MAY GARDEN NEWS 

News Briefs

Clearance Sale of Gardening Books
     Colorado Gardening is closing out its garden bookstore and has reduced the price of the gardening books that we offer for sale.  Please see our Garden Books page for some real bargains on some great books for gardeners.

Plant Sales
     May is a BIG month for plant sales, many by non-profit organizations.  Proceeds from these sales benefit their projects and causes. See our Calendar of Events page and watch your local newspaper for information.

Temporary Closing of Helen Fowler Library
      Denver Botanic Gardens' Helen Fowler Library closed in spring 2019. DBG's new library will open in 2020. It will be located in the Freyer-Newman Center, which is under construction.

Butterflies at Chatfield
     From May 25th through September 2nd visitors to DBG at Chatfield can view native butterflies in the butterfly house for an additional fee. The exhibit is in partnership with the Butterfly Pavilion.

2019 Bonfils-Stanton Series
     During the months April through September Denver Botanic Gardens will offer the Bonfils-Stanton Series featuring lectures by noted guest speakers, hands-on workshops, tours and trips.  This year's theme is "Wild Colorado."  For details see www.botanicgardens.org.

Gardens on Spring Creek Now Partially Open
      Due to major construction much of the Gardens on Spring Creek has been closed since Jan. 2, 2019. From April until September it will be partially open.  Open areas include the new gardens and rock garden.  The visitor center and original gardens will remain closed until fall. For updates on construction and areas that are open to the public please see www.fcgov.com/horticulture.

Sculpture Exhibits
     Denver Botanic Gardens is currently featuring Human Nature: Figures from the Craig Ponzio Sculpture Collection.  The exhibit presents sculptures by artists from around the world that explore the human form in both classical and abstract styles.  It will run until September 15th.
     Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms is currently featuring Stickwork by Patrick Dougherty.  The sculptures were created on-site during a 3-week period.  They are created by weaving flexible saplings into architectural forms.  The exhibit opened April 27th.

Feed the Needy
     As you prepare to plant your vegetable garden this year, you are encouraged to plant a bit extra and then donate the vegetables to local food banks. 

Garden-in-a-Box Kits
     The Center for Resource conservation, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering people to conserve natural resources, has a variety of Garden-in-a-Box kits available for sale.  Kits include plant-by-number designs, water-wise plants, and planting and care instructions. You may even qualify for a discount through your city or water district.  For details please see www.conservationcenter.org/gardens.

Butterflies Are Coming
      The Gardens on Spring Creek, City of Fort Collins and Butterfly Pavilion have announced a partnership to build a butterfly house.  The 1700 square foot conservatory, which is scheduled to open this fall, will be located at the Gardens on Spring Creek Visitor Center.  It will feature numerous plants as well as free-flying butterflies.

Plant Select 2019 Selections
   The latest plants to earn the Plant Select designation have been announced.  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.
     An additional feature is the Plant Select Petites program which showcases plants of smaller stature.  The program also promotes innovative ways to utilize these plants, such as in troughs, rock gardens, patio gardens, fairy gardens and containers.  See www.plantselectpetites.org for additional information and to see photos of the plants.

Gardening Problems or Questions???
Answers for Gardeners
     CSU Extension Service answers gardening questions by e-mail.  Go to www.ext.colostate.edu and click on "Ask an Expert" in the menu.  You may also call your county's CSU Extension Service office with questions. 
     Most garden centers have expert, experienced staff who can provide gardening advice.  Some garden centers also offer diagnostic centers where you can bring in samples of unhealthy plants.
     Master Gardeners are available through Denver Botanic Gardens to answer questions.  From November through March you can contact them from 12 - 4 p.m. on Tuesdays. From April through October you can contact them on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 12 - 4 p.m.  You may reach them by phone at 720-865-3575, or by e-mail at gardeninghelp@botanicgardens.org.

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.

NoCo Bloom
     Gardeners in Northern Colorado have a resource for gardening information.  Colorado State University, Larimer County CSU Extension and the Gardens on Spring Creek are working collaboratively to publish NoCo Bloom.  Four issues will be published annually: March, May, July and September.  You will find this free publication at garden centers, community centers, public gardens and the Larimer County Extension office.  See it online at www.fcgov.com/gardens.

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 additional information see www.digsafe.com.

Emerald Ash Borer
     The discovery of Emerald Ash Borers in Boulder is alarming many people, due to the highly destructive nature of this pest.  Much misinformation is floating around.  For accurate, up-to-date information please see www.eabcolorado.com, a website set up by the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Sadly, this pest has spread to several parts of Boulder County.

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.extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/mountain-pine-beetle-5-528. 

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.

Seedling Tree Program
     The Colorado State Forest Service seedling nursery program allows landowners to obtain trees at a nominal cost. To successfully achieve conservation goals landowners are encouraged to plant new forests, restore land after natural disasters such as fires or floods, establish effective windbreaks that reduce erosion, protect homes, cropland and livestock, and enhance wildlife habitat. Trees and shrubs are grown at the CSFS nursery for conservation benefits only. See https://csfs.colostate.edu/seedling-tree-nursery.