Weekly Gardening Tips - August 8, 2009

Elizabeth A. Wuerslin
Colorado State University Extension Master Gardener in Larimer County

• Plan ahead for fall planting of garlic and buy bulbs at farmers’ markets, where there are generally more choices, such as heirloom, early maturing types, soft and hard neck. Keep the bulbs in a cool dry place and then separate into cloves for planting in October.
   
• Common milkweed is blooming. This is the favorite food and overwintering plant for the Monarch butterfly. Leave plants standing until spring.
   
• Potato vines mature and die 70-100 days after planting. If your plants are withering and turning brown, cut back on water. Heirloom fingerlings are best harvested when the vines are somewhat green. Dig and handle carefully, as the thin skins damage and dry out easily.

For more information, contact your local Colorado State University Extension office.

• Yard & Garden
• Insects
• Agriculture &
  Natural Resources
• Nutrition, Health &
  Food Safety
• Family, Home & Consumer
• Water
• Clean & Renewable Energy
• 4-H Youth Development

• Yard & Garden Related Resources

• eXtension
• Search CSU
• Ask an Expert
  

• Faculty & Staff Resources

• Calendar

• RamResponse