Garden Questions? Got Answers

Ferris as a puppy - twelve years ago

Gardeners have about a million things in common. That's why we're such a merry group of folks, especially in December when there's gift giving and Happy New Year welcoming.

One shared interest stands out around the topic of garden questions ... we have many even though many of us have been gardening for decades. 

Where do we go for good, informed, preferably science-based answers?

The obvious answer is the internet and a quick search for answers. 

However ... reliability of correct, helpful answers, specifically for Colorado can vary and vary badly if you're not a little bit careful.

We're in luck, locally there are excellent resources which I encourage checking out before you sign off on believing a random garden article from Anywhere, USA. 

Where to Go with Questions (4 options) -

Jim & Keith

1. Call in garden radio shows sounds like something your parents or grandparents might do, but hey, it worked for them with good reason. They received specific answers that work for our area. And so can you!

Two expert horticulturists, appropriately named the Garden Wise Guys - Keith Funk and Jim Borland can be dialed in every Saturday morning from 7:00 am to 9:00 am at 93.5 FM or 810 AM Legends radio - 303 477-2473. Replays can be clicked from the station site or social media.  

2. Searching on the internet can net the answers you seek if you're looking in reliable places. 

Try Ask Extension. 

Extension services (known as Cooperative Extension in some states) are groups of garden trained volunteers and degreed horticulture professionals from participating Land-Grant institutions from across the country. Colorado State University is our state land-grant partner including many counties across the state with local offices where the public can stop by for in-person information and answers. 

When you first click on Ask Extension there are options to ask a new question, check your answer status and search on previously answered questions. It's easy. Use key words with your city and state location to narrow the search.

An example might be - grasshopper pests in Denver, CO.

If you prefer to visit with someone on the phone, try your closest extension office and speak with a master gardener volunteer. This time of year you may get a recorded call to leave a message. Someone will get back to you. To find your closest office's site with phone numbers, click here first. 

 

3. Locally owned, independent garden centers often have an excellent customer service desk and knowledgeable staff on hand to assist you. Many offer on the spot plant identification and tips to solve your problem. 

There are just too many garden centers to list them all, so stop in soon to your favorite store. Even if you don't have a question, it's life affirming to walk around a garden center during the winter. Your skin will thank you with the humid moisture in the air. 

4. One of the many perks of living in a large city is the high number of active plant groups or societies. Many have outstanding websites or social media sites where contact can be made with garden questions. Below, click on the plant type/group of interest. 

Feel free to join the group too or attend one of their plant sales and educational seminars. Yearly membership fees are quite reasonable.

African Violet Society of America Colorado Affiliates 

American Daylily Society Colorado 

American Gourd Society*

Colorado Bee Keeping Associations/Clubs 

Colorado Birding Groups

Colorado Cactus and Succulent Society

Colorado Dahlia Society

Colorado Mycological Society

Colorado Native Plant Society

Colorado Water Garden Society

Denver Orchid Society

Denver Rose Society

Ikebana International Denver Chapter

North American Fruit Explorers*

Rocky Mountain Bonsai Society

Rocky Mountain Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society

Rocky Mountain Unit of the American Herb Society 

Sedum Society*

The American Iris Society*

Wild Ones Native Plants, Natural Landscapes Front Range

Other National Plant Societies by Plant Type*

 *May not have an active Colorado chapter

What do all four have in common? They are FREE dear reader. It's not often that we are able to source free, dependable and trustworthy information from easy access sources. Again, yearly dues apply when joining clubs and societies.

 

Christmas Trees 2022

Christmas Trees

Some thirty million real Christmas trees are sold each year in the United States. It typically takes fifteen years for a tree to grow to Christmas tree size of 6 to 8 feet on one of the 15,000 Christmas tree farms. Up to three new seedlings are planted for every tree harvested, making them very sustainable.

Here are some tips on caring for your real Christmas tree this year -

• Cut an inch or two off the butt of the tree before bringing it inside. This will help the tree absorb water better. Check the stand daily and refill often. No one likes a sticky floor or gifts, so periodically check around for any sap leakage and clean up right away.

• According to the National Christmas Tree Association drilling a hole in the base of the tree will not help it take up more water.

• A tree can use up to two gallons of water per day (you can over fill the reservoir, but you can’t over water a tree), so check it often. Water temperature doesn't matter. 

• Adding an aspirin or sugar to the water doesn't help the tree last longer, it's most important to keep the reservoir filled.

• LED lighting uses less energy and is much cooler for the tree than the older incandescent lights. 

• Many municipalities (including Denver) pick up spent trees for recycling into mulch (available free to residents next spring). Christmas Treecycling information for 2022 can be found at Denver Gov.
  

• After the holidays, use cut-up tree boughs and place over mulched beds for extra protection. 

• It is not recommended to burn Christmas trees inside in the fireplace.  

• Artificial trees are used from year to year; the average life span is 8-10 years. 

• Keep both artificial and real trees away from heat sources including fireplaces, radiators and heat registers.

 

Resources -

 

An Evaluation of Christmas Tree Preservatives

 

Christmas Trees: Care for Living Trees 

 

 

 

One of my favorite sayings this time of year, better sung by Burl Ives as  

Sam the Snowman ... Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!

December Holidays - Dress them with Green

Ferris soaking up some December sun or dreaming of Christmas!

December is a busy month. What to do first? Decorating and planting are at the top of any gardener’s list. Relaxing would be nice too, so try to work it in.

Decorate!

During the December holidays it is your choice to deck the entire house or to focus on areas like the front door, entry and main living areas. 

Do you go for fresh or artificial greenery, maybe a combination of the two? How about adding live plantings that will transition into the New Year?

For fresh greenery, garden retailers and many grocery stores sell Christmas trees, wreaths and attractive bundles of assorted greenery.

Christmas tree lots often have a box of trimmed cuttings that are free for the taking; just ask first. Use them for indoor displays or containers that are sitting outside looking forlorn with dead foliage from the summer.

When making garlands, swags or wreaths for indoor decorating, set the stems in room-temperature water for a few hours before making the display. 

Use a hand pruner to make diagonal cuts through the stems, and then gently crush the exposed end - this will help with water uptake. Set the stems back in the water for a few hours before making.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assemble a fresh green arrangement using an assortment of aromatic eucalyptus, cedar, pine, juniper or balsam. Add fresh or faux white, red or pink berry branches for color and pine cones for texture. Vase arrangements double as beautiful, seasonal centerpieces. 

Try your hand at creating a seasonal outdoor winter container or porch pot in a container, window box, or urn with fresh or artificial greens and extras. They generally last for several weeks over the winter.  

Place containers outside near an entryway, patio or anywhere they can be seen from indoors. 

To hold everything in place, add sand or soil into the empty container. Next, add taller branches (red or yellow twigged dogwood work well), willow, etc. Then layer shorter greens of juniper, holly, fir or more pine. Allow some branches to spill over the container.

Finish outdoor containers by adding seasonal pine cones, dried flowers, berries or lotus pods (artificial is fine). Add bright or glittered ornaments, bows and lights to make it more festive.

Indoor Plants -

The traditional holiday plants like poinsettias, amaryllis, cyclamen and rosemary are never out of style and they look jolly placed around the house. 

This holiday, mix it up with your own combination dish garden planting made with houseplants combined with seasonal plants. They also make attractive centerpieces. They are truly conversation starters.

Just like planting an outdoor container, consider the same general rules for a mixed holiday dish garden: thriller (tall), filler (round out the middle), and spiller (edging). 

 

Or toss out the rules and let your creative side make the rules. Mix up the leaf shapes and complement the color scheme which is easy with so many red, white, green and variegated green indoor and seasonal plants available. 

Often plants can be placed in the basket or container and not directly planted (much easier like the plants in the white metal basket).

If planting into one container, choose one that drains if possible. If not available, on the bottom place an inch or so of fine pebbles and charcoal (helps with drainage and absorbs odors). 

Fresh potting soil with a bit of slow release granular fertilizer will keep the plant happy well into the New Year.

Use a container from your cache, a lined basket or anything you have on hand.

Choose or purchase your plants and place them carefully in the container to see how they look. Decision time — you may need to plant more than one container with the pretty seasonal plants available. Try to choose plants with similar water and light needs (read the tag for this information).

Plants to consider include Norfolk Island pine, lemon cypress, anthuriums, euphorbia, arrowhead plant, ivy, silver lace fern, coleus, cyclamen, poinsettia, holly, kalanchoe, peace lily, pothos, and many more. A succulent dish garden works well too, choose vibrant colors, leaf shapes and rosettes.

Add pine cones or ornaments for more holiday cheer. Once planted, water it carefully and finish with decorative moss. 

The planted dish garden will grow quickly, so if plants get too crowded after a few months, the plants can be carefully lifted and divided and planted individually into its own container. 

More Ideas Below - 

 

A dish garden I planted a few years ago, all plants were planted in the soil

From a garden center, individual plants were placed in the container

A porch pot of greens planted in soil and sand to keep in place, plus festive accessories

Independent garden centers often sell seasonal and pot filler greens 

 

A lovely artificial green wreath with silver sprayed pine cones decorates any front door

Layered greens look great in these welcoming outdoor urns

 

Resources -

Keep your Greenery Fresh During the Holiday Season  video

Wreath Making Basics video 

Outdoor Winter Containers video

Thanksgiving Week ... My No Fret Formula

I don't know about you, but when you're hosting Thanksgiving, a tad bit of anxiety coupled with all sorts of expectations wrap around your brain and sweat glands.

This year I'm not going to let any of that happen because I've made a list. Yes sirree, a timeline of what to do and when to do it has set me free from worry and flop sweat! Woo hoo, hip-hip and six cheers!

Technically I shouldn't be writing this blog because today, Sunday I'm supposed to be dusting off the china, refilling salt and pepper shakers and cleaning commodes.

Tuesday the cooking count down really begins with one last trip to the grocery store (right when they open) to pick up the freshest vegetables and more cream. Just about every dish calls for cream this year. Note to guests, wear sweats.  

Most all of my shopping took place last week and the week before when stores were first rolling out frozen turkeys.

Funny how cold your hands get lifting heavy frozen turkeys checking poundage and whether it has the automatic pop-up thermometer. I decided against the injected thingy, but definitely will wear warm gloves next time I dig for a bird.

Wednesday most everything that can be prepared a day ahead is completed including the pies, potatoes, dressing, cranberries and appetizer dips. 

We also cook the turkey the day before, mainly because we have our meal at noon on every holiday making it easier for relatives to drive several miles and get home before dark. I know what you're thinking... that sounds wrong, what about all the savory turkey smells and the all day tradition of cooking and stressing? Don't you miss that?! Not even for a second dear reader. The time you save in clean up and counter space is beyond worth cooking it on Thursday. 

You know what they say - "to each their own turkey!"

Thursday begins early with the fresh vegetable side dish cooking, appetizer placement and table check. Somewhere between roasting the carrots and cooking the rolls I'll shower and dress for this bountiful celebration. I'll even use mascara.

Wine will be poured for some guests before sitting down to thank the Lord for our family and the many blessings He has bestowed. 

Wishing you and yours a healthy, happy Thanksgiving and holiday season.

 

November Leaves

 

As I write this blog, it's a chilly, sunny and slightly breezy day here in Denver.

November days are often a carbon copy of today, which means there's not much planting or sun bathing going on outside.

No matter how often I rake leaves through the month of November, the next day or the next day another batch flies in to our yard from surrounding neighbor trees.

My Aunt Martha used to tell me that every raked leaf is one less to pick up.

Plus, every leaf is an opportunity to mow and mulch for spreading around the garden, topping off the raised beds, tossing into the compost bin or mowing into the lawn.

I'm still doing all four and hope to have it finished in the next week when the focus turns to making pies and getting ready for Thanksgiving.

Mowing leaves into the lawn adds valuable organic materials for the soil

Topping off the raised beds with leaves keeps the soil protected through the winter, worms are happy too!

Thank You Veterans!

 

 

 

  

 

If the video doesn't play, please click HERE. 

 

 

As Fall Goes By

Before many more days go by, colorful fall leaves will have dropped from trees only to remind us of how briefly they come and go. Maybe instead of "as time goes by," it should be - as fall goes by. Below are some snapshots I recently took around the neighborhood.

Ferris in front of some native Pawnee Butte® shrubs

 

Autumn Purple Ash

Crabapple (unknown cultivar)

Washington Park Grasmere Lake

 

Ferris in Front of our 'Autumn Brilliance' Serviceberry

Maple (unknown cultivar)

                                                               

Yours Truly and Ferris near some Cottonwoods at Smith Lake in Washington Park

Fall 2022 is Here - The Leaves they are a Changing and other Bits and Bobs

Reach back and recall your grade school days and the simple science behind deciduous trees changing color every fall. If you said it's a result of shorter days and less sunlight which allows tree leaves to take a winter break from all that work they do converting water and carbon dioxide into sugars, technically known as photosynthesis, then you pass with flying colors ... pun intended! 

 

There are other processes going on as well ... it all has to do with leaf pigments.

 

In order for the whole photosynthesis process to happen, leaves require help from chlorophyll which is what gives leaves their green color. The natural substances that make up leaf cells (pigments) become more noticeable each fall as chlorophyll production wanes from less sunlight. 

 

Environmental and plant genetic factors affect the pigments in leaves too which play an important role in fall leaf color intensity and duration.

 

What's Weather Got to do with it?

Many warm, sunny days and cool (not freezing nights) allow the anthocyanins (colored molecules produced by leaves) to shine through with all those brilliant shades of crimson, purple and red.

Yellow, gold and orange leaves are fairly consistent from year to year due to other pigments (specifically carotenoid) that hang around in leaves despite the weather.

Fall moisture helps leaves stay colorful for a longer period of time. Drought conditions while leaves are losing their chlorophyll pigments lead to brown leaves and early drop.

Which Trees drop their leaves the soonest in fall? 

This is a fairly easy answer, take a look around where you live, even your own yard. Trees that are environmentally stressed or simply unhealthy from drought stress, lack of consistent watering, experiencing pest insect or disease issues often start losing their leaves the earliest, even in the summer months. 

It's easy to spot trees and shrubs dropping leaves that are stressed by leaf scorch. 

Trees that are growing in a northern part of the landscape will lose their leaves earlier than same types growing in a sunnier part of the yard. 

What's the Deal with Trees that don't drop their leaves in the fall?

Oak tree leaf loss, specifically with white, pin, English and red oaks have their own fall leaf story to tell. In a nutshell, these oaks (along with beech and hornbeam trees) hold onto their leaves during the winter and then shed them in the spring. This process is called marcescence (pronounced "mar-CESS-enss"). 

The reason for this phenomenon is all about the cells (called the abscission zone) in leaves separating from the end of the leaf stem and where it's attached to the twig. Most trees have the type of cells that drop their leaves in the fall while marcescent trees don't utilize the abscission cells to drop their leaves until the spring when the new buds form.

Why this happens is still not clearly understood by scientists. Read more on this topic here.

Happy Fall, enjoy the leaf colors!

Resources:

Aspen Fall Colors

Science of Fall Colors

When Oak Leaves Fail to Fall Excellent photos

Spots of Beauty in the Fall Garden - 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the brightest spots in our fall garden are the silver lace vines (Polygonum aubertii). Sure, they are highly favored by adult Japanese beetle feeding July, August and early September, but they are so prolific they can handle these pest gluttons every summer. 

I don't see much or any vine die back from the JB feeding. In fact, I think the silver lace vines simply shrug off the beetles sort of like spring peony buds do with all the ants hanging around lapping up the nectar. 

The white plants in bloom below the vines are garlic chives which are wonderful herbal additions to any garden. These late summer bloomers are easy to grow and super easy to save seeds. Pollinators love them!

Other vines can be devoured over the summer by Japanese beetle feeding. Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) seems to be the most noticeable. The vines usually bounces back for next year's growth only to be dined on again. 

This wall of V. creeper was in an alley near my home. The fence has since been replaced, but a few strands of vine are hanging on and of course, they are sad looking this time of fall.

 

If the video doesn't play, click here to watch the bees in action! 

 

 

As September Weather Changes ...

After many days and weeks in the 90s, it looks like the hot summer of 2022 might be waning in the coming days. I wouldn't bet the farm on cooler temperatures being the norm however. September has wacky weather, one day it might be in the 80s - the next day snow. Are you garden ready to react to what comes our way? 

Since I cut back on seeding and growing vegetables this season I have less to do which isn't so bad.

My short term to do list for the remainder of September isn't that long. 

• Remove the martini cucumbers which have been an unbelievable tasty treat for the past several weeks. They haven't been frost killed yet, but the flavor isn't as crisp and fresh so it's time they go. Plus I need the bed space for planting garlic. 
  

• Plentiful tomatoes need to be blanched and placed in the freezer or canned. Don't forget to share with friends and neighbors who don't grow tomatoes or may have had a bad growing season.
  

• 
  Direct seed more quick maturing leafy greens and radishes.

• Collect seeds or cut off seed heads (if not saving) from desired plants. 

• The Smart Pot® growing basil is going strong and we're enjoying it in salads, pesto and sauces. The three containers grew enough for several small batches of chopped frozen leaves in olive oil which we'll used in dishes this fall and winter.  

• Continue watering the landscape. It's fine to adjust (reduce) your lawn irrigation run times. However, just because temperatures cool a bit this month doesn't mean our valuable trees, shrubs and perennials need less or no water. Plants that go into the dormant season later this fall need moist roots to survive our often dry winters. Remember, winter wet roots (not too wet) are good. 

• Schedule your fall lawn aeration appointment now. Fertilize immediately after the job so valuable fertilizer goes into those plug holes.
  

• 
  Purchase your fall planted bulbs now while the selection is the best, don't forget the garlic planting stock. Support your local independent garden centers, they carry the best products for our growing area and greatly appreciate our business.

Outdoor chores pick up in October when leaves and temperatures drop. 

Until then if you need some helpful reminders of what to do in your garden, please click the links below.

Punch List: Winterizing your lawn, garden and other fall chores My Denver Post article from a few years ago, still applicable. 

Fall is the Time for Seed Saving Excellent article by Patti O'Neal. 

Preserve Smart - the all in one place how to preserve anything you grow in your garden or purchase at grocery stores and farmer's markets.

Happy September! Enjoy the changes!

The 2022 Fall Planting Window is Now ... Don't Miss it!

My personal definition of being a periodic lazy gardener is missing the fall planting and seeding window. 

Basil Plants Seeded in a Smart Pot®, late Summer

Not this year. Albeit getting a slow start, at least I'm in the game. 

Lettuce was seeded yesterday, the online ordered garlic seed arrives in mid-September. I also purchase local garlic planting stock from independent garden centers. 

A few perennials not available locally are due to arrive the first week of September. It's time to give the pollinator and herb beds a facelift with new perennials.

Fall planting gives plants a huge head start on next year. 

Don't forget planting bulbs this fall, shop early (now) for the best selection. 

Fall Planted Garlic

Fall Veg Seeding Planting Basics -

Along the Colorado Front Range we typically use mid-October as the first frost or freeze date, so focus on crops that will can be harvested starting in thirty days or so.

The seed packet will list days to harvest. No brainer easily seeded, quick maturing cool crops include - lettuce, spinach, arugula, green onions and radishes. For warm crops, try seeding basil even though it may not grow up to six sets of leaves, they should grow beyond the micro green stage if seeded immediately. Use these tasty young seedlings in salads, on tomatoes and in sauces. 

Tuck in seeds wherever there is room in the landscape or vegetable area. Try the shady side of taller crops like tomatoes and pole beans. This location keeps the plants cooler late in the day. 

Season extenders allow for extra fall growing days and extended harvest. Consider putting up tunnels or cold frames.  

Check the chart below for plants that can be seeded now and into early September. Oops for you and me if seeding didn't happen in July.

 

Many thanks to the following companies for reference - Botanical Interests Inc., Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Renee’s Garden, John Scheepers Seeds, Park Seed, Pinetree Garden Seeds, Colorado State University, Cornell University.

References -  

Time to Seed Fall Vegetables

How to Plant Garlic in the Fall Video

Fall Planting (Tree Focus)

Easiest Perennials for Colorado Gardens 

Betty's FREE Fall Planting Garlic Class at Echter's Nursery, Arvada, CO. September 17, 2022, 2:00 to 3:00 PM.