Sixty Second Secrets for Gardening Success: Master Gardener Plant Clinics

Today on Sixty-Second Secrets for Gardening Success: Master Gardener Plant Clinics.

Have you ever seen a flower and wanted to know what it is, or ever had your lawn or favorite plant suddenly start looking sick and wanted to know why?

You may not realize it, but expert help may be right around the corner!

Colorado Master Gardener volunteers are trained to help you in plant ID as well aiding in diagnosing what is wrong with a sick plant or lawn.

Plant clinics take place at many locations around the area. Many are held at the County Extension Office while others may be at the local nursery or garden center, your favorite big box store, or at your community farmers market.

For more information on plant clinics, contact your local CSU Extension Office  or visit http://sixtysecondgardeningsecrets.podbean.com/

Sixty-Second Secrets for Gardening Success is a production of Colorado State University Extension.
CSU Extension: Extending knowledge, changing lives.

Sixty Second Secrets for Gardening Success: Buying Transplants!

Today on Sixty-Second Secrets for Gardening Success: Buying Transplants!

When selecting transplants from the nursery or garden center, be sure you pick the best plants available. Plants should be a healthy green color, with a wide bushy form. Avoid buying leggy or stretched plants. Look for any signs of disease, insects, or damage to the plant before you bring it home.

Plants that are over watered in the nursery are often shallow rooted. Check the roots by pulling the plant out of its pot or container. Also check for pot bound or girdling roots before you purchase a plant.

Once you get your plants home, you will want to harden them off by placing them outside in the sun. Gradually increase the amount of time the plants spend out in the elements each day for a week prior to planting to acclimate them to their new environment.

For more information on gardening, contact your local CSU Extension Office.

Sixty-Second Secrets for Gardening Success is a production of Colorado State University Extension.
CSU Extension: Extending knowledge, changing lives.

See also:
Planttalk Colorado - Buying & hardening transplants

Transplanting into the garden Planttalk Colorado™

Sixty Second Secrets for Gardening Success: Pruning Roses

Today on Sixty-Second Secrets for Gardening Success: Pruning Roses!

 

Winter frosts and freezes are damaging to roses so it’s best to wait till early spring to prune roses.

 

Pruning roses is easy and will make a big difference in the plants health so it’s best to prune every spring.

Start with a sharp pair of bypass pruners and a good pair of gloves.

Next remove any dead, diseased, or damaged canes. Canes should be pruned at a 45 degree angle about ¼ inch below the point where you see green or healthy wood.

 

After you have removed any dead, diseased, or damaged canes you can focus on the shape. Prune your rose ¼ inch above an outward facing bud. This will help the plant grow in way that will prevent branches from growing through the plant, allow for more air and light penetration into the plant, and reduce the possibility of disease.

For more information on roses, contact your local CSU Extension Office.

Sixty-Second Secrets for Gardening Success is a production of Colorado State University Extension.
CSU Extension: Extending knowledge, changing lives.

Sixty Second Secrets for Gardening Success: Houseplants: Rubber Plant

Today on Sixty-Second Secrets for Gardening Success: Rubber plant.

If you’re looking for an easy to grow plant for your home or office, consider a rubber plant. Rubber plants are long lived plants which adapt quickly to the conditions in your home or office.

Just be sure that night time temperatures do not drop below 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Because rubber plants don’t like to have wet feet, plant in a pot that has a saucer and drains well. Remember to water and fertilize regularly and after watering, drain any excess water out of the saucer.

If your plant is in a warm, brightly lit location, remember that it will require more frequent water, fertilizer, and repotting.

To keep the leaves clean, simply wipe off with a moist rag. For extra shine, spray the leaves with a leaf shine product available at your local nursery or garden center.

For more information, on houseplants, contact your local CSU Extension Office.

Sixty-Second Secrets for Gardening Success is a production of Colorado State University Extension.

CSU Extension: Extending knowledge, changing lives.

Sixty-Second Secrets for Gardening Success: Indoor Herb Gardening.

 

 

 

Today on Sixty-Second Secrets for Gardening Success: Indoor Herb Gardening.

 

Do you love using fresh herbs in you culinary creations? Consider an indoor herb garden! For a culinary garden consider growing garlic, chives, basil, oregano, parsley, sage, rosemary or thyme. If you want to grow a tea garden you may want to plant spearmint, peppermint, lemon balm, lemon verbena, chamomile or catnip.

 

Be sure to choose a container that provides good drainage, and fill with one or more of your favorite herbs. Place your herb garden in a sunny location that receives at least half a day of sun and be sure to water regularly. After the threat of frost passes, you can place your garden outdoors and enjoy fresh herbs all year round.

For more information on herb gardening, contact your local CSU Extension Office or visit www.ext.colostate.edu

Sixty-Second Secrets for Gardening Success is a production of Colorado State University Extension.
CSU Extension. Extending knowledge, changing lives.