Garden The Plains

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Garden the Plains: Exploring sustainable gardening techniques, sharing researched-based information about plants in our area, insects and diseases and gardening solutions in the CSU Extension, Golden Plains Area. This Facebook account is officially recognized by Colorado State University; however, the views and opinions expressed on this page are not necessarily those of the University. For more i

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Just Wait, A Little LongerUsually, Mother's Day defines the deadline for pruning roses or planting flowers. It can snow ...
05/08/2026

Just Wait, A Little Longer

Usually, Mother's Day defines the deadline for pruning roses or planting flowers. It can snow on Mother's Day or freeze. This week certainly has been more like winter than winter. This year, Mother Nature has decided to act like a greenhouse and force new growth. If some of it has hardened off, it might not sustain any damage.

I wouldn't recommend pruning until you check the forecast, or before you decide to plant. You do not want any food resource plants stored from last season to be wasted because you pruned too early, and the plant has to send out new growth.
Gardens require our patience.

Photo credit: Linda Langelo

Strawberry ‘Allstar’This is hardy from zones 4-8. This plant gets 6-8 inches tall. It adapts to a variety of soils. The...
05/07/2026

Strawberry ‘Allstar’

This is hardy from zones 4-8. This plant gets 6-8 inches tall. It adapts to a variety of soils. The berries will ripen at the end of June and the beginning of July.

Photo credit: Logee's Greenhouses

Amsonia This is a Plant Select plant. Amsonia jonesii, or Colorado Desert Blue Star, does well in full sun in a xeric g...
05/06/2026

Amsonia

This is a Plant Select plant. Amsonia jonesii, or Colorado Desert Blue Star, does well in full sun in a xeric garden. It can also thrive in moderate to xeric water environments.
It is 10-14 inches tall x 12-16 wide.
It is in bloom now in the Phillips County Extension Plant Select Garden.
It does well in clay, loam, or sandy soil.
Deer resistant and a great pollinator.

Photo credit: Linda Langelo

Plant Select Xeric Plants
05/05/2026

Plant Select Xeric Plants

Coming Soon - May 13!
05/05/2026

Coming Soon - May 13!

NasturtiumsDeep-red nasturtiums are an annual that takes minimal care. They do not need a lot of fertilization. They do ...
05/04/2026

Nasturtiums

Deep-red nasturtiums are an annual that takes minimal care. They do not need a lot of fertilization. They do have a shallow root system. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. However, they do tolerate poor soils and drought. This makes them versatile.
They attract beneficial insects and are good in the vegetable garden.
There are bush, climbing, and trailing types.
Flowers, seed pods, and leaves are all edible. So, do not spray them.

Photo credit: Eden Brothers

05/04/2026

If you are planning to plant a new tree this season or have already done so, I wanted to share some helpful information regarding irrigation. Proper watering techniques are often different than expected, and ensuring your new tree receives the right amount of moisture is critical for its survival.

Please find the attached document, which explains exactly how often and how much water your tree requires. As a key takeaway, remember that watering should be light and frequent during the initial establishment period.

I hope you find this resource useful for your spring planting.

Hydrangea macrophylla x serrataLet's Dance Sky View has blue flowers in acidic soil and pink in alkaline soil. This is ...
05/01/2026

Hydrangea macrophylla x serrata

Let's Dance Sky View has blue flowers in acidic soil and pink in alkaline soil. This is a long-blooming compact shrub. It is hardy in zones 4-9. It gets 2-3 feet tall x 2-4 feet wide. Does best in full sun to part shade.

Photo credit: Bluestone Perennials.

Tiger Moth - Arctia cajaRemember the banded woolly bear caterpillars you saw in the fall? These are the adults. They f...
04/30/2026

Tiger Moth - Arctia caja

Remember the banded woolly bear caterpillars you saw in the fall? These are the adults. They feed on a variety of plants. They are great pollinators. They pollinate a diversity of plants.

Photo credit: Linda Langelo

Dried Seed HeadsThis is a dried seed head of pricky poppy in our plains area. Photo credit: Linda Langelo & Adobe
04/29/2026

Dried Seed Heads

This is a dried seed head of pricky poppy in our plains area.

Photo credit: Linda Langelo & Adobe

For Those Who Have Never Seen This.This is a walnut. I found this on the ground underneath a pile of leaves. It must hav...
04/28/2026

For Those Who Have Never Seen This.

This is a walnut. I found this on the ground underneath a pile of leaves. It must have been ripped out of the ground. You see the radicle that forms the root system. The primary root of the embryonic part of the seed. It had started to develop secondary roots. And the short woody piece that is on the top of the walnut was the stem or plumule.

Photo credit: Linda Langelo

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