Upcoming Water Smart Native Plant and Western Landscape Programs

It has been a few years since we’ve had two Landscape Symposiums (Symposia?) in our area in the spring. The Colorado Springs-based Peak to Prairie Landscape Symposium held its final program back in 2012 (sigh), but we’ve still had the terrific Western Landscape Symposium in Pueblo to attend. But this year,  we have a new one-day program on native plants in Colorado Springs this year! Yay!

First, we have the 2015 Water Smart Landscape ProSeries Native Plants Program (courtesy of Colorado Springs Utilities) on Friday, March 6. It will be held at Library 21C from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and is open and free to the public. Presenters include Judith Phillips, Loretta Mannix, and Eric Becker. More information on this event is here: www.csu.org/Pages/events-workshops.aspx

 The 2015 Western Landscape Symposium happens on Saturday, March 14, in Pueblo with yet another super line-up of sessions for this year.

Registration is a bargain at $18 per ticket in advance. **Tickets are ONLY being sold in advance, not at the door.** This event has sold out the last several years well in advance and is expected to do so again, so if you are thinking of going, do not put off buying your ticket.

This year’s schedule promises sessions by Karla Dakin, Whitney Cranshaw, Leo Chance, and more. A full schedule and registration information can be found here:http://pueblo.colostate.edu/hor/wls.shtml

 

2014 Western Landscape Symposium – March 15

The 2014 Western Landscape Symposium happens on March 15 in Pueblo with a super line-up of sessions for this year.

Once again, registration is a bargain at $18 per ticket in advance. **Tickets are ONLY being sold in advance, not at the door.** This event has sold out the last two years well in advance and is expected to do so again, so if you are thinking of going, do not put off buying your ticket.

This year’s schedule promises sessions by Panayoti Kelaidis, Charles Mann, Susan Tweit and more. A full schedule and registration information can be found here:
www.coopext.colostate.edu/Pueblo/hor/WLS.shtml

 

3rd Annual Manure Fest Fundraiser – “Poopapalooza” – Sep 28, 2013

Purchase hormone and antibiotic-free manure for a small donation to Project COPE.

This is a joint venture between Colorado Springs Utilities and Ranch Foods Direct to benefit Project COPE. Project COPE provides utilities payment assistance to families and individuals struggling financially due to a personal crisis or emergency. Project COPE is the only local organization that dedicates its entire funding to utilities payment assistance year-round.

Here are the pertinent details:

When: Sep 28, 2012 – 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – while supplies last
Where: Summerland Gardens, 124 E. Cheyenne Rd, Colorado Springs, 80906 (map)
What: 75 tons of aged, antibiotic-free manure from Ranch Foods Direct and Callicrate Cattle Co.
Cost/Donation: $20 per half yard OR $5 for two bags. Cash, check, and credit cards accepted.

How: Bring a truck, trailer, bags, or five gallon buckets to get as little or as much as you would like.

Why: Organic manure, like the material found on Callicrate’s Kansas ranch, is an excellent addition to soils, providing the nutrients needed for healthy, sustainable gardens and landscapes. Manure increases the soil’s water-holding capacity and promotes healthy populations of soil-building microorganisms.

For more information (including reserving manure), visit http://ranchfoodsdirect.com/event/poopapalooza/

And for information on using manure in your garden, see Colorado State University Extension’s Garden Note #242: Using Manure in the Home Garden

Submitted by Carey Harrington, Certified Colorado Gardener

 

2013 Western Landscape Symposium – March 16

The 2013 Western Landscape Symposium happens on March 16 in Pueblo with a terrific line-up of sessions for this year. Registration is a bargain at $18 per ticket in advance. This year’s schedule promises sessions by David Salmans (of the recently sold High Country Gardens), Dan Johnson (Denver Botanic Gardens), Whitney Cranshaw (professor of entomology at CSU), and more. A full schedule and registration information can be found here:
http://pueblo.colostate.edu/hor/WLS.shtml

Sadly, the local Peak to Prairie Landscape Symposium is not happening this year and is on indefinite hiatus.

 

Spread Manure, Sprout Hope Event – Sep 29, 2012

Purchase hormone and antibiotic-free manure for a small donation to Project COPE.

This is a joint venture between Colorado Springs Utilities and Ranch Foods Direct to benefit Project COPE. Project COPE provides utilities payment assistance to families and individuals struggling financially due to a personal crisis or emergency. Project COPE is the only local organization that dedicates its entire funding to utilities payment assistance year-round.

Here are the pertinent details:

When: Sep 29, 2012 – 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – while supplies last
Where: Pinello Ranch, 4940 S. Hwy 85/97, Colorado Springs, 80911 (MAP)
What: 75 tons of aged, antibiotic-free manure from Ranch Foods Direct and Callicrate Cattle Co.
Cost/Donation: $20 per truckload OR $5 for a bag. Cash, check, and credit cards accepted.

How: Bring a truck, trailer, bags, or five gallon buckets to get as little or as much as you would like.

Why: Organic manure, like the material found on Callicrate’s Kansas ranch, is an excellent addition to soils, providing the nutrients needed for healthy, sustainable gardens and landscapes. Manure increases the soil’s water-holding capacity and promotes healthy populations of soil-building microorganisms.

Submitted by Carey Harrington, Certified Colorado Gardener

 

Here Come the 2012 Plant Sales!

We are certainly spoiled for choice when it comes to plant sales. These are a great way to get terrific selections of plants for our conditions while supporting local organizations. Here are the ones we know of so far:

Apr 28: North American Rock Garden Society Annual Plant Sale, Denver Botanic Gardens, 9:00 – 5:00

Apr 28: Nature and Raptor Center of Pueblo (NRCP) Annual Plant Sale, 9:00 – 2:00
www.natureandraptor.org/SpringPrograms2012.pdf

May 5: Pueblo Zoo and Colorado Master Gardeners Annual Plant Sale, 8:00 – 2:00
www.pueblozoo.org/eventsPage.shtml

May 11-13: Denver Botanic Gardens Spring Plant Sale
www.botanicgardens.org/events-exhibits/special-events/spring-plant-sale

May 18-20: Colorado Springs Horticultural Art Society Annual Gigantic Plant Sale, Demonstration Garden, Monument Valley Park (www.hasgardens.org)

May 20: Manitou Springs Garden Club Plant Sale & Home Show, 10:00 – 4:00
www.peakradar.com/event/detail/441591167/Manitou_Springs_Garden_Club_Plant_Sale_Home_Show

May 26-28: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Memorial Day Weekend Plant Sale – pre-order of plants available (through May 21) in addition to the regular sale.
www.cmzoo.org/animalsPlants/plants/horticultureHappenings.asp

Jun 2: Pikes Peak Water Garden Society Plant Sale, Union Printers Home, Colorado Springs, 10:00 – 2:00
www.ppwgs.org/plant_sale/plantsale.php

 

Upcoming Landscape Symposiums

We have two terrific landscape symposiums (or “symposia!”) coming up in our area. Both promise to offer a wealth of research-based information on a variety of western gardening topics. Registration is now open for both.

Coming up on March 17, 2012 is the sixth annual Western Landscape Symposium offered by the Pueblo County Extension office. It’s a full day, and tickets cost $18. A full schedule and registration information can be found here:
pueblo.colostate.edu/hor/WLS.shtml. (I’m especially intrigued by the session “Pollinators Exposed” presented by Marti Osborn of the Pueblo Zoo!)

And then on March 30 & 31st, we have the 2012 Peak to Prairie Landscape Symposium. This symposium is usually in February, but the venue and dates have changed this year. Friday will focus on trees for half of a day with workshops in the afternoon, and Saturday will be a full day of presentations. For a look at the full schedule and the registration options, visit this site:
www.peaktoprairielandscapesymposium.org/

 

Median Flower Bed Adopters Needed for “Springs in Bloom” Program

Most likely you’ve noticed one of the many flower beds in the medians of (mostly) downtown streets in Colorado Springs. Did you know they are planted and maintained by volunteers? The program which oversees the volunteers and their flower beds is called “Springs in Bloom.” The median flower beds are great projects for groups of all sorts.

If you’re interested, read the following news release from the City of Colorado Springs for more information:

Calling all green thumbs: Springs in Bloom volunteers needed

The City of Colorado Springs is seeking volunteers to adopt a flower bed and help keep the City blooming this summer. The 2012 Springs in Bloom flower bed adoption program seeks individuals, families, clubs and businesses to adopt approximately 58 flower beds located throughout Colorado Springs. The Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department will provide the flowers free of charge to all volunteer adopter groups. Flowerbed adopters will take responsibility for planting and maintaining the beds throughout the summer, per guidelines provided by the City.

Thirty-five percent of the flower beds are already adopted, and flower beds are available on a first come, first serve basis. The City hopes to have sponsors for all beds by April 3, because prime planting season is May 15 thru June 4.

If you are interested in adopting a flowerbed or making a donation to the Springs in Bloom program, go to www.SpringsGov.com/SpringsInBloom. For more information, contact Donna Sanchez at (719) 385-6568

Contributed by Carey Harrington, Colorado Native Plant Master and Certified Colorado Gardener
Photo courtesy of Colorado Springs Tribune (www.coloradospringstribune.com).

 

75 Ton Manure Stimulus Event! Oct 15, 2011

Well that got your attention, didn’t it? (And you’ll notice we don’t have any manure pictures…well maybe if you look reeeeeally closely at that field…)

This is a joint venture between Colorado Springs Utilities and Ranch Foods Direct to benefit Project COPE. Project COPE provides utilities payment assistance to families and individuals struggling financially due to a personal crisis or emergency. Project COPE is the only local organization that dedicates its entire funding to utilities payment assistance year-round.

Here are the pertinent details:

 

Fall Veggie Class

For all you die hard gardeners next month Larry Stebbins the director of Pikes Peak Urban Gardens (PPUG) will be giving a class entitled “Fall Veggie Class”.  This class is the first in a series of six classes Larry will present throughout the winter.  The “Fall Veggie Class”  will not only cover Fall Veggies, but also what worked and what did not work in the garden this year.

Just like the rest of the U.S. we have had some unusual weather to deal with this past summer.  First our May was cold and damp then came the heat in June followed by the rain in July.  It was a challenging year to be a Colorado Gardener.  Larry is a great speaker and just full of knowledge about growing vegetables here in Colorado.  Go to www.ppugardens.org to register and attend the class.