Si Pak Tani

by Ed Powers I live in the Evergreen/Conifer area at about 7600 ft.   I have lived on several areas of the Midwest and West and gardened in all of them. But I find this area to be the most challenging and fulfilling.   I have learned that you should buy plants that grow fast and bloom or fruit in a short period of time.   Also, do not put them out too early and make sure they are hardened off when planting them.   I have always had to do this but it is more critical at our elevation.   Also, it is not a good idea to plant before June 1 unless you are planting cool season crops, such as root crops or some types of lettuce, cabbages, or spinach. So, after 6 years of gardening here, reading and experimental planting this what I have come up with: ·          ·      I clean my 2 raised gardens in late fall or very early spring. ·         -  I bring in some tomato plants when the season is over with and ...

Landscape Planning Concepts Kurt M. Jones Chaffee County Extension Director When water supplies become stretched, many gardeners look upon their large lawns and wonder about converting it to low moisture plantings.    While lawns have their purpose, making them functional (having only what you need) instead of covering large areas of your lot makes good sense.   So, where do you begin? Bubble Diagram Example             First, explore your goals for your landscape.   Do you need an area for your pets or children?   Are there some places in your landscape that are difficult to maintain or keep watered?   Will you need to convert a portion of your existing lawn sprinklers to convert to a perennial bed?             One trick that landscape designers start with when making a plan is to draw out the existing lot on paper, noting the location of difficult...

This week on Salida Yard & Garden, a meeting of the minds: guest Gilpin County Extension Director Irene Shonle and host Chaffee County Extension Director Kurt Jones share their "Mountain Gardening Tips and Tricks." Also in this episode, an unintentional poem from Irene: "There is no use In shooing off a moose." http://www.khen.org/salida-yard-and-garden

Growing in high altitude certainly has its challenges and everyone who has made an effort to enhance the beauty of their property has experienced them!   Some years I’ve been so thankful anything grew that I didn’t really envision a comprehensive plan.   If it grew, yahoo and if no critters ate it, woohooo and if it came up the next year, OMG! As a reminder, or for new residents, there are some great resources for help in picking plants more suitable for our environment.   Your best resource website is www.ext.colostate.edu .   Colorado Mountain Gardening Basics can be found within Fact Sheet 7.244 .       For perennial flower choices, see Fact Sheet 7.406 called Flowers for Mountain Communities .   These will give you the basics on selecting the right plant for the right spot, taking into consideration sunlight, microclimates, year round moisture, soil quality and amendments. Once you determine plants that work in your environment, make notes. ...