Extending Your Tomatoes at the End of the Season

Photo taken October 25, 2014 by E.J. Bennet

We’ve had several Master Gardeners in the past few years give us tips on extending and preserving the last crops of tomatoes. Their advice is still sound and worth trying. Thanks to E.J. Bennet, Joyce D’Agostino, and Carol King.

Speed Ripening

If you want to maximize your tomato output through the first frost, follow these steps in late August or early September to speed-ripen them on the vine:

Time to Divide Your Iris by Vicky Spelman

Photo:  Pixabay

It’s hard to beat Iris in your landscape with the numerous species and cultivars in almost every shade of color imaginable.  Plus, the foliage adds texture and interest to garden spaces even when the flowers aren’t in bloom.  

Growing Your “Third Season” Crops By Joyce D’Agostino

Leafy Greens Photo: Colorado State University

By now, many gardeners are enjoying the bounty of their warm season vegetables such as tomatoes, green beans and cucumbers. However we do know that these vegetables do not tolerate frosts well and their production will be done in the fall.

If you would like to continue to harvest into the fall, there is still time to plant a few hardy garden crops. Many of these vegetables are very nutritious and will help extend your garden harvests even after some frosts.

My Vegetables Are Too Hot! by Nancy Shepard

Shade screen over vegie garden. Photo by Nancy Shepard

With recent hot weather hitting 96 degrees before 10 am, I knew my vegetable garden would struggle. I remembered a presentation on growing vegetables in Colorado by Darrin Parmenter with CSU Extension in La Plata County several years ago. I was surprised to learn that tomato plants fail to produce if daytime temperatures get above 90 degrees by 10 am. He said the blossoms would abort their attempt to produce fruit. He also said that peppers were similar to tomatoes with mild peppers' optimal temperatures between 65-90 degrees and hot peppers' optimal temperatures between 75-90 degrees. And even my heat-tolerant lettuces will start to bolt and become bitter when temperatures are above 80 degrees.

What’s Eating my Potted Flowers? By Vicky Spelman

A favorite morning ritual is to head outdoors with my coffee and check on the garden and the potted flowers.  It’s comforting to look at the plants and see everything growing.  What’s not comforting is to find part of the garden or potted flowers have been munched on.  

Slow the Flow by Nancy Shepard

Photo: Peggychouair Pixabay

Last year when I was researching how homeowners could get help replacing their thirsty lawns, I came across Resource Central located in Boulder. They have several conservation programs for residential homeowners: Garden in a Box, Lawn Replacement Service, Slow the Flow and more.

Tips for Heat Stress in the Garden by Vicky Spelman

Heat stress in cucurbita moschata
Photo:  iStock

Whew... it is hot in our area (Denver Metro).  Are you seeing heat stress in your plants?  Different plants can have different reactions.  Here are a few signs to look for and some tips to manage it. 

It’s Time to Arm Yourself Against Yellowjackets by Joyce D’Agostino

[Originally published June 2017]

Recently I assisted another Master Gardener at an information table at a public event. One of the people attending the event stopped by our table and saw materials about bees. She stated that she didn’t like bees and wanted none of them in her garden. One of her friends told her she was very mistaken, we all need bees to help with pollinating our gardens. This person insisted that the “bees” were very bothersome and she was concerned she could get stung. After talking with her for a few moments and asking her to describe what she was seeing, her description matched the Western Yellowjacket (Vespula spp.) Despite me telling her it wasn’t a bee, she still felt that it was part of the “bee family” and she wanted no part of any bees around her garden.

Summer Solstice by Vicky Spelman

Courtesy Pixabay

Hello Summer and the longest day of the year! 

Summer Solstice 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere arrives at at 3:13 AM on Tuesday, June 21st in Denver.  In terms of daylight, this day is 5 hours, 38 minutes longer than the December solstice.   

I'll take that house by the Native Mason Bees & Vicky Spelman

Mason bee moving in May 27, 2022
All Photos: Vicky Spelman

Recently, I found an abandoned mud dauber’s nest that I sat down on a work/storage table under the covered patio. A few days later, I noticed a lot of activity around this mud nest.  The mason bees were moving in – ready made housing for them.  

Building Berms: Lessons Learned by Nancy Shepard

2022 front yard with berm, four years after installation. Photo by Nancy Shepard

When we replaced our front yard landscape in 2018, I wanted to make our yard a little more private. We live on a corner and even though the traffic is minimal, it made sense to not only create a bit of privacy, but also give the yard a bit of visual dynamic. 

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?