Teller County Master Gardeners

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Teller County Master Gardeners CSU retains discretion to allow or disallow comments and/or posts on this page.

We are a group of volunteers (mostly active gardeners and plant lovers), along with our CSU Extension Agent, who bring research-based education and experience to our mountain-based community and outlying areas. This Facebook account is officially recognized by Colorado State University; however, the views and opinions expressed on this page are not necessarily those of the University. For more inf

ormation about CSU’s Social Media Policy, visit http://www.socialmedia.colostate.edu and for more information about Colorado State University, visit http://www.colostate.edu.

GOAT MOWERS will be in action at the Florissant Public Library on Saturday, August 22 @ 10:30. Please join us at 334 Ci...
20/08/2026

GOAT MOWERS will be in action at the Florissant Public Library on Saturday, August 22 @ 10:30. Please join us at 334 Circle Drive in Florissant for some fun as they develop a new learning space!

Fir, Pine or Spruce?We live in a mixed conifer forest and it helps to know the difference between the trees so you can i...
19/08/2026

Fir, Pine or Spruce?
We live in a mixed conifer forest and it helps to know the difference between the trees so you can identify them and maybe their problems.
Pine trees can be distinguished by their needle clusters, cone shape, and bark, with needles (usually longer than Fir or Spruce) growing in bundles of 2, 3, or 5, cones hanging downward, and bark ranging from reddish-brown to gray
Spruce trees have square, stiff needles and hanging cones, while fir trees have flat, soft needles and upright cones. Spruce needles (sometimes Blue) poke while Douglas Fir are used during the winter Holidays for decor!

It’s not uncommon for evergreens to slough older growth (lower on the stems or more center in the growth) to provide ene...
18/08/2026

It’s not uncommon for evergreens to slough older growth (lower on the stems or more center in the growth) to provide energy to the new growth. Abnormal browning is a good sign of a problem. The problem could be isolated on a single stem caused by vehicle damage, porcupines, deer antlers, etc.. Or it might be a general decline of the entire tree. If several trees in one spot are dying, you may have an insect infestation. The Mountain Pine Beetle is common this year and may manifest as a single dead tree. When you see a tree completely yellow/orange, it’s too late (sorry)! That specific tree is dead and the adults have flown to a new healthy tree. You may not identify an infestation on a green healthy tree, but if there are pitch tubes on the trunk there’s a good chance that the Mountain Pine Beetle are there. It looks like bubblegum, but it’s actually the trees defense of pushing sap out trying to get rid of the insect.
Another common beetle is the IPS beetle which attacks the tree in a similar fashion, but usually doesn’t have pitch tube, it looks like someone shot the tree with a BB gun.
If you suspect a tree is dying, your best defense is to figure out why. Correctly, identifying the tree and its problem will help you apply the correct solution!
The following links are offered by CSU and the Colorado State Forestry Service to help identify insect problems on primarily Pine Trees.

https://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/Bark-Beetles-Brochure.pdf

Mountain Pine Beetle -CSU
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/mountain-pine-beetle/

Mountain Pine Beetle -CSFS
https://csfs.colostate.edu/forest-management/common-forest-insects-diseases/mountain-pine-beetle/

Ips Beetle- CSU
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/ips-beetles/

Ips Beetle- CSFS
https://csfs.colostate.edu/forest-management/common-forest-insects-diseases/ips-beetle/

We’re at the Woodland Park Farmers Market this morning (Aug 14) answering any gardening questions you might have! Some ...
14/08/2026

We’re at the Woodland Park Farmers Market this morning (Aug 14) answering any gardening questions you might have!

Some of us joke that “baggie season” is here and we’re really talking about seed collecting. The seed is only viable if it’s mature enough, dried enough and stored correctly. We have that information upfront and, believe it or not we’ll have info on “Season Extending”; it’s better to plan ahead than to be caught off guard!

Problems that may have been tolerable in normal years are more noticeable in drought years. This is true of the Aspens, ...
14/08/2026

Problems that may have been tolerable in normal years are more noticeable in drought years. This is true of the Aspens, especially those NOT in an irrigated landscape or those not near a water source. They are native (to our higher elevation) and not bred to resist diseases and insects. Some are showing signs of leaf curl (Insects), brown edges (leaf Scorch), ni**le gall, canker, etc. A healthy tree, under optimal conditions, can survive a few pesky problems. Because of the level of stress, sprays and fertilizers can be detrimental. Water is the #1 resource they need to survive this years drought.

Colorado State Foresty has great fact sheets on what to look for:

https://csfs.colostate.edu/forest-management/common-forest-insects-diseases/common-insects-diseases-of-aspen/
https://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/aspen.pdf

If you want to dig deeper CSU covers Aspen problems as well:

Leaf spots on Aspens and Poplars
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/aspen-and-poplar-leaf-spots/
Leaf Scorch https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/leaf-scorch/
Canker
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/cytospora-canker/
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/aspen-and-poplar-leaf-spots/
Black Ink Spot
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/aspen-and-poplar-leaf-spots/
Oyster Shell Scale
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/oystershell-scale/

Around your house your landscape maybe well organized possibly designed by an architect, it may be less formal with some...
10/08/2026

Around your house your landscape maybe well organized possibly designed by an architect, it may be less formal with some thought to it, it may be piece meal with some special gardens, it may be naturalized (allowing some things to grow and weeding out others) and /or nothing at all.
In many cases, people know the plants they allow to live and /or select to install. Some stay with the native plants, which grow in this area and /or our region. Not all natives are drought tolerant: willows and cattails live along the creek and would prefer more moisture than the Ponderosa and Yucca that thrive on hot, dry southern slopes. Knowing all the natives in your yard may take a little research, especially if you’re new to the area.
Here’s a few links from CSU for basic info:
Perennials- https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/native-herbaceous-perennials-for-colorado-landscapes/
Shrubs- https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/native-shrubs-for-colorado-landscapes/

Dry conditions may have you re-thinking your landscape by choice or by plant loss. Some questions might be: *What plan...
09/08/2026

Dry conditions may have you re-thinking your landscape by choice or by plant loss. Some questions might be:
*What plants need less water?
*What plants (annual, perennial, shrub or tree) thrive at this elevation?
*Then, what plants are acceptable as “FireWise”?
(Insurance parameters and the threat of fire are always a part of the equation.)

Here’s a good list of FireWise plants from CSU:
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/firewise-plant-materials/
Many homeowners came to the mountains so they don’t ‘landscape’- rather, they rake up the pine needles and call it good! Understandable!

AND, flowers or veggies in pots or baskets on the porch, safe from browsing wildlife, IS considered gardening!

Irrigated turf and/or gardens are less flammable and can be accepted by some insurance companies.
Rocks and crushed stones are considered mulch and are much less flammable than wood mulches. It can be laid on top of your beds or around your foundation for a more “finished” look.

This is a good link that provides many perspectives on things to considered IF you chose to landscape.
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/fire-resistant-landscaping/

If you’re near the Mountain Arts Festival in Memorial Park this weekend or Woodland Park Farmers Market on Fridays, plea...
08/08/2026

If you’re near the Mountain Arts Festival in Memorial Park this weekend or Woodland Park Farmers Market on Fridays, please slow down and take a look at the great job Community Partnership has done with their gardens!

‘Xeriscape’ and ‘Native’ are not interchangeable terms for plants. A xeriscape garden is based on watering principles: i...
07/08/2026

‘Xeriscape’ and ‘Native’ are not interchangeable terms for plants. A xeriscape garden is based on watering principles: irrigated zones to low/no water areas. Native plants originate from this area or region, and may include some water plants.
You can learn more about those differences and rock garden plants visiting our table at the Woodland Park Farmers Market Friday, August 8!

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