The general rule of thumb has been to wrap young trees in late November and remove the wrapping in April. But here in Colorado we know that weather patterns don’t read calendars. Freeze can, and recently did, occur early in the fall. But don’t despair if your tree got caught without a “blanket” in October. If you planted a new tree this fall or have a young tree in your landscape, it’s not too late to wrap it. Despite the…
According to some predictions, Colorado could see a colder, snowier winter this season than we’ve seen previously. The Front Range got a sneak preview with a snow storm just before Halloween, and much of the state saw frigid temperatures. The storm this week was an early reminder to have a plan in place to keep your sidewalks and driveways safe. Here are some snow shoveling basics: Shovel your sidewalk after it snows. It’s the right thing to do, and in…
What if we told you that you can actually improve your landscape by not bagging your leaves for trash pickup? Instead, you can mulch your leaves and leave them on the lawn. Mulched leaves will bio-degrade, providing nutrients to the grass roots, micro-organisms, and worms in your landscape. They also help regulate the soil temperature when it gets cold, retain moisture in soil on dry days, and can reduce weed propagation next year. But you can’t simply let leaves sit…
Here in Colorado we are lucky to enjoy outdoor living even when there’s a chill in the air. The key to extending outdoor enjoyment beyond the summer is to harness the elements of fire and light. Start a (safe) fire! A cozy fire feature brings people together, prolongs a good conversation and adds ambiance to your outdoor living space. For young people, it can mean one more campfire and round of s’mores to enjoy. Stay warm on a chilly fall…
The growing season is definitely winding down, and it’s time to take care of fall landscape chores. Hopefully you winterized your irrigation system or got your sprinkler blowout done ahead of our big storm on Thursday. Now let’s think about getting our trees ready for winter. Prune shade trees so they will be better prepared to handle wind and snow. If there are dead or damaged branches from yesterday’s (or even last year’s) storms that have not been pruned, they…
Fall has just begun and now it’s time to think about putting our landscape and plants to bed for fall and winter. It’s a good time to give plants a little extra TLC that will pay off in a healthier and nicer landscape next spring. September and early October are critical times for plant care and moisture. Even with the nights cooling off—maybe you’re looking ahead and shutting down our sprinklers to avoid damage from an early freeze—you should keep…
Plant bulbs now for bright and cheery spring color Autumn officially begins on Monday, but it’s a good time of year to plan ahead for your spring bulb garden. Rather than lament the end of summer, use the weekend to get out into your yard to plan some color for next year! Scope out your garden Choose the right location in your landscape, preferably an area that gets full sun—at least six hours each day. Think about which flowers you’d…
Plant perennials this weekend Perennials are a solid, sustainable option for ongoing seasonal color. Late summer and early fall are great times to plant and divide these plants that keep on giving. Three benefits of planting perennials They come back. Plant a perennial once and that same plant can beautify your landscape year after year. Perennials provide great value because, unlike annuals, you need only purchase and plant them once. They should return to bloom again many years, getting larger…
It’s time to give your landscape some TLC before winter! Even with the grass slowing down and temperatures cooling, you still need to give your landscape a little TLC to keep it healthy as we head toward its winter “hibernation.” Follow a few steps to build a hardier lawn for the winter that will return to its full green glory next spring. Apply a final application of fertilizer. Using the same fertilizer formulation you used earlier this season is fine.…
Looking to do some yard work over the long weekend? There’s still time to plant leafy greens, brassica plants like broccoli and Brussels sprouts, and root vegetables like beets or carrots. Late summer’s cooling night-time temps and shorter days with less sunshine offer them the right conditions. Don’t give up on the growing season yet – plant fall harvest flavor in your garden this weekend! Root vegetables Since root crops take time to develop, read the seed packets and look…
