by Mitzi
Davis
Colorado State University Cooperative Extension
Master Gardener
Larimer County
Scratch annual poppy seeds like California poppy or Shirley poppy into your flower borders. The fine seeds do not need to be topdressed with soil, and the plants grow rapidly for early summer color in your garden.
The last Friday in April – this year April 28th – is National Arbor Day. Plant a tree or support an organization that does. Trees that work well in a xeriscape design include Burr oak, Japanese pagoda tree, Kentucky coffeetree and Western catalpa. Trees provide food and shelter for birds and wildlife, filter out air and water pollutants, reduce temperatures by nine degrees and prevent erosion by holding soil in place.
Help your youngsters start a garden this year. Easy to grow vegetables that can be planted outside early in the spring include lettuce, spinach or chard, peas and onion sets. When summer approaches, plant carrots, sunflowers and pumpkins for the fall.
To repair damaged tree leaders, a lateral or side branch can be trained while still young and flexible to become a strong, terminal leader
Today is Earth Day! Check out these web sites: www.TakePride.gov and volunteer for an outdoor program to help clean-up and protect our national lands. You can also volunteer to save endangered species through www.WorldWildlife.org.
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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