New to gardening in Colorado?

Colorado has its own unique weather conditions. Northeast Colorado is no different. We have extreme temperature changes which seem to be happening across the country now. But more than that, we have little precipitation or flooding that occurs. For these reasons, we need tough and resilient plants which are long-lasting and noninvasive.

Our soils tend to have an alkaline pH with pockets of properties leaning toward all sand or all clay. There are many places with sandy loam or clay loam soils that still have alkaline pH. The alkaline pH of 7.2 and above makes it impossible for plant roots to absorb nutrients such as iron, manganese and zinc. Therefore, leaves on many of our plants exhibit yellowing with green veins. The degree of yellowing on the leaves between the green veins can vary, and the thickness of the green around those veins can vary, pointing to differences in the nutrients that are lacking. The yellowing and green veins which occur more toward the tip of the leaf are signs of zinc deficiency, and that can be similar for manganese. Although manganese can turn the leaves olive-green, and the leaves can be stunted.

Our dramatic temperature changes, many times from a high of 75 F to a low of 10 F in less than 12 hours, kill plants. Plants need a window to adapt to the temperature change. According to Dr. James Klett, professor of landscape horticulture, ornamentals and nursery management at Colorado State University, fast-growing trees contain a higher internal moisture content than slower-growing trees. These fast-growing trees will have freeze damage, such as honey locust. The freeze damage that occurs on trees and shrubs can damage them for years.

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