Youth Programming and Collaboration at its Finest

By Dawn Fradkin, Arapahoe County Master Gardener Coordinator and Assistant Horticulturist

4-H Outreach Programs Supervisor Claudia Meeks with Clayton students

In early 2022, Clayton Elementary School in Englewood contacted the 4-H Outreach Programs Supervisor, Claudia Meeks. The school was interested in having a gardening club program to integrate its school and community garden into its after-school programs. Claudia reached out to the Colorado Master Gardener (CMG) Program knowing that the CMGs were already involved in the Clayton Garden and had some youth classes already developed. Within a few weeks Kris Nelson, one of the master gardener team leaders at the Clayton Garden, helped Claudia develop a new pilot program for this 4-H youth outreach request.

Get a Jump Start on Next Spring

By Judy Kunz, Colorado Master Gardener

Photo: Better Homes and Gardens

Spring and summer blooming herbaceous perennials can be rejuvenated by dividing them in the fall. Most perennials will benefit from being divided every three to five years if they are overgrown, have become bare in the center, have sparse leaf growth near the bottom or are not flowering to their potential. Plants that are over-crowded are easy targets for disease, and dividing them allows for more air circulation, resulting in healthier, more vigorous plants and bigger blooms. Don’t wait until a plant is declining or under stress to divide it.

Meet the New Arapahoe County

CSU Extension Director

Photo: Dina Baker and her dogs

Arapahoe County Open Spaces is thrilled to announce the appointment of new CSU Extension Director Dina Baker, following a four-month extensive search. Dina began her new position at the County on August 8.

Dina will head the Arapahoe County CSU Extension division, overseeing nine staff members, and will be responsible for managing volunteer committees, serving as liaison between CSU Extension leadership and Arapahoe County, providing overall leadership on priority educational programming based on community needs and being the public face of Arapahoe County CSU Extension. Her greatest passion is connecting children and adults of all ages to nature and being able to provide educational opportunities to diverse audiences.

Fireworks Goldenrod, Photo: pinterest.com

Cover Crops to the Rescue

By Pam Rosendal, Colorado Master Gardener

Cover crop of peas in raised bed, Wilkes County Center, Photo: North Carolina Cooperative Extension

Colorado’s winter winds are brutal for our vegetable gardens; they carry away small particles of topsoil from the soil surface. Add to that the water erosion that washes away its share of topsoil. It’s enough to dishearten even the most experienced home gardener.

Cover crops protect the soil in a vegetable garden from wind and water erosion while, nearly simultaneously, suppressing weeds, fixing nitrogen, building soil structure, and reducing insect pests. Cover crops are vegetable garden superheroes!

I Didn't Know That!

By Carol Gilmore, Colorado Master Gardener

Is it Poison Hemlock or Queen Anne’s Lace?

People have been asking, “Is this plant Poison Hemlock or Queen Anne’s Lace?” It’s a good thing to be aware of since all parts of the Poison Hemlock plant are poisonous and the roots of Queen Anne’s Lace are edible. They are both members of the carrot family. Both are found along waterways, roadways, and railroad tracks. Poison hemlock is on the Colorado Noxious Weed list (List C) whereas Queen Anne's Lace is non-native to the US.

Here’s how to tell the difference:

Photo: Pinterest/Andrian Tu