Newsletters

Fall 2018 Newsletter

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 Magic will always abide. – Elizabeth GilbertdeCCGilbertbeCheckth Gilbert

2016 Winter - Spring Newsletter

I don’t think we’ll ever know all there is to know about gardening, and I’m just as glad there will always be some magic about it!  ~ Barbara Damrosch


 
Upcoming Events with Wild Iris Living

Saturday, February 6 
Xeriscape Concepts in the Edible Garden

Learn how Xeriscape design principles can be easily integrated into the edible landscape and garden. By addressing all seven Xeric principles, you can be well on your way to a productive, water thrifty edible urban garden.
Location: Fort Collins Nursery                  
10am - 12:00pm
 
Saturday, February 20
Empowered You!
Join us for an interactive and dynamic half-day workshop geared towards women who are looking for practical tools and insight on their path of change and Self-Discovery.  I will be presenting a session entitled Sage Advice for the Changing Times.  It will be a game changer on many fronts!  
Location: Pathways Holistic Center
8:30am - 12:30pm

Saturday, March 5 
Getting a Jump on the Season:  How to Start Your Vegetables, Herbs and Flowers Seeds Indoors

Learn what veggies, herbs, and flowers do well when started indoors from seed.   Find out when and how to start them and glean important tips for successfully getting a jump on the season.
Location: The 9th Annual Seed Swap and Giveaway, Fort Collins Old Town Library
10:00 - 11:00am
 
2016 Trends in Garden Design
  • Garden Design Magazine has a collection of ideas to share in this article about what is trending in the landscape this year.  I appreciate their comment that container plantings, edible gardens, natives and drought tolerant plants have become a mainstay and are no longer a passing fancy. 
  • Be an independent thinker or even a trendsetter as you decide what is right for you.  Considering and inquiring about the sustainability of product materials for all purchases can contribute to a feeling of empowerment and great peace of mind about one's place in today’s world.
Xeriscape Incentive Program
  • The City relaunched their water conserving program for the landscape in January. It involves a streamlined process, free educational workshops and online resources to help you create a beautiful, water-friendly landscape with the possibility of rebates for materials. 
  • City residents may also take advantage of a free sprinkler system audit.
  • Check these out to see if they are right for you.  You’ll pick up a lot of useful information in the process.
 
A Mini To-Do Calendar
February 
  • Express some good lovin’ to yourself or others by cooking up a treat or feast for Valentine’s Day.  There are some interesting reads on everyday spices and herbs to jazz up your intimate relationship.  Also, check out "The Language of Flowers" by author Vanessa Diffenbaugh.  The list of flowers and their meanings in the back of this fascinating book can help you put intention into the flowers you grow or give.
  • Need a hands-on creative project this winter?  Create an insect hotel to welcome beneficial insects to your garden once things warm up.  There’s a multitude of examples on-line and the design is only limited by your imagination!
  • Enjoy the winter landscape while contemplating changes you wish to make this season.  Put your ideas and plans on paper with a timeline for when they need to be done and noting when to contact contractors or consultants to help you accomplish your tasks.  Plan crop rotation and companion planting in your vegetable garden to minimize soil nutrient depletion and insect issues.   
  • Sharpen and ready pruning tools since they’ll be needed during the next several months. The biggest priority this month is to prune trees while they are still dormant.  If temps remain low and snow covers the ground, you may be able to push this into early March.                
 
March
  • Establish your vegetable garden low tunnels which can easily be made from 6 ml. clear plastic secured over arced 1/2” PVC or black poly hose whose ends are inserted into slightly wider, 6” lengths of PCV that are hammered into the ground.  Hoop ends can also be clamped into place on the sides of wooden raised beds.
  • Although framed raised beds dry out more quickly than ground level ones, you can also employ a low tunnel or piece of plastic laid on the ground to help soil dry up in advance of planting.  If mulch or debris covers your garden beds, clear at least a small area to allow soil to dry and warm up for early plantings of cold hardy spring greens.
  • The local organization, Home Grown Food, provides a useful resource for starting seeds and transplanting seedlings in our area.  If the ground is relatively dry by mid or late month, plant seed potatoes which you’ve cut into sections no less than one and a half inch square.  Each section should contain one or two eyes.
  • By month’s end, certain shrubs including dogwood, viburnum and lilac can be given a rejuvenation pruning, thinning out 1/3 of the older branches at ground level.  It’s much easier and more effective to do this while the plants are leafless and the overall form can be improved upon.      
 
April 
  • Early in the month, cut back last year’s foliage of Karl Foerster and other feather reed grasses as new growth appears sooner on these than any of the other grass species.  Tackle maiden grasses late month.  Bluestem and switch grass varieties can wait until May since they are slow to wake up in spring.
  • If you had wrapped new fruit or other tender barked trees like lindens in November, remove it around Easter.  Remember - on with the turkey and off with the ham.
  • Start to cut back last year’s lingering foliage of perennials close to the ground.  Wait a bit longer for lavender plants as they are slow to come to life, as are hydrangea, blue mist shrubs.      
  • Most perennials that are dividable can be worked this month, although iris are best lifted and divided in July and September is best for peonies.  Share extras with neighbors, garden clubs or Habitat for Humanity homeowners.
 
A Good Read
Catch Wild Iris’ most recent and final Coloradoan Newspaper article Tips for Spring Gardening and Planting with a Fond Farewell on our website by clicking on the news tab and the articles option.
 
Gift Certificates – A Thoughtful Gift for Any Occasion or Season
Gift certificates for consultation, pruning and hands-on, educational landscape plant care mentoring services are sure to delight friends, aging relatives, work associates and especially new homeowners.  Contact us for more information about this gift idea.

 
Follow us on Facebook where we post useful tips, lengthier articles and events of note.  If you have content suggestions for these quarterly newsletters, I would love to hear from you.  As always, feel free to pass this on. 
 
Live well, Eat well, Be well. 
Robyn
 

Timely Tips for Fall

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“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” ~ Albert Camus

Visit this link for inspirational information on the following subjects:

  • Upcoming Events with Wild Iris Living
  • Holiday Gifts for Gardeners
  • A Mini To-Do Calendar
  • Health Tips for Thriving During the Holiday Season
  • Fall Savings on Services and Gift Certificates

Summer Newsletter

prune roses 1"An addiction to gardening is not all bad when you consider all the other choices in life."   ~  Cora Lea Bell

Deliciously Fresh Flavors, A Mini To-Do Calendar and more can be found in the summertime newsletter.