Today was a good day. It was gorgeous and warm. The wind blew hinting of the cold to come. There were many many apples I could still reach. Enough for at least 6 apple struesel if I wanted. Or apple cake. Apple cake? Yes apple cake. I think it will be a hit, even with… Continue reading 2022 The last harvest before frost
Fall planting the fence and more
There is a new fenceline now that ash is gone. Its a sunny east facing spot. Without irrigation and with poor soil, the plants must be xeric. So although I like switchgrass, it might not like just how dry the site could end up. I intend to give them a good mulching in case. Switchgrass… Continue reading Fall planting the fence and more
Seeds repair their DNA
I never knew that part of a seed’s development when it first germinates is to repair damage to DNA done as a seed ages. Seed quality deteriorates with age, and this is associated with accumulation of genome damage. During germination, repair processes are activated to deal with accumulated DNA damage. In particular, single- and double-strand… Continue reading Seeds repair their DNA
Oligoneuron rigidum – Stiff goldenrod
Oligoneuron rigidum Stiff Goldenrod (F,DM,A,A) 3 – 5 ft H x 2 – 3 ft W. Flat-topped yellow flower clusters in late summer. Multi-stemmed with long basal leaves and progressively shorter lanced shaped leaves near the crown. Hairy leaves (pubescent) feel velvety to the touch and have a nice sheen. Leaves may turn red in… Continue reading Oligoneuron rigidum – Stiff goldenrod
July heat is here
Heat and storms ushered in July. The summer monsoons are back though spotty. While a late June mountain camping trip saw no moisture, quick storms passed most days leading up to a hot July 4. Much of eastern Colorado is now in drought and the high pressure dome we’ve had since mid-June remains. And yet… Continue reading July heat is here
The garden is recovering well.
With a destructive, late spring snowstorm, booked weekends, and rain — the garden is holding its own guite beautifully. Untidy yes, the charm of nature, for sure. Two trees may have to go. Its unfortunate but both will suffer greatly if Emerald Ash comes knocking. We need the trees to have health and be able… Continue reading The garden is recovering well.
Andropogon gerardii – Big Bluestem
Originally posted 5/2019 Andropogon gerardii Big Bluestem (F,D,Md,A,N) 4-5ft w x 4-8 feet h. Native warm-season perennial clump grass. Found int both short and tall grass prairies. Grayish green stems in spring, turning a copper red in fall. drought tolerant. Base of plants are often purple. In the gardne bed it tends to flop, best… Continue reading Andropogon gerardii – Big Bluestem
Spring 2022 Snowstorm
May 20 I woke to my husband gently shaking me. He’d just surveyed the damage out back. It wasn’t good. And it was still snowing. Every couple minutes a low crack or splat sounded danger. I looked skyward to be sure the noise wasn’t from above and made my way around back. Wow. Of the… Continue reading Spring 2022 Snowstorm
An idea for carving the maple stump
Its been three years since the iron chlorotic silver maple was cut down. I had the left limb with the old bee hive removed this winter. So now what to do with this huge stump? We kept it since it holds one end of the hammock. I had the idea that I could put flower… Continue reading An idea for carving the maple stump
Strawberries for Colorado
Strawberries do well in Colorado gardens when they are protected from hungry critters and watered properly. Did you know strawberries aren’t actually berries but accessory fruit? The juicy deliciousness we eat doesn’t come from the plant’s ovary, as in other berries, but the space the ovary sits inside called the receptacle. A strawberry’s skin is… Continue reading Strawberries for Colorado