Have you planned your garden this year to have flowers to enter in the fair? It's not too late. We are hoping to get many more people than ever participating with their cut flowers, house plants and arrangements. With our wonderful new facility for the Larimer County Fair we will have much more room for exhibits and plenty of space for parking. Everyone needs to join the fun.

What will you get out of entering besides the fun of the competition for blue, red and white ribbons? You will meet others in the county with a love of growing flowers and have an opportunity to share your growing experiences. You can also stay for the judging and hear the helpful information from the judges as they explain their decisions. You will have the opportunity to admire and learn about types of flowers that perhaps you have never tried to grow or see new varieties of your old favorites that you might like to learn more about.

This year we are considering having some instructional classes or workshops during the fair to help both novices and more experienced gardeners/flower arrangers/house plant growers learn new ideas or improve their skills. Watch for later announcements as plans develop.

For those who have not tried making flower arrangements, seeing what others have done with home grown flowers can lead to a real desire to experiment on your own. We have so many flower arrangement classifications ranging from miniature arrangements, to large hall arrangements, those for the dining table, ones with dried flowers and even basket arrangements. There are some classifications for youth, seniors, and even commercial growers. There is truly something for everyone.

This year we are adding a few new classifications including succulents and cacti. So when your Fair Book comes out in June, look it over. When you register to enter the flower competition you do not need to specify what you plan to enter. Simply state that you are going to participate. You can decide the specific types of flowers and arrangements on entry day. For more information on the Larimer County Fair call the Cooperative Extension at 498-6000.

Q: I didn't use all my vegetable and flower seeds from last spring. Will I have satisfactory results using the seeds for this year's garden or shall I purchase new seed?

A: If the seeds were stored properly, many of them will be viable. It is a good idea to plant more seeds, however, as the germination rate may be reduced. Seeds should be stored in a cool, dry place. Seeds that do not germinate well the second year include onion, parsley, sweet corn and parsnip.

Q: Could you explain how crop rotation might be helpful in my vegetable garden?

A: Crop rotation is a means of preventing the continued depletion of certain nutrients in the soil of the vegetable garden. Additional benefits of crop rotation are insect and disease control. Rotation is more effective in controlling insects that feed on one type of vegetable (such as the Colorado potato beetle) and do not move very far or very fast. In the smaller garden, crop rotation is less effective in controlling insects because some pets (like cabbage butterflies or flea beetles) are far ranging. Some crops deplete the nutrients in the soil, such as, the cabbage family that depletes nitrogen. Crops like peas or beans add nitrogen to the soil. Cabbages and beans compliment each other in a yearly crop rotation as they use different nutrients. Tomatoes, potatoes and peppers are of the same family and tend to get similar diseases. Therefore, growing tomatoes this year in the place where cabbage grew last year would be a positive rotation. If the garden is small, try the following four groupings: (1) the cabbage family, (2) legumes which fix nitrogen such as peas and beans, (3) corn, carrots, beets, onions and (4) vine crops (squash, cucumber). Divide these four areas and plant a different group in each area every year, beginning the rotation again at the end of four years. Since the annual vegetables are planted each year, the addition of composting and soil amendments will solve many disease, nutrient and soil insect problems. (Never use fresh manure in a vegetable garden.)

Colorado is well known for its ever changing weather. If it is still too cool to be outside, houseplants can benefit from spring maintenance. The indoor contingent can be propagated or divided, repotted, moved to guard against burning in stronger spring sunlight, and fertilized after winter dormancy.

If that seed packet is burning a hole in the proverbial pocket, prepare the garden area by spading and amending the soil with organic matter. If the seeds are very fine, or if a broadcast method is to be used, mixing the seeds with sand will ensure a more even distribution.

The warmer temperatures may be attractive to more than just the bi-peds in the crowd. The buzz about adult mosquito control tactics includes the use of citronella and "Avon Skin So Soft" for short periods of relief. Avoid being outdoors when the mosquitoes feed at dawn and dusk. Finally, DEET is considered the most effective repellant (following proper application guidelines).

The authors have received training through Colorado State University Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program and is a Master Gardener volunteer for Larimer County.

Gardening and Insect Fact Sheets are available on-line by clicking HERE.

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This page updated:  June 17, 2004