As bear season approaches, rather than put your kitchen waste in a trash bin, which attracts animals, dig a hole in your garden and bury it ten to 12 inches under the soil. This amends the soil for spring and helps feed worms.

Cut heads off mullein and pull Russian thistle before they dispatch seeds to reduce spread of noxious weeds. Four mullein plants have a million seeds and Russian thistle seeds disperse when they tumble in the wind.

Increase and loosen the soil ring around trees using gentle hand work so you do not damage the root system. The circle of loosened soil will increase the air circulation to the roots and allow the absorption of winter moisture. The circle should exceed the outermost perimeter (drip line) of the bows of the tree. Mark your calendar for the last rain or snowfall; water every 30 days during winter if natural precipitation does not occur.

If your iris did not bloom this past summer, now is the time to dig, trim and replant them. Don't waste the leaves –with a sharp pair of scissors and a comfortable chair, cut up the leaves at one to two inch intervals and turn them into the soil before you replant the fresh rhizomes. For instructions on iris propagation, visit planttalk.org and read topic #1071, “Iris Division.”

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:  October 12, 2007