Grow a Tree for Arbor Day by Vicky Spelman

Courtesy Good Housekeeping

Arbor Day is observed in the United States on Friday, April 30, 2021

“Other holidays repose upon the past; Arbor Day proposes for the future.”  ~Sterling Morton 19th Century American journalist and politician

Arbor Day is a special day that is set aside throughout the world to raise awareness of trees and the important role that they play in our environment.

As important as it is to be planting a tree or two, it is equally as important to plant one correctly.  Arbor Day should be about growing trees, not just planting them.  Here is a guide for planting and growing your tree:

CSU - Planting Tips

1. Plant top of root ball slightly above ground level so the root collar (or flare) is visible one inch above final grade.

2. Set root ball on solid ground – not loose backfill to eliminate settling.

3. Backfill the hole with the original soil.

4. Fertilizing at planting time is not necessary.

5. Best planting times are from March 15th to June 15th and from September 1st to October 15th.

6. Use mulch after planting to protect roots, hold soil moisture, reduce weeds, and provide a protective barrier from the lawn mower and weed whackers.  Mulch should be 3 to 4 inches deep and pulled back 6 inches from the tree trunk and extend it one foot beyond the root ball.  

Ready to buy, plant and grow a tree soon?  

Additional Information:  

CSU-Care & Planting Tips

CSU Recommended Trees for Colorado

CSU Guide to Tree Selection

Bagworms by Vicky Spelman

Photo: Vicky Spelman

Walking the Yard: Have you walked around your yard just to see how your trees, shrubs and perennials are doing?  Make it a habit to really look and observe the rest of your yard: how the trees, shrubs, and the smaller plants are growing.

So often when we buy trees, shrubs, and plants, they are not grown locally, but rather imported from another state or area. They could arrive with an insect or disease that was prevalent in that state or area.

My Crimson Spire Oak trees came from another area. How did I know that?  I noticed unusual cocoons hanging off one of them. A diagnosis from our Diagnostic Clinic solved the mystery - they were bagworms. 

Bagworm caterpillars make distinctive 1.5 to 2 inch long spindle-shaped bags that can be seen hanging from twigs of a variety of trees and shrubs. Sometimes the bags are mistaken for pine cones or other plant structures. 

Bagworms prefer juniper, arborvitae, spruce, pine, and cedar but also attack deciduous trees.

Courtesy University of Nebraska

“This is an insect that gets brought into the state fairly often on infested plants.  However, so far I have not heard of an instance where it became established in Colorado”.  Whitney Cranshaw, CSU

In my case, I cut the bags off by hand and disposed of them by cutting them in pieces and as a final technique... I squished them.  

The Giving Tree by Vicky Spelman

 

Photo by Phoebe Calef of her real-life Giving Tree in Oakland, California.

Happy Earth Day!

This Stump Has Been Turned into a Perfect Tribute to 'The Giving Tree'.

It depicts a tree that had been cut into a chair-like stump. On the “chair” are written the words featured on the last page of the children’s book.

The words read:

'I don't need very much now,' said the boy, 'just a quiet place to sit and rest. I am very tired.' 'Well,' said the tree, straightening herself up as much as she could, 'well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting. Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest.'

And the boy did.

The Giving Tree follows a little boy throughout his life as his favorite tree continues providing for him and gives him gifts as he grows. Finally, it can only provide the aging man with a place to sit his brittle bones – and the dying tree is very happy to help as a bench.

The stump with its beloved words is now a local landmark, being visited by dozens of Shel Silverstein fans. Some are just stopping by for a photo, while others are eager for a special place just to sit.

"I had to have the tree cut down by a local arborist because its roots were buckling the sidewalk. They carved us a bench just for fun,” says Phoebe. “We then decided to write something from The Giving Tree or the Lorax".

To direct sow, or not... what to do? by Vicky Spelman

John Porter - The Garden Professors

Transplant definition:  is the technique of moving a plant from one location to another. A fully germinated seedling is moved and replanted in a permanent location for the growing season.

So, why do we take the time to start seeds indoors?  Or the added expense of buying transplants?

1. Many plants that we start as transplants require minimum soil temperature of around 60ºF – with optimum germination between 70º-80ºF.  Waiting for the soil to reach these temperatures can shorten the growing season.  

2. You can extend the growing season by starting warm season crops by having a plant ready to go once weather conditions are favorable.  

Direct sow definition:  means that you start planting seeds in the garden, rather than buying small plants or starting seeds indoors earlier and transplanting them outside.

Why plant seeds directly into the garden?

1. Ease – Easier and less intimidating to just plant seeds into the soil versus starting seeds indoors.

2. Cost effective – Pack of seeds cheaper than buying transplants and/or equipment to start indoors.

3. And... Some plants don’t transplant well.  Root crops – like radishes, carrots and beets – don’t transplant well, and others likes cilantro and zinnias don’t do well with root disturbance. You would want to start cilantro and zinnias in large enough containers so you don’t have to repot them, and plant carefully to not disturb roots.

The seed packet will help with determining your grow method.  Some warm season crops – like beans, corn, cucumbers and squash can be started indoors and transplanted, but not necessarily needed – these crops typically grow much quicker from seeds and are hardier.  Other warm season crops – like tomatoes, peppers and eggplants should be started as transplants to take advantage of being planted in warmer temperatures.

Cool season plants – like lettuces, spinach and root crops - can be direct sown into the garden before the last frost date.  

Here is a graphic from Virginia Cooperative Extension for some guidelines – keep in mind your local area and growing conditions and remember to check your seed packet.  

Courtesy Virginia Cooperative Extension
John Porter's Article

A soil thermometer can help when determining soil temperatures get in range for direct sowing outdoors.  

Complete Article:  To direct sow, or not to sow – published by John Porter

It’s almost time for our beloved peonies by Vicky Spelman

Courtesy CSU

Peonies are staples in our landscapes and have been grown, admired and cultivated for more than 1500 years.

There are three types of peonies and are generally classified by growth habit:  herbaceous, tree and intersectional with herbaceous being the most common.  The foliage of herbaceous peonies dies to the ground each fall.  

Herbaceous peonies typically grow three to four feet tall and have a round shape with dark green foliage.  The flowers are large, very fragrant, and often start blooming in May or early June along the Front Range.  

They do best in full sun but will tolerate light shade.  Peonies prefer rich, loamy, well-drained soil but can tolerate and bloom in a wide range of soil types.  They will live for many years in the landscape, so for optimal flowering place in a permanent location.

Early fall is the best time to divide peonies.  Planting later may not allow enough time for the plants to become established before winter.

Courtesy CSU

Many peonies, especially the double-flowered varieties, need to be staked or supported to prevent them from flopping over when they are in bloom. A good way to support the plants is to place metal hoops or rings over the plants in early spring.

Water peonies when the weather is dry – this is important during bud formation and flowering – soak the soil to a depth of around 10-12 inches.  Buds may fail to enlarge and open if the plants are dry. 

What about ants on my peonies.  Ants are attracted to the nectar on the flower buds. They are not necessary for the flowers to open nor are they an indication of a problem.  

I just checked my peonies - sprouts are already starting!  Exciting!!!

That’s it!  Enjoy your peonies!   

For more information:  PlantTalk CSU Peony, Growing Peonies

Garden Preparation in Spring by C J Clawson

Photo CSU

In the Spring, a gardener’s fancy turns to planting beds, soil tests and amendments, and vegetable varieties.  No one wants to think about the pests and diseases that may come later – right now, life is a vision of a beautiful, bountiful vegetable garden.  But setting ourselves up for success includes giving consideration early in the season to the types of problems we might face later in the gardening year.  We must be pro active and vigilant from the very beginning of the season to protect our precious vegetable garden.  So . . . .

Dandelion Salad this Spring

Photo: Peter Hugur

While scheduling lawn aeration this spring, I started thinking about the occasional lawn weeds we get. Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) are our most frequent visitors and I usually just dig them out. But this year I’m going to try them in a salad. Not only are they edible but they are nutritious. Raw dandelion greens contain high amounts of vitamins A, C, and K, and are moderate sources of calcium, potassium, iron, and manganese. The common name dandelion is French, dent-de-lion, meaning 'lion's tooth' referring to the coarsely toothed leaves.

Celebrate Daffodil Season with a Poem! By Amy Norwood

Photo courtesy of High Country Gardens

Look around outside in March and April and you might see blooming daffodils.  Daffodils are grown from bulbs planted in the fall.  They are one of the earlier bulb flowers to bloom, and have a range of colors from deep gold to white and a variety of sizes to choose from.  Daffodils are deer resistant and tend to naturalize, that is, divide on their own and expand their territory year after year.

Tree Identification in Early Spring by Steve White

 

In this article, I will give some identification tips for some of the trees you will usually see in your neighborhood when you are on your daily walk.  Because the trees won’t be leafed out for at least another six weeks, you don’t have the leaves to help with the identification process.  However there are other identifying factors such as the bark, branching structure, and buds which are valuable aids in this process.