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Plant Problems

By Emily Talago A tough winter, an abrupt end… Record breaking lows, high winds, heavy snow pack, a rapid thaw, and hungry wildlife: it was another tough winter and we’re seeing associated symptoms manifest throughout the valley. Over the past few years, temperature fluctuations, including early freezes in fall, and warm Chinook thaws in February,

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Growing Fruiting Shrubs

Honeyberries (AKA Haskap) are in the honeysuckle family. The flowers and fruit are very frost tolerant – a great feature for cold climates and higher elevations. Fruits are high in antioxidants, range from sweet to tart, and require another variety to pollinate, great fresh or made into jams, jellies, and sauces. Variety Characteristics Size Zone

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Poplars

All poplar species are known for their fast growth rate. Some are reported to grow as much as 6’ in one season, though 18-36 inches is more common in our area. They are also extremely winter hardy and seem to grow fast despite dry conditions and high wind. This makes them popular for wind shelters,

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The Perfect Houseplant-Sansevieria

by Jan Cashman We want our houseplants to be easy-care.  Even if we forget to water them or are traveling or don’t have fertilizer handy, we want them to thrive. Peace lily (Spathiphylim) and Spider Plant (Chlorophytum) are two houseplants that are easy to care for.  But there is no houseplant easier to keep in

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Nine Last Minute Gifts for Gardeners

Nine Last Minute Gifts for Gardeners by Jan Cashman 12/7/21 For that special gardener on your Christmas list: Give a Felco pruner, the Cadillac of pruners, a Swiss-made tool that lasts for years with all replaceable parts. My husband Jerry, whose pruners get heavy use, says his Felcos last 4 or 5 years.  Of course,

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Pine Trees

by Jan Cashman This time of year, most trees in our landscapes are leafless and brown, so we appreciate more our large evergreens. The most common upright evergreen planted here is the familiar Colorado spruce, sometimes called “blue spruce”. Pines (Pinus) have longer, greener needles than spruce, are faster-growing, and, therefore, make good specimen trees

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