12Mar

Protect plants and trees from heavy snow

Winter

It’s still winter—spring officially begins March 20—and heavy snowfall predicted this weekend is a reminder that despite the change in season, March is historically Colorado’s snowiest month. Deep snowfalls—especially spring snow that tends to be heavier and wetter than powdery winter snow—can break tree limbs, smother and crush ornamental grasses and splay upright evergreens. Here are a few things to keep in mind as we head into this snowy weekend. Before the storm: Got early bulbs sprouting? Protect them from…

05Mar

Ice Melt Safety

Winter

Use Ice Melt Sparingly Snow and ice can wreak havoc on our sidewalks and pathways. The Front Range’s heavy snowfall can melt as the day warms up, then freeze in overnight temperatures, leaving you with a slippery situation. To avoid slips and falls, it makes sense to put down some ice melt.   Responsible use of ice melt is important for people, plants, and pets. Misuse can cause its own set of painful problems. Most ice melts include salts and…

29Jan

Know your Zone

Thoughts on Design

It’s often said that the key to successful, sustainable plants is putting the right plant in the right place. But first, you need to know your place. That begins by learning your hardiness zone while you plan your landscape. This USDA system divides the US into 13 plant hardiness zones—including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico—based on the average annual extreme minimum temperature of a region. It’s a rough guide to helping gardeners and landscape professionals choose plants that will grow…

22Jan

Water those trees!

Water

Your trees are thirsty! Trees are one of the most valuable assets in a landscape. With ongoing drought in Colorado, winter watering is more important than ever to preserve your investment. It’s a good rule of thumb to water your trees twice per month in winter. A tree’s roots grow horizontally and can spread 2-4 times wider than the height of the tree, and wider than the tree’s canopy. Here’s how to make sure the roots and canopy get the…

08Jan

Winter watering is important!

Winter

Winter Landscape Care Dry conditions across Colorado mean you’ll need to drag out the hose and sprinkler and water your landscape this winter. Snowfall usually provides far less moisture than rain, so you should supplement with winter watering when the ground is not frozen. Follow these guidelines from CSU on when and how to water this winter: Water when air and soil temperatures are above 40 degrees with no snow cover. Water mid-day so that the water doesn’t freeze overnight…

11Dec

It’s sunny yellow for the win!

Spring

Color your landscape This week, Pantone® announced that it had chosen two colors for 2021 Color of the Year. Pantone chose them as colors of a solid foundation (Ultimate Gray, reminiscent of rock or concrete) and of cheerfulness and hope (Illuminating’s sunny yellow). For the landscape, there is great potential for incorporating this trendy yet comforting color combination. Plant Select® has introduced a new shrub for 2021, SteppeSuns® Hokubetsi (pictured above, photo courtesy Plant Select), with silver leaves and yellow…

04Dec

Safe Holiday Lighting

Winter

Some households are celebrating the end of a challenging year by putting on spectacular light displays for the holidays. If you’re planning your own holiday light show, keep safety in mind. It may have taken a backseat to other news, but Colorado is dealing with drought, raising the risk of fire from faulty lighting or wiring. If you’re lights are old or worn, consider an upgrade to efficient LED lighting. LEDs use a fraction of the energy that traditional incandescent…

06Nov

Wrap and water your trees

Plants and Flowers

November is a good time to think about wrapping your vulnerable trees for the winter. If you planted a new tree this fall or have a young tree in your landscape, wrapping it can protect your trees from winter damage. Why wrap Changes in temperature—especially those days when the temperature drops 20 degrees in two hours—can cause the frost cracks or split bark. The tree bark can also suffer sunscald, which are burns caused by sun exposure once the leaves…

30Oct

Water by the thermometer, not the calendar

Plants and Flowers

Fall is a critical time for lawn care and moisture. Hopefully, you shut down your irrigation system prior to the hard freeze and snow we just had, but your landscape still needs care. We are still experiencing drought, and taking care of your plants now can ensure that they return to their full splendor next spring. Keep watering Keep watering even after the system is winterized. Haul out the hose and sprinkler and keep watering as needed as long as…

16Oct

Have you planted spring bulbs yet?

Plants and Flowers

This fall’s mild temperatures give us an opportunity to plant now for a beautiful landscape next year. Fall is the best time to get bulbs into the ground for spring color. Choose your location and buy your bulbs now if you haven’t already. It’s hard to go wrong with tulips, daffodils, hyacinth and crocus. Add edibles to the mix by planting garlic and saffron crocus. Note the bloom times of each type of flower so you can group and plant…