1603 – Maintaining Healthy Soils
The success of a gardener can depend on maintaining a healthy population of earthworms and microorganisms in the garden soil. How does the earthworm have such an effect on plant growth? Earthworms and microorganisms transform fertilizer nutrients from one form to another, making the nutrients available to plants. They digest dead plants and animals, turning […]
Take a Tour1601 – Epsom Salts & Wood Ashes
Colorado soils are very different than the soils found on both coasts and in the Midwest. Improving the drainage, aeration and water holding characteristics of Colorado soils is more important than fertilizing because, if the soil structure is poor, plants won’t grow, regardless of fertilizer. When it is necessary to fertilize, there are some points […]
Take a Tour
1607 – Cover Crops: Winter Rye
Fall is one of the best times of year to plant cover crops to improve soil. Planting a cover crop is easy, and delivers many benefits. Why is winter rye a good choice for a cover crop? Winter rye grass is a popular Colorado cover crop, and it’s a natural because it grows well in […]
Take a Tour
1616 – Cover Crops
What are cover crops used for? Cover crops usually are grown to prevent soil loss from wind and water erosion. Use fast-growing cover crops, such as winter wheat or annual rye, on fall-spaded gardens. A second, and probably more important reason home gardeners should use cover crops is to improve soil structure and increase organic […]
Take a Tour
1516 – Seeding a Lawn
Can I start a new lawn out of seed? A lawn can be successfully started from seed anytime during the growing season. However, it’s easier to establish cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, in late summer. Warm season grasses, such as buffalo grass, are usually seeded in May or June. What should I do before […]
Take a Tour
1517 – Sodding a Lawn
When should I install sod? You can install sod throughout the growing season, anytime good quality sod is available, and you have prepared the soil to help roots become established as quickly as possible. Roots should be well established before freezing temperatures in the fall. What should I do before I install sod? Before installing […]
Take a Tour
2007 – Christmas Trees: Recycling
The holidays are over. The Christmas tree is bedraggled and has probably become a terrible fire hazard. It’s time to get it out of the house. Please don’t just put it out for garbage pickup. Many Colorado municipalities have tree recycling programs. Some have curbside pickup along with your normal waste pickup. Others have drop-off […]
Take a Tour
1611 – Water-absorbing Polymers
Much research has been done on water-absorbing polymers, and the results indicate that they may help save water, but only under certain conditions. Research done at Colorado State University showed little benefit when water-absorbing polymers were used in turf and greenhouse crop production. Petunias in hanging baskets tested in greenhouses showed no benefits when water-absorbing […]
Take a Tour
1624 – Water Absorbing Polymers: Lawns
Droughts have revived interest in the use of polymers as soil amendments for reducing the irrigation requirements of turf. The term “polymer” covers a lot of territory. The crystalline polymers promoted for landscape uses are most commonly either starch-based (which last about a year in the soil) or polyacrylamide-based (very long-lasting). Does the use of […]
Take a Tour
1532 – Efficient Lawn Watering
What happens to water you put on your lawn? Water can be used by plants, evaporate from the soil or percolate down through the soil to the water table. What is the most efficient way to water my lawn? The most efficient watering system for a lawn is to water it when it is dry, […]
Take a Tour
