Brighten up your front entryway with pots of pansies or violas that thrive in cool spring weather. Some other hardy cool-weather flowers are snapdragons, primroses and Sweet William. Keep a fabric frost blanket handy for really cold nights.

Clover mites and Banks mites have caused some winter turf damage. Look for straw-colored, irregular shaped areas – usually on the south or west exposure – that don’t green up with the rest of the lawn. Spring snowstorms/ rain or irrigation are more effective at reducing mite populations than chemical herbicides or miticides. Damaged lawn areas can be renovated by overseeding in spring.

Dormant oils or horticultural oils are successful at controlling leaf-curling aphids, over-wintering mites, insect eggs, caterpillars and some scales. Spray trees and shrubs before bud break and when the temperature is over 40 degrees F. The oil blocks the insects’ breathing holes, causing suffocation.

Start herb seeds indoors to transplant into the garden or into containers on a deck or patio. Some herbs easily grown from seed include chives, sage, sweet marjoram, basil, summer savory, parsley, coriander, chervil, oregano and dill.

Most house plants will benefit from a “spring cleaning” – a gentle shower in the tub and repotting to the next size larger pot. African violets, however, will bloom better in small pots.

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:  May 26, 2006