Author: Debra Stinton Othitis
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Year-round gardening: Growing microgreens at home
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Microgreens (MGs) are young and tender, edible greens produced by sprouting the seeds of a variety of vegetable species and herbaceous plants. They are nutrient-dense and might be grown year-round in a short time and in limited space. Growing microgreens indoors is relatively easy and it rewards you with fresh, tasty produce. Many edible plant…
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Year-round gardening: How I wish I knew then what I know now
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“There are no gardening mistakes, only experiments.” — Janet Kilburn Phillips We surveyed several Colorado Master Gardeners to hear what they have learned from their gardening experiences. About 20 years ago, I planted a bunch of beautiful red tulips in our courtyard. They were stunning the first year. What I did not know was that…
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Year-Round Gardening: Celebrate fruits of your labor so far, then tackle August gardening chores
“We are all flowers in the gardens of the world. Some of us are daisies dainty and bright. Some of us are poppies, with sweet contagious laughter.” — Lanie Costea Gardens along the Front Range are now maturing, and gardeners can take a step back to celebrate successes and note mistakes. Take stock of what’s…
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Colorado Springs garden tour to showcase recovery from Waldo Canyon fire
Since its inception in 2011, the Colorado Springs Garden Tour has showcased gardens throughout the city in neighborhoods such as Patty Jewett, the west Side, the Old North End, University Park, Village 7, Old Farm and the Broadmoor area. And every year, the tour receives high acclaim from attendees and garden owners alike. This year’s…
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Year-round gardening: Container gardening: the start to something bigger
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Container gardening is an increasingly popular way for home gardeners to grow their favorite vegetables, particularly when gardening space is limited. Containers can be placed on a windowsill, patio, deck or balcony, or in any place where growing conditions are appropriate for producing vegetables. Most vegetables require full sun, although leafy greens can tolerate less…
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Year-round gardening: Growing backyard grapes in Colorado
Colorado is not well-known as a grape-growing region, but Front Range gardeners can still grow great grapes for making juice, jam, jelly and eating fresh off the vine. The key is to plan ahead for weather extremes with smart site selection and to choose grape varieties that do well in this region. • Select a…
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Year-round gardening: Start your vegetable gardening indoors
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Starting seeds indoors is a simple and inexpensive way to enjoy many vegetable varieties not commonly found in garden centers. Starting seeds indoors allows gardeners to “jump-start” long-season crops. Here are 10 steps to starting seeds indoors: 1. Select your containers. Use small, individual, containers to reduce root damage during transplant. Plant two to three…
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Year-round gardening: Beware of poisonous plants this holiday season
During the holiday season, you may use plants, cut flowers and flowering bulbs as decoration or give them as gifts. But did you know that many of these items can be poisonous to humans and pets with long-term negative effects to health? A toxic plant is one that contains a chemical substance that produces a…
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Year-Round Gardening: Winter watering is essential for healthy trees, turf next year
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With the growing season over for another year, you might be looking forward to a break from gardening tasks. However, it is important to plan now how you will water your turf, trees and shrubs throughout the winter in the event of low snowfall amounts. Once plants go dormant for the year, it is easy…
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Year-Round Gardening: Plant bulbs now for incredible color in spring
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Planning now can replace the despair of drifting snow banks with eager anticipation of early bursts of color in your garden beds in late winter/early spring. Spring-flowering bulbs offer a tremendous range of flower colors, shapes, sizes and plant heights. And with a variety of bulbs, you can have blooms from late January with snowdrops…