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SEPTEMBER GARDEN NEWS 

News Briefs

Corn Mazes and Pumpkin Patches
     With the arrival of autumn, several corn mazes and pumpkin patches will open.  Most places offer a number of fun activities for the family.  For details visit the Colorado Proud website www.coloradoproud.org and click on Agritourism Activities and then Corn Mazes.

Flower Trials
     Don't miss the beautiful annual flower trial garden in Fort Collins this month.  Located on College Ave. and Lake St., the garden features hundreds of annuals being grown and evaluated by the CSU horticulture department in conjunction with the green industry.  You will find bedding plants, containers, shade plants and sun plants.  Be sure to take your camera!  For information see www.flowertrials.colostate.edu.

New Gardens at Denver Botanic Gardens
      The Mordecai Children's Garden at Denver Botanic Gardens opened to the public on August 16th.  This new 3-acre garden offers children a special place of their own to explore, discover and play.
     A new Greenhouse Complex will open in stages beginning in September.  Enjoy orchids, waterfalls and other special indoor garden features.

Colorado Proud
     For recipes, a Colorado crop calendar, information on farmer's markets, and a list of agritourism events (agricultural festivals, fairs, etc.) visit www.coloradoproud.org. 

Moore in the Gardens
     An impressive exhibition of massive sculptures by Henry Moore, a renowned British sculptor, can be viewed at Denver Botanic Gardens and Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield.  They will be on display until January 31st, allowing you to see them throughout the seasons.  Please see www.botanicgardens.org for more information.

Feed the Needy
     As you plant or harvest your vegetable garden, please keep the needy in mind.  You are encouraged to donate some of the vegetables to local food banks.

Plant Select 2010 Selections
     The latest perennials and shrubs to earn the Plant Select label are available now.  Plant Select is a cooperative program administered by Colorado State University, Denver Botanic Gardens, and landscape and nursery professionals throughout the region.  It annually recommends plants that have been tested and found to be especially suited to gardens in the Rocky Mountain and Plains states.  For detailed descriptions and photos of the plants please see www.plantselect.org.  These are the 2010 selections:

  • Red Feathers (Echium amoenum)
  • Snow Mesa Buckwheat (Eriogonum wrightii var. wrightii)
  • Partridge Feather (Tanacetum densum ssp. amani)
  • Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora)
  • Redleaf Rose (Rosa glauca, Rosa rubrifolia)
  • Prairie Lode Sundrops (Calylophus serrulatus 'Prairie Lode')
  • Regal Torchlily (Kniphofia caulescens)

 

CSU Lawncheck
     Does your lawn look sick, and you don't know what's wrong or what to do?  Call for a site visit by Extension horticulture staff.  For a fee, they will assess the problem and provide a written report with recommendations for treatment and care of the lawn.  See www.csulawncheck.org  for details.

Jeffco Plant Clinic
     Bring plant and turf samples M - F, 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. for help with diagnosis of disease, identification of insects, plant identification and plant and pest management recommendations.  The clinic is located at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Golden.  Call 303-271-6620 for directions or information.  Some services and tests have a small fee.

Answers for Gardeners
     CSU Extension Service answers gardening questions by e-mail.  Go to www.ext.colostate.edu and click on "AnswerLink: Have Questions?" in the menu. 
     You may also call your county's CSU Extension Service office with questions.  Many garden centers have expert, experienced staff who can provide gardening advice.
     Master Gardeners are available at Denver Botanic Gardens every Tuesday, Saturday and Free Day from March 1 to Nov. 30 from noon to 4 p.m.  From May through September they are also available on Thursdays.  You may reach them in person at the Helen Fowler Library at DBG, by phone at 720-865-3575, or by e-mail at gardeninghelp@botanicgardens.org.

Call Before You Dig
     Are you planting trees, building fences or doing other landscape projects that require digging or excavating?  Call 811 before you dig.  Pipeline companies and other utilities will mark the location of their lines at no cost to you.  For more information visit www.digsafely.com.

Mountain Pine Beetle
     The Mountain Pine Beetle is gaining additional attention now that it is invading populated areas along the Front Range.  "Catastrophic" damage is predicted.  For information on this pest, including tips on how to prevent and control it, please see the article "Mountain Pine Beetle" at www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05528.html.

Do Your Part to Corral Tree Pests/Diseases
   Firewood often harbors pests and diseases.  You can do your part to limit their spread to new areas by using only local firewood.  Do not transport firewood across state lines.

FireWise Communities
     Homeowners are reminded of the need to take special caution with landscapes in areas that are likely to be threatened by fire.  FireWise Communities is a highly informative website with lots of helpful information for people who live in fire-prone areas.  Visit the website at www.firewise.org.

 
 
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