by Deb Lebow Aal In response to last month’s article, on why artificial turf, aka plastic lawn, is not a good alternative, a reader sent a handout from Colorado Springs Utilities that details a few more reasons it is no good. Of particular interest is the link in that handout to health reasons not to […] Continue reading "Artificial Turf – Again!"
By Deb Lebow Aal. Updated October 2023. This is a topic every Colorado homeowner should pay attention to. As you all know, our fire season in the West is getting longer and hotter. And, while it’s of much greater concern if you live close to the rural/forest intersection, it is now relevant even for urban […] Continue reading "Fire Resistant Landscaping and Colorado Native Plants"
by Peggy Hanson Oh, what fun being with plant people! Here is a look back at our most recent events that exemplify the mission and community of the Wild Ones Front Range chapter. Hikes! A big thanks to member Pam Schulz who scouted, coordinated, led and interpreted our hikes at Two Bridges Open Space (May […] Continue reading "WOFR Event Recap"
by Deb Lebow Aal I am seeing more and more folks opting for artificial turf. Some have said to me that it’s a great option for the Front Range as it does not require water. I realize there are many people out there who want a no maintenance yard – and not just low maintenance, […] Continue reading "Artificial Turf – Why It’s Not an Alternative"
by Danna Liebert As advocates for Colorado native landscaping, you may have claimed (as we have) that you can create any traditional landscape style with natives; the whole story, as many of us know, is complicated: not all CO native plants are low-water; some need space to roam (spreading by rhizomes or reseeding); some don’t […] Continue reading "Native Plant Garden Pairings"
By Diane Stahl If you are in the native plant community anywhere in the west, you have probably heard of the untimely passing of David Salman. We at Wild Ones Front Range chapter are heartbroken. If you did not know David by name, you probably knew his online businesses (High Country Gardens and Santa Fe […] Continue reading "Tribute to David Salman (1957 – 2022)"
by Peggy Hanson Under the great leadership and organization of Wild Ones member, Pam Schulz, the Propagation Committee has had an amazing inaugural year. Pam has set up monthly workshops since the inception meeting in November 2021. Members have benefitted from the technical guidance of member Jan Midgley and Harlequin nursery staff in learning methods of propagating […] Continue reading "WOFR Propagation Work"
by Deborah Lebow Aal The ‘Gardening Myths’ article I wrote last year was our most popular article ever. It has been reprinted in several other newsletters, including Denver Audubon (linked here), and we received many comments. Following up with ‘Gardening Myths #2’ was inevitable. In most cases, there is no right or wrong ‘answer’ to […] Continue reading "Garden Myths #2"
By Deb Lebow Aal; Updated October 2023 by Jen Smith Here we are again, talking about grass. I mean the Kentucky Blue Grass (KBG) and other non-native expanses we use as our default landscape. We wrote articles on this in past Wild Ones Front Range chapter newsletters (That Non Native Turf Grass Has Got to […] Continue reading "So Many Alternatives to Non Native Turf"
By Richard Phillips When you were making your list of new native plants to add to your yard this past spring, I bet it contained all forbs with no shrubs or trees. Everyone wants to add more beautiful flowers! This article is to encourage you to add shrubs to your yard this year. You might […] Continue reading "Colorado Native Shrubs – Ecological Powerhouses and More!"