Late May and early June is when most Colorado homeowners get their sprinkler system ready to run for the growing season.  Once the sprinkler system is checked out and repairs are made, you won’t have to worry about fried grass when the temps hit 90 degrees and above.

In spite of the bad rap lawns have had in recent years, they are a productive part of the urban Colorado environment.  They help to cool the air, they help clean the air and they are not really water guzzlers, if managed properly.  All these green benefits just got greener as lawnmower manufacturers have started to develop and are now selling battery-operated lawn mowers. 

These mowers are quiet with hardly any engine noise—you can mow before sun-up and not bother the neighbors.  They are energy efficient—costing less than 10 per cent of what a gas mower costs to operate.  And there is virtually no maintenance other than sharpening the blade or plugging them into a battery charger.  No oil to change, no gas can to fill and no emissions.  While these mowers are newcomers in the marketplace, there are a few walk-behind models available.

Colorado gardeners often have many unwanted visitors in their veggies, herbs and flowers and keeping them at bay is an ongoing challenge. Deer, rabbits mice, slugs and a variety of insects can all chomp through a garden and leave little to nothing to harvest. Fortunately, there are many common household and garden items that can deter many of these pests.

When designing your planting areas, incorporate plants that deter or are undesirable to pesky critters in your garden. Fragrances are often great deterrents to pests and they can be found in many herbs, shrubs or perennials. If some plants are not available in your area, essential oils will also work. Marigolds, especially French Marigolds, are easy to grow, available in just about all climates and attract many beneficial insects that can help protect your garden from being stripped by unwanted visitors. Some beneficial insects like ladybugs can also be purchased to release in your yard.