Sunday, December 30, 2018

Dreaming of a Disappearing Drought in 2019

The one common thread above all common threads gardeners share is reliance on precipitation - especially during the outdoor growing season. We prefer the kind from nature. Often she doesn't hear our pleas so irrigation systems, hoses and rain barrels keep the lettuce, petunias and tomatoes happy. 

Frosty, but Empty Rain Gauge
Outdoor winter watering which is mostly ignored or possibly not explained properly is often a must along the Front Range, this year more than ever. Check out my recent blog on how and when to water - Dry, Dry December.

What lies ahead in the New Year? Your guess is as good as mine.

The month of December in the Denver area should be cold and snowy (emphasis on should). On average we receive 0.59 inches of moisture. Keep in mind that one inch of water results from ten inches of snow - that is if the temperature is around freezing when it's snowing. Wetter snows can net more inches of water while colder temperatures net less. This year's December is setting up to be one of the driest in our history.
 
Historically, the driest Denver December happened back in 1881 when 0.00 precipitation (measured in inches) was recorded. The recorder's job that month was easy. We've had other dry Decembers too with 0.01 measured in 1895, 1906 and 0.03 in 1931 and 1977. This century, December 2004 has been the driest with 0.04. So far this month (as of 12-29-18) we've had a trace of moisture recorded. For the total year we're at 8.50 inches when the norm is around 14.27 inches. 

All we can say at this point is bring on the snow ... Pleeeeeeeese!!!

NOTE - the official snowfall moisture from the 12-31-18 storm was 0.03, at our house we received 0.2 inches of moisture.
 
  
All internet photos below from NOAA



Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Double Delightful Thanks

Garden Vase Gift from a Friend
In the next several days you might find yourself sending out thank you cards, emails or texts for holiday gifts or acts of kindness received this month. *Extending gratitude in the form of a hand written note seems to becoming a lost tradition. Since I'm not a parent and only an observer of parenting styles, I can't speak to how much children and young adults today are encouraged to send thank you notes for gifts, a treat to a special event or trip, or any behavior that falls into the category of "gee, that was nice of you to do for me."  

While growing up, my parents strongly encouraged sending a hand written card or letter of thanks. I recall sitting at the small built in table desk in my downstairs bedroom scribbling out short thank you sentences to my aunts and uncles for socks, mittens or board games. It's hard to recall, but I hope I sent thank you cards to my Grand Uncle Bob for the yearly December cash gift he gave to me and my siblings. The crisp twenty dollar bill was always in one of those thick money envelopes that banks use - leaving a very positive lasting impression on a twelve-year old.

Over the years we've received many cards or notes from nieces and nephews, most are now in their late twenties or older and gift giving has waned from our end. Sometimes a thank you text is sent from our close by teenage relatives after Christmas or a birthday, but we don't expect them anymore and here's why.

Years ago I had a conversation with my Mother who was in her early 80s at the time about receiving thank you cards for given gifts. It bothered me that I quit receiving them. She simply said that if I expected to receive a note of thanks than I shouldn't have given the gift in the first place. That was it, one sentence, very direct, no emotion. Wow, that was a shock to my system because I remember quite clearly being nudged by her or my Dad to send thank you cards.

Here's why I think she may have been right. The whole point in giving a gift is to give something away to someone. "Here, please take this, I'd like you to have it, no strings, no need to return and no need to pay me back in any way ... here, it's yours ... enjoy!"  Sure - thought, money, time and sometimes great sacrifices are made to make the gift or the event possible. But ... "if thanks are expected or required, then is it really that joyful in the first place to give the gift? Aren't we giving for the wrong reasons then?"

My opinions and ramblings are just that. If you're a regular thanker in writing and never misses an opportunity to let others know how much their gifts or acts are appreciated, please, carry on the tradition. In full transparency I still send notes, but I'm trying so hard not to expect others to do the same in return. They probably knew my Mom. 
 
That was one long narrative on giving thanks. Now to the title topic of Double Delightful Thanks.

I'd like to give special thanks to a special niece (all eighteen of my nieces and nephews are special), but this present really touched me. I received quite unexpectedly a gift from my niece who now lives in North Carolina. She transferred there a few years ago from Montana to continue working for Special Olympics. She sent me a commemorative American made plate of the rose 'Double Delight.' The plate was made (along with 9799 other plates) in 1977 as an All-American Rose Selection, a distinguished award, judged based on positive growth traits such as scent, blooms, disease susceptibility, etc. The AARS program was replaced a few years ago with the American Garden Rose Selections.

What makes the gift so exceptional is 'Double Delight' was one of my Mom and Aunt Martha's favorite rose. They both grew it in their gardens, even my Mom's zone 3/4 garden in eastern Montana. It's gorgeous and has the high centered bloom form plus the all in strong, spicy/sweet rose fragrance that we want from roses. 'Double Delight' needs a bit of extra winter protection and possibly some organic potassium bicarbonate to ward off mildew. It's a long time favorite and anyone who grows it, loves it. Thank you so much Allie for your gift!



*The exception in almost all cases would be in the corporate and non-profit world where acknowledgement of a gift is rather mandatory, at least it was and is today for me with my small business. 

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Merry Christmas 2018

Another garden year is about to close and from now until year's end not much is going on outside in the garden, at least here in the Denver area. People in the Rocky mountains and back east are shoveling snow. Yesterday it was sixty degrees so out came the hoses again, right after I planted more anemone bulbs that somehow got missed on a shelf.

Indoors we're enjoying seasonal holiday plants and greenery - all good. Shades of red and green go so well together this time of year.

I'm sending along holiday well wishes and Merry Christmas greetings to you, dear reader. Enjoy and embrace time spent with family and good friends. Raise your glass and your heart to those who have passed away before us, many too young or too soon. We mourn, yet we remember. Smile, they want us to smile.

I was smiling on November 12 while taking this video of Ferris running laps in this scarce snowfall of 2018.  



Sunday, December 16, 2018

Dry, Dry December, Yes it's Dry Out There!

In case you missed my recent Denver Post Punch List, below is the section about winter watering with a few added comments, photos and links. Read the full column here.

The mountains are getting plenty of snow, but moisture up and down the Front Range has been spotty at best, will my landscape plants be affected? 

If plants could talk they’d say bring on the snow and plenty of moisture over the winter. Long stretches without adequate moisture in the fall through winter can cause plants and tree root systems to suffer injury or die. All types of plants including new or established trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs and lawns may be damaged without supplemental water. Sure, plants may resume new growth in the spring, but with low stored energy they can be weakened and stressed. As temperatures rise through the summer–dieback, insects or disease issues could be problematic.
Insert needle just eight inches, too much further and you'll be under most of the roots

Water at least once a month until we receive adequate moisture. Mid-day watering is ideal—when air and soil temperatures are forty degrees or warmer. Avoid watering frozen areas or when there is snow cover. 

Use hoses and a sprinkler or soil needle (don’t insert deeper than eight inches). Start with southern and western exposures first, then water the newest plantings from this past season. For trees—move the sprinkler all around the drip-line (where the tree branches end) in at least four spots for about twenty minutes or less with run off. Drain hoses after each use.  

Additional comments - I was reminded by my brother how difficult it is to drag hoses this time of year. Even though they aren't frozen (if drained properly), they are still cold, often times heavy and not easy to uncoil. Not to give a plug for specific hose companies, but there are several lightweight hoses out there and they make great sense to use in the winter. 

Personally I'm using the flexible, expanding type of hoses that have had many complaints over the years from bursting. Two fixes usually work for me. Purchase an inexpensive pressure regulator for the hose bib to attach the hose to and be sure the hose end attachment is open so water flows through. If using a wand or sprayer attachment, never close it completely or it may burst. I'm on my third year of these hoses and so far, so good.  Drain them completely after each use, it takes about a minute. I put them in a five-gallon bucket and store in the garage for easy access.   
 

Links for more information - 





Friday, December 14, 2018

Front Range Garden Class Resources 2019

Please note - this blog has been updated, see the latest additions and continue to follow at this LINK

A new garden year means a fresh start, a clean palette to dream, design and do. Resolve to sign up for classes or workshops to get the brain energized and filled with the right stuff. Happy New Garden Year 2019 - let's enjoy it together!

Denver and the Front Range is very fortunate in having many free or low cost outlets for garden classes and seminars.

Below is a list with links for ones that I know of right now. PLEASE check back often, there will be many more events added to this list.

The first group - seminars, workshops and conferences charge fees unless otherwise noted. Be sure to click on each title for more sign up information and deadlines, even the free events generally require signing up.

Public and botanic gardens also charge for classes. Garden center classes are often free so check their websites for more information. 

Plant Society House at Denver Botanic Gardens
Also consider attending or joining a plant society, group or club. You will meet other friendly people. Most meet monthly, have low cost dues and offer educational seminars, garden tours and trips, plant sales and judged shows through the year. 

Check out what's offered in your community if you're not in the Denver area.  

Again, please check back soon for updates.

 



Please note - this blog has been updated, see the latest additions and continue to follow at this LINK


SEMINARS, CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND VOLUNTEER TRAINING:

Building My Sustainable Farm/Ranch Business classes begin January 15, deadline for program application January 4, Golden  

Growing Small Fruits in Colorado January 9, Windsor

Beekeeping Classes at Hudson Gardens start in January, Littleton

City of Greeley Landscape Lecture Series FREE, must register
Landscaping for Pollinators FREE January 22, Loveland 

Fairy Garden Workshop January 30, Georgetown

Tree Pruning February 13, Windsor

Landscaping with Colorado Native Plants Conference, February 16, Denver
 
Battling the Japanese Beetle February 23, April 2, April 27, June 11, August 10, Denver 

Master Composter Training Through Denver Urban Gardens, begins in March, Denver

Denver Rose Society SymROSEium March 9, Denver 

High Plains Landscape Workshop March 9, Fort Collins

Summer Blooming Bulbs March 13, Windsor

CSU Extension Certified Gardener Program flexible year round online training 
 
Community Forester Program Denver

Native Plant Master Program in 2019

Cottage Food Safety Training - Front Range dates and locations starting in 2019

Spring Lawn Care April 10, Windsor

Sustainability Skills Workshop: Basics of Colorado Gardening April 12, Boulder

FREE Rose Pruning Workshop and Demonstration April 27, Golden

Denver Urban Gardens Learn to Compost Workshops beginning in May, Denver 

Meet the Invasives May 8, Windsor 

Pollinators June 12, Windsor

Fall Vegetables July 10, Windsor

Cut Flowers August 14, Windsor

Food Preservation September 11, Windsor

Pumpkin Succulents October 9, Windsor

Tough Plants November 13, Windsor

Seed Starting December 11, Windsor


GARDEN TOURS
Tour the "Heritage Rose Garden" at Fairmount Cemetery, June 2, Denver 

 
AREA GARDEN CENTERS: too numerous to mention, please call area stores or check their websites or Facebook for their 2019 classes. 


PUBLIC GARDEN INSTITUTIONS AND BOTANIC GARDENS:
 
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Vail
Butterfly Pavilion Westminster
Chester M. Alter Arboretum University of Denver
Cheyenne Botanic Gardens Cheyenne, WY
Denver Botanic Gardens
Durango Botanical Society 
Growing Gardens Boulder 
Montrose Botanic Gardens
Plains Conservation Center Aurora 
Pikes Peak Urban Gardens Colorado Springs
The Arboretum at Regis University Denver
The Gardens on Spring Creek Ft. Collins   
The Hudson Gardens Littleton
Western Colorado Botanical Gardens Grand Junction


PLANT SOCIETIES AND GARDEN RELATED GROUPS:

 
American Conifer Society Western Region

Colorado Cactus and Succulent Society
Colorado Beekeepers
Colorado Dahlia Society
Colorado Federation of Garden Clubs
Colorado Mycological Society
Colorado Native Plant Society
Colorado Water Garden Society

Community Forester Program Denver
Denver Field Ornithologists
Denver Orchid Society
Denver Rose Society
Front Range Organic Gardeners

Gloxinia Gesneriad Growers
Greater Denver Urban Homesteading Group
Ikebana Denver Chapter

Mile High Bee Club
Mile High Daylily Society
Rocky Mountain Bonsai Society
Rocky Mountain Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society 
Rocky Mountain Koi Club
Rocky Mountain Unit of The Herb Society of America

The American Iris Society
Tropical Plant Society of Denver