Jefferson County CSU Extension Colorado Master Gardeners

06/01/2026

John Murgel, Douglas County Extension Specialist, offers information on the top 20 drought tolerant perennial flowers for Colorado. Read his article here:
https://engagement.source.colostate.edu/top-20-drought-tolerant-perennial-flowers-colorado/

05/24/2026

05/21/2026

With our long-term drought concerns in Jefferson County, have you considered removing lawn and xeriscaping your yard to conserve water? If so, don't forget the trees! Established trees that are accustomed to regular irrigation will need special care and consideration to make a successful transition. Here are tips and resources to successfully remove your lawn, but not kill your trees!

https://engagement.source.colostate.edu/want-to-remove-your-lawn-heres-how-not-to-kill-your-trees/

Thinking of swapping out your front lawn for a new xeriscape? Don’t forget to think of the trees. If a tree has been growing in your lawn for decades, you can be sure that it’s gotten used to the extra water.

05/15/2026

Walking into a local nursery overflowing with colorful plants can be overwhelming. It’s best to have a plan! With our late-spring snowstorm in the rear-view mirror, it’s important to remember that Jefferson County is still facing drought conditions and water restrictions.

It’s a great time to consider adding drought-tolerant perennial flowers to your landscape! Use this guide to discover 20 low-water plants that are beautiful, resilient, and well suited for our challenging conditions.

https://engagement.source.colostate.edu/top-20-drought-tolerant-perennial-flowers-colorado/

Have a gardening question for the helpdesk? Email questions and photos to [email protected], or call the JeffCo™ Master Gardener hotline (303) 271-6632 to get personalized help with your specific situation.

Discover 20 of the best drought tolerant perennial flowers perfect for Colorado’s climate with hardy, low-maintenance picks spanning native flowers, cacti, succulents, garden classics, and more.

05/14/2026

Are you looking for a summer gig that gets you outside and shares your love of nature with younger generations? CSU Extension - Jefferson County and Jefferson County - Colorado 4-H are looking for Outdoor Educators for ENOR Environmental Discovery Day Camp this June.

CSU Extension - Jefferson County is looking for outdoor educators to help create magical outdoor learning experiences for local youth! ☀️ ENOR Environmental Discovery Day Camp has been inspiring outdoor discovery for 52 years, and we’re looking for dynamic, enthusiastic team members to help continue that tradition.

🌿 Camp Educators are supportive leaders who love working with kids outdoors. Educators help guide up to 10 campers each day through hiking, hands‑on learning activities, and exploration across local public lands. Responsibilities include:
• Ensuring camper safety and positive experiences
• Preparing daily activities based on camp curriculum
• Managing camper check‑in/out
• Organizing and caring for equipment

If you’re passionate about environmental education, teamwork, and spending your summer outdoors, we’d love to hear from you.

📌 Apply today and help us make Summer 2026 unforgettable for our campers! Outdoor Educators: https://csusystem.wd12.myworkdayjobs.com/fortcollins_careers/job/Golden-CO/ENOR-Environmental-Outdoor-Educator_R2026101469



CSU Denver Extension

05/12/2026

Happy May, Jefferson County Colorado Gardeners! 🌿☀️ It’s finally time to get our hands dirty. Here is your May checklist to set up a successful season:

🌻 Flowers & Landscaping
• Divide & Conquer: Divide perennials that have grown too large, and remove winter mulch from perennial beds.
• Bulb Care: Remove faded flowers from spring bulbs, but keep the foliage until it yellows.
• Planting: After danger of frost (usually Mother's Day), begin planting tender annuals.
• Roses: Start feeding roses with a balanced fertilizer.

🍅 Vegetable Garden
• Soil Prep: Add 2–3 inches of compost to beds, working it into the top layer.
• Cool Season: Direct sow seeds like carrots, radishes, lettuce, and spinach.
• Warm Season: Harden off tomatoes, peppers, and squash before planting outdoors in late May.
• Watering: Check your irrigation system for repairs to ensure efficient watering.

🌳 Trees & Shrubs
• Pruning: Prune early-flowering shrubs like lilacs and forsythia after they finish blooming.
• Mulch: Apply 2–3 inches of mulch around trees to hold moisture, keeping it 4–6 inches away from the trunk base.

🏡 General Tips
• Tools: Clean and disinfect garden tools and containers.
• Soil Test: Get a soil test done for your garden to guide your amending.
• Support: Stake peonies and delphiniums before they get too heavy.

Get more specific tips from the CSU Extension Vegetable Planting Guide (https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/vegetable-garden-hints/) and happy growing! 🥕🌸



Have a gardening question? Call the JeffCo™ Master Gardener hotline (303) 271-6632 to get personalized help with your specific situation. You can also email questions and pictures to Master Gardeners at [email protected].

Based on CSU Extension (https://extension.colostate.edu/topic/garden-landscape/) and Denver Master Gardener (https://denvergardeners.wordpress.com/category/monthly-garden-tasks/) resources.