APRIL GARDEN NEWS 

News Briefs

Plant Sales
     The end of April begins the start of spring plant sales whose proceeds support public gardens, garden clubs and other groups.  Watch your local newspaper for announcements and ads.  See our events page for some that are already scheduled.

Freyer-Newman Center Galleries
     The Freyer-Norman Center Galleries, which feature art exhibits at Denver Botanic Gardens, are open. They are included with admission to the Gardens. Hours are 10 am - 4 pm daily.  Radiant Season: Paintings by Kevin Sloan will be featured March 13th - July 11th. Salvador Dali - Gardens of the Mind opens April 10th. See www.botanicgardens.org for details.

Gardening Classes Available Online
     Due to Covid-19, some public gardens and garden centers are now offering garden classes online rather than hosting in-person classes on site.  This offers gardeners a terrific opportunity to hear from local garden experts without having to drive a long distance.  Take advantage of these classes in the comfort of your home!  See our What's Happening page for a list of classes.

Gardening Books on Sale
     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.

Public Gardens
     Denver Botanic Gardens, DBG at Chatfield Farms, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Hudson Gardens, Western Colorado Botanical Gardens and The Gardens on Spring Creek are open.  Some of these gardens are limiting visits to a capped number of visitors who must purchase timed tickets online.  Please see their websites for important details regarding what features are open/closed, new procedures to be followed, etc.

Rose Art Photography Book
     Stan Griep, aka Stan the Rose Man, has a new book available for those who love roses.  Stan is a Master Rosarian who has spent years growing roses, showing roses at rose shows, and answering questions about roses (including for our Colorado Gardening website visitors).  Please check out his book at https://www.blurb.com/b/9555678-stans-rose-art-photography-portfolio.

Plant Select 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. 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 and nearby areas.

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.