Hope you’re all staying warm, and maybe getting a chance to get out and enjoy the snow and the increasing light!

The 2011 aerial surveys for Forest Health have been released!  The good news is that the total number of Colorado acres with active MPB infestations dropped below the previous year’s levels for the third consecutive year, so the epidemic seems to be slowing, especially in our area.  The cause of this decline is still unknown.  Larimer County is still being hit hard, both in the lodgepole forests, and especially in the lower elevation ponderosa forests.  Here is a safety reminder for those hiking or skiing in forests with a lot of dead trees:   dead lodgepole pine trees can fall at any time because of their shallow roots. Anyone headed into beetle-killed lodgepole forests should watch the weather and stay away from dead trees on windy days.  About 80 percent of lodgepole pine trees killed by the MPB epidemic are expected to fall within 10-12 years.

If you’d like to see the press release or the new maps, you can go here: http://www.fs.usda.gov/news/r2/news-events

There is an interesting series of webinars on various forestry issues coming up – learn from the comfort of your home or office: www.ext.colostate.edu/sam/forestry.pdf

Reminder that seedling tree orders need to be in to the office by April 13^th.  Tree distribution will take place May 1 (noon-5), and there is a free class on how to plant your trees for best success May 1 at 6:30 pm.  You can pick up your trees at that time.  If you can’t pick up your trees, please get a neighbor to pick them up for you, as we don’t have the right conditions for holding trees in our office.

Remember that you can check out a Power monitor for free from our office. This device can help you discover how to save money on your electric bill.

The winter Small Acreage newsletter is now available, with articles on winter grazing, weeds, cover crops, local meat, and seedling tree acclimation:http://www.ext.colostate.edu/sam/nl.html.

UPCOMING CLASSES AND EVENTS

Native Plants for the Colorado Landscape.   March 20, 1:00 – 5:00 pm. Jefferson County Fairgrounds. $35. Colorado has a wealth of native plants, colorful wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees, which are well adapted to our variable climate, soils, temperatures and elevations. In this 4 hour class, you’ll learn how to use native plants in your landscape, and be introduced to many beautiful, hardy native plants.  More information and registration are available here: http://2012npm.eventbrite.com.   At this site, you can also register for all the field Native Plant Master courses.

 High Altitude Garden Workshop.  April 7, 1:00 – 5:00 pm. Shoshoni Yoga Retreat. $20. Option to take morning yoga class and have lunch at the beautiful yoga center ($30 for lunch and workshop, $40 for yoga, lunch, and workshop). Topics to be covered include chickens for the mountains, soil amendments, season extension, and small fruits. SPACE IS LIMITED — REGISTER EARLY!  Yoga and lunch attendees must have registrations in by March 23rd, workshop-only attendees must register by  April 6th or until space is filled.  Online registration and more information available: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dENxdWQydlhCZVE2bDBBbW5HS3hfSkE6MA#gid=0

Earth Day Gardening Classes.  April 21, Exhibit Barn, 230 Norton Drive. $10 each class, $15 for both.

·         Mountain Gardening  Basics. 1:00 – 3:00 pm. In this class, you’ll learn to work with your site, your soils, your water rights, how to exploit microclimates, the wind, your topography, and more.  Must-know tips to help any gardener! 

·         Basics of Vegetable Gardening in the Mountains. 3:00 – 5:00 pm. You will learn what vegetables grow well in our climate, how to amend our soils, how to compost (despite bears), and how to have a vegetable garden even if you don’t have outdoor water rights.

Habitat Gardening.  May 30, 6:30 – 7:30pm. Exhibit Barn, 230 Norton Drive. $5.  Learn how to attract hummingbirds, songbirds, and other pollinators by planting appropriate plants and providing other enticements.

Slash Piles – how to build them, how to get a permit.  June 2, 1:00 – 3:00 pm.  Slash yard (mile marker 15 on highway 119, across from the transfer station.  FREE!  Slash pile burning is an alternative to hauling or chipping.   You must get a permit and follow the regulations, however, or you will get a fine: www.co.gilpin.co.us/Sheriff/Open%20Burn/Openburnindex.htm.   In this class you will learn about the permit process, allowable burning conditions, as well as the construction of piles for safety and good burning.  Managing these piles for Ips beetle will also be covered.  Bring gloves, older clothes, sturdy footwear, and water.  Please RSVP – 303-582-9106 –  to attend this joint presentation by Gilpin Extension and the Colorado State Forest Service.

Mountain Plant Sale at the Gilpin County Flea Market! June 9^th (Saturday only). 9:00 am until sold out! Exhibit Barn, 230 Norton Drive.  Purchase time-tested plants that thrive in our mountain environment.   Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions.

 Dealing with Critters in the Garden.   June  13^th, 6:30 -7:30 pm. Exhibit Barn, 230 Norton Drive. $5.  Can you tell the difference between pocket gopher and vole damage?  Learn how to keep these critters and others from destroying your garden.

 Wildflower and Weed Walk.  June 23, 10 am – noon.  Starts from the Exhibit Barn, 230 Norton Drive.  $5. This will be a slow, easy walk of up to 1.5 miles to identify the flowers (including scientific names) around us.    Dress for the weather.

 FREE Weed ID and Control.   July 14^th, 2:00 – 3:30 pm.  Exhibit Barn, 230 Norton Drive.  FREE!  Can you tell a wildflower from a weed?  Did you know it is illegal to have certain weeds (even if they are pretty) growing on your property?  We will teach you how to figure out what’s good and bad on your property in this friendly class.  Bring in samples of weeds for identification and advice on how to control them.

 Wildflower and weed walk July 21, 2:00 – 4:00 pm.  Starts from the Exhibit Barn.  $5. This will be a slow, easy walk of up to 1.5 miles to identify the flowers (including scientific names) around us.    Dress for the weather.  Different flowers will be blooming at this time, so come to both walks!

 By popular demand — FREE WEED DISPOSAL DAY!   July 22, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm. Slash yard (mile marker 15 on highway 119, across from the transfer station. This is your chance to dispose of bags of weeds  (noxious weeds only, please) for FREE.   (Come to the weed class on July 14^th if you don’t know what to pull).

Cheers

Irene Shonle, Ph.D., Director/Agent

CSU Extension Gilpin County

230 Norton Drive, Black Hawk, CO 80422

303-582-9106   FAX 303-582-5062

www.extension.colostate.edu/gilpin

Extension programs are available to all without discrimination