Harvest Abundance? Give It Away!
Have you ever been hungry, really hungry? Have you ever wondered where your next meal might come from or if it will come at all? According to a report from the United States Department of Agriculture, one in seven people in Colorado are food insecure. "Food insecure simply means that people are not sure where their next meal is coming from," said Jodi Torpey, a member of Garden Writers Association and volunteer coordinator for Colorado's Plant a Row for Hunger organization. "They're not sure about tomorrow or next week. Even if they are working, minimum wages aren't enough to ensure[...]
A Snake In The Grass May Not Be A Bad Thing
Even the words we use to describe one of nature's most misunderstood animals are enough to give you the creeps—slithery, slimy, sneaky, and poisonous—snakes! And summertime in Colorado is when you're likely to have a snake encounter. Eew! But wait a minute. Are snakes truly as bad as their reputation would have you believe? Recently, we talked with Victoria Sutton, Park Interpreter at the South Platte Park Carson Nature Center in Littleton, and learned more about the nature of snakes in our area. "I love snakes," said Victoria. Originally from Arizona, a state that boasts 14 species of these reptiles,[...]
Composting: Dirt Easy and Great Rewards
Anyone who gardens for more than a year or two has heard of composting. Some may even have dabbled in it with varying degrees of success. If you've ever been curious about this green thumb practice, we have some great information for you. Recently, we talked to two composting experts in our area and asked for the low down on the humus under our feet. Here's what we found: A Process and a Product Cara Ablin, the color department supervisor for Wilmore Garden Center in Littleton, and Judy Elliott, education specialist and lead trainer for the Denver Master Composter training[...]
Give the Dog a Groom
What kind of dog do you have? Is yours a Rin-Tin-Tin in the making or Tramp, the smelly pound runaway? After you pet your dog, can you grab a potato chip, or do you run to the sink to wash your hands? Maybe it's time for Poopsy to have a bath. With the warmer weather, a lot of dog owners will be thinking of taking Fido out to the back deck for an annual bathing event, but if you listen to the grooming expert of Littleton's Wag 'N Wash, your key watch phrase is, "Be Prepared." "Everything needs to be[...]
Rolling Out The Red Carpet for Hummingbirds
Wild Birds Unlimited, in Lakewood on Wadsworth Boulevard, is a wonderful shop of all things birding. There are books and videos, birdhouses and feeders. The shop has a resident cat, Oliver, and as you wander the aisles, the happy chirping of recorded bird sounds help sooth your stresses away. It's no wonder, then, that when we write a blog post about birds of all kinds, our first stop is to Wild Birds and owner, Scott Menough. Recently, we talked with Scott about the hummingbird season, which is full on at this point. Hummingbird Season "April 15th," said Scott on a[...]
