Newsletter Archives

Vol 1 - Edition 2

Welcome to the All Things in Nature Newsletter. Now that spring has finally started to think about showing itself here on the Front Range I am starting to see signs everywhere that it is time to get out in the gardens. At our location, we have had more than 150 inches of snowfall for the year. Many things are still under cover, but I have seen some tulips poking their heads out of the ground. Some of my seed orders have arrived, and I am ready to start propagating those special flowers I can't seem to find here as plants, or that just need starting directly in the soil when it is the right time.

Time to Start Garden Cleanup!

Towards the end of March is a good time in the Front Range area to start the cleanup and evaluation of your gardening spaces. Once the ground dries out a bit, you can cut back your perennials, ornamental grasses, and clean up the garden a bit. Wait till later in April to prune your rose bushes, hardy flowering shrubs such as lavender, Russian Sage, spireas, and butterfly bushes. Do a critical evaluation of your gardens during this time also, to decide (or remember) which areas you wish to change this year, which might need more soil amendments, which plants need replacing, and which areas look just right! If you are like me, there is always some plant to move, some new garden to be made, and of course lots of new plants to find the perfect home in the garden for.

Watch for wildlife in your garden

Living in the foothills brings many types of wildlife into our yards and our gardens. This time of year, there are foxes, deer, and of course squirrels, as well as the occasional coyote and lots of birds. Many of us love to see these animals, but don't always like them digging in our gardens and eating our newly opened tulips, crocus, and other plants. I have found that you must protect the tulips early in the season, before they get the flower buds on them. The deer here make a daily visit to the paths around the gardens, looking for tasty items to eat. I have found that a line of Dawn dishwashing soap dripped along the pathway works very well at keeping the deer away from the gardens. Soap shavings work also, but tend to blow away here with our big spring winds.

If you are really lucky, you will see foxes in your yard. They seem to get rid of mice, voles, etc. in the area so that we don't have any damage. As you can see here, this fox decided to get up close and personal by taking a nap outside in my gardens this spring.

This Month's Tip:

March 2007: Since most of us along the Front Range were blessed with many feet of snow this winter, many of the garden areas have plenty of initial moisture to help bring the plants out of dormancy. If you have clay soil, please remember not to work the soil while it is wet, or you will end up with clods of hardened clay that are difficult to plant in and amend. You can test for moisture by taking a small handful of soil, and rolling it in a ball. If the ball falls apart completely, the soil is too dry, if it is wet like pudding or tile grout it is much too wet, and if it forms a ball which holds it's shape it is ready to work in.

Vol 1 - Edition 1

Welcome to the first edition of the All Things in Nature Newsletter. We are very excited to be opening our new Garden Design and Planting business. We hope to provide you our reader with lots of helpful information, geared toward gardening in the sometimes difficult but always rewarding climate of the Colorado Front Range. Future issues will have much more information - please check back soon.

Time to Start Planning!

Now that the Holidays are behind us, all true gardeners begin to think about spring time, new gardens, new plant possibilities, and what areas of their gardens they want to improve in the coming year. The garden catalogs start appearing in the mail, and many hours are lost in the leisurely thumbing through the pages. If you are like me, you have a stack of magazines, books, and catalogs in a convenient place, waiting for a nice quiet time for dreaming of spring. Indoor plants get more attention, maybe due to the lack of their owner's time outside with the gardens.

This Month's Tip:

January 2007: In the high altitude of the Colorado Front Range, most of the gardens have been put to sleep for the winter. During long stretches of dry weather, it is a good idea to check your gardens for moisture levels, and on warm sunny days consider giving those that need it a drink.