Overhauling Your Landscape?
By Deena Lawrence, Colorado Master Gardener
Is your landscape ready for a refresh but not sure where to start? The task may seem daunting at first, but begin by evaluating opportunities and constraints of the existing landscape. Gather ideas and images and keep them organized. As you assemble the finer details, here are a few helpful renovation tips that might otherwise be overlooked.
Photo: pinterest.com
Consider Mature Size
Small evergreens are cute when planted, but if mature size isn't taken into consideration, they can get in the way of walkways, driveways and power lines as they grow. It is possible to plant a little 2' wide evergreen and not have a problem when it becomes 10 ' wide if you plan well. Plant it where it will fit, even when mature. No need to leave a bare area all around the little tree. Fill that area with perennials that can easily be moved as the tree grows. If the tree is in a small planting bed to start, plan to move the edging out, expand the bed, and shrink the lawn as the tree grows.
Volunteer Spotlight: Kathleen DeVries
Colorado Master Gardener℠ (CMG) volunteers are a dedicated group of individuals who are knowledgeable and passionate about sharing gardening, landscape and horticulture education. This month we are highlighting Kathleen DeVries.
When did you join the Colorado Master Gardener program and why did you join?

I retired in December of 2017 and took advantage of that time frame to apply for the 2018 class of MG Apprentices. Gardening has been a lifelong love for me, starting as a young child gardening with my father in the fertile Midwest and then gardening in a wide variety of climates as our young family moved around the country. After many years, we settled in Colorado and gardening was my respite from the busy days of work and childcare. Becoming a Master Gardener, taking classes, and learning more about Colorado’s unique and challenging gardening environment was something I truly wanted to do in retirement. Not only did it allow me to continue my education, but it also allowed me to maintain the connection to my former career in education.
Growing for Good
By Kristen Nelson, Colorado Master Gardener
Colorado Master Gardener volunteers in action.
Colorado Master Gardeners are known for their gardening and horticultural expertise. But did you know they are community champions? Their volunteer service inspires comradery, shared knowledge, and community good.
Garden Resolutions
By Lucinda Greene, Colorado Master Gardener
Photo: captive.com
Thinking about becoming a better gardener in 2022? Adopt one or more of these New Year’s gardening resolutions. Your plants and the environment will be happier for these efforts.

  1. Order seed from free catalogs. Here are four of our favorite seed purveyors: Baker Creek, Gurney’s, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, and Burpee. Or better yet, save the paper and order online.
  2. Commit to winter watering. Reserve and schedule one day a month on your calendar for this important task. Click on the link to this fact sheet to learn how to keep your trees and shrubs hydrated all year long.
From the Hort Desk
A Winter To-Do List to Enjoy the Outdoors
Happy New Year! For me, one of the best parts about Colorado is that you can be outside all year around. Winter is a lovely season to enjoy the scenery. Spending time outdoors is always beneficial for our mental and physical health. While you are out enjoying the fresh air, here are some things to do and observe:
  • Look for tiny critters. Most insects and arthropods overwinter in a diapause state (dormancy), but you may see some activity on warm days. While winter watering my landscape, I came across the larvae of a brown lacewing (Family: Hemerobiidae). Lacewings are excellent beneficial insects in our gardens because they feed on pests, especially aphids. Recently, I also came across a Say’s stink bug, (Chlorochroa sayi). Stink bugs overwinter as adults, usually finding a safe, warm place under leaf piles and other debris. The Say’s stink bug will slowly turn from green to brown as fall and winter approach. For more information on how insects survive the winter, check out the following blog post: How Insects Survive Winter
Lisa Mason
CSU Extension Horticulture Agent
What's in Your (Indoor) Garden?
By Kathi Thistlethwaite, Colorado Master Gardener
This six-part series will feature topics of interest found in the garden - indoors and out.
Photo: oregonlive.com
Why Repot Houseplants?

A healthy houseplant grows above the soil as foliage and below the soil as roots. Staying in the same container too long can cause the plant to become root bound, a condition in which the roots grow out the bottom of the container or circle inside the container.
Fruit Trees for the Home Garden
By Debbie Moody, Colorado Master Gardener
Photo: extension.umn.edu
Adding fruit trees to your landscape does take some planning: good site selection, picking a disease resistant variety, proper planting techniques, good watering practices, training, pruning, thinning and pest management. There are two types of fruit trees: Pome fruits (apples, pears and quince) and Drupe or stone fruits (apricots, sour and sweet cherries, peaches and plums). Most fruit trees are self-pollinating. You will get more fruit production if you have more than one apple tree.
I Didn't Know That!
By Judy Kunz, Colorado Master Gardener
SOS! Support Our Solitary Pollinators

Before reaching for that roll of woven petroleum product, commonly known as landscape fabric or weed barrier, think of our ground-dwelling pollinator friends. The ubiquitous use of this material in recent years is making it increasingly difficult for some of our essential insects to find suitable nesting areas because they are unable to penetrate the barrier.
Illustration: Lisa Mason
In Memoriam
Doug Harmon
October 5, 1949 - November 27, 2021
It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to fellow CMG, Doug Harmon. Doug started the CMG program in 2011 and volunteered at Hudson Gardens, the Colorado Garden and Home Show, Speaker’s Bureau, and Silo Park. He loved getting his hands in the dirt. CMGs who knew him found him to be knowledgeable, easy to work with, patient and kind. He will be missed. May he rest in peace. https://www.beatreecremation.com/obituaries/2021-11-27-doug-harmon
PHONE
(303) 730-1920

EMAIL
mastergardener@arapahoegov.com

LOCATION
6934 S. Lima St., Suite B
Centennial, CO 80112
CSU Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.