Snowflake Wonder by Elaine Lockey

http://weather.thefuntimesguide.com/2009/01/the_snowflake.php

If you get caught outside finishing up gardening tasks when it begins to snow, chances are you aren’t too interested in stopping to admire it.  But when you have the opportunity, “snowflake watching” will transport you right back to your childhood sense of wonder.

Snow crystals are single crystals of ice while a snowflake is one or more crystals stuck together. Water molecules create a hexagonal lattice that is formed when water vapor condenses directly into ice in clouds when the temperature is freezing or below. There are several factors that influence the shape of snowflakes: humidity, temperature, and air currents.  Colder temperatures create more intricate shapes – sharper tips and more branching.

Growing Hops for a "Native Lager" by Duane Davidson

Jeffco and other area gardeners who enjoy a cold brew on a warm day must have been intrigued by an article in the Denver Post recently. The headline and sub-head: "People's beer: AC Golden asks customers to grow hops and contribute them to its Colorado Native Lager, and 373 fans jump on board." Read it at http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_16851639 .

The article explains that AC Golden Brewing Co., a small-batch unit of MillerCoors, brews a beer called Colorado Native Lager, "ostensibly made with all Colorado ingredients." But in truth it is only 99.89 percent local. Missing is enough locally-grown hops, which gives the beer its bitter taste.

Watering for Christmas in Jefferson County by Carol King

Lakewood, Colorado, December 26, 2010, 5480 feet above sea level: the day was spent watering my garden.  Yes, I am watering my garden in December and you must also. We have received less than one inch of precipitation since October making this one of the driest falls on record.

You must water if you value your landscape! It's not just me haranguing you, dear gardener, Carol O'Meara says so in the Denver Post.  The folks at Denver Water say so.  Our very own Donna Duffy says so.

DO IT!!

Here's a guide to tree watering in the winter in Colorado.

Merry Christmas

Wishing You a Merry Christmas and Lots of Garden Presents!!

JEFFERSON COUNTY COLORADO MASTER GARDENER BLOGGERS.

What Does Our Favorite Christmas Flower and the Smithsonian Have in Common?

They were both "discovered" by the same person! Joel Roberts Poinsett.

The history of the poinsettia is fascinating. It was originally called cuetlaxochitl by the Aztecs who discovered  all sorts of wonderful uses for it including fever medicine.
Read all about it here!

 

Gifts For Gardeners!

From Hermes garden gloves and tools to the more reasonably priced packets of Heirloom seeds; see what Garden Design Magazine editors recommend as gifts to gardeners!

Become a Citizen Scientist and Count Birds

This sounds like a fun event for the whole family: counting birds for the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count.  It's the 111th annual count!

Look here for complete information.