Some folks might argue that invasive plants have a certain charm. They're often pretty resilient and can adapt to all sorts of environments. It's almost like they have a survival superpower, being able to thrive where others struggle. Plus, in some cases, they can help prevent erosion, which is a big deal, especially in areas where the soil is fragile. But let's not sugarcoat it, there are definitely downsides. Invasive plants can really wreak havoc on ecosystems. They march in like bullies, crowding out the local plants and disrupting the whole balance of nature. That means less food and habi ..read more

The event is Saturday March 30 from 2 - 3:30pm These and more can be seen during this Saturday's special tour of with co-founders Davis Breedlove and Austin Breedlove who will show you their unique urban farm and tell you how it works. Les Dames d'Escoffier is a woman-based philanthropy group that provides scholarships to other women in the hospitality and food industry. Photo credit: Farm & Market website to go while you're there! is a 'neighborhood farm' run by brothers who are "obsessed with small-impact, big-flavor farming". 2401 Larimer Street, Denver CO  80205 ..read more

As our lawns begin the slow process of greening up, you might be seeing bare spots OR you want to create a new grassy area in a place you haven't had grass before. Looking for an alternative to Kentucky Blue Grass altogether?  Try The Front Range, characterized by its semi-arid climate and high elevation, typically experiences hot summers and cold winters. As a result, the best time to plant grass seed is during late spring (mid-May to early June) because that is when temps are milder and there is usually increased precipitation. (available at Murdochs). $25 for 7 pounds of seed. This is ..read more

Protecting your garden from frost and hail is essential for ensuring the health and productivity of your plants, especially during vulnerable periods like we experience in Colorado Spring and Summers. Black Forest Garden Club  recently hosted expert gardener Jeff Roth whose presentation on strategies to reduce damage from frost and hail provided a wealth of tips and product recommendations for local gardeners. Jeff manages the food grow operation at Hidden Mesa south of Parker. To learn about Hidden Mesa (and their volunteer program) Jeff's Presentation and Product Recommendations PDF Pro ..read more

The upcoming April 8 eclipse will last mere minutes, but that's still plenty of time for plants and animals to react to the phenomena.  , particularly those that rely on visual cues for navigation or foraging, may exhibit changes in behavior during a solar eclipse. Some insects may become disoriented by the sudden darkness and may temporarily cease their activities until light levels return to normal. Here are some ways plants and animals respond to a solar eclipse: : Some plants use changes in light as cues for important life cycle events such as flowering or fruiting. A sudden decrease ..read more

This targeted watering also helps prevent common issues like surface runoff and water waste, making ollas a sustainable choice for water-conscious gardeners. Ollas are incredibly versatile and adaptable to various garden setups. Whether you're growing vegetables, herbs, or flowers, ollas can be customized to suit the specific needs of your plants and garden layout. to read more about how ollas work (with great tips on what crops to use). But perhaps the most compelling aspect of ollas is their timelessness. Despite the technological advancements of modern irrigation systems, ollas remain a tes ..read more

provide oxygen we need to breathe provide food protection and homes for millions of birds and mammals they provide shade, lowering our need for on air conditioners and electricity A project in Myanmar is using technology, in the form of drones, to seed trees. This case study on how technology might be used to innovate our way out of the climate change crisis is novel and, so far, quite successful. A year after seeding thousands of those 'seed missiles' they've grown into 20-inch mangrove saplings. This is uplifting and a quick read. , and watch a video of the process ..read more

Some of the best plants around are those that do well year after year and can be relied on to perform regardless of whether the Spring was extra wet or the Summer extra dry and hot. Here's a list of hard-to-kill plants that are usually readily available at nurseries and thrive just about anywhere in the landscape. (weed smothering groundcover with pretty blue flowers) - this is an annual only in our climate and is fun to grow because it looks like a tropical - gorgeous in containers with its colorful green and purple leaves - starts blooming mid-June and continues through to early fall. - low ..read more

These better-performing crops apply to anywhere in Colorado CSU Extension Master Gardeners have been conducting trials to determine which tomato and sweet pepper varieties perform best in a short growing season. Their findings are a result of a five year trial. Out of 15 tomato varieties researched and tested, (yellow cherry tomato) stood out. Sweet peppers that did the best are , and also the 'lunchbox pepper' They'll be conducting trials for flowers and winter squash next. Here's a more detailed article on the trials with video What is the difference between indeterminate and determinate? CS ..read more

Journey to rebuild a property after a destructive wildfire Today we bring you this inspiring landscape from California landscape design company Mimicking this for Colorado will involve different kinds of native plants, but the overall effect is certainly possible here - especially the patio pots with bushy plants (lavender or rosemary would work well in Colorado) and breezy ornamental grasses such as Shenandoah Switchgrass, Pink Muhly Grass, Cotton Candy Ornamental, Beatlemania Variegated Vernal Sedge, and Alpine Plume Grass. CSU Extension fact sheet all about ornamental grasses is ..read more