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
Chores before another spring snow includes potting dahlias
Today is supposed to be 70+ degrees, a perfect time to get some seeds sown and tender perennials potted up to wait for the last frost. The new normal for spring in Colorado includes large swings in temps from 70 to 20 and back again. Only the hardiest plants can take frost on their new… Continue reading Chores before another spring snow includes potting dahlias
I want that plant!
Do you ever see a plant that you think- ooh wouldn’t that be nice in my yard? Here is my list. For Spring Ribes sanguinium ‘Elkingtons white’s flowering currant Anenome nemerosa white flowers in spring <— I have anenome virginiana Pulmonaria ‘diana clare’. Lungwort Trillium kurabayashii giant purple wake robim. Speckled leaves with red flowers.… Continue reading I want that plant!