Winter Tree Watering Guidelines for Denver

Denver’s tree canopy provides many benefits to our urban environment. Many of the trees in the city are already under stress from last year’s dry winter and this year’s hot, dry summer and will need extra care this year to survive. Periods of drought are common on Colorado 's Front Range . This area is naturally a semi-arid, shortgrass prairie that would have few trees without irrigation. Growing trees here is difficult in wet years let alone in drought years. Drought makes growing healthy trees in this region all the more challenging and reinforces the value of a majestic shade tree. Properly placed and maintained trees are an asset to the environment and to our community.

Click here for more information on how to water your trees during the winter months.

From the Colorado State University Denver County Extension Master Gardener site.

Watering Tips for July

Mulch beds and borders with an organic mulch such as pole peelings or shredded bark to limit water evaporation on hot days. Mulch will also help reduce the number of weeds. Contact Higher Ground Landscapes to design and implement planted beds with mulch.

The best time to water your lawn and garden is between midnight and 8 a.m. There is less evaporation and usually better water pressure than during the daytime. When you water in the evening the leaves stay wet during the night, making them more susceptible to disease. Contact Higher Ground Landscapes to install automatic watering systems such as drip irrigation.

Plants grown in containers will require frequent watering during the hot month of July -- possibly as often as twice a day! Container plants should also be fertilized approximately every two weeks since heavy watering washes nutrients out of the soil.

Now is the Time for Aerating Your Lawn!

Lawn aeration is the secret weapon in making your lawn healthy. Aeration involves making holes in the lawn either by pushing a rod into it or by "coring", extracting a plug of soil. By aerating your lawn you provide the following benefits to your lawn and its root system:

• Oxygen gets to the roots and the soil allowing it to "breathe"
• Organic fertilizers and nutrients get access to the root system
• Water is able to better soak the soil and reach the root system
• Helps to break up thatch
• Tight, compacted soil is loosened up allowing the root system to grow

Contact Higher Ground Landscapes at 303-929-0872 to have your lawn aerated and start your grass on the right track.

Colorado Garden & Home Show This Weekend

Colorado Garden & Home Show
February 12th-20th, 2011
Colorado Convention Center
Denver, Colorado

Discover the Rocky Mountain region's oldest, largest and most prestigious garden and home show – a nine-day spectacular event – where you can find inspiration from the latest ideas and trends in landscaping, gardening and home improvement.