Gardening in Denver . . .
Gardening in Denver is different from almost anywhere else in our country. It’s dry here, only 14 inches of precipitation a year on average. We have intense sunshine most days, low humidity, drying winds, and temperatures that may fluctuate 50 degrees or more in 24 hours. Then there’s the soil: highly alkaline and, in most parts of the metro area, heavy clay. No wonder gardening is a challenge to newcomers and natives alike! Yet, many Denver landscapes are amazingly beautiful and productive. It’s a matter of knowing how to work with our special conditions
Winter watering is important!
Unless we have an unusually wet winter, trees, shrubs, perennials, ground covers, and lawn should be watered every four to six weeks. Check soil moisture levels during warm, windy, or dry periods. Wait for a day when the temperature is 40 degrees or more and the ground is not frozen. Be sure to water early in the day for about 20 to 30 minutes per setting.
For further information go to www.ext.colo.state.edu CSU Fact Sheet 7.211
Ornamental Grasses:
Most people prefer to leave dried ornamental grasses standing in the winter garden for winter interest; their shape and swaying plumes add seasonal interest. With the heavy snows many of the grasses in unprotected locations can be smashed into unattractive mounds. These broken and bent grasses won’t bounce back to their upright shape, so they should be cut back. For a neater look, avoid cutting them straight across, instead cut grasses below where the are bent and broken at different heights to create more of a rounded shape among the stalks. If grasses are still standing tall leave them, knowing that they will need to be trimmed back before new growth emerges in the spring.
Upright Evergreens:
Upright evergreens and shrub forms of arborvitae often splay open from the snow. While it’s best to bundle these shrubs before the snow flies, they can still be pulled back together after the fact. Garden centers have netting and other materials to wrap around evergreens to help keep hold them in their natural upright position. Remember to remove the material in the summer once the plant starts to grow and re-establish its natural form. Binding materials, if not removed, can girdle the plant and eventually kill it.
Recycle Christmas Trees:
After the holidays you can chop the branches off your Christmas tree and lay them over bulb beds and perennial gardens. The added insulation helps protect plants against fluctuating soil temperatures and early warm-up.
Please also consider dropping your trees off to be recycled at the SSPR Willow Springs location on Holly Street, between Dry Creek and Arapahoe Rd.