Weather – Workin’ the Swing Shift by Patti O’Neal

 [Republished from February 2011]

What is a plant to do?  It’s February and all but a few plants should be peacefully enjoying the delicious dormancy of winter.  In the restful sleep of hibernation each plant sends good thoughts to its root zone where precious nutrients are stored to be called on when the sunshine of spring and early summer tease them to life by warming the soil and sending messages of new growth.  That’s in a perfect world.  But this year as well as others we are experiencing anything but perfect. 

Early Tree Sales are Starting Up by Nancy Shepard

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese proverb

Burr Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)  Photo: Arbor Valley Nursery

While it’s still only February, some Colorado communities are taking early orders for trees they provide to citizens free or at a low cost. Arbor Day is Friday, April 29^th and here are just a few examples of where you can get trees. Check with your local County or City for information specific to your area.

Grow This Cuke! by Amy Norwood

Salt and Pepper Cucumbers

Several years ago, I went to a local garden store in May looking for cucumber starts.  The store had two shelves full of cucumber plants, one shelf labeled “slicing” and the other labeled “pickling.”  I wanted to grow cucumbers for salad, so I grabbed some plants from the slicing shelf and bought them.

When I got home, I looked at the plant tags more closely and discovered they were pickling cucumbers, a white-skinned variety called “Salt and Pepper.”  Aaaaargh!  Why were pickling cucumbers on the slicing shelf? 

This is the 'Year of Salad Greens' - by Vicky Spelman

National Garden Bureau

Ready to plant a salad?  The National Garden Bureau has some great suggestions for salads.  This is the ‘Year of the Salad Greens’.

Get creative using the greens! Most greens can be served raw, wilted, blanched, sautéed, or grilled.

Basic Types and Variety Names...

Gardening Infographics by Nancy Shepard

The Ever Blooming Flower Garden by Lee Schneller 2009

When I was working in the technology industry, I saw firsthand how showing people information in a visual form was so much more powerful than looking at plain numbers and text. Now as a Master Gardener, I am thrilled to see artists interpret gardening and horticultural data into easy-to-understand graphics or what’s better known as infographics. Here are just a few I have come across and I’m sure you've seen great examples too.

2022 Landscaping with Colorado Native Plants Conference by Nancy Shepard

 

This year’s Landscaping with Colorado Native Plants conference is being held on Saturday, February 26^th and runs 9:30 AM to 4 PM. I attended the conference last year and found it to have very valuable information and I plan on attending again. The Landscaping with Colorado Native Plants Conference promotes the inclusion of native plants in our landscaping to benefit pollinators and songbirds, save water, and restore the beauty and health of nature in the places we live, work and play.  

Pantone's Color of the Year by Vicky Spelman

Sapphire Indigo Clematis
Courtesy Star Rose and Plants

Pantone, a globally recognized color institute, has created Very Peri (Pantone 17-3938) as its Color of the Year for 2022. 

It encompasses the qualities of the blues, yet at the same time possesses a violet-red undertone for a joyous attitude and dynamic presence that encourages lots of creativity and imaginative expression.  ~Pantone

We gardeners would call it periwinkle.  Look for this color to show up at your local nurseries.  Here are some plant ideas for incorporating this color in your garden/yard.

Garden Benefits of Snow By Joyce D’Agostino

Photo: Joyce D'Agostino

We’re all aware that getting a good soaking rain or bountiful snowfall helps to relieve drought conditions throughout the year and also helps to keep the field crops and gardens well hydrated and healthy. In addition to the moisture, there are some additional benefits from winter and spring snowfall.

Yes, you need to water your trees - by Professor James Klett, CSU

Tree Care Guide - Denver Water Board

Tree care suggestions for winter watering from Professor James Klett, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University.

Focus on the most vulnerable trees:
1. Not all trees face the same threat from the drought and dry weather conditions.
2. Trees planted within the last 3 years should be the first you water.
3.  Next should be evergreen trees since their needles continue to demand water over the winter.  They are going to desiccate and dry quickly with all the foliage, so evergreens are more critical than deciduous trees.

4.   Water any trees with shallow root systems like: birch, maple, linden, alder, hornbeam, dogwood, willow and mountain ash.

Fruitcake – Will It Really Last Forever? by Vicky Spelman

Photo Credit - Pinterest

Nothing says Christmas like fruitcake!  Is fruitcake part of your holiday traditions?  Using the trifecta of sugar, low moisture ingredients with some high-proof spirits can make fruitcakes some of the longest-lasting foods.  

Fun Plant to Grow: Christmas Cactus by Ed Powers

Pink Holiday cactus courtesy Gardener's path

I have lived in many parts of this country in my lifetime and like many of you, I garden indoor and outdoor.  One of the most beautiful indoor plants I’ve run across is the Christmas Cactus.  It was given that name because it blooms around Christmas.  In a way it is misnamed because many of these plants bloom at times other than Christmas.  I have one that blooms at Thanksgiving and then turns around and blooms at Easter.  

Critters in the garden? by Ed Powers

Raised pots on our Deck.  We used sonic pulse stakes in these pots
Photo: Ed Powers

Some of the critter challenges of growing vegetables and flowers at elevation.

I have had gardens in several states and done well growing both vegetables and flowers.  Until I moved to Colorado, I grew my plants at or below sea level.  Elevation in Colorado is very different because of lower humidity, more direct sun and the mountain weather patterns. Also, the wildlife creates havoc with gardens and vegetables.  I deal with deer, elk, rabbits, voles, mice, pack rats, chipmunks, and ground squirrels to name a few that love my gardens.  My first 3 years gardening were a disaster.