Tag: gardening
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Year-round gardening: Peas and carrots belong together
By Debra Stinton OthitisColorado Master Gardener Found in stone age settlements dated 8,000 to 10,000 years ago, peas are the oldest known vegetable. It’s believed the first carrots, ranging from red and purple to black, came from Afghanistan and Iran in the 12th century. The idiom “like peas and carrots” is defined as two things…
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Wellness, community and millions of seeds meet at 22nd annual Pikes Peak Herb Fest
Pikes Peak area residents can immerse themselves in the world of herbalism and holistic medicine, free of charge, at the 22nd annual Pikes Peak Herb Fest at Westside Community Center on Saturday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. More than 40 local growers, herbalists and other holistic professionals will be on hand for the indoor/outdoor…
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Wait, wait, wait: Weekend forecast a warning for Colorado Springs gardeners
A stretch of record-breaking warmth this winter and spring may have some Colorado Springs residents tempted to start planting outdoor gardens. Not so fast, say a few experts. Temperatures are expected to dip well below freezing this weekend, a reminder that spring conditions along the Front Range can be unpredictable. Meteorologists warn that warm daytime…
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Year-round gardening: April tasks to tackle in your garden
By Kerry PeetzColorado Master Gardener The highly anticipated April awakening has arrived, and El Paso County gardeners have a high-altitude guide to consider to get off to a healthy start. In Colorado Springs, gardening in April is less of a hobby and more of a high-stakes game of meteorological chicken. With an average last frost…
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Year-round gardening: Trees to avoid planting in Colorado
Debra Stinton OthitisColorado Master Gardener, Special to The Tribune National Arbor Day is always celebrated on the last Friday in April. However, Colorado observes Arbor Day on the third Friday in April because it is better suited for local planting. If you plan to commemorate this holiday by planting a tree, it’s important to know…
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Year-round gardening: What are the best trees to plant in Colorado Springs?
By Amalie FelliniColorado Master Gardener Selecting trees for the environment in Colorado Springs can be challenging. Elevation has a strong impact on temperature, soil and precipitation. All of the trees included in this article are suited for 6,000 feet. Water availability and drought tolerance are also important factors. All trees require irrigation during establishment so…
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Year-round gardening: With temperatures warming, it’s time to clean up the garden
By Kim SnowdonColorado Master Gardener “If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant.” — Anne Bradstreet This mild winter is leaving gardeners wondering, will snow still come? Bulbs are emerging, trees are budding and some perennials never died back. So, when and how to approach spring cleanup of your garden? First, make…
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Department of Agriculture warns of packages holding potentially invasive seeds
Spring planting is around the corner, and the Colorado Department of Agriculture wants residents to know where their seeds are coming from. Officials with the department warned Tuesday that they received reports of unsolicited packages containing plant seeds mailed internationally to Coloradans, according to a news release. While small, the contents of the package are…
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Year-round gardening: Understanding current weather conditions
By Allisa ZurbuchenHorticulture Specialist This winter has been much warmer than usual. According to Colorado Climate Center, December 2025 was the warmest December on record throughout the state, with average temperatures 10.1 degrees warmer than the 20th-century average. January was also warmer than average but not record-breaking. In El Paso County, it was a wetter-than-average…
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Year-round gardening: Get your soil ready for growing season
Fredricka BogardusColorado Master Gardener As gardeners, we really don’t grow plants; that is the soil’s job. Tilth, the soil’s ability to support plant growth, can be improved over time by amending soil wisely. A soil test provides data-based insight into what steps gardeners can take to help the garden thrive. Three important metrics for characterizing…