Springtime in the Mountain Garden by Vicky Barney

Watching the snow melt is a wonderful time of year for the gardener.  It signals that it’s time to sharpen the gardening tools and stretch the muscles in preparation for gardening season, and it’s a treat to watch the natural world wake up, from the trees and bushes leafing out to the explosion of dandelions.  And remembering that the dandelions are beneficial to the pollinators will keep the gardener calm while waiting to see if the garden will shape up as envisioned during the long winter.

Spring came early this year, or so we thought.  Then the subsequent snow flurries and cold temperatures reminded us that one must be patient before planting in the high country and wait for consistently warmer weather.  Guides to spring planting in Colorado may be misleading unless one remembers: “Higher elevation gardens generally run anywhere from three to five weeks later for seeding or transplanting unless using cold frames or tunnels.” (http://www.denverpost.com/2017/04/14/colorado-gardening-punch-list-april-15/)

A number of other garden activities will keep the mountain gardener busy while waiting for planting season. General clean up and mulching of garden beds is a great way to introduce the gardener to this year’s garden.   Early season weeding is also rewarding.  For example, the noxious weed, houndstongue, leafs out early with bluish green leaves, standing out from the bright greens of grasses and wildflower leaves.  Cutting the plant’s taproot 2” below the soil surface will kill the biennial and prevent the spread of thousands of seeds through the “hitchhiker” burrs.  Other weeds (plants in the wrong places) are also easier to see and dig this time of year, before the soil dries out and the roots have a chance to grow deeper and stronger.

Vegetable gardeners can get started with indoor planting, using seed varieties that recommend early starts. One may also plant outside if minimum soil temperatures have been met, so investing in a soil thermometer (or using a metal meat thermometer from your kitchen) is a useful tool.  Soil temperatures are not only critical for seed germination, but also for root development and efficiency.  Many factors affect soil temperature (soil moisture content, soil texture, surface cover, aspect and elevation), so it is important to check temperatures in all planting beds.  Details can be found here: http://coloradomountaingardener.blogspot.com/2016/03/taking-your-soils-temperature-to-ensure.html.

A variety of crops can be planted early.  When the garden soil reaches a minimum of 35 degrees, extra-hardy crops (lettuce, onion, parsnips) can be seeded.  At 40 degrees or warmer, hardy cool season vegetables can be planted (peas, radish, spinach, swiss chard, turnips, leeks, beets, carrots, kale, arugula, potatoes, parsley, and cilantro). CMG GardenNotes #720 provides more details. (http://www.ext.colostate.edu/mg/gardennotes/720.pdf)

Lastly, now is a good time to firm up the winter’s garden dreams and reengage a passion for mountain gardening.  There are great resources online; Colorado Master Gardener GardenNotes  provide information on many topics. Those with an interest in native gardening will find the Native Plant Society’s website quite useful.  A specific guide to plants is here: https://conps.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Native-Plant-Guide-Mountains.pdf.  For those who prefer face to face interaction, the Routt County Extension office will provide a number of activities throughout the spring and summer.  An Evening with the Master Gardeners will be held at the Bud Werner Library on Wednesday, MAY 17^th   where stations will be set up in Library Hall for hands-on learning with Master Gardeners.  Weekly office hours on Thursday mornings at the Extension office also are great for answers to specific questions.  Finally, check the paper weekly during the growing season for articles written by Master Gardeners on various topics.

Even though weather this time of year can be challenging, there are lots of ways to get your gardening season started.

A long time Steamboat resident and casual gardener, Vicky Barney is a member of the Master Gardener Class of 2011.

Keep Your Pruning Tools Sharp! by Kristina Hughes, Clear Creek County Master Gardener

It's pruning season again! And while it can feel intimidating with complicated rules for when to prune each plant and how to make various kinds of cuts, one of the easiest ways you can be successful with pruning is to make sure your tools are sharp.

Why are sharp pruners so important?
Whenever you cut your plant, you are making a wound which is an opening in the plant's natural defenses. The wound creates an opportunity for diseases, fungi, bacteria and other pests to enter the plant and cause problems. The good news is you can minimize the damage from these pruning wounds.

Make clean cuts
Jagged, ragged wounds create more surface area in the nooks and crannies for pathogens to to enter the juicy, live plant tissue just under the bark. In contrast, a nice clean cut is easily compartmentalized by the plant's defense systems. When the cut surface is smooth, the plant can form a protective barrier around the wound and heal much more quickly.

Use sharp tools
Sharp tool blades are the best way to ensure your cuts are smooth. Sharp blades slice easily through the wood, rather than tearing or smashing the tissue. Your plant will thank you!

You'll notice another benefit: less strain on your body. When using a sharp blade, you won't have to work as hard squeezing the tool closed. So your wrists will thank you too!

Bypass pruners make clean cuts
Bypass pruners are generally recommended for most pruning tasks because they slice, rather than crush, the plant tissue, reducing the amount of damage the plant has to seal off. Bypass pruners act like a scissor, with the two blades sliding past each other.

How to sharpen your bypass pruning tools
You can clean the blades before sharpening, if you like. Alcohol is good for removing sap and steel wool can remove rust.

I find a picture is worth a thousand words, so I will refer you to the short video below which shows a simple method for sharpening a hand pruner. If the link doesn't work, google 'corona sharpening tool ac 8300' and look for a YouTube video that is 1:09 minutes long.

(Link to video: https://Youtube.be/glBHtVnbj7Q)

You don't have to use that specific sharpening tool. There are a variety of sharpening tools, some of which are pictured below. On the left is a diamond file with both a round side and a flat side. In the center is a simple mill file, available at any hardware store. If your pruner is very dull you may want to use a coarse file to remove a lot of material before switching to a finer file for finishing the blade.

So you really enjoy sharpening your tools?
If you want to get more detailed information on sharpening, Oregon State Extension has an easy to follow but quite thorough guide at (insert link:  http://extension.oregonstate.edu/benton/sites/default/files/sharpgdn_insights2012.pdf). It explains how to sharpen loppers, hedge trimmers, saw teeth and also how to adjust the bolts on your pruners.

I think you will find it much more pleasant to work with sharp tools. It's simple to sharpen them and really quite satisfying to see the shine of a sharp edge. You'll be one step closer to mastering pruning. And your plants will be happier!

Weed Wranglers … Unite! by Jan Boone

Musk thistle

Consider the warm dry winter that’s just ended and how with a bit of Spring moisture, weeds will soon make their annual appearance in your garden and surrounding landscape.  Whether you’re a local veteran of yearly weed battles; a new resident from out-of-state or someone who’s just ‘moved up the hill’ from the more urban surroundings of the Metro area, facing weeds in the foothills can be daunting!   As if gardening at altitude isn’t challenging enough, the dandelions and diffuse grassy clumps of lower elevations are for the rookies.  You’ve just entered the big leagues of weed wrangling!  Consequently, this is a good time to dust off your garden tools and read up while we highlight steps on wrangling popular local offenders.  Let’s review the basics from weed identification to eradication and control.   Additionally, as foothills residents, we shouldn’t forget that there are many state agencies that can help with the identification of the weed you’re looking at. (See resources listed below). After all, you can’t effectively eradicate or control something you know nothing about, right?? 

First, you must learn to recognize the weed you are trying to wrangle. Is it a native plant growing here before you arrived, that simply grows where you don’t want it to grow, or a non-native invasive plant with a potentially harmful impact if allowed continued growth?  Consult Colorado’s Department of Agriculture lists of Noxious Weeds (https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/agconservation/noxious-weed-species) that can help pinpoint and inform you of things you need to know about eradication, management and research mandated from state to local levels.  Also, in the near future, the Evergreen Farmer’s Market, staffed by Jefferson County Master Gardeners, will have their annual Weed Clinic Day on July 11^th this year.  It is a one day partnership with the Evergreen Audubon Group where you can bring your own weeds, see their samples and learn about what you need to do for eradication. Be proactive in refreshing your knowledge on how and when certain weeds may develop.  Is it a winter or summer weed? Think about how seeds will spread; the growth habits that may include spreading along the ground with runners or climbing up stationary landscape elements, including other plants.   These are all some of the varying traits of a weed’s growth pattern and life cycle.

Secondly, wrangling or controlling is more beneficial when you know specific traits and can develop your best management practices.  While our weeds may seem too haunt you year-round, perhaps yours is simply an annual, perennial or biennial weed not being controlled effectively.  Knowing this alone will assist you with more effective control methods.  That guaranteed home recipe from your neighbor for vinegar based weed killer is not a winning formula.  Are you in need of some gentle, quiet time?  Grab a container and go outside with your favorite weeding tool and simply work on manual eradication.  Weed whackers may do the job quickly on grasses but can also help to spread seeds and destroy wildflowers if you do it at the wrong time! A critical note to include here is to choose wisely and do your research if you go the route of chemical or biological control. 

Cheat grass taking over

Lastly, for long term management, be patient, have a plan, research and talk to knowledgeable, experienced people who know effective control methods.  Don’t just reach for the long-term bottle of weed control on your next trip through the store. We live in a beautiful environment and many animals and beneficial insects rely on flowers for pollen, food sources and other elements to sustain their lives. Managing and controlling weeds on your property with a thoughtful plan contributes to the enjoyment of your garden and landscape.  It’s crucial for all of us, especially when considering wildfire mitigation.  I wish happy wrangling to all.  May your efforts be rewarded with bountiful outdoor pleasure this Spring, Summer & Fall.

Here’s my supplemental reference list of easily recognizable offenders, plus 5 general resources for more information.

Noxious weeds:

Bindweed- Perennial w/extensive root systems. Grows in dense, low mats.  Sometimes called Wild

Morning glory. Seeds can be viable for half century!

Cheat Grass- Several varieties are among the Brome/Grass family. Seed pods germinate in Fall, drop and

overwinter. Already we are seeing new shoots come up.

Common Burdock – biennial, grows to 10’ tall. Burs stick to animals and clothing.

Knapweed- Several varieties are found, all from Sunflower family.  They include Diffuse, Spotted and

Russian.

Mullein (Common)- Found in many open fields. Tall flowering stalks with yellow flowers.

Myrtle Spurge- low growing perennial in clumps. Easily spread in shade among rocks. Sap can be

irritating to skin.  Several varieties are found, all invasive.

                                Oxeye Daisy –creeping perennial with attractive white flowers.

Thistle- Three are biennial ( Bull, Musk and Scotch), and one (Canada) is a creeping perernnial that is hard to eradicate.  

Yellow Toadflax- Perennial often mistaken as a wildflower. Reproduces by seed and underground

rhizomes.  Close cousin is Dalmatian Toadflax, both highly invasive.

Nuisance weeds:

Broadleaf plantain- A fibrous rooted perennial.  Seed stalks a favorite of birds and small

animals. 

Shepherd’s Purse-Mustard family member.  Early Spring bloomer.  Generous seed production.

Sagewort- Perennial native of Europe, from Aster family.  Favorite of rabbits and some birds.

Mallow- Includes Common and Velvet Leaf varieties. Originates from Europe and Asia.

Dandelions- Crucial in supporting bees due to early Spring blossoms and pollen. Treat them as

wildflowers and enjoy the color!!

Pennycress (Field) – Annual w/large taproot. Oils researched as potential bio-fuel in mid-west. Attracts

small bees and flies.

 Resources with good colored pictures for identification:

www.ext.colostate.edu for Noxious Weed Management and Pocket Guide. 2013.  Good, basic management guide and further website listings.

www.colorado.gov/pacific/agconservation/noxious-weed-species for Noxious Weed species (A,B,C Lists).

http://jeffco.us/weed-and-pest/weeds/noxious-weed-information/for Noxious Weed Identification and Control . Very user friendly listing by name or flower color.

Weeds of the West, Tom Whitson, editor, 2009 Revised edition, Western Society of Weed Science.

Can be cumbersome with a scientific weed family key for use, but easily referenced common name index and glossary. Beware that many plants are native plants (that can be problematic in pasture/rangeland situations).

Garden Smart Colorado – A Guide to Non-invasive plants for your garden, Colorado Weed Management Association, 2012.  Great resource for basic alternative ornamental plantings, including invasive plant notations.