March 2007 Newsletter

    Another beautiful spring is here today. It sure feels like spring and that makes all of us suspicious in March… Is it really warm to stay? Can we go forth with the garden plan and plantings? Should we buy plants now or wait until May? Can we cut back the roses? When will the rain come? Should-shouldn't, can-can't, will-won't. It can be an unnerving time of year for gardeners.

    Meanwhile the weather has been warm, sunny and the soil has responded. Going outside in the morning the smell of moist earth greets the gardener. Worms are wriggling and birds are singing. Chores this time of year are cutting back the ornamental grasses and the roses, cleaning up the beds a bit, topping up the mulch and assessing the gardens. We gardeners are trying to hold ourselves back. Why? It's early spring, very early in the season. It's the end March and April is still too early to begin most gardening work. April, depending on the weather, is a great time for mid spring transplanting of perennials and planting new shrubs & trees - the hardier plants. The only catch is spring rains, which aren't as frequent as I would like them. Without spring rains, the newly transplanted plants will need watering, so we wait.

     Warm sunny days fool us into wanting to plant, plant, and plant while tender-plant-killing weather could be just around the corner. April can surprise us with damp, chilly weather, wreaking havoc on the unprepared gardener's plans. We must be flexible and tuned into the weather that swirls around us. Having a sense of humor helps in coping with spring and the uncertainties.

     Plant lists are being prepared and we are making plans for our annual out-of-town shopping trips. Blue Planet goes to Canon City at least twice, then Pueblo and often north to Denver, even Fort Collins. We expand our field this time of year to meet the demands of our gardens - fresh plants, trees and shrubs. Of course we also have our favorite local suppliers who we love and place most of our faith in: Rick's, Pikes Peak Nursery and GreenSides are our usual haunts, with trips over to Hillside, Good Earth and even east of Academy. Blue Planet Earthscapes does not shop at the box stores, even if prices seem cheaper. We have found that the quality of the materials is rarely up to our standards and that box stores don't support the green industry. Local private nurseries and garden shops are devoted to gardeners, have knowledgeable staff, and only bring in plants that they feel are right for our area. Plant Select plants are the result of these same folks doing research with Colorado State University and Denver Botanical Gardens to find the absolute best plants for the realities of Front Range gardens. Shopping for plants and supplies is a big job for the spring gardeners.

    Blue Planet wants to offer to all of our clients the idea of growing more edible plants along with the flowers. How wonderful it is to harvest your own homegrown herbs for dinner or to grow your own salad. Fruit from your raspberry patch or plums from your own trees taste better than those in the stores. Even if you aren't interested in the fruits for yourself, the birds will respond and enjoy them. Blue Planet is doing more work in edible gardens and food forest permaculture gardens than ever. We can also help you obtain a backyard habitat certificate through the National Wildlife Federation if it interests you.

     We are so excited about the coming growing season! Anticipation is always high this time of year. There is lots of work to do to prepare for May and we are working hard. Please let us know how we can serve you better. Thank you for the pleasure of your gardens.

Fondly,
Becky The Gardener


"Everything gardens."
Peter Bane, Permaculture teacher


Blue Planet Earthscapes P O Box 861 Manitou Spgs, CO 80829 (719) 685 - 0290

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