your irrigation system or scheduled your sprinkler blowout. If not, take a minute today to get it done or get on a professional’s calendar before they book up. Then, turn your focus to preparing trees for winter. Ideally, you should try to prune your trees when they have gone dormant. Pruning shade trees helps them better handle the snowfall and strong winds of…
If you took a cue from last week’s tip and mulched your leaves, you might have some extra leaf mulch in your yard. Or maybe you cleaned up your garden and have some plant material left over. You can turn those piles of yard waste into “black gold” by composting them for use next spring. Combine those leaves with other organic waste from your home to build a compost pile that is a well-balanced mix of browns and greens: Browns…
