New Plant Hardiness Zone Map by Amy Norwood

 

https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/

The United States Department of Agriculture recently revised its Plant Hardiness Zone map.  Much of the Denver metro area was changed from a zone 5b to a zone 6a.  As a result, some plants that were previously considered unable to survive the winter here (annual plants) are now viewed as able to survive the winter here (perennial plants.)   

Organic Gardening in a Nutshell by Amy Norwood

Organic lawn fertilizer with an OMRI logo, Photo: Amy Norwood

Gardening season is here. If you're reading this blog post, chances are that you're a gardener who cares about the impact your garden has on nature and you want to minimize the impact. Learning about organic gardening practices and including them in your gardening routine can move you toward that goal. But what exactly are organic gardening practices?