Where To Recycle Your Christmas Tree This Year by Vicky Spelman

ColoradoTreeRecyclingDisposal

Many municipalities across Colorado have free tree recycling or composting programs for holiday pines that have served their festive purpose.  

What happens to the trees? In most cases, the trees are chipped and made into a mulch which is usually made available, free to city or county residents. 

Important: Never burn your Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood stove. Burning the tree may contribute to creosote buildup and could cause a chimney fire.

Here are four cities in Jefferson County that have Christmas tree recycling or composting programs.  Trees must be stripped of all ornaments, hardware, strings of lights and tinsel. 

ColoradoTreeRecyclingDisposal

Arvada: The city will accept trees for recycling anytime through Jan. 19.

• Lake Arbor Lake Park, 6400 Pomona Drive

• Stenger Fields at West 58th Avenue and Oak Street

Golden:  Christmas Tree recycling is provided by the City of Golden Forestry Division. Program details are distributed every December in the Golden informer.  Drop off your trees now through January 27 west of the intersection at Highway 93 & Golden Gate Canyon Road. Please place your tree near the sign posted for tree recycling. For further details, contact the City of Golden Forestry office at 303-384-8141.

Lakewood:  Tree recycling from 7 am to 3 pm., December 26th, through Sunday, January 12, 2020. Tree drop-off will take place at Lakewood's Greenhouse, 9556 W. Yale Ave. The greenhouse is located between Estes and old Kipling streets. Please follow posted signs and drop trees in the designated area. Tree recycling is free for Lakewood residents. Mulch will be available upon request.  For more information, please call 720-963-5240.

Wheat Ridge: The city has a free tree recycling program for residents that runs through the end of February. Drop sites are open from sunrise to sunset:

• Prospect Park, 11300 W 44th Ave.

• Panorama Park, W 33rd Ave & Fenton St.

For additional cities and counties in Colorado:

RecycleChristmasTrees#1

RecycleChristmasTrees#2

RecycleOldChristmasLights.

To recycle your old Christmas and Holiday Lights:  RecycleLights

Mistletoe – Everyone’s Favorite Holiday Parasite by Vicky Spelman

Photo Courtesy Pexels

The Christmas Holidays have a rich association with plants and a couple of favorites are the Christmas tree and mistletoe.  In winter when many trees and plants are bare, mistletoe stays green.  

Celebrate the Winter Solstice by Donna Duffy (a past Master Gardener)

 

Photo BlueDotMusic

It feels like the days just can’t get any shorter, and it’s true. Today we celebrate the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. 

December Solstice (Winter Solstice) arrives at 6:30am in Denver, today December 21, marking the moment that the sun shines at its most southern point (in case you are counting, the sun is about 9,473 million miles from earth today).   The winter solstice occurs in December, and in the northern hemisphere the date marks the 24-hour period with the fewest daylight hours of the year. To the delight of many of us, this means that the days will start getting longer, however incrementally.

Why is my Christmas tree beginning to grow? ~Michigan State University Extension

Decorated Christmas tree with new growth
Photo by Doug Thalman

                                                                       

In some years, species prone to early break bud like Concolor fir, Douglas fir, Balsam fir and Black Hills spruce are likely candidates to possibly break buds once displayed.

It may seem like a miracle when your Christmas tree breaks bud and begins to grow while on display, and it is, the miracle of nature.

Often, Michigan State University Extension educators receive calls from homeowners in December because their Christmas tree has broken bud and started to grow while in the house. To understand what is going on, we need to talk about how conifers develop and survive the winter. Each year, trees follow a cycle of dormancy in the fall. This process helps them survive through winter until spring when they will come out of dormancy, de-harden and resume growth.

The two most critical environmental factors that trigger the dormancy process are the reduction of light, or photoperiod, and low temperatures. Conifers will stop growing and set terminal buds as days become shorter even though the day temperatures are still relatively warm, but the nights are cool in August and September. The dormancy process first begins because of decreasing photoperiod, but continues as trees respond to low temperatures around or just below the freezing point. This dormancy or chilling period is needed before normal growth will resume in the spring.

As a general rule, most conifers need to accumulate at six to 10 weeks of exposure to temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit in order to meet their chilling requirement to overcome dormancy. The chilling requirement is an evolutionary adaptation that protects trees from starting to grow anytime they experience a brief warmup during the winter. It’s the same reason bulbs don’t start to grow as soon as you plant them in the fall. 

Close-up of a Christmas tree breaking bud. Photo by Doug Thalman.

Some tree species require a relatively short chilling period to overcome dormancy. If we have a cold fall and early winter, trees may accumulate enough chilling hours to satisfy their dormancy requirement before they are harvested from their field or during shipping and display at the tree lot. Once the chilling hours are met, the only thing keeping the tree from growing is that outdoor temperatures are too cold. Once trees are placed in a warm, favorable environment, they can and sometimes do begin to grow like it’s springtime. This can seem like a miracle, but it is just the miracle of nature.

Article: Bert Cregg, Michigan State University Extension, Departments of Horticulture and Forestry, and Jill O'Donnell, Michigan State University Extension - December 10, 2020

via Extension Master Gardener

World Soil Day (WSD) is December 5th by Vicky Spelman

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

World Soil Day (WSD) is December 5th, and its campaign is: "Keep soil alive, Protect soil biodiversity".

It’s an international date we use to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil - and to advocate for sustainable management of our soil resources.  

Mothballs are not the answer to controlling mice & voles! By Vicky Spelman

Vole Tracks Photo Courtesy: Missouri Botanical Garden

Using mothballs outside is a big no! Despite many companies, and articles promoting the use of mothballs to control mice, voles, squirrels, skunks, raccoons, moles, snakes and even deer outside, it is illegal to do so.  

Colorado Potatoes for Thanksgiving by Morning Ag clips

Photo credit: Savannah Schlaufman, Alamosa, CO

Ready for some mashed potatoes?

BROOMFIELD, Colo. — Colorado is renowned for the variety of agricultural products grown and raised statewide–and that includes potatoes. Colorado is the 2nd largest producer of fresh market potatoes in the U.S., and demand reaches an annual high every November in anticipation of Thanksgiving.

Might an apple tree be in your future? by Vicky Spelman

Photo Courtesy Pinterest

Plant apple trees in full sun, in soil that drains well and on a high point so frost gathering in low pockets will not damage the tree or the fruit. If you plant apple trees close to the south or west side of a building, they might also bloom too early in the spring and be damaged by frost.

Mulch Mowing your Autumn Leaves by Jon Fitzgerald

Photo: Jon Fitzgerald

That particular morning, I thought the Air Force Academy was doing a fly-over. The earsplitting sound was from three landscape maintenance workers operating gasoline powered leaf blowers on my neighbor's yard. Are we still out of touch about leaf removal? There is a lot of information available about the value of mowing fallen leaves into the turf but many homeowners are still collecting their leaves probably due to old school myths and childhood traditions.

Why are the leaves not falling off my trees? By Steve White

We are well into November and a lot of trees still have their leaves on. However, the leaves did not have their usual fall color and are brown.  What is going on?

Colorado Public Radio - Royalty Free Stock Photos

The process of leaves falling involves an understanding of the abscission zone, which is the area between the leaf petiole (leaf stalk) and the branch.  The accompanying picture shows the leaf, petiole, branch, and abscission zone.  In the abscission zone there are two sets of cell structures, one set of cells is attached to the petiole and the other set of cells are attached to the branch.  In a normal fall, the cells attached to the petiole become weaker since the photosynthesis process in the fall is lower.  This is the time that the leaves start to turn color as the green covering on the leaves disappears, leaving the natural reds, oranges, purples, and yellows to give the trees their fall beauty.  As the days go on, the cells closer to the petiole weaken and can’t hold the leaves on.  Thus, the leaves fall off.  Meanwhile, the cell structure that is attached to the branch covers up the wound that is left after the leaf falls off.  This is to prevent moisture loss from the wound to aid the tree in surviving through the winter.

Water by the thermometer, not the calendar by Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado

Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado 

Yes, we’ve had some moisture and colder weather, but we are still experiencing drought and warmer temperatures. Fall is a critical time for trees, shrubs and lawn care moisture. Taking care of your plants now can help ensure that they stay healthy and ready to go next spring.

Tips for Winter Watering

Colorado winters are unpredictable and it isn't unusual to have an extended dry period before the spring rains begin. Following are tips for winter watering of turf, trees and shrubs from Dr. James Feucht, CSU Cooperative Extension Landscape Plants Specialist.

Happy Halloween by Vicky Spelman

Courtesy Design*Sponge

Have you carved your pumpkins?  If not, here are some fun ideas to try (compliments of Design*Sponge).

Take care dealing with snow-damaged trees - Colorado State Forest Service

 

Colorado State Forest Service

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Coloradans who are dealing with broken tree limbs after this past weekend’s snowstorm may be considering actions to protect and repair them.

The Courage Garden Fire by Bernadette Costa

 

Photo: Courtesy of Jefferson County Sheriff

It was Thursday, October 8, 10:30 a.m. when I heard about the Courage Garden fire.  I am a master gardener at CSU Extension Office of Jefferson County. 

Want to grow some herbs inside this Winter? by Vicky Spelman

Poster by Vicky Spelman

Herbs grown indoors offer many benefits including fragrant foliage, various foliage colors and shapes, and a constant supply of herb leaves for cooking.

2020: My Year as an Apprentice Master Gardener by Nancy Shepard

Nancy Shepard 

Looking back on almost nine months of being in the Colorado Jefferson County Apprentice Master Gardener program, I started reflecting on what a wonderful experience it’s been. First and foremost, I was most amazed with the PEOPLE in this program. All the CMG’s, instructors, coordinators, CSU staff, mentors and other Apprentice Master Gardeners were the most wonderful set of people I have ever met. Besides the incredible knowledge everyone passed along, their helpfulness, humility, kindness and good humor were like no other group I’ve belonged to. And despite the setbacks that came with the COVID outbreak, they rallied to still make this year’s program a first-rate experience.

Is Produce safe to harvest and eat after a frost? By Joyce D’Agostino

Courtesy University of California Ag Department

This year has been challenging for gardeners on many levels. Here in the front range of Colorado, we had two unexpected frosts that happened over two holiday weekends. 

Recipe for Bulb Lasagna by Vicky Spelman

Courtesy: NC State Extension

It is planting layers of different bulbs in the same pot, creating a beautiful Spring display with the various bulb types blooming in secession. It will fill like the pot seemingly has perpetual color to welcome in Spring.

 

A plastic roof protects flowers from hail. (Courtesy of Ed Powers)

Congratulations to our Colorado Master Gardener Ed Powers for having one of his articles picked up and published by Dept. Of Ag in their morning newsletter. 

Wildfire Ash Deposits on Garden Produce By Joyce D’Agostino

Those of us who live and garden in the Western United States have found not only the air quality has been impacted by the recent wildfire smoke, but also have found ash has been deposited on the plants, produce and the soil. 

Fall Rose Care by Donna Duffy

The arrival of fall brings the realization that winter really will be here soon. Among all of your other fall garden chores, be sure to plan some time to get your roses “tucked in” and ready to brave whatever winter may bring. According to the Denver Rose Society’s publication “Growing Roses in Colorado,” there are five basic steps to remember.

Why Leaves Change Colors and the Autumnal Equinox by Carol King

Photo by Carol King

The Autumnal Equinox in Denver is Tuesday, September 22, 2017 at 7:30 a.m. MDT.  So just what is the equinox? There are two equinoxes every year (September and March) when the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night is nearly equal. It occurs the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator – the imaginary line in the sky above the Earth’s equator – from north to south. This happens either on September 22, 23, or 24 every year. 

Have you tried growing Strawflowers? by Vicky Spelman

Photo:  Jennifer Spelman

The name strawflower (Xerochrysum bracteatum) doesn’t do much to excite the flower gardener—it might elicit images of a plant that's withered and tan—but strawflower blossoms will bring vivid colors to your landscape and craft projects alike. The strawflowers resemble daisies in form, but unlike daisies, the petals are stiff and papery. They aren’t true petals at all, but modified leaves called bracts.

Planting Spring Blooming Bulbs in the Fall by Carol King

Photo by Carol King

Remember last Spring when you promised yourself you’d plant daffodils and tulips?  Well now is the time to follow through on that promise.

Maple trees in Colorado — Cherie Luke, Colorado Mountain Gardener

Photo: Cherie Luke

GOLDEN, Colo. — Maple trees belong to the family Sapindaceae and the Genus Acer. There are approximately 128 kinds of maple trees which are easily recognized by their palmate leaves.

Soldier Beetles by Vicky Spelman

Soldier Beetle on Strawflower
Photo: Vicky Spelman

Have you seen any Soldier Beetles in your yard?

Tips for dealing with snow- and wind-damaged trees - Colorado State Forest Service

This week, the cold front that brought high winds and wet, heavy snow to much of Colorado may have damaged trees. (Courtesy of Colorado State Forest Service)

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — This week, the cold front that brought high winds and wet, heavy snow to much of Colorado may have damaged trees. Coloradans who are dealing with broken tree limbs after the late-summer snowstorm may be considering actions to protect and repair them.

Caring for gardening tools is important by Meredith Lexter

Courtesy Google

I have a dirty little secret. I have been gardening for years, but I am terrible at caring for my gardening tools! I leave them out in the yard, put them away unwashed, and rarely (if ever) sharpen them. This summer I decided to turn over a new leaf and learn how to properly care for my tools. Here is what I found out. 

Grilling over the Holiday Weekend? Your garden has you covered! By Steve White

 WhiteVictory Garden Grilled Vegetable Medley
Photo: Chef Steve

Here is a tasty recipe that will meld together the flavors of several different vegetables from your garden into a unique dish.  It is quick to prepare and takes about 8 minutes to cook on the grill to get that roasted flavor. 

Prepare the vegetables and put in a large bowl:

1 – Zucchini cut in half lengthwise (for tenderness, pick one about 8 – 10”)

1 – Eggplant also cut lengthwise in half inch slices (about 6 – 8 inches for tenderness)

1 – Red Bell pepper cut in half lengthwise and remove the seeds

8 – Mushrooms about 1 1/2”

2 – Roma tomatoes

1 – Red Onion sliced in half along the diameter

3 – Garlic cloves diced

3 – Tablespoons Olive Oil

2 -  Tablespoons Oregano

1/4 Cup Flat-leaf Parsley diced

Preheat the grill to a medium-high temperature while prepping the vegetables.  Put all the vegetables in a large bowl, add the Olive Oil and toss to coat.

                                                                                                     

When the grill is ready, place all the vegetables on the cooking surface.  Cover the grill and cook for about 5 - 6 minutes and remove the mushrooms and tomatoes. Flip the remaining vegetables and cook covered for another 3 – 4 minutes.  Open the grill and check for tenderness by gently pushing the squash with your finger.

Remove the rest of the vegetables and let them cool for a few minutes.

Photo: Chef Steve White

Spread all the grilled vegetables on a cutting board and chop into one-inch pieces.  Remove the skin from the tomatoes and cut them in half.  Place the chopped vegetables in the bowl and add the Oregano, Parsley, Garlic and salt and pepper. Drizzle with additional olive oil if needed. Toss to mix the spices and vegetables together.  Ready to serve!

Photo: Chef Steve White

For variations, try Yellow squash, Chili peppers, Asparagus, green beans, Carrots, etc.  For a little bit of heat, add red pepper flakes before mixing. 

Harvesting and Storage of Your Squash and Pumpkins By Joyce D’Agostino

Photo: Joyce D'Agostino

Now that we are approaching September, its a good time to review how to harvest and store some of your garden produce. Crops like winter squash and pumpkins are ideal for long term storage and can provide great nutrition throughout the winter months.

Winter squash is different than other squash such as zucchini and yellow squash which have thinner and more tender skin and are not suitable for storage. Examples of winter squash include Butternut, Hubbard, Acorn and Kabocha. This type of squash take almost the entire season to produce fruit and mature. Their firm skins and flesh make them durable for longer term storage and there is a wide variety of sizes, shapes and colors.  

Photo: Joyce D'Agostino

Pumpkins also develop a firmer skin at maturity and can be kept in storage as well. Both pumpkins and winter squash are ready when they have fully developed their characteristic skin color and their stems have turned brown. Since some varieties could have specific criteria to determine when they are ready, refer to your seed packet or seed catalog for additional tips.

Photo: Joyce D'Agostino

Once harvested, you can lightly wash the squash and pumpkins and allow them to air dry and cure before bringing inside to store.

Photo: Joyce D'Agostino

Photo: Joyce D'Agostino

Check your Extension information to find the average date of your first frost and following hard frosts. Some squash and pumpkins can tolerate a light frost but if a hard frost is approaching, you should harvest any pumpkins and squash still on the vine and bring inside. When stored properly some may finish ripening indoors.

If you didn’t grow a winter squash or pumpkin this year, make note to try it next growing season. It is fun and gratifying to have your own homegrown Halloween pumpkin or winter squash to serve at your Thanksgiving dinner. 

Refer to the helpful publications below regarding end of the season harvesting and storage of your winter squash and pumpkins:  Storage, Pumpkins, Fall Squash, HarvestStories, Vegetables

Time to Divide Iris by Carol King

Photo Wikimedia Commons

How's your iris garden looking?  Mine is pretty sad.  Perhaps it's time to divide and replant them.  Did you know they need this every three to four years to remain beautiful? And August and September is the perfect time.

Here's some advice as to how from one of our mountain Colorado Master Gardeners.


http://coloradomountaingardener.blogspot.com/2012/07/dividing-iris-by-ashley-mcnamara.html

Fall Blooming Perennials Add Color to the Autumn Garden by Carol King

Aster wikipedia.org

Mid to end of August is a good time to look at your garden and find spots for fall blooming perennials. Here are four “tried and true” plants that will add color to the fall garden.

ASTERS are tough and reliable, and a natural for dry climates like ours where several native species delight mountain hikers. In fact, many aster varieties fail to survive the winter if kept too moist. Asters are easy to cultivate. Among cultivated asters, growth habits range from three-foot perennials to compact mounds. The Greek word aster refers to the yellow-centered, star-like flowers that can be white, red, pink, purple, lavender and blue. 

Ambush Bugs by Vicky Spelman

Strawflower
Photo: Vicky Spelman

They are predators of others insects, even the occasional spider.  Like their name implies, they lie in wait on plants and capture prey that comes within range by injecting paralyzing saliva through their piercing-sucking mouthparts.  Almost always found on flowers favoring yellow and white flower heads, they wait for passing flies, bees and wasps that visit.   Greater numbers can be found later in the season.  

2020 – The Year of the Lantana By Joyce D’Agostino

Lantana Photo:  Joyce D'Agostino

Each year the National Garden Bureau selects a group of plants to be featured as  their Plants of the Year. This year, Lantana was chosen as one of those honored plants.

The Top Ten Vegetables to Plant in August by Patti O'Neal

Photo Courtesy Pixabay

There is still time and August is a great time to get another round of crops into the ground for a bountiful fall harvest.  The first average frost date along the front range as been around the 2^nd week of October for most of the past decade.  This gives you nearly 90 days of growing time.  In that time, you can have a bounty of vegetables to enjoy all through fall. 

Should You Use a Mask in the Garden? by Pat Kirk

                                                    

                 The Many Reasons and Uses for Masks - 
                           Coronavirus and in the Garden

As the summer advances, all of us in the Master Gardener Program want you to stay healthy by wearing masks on the street and in the garden. Masking up helps limit the spread of the COVID-19 disease and is now required in public spaces in Colorado. But what are the reasons and uses of masks in the garden?

Top Ten Reasons Everyone Should Plant a Fall Vegetable Garden – And the Time Is Now! by Patti O'Neal

Many people are just beginning to see production on their tomatoes.  So it may be hard to think about what you will eat in October and November when your tomatoes are gone, but now is the time to think about that.  Colorado is well suited to fall gardening and winter harvest and it can be done successfully almost anywhere.  If you’ve never tried it, here are 10 reasons why you should.

Winter Hardy Rainbow Swiss Chard

1.  Gardens can be any size – So anybody can do it.

Fall crops are primarily greens and root crops, so they are very well adapted to container gardening, table top raised beds, raised beds of all kinds.  They are also well suited for intensive planting, so you really can get a big bang in a small space.  So even if you start with one container of spinach this year – do it.  You’ll catch the bug and increase it next year.

2.  There are many vegetables that thrive in fall front range gardens and can be planted NOW!

Beets, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, kale and chard can all be planted now.  August is the best time to plant arugula, cabbage, endive, spinach, cilantro and September you can plant bush peas, radishes, Chinese greens, more spinach and lettuce and the list goes on. Where it gets really interesting is in the varieties of each crop that is possible to try.  My fall garden has no fewer than 5 varieties of spinach, 10 varieties of lettuce and 4 Chinese vegetables, like Pac Choi and Bok Choi  and 3 kales to name a few.  Salads and stir fries are never the same. September or October is the time to plant garlic.

Even Daddy Longlegs need to relax in the garden by Vicky Spelman

Photo: Vicky Spelman

The Myth: Daddy Longlegs are one of the most poisonous spiders, but their fangs are too short to bite humans. 🕷They do not have venom glands, fangs or any other mechanism for chemically subduing their food.

The Stinkhorn Mushroom by Vicky Spelman

via Extension Master Gardener

"They can be quite striking in the landscape, but are often viewed as a nuisance because of the foul order they emit.