The larvae of the spinach leaf minor tunnels between the upper and lower leaves of spinach, beet leaves and Swiss chard. Use floating row covers to keep the flies from laying eggs on the leaves. Look for egg masses on the underside of the leaves and crush them before the larvae start tunneling. Infested leaves should be removed and destroyed, since the insects can continue to grow in picked leaves.

Use disinfectant “wipes” to sterilize your pruning shears and saw blades between cuts.

Start seeds of warm season crops indoors, like summer and winter squash, zucchini, pumpkins, cucumbers, cantaloupes and muskmelons. They will be ready to transplant into the garden at the end of May.

The first grass clippings of the season are rich in nutrients and contain fewer weed seeds than later cuttings. Put them in the compost pile, leave them on the lawn or use them as mulch in the garden.

Morning glories need well-drained soil in a warm, sunny location. Soak the hard seeds in water for few days or nick the corner of the seed with a knife to speed germination. Start indoors in peat pots and transplant into the garden around Memorial Day.

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:  April 24, 2007