By Jonathan Sciarcon Sedges are “grass-like plants” in that they have skinny green stems, but they are not grasses. Sedges, unlike grasses, are in the Cyperus (Cyperaceae) family, have solid, triangular stems (occasionally round). They are not jointed or hollow like grasses. When looking at the stem, you can see the leaves are in three […] Continue reading "Consider Native Sedges in Your Landscape"
This section of the Toolkit is new and will be expanded to include more seeds collection tips and recommendations for seeds cleaning. Collecting Native Plant Seeds Planting native plants from seeds is the cheapest and simplest way to get a good variety of native plants in your landscape. Some say that the plants you grow […] Continue reading "Collecting & Cleaning Native Seeds"
Members of the Propagation Committee gathered at Brian & Eileen’s property to explore their land adjacent to Roosevelt National Forest and swap native plant seedlings that weren’t quite ready for the June swaps. It was a great day spending the day together, particularly since our Propagation Committee members are spread out along the Front Range. […] Continue reading "Colorado Native Plant Propagation | Propagation Committee Gathering"
By Jen Smith with input from the Propagation Committee Native Seeds Germination Methods Scatter Seeds Outdoors at the Beginning of an Early Winter Snowstorm The snow will blanket the seeds, gently pressing them into the soil and providing initial moisture. It mimics the process seeds go through in nature. Make sure you’ve scattered the seeds […] Continue reading "Native Seeds Germination Methods & Tips"
By Jenifer Frazer1 Trudi Davidoff invented modern winter sowing in the early 2000s under eastern conditions. She used disposable plastic food storage containers and milk jugs but I had issues with those methods in our windy, dry, sunny environment. So I poked around on her website and found someone else’s idea for winter sowing in […] Continue reading "How to Winter Sow Native Seeds in Milk Jugs or Plastic Containers"
By Jen Smith Seed Swap update. Thanks to everyone who came out to the Seed Swap events in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins! Swap attendance was double last year’s, and we had more seeds at the end than when we started due to so many of your generous donations. Germination. Now that you have all […] Continue reading "From Seeds to Seedlings"
by Wild Ones Front Range Chapter Board Members This month we thought we’d go “trick or treating” for (i.e. do a deep dive into) nuggets of wisdom our Chapter Board Members (and prospective Board Members) have to hand out from their own experience planting natives in their landscapes – tips, tricks, and info that will […] Continue reading "Tips, Tricks, and Info for Planting Native Plants on the Front Range"
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 Alex Bruce Looking for a new way to start seeds without having to use plastic pots that only last a few seasons? Soil blocking may be the best alternative you’ve never heard of. The concept is simple – using a mold, compress soil into durable blocks that are the perfect home for starting seeds. […] Continue reading "Soil Blocking: Seed Starting Without Plastic"
By Jan Midgley Also known as Prairie Sagebrush or Fringed Sage, the soft mounding mat of silvery gray green foliage typical of Artemisia frigida is an excellent matrix for a garden bed of native grasses and forbs. This is a sensory plant: soft to the touch, sweet smelling, edible and visually soft and soothing. It is an excellent […] Continue reading "Colorado Native Plant Focus: Artemisia frigida"
