Question: Is there a list of Colorado keystone species? And, what do you think of the concept of Keystone species? Many organizations have developed lists of keystone species for Colorado and the wider region. Perhaps one of the most thorough (and most flexible, because it is focused on the genus level) is from the National Wildlife […] Continue reading "Ask CSU Extension Anything: Colorado Keystone Species"
By Karim Gharbi While I appreciate the advances in horticulture that have allowed us to feed 8 billion people, that appreciation does not extend to the pesticide industry. This idea that we can dominate nature with “quick fixes” like insecticides or herbicides is hubris. Mother Nature developed the tools to self-regulate long ago, we need […] Continue reading "Attracting Beneficial Insects with Native Plants"
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!"
By Jody Gardiner, Wild Ones Front Range chapter member Join us in saving our bees and the world’s food supply, ONE YARD AT A TIME! Not all bees are alike. Most of us are familiar with honey bees. Less familiar to most of us are the cross-pollinating solitary (hive-less) native bees, like mason and leaf cutter bees, […] Continue reading "More Native Bees Equals More Local Food"
By Deborah Lebow Aal As you will recall, we have said many times that insects are half the show. We tend to try to get rid of them, especially if they are eating your prize roses, but remember that the only reason a plant flowers is to attract pollinators, mostly insects like bees. It’s a […] Continue reading "Let’s talk about Bees"
By Deborah Lebow Aal This is the time of year when gardeners put their feet up and happily look through catalogues, thinking about next year’s garden. Because let’s face it, every gardener’s best garden is next year. Next year, my plants will all be in the right place, just the way I want them…. It’s […] Continue reading "Why Native Plants?"