Newsletters
Winter 2012
Happy New Year!
Do you feel your optimism growing brighter with each additional minute of sunlight? Enjoy this useful information to help you strategize and move forward in the coming months.
· Upcoming Events with Wild Iris Living
· Gardening Trends for 2012
· A Mini Calendar with Resources
· Spicing up Your Life
Upcoming Events with Wild Iris Living
Sat., Jan. 14: Designing Edible Landscapes at the Gardens on Spring Creek, Fort Collins
Tues., Jan. 24: Stepping into the New Year with Foot Reflexology at Fort Collins CommUnity Acupuncture.
Wed., Jan. 25: Creating a Beautiful and Edible Landscape at the Partners in Ag event during the Colorado Farm Show in Greeley
Sat., Feb. 25: The High Plains Landscape Workshop is a one-day workshop for homeowners and professionals designed to promote high-quality, sustainable landscapes that reflect a sense of place in Colorado's northern Front Range. We will be co-sponsoring this popular Gardens on Spring Creek fundraiser.
Gardening Trends for 2012
I think Ailsa Francis’ article is on track with many of her comments. Note that orange, the hue of the year, is associated with creativity so use it indoors and outside to help stimulate your imagination for creating the life you so desire.
Her comment on the aging gardener hits home as I spend time in the loving care of my massage therapist, chiropractor, and acupuncturist to help me stay active doing what I am passionate about. These businesses do exceptional work - Alex Gaebler, CMT (970-221-9197), Jackson Fiske Chiropractic Health and Wellness, and Fort Collins CommUnityAcupunture. I hope you have a similar support team. Feel free to call me if you’d like information about my experience with them.
A Mini Calendar with Resources
January
· Watch for the diminutive, fall-planted bulbs of Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) to start poking through the soil and mulch. I saw inch tall foliage this morning and anticipate the white nodding blooms will follow in several weeks. I have a tiny vase patiently waiting for them.
· If you haven’t done so this month, fertilize your oxygen emitting, pollution absorbing indoor plants and plan to water your landscape plants when the ground thaws, especially the evergreens.
· Inventory your garden seeds and test-sprout those which are more than four years old. Then review catalogs for new varieties, shop locally, and order seeds which are unavailable around town.
· For a handy seed planting calculator visit Johnny's Selected Seeds to find out when to start your cold tolerant and warm season vegetables and flowers from seed.
· Catch upcoming classes at local gardens and nurseries
February
· If your trees sustained storm damage last year, they will be responding to that natural pruning so go easy on any additional reduction this spring. It is best to take off no more than 1/3 of live growth at a time to minimize sucker growth. Ask me about the Good Neighbor Discount for shrub and small tree pruning services if you need work done or would like a hands-on consultation on how to do the work yourself.
· Get your lights in place for indoor plantings so they will be ready once your trays of seeds have sprouted.
· Onions and leeks are about the only crops that don’t need bottom heat for germination. For all others
be creative with providing that warmth for them, such as the top of a gas stove or refrigerator or invest in a heat mat.
March
· Prune raspberries and grapes.
· Warm up a small section of your garden beds so you can sow seeds of your first planting of peas, cold 
hardy greens, and cole crops. A layer of plastic held firmly in space or a low tunnel works great. Frost cloth provides an additional layer of protection for tender foliage once it is up.
· Visit Colorado Home Grown Foods a local edible gardening network to find out where their seed swap swaps is. You can fill out their membership form to get involved or be notified of events.
My most recent Coloradoan column Spicing Up Your Life (literally) can also be accessed at the bottom of my home page at www.WildIrisLiving.com. Archived articles can be found via the Media dropdown on the site.
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Live well, be well.
Robyn