Author: Kerry Peetz

”In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” — Margaret Atwood The adage “April showers bring May flowers” originates from the United Kingdom, where April is a soggy month. In Colorado, this is typically the time when the last bit of snow turns to rain as temperatures climb. However,…

Button up! Winter is on its way. Following these garden guidelines could mean the difference between plants making it through the winter or meeting their demise before next spring. Cleanup • Discard fallen, spoiled or dried-up fruits to reduce disease carry over. • Prune and remove dead, diseased or damaged branches from shrubs and trees…

“I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.” — Henry David Thoreau It’s pumpkin season! Those wonderful, plump orange balls of fall can be seen almost everywhere. They are relatively easy to grow in our county and are great fun to watch in…

Hello, tomato! Rub your green thumb and consider entering the “Biggest Tomato” contest near the end of July at this year’s El Paso County Fair. There will be prizes for first and second place along with ribbons and, of course, bragging rights for a year. For information on how to enter, visit https://elpaso.extension.colostate.edu/. Meanwhile, here’s…

Water shortages affect more than 3 billion people worldwide. In the U.S., nearly half the country experienced a drought after the hottest summer on record in 2021, and the drought in the West now is considered to be a megadrought, the driest period in the past 1,200 years. This April is the driest on record…

Coloradans love their pets. Whether you have Fido the otterhound, Miss Kitty the Bengal cat or Clarabelle the beloved Red Angus cow; it’s a good idea to provide a safe environment, and free your pet from the temptation to ingest toxic plants. If you suspect your pet has ingested any of the following plants, call…

In Colorado, 80% of plant problems are due to poor soils and poor tilth (the ability of soil to grow plants). Thankfully, mixing a good soil amendment into the ground can significantly increase the chance for our plants to survive and thrive. The term soil amendment refers to any material mixed into a soil. By…