Seeds for Thought: Planning Your 2022 Garden
There may be snow on the ground, but it’s not too early for these garden to-do’s. When the warm weather arrives, you’ll thank yourself for preparing ahead!
DIY Landscape Design
Whether you’re starting from scratch or just ready for some change, now is a wonderful time to make sure you have a plan for your garden season. Converting lawns and other high water use plantings to low-water plantings is more popular than ever, with good reason.
Check out the resources section below for useful tips on xeriscaping and beginner landscape design. Even if you plan to hire a professional, time spent thinking through your garden goals will pay off in finding the right match and getting great results. For those who fall somewhere in the middle, with a DIY spirit but no desire to design, the Garden in a Box program may be right for you! The City and County of Broomfield partners with Resource Central to provide a discount on these professionally designed garden layouts, complete with the well-adapted plants you’ll need to bring them to life. Learn more on the Broomfield Water Resources page.
Seeds? Yes, please!
With a new Seed Library opening in April (and a Community Seed Swap to kick it off), CSU Extension is celebrating seeds in a big way this year! While the Seed Swap is a great opportunity to discover new varieties, now is the time to order from seed catalogs or browse the shelves at your local nursery for the best selection. If you have old seeds from previous years, now is a great time to do germination tests and decide whether the seeds should be planted or replaced. You can find instructions for at-home germination tests below, plus more information about the Seed Library and how you can join today!
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Broomfield residents can apply to receive up to $500 toward lawn removal services ($1.25 per square foot) and/or complimentary Garden in a Box kits (up to 300 square feet). You decide how to spend your benefit! Discounts are available on a first come, first served basis, dependent on available funds.
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Sign Up Today!
The Broomfield Seed Library will open Saturday, April 23, but you don’t have to wait to become a member! Fill out your Membership Form today so you can hit the ground running.
If you're wondering what a seed library is all about, it's a collection of seeds that you can borrow from to grow at home. Depending on donations and seasonality, the selection of seed will vary throughout the year. You'll want to check frequently to see what fruit, vegetable, herb, and ornamental seeds are available.
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STEM Activity: Green Pennies
Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, here's an experiment for turning pennies green. The ingredient list is short and simple: copper pennies, white vinegar, a dish or bowl, paper towel, and salt (optional, but can speed up the process).
Check out instructions for this and other STEM activities on the Broomfield CSU Extension website.
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Go to B-School: the Wyoming Bee College
This in-depth conference will be held in Cheyenne March 11-13 and is open to anyone interested in bees, beekeeping, or gardening for the benefit of bees. Bee Buddies (kids 7-15) are free with a paying adult.
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Cottage Food Safety Training
Offered by Colorado State University Extension, this nationally-recognized training program covers the specifics of the Colorado Cottage Food Act and how to safely operate a food business from a home kitchen. The $50 online class is next offered on the following dates:
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Participate in a CSU Food Habits Survey
This online survey is part of a PhD research project being conducted in the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department of Colorado State University. The purpose is to identify preferences, challenges, and concerns related to cooking and eating beans and other pulses (e.g., chickpeas and lentils).
Have 10-15 minutes to spare? Take the survey now!
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Planning the Cut Flower Garden Webinar
Wednesday, March 9, 12 p.m.
Online
Free, but must register
Join Amy Lentz, Weld County Extension, for the next webinar in this lunch and learn series. After registering, you will be emailed a link to join the Zoom meeting.
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New To Colorado Landscaping Webinar
Wednesday, March 30, 6-8 p.m.
Online
With in-ground irrigation systems and a dry landscape, gardening in Colorado can be a bit different than in other places. Broomfield Master Gardener Mike McNulty will cover the basics and best practices to help you have the most successful waterwise garden possible.
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Check out What's New on the Broomfield CSU Extension website
for more upcoming events!
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Julie Herring
Julie Herring has been a Master Gardener since the 1970s, first having trained with an Illinois program. She then took the Colorado program through Boulder in the 1980s and completed the course once more in 2012 to become a Broomfield Master Gardener.
Julie has taken on many different volunteer roles while in Broomfield. She has been a garden leader for the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden for several years, helps with STEM programming offered through CSU Extension's AmeriCorps program, staffs booths at community events such as Broomfield Days, and works the Master Gardener Helpline.
When asked why she is a Master Gardener Julie stated, “It keeps me tied in with activities and people that share a love of nature, horticulture and gardening. Also because I love learning (and re-learning), and I enjoy helping people figure out answers to their questions about whatever is going on in their landscape.” Julie brings her passion for gardening and the outdoors to her part-time jobs at Home Depot and Greenway Park Golf Course.
As a Master Gardener Julie values being of service to her community through outreach events, helping people with their gardening/landscape questions and working with youth. When not gardening or discussing it, she enjoys many other outdoor activities such as golfing, camping, and pickleball. She has two children and three grandchildren and has also volunteered with the Denver Botanic Gardens, Meals on Wheels, and her church.
CSU Extension appreciates all that Julie does for the Broomfield Master Gardener program!
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If you're interested in becoming a Colorado Master Gardener in Broomfield,
please visit our website for more information.
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At-Home COVID-19 Tests
Broomfield is part of the state’s at-home COVID-19 testing kit distribution program! Anyone can pick up FREE test kits at the Broomfield Library and Broomfield Health and Human Services Building starting Feb. 24 while supplies last. Limit four tests per person.
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Reach out to CSU Extension in Broomfield
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Extension programs are available to all without discrimination. Colorado State University Extension,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Colorado counties cooperating.
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