Heirloom Houseplants: What to Propagate for Generations

By Molly Gaines, CSU Extension – Denver Master Gardener since 2019

Begonia in the Cozens family since the late 1800s. Photo: Molly Gaines

On a recent visit to the Cozens Ranch Museum in Fraser, a red and green-leafed begonia in a windowsill, flooded with afternoon sunlight, caught my eye. I walked over for a closer look, and a sign next to the plant shared its special history. It was propagated from an angel wing begonia plant that had been in the Cozens’ family since the late 1800s! 

In the late 1990s, when my husband and I were moving into our first home, my husband’s grandma gave us a cutting from her pothos plant. We’ve had that plant now for 25 years, and we’ve propagated countless other plants from its cuttings for our home and as gifts for friends and family. While arguably more pedestrian than an angel wing begonia, it’s special to us since it came from someone we dearly love.

Generational Plant Ideas

Are you interested in nurturing a special heirloom plant, one that tells a story and can be passed down through your family for generations? If so, below are a few good options. For a detailed list of plants that are easy to propagate, along with propagation methods for various house plants, read this wonderful article from Iowa State Extension. Of course, videos are a terrific way to learn various propagation methods, and you’ll find an abundance of them through a quick YouTube search.

Pothos

Because it is so simple to grow and easy to propagate, pothos is an excellent heirloom plant choice, according to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension. It can survive in a variety of environments, making it a good option for young adults who are likely to move from place to place. It does like filtered light, rather than direct, and well-aerated soil. Through the years, I’ve propagated too many to count. And my own kids have beautiful plants from these cuttings that they can someday place in their homes. Our pothos will always make us think about my husband’s special grandmother, Neva.

Pothos cutting waiting to sprout. Photo: Molly Gaines

Spider Plant or Airplane Plant

Like pothos, spider plant is great for beginners and thrives in indirect sunlight with water as needed, according to the individual plant’s dryness. According to CSU Extension, spider plants have the added benefit of cleansing a home of toxic gases. They quickly outgrow their pots, requiring frequent dividing and repotting. These plants live an average of 20 years. 

Christmas Cactus

While you may not be ready to think about Christmas cactus in February, keep this plant in mind next December. It can be a festive heirloom that makes the holiday season feel even more special. Christmas cactus can live to be more than 100 years old! 

According to the University of Minnesota Extension, these plants do require considerable attention for optimal blooms and growth. They are “short-day plants,” which means they produce flower buds as daylight decreases in the winter months. Christmas cactus like cool nighttime temperatures. 

Pothos, the plant that keeps on giving. Photo: Molly Gaines

Jade Plants

Similar to Christmas cactus, jade plants can live for a long time, 50-100 years. These plants are simple to propagate, making them ideal for gifting or passing down to others. Easy to grow, jade prefers full to partial sun, a south-facing window, and at least four hours of direct sunlight daily. That said, I’ve had a fairly healthy jade plant for a decade that is rootbound, only receives indirect sunlight, and sits in a north-facing window. Jade should be planted in a succulent potting mix and watered only when soil is dry, according to Penn State Extension. 

Root-bound jade plant that would be healthier in more direct light. Photo: Molly Gaines

I’ve offered a few ideas here for plants to pass along, but there are many more. As someone who loves plants, I like the thought of some of my special plants finding a home with my grandkids yet-to-be. Just as we pass down special jewelry, dishes and other items, houseplants can serve as special reminders of memories and people we hold close to our hearts. They are a way for us to remember the generations of family who came before us. Do you already have a special plant in your home that you could propagate for future generations?

As always, we’re grateful to you for reading our blog. CSU is available with gardening advice at the CSU Extension Yard and Garden website.

Colorado Gardening Calendar for February 2024

By Margerie Hicks, CSU Extension – Denver Master Gardener since 2010

Blue fescue grass poking through snow at Denver Botanic Gardens. Photo: Margerie Hicks

February is one of the best months to enjoy the interesting patterns, textures, and shapes that dried grasses and perennials form in contrast to the snow. It is also a time to read or otherwise educate yourself about gardening trends and ideas. And finally, it is a time to complete the few but important tasks needed in February to prepare for the coming growing season.

Winter Interest

Autumn joy sedum keeps its color and form. Photo: Margerie Hicks

If you refrained in the fall from cutting down ornamental grasses, perennials with balls of seeds like echinacea, or plants that keep their color and form, you now have interesting winter patterns and shapes to enjoy. You have also helped provide shelter and food for wildlife, such as birds and insects.

If you don’t already have any sedum Angelina, make a note to plant some in the spring to enjoy next winter. It is a ground cover that is light green in the spring, yellow in the summer, and orange with green accents in the winter. It provides a wonderful splash of color in the winterscape.

Sedum Angelina adds multi-season beauty. Photos: David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Gardening Edification

• Expo: The annual Colorado Home and Garden Show runs from February 24^thto March 3^rd. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer gardening questions at the large CSU Extension display. Be sure to stop by and say hi.
• Books: You may have some gardening-related books waiting to read on a cold winter night, but in case you want suggestions check out our earlier post,  Winter Reading for Gardeners.
• Websites: CSU Extension’s website offers research-based fact sheets and videos on a wide range of gardening topics. Additionally, the internet is filled with gardening information and pictures. The most reliable sources have an “.edu” extension on the address, indicating an affiliation with university horticulture/agriculture research.
• Gardening classes:  Local garden shops and the Denver Botanic Gardens offer classes on many topics that may pique your interest. You can also find a wide array of webinars offered by CSU Extension here.
• Take our reader survey:  We’d love your feedback and ideas for future posts. Find the survey here. Survey closes February 18^th.

February Tasks

Deep watering tool. Photo: Margerie Hicks

There are a few tasks that should be done and many that could be done this month. A good overview can be found in this Late Winter Garden and Lawn Care fact sheet. Key tips include:

• Water:  All trees, shrubs, and perennials will benefit from regular winter watering, especially those that are less than two years old. Water once a month on days when the temperature is 40 degrees or warmer with no snow cover. Click here for a fall and winter watering fact sheet that will make your efforts most effective.
• Mulch:  Woody plants benefit from mulch to preserve soil moisture. Rock or gravel mulch is useful in retaining heat. Apply as needed.
• Prune:  This is a good time to prune broken and unwanted branches from trees and shrubs, especially fruit trees.

Enjoy your gardening leisure in February. May will be here soon enough.

Speaking of May don’t forget to mark your calendars for our amazing plant sale!

2024 Denver Master Gardener Blog Reader Survey

As we start the new year, we want to extend a huge thank you to all of our readers. We appreciate every comment you’ve left and story you’ve shared. 2023 welcomed a lot of new readers to our blog, and we want to check-in and hear your thoughts on the content we share.

We’ve put together a Denver Master Gardener Blog survey that should take less than five minutes to complete (depending on how detailed you want to get in your responses). Everyone is welcome and encouraged to take it.

The survey closes on February 18th.

Take the Denver Master Gardener Blog Survey

Thank you for your time and willingness to help us make this blog the most useful blog it can be!

Colorado Gardening Calendar for January 2024

Early January at the Denver Botanic Gardens Photo: Linda McDonnell

By Linda McDonnell, CSU Extension – Denver Master Gardener since 2013

It may be tempting to kick back and think there is nothing much to do in the garden this month. And while it is not the busiest time, taking a few steps when needed will set plants, trees, and lawns up for future success.

Winter Watering – January’s Most Important Task

It’s important to water trees, shrubs, perennials, and lawns during extended dry periods of 2-4 weeks. Supplemental water provides root systems with moisture that is critical to long-term plant health. It is especially crucial for new plants (1 year old or less) with smaller, less developed roots. Without this added moisture, plants may exhibit stunted growth, be more susceptible to disease, or die. Often decline is not noticeable till next summer when the root system can’t support the plant’s vigorous growth.

Water early in the day when temperatures are above forty degrees. Give plants a good soak – 8 to 12″ deep and out to the drip line of trees. Find more information on winter watering here.

Branches of  ‘Carol Mackie’ Daphne will easily split under heavy snow. Photo: Linda McDonnell

Trees and Shrubs

Heavy snow can crush or bend the limbs of trees and shrubs. Remove it by lifting branches lightly from the bottom with a broom to avoid breaking limbs. The branches will spring back as if to say thanks.

Prune any storm-damaged limbs as needed to prevent further breakage. Find additional post-storm tips here.

Perennials

Watch for signs of heaving such as cracked soil and raised crowns. This can happen around newly planted perennials when temperatures fluctuate widely. Heaving can expose and damage roots and kill plants. If heaving is present, check moisture, add soil or compost around the plant, and top with mulch.

Speaking of mulch – spread more where needed; it will help moderate temperature extremes.

Remove any diseased foliage that’s lingering in your beds to reduce the chance of infesting next season’s growth. Discard the foliage in the city’s green compost bin or trash. Home compost systems don’t get “hot” enough to destroy pathogens.

Plan Ahead

Should you keep or toss old seed packets? Learn how to tell here.

Scour online and print catalogs to find tried-and-true plant varieties along with new, buzz-worthy introductions.

The CSU Soil Testing Lab opens on January 21^st. If the ground is workable, consider beating the spring rush and sending a sample for analysis this winter. Find directions for digging the sample, using the results and costs here.

Check out the line-up of CSU’s no-cost webinars. There are lots of topics to choose from including turf alternatives, CSU test garden results, and water-saving tips. Find the full spring schedule and recordings of past webinars here.

Explore CSU’s resources for research-based gardening information that will make this year’s garden the best one yet.

Winter Reading for Gardeners

By Linda McDonnell, CSU Extension – Denver Master Gardener since 2013

It’s too late for fall planting, too soon to start next year’s seeds. For the next few months, especially after the holidays, gardeners are likely to get restless. With gardening tasks mostly on hiatus, it’s an ideal time to dive into a great garden book to learn something new, hone your skills, or dream up your next project.

Here are some titles to check out, recommended by members of the CSU Extension and Master Gardener community. All are chock full of information, presented in interesting, useful ways.

Hope you find something for yourself or to give a fellow plant enthusiast this holiday season.

Photo: Alison O’Connor

Dirr’s Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs, By Dr. Michael Dirr

Recommended by Alison O’Connor, PhD, CSU Extension Professor of Horticulture, Larimer County Extension.

“This book is incredibly comprehensive and lists all of the common trees and shrubs in our landscapes – and those not-so-common, plus cultivars. And it’s actually funny! Dr. Dirr has a great sense of humor about his experiences with these plants and tells some great stories. Maple the Beagle also enjoys this book – especially the Acer selections.”

(Dr. Dirr is the author of the respected Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, another excellent resource.)

Amazon.com

High and Dry, By Robert Nold

Recommended by John Murgel, CSU Extension Specialist – Horticulture and Natural Resources, Douglas County.

“Dry humor permeates the most thorough reference on truly dry gardening in temperate climates that I have ever encountered. Gardening ‘theory,’ experience, and an extensive plant list keep this book from gathering dust on my bookshelf.”

Amazon.com

Meet the Natives: A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers, Trees, and Shrubs, By M. Walter Pesman, revised and updated by Dan Johnson

Recommended by Merrill Kingsbury, CSU Extension, Master Gardener Program Coordinator, Denver County.

“The book’s subtitle is ‘Bridging the Gap Between Trail and Garden’ and it definitely delivers! I’ve used this book successfully when looking for native plants to add to my own garden. It details over 400 plants organized by flower/foliage color. The photos are excellent, too.”

Amazon.com

RHS Latin for Gardeners, By Lorraine Harrison

Recommended by Cassey Anderson, CSU Extension Specialist, Adams County.

“This book features gorgeous illustrations and definitions of the reasons behind Latin binomial nomenclature, revealing origin, growing conditions, color, shape, form, etc. hidden behind the Latin terminology. So much information is locked behind the Latin language and this book helps to unlock it.”

Archive.org

Wood and Garden, By Gertrude Jekyll

Recommended by John Murgel, CSU Extension Specialist – Horticulture and Natural Resources, Douglas County.

“The full title of Wood and Garden: Notes and Thoughts, Practical and Critical, of a Working Amateur says it all. While many sniff at the old-fashioned design advice provided by Gertrude Jekyll or balk at her sheer Englishness, I find this and her other titles to be the perfect escape to another world, particularly on winter nights. Jekyll’s vivid language is transportive and inspiring. Published in 1901, you can find the whole thing online at no cost here if you can’t procure a printed copy.”

Image: Felicia Brower

Dig Deeper: A Five-Year Garden Question-a-Day Guided Garden Journal, By Felicia Brower

Just published by this blog’s contributor and Denver County Master Gardener Felicia Brower, this guided journal helps gardeners connect with changes in the garden – day-to-day and throughout the seasons. Every day, you’ll get one question that encourages you to briefly pause and reflect on your efforts and the experience of creating a garden – regardless of size. It’s perfect for experienced and newbie gardeners alike.

Have a favorite garden book? Please tell us about it in the comments!

And finally, happy holidays from all of us who make this blog happen. We’re taking a few weeks off and will be back in the new year.

Colorado Gardening Calendar for December 2023

By Molly Gaines, CSU Extension-Denver Master Gardener since 2019

Grasses left uncut provide great visual appeal throughout the winter months. Photo: Molly Gaines

A few snowfalls have already blanketed Denver, making old man winter feel official. This, and the fact that the holiday season is upon us, probably means garden to-dos are not top-of-mind for you. Yet, there are still some important tasks to consider, along with a handful of indoor activities, as we head into these darker days and colder months.

December’s Checklist 

Trees, Shrubs and Perennials 

• When there is no snow cover to provide trees, shrubs and perennials moisture, it’s imperative to their short- and long-term health to water them one to two times monthly. Here’s a great fact sheet from CSU with helpful guidelines for fall and winter watering.
• If you haven’t wrapped the tree trunks of newly planted trees, don’t forget this critical task. They need it for the first few years, until their bark develops texture. For more on this, visit this helpful article from North Dakota State University’s extension office. 
• When the snow falls heavily, shake snow from bent tree limbs and branches. This will avoid breakage. As needed, lightly prune broken limbs to avoid further damage.
• Add mulch to spots where it’s thin in your garden beds. This will help plants retain moisture and protect them from harsh winter winds and freeze/thaw cycles.

Sunflower still standing. Photo: Molly Gaines

Compost

• Yard waste, such as broken branches, and other remaining garden debris can be placed into your city compost bin. If you have a backyard compost bin or pile, continue adding brown and green materials, breaking larger debris into smaller pieces. These items will continue decomposing in the winter months, albeit at a slower pace. In Colorado, it’s best not to turn compost after December, according to this PlantTalk Colorado fact sheet on composting. Turning allows valuable heat to escape, and may stop processing in cold weather. To restart active processing, turn and mix in fresh materials with the winter compost. 

House Plants 

• Winter is the dormant season for non-blooming indoor plants. Reduce watering, stop fertilizing, and keep them away from drafts for the next few months.
• Increase humidity around your plants. Ignore misting with a spray bottle; for this to be effective, you’d need to mist for hours on end. Instead, group plants together on a pebble-lined tray and add water to just below the top of the pebbles.
• Check plants regularly for pests such as mealy bugs and spider mites. If present, treat and quarantine the infected plant. Find remedies here.  

Amaryllis adds a festive flair in December into late January. This trio should produce showy red blooms. Photo: Molly Gaines

Paperwhites take 4-6 weeks to bloom. Start them now for blooms in the new year. Photo: Molly Gaines

Speaking of house plants, ’tis the season for live Christmas trees and holiday plants. Here are some links to keep all of these at their best: Keeping the Ho Ho Ho in Holiday Plants, Tips for Caring for Your Christmas Tree, A Year in the Life of an Amaryllis, and Christmas Cactus Care. 

Holiday plants you may wish to consider for your home, or as a gift to others, include Christmas cactus, poinsettias, amaryllis or even paper whites. I’ve made it a tradition to send my mom a set of amaryllis (pictured above) each December so she can watch it grow through the holidays. Christmas cactus, which can be passed down for many years, can live to be 100 years old! They bloom in the winter and despite being cacti, need regular watering. Poinsettias add a beautiful pop of red, white or pink during the holidays and beyond. Their large size can make them a dramatic focal point of a room. 

Thank you for reading our blog. We’ll be back with one more post in December before wrapping up 2023. In the meantime, we wish you a beautiful, joyous start to your holiday season!

 As always, CSU is available in every season with gardening advice at the CSU Extension Yard and Garden website.

Winter Conifer Care for Year-Round Interest

By Terry Deem-Reilly, Denver County Master Gardener since 2003

Conifers! They occur naturally everywhere in Colorado (albeit less so at plains elevations under 6700 feet). And they’re everyone’s go-to tree or shrub for filling a hole in the landscape or adding hassle-free continuous color. They’re so numerous and large that we often forget that their successful cultivation requires more than finding suitably large and sunny spots for placement and marveling at their spectacular (and automatic) growth. There are, however, some steps to maintaining these gorgeous plants in the dryness and cold of Colorado.

First all, let’s define the term “conifer”: it’s basically a tree or shrub with needles that produces seeds in the form of cones. Find a thorough discussion of the division Pinophyta/Coniferophyta here.

Planting

A winter care routine begins with planting properly: take a look at CMG Garden Notes Tree Selection: Right Plant, Right Place before shopping for a tree or shrub. (This publication includes a link to the Front Range Tree Recommendation list.) Conifers generally prefer sunny sites and good drainage, but moisture needs vary by species. Determine how much watering you’ll need to do to maintain the health of your plant – including winter watering so be sure to consider access to a water source when selecting a location.

Next, make sure that the planting site is large enough to accommodate a mature plant; that cute Colorado blue spruce in its three-gallon nursery pot will eventually reach a height of 30 to 60 feet and require enough room for a 20-foot spread. Consider if a mature tree will interfere with power or water lines, or property access. Remember that winter dryness can take a toll on evergreens, so place it in a sheltered spot or take steps to prevent desiccation (more on that later). Mulching to keep roots cool and moist, especially during initial growth, is a must.

Selection

If you like the look of a particular species but can’t find enough room in your garden for it, look for dwarf varieties. If your planting options are limited to containers, check out Monrovia’s The Best Conifers for Containers (and How to Care for Them). If you’re planting in the ground but would like to stay strictly native, read the CSU Fact Sheet Native Trees for Colorado Landscapes (remember that natives have the advantage of NOT having to adapt to our growing conditions while they’re establishing themselves in the landscape).

Monrovia offers some good suggestions for selection, planting, and care in Your Complete Guide to Growing and Caring for Conifers (this is a commercial site, so be prepared to see lots of their stock!).

Initial Care

Once the plant is in place and (we hope!) flourishing, maintain care throughout the season as outlined in CMG Garden Notes Care of Recently Planted Trees. Consult the CSU Fact Sheets for Trees and Shrubs for specific advice on planting, pruning, watering, and diseases of conifers and other woody plants. Proper irrigation is especially important, so water when the soil around the tree is dry to a depth of one inch. Continue irrigation throughout the fall.

Winter Care

Needle desiccation in the winter months can occur at the Denver elevation when precipitation levels are low, and plants aren’t receiving supplemental watering. Water all perennial plants, trees, and shrubs to a depth of one inch when the air temperature is above 45F and the soil is unfrozen.

Be aware that not all needle desiccation and drop result from insufficient watering; many species shed needles naturally at periods ranging from one year to every 17 years. Deciduous conifers such as larch and bald cypress drop all of their needles in the autumn. If needles in the center of a tree such as a pine turn brown, that’s normal shedding, but browning at branch tips is a concern. Take a look at the CSU Fact Sheet Environmental Disorders of Woody Plants for more information on this subject.

Many Front Range gardeners love arborvitae and despair at their seemingly inevitable winter damage. Wrapping the plants in burlap and/or using a protectant like Wilt-Pruf® or CloudCover® can help, but as noted above, the best protection for vulnerable plants is proper siting. Plant arborvitae and other tender conifers on the lee (downwind) side of the garden, or next to a house or shed. Remember that plants can cope with a variety of situations, even temps of -15F and extended dry periods (with some help). Good luck with your winterizing!

Colorado Gardening Calendar for November 2023

By Molly Gaines, CSU Extension – Denver Master Gardener since 2019

If you haven’t already, it’s time to clean out your garden beds. Photo: Molly Gaines

Right on time, we’ve had our first freeze and snow here in Denver. Yet my garden still sits, hanging on for dear life, in desperate need of clearing, composting, amending and mulching. I guess I’ve been in denial, holding on to my fading zinnias and still-green tomatoes, enjoying this gorgeous fall with its warm temperatures and prolonged tree color. Luckily, November is still likely to bring a few mild days. So now’s the time to make a list and check the boxes before everything goes into hibernation until next spring.

A Gardener’s Yard and Garden Checklist for November 

Vegetable Garden

• Clear all plantings and compost. Pests and diseases can overwinter in plant debris and wreak havoc on next year’s garden (aphids, anyone?). 
• Oh my do I have a lot of green tomatoes, around 40 at last count. If you’ve been covering plants to extend the season, it’s time for your final harvest. For ideas on storing late-season produce, visit this helpful page from the University of Minnesota’s Extension office. For a fun recipe from Martha Stewart on cooking green tomatoes, visit here.  
• Spread and work compost into your garden beds before the ground freezes. 

Harvest any remaining vegetables that were lucky to survive the initial frosts. Photo: Molly Gaines

Trees and Shrubs

• Remove dead tree branches, including those on shrubs and roses. 
• Water new fall plantings weekly, including trees, and other perennials until the ground freezes. It’s important to water throughout the winter during warm, dry periods to support healthy roots and next year’s growth. 
• Wrap the trunks of young trees to prevent sunscald, which can occur during periods of alternate warming and freezing in the winter. “On at Thanksgiving, off on tax day” is a good rule of thumb for utilizing tree wrap.
• Protect evergreens with burlap plant bags to prevent them from drying out. 

Lawn Care 

• Fertilize a final time; in Denver this can be done up until Thanksgiving. For more information about fall lawn fertilization from PlantTalk Colorado, visit here. 
• It’s time to blow out and shut off irrigation if you haven’t already. Rake up leaves and either compost or mow over them for garden bed mulch.

Perennial Beds 

• If you haven’t cut back grasses and flowering perennials for the year, let them be. Dead plant stems and leaves provide habitat for moths, beneficial garden insects and butterflies that overwinter.
• Continue watering until the ground freezes. This is especially important for all new plantings. 
• As long as the soil is workable, plant bulbs for spring flowers in the next few weeks. They should still have time to establish before the ground freezes. Water in well. 
• Dig up and save dahlia tubers. Allow them to harden off for two weeks after frost before storing. Find directions here.

Other Projects 

• Bring indoors any houseplants or other potted plants you’d like to save. Hopefully, they’ve survived under heavy protection so far.
• Sanitize, sharpen, and oil tools, including the lawnmower blade. Come spring, you’ll be grateful these tools are ready to go. 

Hope it’s not too late to get houseplants indoors! Photo: Molly Gaines

Follow Up: Denver’s Tree Canopy Survey 

The City of Denver published the results of the September survey of residents about Denver’s tree canopy — and the future of our urban forest. Overall, support for private tree protection is strong. A few points to note from the survey summary: 

• More than 85% of all respondents support private tree protection for trees over 18 inches in diameter. 
• There are differences between renters (17.49% or 378 responses) and owners (75.8% or 1,638 responses) with renters more supportive of the city taking over tree maintenance and for minimum shade requirements. 
• There is overall support for a fee to help maintain street trees, which is highest at the $50-75k income bracket (75%) and is lower for the highest and lowest income brackets ($150k+ at 67.05% support and <$25k at 66.67% support).

Remember to visit the CSU Extension Yard and Garden website for more gardening tips and to prepare for next year’s season. You can also reach out to the Colorado Master Gardener’s office with any yard or gardening questions: 720.913.5270 – we’re available year-round!

Growing Garlic in Colorado

By Felicia Brower, CSU Extension – Denver Master Gardener since 2020

Photo credit: Felicia Brower

*There’s still time to get your garlic in the ground! This week’s blog post is an older post with updated photos, and it covers what you need to do now to have great garlic next year.*

As we wrap up our gardens this season, we can begin to think about all of the crops we want next year. If garlic is on your list, now is the time to act.

Garlic (Allium sativum) is easy to grow and a great crop for beginner gardeners. Even though you’ll harvest in July, you’ll need to plant before the end of October. When choosing which garlic you want to plant, know that you’ll need to purchase your bulbs from a garden center, a farmers market, a garlic farm, or a seed catalog (now is the time to place orders for garlic — they sell out quickly this time of year). Grocery store garlic is often treated with anti-growth products that will prevent you from being able to grow your own bulbs from those cloves.

If it’s your first time purchasing seed garlic, you might be surprised at all of the varieties that are available. Each variety has a distinct flavor and an average number of cloves to expect per bulb, so do your research, and choose accordingly.

Choosing Garlic Varieties

There are two distinct types of garlic to choose from: hardneck (ophioscorodon) and softneck (sativum).

Hardneck

Hardneck varieties are easy to identify because of the (you guessed it) hard neck or stem that you’ll find in the center of the bulb. While hardnecks don’t store as long as softnecks, the flavors are often described as being more intense. Hardneck garlic plants produce a scape, which looks like a curly spike with a small bulbous end. Scapes tend to show up a month or so before the plant is ready to harvest and need to be removed so that the plant can continue to send energy down to the development of the new bulb. Good news: scapes are also edible. Popular varieties of hardneck garlic include Chesnok Red, Music, and German Extra Hardy.

A scape on a hardneck variety of garlic. Photo credit: Felicia Brower

Softneck

Softneck varieties are often chosen because they tend to store longer than hardneck varieties, but they have a milder flavor. Most grocery stores carry softneck garlic, and the cloves tend to be smaller and more plentiful. Garlic braids are made with softneck varieties. Popular softneck varieties include Inchelium Red, Silverskin, and Lorz Italian.

Planting Garlic

Garlic plants don’t take up a lot of space and are known to repel rabbits and deer, so consider planting them around the edges of your vegetable and flower beds. Find a sunny spot and prepare your soil by digging a trench. If you notice you have heavy clay soil or very sandy soil, you should amend the soil with some compost prior to planting.

To prepare the garlic for planting, break apart each bulb into cloves, keeping the wrapper on each clove. Choose only the largest cloves to plant to ensure the best and biggest bulbs next summer, and use the smaller cloves for food. Plant the cloves immediately after breaking them apart from the bulb to reduce to risk of disease and excess drying.

Make a trench in the soil three times as deep as the clove. Plant each clove pointy side up four to six inches apart. Cover the cloves with soil, water well, and cover the trench with mulch, leaf litter, or grass clippings. Garlic needs water to grow and thrive, so make sure that you continue to water occasionally (about once every three weeks) throughout the winter season.

The tops of the the plants will start to come up through the winter, but don’t worry. Garlic is a hardy plant, and it should survive. Pull any weeds near the plant as it grows, as they will impact the size of the bulb.

If you plant different varieties in your garden, label each one so that you can make keep records of what grew best and which flavors you preferred for the next time you plant.

While garlic is an easy crop to grow, it is vulnerable to several types of rot. Avoid disease by planting only healthy cloves and being careful not to damage any bulbs while planting things nearby in the spring.

Harvesting Garlic

It’s time to harvest your garlic when the green tops turn brown and begin die down, which typically happens in July if you plant in October. If the soil is loose, you can pull the new bulb up by hand, but if it’s not, use a hand tool to get it out of the soil being very careful not to puncture any of the cloves. If you pull the bulb out of compacted soil, it can create wounds in the bulbs or the stem, which can quickly lead to fungal infections. When they’re removed from the soil, gently brush or rub the dirt off and let the remaining residue dry while the garlic cures. Fresh bulbs are very sensitive and bruise easily, so take care with the removal process.

Curing Garlic

If you want your garlic harvest to last, you need to cure it before you store it. After you pull the bulbs, spread them over or hang them in a warm, airy spot out of direct sun. Do not cover the bulbs with any heavy material, as that can prevent the air flow and encourage rot. If needed, use a lightweight cotton sheet. Store the bulbs at 40-60° F and cure for two to three weeks.

Cured and cleaned Romanian Red garlic. Photo credit: Felicia Brower

For a visual demonstration of how to plant garlic, watch How to Grow Garlic in Colorado – Produced by Tagawa Gardens, a partner in PlantTalk Colorado.

Colorado Gardening Calendar for October 2023

By Margerie Hicks, CSU Extension – Denver Master Gardener since 2010

October is my favorite month to enjoy the vibrant, intense colors and crisp autumn breezes of Colorado. Gardeners need to adjust their routines to ensure a healthy, beautiful garden next year by completing the maintenance tasks outlined here that apply to your garden.

Vegetable Garden

Harvesting carrots and beets photo by a-lesa on iStock

• Harvest and Preserve: Your vegetable garden may still be yielding some late-season treasures. Harvest your remaining root vegetables and squash. Store them in a cool dry place for use throughout the winter. Consider canning or freezing surplus produce or donating some to a food bank. For canning information click here. The first frost will probably occur mid-month, so don’t be caught harvesting one night in a freezing drizzle (I’m speaking from experience); observe the weather reports each day.
• Clean and Compost: Remove spent plants and weeds from your garden beds to prevent diseases and pests from overwintering. Compost healthy plant material to create nutrient-rich soil for next spring. Learn more about composting techniques here.
• Plant Cover Crops: Protect your garden’s soil during the harsh winter months by sowing cover crops like winter rye. These cover crops help prevent soil erosion, suppress weeds, and improve soil structure. When spring arrives, you can simply turn them under to add organic matter to your soil.

Trees and Shrubs

• Blow out the sprinkler system: When water freezes the pipes may crack.
• Wrap the trunks of trees that have been planted in the last one or two years:  Click here for details.
• Prune and trim: See this Colorado State Forest Service pruning guide. Do not prune spring flowering shrubs or you will be removing next year’s blooms. In the future, prune these soon after the blooms fade. 
• Irrigate: Continue to water, and plan for monthly watering all winter on days the temperature is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Lawn Care

child playing in leaves photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash.com

• Rake leaves:  First form big piles so the children in your life can play in them. Then compost the leaves at home or take them, ideally in paper bags, to one of the leaf drop sites provided by the City of Denver. Click here for locations, dates, and times.
• Fertilize: Click here for details on proper lawn fertilization.
• Aerate: Unless your lawn has been aerated since spring, see the sub section of this fact sheet called “Core Cultivation or Aerating” to learn more.

Perennial Flower Beds

Planting tulip bulbs photo by LianeM on iStock

• Plant spring bulbs: Tulip, hyacinth, crocus, daffodil and other spring blooming bulbs can be planted when the weather gets cool. See this fact sheet for important considerations in selecting and planting bulbs.
• Divide and transplant: October is the ideal time to divide overgrown perennials. This process rejuvenates the plants and can also provide you with new additions to your garden. Transplant them to new areas or share them with fellow gardeners.
• Cut back and clean: Trim back faded perennial foliage and remove debris from your flower beds. Consider leaving some plants uncut, such as ornamental grasses and dried echinacea blossoms, as winter habitat and seeds for birds. These and other plants, such as Autumn Joy sedum, provide winter interest to the garden.

Annual Flower Beds

Ornamental Cabbage photo by Santi WiWatchaikul on iStock

• Plant cool season annuals: Extend the beauty of your garden by introducing cool season annuals like pansies, violas, and ornamental kale or cabbage. These hardy plants can withstand the cooler temperatures of late fall and early winter, adding vibrant color to your landscape.
• Enjoy blooms inside: Before the frost, cut any remaining blooms, such as roses, bring them in the house, and put in vases to enjoy the last summer color.

Other Tasks

• Bring in house plants from the patio before the inevitable frost. First, hose off the summer dust and any insects, then let them dry while still outside.
• Wash and store pots; clean, sharpen, and oil garden tools; store for the winter.

October is a transitional month in Colorado gardening. Use this month to prepare your garden for the winter months ahead. Remember to adapt these guidelines to your specific microclimate and garden conditions, and always consult research-based resources such as https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/ for the most accurate advice. Happy gardening.