Penicillin. Teflon. The Slinky. Some of the science’s greatest achievements have been discovered completely on accident. In 1986, that’s just what happened to Dr. Nick Christians of Iowa State University. Christians and his team were conducting an experiment to study the effects of a fungus called Pythium on golf course grass. Fungi need to be delivered via some medium …
Recent Posts
4 Springtime Tips to Wake Up Your Lawn
Wednesday April 6, 2016
Your lawn is just awakening to a brand new spring. And, like most of us waking up in the morning, it will soon be grumpily demanding food and attention. Here are four ways to get your lawn up and at ’em! 1. Spring Cleaning If your lawn has a serious case of bedhead, rake up and remove any dead leaves …
Ask a Gardener – Fire Blight
Thursday March 3, 2016
I have fire blight on my crab apple tree. It seems to have gotten significantly worse just in one day. Is there any product that will treat this systemically, as I cannot reach the top to cut out the affected branches? Also, if I cut the branches now, will the disease spread because there are open wounds, even if I …
Get By With a Little Kelp From Your Friends
Tuesday August 18, 2015
Kelp grows in giant ‘kelp forests’ in the shallow waters of the world’s oceans. Us land lubbers have used kelp for hundreds of years in glass production, soap making and even as a thickener for products such as ice cream and toothpaste. But until fairly recently, though, most people didn’t know about the ways kelp can benefit your garden. According …
Ask a Gardener – Petunias
Sunday August 16, 2015
I have given up on petunias. They just get leggy and look terrible by Aug. 1st even when I trim them back. Do they need a special nutrient? (Someone said more iron?? – do I need a special fertilizer just for petunias??) Or is there a variety that handles the Colorado climate better and won’t do that? I know they …
Ask a Gardener – Colorado’s Choice BOSS
Saturday August 15, 2015
A coworker has been raving about Colorado Choice BOSS. Is it safe for kids and pets? – Nichole Nichole, Absolutely! Colorado’s Choice B.O.S.S. is a 100% organic soil amendment and totally safe to use around kids and pets. B.O.S.S. (Bio Organic Soil Supplement) is a mixture of EKO compost and peat moss. It also contains mychorriaze, beneficial …
Ask a Gardener – Ash Tree
Tuesday July 7, 2015
I live in Highlands Ranch and have a large green ash tree that only has leaves budding out on 2 side branches; nothing from the middle. I am worried it might be a victim of the ash bore beetle. Is my concern justified or is it just too early in the season to tell? – Pat Pat, It can be …
Ask a Gardener – Window Box
Thursday May 28, 2015
I need a flowering plant for my east facing hot window boxes. They are against the brick and get very hot in the summer. Last year you recommended petunias but they didn’t survive. Any other suggestions? – Roberta Roberta, There are a few different options for your window boxes. Here are few heat tolerant annuals recommended by the CSU Extension …
Ask a Gardener – Snapdragons
Saturday February 7, 2015
I love snapdragons but by mid-summer they begin to dry up with rusty spots on their leaves and die. Is this a fungus, and if so, is there something non-toxic to my birds and animals I can put into the soil at planting to prevent their dying? – Julie Julie, Sounds like those rusty spots could be, well, rust. Rust, …