Acres Green

Garden Center by Pat Perlinger

Mar 30, 2005

It?’s ?‘wake up?’ time in Colorado. Buds are appearing on some trees, and the earlybird flowers are popping open. There should still be time to get some ?‘pre-emergence?’ down on the lawn to stop the crabgrass, and it?’s a good time to fertilize lawns as well.

Keep in mind that the new growth on shrubs, trees, grass, and all other perennials, needs a good healthy drink to get a good start. Since we haven?’t had a super cold winter, the soil should soak up water from a well placed sprinkler.

With the gardening season fast approaching it?’s good to know some sources for mile-high growing tips. Soon the newspapers will have gardening supplements telling which plants to plant when, and which are a good bet in our short growing season.
The Douglas County Master Gardner line is 720-733-6935. The Master Gardner program is sponsored by Colorado State University (CSU) and its purpose is to provide answers to the general public on horticultural issues.
Another great source of information from the University is PlantTalk Colorado. Just type PlantTalk Colorado into your search engine on the internet, and you will have a phenomenal amount of information at your fingertips including: landscape design, insect control, plant information, growing conditions, disease control, and a huge variety of other information pertaining to gardening in Colorado.
Another great source of information is often available just over the back fence. ?…talk to your neighbor. Sometimes that?’s the best part of gardening anyway.

The Water Department tells me no decisions have been made at this point on water restrictions for 2005. When reservoirs have been measured, and policy determined, information will be available in the newspapers, on TV, on the internet (www.denverwater.org), and probably in your water bill. In the meantime keep up the good work on conserving.
If you haven?’t visited the afore mentioned Denver Water website, I highly recommend it. The site is very comprehensive, and includes a great deal of interesting and helpful information, including a section on how to repair faucets and toilets.
If on the other hand, you are a terrible plumber as I am, just pick up the phone and call Jim and Maggie Unger, and they will do an excellent job for you. You?’ll find their ad elsewhere in this publication.

I?’m still looking for a few golf cart drivers for the Independence Day celebration. I have several, but need a few more. The carts are used to take handicapped or other folks who need an assist into and out of the park. Call me at 303-799-8626 if you are interested.
It looks like the Fourth of July will be another large celebration this year. We are presently planning another big fireworks show, a number of inflatables for the kids, and perhaps the most popular ?“ride?” ..the Quad Bungee Jump. There will be a number of food stands, and of course our old standby ?…CJ?’s frozen goodies. It should be another fun time indeed.

Keep the green side up.