Need to get my hands in the soil

It is almost too early to start many garden seeds, unless you are lucky enough to have a greenhouse to play in. Me, I just have a section of sunny south windows and a section of bright south windows. So, this morning, my cats begged me to plant catgrass for them. I scattered about 20 seeds into 2 six inch pots, watered then in well, and zipped them into the Queen size sheet containers. Yes, a sheet container. Perfect mini greenhouse to set in the bay window. Also, in the window, I have some "pass me down" geraniums cuttings which I took 6 weeks ago. They are now blooming ...a breath of spring.

Where did these bulbs come from?

I found them in the basement, staying cool, and not looking too bad for a living thing. These bulbs, tulips and daffodils, should have been planted outside in October. If you are in this same boat, find some pots, put in about a inch of potting soil, set the bulbs in tight, cover with more potting soil, water well. Then, I put mine in the unheated basement where temps will range from 45-55 degrees. Maybe your garage has similar temperatures. After 4-6 weeks (we are faking a winter on them), the roots should be coming out of the bottom of the pot and the new shoots should be coming out the top. Bring a few into a bright room to green up and flower. After they flower, cut off the flowers and treat as houseplants until the leaves die off. Then, out to the garden with them.

Can You Believe It?

With all the recent snow, it is always a surprise to see the first green. Unfortunately the first green was a clump of Myrtle Spurge. Yuk! This List A Noxious Weed (http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/Agriculture-Main/CDAG/1174084048733) was actually sold in Colorado as an ornamental for the garden up until 8 years ago. But it liked our climate too well and has become invasive. It can also do harm to people who are sensitive to the white latex. So, it is a good idea to wear rubber gloves and maybe even a mask when removing this plant from the garden as soon as you see it.

Funny Fox

Last night on my way home, my headlights caught a fox valiantly trying to drag its next meal off the side of the road. I should not have been surprised since these lovely critters work all winter, hunting for food for the new kits which will soon be inhabiting the den. They are also good friends to us gardeners because they try to keep those pesky voles and rabbits under control. If these pests(not the fox ;-)) have bothered you in the past...leaving tunnels in your grass, eating junipers and other landscaping... and you do not have a resident fox, try either Fertilome Mole and Gopher Bait to kill the voles, or use MoleMax granulars that will help repel the pests.

Seed Saver Exchange Seeds Have Arrived!!!

With the warm weather in Late October/Early November, I finally got my container vegetable garden cleaned up and put away for the winter. Today, the Seed Saver Exchange Seeds arrived. Seeds to dream about growing for the coming season. These wonderful seeds out of Decorah, Iowa are not Genetically Modified Organisms(GMO). They are heirlooms, passed down through families and friends for many, many years. And the great thing is that if you happen to miss a few bean or pea pods or you let the lettuce bolt(go to seed) you can save those seeds for next year. Very Cool! I did this with the Tom Thumb Peas in 2010. These bush peas were grown in a big pot. A few of the pods were missed so became dried up peas. AND next year's seed(2011) made this year's peas.

Hot Hot Hot

It can be very hot for all of us and our plants. As much as we love the afternoon rains that seem to be coming by, we need to remember that our lawns and trees still need moisture. I cannot tell you how many times customers will come in and wonder why their grass is dying out? Simple solutions are abundant, first check your sprinkler system. The easiest way to determine if your yard is getting enough water is to take a tuna fish can or a empty cat food can and mark 1/2 inch inside it. Then place it in the middle of your sprinkler zone. Each watering should fill up the can to the 1/2 inch line.

If your watering is adequate then the next thing is to check for cutworms, grubs or fungus. The easiest way to check for the insect issues is to cut a (i.e. /\) triangle out of the lawn with one side left out at the transition zone (where the brown and green meet). Pull up the grass at look at the root zone, if you see grubs or cutworms that is easily taken care of. If you see nothing but our wonderful clay ground, bring in the sample of grass with the soil attached. Then we can help identify the fungus you may have.

If your trees and shrubs have leaves falling off from the middle of the plant and they are green, odds are it is a watering issue (not enough). Please remember that lawn water might go 1-2 inches in the ground but tree and shrub roots can be 8" down. By deep root watering or using a soaker hose you can help stop some of the foliage drop. Basically, the tree has too many leaves to support and not enough water, this soaking about 1-2 times per month will help. If the leaves are burning, don't worry typically new foliage will start growing in 2 weeks with an increase in your water schedule. Of course you can always bring in a sample (but please don't leave it in your car for a day) fresh samples are always best.

Tis the Christmas season

It's getting to be that time of year again. Holiday cheer, the giving spirit and of course the unbeatable smell of fresh cut trees and greenery. As we wait for our first true snow in the Denver Metro Area, what better way to feel good than walk in your home and smell a forest. Of course getting a fresh cut tree you need to treat it right and it is simple. Keep water it watered, and cool, try and keep any breezes off of it and they don't like getting sunburned in a west or south window. If you buy the right tree and treat it well the joy you can get from a fresh cut Christmas tree is priceless.
Some quick things to think about, an Oregon Douglas Fir lasts inside about 10-14 days inside, a Noble fir and Fraser Fir will get you to New Years. The Nordman Fir will last until Martin Luther King Jr Day, and the Concolor Fir will last until Valentine's day as long as you treat them with care.