Spring 2013: Recent Cold Causes Some Plant Damage by Mary Small

Last week the weather looked and felt more like winter than spring and the cold temperatures have many wondering how it affected or will affect trees and shrubs.
We found freeze injury (dead flower buds and a few tiny dead leaves) on ornamental pears and some crab apples at the Jefferson County fairgrounds. Plant damage on your property will depend upon where they are located in the landscape, how low temperatures were for how long and plant developmental stage.

Photo by Mary Small

You can check your plants for freeze injury by first examining flower leaf buds. If they are brown and crispy, they are dead.  The tree or shrub will not produce more this year. You can break off a couple leaf buds and look for green interiors to tell you they are still alive. Crispy brown leaves should be replaced by new ones as the season progresses. If there is stem or twig damage, it may not appear until a bit later in the season.  Look for branch/twig buds that don’t open, typically from the branch tips inward toward the trunk. Sometimes buds will open but fail to grow or grow only a short time because tissues supplying water needs were damaged or destroyed, too.

Rose Care in the Spring by Donna Duffy

Proper spring rose care helps ensure summer blooms!

It's finally beginning to feel like spring! Your roses are probably showing signs of life again with canes turning green and buds starting to form. But this is Colorado, and we’re not out of freeze danger yet. With that in mind, the following are steps you can take in the next few weeks to help your roses get off to a good start.

Thirsty Lawns and Gardens; Watering Responsibly During Drought by Steve Sherwood

As we all know, Colorado is a dry state, averaging only 15 inches of precipitation a year.  According to Denver Water http://www.denverwater.org/SupplyPlanning/WaterUse/, the average single family household uses approximately 130,320 gallons of water per year.  Of this total, approximately 55 percent or 65,000 gallons is used to water lawns and gardens, and for other outside needs.
With the continuing drought, water restrictions have already been announced so how and when you water your lawn and garden is very important.

Tomato Grafting: My First Experiment by Duane Davidson

One of My Grafted Plants

In June, 2012,  Barb Klett wrote here on the subject of grafting tomato plants in an article "Grafted Tomatoes -- REALLY?" This is a follow-up, reporting my own experiences trying out this technique.

Early this year I was startled to see a familiar seedhouse catalog offering grafted tomato plants. I start a few tomato plants from seed each year, hoping to enjoy home-grown tomatoes mid- to late summer. But I had never heard of grafting tomato plants. I researched the subject and found the procedure intriguing.

We know that tomato plants, particularly the tasty old-fashioned varieties, are susceptible to a number of diseases that limit tomato fruit production and often kill the plant, once it is infected. We are taught to not grow tomatoes in the same spot each year and to remove and destroy any plant showing symptoms of disease before it spreads to other plants. I have not experienced any serious disease outbreak, but often have had a plant or two show leaf wilt in mid-summer or bear undersize fruit or fruit streaked with yellow.

Carpet Beetles and Other Home Invaders of the Creepy Crawly Kind by Patti O'Neal

Ah Spring!  The weather is changing, nature is applying a little moisture, things are just starting to green up and garden bulbs are threatening to break bud.  But while nature is moving and shaking outside, a bit of it is “happening” indoors as well. 

Insects begin hatching and seeking warm, food rich environments, or in the case of some, moist environments bringing them indoors; some doing damage, some not.  Knowing when or even if you should panic is important. Most are benign and can be handled easily even if an infestation occurs.

Adult Carpet Beetle photo by Joseph Berger, Insectimages.org

One of the most common insects found in Colorado homes is the Carpet Beetle.  These insects have extremely diverse feeding habits. Some species prefer high protein materials of animal origin, so will feed on dead skin, hair, feathers of animal or humans or insect parts.   Other species will develop and feed on seeds, grains, herbs and other materials of plant origin. 

Seed Starting by Sally Berriman

Photo by Carol King

Starting your summer vegetables from seed instead of buying plants at the nursery can save you money and be a very satisfying gardening experience.  It is not difficult to start plants from seed if you follow these tips.

Research your seed choices.  In the Denver area we have an average growing season of about 120 days.  Choose veggies that you can harvest at 75 – 90 days.  The number of days to harvest is on the back of the seed packet.  You can have a longer growing season if you use season extenders at the beginning and /or the end of the season.

Photo courtesy Athens County Ohio

Gardening in a Time of Water Restrictions by Donna Duffy

Penstemon cardinalis

It’s that time when gardeners start wandering around their yards and pondering what to plant this year. We’ve been forewarned that watering restrictions are coming, and they will be significant. Knowing that, it will be helpful to narrow your list of plant possibilities to those that are more xeric and likely to fare better in a hot, dry summer. Don't fret! There are hundreds of readily available, beautiful xeric plants to choose from – many of which are Colorado natives.

Besides being more drought resistant, native plants have other benefits: they attract native bees and butterflies; they are less fussy because they are naturally adapted to Colorado’s environment; and they require less soil amendment and fertilizing. Local nurseries are starting to carry more and more native plants, shrubs, and trees. A great resource for more information about native plants is CSU Extension – particularly Fact Sheet 7.242, Native Herbaceous Perennials for Colorado Landscapes. 

The History of the Shamrock by Carol King

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, the day when everyone in the world is Irish for a day! And the shamrock is the most recognized symbol of the Irish.

The Irish shamrock (spelled seamrog) is thought to be the white clover (Trifolium repens). What we consider to be a common lawn weed, is a native of Ireland. It has been symbolic of many things through the years. It was considered to be a sacred plant to the Druids of Ireland because its leaves formed a triad, and three is a mystical number in Celtic religion as well as many other religions. Supposedly, St. Patrick used it to illustrate the Holy Trinity to help convert Irish peoples to Christianity.

Growing Grapes for Wine? It's Time to Prune! by Donna Duffy

My neighbor, John Crawford, is a fourth generation vintner who has been growing grapes for about six years in Colorado, and making wine since 1979 using the private label “Crawford Castle. John was previously co-owner of Colorado’s oldest winery, Colorado Mountain Vineyards – now Colorado Cellars. Here's John's advice on pruning vines for maximum grape production. 

2013 Perennial Plant of the Year

Photo by Steve Still/ Perennial Plant Association

The 2013 Perennial Plant of the year has been announced. It is Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ , a variegated Solomon's Seal.

Here a link to the whole article and past winners!

Garden Tasks to Prepare for Spring by Donna Duffy

Are these “warm” days giving you a case of early Spring Fever? Do you gaze out the window wishing you could get your hands in the soil? With the ground frozen, it’s still too early to get out and dig, but here are a handful of outdoor chores you can do to be prepared when Spring arrives.

1.    Add hardscape to your yard. Now is a great time to plan a walkway, add sculpture, or build garden structures. Design your own stepping stones; there are kits available to help you make them. Thumb through your old landscape and garden magazines for ideas.