Author: Kerry Peetz
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Year-Round Gardening: Rapidly shifting temperatures take a toll on trees
A local TV station reported that this year the Pikes Peak region lost between 10% and 20% of its ash trees. While that might not seem like a lot, it really is. A major factor to consider when selecting trees and other plants for landscapes is fluctuating temperatures. The El Paso County Master Gardener Help…
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Year-round gardening:
Our Colorado flower blooming season is winding down. For those of us who would like to “extend” the beauty of the garden throughout the year, drying flowers is an inexpensive way to enjoy garden activities into the winter months while providing an indoor ray of sunshine on those cold, snowy days to come. Whether you…
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Year-round gardening: Take these steps to ensure a quality lawn and garden through July
Often the warmest month in the Pikes Peak region, July brings the heat. It also brings a variety of gardening activities, with the main chores being maintaining, weeding and sometimes harvesting. Here’s a checklist: Lawn/flowers • Apply or reapply mulch; it retains moisture, keeps the soil cooler and helps to prevent soil compaction. • Mow…
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Year-Round Gardening: What to do about those pesky yellow jackets
With summer comes those dreaded yellow jackets. The yellow and black banded insects are the top stinging pest in Colorado. Their ability to sting multiple times, paired with their aggressively defensive nature, makes them one of those insects that no one wants around. Understanding them may help us to avoid these troublesome wasps and enjoy…
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Year-Round Gardening: Take time in May to get ready for summer
The good news is hearing that snowpack is accumulating in our mountains. We won’t know the amount of water we will collect until the spring melt this month. The crux for Colorado gardeners is water use. Good gardeners conserve water. Great gardeners choose plants that naturally use less water and are conscientious of every drop…
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Year-round gardening: Keeping the lawn lush, with the new rules
Green, lush turf makes gardeners happy. Is it possible to achieve this with the new “Water Wise” rules? Yes it is! There are guidelines to pursue and important researched-based information to share. Colorado State University has been researching turf for decades and its findings, when followed, can help lawns thrive and flourish. A lawn’s tolerance…
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Year-round gardening: Spring is coming; time to get to work
Most years, March brings the greatest amount of snow. According to the calendar, it’s the beginning of spring and our snow-covered plants are slowly trying to pop up for a new season. There is nothing quite like springtime when the green growth is finally visible and tiny blooms announce that warmer weather is on its…
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Year-round gardening: Spring is coming; time to get to work
Most years, March brings the greatest amount of snow. According to the calendar, it’s the beginning of spring and our snow-covered plants are slowly trying to pop up for a new season. There is nothing quite like springtime when the green growth is finally visible and tiny blooms announce that warmer weather is on its…
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Now Appearing: Hats off to coneflower
The prairie is splashed with color when the flowers are blooming. Mexican hat is known for its particular cone and petals, which come in a variety of colors. Prairie coneflower, Mexican hatRatibida columniferaAppearanceThis colorful prairie coneflower is a native perennial to western North America. The flower has a protrusive central cone surrounded by drooping…
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Now Appearing: Put hard-to-kill plant in yard, arrangements
Lady’s mantleAlchemilla mollis Appearance This perfect yard darling displays soft olive-green leaves with bursting clusters of starlike yellow-greenish flowers. It grows in a mound shape that complements any garden. Cultivation Lady’s mantle prefers dappled sun to partial shade. It also grows in full shade. As long as you provide a rich, moist well-drained area, it…