Dial-a-Garden Message

for the Week of Monday, September 14, 2009

Susan Rose, Horticulture Education Specialist
Colorado State University Extension Tri River Area

Thank you for calling Dial-a-Garden. This message was recorded on Tuesday, September 15, 2009.

The ET rate for the Grand Valley for the last week is just over an inch. Again, precipitation has been spotty, so check your soil to see if it needs irrigating. At this time, it is important to back off on the amount of water we are applying. Continue to water deeply, but reduce the frequency.

This Friday, September 18, we are having a fall open house at the Ute Learning Garden, located behind the Extension office on the Mesa County fairgrounds. Events begin at 2:00 with a talk by Curtis Martin of the Dominguez Anthropological Research Group on Ute Archaeology in Western Colorado. At 3:00, there will be traditional singing by members of the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation. Other activities will include corn grinding and visiting the nu-gan (tipi). Tour guides will explain the different life zones represented in the garden, and the importance of the plants to the Utes. Please join us and learn about this exciting project; a $2.00 donation is requested to help support and continue this garden.

Many species of evergreens lose some of their needles in the fall. This is a normal shedding process, and not necessarily a cause for concern. Pines typically lose any needles older than three or four years; spruce may keep their needles as long as eight years before dropping them. Note that it is the inner needles that are affected. The tree may not drop its needles every year, and can shed several years’ worth all at once, which can be dramatic but is not harmful. If the tree’s overall health is poor and annual growth has been limited, there may be very few needles left when the older ones drop. Bring in a twig if you are concerned; the Master Gardeners can show you the annual growth pattern and advise you about improving the health of your tree.

House plants that have been outdoors over the summer should be brought in soon. This is especially true for those which are tropical in origin, as they can be damaged by nighttime temperatures of 50 degrees. All houseplants will adjust to the transition best if they are moved in before the furnace is turned on. Water your plants thoroughly before bringing them in, and inspect them for any damage. Be sure to check for any insects that may have taken up residence. If you have the room, it’s best to keep these plants isolated for a couple of weeks, to be sure you’re not bringing in any unwanted “guests.” The transition to lower light stresses some plants and may result in leaf loss. Avoid overwatering them and allow them some time to adjust. Plants living indoors typically need less water than they do outdoors.

Perennial plants store carbohydrates in their roots during the fall, and this includes the weeds. The process of storing energy in the roots facilitates the movement of herbicides to the roots as well, so fall is a great time to go after perennial weeds. If you’re not sure what kinds of weeds you have, bring samples to the nearest Extension office; we are located in Grand Junction, Delta, Montrose, Norwood, and Gunnison. Call us at 244-1836 if you need directions.

Plan to attend the Master Gardeners’ Tree Auction and Plant Sale on Saturday, October 10, and pick up some great additions to your landscape. Fall is an excellent time to plant in our area, as the cooler temperatures cause less stress on the plants which makes it easier to get them established. See our web page at www.coopext.colostate.edu/TRA/PLANTS/fall planting.html for a good discussion of fall planting. The Plant Sale will begin at 9:00 a.m., and the Tree Auction at 10:00. Master Gardeners will be present to discuss the plants. As all the trees, shrubs, and perennials are donated by local nurseries and individuals, we never know what we’ll have until they show up, but we always have a good selection. The Auction and Sale benefit the Master Gardener Scholarship Program, which allows our Advanced Master Gardeners to attend conferences and workshops to improve their horticultural knowledge.

Give the Master Gardeners a call with your yard and garden questions; we’re at 249-3935 in Montrose, 874-2195 in Delta, and 244-1836 in Grand Junction. Master Gardeners are available most days; you can leave a message and we’ll get back to you.

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