Laying soaker hoses in the sun for a few hours will make them more flexible. It’s easier to lay them out in your perennial beds now before the plants get too large.

Help your children get excited about gardening! Instead of broccoli, have them plant sunflowers and measure the plants weekly, comparing it to your child’s height. Or plant potatoes for buried treasure. Give them their own space to plant a pizza garden with tomatoes, onions, sweet peppers, parsley, basil, oregano and thyme. All you need to add is the crust!

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 insect’s breathing holes and they suffocate.

Place peony hoops and support structures in the garden as plants are emerging. Other plants that benefit from support include Baptisa, delphinium, tall asters and phlox. The metal supports, like the ones coated in green plastic, will “disappear” as the foliage covers them up.

It’s time to plant bare-root trees, shrubs, hedges, roses, small fruits and even asparagus. Loosen any packaging material and keep them cool and moist until you are ready to plant. Soak the roots for a day or two and trim off any dead or damaged roots before planting. Keep your new plants watered until they are established.

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

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This page updated:  April 13, 2007