If you’re a gardener (especially a newbie gardener) you know that our Colorado conditions are less than ideal. Clay soil, heat, drought, limited water resources, and now Japanese Beetle. What to do?

 

The Japanese Beetle infestation of this last summer disappeared after about two months when they laid eggs in lawn turf. Those eggs will hatch into grubs which will not only destroy the roots of your lawn but will rise out of the turf again next year as even more beetles. So what is our counter-attack? Nuke them or save the bees and butterflies?

 

Here is an excellent article with very complete information on Japanese beetle management: For more info please click here

 

Perhaps the best solution for our climate and environment is a transition to xeriscape. And here we have a ton of information.

 

One of my favorite resources for years is High Country Gardens in Santa Fe. They were pioneers in creating beautiful flower gardens with xeric plants I use their website as a reference and also as wish-list plants that will thrive in Denver, CO.

 

 

The Denver Botanic Gardens is one of the top 5 Botanic Gardens and horticultural research centers in the US. E-mail them directly with your questions and you’ll get a reply from a master gardener or staff member. [email protected]. Use their Gardens Navigator Website

 

Click here if you want to locate a certain plant, or zero in on xeric plants when you visit the Gardens.

 

Their plant sale each spring is an excellent resource for finding all kinds of wonderful plants that otherwise would be hard to locate.

 

And if you need to commiserate, cry, or have a melt-down about your lawn and garden, you can always call me. I’ve made every mistake there is the past 30 years in my garden. Just ask my neighbors. I promise I won’t judge. (303) 478-8618