Author: Kerry Peetz
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Year-round gardening: September always an interesting time in the garden
By Kerry PeetzColorado Master Gardener Welcome to September in Colorado, the only place where you can get sunburned while covering your tomatoes to save them from a blizzard. With the blistering, extreme heat of this past summer, old-timers are already whispering the forsaken four-letter word “s-n-o-w,” and we all know a sudden September dump isn’t…
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Year-round gardening: Kicking off the homestretch of Colorado’s gardening season
By Kerry PeetzColorado Master Gardener August has officially pitched its tent in Colorado. While the alignment of the corn stalks — and the impending return of school buses — suggests summer is winding down, our gardens clearly missed the memo. Under our signature high-altitude sunshine, paired with the hot temperatures and lack of rain, the…
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Year-round gardening: Tips to maintaining a thriving garden during the summer
By Kerry PeetzColorado Master Gardener Beneath the Colorado sun, July is shining bright. By now, gardens have been planted and it’s time to celebrate and busy ourselves with helping them thrive and survive. Early July Last call for zinnia seeds! Plant in a sunny soil bed. While other annuals begin looking sad and spent these…
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Year-round gardening: June should be a busy month for Colorado gardeners
By Kerry PeetzColorado Master Gardener What a wild ride the weather has delivered over the past several weeks. Hard freezes and record-breaking days of unusually warm temperatures, even our plants were confused! Assuming we are now headed in the right direction (cross your fingers), it’s time to get down to business in June. General maintenance…
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Year-round gardening: April tasks to tackle in your garden
By Kerry PeetzColorado Master Gardener The highly anticipated April awakening has arrived, and El Paso County gardeners have a high-altitude guide to consider to get off to a healthy start. In Colorado Springs, gardening in April is less of a hobby and more of a high-stakes game of meteorological chicken. With an average last frost…
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Year-round gardening: November checklist for Colorado Springs gardeners
By Kerry Peetz, Colorado Master Gardener As the calendar flips to November, the Colorado Springs gardener faces a stark reality. The blissful days of sun-warmed tomatoes are over, replaced by the steely, grey promise of frost. This month is less about nurturing new life and more about giving our gardens a dignified send-off. Gardening at…
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October a transition month for gardeners
“There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October.” — Nathaniel Hawthorne October in the Pikes Peak region signals a significant shift in the garden, moving from active growth to essential winter preparation. Gardeners are presented with…
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Autumn in Colorado should be a busy time for gardeners
Fall comes knocking on everyone’s front door Sept. 22. It’s time to get your green thumbs set for a season of planting, pruning and preparing. Here’s how to make the most of your autumn outdoor space: • Tree time: It’s prime time to welcome new trees and shrubs to the landscape — their roots will…
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Year-round gardening: Plant this Colorado Springs native with four-season appeal
As the season is winding down, gardeners across the Pikes Peak region are experiencing that “go out with a bang” fall-planting euphoria. They’re seeking that one hardy, drought-tolerant plant, a native standout that offers beauty, sustenance and resilience. Look no further, the answer is the serviceberry. The what berry? Put on your reading glasses, you’re…
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Year-round gardening: Autumn in Colorado should be a busy time for gardeners
Fall comes knocking on everyone’s front door Sept. 22. It’s time to get your green thumbs set for a season of planting, pruning and preparing. Here’s how to make the most of your autumn outdoor space: • Tree time: It’s prime time to welcome new trees and shrubs to the landscape — their roots will…