Spring is the time of year when many of us are planning a selection of plants to put in our yards and gardens. If this includes you, I want to share some important advice regarding plant selection. Experienced Colorado gardeners know that our high, dry, intense and inconsistent climate presents unique challenges. Here in our
Every year on April 22nd, people around the globe come together to celebrate Earth Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about environmental issues and promoting actions to protect our planet. Since its inception in 1970, Earth Day has grown into a global movement, inspiring millions to take steps towards a more sustainable future. One
For gardeners abroad, we are approaching that time of the year for seed starting. As it is important to have a good overall take on it, I wanted to share a few tips for our area and climate zone. Start the Tough Ones Early Typically, by early or mid-March, as the snow melts and the
Ten Students in Wheat Ridge High School’s Landscape Construction class recently designed and installed a spectacular Student Garden at the Colorado Convention Center during the Colorado Garden & Home Show. The students took part in Wheat Ridge High School’s Agriculture Program, which was established in 2020 as a hands-on, two-year plant pathway program. They take
As I write this article, the weather outside reflects the extreme cold of the Rocky Mountain West. And while our gardens are “dead” and dormant, I’ve learned that this is the best time for pruning and restructuring. I am not only referring to fruit trees, but our gardens as a whole. In fact, we can
In an era of increasing environmental awareness, many households are eager to adopt sustainable practices. However, the misconception that going green requires significant financial investment often deters people from taking action. The good news is that sustainability can be achieved without spending a dime. Here’s how the average household can embrace eco-friendly living on a
Imagine your home when it is fully electrified, has no gas burning inside, has minimal utility bills, is running on renewable energy, and is comfortable with great indoor air quality. Many homeowners would love to go green and to convert their home to an affordable and sustainable place to live. But where do you start?
Light plays a pivotal role in egg production for laying hens. As photoperiod-sensitive creatures, hens rely on light exposure to regulate their reproductive cycles. Understanding the optimal amount and type of light can significantly impact egg production, making it a crucial consideration for backyard chicken keepers and commercial farmers alike. Hens require a consistent amount
Because we needed just one more thing to look at when buying groceries, besides the ingredients, the price, the politics of the store, what wages they were paying their employees and what part of the city they were located in….. store hours, were they opened on Sundays and possible affiliation with countries, social movements and
Did you know that the amount of trash we create between Thanksgiving and Christmas is 25 percent more than normal? Also, more edible food is wasted during the holiday season than during any other time of the year. For example, if every American throws away just one bite of turkey with gravy, 8 million pounds
Welcome to December nature lovers. Ken Hall, aka Bird Nut, aka Nature Nut, here. On an almost weekly wander last week with my sister along the greenbelt, I was going through the many positives of a certain plant seen there. I’m speaking of Rabbit Brush. A commonly seen, native plant in Colorado. Wheat Ridge Parks
For many of us in developed countries, such as the United States, food security is a non-issue. Grocery stores, restaurants, and even local farms are common sights, and often easily accessible. Even during a global crisis, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic, I heard more people express concern over the dwindling supply of toilet paper
The onset of the cold season brings rest, not only for plants, but often for the gardener as well. As for me, however, I just can’t quite stop. I enjoy the care and productivity of plants so much that I always have plenty of them in my house. Tropical plants, herbs, and even small fruit
Autumn has arrived and soon there will be children jumping into leaf piles. (At least I hope, if they are not glued to electronic devices indoors.) Yet there are other purposes for fallen leaves that are too profound not to share here in our October article, as gardeners prepare a crucial rest period for their
The planting season is upon us! Yes, you heard that right. Fall is actually a great time for planting a variety of things. If you have been planning to add new trees, shrubs, and various perennials to your garden, you may not have to wait until Spring. In fact, many plants will benefit from a
If you are a serious local gardener, by now you have seen them – metallic-green Japanese beetles descending on your garden, bringing destruction that few other pests can match. This can be a frustrating dilemma, but perhaps a brief discussion can bring some helpful options to consider. Japanese beetles were accidentally introduced to the Eastern
The small but mighty town of Mountain View — just 12 square blocks nestled between Denver and Wheat Ridge — is offering its residents a new opportunity to reduce waste and improve on their carbon footprints. Mountain View has announced an opt-in composting program for all interested residents, who can now pay a $22 monthly
The city of Edgewater cares about trees. Surveys conducted in the early phases of the Edgewater Urban Forest Master Plan process revealed that 96 percent of survey respondents strongly agreed that trees were important to them. During their June 4 meeting, the Edgewater City Council unanimously passed a resolution to adopt the master plan. A
Many gardeners are bringing new plants and fruit trees into their yards. If you are doing so, I want to share some important advice on plant selection. Experienced gardeners in Colorado know that our high, dry, intense and inconsistent climate presents unique challenges. Here in our area, we are classified as a newly updated USDA
Denver, the Mile High City, is a hub for innovation and a leader in sustainability initiatives. With its commitment to achieving 100% renewable energy by 2040, Denver is at the forefront of the clean energy revolution. This shift towards renewable energy sources presents exciting opportunities for residents and investors alike. This article explores the world
By The Regional Air Quality Council This summer, join your neighbors in taking simple steps for better air Join the thousands of Denver area residents who are taking simple steps to improve their community’s air quality and help their neighbors breathe easier! Ground-level ozone impacts our health and environment in the Colorado Front Range each
Welcome to spring, nature lovers. Ken Hall here — normally known as the bird nut — but today I’m not talking birds, rather, the bees. Honeybees to be exact. April and May are big months for the Honeybee. Coming out of the hive hungry and looking for the first blooms of spring. The Clear Creek
In last month’s article, we discussed the goodness of “no-till” and why working less by ditching the tiller might be your best move yet! However, there is one more layer (pun intended) to this methodology which is inseparable from no-till; and that is mulching. 10 years ago, I adopted deep mulching methods in my permaculture
Recycling information has changed over the years. In the 1980’s and 1990’s we were told to remove the cap from plastic bottles, whereas NOW we are told to leave the cap on. In previous times we crushed the aluminum cans down flat, but now Green For Life (our state recycler) requests that we NOT crush
