[Garden Care]
SAGE ADVICE FOR GROWING GARDENS
M
ore people adpot gardening as a hobby. But it is also a delicate artform and a healthy pastime for the mind and body. The growing season in Southwest Colorado can differ from communities just 100 miles to the north, south, east and west due to elevation and location. Along with these factors, other variables like extreme weather, poor soil conditions, intense sunlight and low humidity make it difficult to grow plants. Green thumb gardeners find that patience is the key to successful sprouts. FREEZE PROTECTION On average, Durango has about 110 frost-free days per year, whereas, Mancos and Cortez receive closer to 150 frost-free days annually. This is a pretty healthy window for producing cool season vegetables like beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, leeks, lettuce, onions, peas, potatoes and radishes. Some warm season vegetables thrive, including beans, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, melons, peppers, squash and tomatoes, as long as temperatures do not drop below 60 degrees at night.
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SOIL SELECTION Heavy clay soil can prevent root systems from expanding, thus hindering the plant’s ability to replenish water loss. Soils with high pH can also negatively affect plant growth. By modifying the soil to introduce more air and nutrients, gardeners can improve their plots. GROWING SEASON The Farmer’s Almanac is an ideal resource for planning and planting a garden plot. It includes a chart that helps gardeners determine when to start different types of seeds indoors, when to transplant seedlings and when to start seeds outdoors. See more at www.almanac.com/ gardening/planting-calendar/CO.
2021 DURANGO HOME & RANCH SHOW
More gardening tips: Plants do well with six or more hours of sunlight. Protect the garden from animals, including cats, dogs deer, bears and rodents. Proper sanitization of gardening tools, planting a variety of crops and practicing crop rotation each year can keep disease at bay.
