Thank you for calling Dial-a-Garden.  This message was recorded on Monday, January 14, 2008.

Last week, I told you about the Landscapes West Gardening Conference, held at Two Rivers Convention Center in Grand Junction on February 1, 2, and 3.  Accompanying the conference is our biggest and best Garden Show ever, with eighty-six booths plus a stunning central display area.  The theme of this year’s show is “Landscaping for the Senses”; according to Susan Carter of Carter Designs, who has designed the theme garden for the second year, “Sounds, textures, colors and fragrance will lead you through the garden.”  Members of the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado, who sponsor the Garden Show, will be contributing material, effort, and expertise to make it all come together.  The many beautiful booths surrounding the central garden and throughout the Convention Center will be informing you of products and services specifically of interest to gardening enthusiasts.  Representatives from local garden clubs and associations will also be there, so it’s a great place to come for information as well as for pleasure.  There will also be mini-demonstrations and short talks during the show on a variety of gardening related topics; look for these in the north room.  The show hours are 1:00 to 7:00 on Friday, 9:00 to 5:00 on Saturday, and 9:00 to 2:00 on Sunday.  The cost for the Garden Show is only $3.00; conference attendees and children twelve and under are admitted free.  The conference schedule is available on line at http://westernslopegardening.org or give us a call at 244-1836 for more information.

Mulching in winter is done to keep roots and soil cold, protecting them from the inevitable fluctuations in temperature that occur each year.  Grafted roses should be mulched up over the graft union to a height of six to eight inches; this may be done right over the snow.  Perennial beds and beds where bulbs are planted will also benefit from extra mulch over the winter, which will help to prevent frost heave and tearing of the roots.  It is best to use a material that is coarse enough that it will not pack down, such as bark mulch or wood chips.  Don’t mulch right up against the trunks of trees; the crown area (where the trunk and roots join) of a tree needs to be allowed to dry out, so move the mulch back a few inches.  Further information about mulches, including a comparison of various types, may be found on line at www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07214.html or give the Master Gardeners a call at 244-1836.

Houseplants generally need some extra care in the winter.  Forced air heating is dehydrating to plants, just as it is to our skin.  Localized humidity can be increased by grouping plants together and placing containers of water close by.  You can put extra water in the catch basin, if you elevate the pots so that they do not sit directly in the water.  You can use a trivet or decorative rock for this purpose.  Plants left to sit in water invite root rots.

Houseplants should be watered until the entire pot is saturated, and then allowed to drain thoroughly before returning them to their catchpots.  Determining how much water plants need in the winter can be tricky.  Dry air causes the surface soil to dry out faster than the soil down in the pot, so sticking you finger into the soil a couple of inches is more reliable than checking the surface.  Due to the reduced light intensity during the winter months, plants are not transpiring as much and their need for water actually decreases somewhat.  If lower leaves turn yellow and drop off, the plant is likely getting too much water.   Another problem with excess water is the fungus gnats, which should be controlled as they can spread disease from plant to plant.  If you are unable to control them by decreasing watering frequency, you could try Bti.

In Colorado as in most states, anyone who applies pesticides for hire must pass the appropriate examinations and become licensed.  Continuing education credits are then required to renew the license.   In the Tri River Area, the annual Commercial Pesticide Applicator Workshop provides training and the necessary credits.  Specialists from Colorado State University and experts in many related  fields provide the up-to-date training.  This workshop will take place February 12, 13, and 14 at Country Inns of America on Horizon Drive in Grand Junction.  Information and registration is available on line at http://westernslopegardening.org or from any of the Tri River Area offices.  Give us a call in Delta at 874-2195, in Montrose at 249-3935, or in Grand Junction at 244-1834.

Thank you for calling Dial-a-Garden.  This message will be updated next week; have a great week!

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Curt Swift CSU Extension Tri River Area Horticultural Agent