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INDEX Hardiness zones.................................. 3 How building permits protect............ 4 Spring projects in a weekend............. 5 Creat a backyard play area................. 7 Post winter garden prep..................... 8 Items to avoid when composting...... 10 McGuckin Hardware......................... 11 Rain barrels....................................... 14 Attracting pollinators....................... 16 Start backyard chickens................... 18 Wake up the lawn & garden............. 20 Want to try composting?................... 22
InsideOut 2017© is published in Berthoud, Colo., by the Berthoud Weekly Surveyor. The publishers reserve the right to edit, classify or reject any advertising or news copy. Liability for any newspaper error in an advertisement shall not exceed the cost of space occupied by error. The publishers assume no liability for any advertising which is not published for any cause. The publishers assume absolutely no obligation or responsibility for subject matter in copy placed by its advertisers or their agents. It is also understood that the advertiser and the agency placing such advertising jointly and severally agree to indemnify Berthoud Weekly Surveyor, LLC against all expense, loss or damage sustained by reason of printing such copy.
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Understand hardiness zones before planting Special to the Surveyor Gardening benefits the environment in myriad ways. Maintaining natural landscapes and preserving green spaces can reduce the collective carbon footprint of the human race. Trees, flowers and other greenery filter the air and create welcoming habitats for all species of animals and insects. Many home gardeners set out each spring to create landscapes that cater to all of the senses. But choosing plants that are unlikely to thrive in certain climates can lead to dissatisfaction and premature plant demise and may require gardeners to use more fertilizers, pesticides and other not-so-Earth-friendly techniques to help plants thrive. One of the more important steps gardeners can take before spring arrives is to educate themselves about plant hardiness zones. Hardiness zones are defined by the average climatic conditions of the region and are broken down into various zones. The USDA Hardiness Zone map divides North America into 13 separate zones. Each zone is marked by 10 F incremental differences from the last zone.
In some versions of the map, each zone is further divided into “a” and “b” regions. The National Gardening Association says the USDA Hardiness Zone Map was revised in 2012. The latest version was jointly developed by the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and Oregon State University’s
PRISM Climate Group. To help develop the new map, the USDA and Oregon State University requested that horticultural and climatic experts review the zones in their geographic areas. As a result, the zone boundaries in the 2012 edition of the map have shifted in many areas. Zone maps are tools that show where
permanent landscape plants can adapt. Home gardeners who are looking for shrubs or perennials to last year after year should recognize that such plants must tolerate year-round conditions, including the lowest and highest temperatures and the amount of precipitation. Snow cover and humidity also can impact a plant’s propensity to thrive. While zone maps are not perfect, they can be useful in planning and ensuring the survival of future gardens. Plant and seed manufacturer Burpee says other factors to consider that also affect the viability of plants include wind, moisture and soil conditions. The company offers an interactive zone finder on their website that will indicate the hardiness zone as well as average first and last frost dates. Visit www. burpee.com/findgrowzone to enter a zip code. Learn more about plant hardiness at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb.
Editor’s note: USDA Hardiness Zone map courtesy of the USDA. View an interactive version at the USDA website. Berthoud is in zone 5.
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How building permits protect homeowners Special to the Surveyor
You are thinking of making a major renovation to your home. Perhaps it’s time to create that master bedroom suite you long have admired or install that wrap-around porch? What is the first thing that should be done before getting down to business? The correct way to begin a home remodeling project is to obtain the necessary permits for the job. Many municipalities request individuals obtain permits for a range of work on homes or other structures, such as office buildings. Permits are generally required for all new construction as well as specific modifications that will affect structural, plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems. It’s important to check with the local building office prior to beginning work to see which permits you will need before the project can begin. Permits are necessary whether a homeowner is doing the work or hiring an outside contractor. Due to the cost and time involved with securing permits, some homeowners skip this step so they can begin a project promptly. However, this can end up being a costly mistake.
Homeowners should obtain the proper permits before beginning construction to protect themselves down the road.
Permits might seem like a nuisance, but they actually protect homeowners in various ways. Permits ensure safe workmanship — Permits provide a blueprint by which contractors and do-it-yourselfers must complete renovations. Because inspections will take place, there is no wiggle room. Shortcuts often translate into subpar work that
may lead to malfunction and injury in the long run. Safeguarding against poor workmanship means homeowners can feel confident in the work being done. Permits reduce the likelihood of costly mistakes — As inspectors go through their checklists, they may notice things that were done incorrectly and will offer advice about
how to mend the problem before it becomes a larger headache. If left unchecked, an electrical error could lead to a fire or another dangerous situation. Repairs that are not structurally sound may pose problems or deteriorate more quickly than structures that are constructed correctly. Furthermore, catching improper technique early on eliminates having to tear down and redo work, which can be a costly and time-consuming endeavor. Permits protect against fines — Sometimes work goes as planned even for homeowners who did not obtain the necessary permits. However, years later, when other work needs to be done, inspectors may discover homeowners never secured proper permits and inspections years earlier, leading to fines. Furthermore, if work is done without a permit and an accident occurs, any damages or injuries may not be covered by a homeowner’s insurance policy. Permits are an important part of the home improvement process. Homeowners should not skirt the responsibility because the permit and inspection process is in place to provide protection to occupants.
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Three ways to tackle spring projects in a single weekend
Special to the Surveyor Spring cleaning is an annual rite of passage in many households. Because winter weather tends to encourage people to stay indoors more than they would during other times of the year, clutter can slowly but surely accumulate in a home over the course of a typical winter. That makes spring cleaning a necessity. Few homeowners likely enjoy spring cleaning. The warm weather associated with the arrival of spring makes many people who have spent the previous months indoors less than enthusiastic about spending a spring weekend indoors cleaning and clearing away a season’s worth of clutter. But homeowners who organize their spring cleaning projects can ensure such efforts take just a weekend or less. 1. Enlist the whole family. Chances are everyone who lives in the home can lay claim to some of the dirt, grime and clutter that built up over the winter. So it only makes sense everyone then pitches in to clean the home come springtime. Parents and heads of household can delegate tasks to everyone, incentivizing cooperation with the promise of rewards if the cleaning is completed in a single weekend. 2. Clear your schedule. Another way for homeowners to ensure their spring cleaning projects are started and finished in a single weekend is to clear their schedules for the entire weekend. Homeowners who expect
to spend part of their day away from home and still finish their spring cleaning projects will likely find the job unfinished come Sunday night. When planning a spring cleaning weekend, schedule projects for a weekend when you have no prior commitments, or plan far enough in advance that you can avoid making plans on a given weekend. While it might not make for the most eventful weekend, it will greatly increase your chances of getting everything cleaned and cleared out in two days. 3. Do your homework. Homeowners who want to complete their spring cleaning in a single weekend should do their homework with regard to finding local recycling centers or charitable organizations to whom they intend to donate items. Many charitable organizations will come to private homes to pick up donations, but such pickups often must be arranged in advance rather than on the morning of the day homeowners want items to be taken away. In addition, if recycling will be a part of your spring cleaning efforts, familiarize yourself with the weekend hours of nearby recycling plants so you can drop items off on your cleaning weekend instead of leaving them lying around to be donated later. Spring cleaning might not make for the most enjoyable way for homeowners to spend a weekend. But planning ahead and making efficient use of the time available to them can help homeowners tackle their spring cleaning projects in a single weekend.
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Special to the Surveyor
supervision and safety. Surface: Parents should assume children will fall. To lessen the blow of falls, choose playground equipment with a perimeter of six feet of a softer surface, such as sand, pea gravel, rubber pieces or wood chips. This material should be between six and 12 inches deep. Structure: The structure of the play equipment should be built from sturdy materials. Pressuretreated lumber was once the standard, but it’s not adviseable for kids’ playgrounds, as the chemicals used in the lumber can leach, and young children may actually bite or pick at the wood. Use cedar or another wood that resists decay. Once the structure is built, inspect it frequently for damage. Site: Look around the landscape for an ideal place to locate the playset. There should be no obstacles children can hit while sliding or swinging. Avoid overhanging branches and do not place equipment too close to trees or fencing. Try to keep the set out of direct sunlight, which can make components heat up and scald young bodies. Supervision: Do not leave children alone while they are playing. Prevent children from using the playset in an incorrect manner. Safety: Follow the directions for installation. Make sure all posts are anchored into the ground securely. Railings should be spaced so children cannot get stuck between them. Check that metal components have not rusted and there is no additional excessive wear. Be sure that no tools or other dangerous items are left around the yard. Backyard playgrounds should be built with safety in mind. Learn the rules of play equipment and yard safety.
Creating a safe and enjoyable backyard play area
Homeowners often aspire to have attractive backyards that look like they belong in a magazine. While these can be picturesque and functional for adults, they may not be entirely practical for homeowners who have young children, especially when the majority of the yard is covered with paving stones or concrete. When young children are part of a household, homeowners may benefit by designing yards that are both functional and fun. Incorporating safe play areas for kids is one way to unlock the potential of both big and small backyards. As children run off to enjoy a playground, safety is the last thing on their minds. Kids are most interested in scaling ladders to treehouses or coasting down slides. That’s why adults must take it upon themselves to keep injury prevention in mind. SafestPlayground.com indicates playgroundrelated injuries routinely result in severe fractures, internal injuries, concussions and dislocations. In the majority of playground injuries to children younger than age 5, the head and face are affected. Children between the ages of 5 and 9 experience more leg and arm injuries than younger kids. The Consumer Product Safety Commission states 70 percent of children’s injuries occur on home playgrounds. More than 28,000 children are injured each year on playgrounds across Canada, according to Parachute, a national injury prevention organization. When considering playground equipment for the Backyard playgrounds should be built with safety in mind. Learn the rules of play equipment and yard yard, parents need to make safety a priority. The Canada Safety Society advises parents to follow the safety. “5 S’s of Playground Safety”: Surface, structures, site,
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Post-winter garden prep
Special to the Surveyor
Lawns and gardens can bear the brunt of winter weather and are often in need of tender loving care by the time spring arrives. Preparing a garden for spring and summer involves assessing any damage that harsh weather might have caused. As temperatures climb, gardeners can heed the following post-winter garden preparation tips in an effort to ensure some successful gardening in the months ahead. Assess the damage: Even if winter was mild, gardens might still have suffered some damage. Inspect garden beds and any fencing or barriers designed to keep wildlife from getting into the garden. Before planting anew, fix any damage Mother Nature or local wildlife might have caused over the past several months. Clear debris: Garden beds and surrounding landscapes that survived winter without being damaged might still be littered with debris. Remove fallen leaves, branches and even litter that blew about on windy winter days before planting season. Make sure to discard any debris effectively so it does not find its way back into the garden. Turn the greenhouse into a clean house: Spring cleaning is not just for the interior of a home. Cleaning a greenhouse in advance of spring
can help gardeners evict any overwintering pests that can threaten plant life once spring gardening season arrives. A thorough cleaning, which should include cleaning the inside of greenhouse glass and washing flower pots and plant trays, also can prevent plant diseases from surviving into spring. Check for pests: Speak with a local gardening professional to determine if there are any local pests to look out for and how to recognize and remove these pets from gardens. Pests may hibernate in the soil over the winter, and such unwelcome visitors can make it difficult for gardens to thrive come spring and summer. Assess plant location: If plants, flowers or gardens have struggled in recent years or never grew especially vibrant, then gardeners may want to assess the location of their plant life before spring gardening season begins. Some plants may not be getting enough sunlight in certain locations on a property, while others might be overexposed to the sun during spring and summer. Moving plants that are not thriving prior to the start of spring gardening season may be just what gardens need to flourish in the coming weeks. Spring gardening season is right around the corner, so now is an ideal time to prepare gardens for the warmer seasons ahead.
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Gardening and back pain By Trenton Scott, D.C., Dipl. Ac. Special to the Surveyor
The sun is shining and your green thumb is itching to get out and enjoy those spring-time gardening activities. Digging, weeding, lifting and planting are all common actions that could potentially send your back into a “flare-up,” but it doesn’t have to. At Scott Family Health we are no experts in gardening, but we have been alleviating back pain in Northern Colorado for over 20 years. By following a few of our simple tips and tricks you’ll be able to enjoy gardening all season long. Digging — avoid back and other muscle strain and pain by using your weight as leverage. For starters, keep your back aligned as much as possible while digging (avoid hunching), try leaning your body into the shovel rather than muscling it with your arms, to lift the dirt up use your legs to bend up and down (while keeping proper alignment) and lastly when dumping the dirt out of the shovel don’t twist. Instead, walk around in either a quarter or half circle to release the soil. Weeding — give those legs and back a break by sitting on a bucket or stool while you battle those pesky weeds. This helps take the pressure
off your lower back. But even sitting can take a toll on the body after a while, so remember to give yourself small breaks to stretch out and drink water. Lifting — know your limits. If you do not have anyone to help you move that heavy bag of soil, try scooping a smaller amount into another bucket (or barrow) you can easily refill if and when you need to. But if you must move a heavier weighted object by yourself, make sure you use your legs and hips to lift (your back will thank you later). For smaller or lighter objects, such as lifting a tool out of a bin or off of the ground, try using the golfers lift instead of bending at the waist. Planting — a new popular trend is “wall gardening” which allows you to plant vertically, which means you can forget bending altogether. But for those of you who like traditional gardening methods, try using tools with longer handles to eliminate additional bending and use knee pads for extra cushioning. If you follow these few suggestions, however minor or obvious they may seem, they are sure to help keep your back safe and healthy during one of your favorite activities. Dr. Scott is with Scott Family Health in Loveland.
Did you know?
Paving stones are used around the house in many different applications, including on walkways and patios. Sometimes, however, paving stones are beyond homeowners’ budgets. Fortunately, there’s another alternative that may look just as attractive and save homeowners money. Stamped concrete, also called textured or imprinted concrete, is a design element that replicates the look of stone, brick, wood, slate, or other materials in concrete. Stamped concrete can be used for patios, sidewalks, driveways and pool decks. Stamped concrete also may be incorporated into interior flooring designs. Homeowners can explore their options with regard to stamped concrete by speaking with a masonry expert or landscape architect.
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McGuckin Hardware is more than a hardware store
By Bob McDonnell The Surveyor
The signs on the building says McGuckin Hardware. That name hardly covers what you will find inside the big building at 2525 Arapahoe Ave. in Boulder. The store’s beginnings go back to Sept. 9, 1955. At that time Llewellyn Commodore “Bill” McGuckin first open the doors of his store. The store relocated twice within the Village Shopping Center — known as Boulder’s first shopping center. The independent, family-owned hardware store currently covers 60,000 square feet and employs an average of 250 people. These green-vested workers assist customers with more than 200,000 items in 18 departments. The hardware store’s website (www.mcguckin. com) lists the departments as art and office supplies, automotive, builder’s hardware, electrical, electronics, fasteners, fireplaces, garden, gifts and greeting cards, holiday items, housewares, McGuckin gear, outdoor living, paints, pet supplies, plumbing, shop services, sporting goods, tools, toys, games and models. One of McGuckin’s strengths is customer service. Every time I visit, workers are plentiful and visible. Ask any employee where an item is and they will tell you its location. That is quite a feat in a store with the size and breadth of inventory as this. “It’s a lot of paying attention to detail,” McGuckin marketing manager, Louise Garrels, says. She pointed out finding items is an extra challenge for employees since McGuckin is doing a remodeling
and reorganization of some areas. Garrels said the most complex area for employees is the fastener areas. This section, the workers call “bolt canyon,” houses many thousands of nuts, bolts, screws, washers, etc. Garrels says this area is the heartbeat of the store. The well-schooled green-vested men and women know their stuff. Some are in their second, third or fourth career, she added. Garrels says many are Boulder-area retirees who look forward to working at the store part-time. Another attraction of the store is it has something for almost everyone. As a couple, my wife and I go to McGuckin, enter the store, and go our separate ways to look at things that interest us. She can spend hours in the housewares section alone. On a recent visit I discovered many items not normally found at a hardware store, including a
telescope, home brewing supplies and fishing poles. I saw they have duct tape with University of Colorado logos on it. Buffs hats, shirts and magnets are for sale too. The store is almost in the shadow of C.U.’s Folsom Field, by the way. In the area of novelty items, McGuckin has a device that looks like a small fishing pole. It is a device to roast four marshmallows at once. A flick of the wrist flips them so both sides are brown. Garrels told me of a device called a worm blower. It is a small tube that is squeezed to blow air into a worm. It makes the worm float on top of the water. Just as I was exiting the store I saw a display rack that caught my attention. It featured boxes of bamboo underwear. You can’t make this stuff up. McGuckin is so unique one couple decided to walk down the aisle there — literally in the tool department aisle. That’s right. On July 13, 2013, Randy Richmond and Theresa Blanding held their wedding ceremony inside the store. McGuckin has been a mainstay in Boulder since 1955. It has survived recessions, the invasion of big box stores, and a shift to more online buying. The company was honored on Feb. 16, 2016, by having the throughways entering the parking lot from three main city streets renamed. From that day forward, the customers drive into the McGuckin parking lot on McGuckin Way. McGuckin Hardware is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Rain barrels are a smart, eco-conscious irrigation option By John Gardner The Surveyor
Colorado residents have been arguing over the idea of rain water collection for decades. It may seem silly, but it’s been a controversial conversation for a long time. While rainwater harvesting isn’t a new idea, as of last year it’s finally a new option in Colorado for homeowners, as the longtime ban on residential rain barrels ended, allowing residents to capture rainwater for irrigation. And it’s a smart move considering water shortages aren’t going to magically disappear in the future. With approximately three percent of the earth’s water fit for drinking, an ever-growing population, the associated costs just to clean water through the purification process to make it potable, along with the relative ease of installing a rain-water collection system lends to the cause. According to Mary J. Lohness in her article “Harvesting Rainwater,” published in Irrigation and Green Industry in January 2011, Lohness states water harvesting has been done for centuries, dating back to ancient Rome. So why was it banned in Colorado until recently? “Although rainwater capture has been around for centuries, it hasn’t become mainstream in the U.S. because water is still very inexpensive and is perceived to be in abundance,” Lohness wrote. “However, there are signs that we are beginning to run out of water.” Rain barrels in Colorado were previously shot down as it was believed rain collection systems would take water from agriculture supply and other water-rights holders. But, according to a study by the Colorado Storm water Center at CSU, that idea was found to be untrue because the rain water from residences typically is absorbed by nearby ground and doesn’t make its way
to agriculture supply storage facilities. While water collection systems have been around for a while, the article also states there are still details to be worked out that may be more apparent here in Colorado, but may also be easier to figure out with other states having already navigated much of the landscape. While other states allow for larger systems that capture thousands of gallons of water and even offer underground storage tanks, Colorado’s law, House Bill 1005 signed into law by Gov. Jon Hickenlooper in May 2016, limits the amount a homeowner can store to 110 gallons. So, the systems here are smaller, but still offer a good starting point for conservation and water harvesting. The measure only recently took effect — on Aug. 10, 2017 — and should open a new market for
irrigation and landscaping companies while offering financial savings to homeowners and aiding water conservation efforts. Rain barrels can only be used to store rainwater from rooftops, and the water can only be used on the property where it is captured. It’s important to note the water is only intended for outdoor use such as irrigating lawns and gardens and shouldn’t be used for indoor uses or drinking. While the financial savings may not be substantial, the benefits could very well be. Lohness states in her article that rain collection has been a good thing for water conservation and for adding revenues to the irrigation industry as they have a new option to add to systems, it makes sense to have this type of collection system in place; they save the homeowner money in that they will use less potable water, so their monthly water bill will be less, it will also decrease the amount of potable water used frivolously for irrigation purposes. But it also will likely add a revenue opportunity for local landscape and irrigation business who can now offer these rain water collection systems to Colorado residents, even if they are limited in scope. Another interesting note from Lohness’ article, according to Chris Hollis, an irrigation technician with EcoScapes, rainwater is superior to city tap water for watering plants and yards because it’s full of nitrogen and minerals that plants need. “It’s like fertilizer,” he said. For homeowners interested in setting up rain barrels, be sure to cover them to ensure no standing water will attract mosquitoes. Standing water is a breeding ground for the insects who are carriers for illnesses such as West Nile Virus in Colorado.
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Attracting pollinators is a positive thing Pollinators like water just like plants do
By Nate Fetig Special to the Surveyor When we think pollinators, we often think bees. But, did you know there are over 200,000 species of animals and insects that aid the pollination process ranging from bees to butterflies, bats to mice? Keeping gardens and outdoor landscapes as pollinator friendly spaces is essential to maintaining healthy, happy plants. As humans, we rely a great deal on pollinators. Not only do they help secure food sources, but pollinators are critical in the production of medicines, fibers, spices, and much more. Making their job easier is the goal for our gardens so we can build mutually beneficial relationships with pollinators — we give them the plants they need or like, they keep our plants alive. There are many ways you can attract pollinators to your landscapes. Attractive gardens attract pollinators Different pollinators are attracted to different types of plants. Having variety of textures, colors, scents, sizes, and plant types within your gardens not only creates aesthetically pleasing spaces, but invites all kinds of pollinators to keep plants healthy.
This step to keeping pollinators happy is often overlooked- Just like your plants, pollinators like a drink of water every now and then! Water sources could be from anything like a water feature, bird bath, or decorative saucer filled with water. Our experts can help you find a water feature that fits with and matches the reputation of your garden. Trying to attract a specific pollinator?
Read and reduce when it comes to chemical use When using any sort of chemical in your gardens, begin by reading the labels. Use only as instructed per the label to ensure the chemicals are not harmful to pollinators. While Integrated Pest Management techniques to control insects and diseases are usually encouraged, we recommend checking out your options on controlling pests without controlling pollinators.
Here are a couple of plant options to consider. • Follow the butterflies: Yarrow, Butterfly Weed, Aster, Butterfly Bush, Trumpet Vine, Coreopsis, Larkspur, Coneflower, Joe Pye Weed, Gazania, Daylily, Hibiscus • Keep calm and bee happy: Blanket flower, Aster, Tickseed, Sunflower, False sunflower, Salvia, Russian Sage, Lavender, Roses, Crabapples, Apples, Hyssop, Bidens, Raspberry, Beardtongue, Flax, Geranium, Bluemist Spirea, Sedum • Quick as a hummingbird: Red Horsechestnut, Hyssop, Hollyhock, Columbine, Trumpet Vine, Crocosmia, Foxglove, Cardinal Flower, Honeysuckle, Desert Four O’Clock, Maltese Cross, Hummingbird trumpet.
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Getting started with backyard chickens is as easy as cracking an egg By Katie Harris The Surveyor Of all the trends to take off over the past decade, urban poultry keeping is perhaps one of the most unlikely, and useful. Once limited to farmers on large sprawls of land, backyard chickens have been popping up everywhere in recent years, from small acreages to urban dwellings. It would seem that the secret is out: chickens make the perfect “pet.” Requiring little human attention, these feathered flock members are perfectly content to entertain themselves, given as little as a few square feet of land per bird, and a bit of dirt to roll around in. A small flock of five or six birds is plenty for the average family starting out, and will require no more than a regular coop cleaning (which can consist of as little as dumping out the soiled pine shavings from the coop and shoveling in a fresh load), commercial chicken feed and fresh water. Savvy chicken owners purchase or build large enough feeders and waterers to cut refills down to once or twice a week. In addition to being perhaps one of the easiest animals a person can own, chickens are useful. Let them loose in your yard and they’ll quickly cut back on weeds and pests. Their waste also makes an excellent garden fertilizer. Of course the best part of raising chickens is the clutch of fresh, home raised eggs chicken owners find in their nesting boxes each day. There truly is nothing quite like a free range, day old egg for breakfast. Sounds fairly straight forward right? Yet there are a few things that prospective chicken owners should know before starting out. First, there’s no need to worry about a crowing rooster waking you and your neighbors up at dawn,
because contrary to popular belief, hens don’t need roosters to lay eggs. Fertilized eggs, the ones that eventually hatch into chicks given the right conditions, do require the male of the species, but hens will lay delicious eggs just fine on their own. One key detail to note is that most local feed stores don’t sex their chickens, and if they do it’s rarely a guarantee, unless you purchase the few sex-linked breeds available on the market. This means that yes, you could end up with a rooster. It’s important to be aware of this possibility and plan ahead if you live in city limits, or if your HOA (or spouse) isn’t keen on the idea of waking up to cockadoodling.
Another myth busted: brown eggs, white eggs, green eggs (yes, they’re a thing), are all created equal. Unlike wheat bread versus white, there is no difference in nutritional value from one color egg to the next. If you’d like a colorful array of eggs then be sure to research breeds of chickens before buying — the breed of chicken determines the color egg. While you’re at it, it would be wise to research a few other important characteristics. For instance, some breeds are considered cold tolerant, and will fair much better in our Colorado winter climate than others. In addition, some birds are flighty, meaning they’ll have no trouble flying over a four foot fence and wandering down the driveway. This can be a concern in neighborhoods where traffic, dogs, and other predators are an issue. You’ve chosen your breeds, now what? Well, for starters you’ll need a brooder. The brooder is basically a big box, typically made of wood or plastic, that the chicks will live in their first several weeks of life. You will likely need to place it inside — chicks need a temperature of 90 to 95 degrees their first week. This means you’ll need a heat source as well. After the first week it is generally recommended that you decrease the temperature in the brooder five degrees per week until the temperature outside matches the temperature the chicks are comfortable at. Once they’re ready for the great outdoors you’ll move your chicks from the brooder to a coop. There are endless possibilities for your chicken coop, and you can find a plethora of ideas online to buy or build your own. Make sure that whatever you choose, you include the following elements: nesting boxes, a roost, ventilation, security from predators, a chicken door (and ladder if elevated), and a hatch or door for cleaning. Your Continued on page 19
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CHICKENS
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chickens will also appreciate a secure “run” or outdoor area to roam around in during the day. Visit your local feed store for information on which feeds to offer at different stages of life, as well as advice on probiotics, electrolytes, and treats that can be provided to chickens in limited amounts. Once you’ve set up your coop and moved your flock in, it’s time to sit back and enjoy. Here’s some more great news: chickens put themselves to bed at night. It’s true, their internal clock lets them know when it’s time to head back to the coop, usually around dusk, and they’ll make their way back inside to be locked up safely for the night. In the morning, just open the door and they’ll cheerfully waddle back out to start another day. Your hens will lay their first eggs at approximately five to eight months old. Don’t be concerned by the size — they’re always miniature in the beginning. Plan on collecting eggs each day, as chickens can lay anywhere from daily to once a week, depending on the breed. There is so much to be learned about raising chickens, but this is everything you need to know to get started. For more information visit your local library, get advice from chicken expert “The Chicken Chick” online at www.thechicken-chick.com, check out the community forum at www.backyardchickens.com, or call the pros at the Colorado
State University veterinary extension at 970-217-2051. According to Matt Arrants, the Town of Berthoud code enforcement officer, there is a limit of two chickens per adult household member in town. Larimer County ordinances for raising chickens, from larimer.org: • A property owner may raise chickens if there is a house or residential use on a property. Keeping chickens for personal use is considered an accessory use. • An owner or tenant may keep up to 6 chicken hens. • Keeping roosters or more than 6 chickens is prohibited in all zone districts except those that allow a farm (zoned FA, FA-1, FO, FO-1, O, E, E-1, RE, RE-1, R, and AP). The following requirements apply to keeping chickens: • The chickens must be provided with a covered, properly ventilated, predator-resistant chicken coop. • The chickens must have access to an outdoor enclosure that is adequately fenced to protect them from predators. • The coop and enclosure are limited to a maximum size of 120 square feet. •The chicken coop and outdoor enclosure shall be regularly cleaned to control dust, odor, and waste and not constitute a nuisance, safety hazard, or health problem to surrounding properties.
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Wake up the lawn and garden the correct way By Nate Fetig Special to the Surveyor
Spring showers and warmer temperatures are just around the corner, which means it is time to gear up and get your outdoor areas ready for anything. Lawn and garden care is all about timing, so here are some common tips and tricks to keep your lawn and garden looking great. Rake and dethatch: During the winter months, dead grass and lawn clippings can be matted down into thatch. This prevents the germination of new grass seed and promotes pest infestation or fungus growth. Once the soil is good and dry, give your lawn a decent once-over raking with basic lawn rakes or special dethatching tools. Be careful not to rake too soon in the season, as this can disturb the soggy soil and damage your new grass shoots. Still have lingering snow patches in shaded areas? Use your garden tools to distribute the moisture to help the snow melt faster and prevent mold from growing on the grass underneath. Clip, prune, remove: Get a jump-start on pruning back your branches, shrubs, and bushes this spring. Clipping back larger sections of your plants helps the smaller area absorb more nutrients from the sunlight and water. It is an easy way to help your garden stay healthy, grow fuller, and last longer. Knowing exactly when to prune is an important step in making sure your garden thrives. Ornamental grasses, perennials, evergreens, flowering shrubs, summer-flowering trees, vines and roses are best pruned in early springtime. Always use caution when pruning to make sure you do not clip back too much of the healthy plant to ensure a successful regrowth process. Remove any damaged, dead, or diseased areas as soon as you become aware of them. Dead stems attract insects and invite diseases, ultimately hurting your garden. Don’t forget about your lawn. Remove any fallen leaves or debris that has accumulated during the cooler season to give your grass shoots some room to breathe. Mulch the bulbs: The warm weather spells may fool you, but we are just beginning to head into the beginning of spring, and cooler temperatures are still likely to come. Your spring and summer flowering bulbs need moisture, but consider lightly covering them with mulch. The mulch will add some insulation to protect against chilly temperatures. Plus, when the snow all melts and your bulbs start blooming, your beds will look fantastic.
If you planted your bulbs in September, October or November, they will usually remain dormant until March or April. Start feeding the bulbs with high phosphate fertilizers during or right after their prime bloom times in spring. Make the most of the rain: Nitrogen is the most important nutrient for a lush looking lawn. Watch
for a late season rainstorm to come and then lay down some springtime fertilizer to give your grass the nutrients it needs to be looking green for the months ahead. Be careful not to apply fertilizer too early in the season as this could throw off the natural growth cycle of the lawn’s root system. If you fertilized your lawn in late fall, products gener-
ally have slow release functions that linger to provide extra nutrients as the snow melts off. Wait for the later season rainfalls before applying any new products. Sharpen, tune up, replace: While you are waiting for spring showers to help your lawn and garden wake up again, do not forget to sharp-
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Did you know?
One of the ways homeowners can keep their lawns looking lush and green is to aerate the turf when the need arises. Aerators perforate the soil with small holes. These holes allow air, nutrients and water to penetrate all the way to the roots, helping them grow deep and strong. Deep, strong roots are essential to healthy, lush lawns. While aeration can help many lawns, not every lawn will necessarily need to be aerated. Lawns that get heavy use, such as those that are often played on by children or pets, will likely benefit from periodic aeration. Feeling the lawn also can help homeowners determine if it needs to be aerated. Lawns that dry out quickly or feel spongy may be overcome with thatch, which can prevent lawns from getting the air, water and nutrients they need to thrive. Lawn care professionals recommend aerating lawns that contain thatch that is more than one-half inch. Thatch also can foster grub infestations, providing another benefit to removing it and aerating a lawn. When to aerate depends on the type of grass. Homeowners should consult with a lawncare professional about the best time to aerate their particular lawns, but it’s generally recommended coolseason grasses be aerated in early spring or fall, while it’s best to aerate warm season grasses in late spring.
LAWN
cont. from page 20
en your tools, tune up your mowers, and replace any older yard equipment. Having the right maintenance tools for your outdoor spaces not only helps make upkeep easier for you, but can also help promote new growth of your plants through precision cutting and gentle digging or raking. Cool season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass and tall fescue should be mowed to 2.5-3” in height. One of the biggest mistakes is mow-
ing turf too short, which can result in weeds, diseases, insect problems, and a decreased tolerance for drought and heat. Whether it is sharpening the blades, changing the oil, or replacing an air filter, make sure your mower is fired up and ready to go for all of your accurate summer mowing. Nate Fetig is owner of Fossil Creek Nursery, a family owned and operated, premier nursery and garden center for families.
• InsideOut
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Want to try your hand at composting?
Special to the Surveyor
The United States Environmental Protection Agency notes food scraps and yard waste account for between 20 and 30 percent of what we throw away. But thanks to composting, such waste can be put to work rather than discarded.
Compost is organic material that helps plants grow when added to soil. Benefitting the planet in myriad ways, compost enriches the soil by helping it retain moisture. The EPA notes composting also reduces the need for chemical fertilizers while also suppressing plant diseases and pests. In addition, when homeowners compost, they inadvertently reduce methane emissions from landfills, thereby lowering their carbon footprints. Homeowners who do not know how to compost can consider the following tips as they start compost piles on their properties. • Choose an accessible spot on your property. When looking for a spot on your property for your compost bin, choose a location that’s easily accessible. The less accessible the bin is, the less likely you are to stick with composting over the long-term. The EPA also recommends placing a compost bin or pile in a dry, shady spot near a water source. • Add the appropriate materials. Animal waste, cooked foods, diseased plants, and fresh weeds from perennial plants should not be added to a compost pile. The EPA recom-
mends moistening dry materials as they’re added and adding brown and green materials as they are collected. Examples of green waste include grass clippings, weeds from annual plants and plant trimmings. Brown materials include dead leaves and shredded cardboard. Chop or shred large pieces before adding them to the pile. • Give the pile structure. Layering materials can give compost piles better structure. The EPA suggests burying fruit and vegetable waste under 10 inches of compost material, including brown and green waste. • Turn and aerate the pile. Using a garden fork, periodically turn the compost pile. This aerates the
heap and provides oxygen that can accelerate the decomposition of the pile. Piles that are not periodically turned and aerated may grow malodorous, which can be unpleasant for homeowners who hope to add materials to their piles on a regular basis. In addition, without the heat produced by aeration, composting piles will break down very slowly. • Recognize when the material is ready. The EPA notes compost is ready to use when materials at the bottom of a pile are dark and rich in color. According to the EPA, this can take anywhere from two months to two years, so composters must be patient. More information about composting can be found at www.epa.gov.
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