Editor’s note: Jodi Torpey, a regular contributor to Grow, recently published a book, “The Colorado Gardener’s Companion: An Insider’s Guide to Gardening in the Centennial State.” We asked her to share her favorite tips with us.
Colorado gardeners must come from hardy stock. After all, we garden in one of the most challenging climates in the country. Gardeners here have to cope with a semi-arid climate, poor soil conditions, drying winds and wild weather. Sometimes it’s difficult to see the pleasure of gardening here. But don’t throw in the trowel.
Here are eight tips for making the most of your Colorado gardening experience.
Cultivate a brown thumb.
To be a successful gardener here you don’t need a green thumb as much as you need a brown one. Knowing what kind of soil you have and what to do about it are the keys to growing success. Because the majority of plant problems start with the soil, getting the soil tested is like buying plant insurance. Soil tests help uncover problems related to pH, salts and fertilizer needs.
Plant xeric trees. Trees have a difficult time growing in Colorado. Intense, high-altitude sunlight, extreme fluctuations in temperature, lean soil and drying winds create a most inhospitable environment. Choose xeric trees, like the Russian Hawthorne or Bigtooth maple, and select young trees with trunks of about 1-inch diameter. Trees this size take only one year to become well- rooted. The sooner a tree becomes established, the sooner it can grow into a healthy tree.
Make the most of microclimates. Each yard has small islands of climatic conditions called microclimates. Take a microclimate inventory and evaluate quality of sunlight, soil conditions, drainage and shelter from wind and extreme weather. For example, a hot spot could be an area close to the foundation; a cool wet spot could be under a tree near a downspout. Use these microclimates for plants that might not do as well elsewhere.
Plan for bad weather. Front Range gardeners need a little more planning and patience than our gardening friends on the Western Slope. Hail is inevitable for gardeners living east of the mountains. Be prepared for hailstorms by selecting hardy native plants, choosing plants with narrow leaves, and planting smaller plants under trees.
Be a water miser. The lawn is the most water- and labor-intensive part of the yard. If you’re serious about water conservation, limiting turf is the place to start. Reduce irrigated turf areas and replace with waterwise ground covers or shrubs.
Be a thrifty gardener. Planting a garden can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some ways to garden on the cheap: Shop garden-club plant sales, buy smaller plants at the garden center that are fast growers, start vegetables, annuals and perennials from seed and exchange transplants with friends.
Use annual trial recommendations. Annuals are the equivalent of rock stars in the garden. They live fast and die young. To get the most from your annual show, use plants that are proven to grow well in Colorado. The “Best of” winners from each season at CSU’s flower trial garden are good additions to the landscape because they’ve passed a rigorous growing test.
Plan for fall planting. Save some gardening energy for fall planting because it’s a prime time for planting perennials. Cooler nights send the signal to plants to redirect their energy from supporting top growth to building strong root systems. Order spring-flowering bulbs now, and they’ll be delivered for planting in October. Bulbs, like daffodils, are some of the first flowers to bloom in spring, and their appearance gives gardeners hope for another growing season.
“The Colorado Gardener’s Companion: An Insider’s Guide to Gardening in the Centennial State” (Globe Pequot Press, 2007) is available at area book stores.
