The All-America Selection (AAS) organization is celebrating their 75th anniversary this year. Started in 1932 in Atlanta, GA., AAS tests new varieties of flowers and vegetables across the country. There are about 200 display gardens in the U.S., including one at CSU as part of the Annual Trial Garden. Visit the gardens at 1521 Remington St., across from the old Fort Collins High School later in the summer when the plants are in full bloom.

Many flowers are colorful and edible! Calendulas, roses, nasturtiums, violas, pansies, sweet violets and daylilies can be eaten. Larger blossoms can be dipped in batter and fried; smaller flowers can be sugared and used as decorations or sprinkled in fresh salads.

Fall-bearing raspberries, like Heritage, Fall Red, Fall Gold and August Red are recommended for Front Range and foothill gardens up to 8,500 feet. The canes of fall- bearing varieties should be mowed off at ground level after harvest. Raspberries will be produced on the new shoots that come up the next spring.

Experiments in England suggest that sugar water might be more effective than beer as bait for slugs. The study showed that slugs preferred an agar gel containing 2-5% sugar. Artificial sweeteners will not work!

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 30, 2007