Pest Alert Newsletter and Archives!

Great resource! Check out dozens of archived bulletins, courtesy of the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension.
http://www.colostate.edu/Dept/bspm/Outreach/index.htm

Climate Summary | Frost condidtions

Great resource for ALL locations along the front range, western slope and the eastern plains.
http://cmg.colostate.edu/gardennotes/veg.html

New to Colorado?

I found a great site that has all the information a Colorado newbie needs. You may have had gardens in the dirty south, the expansive plains, or in lala land, but Colorado requires you to revisit your skills and best practices.

http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/4dmg/New/newto.htm

Fall and Winter Watering

Water trees, shrubs and lawns during prolonged dry fall and winter periods to prevent root damage that affects the health of the entire plant.

Water only when air and soil temperatures are above 40 degrees F with no snow cover.
Established large trees have a root spread equal to or greater than the height of the tree. Apply water to the most critical part of the root zone within the dripline.

Dry air, low precipitation, little soil moisture, and fluctuating temperatures are characteristics of fall and winter in many areas of Colorado. There often can be little or no snow cover to provide soil moisture, particularly from October through February. Trees, shrubs, perennials and lawns can be damaged if they do not receive supplemental water.

The result of long, dry periods during fall and winter is injury or death to parts of plant root systems. Affected plants may appear perfectly normal and resume growth in the spring using stored food energy. Plants may be weakened and all or parts may die in late spring or early summer when temperatures rise. Weakened plants also may be subject to insect and disease problems.

Foothills Gardening

If you live in the foothills, penstemons, wild roses, gaillardia, lupine and wallflower thrive. Most of us on the Front Range live in an area that is mixed with foothills and prairie plants that may include penstemons, yarrows, coneflowers, blue flax, rudbeckias and many more. The foothills will accommodate perhaps the greatest number of native plants. The hardest decision will be which to choose.

Columbines

It’s easy to see why the Rocky Mountain columbine is Colorado’s state flower. With its sky-blue color, elegant bobbing stems and finely scalloped leaves, the wild columbine is stunning to anyone who has hiked a mountain trail and chanced upon a cluster. And while columbines can be found in China and Europe, the Colorado columbine is as spectacular as any.

Welcome!

Welcome to the gardening in the highlands blog! We'll be discussing specific flora and fauna and best results for your efforts. Look forward to sharing tips of the trade with you all!