By Linda McDonnell, CSU Extension – Denver Master Gardener since 2013 It’s too late for fall planting, too soon to start next year’s seeds. For the next few months, especially after the holidays, gardeners are likely to get restless. With gardening tasks mostly on hiatus, it’s an ideal time to dive into a great garden book to learn something new, hone your skills, or dream up your next project. Here are some titles to check out, recommended by members of the CSU Extension and Master Gardener community. All are chock full of information, presented in interesting, useful ways. Hope you find some ..read more

By Molly Gaines, CSU Extension-Denver Master Gardener since 2019 Grasses left uncut provide great visual appeal throughout the winter months. Photo: Molly Gaines A few snowfalls have already blanketed Denver, making old man winter feel official. This, and the fact that the holiday season is upon us, probably means garden to-dos are not top-of-mind for you. Yet, there are still some important tasks to consider, along with a handful of indoor activities, as we head into these darker days and colder months. December’s Checklist  Trees, Shrubs and Perennials  When there is no snow cover ..read more

By Terry Deem-Reilly, Denver County Master Gardener since 2003 Conifers! They occur naturally everywhere in Colorado (albeit less so at plains elevations under 6700 feet). And they’re everyone’s go-to tree or shrub for filling a hole in the landscape or adding hassle-free continuous color. They’re so numerous and large that we often forget that their successful cultivation requires more than finding suitably large and sunny spots for placement and marveling at their spectacular (and automatic) growth. There are, however, some steps to maintaining these gorgeous plants in the dryness and cold ..read more

By Molly Gaines, CSU Extension – Denver Master Gardener since 2019 If you haven’t already, it’s time to clean out your garden beds. Photo: Molly Gaines Right on time, we’ve had our first freeze and snow here in Denver. Yet my garden still sits, hanging on for dear life, in desperate need of clearing, composting, amending and mulching. I guess I’ve been in denial, holding on to my fading zinnias and still-green tomatoes, enjoying this gorgeous fall with its warm temperatures and prolonged tree color. Luckily, November is still likely to bring a few mild days. So now’s the time to make a list an ..read more

By Felicia Brower, CSU Extension – Denver Master Gardener since 2020 Photo credit: Felicia Brower *There’s still time to get your garlic in the ground! This week’s blog post is an older post with updated photos, and it covers what you need to do now to have great garlic next year.* As we wrap up our gardens this season, we can begin to think about all of the crops we want next year. If garlic is on your list, now is the time to act. Garlic (Allium sativum) is easy to grow and a great crop for beginner gardeners. Even though you’ll harvest in July, you’ll need to plant before the end of October ..read more

By Margerie Hicks, CSU Extension – Denver Master Gardener since 2010 October is my favorite month to enjoy the vibrant, intense colors and crisp autumn breezes of Colorado. Gardeners need to adjust their routines to ensure a healthy, beautiful garden next year by completing the maintenance tasks outlined here that apply to your garden. Vegetable Garden Harvesting carrots and beets photo by a-lesa on iStock Harvest and Preserve: Your vegetable garden may still be yielding some late-season treasures. Harvest your remaining root vegetables and squash. Store them in a cool dry place for use throu ..read more

By Kathy Roth, CSU Extension – Denver Master Gardener since 2018 Denver Extension’s new Native Plant Demonstration Garden is in the ground! The old garden, installed in 2014, had fallen into a tangle of weeds and only a few native species remained. Given this, in May 2022, a group of interested Denver Master Gardeners decided to give it an overhaul and tasked themselves with brainstorming a new design. Their goal: showcase native plants that promote biodiversity, support pollinators and wildlife, and thrive in urban gardens. Committee reviews initial design plans. Photo by Anne Hughes The comm ..read more

By: Molly Gaines, CSU Extension-Denver Master Gardener since 2019 Our lovely Blue Mist spirea buzzed with bees. Spirea is a great choice for fall planting. Place in full sun; requires little water once established. September is coming in hot with another streak of 90-plus degree temperatures. But our first frost could be only a month away. This makes it a great time to assess your gardens for beleaguered plantings or spaces for new ones that will add repetition, variety, color or texture next spring. Perennials, which live for many years under the right growing conditions, are an excellent cho ..read more

Denvergov.org By Linda McDonnell, CSU Extension – Denver Master Gardener since 2013 Have you heard that Denver Parks and Recreation and the Office of the City Forester are collaborating on the city’s first Urban Forest Strategic Plan? It’s important work as improving the urban forest – which includes trees in public and private spaces – will lead to a greener, healthier, and cooler Denver. The purpose includes refining and updating our tree canopy goals and providing a “common and equitable vision” for the future of the city. Denver residents can get involved by completing the survey linked be ..read more

By Valerie Podmore, CSU Extension-Denver Master Gardener since 2020 Winecups reaching for water. Photo by Valerie Podmore When I went on my (mostly) daily morning walk (I’m writing this in the 3rd week of August by the way), the temperature was a lovely mid 70’s and my walking buddy said, “this is a really nice morning, almost like fall.” As we’ve had so many hot, hot July and August days, the thought of experiencing cooler ones is quite appealing! I’m sure our plants will enjoy that as well (not the walking part of course haha). Let’s look at our gardening to-dos for this month. Vegetable Gar ..read more