Author: Debra Stinton Othitis
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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…
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Year-round gardening: September checklist for Colorado gardeners
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As summer winds down with shorter days and cooler nights, it’s time to clean up the garden and plan for next spring. Here are some steps Colorado gardeners should take in September: Perennials, annuals and bulbs • Plan spring bulb gardens and plant bulbs late in the month. Store bulbs in a cool, dry location…
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Year-round gardening: Plenty of work on tap for Colorado gardeners in May
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Weather in May can be volatile, so stay aware of the forecast. Although the average last frost (32 degrees) in Colorado Springs occurs May 10-15, it’s not unusual to have a hard freeze (28 degrees) late in the month. Here’s a checklist for gardeners: General maintenance • Clean and sharpen garden tools. • Change oil…
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Year-Round Gardening: An October checklist for gardens, lawns
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As we move toward lower temperatures, now is the time to focus on general garden cleanup, soil preparation and plant protection in order to ensure a successful growing season in 2021. Perennials and annuals • Remove dead annuals. • Cut back perennials, leaving about a 3-inch crown. Exceptions are ornamental grasses, butterfly bush, Russian sage,…