Jefferson County CSU Extension Colorado Master Gardeners

08/21/2026

🌿🐝 Why Bees LOVE Oregano! 🐝🌿
If you grow oregano mainly for your kitchen, you may be overlooking one of its best garden benefits: its
flowers are a great resource for pollinators!

🌸 Let oregano bloom!
Colorado State University Extension specifically lists oregano (Origanum vulgare) among bee-friendly
pollinator plants. Oregano produces small white flowers, typically from June through August, giving bees
another source of food during the growing season.

🐝 What do bees get from oregano?
Bees visit flowers to collect nectar and pollen. Nectar provides an important energy source, while pollen
supplies nutrients needed for bee development and reproduction. By allowing oregano to flower, you're
providing food that can help support the bees visiting your garden.

🌱 Oregano can feed more than just bees.
CSU Extension notes that many herbs—including oregano—attract a variety of pollinators and beneficial
insects. So that patch of oregano can become a surprisingly busy little pollinator garden!

✂️ One important gardening tip:
If your goal is to harvest oregano for culinary use, CSU Extension recommends cutting off the flowers
before they bloom. But if you're trying to help pollinators, consider leaving at least some plants—or
portions of the plants—to flower.

🌿🐝 A simple win for the garden:
Grow oregano. Let it flower. Enjoy the bees.
Sometimes helping pollinators doesn't require planting something exotic. A common culinary herb can
become an important source of food when we simply let it bloom!

Sources:
1. Pollinators in Vegetable and Herb Gardens — CSU Extension�https://extension.colostate.edu/arapahoe/2026/06/15/pollinators-in-vegetable-and-herb-gardens/

2. Attracting Native Bees to Your Landscape — Colorado State University Extension�https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/attracting-native-bees-to-your-landscape/

3. Bee Friendly Pollinator Plants — CSU Extension�https://fremont.extension.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2018/05/August-19-2017-Bee-Pollinators-Web.pdf

4. Growing Herbs at High Altitude — CSU Extension�https://extension.colostate.edu/gilpin/resource/growing-herbs-at-high-altitude/

5. Oregano Hopflower — CSU Extension�https://adams.extension.colostate.edu/horticulture/oregano-hopflower/





Photo: CMG Jeffrey Blake
Image Description: Bee on Oregano

Jefferson County CSU Extension Colorado Master Gardeners are here to help answer your gardening, lawn, and diagnostic questions! Email [email protected] to send us a message or ask a question.

08/17/2026

🦋 Don’t Forget the Moths! Why These Nighttime Garden Visitors Matter 🌙🌼

When we think about pollinators, bees, butterflies and hummingbirds usually get all the attention. But there’s another group working in our gardens—often after dark—that deserves some appreciation: moths! 🦋🌙

Colorado is home to more than 5,000 species of moths, and they play important roles in our ecosystems. Some moths are pollinators, while their caterpillars and adults provide food for birds and other wildlife.

🌸 Moths can be important pollinators.�The White-lined Sphinx moth, for example, visits flowers for nectar and transfers pollen from flower to flower. In Colorado, these moths are associated with plants such as columbine, and some plants benefit significantly from their visits.

🌙 Pollination doesn’t stop when the sun goes down!�Moths are among the most important groups of nocturnal pollinators. Colorado State University Extension notes that miller moths feed on flower nectar from late spring through early fall as they migrate toward higher elevations.

🐦 Moths are also part of the food web.�Moth caterpillars are an important food source for birds and other wildlife. Colorado State University Extension points out that insects—including moths and their caterpillars—help support birds and other animals. In fact, birds can require thousands of caterpillars to raise a single brood.

🌿 So how can you help moths in your garden?
✅ Plant a variety of native plants that provide nectar for adult moths and food for caterpillars.

✅ Keep something blooming from spring through fall to provide a steady supply of nectar.

✅ Reduce pesticide use. Pesticides can harm pollinators and other beneficial insects.

✅ Accept a little leaf damage. Remember: caterpillars are baby moths! A few chewed leaves can be a sign that your garden is supporting wildlife.

✅ Turn off unnecessary outdoor lights at night. A darker garden can be friendlier to nocturnal insects.
Colorado's University of Colorado Museum of Natural History recommends increasing the diversity of native plants, providing nectar-producing flowers, limiting pesticides and avoiding bug zappers when trying to support moths.

🌙 The next time you see a moth fluttering around your garden, don't automatically think “pest.” Think pollinator, caterpillar, bird food and an important piece of Colorado's ecosystem.

A healthy garden isn't just a garden with perfect leaves—it’s a garden full of life! 🌱🦋🌼

Sources

1. Creating Pollinator Habitat — Colorado State University Extension�https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/creating-pollinator-habitat/

2. Miller Moths — Colorado State University Extension�https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/miller-moths/

3. Hornworms and “Hummingbird” Moths — Colorado State University Extension�https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/hornworms-and-hummingbird-moths/

4. Butterfly Larval – Host Plants — Colorado State University Extension�https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/butterfly-larval-host-plants/

5. Moth Matters: Attracting Moths to Your Backyard — University of Colorado Boulder Museum of Natural History�https://cumuseum-archive.colorado.edu/Exhibits/MothMatters/attracting.html

6. Moth Matters: Viewing Moths in Your Backyard — University of Colorado Boulder Museum of Natural History�https://cumuseum-archive.colorado.edu/Exhibits/MothMatters/viewing.html



Photo: CMG Jeffrey Blake
Image Description: Sphinx moth on screen door

Jefferson County CSU Extension Colorado Master Gardeners are here yto help answer your gardening, lawn, and diagnostic questions! Email [email protected] to send us a message or ask a question.

08/14/2026

Now Accepting Applications for the Jefferson County Master Gardener Program

In 1995, I read about an incredible horticulture volunteer program through Colorado State University Extension Services that turned 20 years old. I loved gardening, and I applied. Much to my delight, the program accepted me as an apprentice, and after completing all the requirements, I became a Colorado Master Gardener (CMG) in 1996 for Adams County. I volunteered for seven years for Adams County CMG, working info tables, answering garden questions via phone and in person, and helping in the one garden the program had. Then work and life became too much, and I stepped back.

Fast forward to 2024, I still had that botany and gardening bug. So, I applied to become a Colorado Master Gardener apprentice, this time with Jefferson County, since we moved. Again, the CMG accepted me as an apprentice. In October 2025, I earned the title of Colorado Master Gardener! And I love it.

The CMG matured and changed in many good ways in the 2-ish decades I was away. My first time, the training was in person and was all classroom- no hands-on labs. Now training is online, with several in-person labs, allowing me to do the classes on my schedule. There was a weekly scheduled review session that supported learning from the week’s topic. The hands-on labs provided the opportunity to meet other CMGs and apprentices, practice identifying soil, use a key to identify trees, and learn about the wonderful world of beneficial insects. Gardening Science has advanced. The right way to plant trees has changed; more fact sheets and video information are available to the public, and CMGs can now answer inquiries via email.

So many reasons why I loved being a CMG are still there. I get to volunteer alongside many dedicated and more knowledgeable CMGs, who freely share ideas and information. Jefferson County MG has multiple gardens to work in, such as the Plant Select, Horticulture, Courage, Orchard, Native Plains Garden, Mountain Native Garden, and Low‑Flammability Gardens. There are continual training opportunities. I can work at an info table, be on the help desk answering emails and calls, contribute to the social media team, learn beekeeping, and work towards being part of the diagnostic team. I get to help the public, sharing knowledge and ideas. The opportunities for learning and helping are endless. Plus, Colorado has over 3200 native plants and 100 native tree species, plus all the non-native, introduced, and invasive species; I doubt I will volunteer long enough to know them all!

CSU Master Gardener Volunteer Program is accepting applications now until August 31 for their new cohort of Colorado Master Gardeners. This includes Jefferson County, along with many other Colorado counties, because you volunteer in the county where you live. Here is the link:
https://extension.colostate.edu/colorado-master-gardener/become-a-colorado-master-gardener/

If you love flora, botany, soil, and landscaping, and want to contribute to your community, I urge you to consider this exceptional program!!

Photo: Pat Greer
Image Description: Master Garden apron on a maple tree with certificate.



Jefferson County CSU Extension Colorado Master Gardeners are here to help answer your gardening, lawn, and diagnostic questions! Email [email protected] to send us a message or ask a question.

08/13/2026

08/12/2026

08/11/2026

🌿 **Garden Like a Master Gardener!** 🌿

You don't have to be a certified Master Gardener to use the same research-based practices that help Colorado gardens thrive. Here are a few simple habits that can make a big difference in your own landscape:

🌱 **Plant the right plant in the right place.** Match plants to your site's sunlight, soil type, moisture, and hardiness zone. Plants that are well-suited to their location are healthier, require less maintenance, and use water more efficiently.

💧 **Water deeply, but only when needed.** Frequent, shallow watering encourages shallow roots. Water thoroughly so moisture reaches the root zone, then allow the soil to dry slightly before watering again.

🌾 **Mulch is your garden's best friend.** A 2–4 inch layer of organic mulch helps conserve soil moisture, reduces weeds, moderates soil temperatures, and adds organic matter as it breaks down.

🔍 **Know your pest before you act.** Not every insect is harmful! Many insects are beneficial pollinators or natural predators. Correctly identify a pest and the extent of the damage before deciding if any control is necessary. This is the foundation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

🌼 **Build healthy soil.** Incorporate compost or other organic matter when appropriate, and consider a soil test before applying fertilizer. Healthy soil supports healthier plants and reduces unnecessary fertilizer use.

✂️ **Inspect your garden often.** Spend a few minutes each week looking for changes in your plants. Catching diseases, insect problems, or watering issues early often means they can be managed with simple, non-chemical solutions.

📚 The best Master Gardeners know that successful gardening isn't about having all the answers—it's about using reliable, research-based information and continuing to learn. By following these simple best practices, every home gardener can grow a healthier, more beautiful, and more sustainable Colorado garden.

Happy gardening! 🌻

Colorado .edu Sources
1. Colorado State University Extension – GardenNotes (research-based gardening information)
* https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/gardennotes/

2. Colorado State University Extension – Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
* https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/integrated-pest-management/

3. Colorado State University Extension – Mulches for Home Grounds
* https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/mulches-for-home-grounds-7-214/

4. Colorado State University Extension – Irrigation of Home Lawns
* https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/irrigation-scheduling-the-smart-way-7-239/

5. Colorado State University Extension – Choosing a Soil Amendment
* https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/choosing-a-soil-amendment/

6. Colorado State University Extension – Soil Testing
* https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/agriculture/soil-testing-0-501/

7. Colorado State University Extension – Colorado Master Gardener Program
* https://extension.colostate.edu/colorado-master-gardener/



Photo: Colorado State University
Image Description: woman in her garden

Jefferson County CSU Extension Colorado Master Gardeners are here to help answer your gardening, lawn, and diagnostic questions! Email [email protected] to send us a message or ask a question.

08/10/2026

When gardeners start thinking about saving water, xeriscapes and rock gardens are often top of mind. This session explores what a rock garden really is—why it’s about plants, not just gravel—and highlights easy, high-performance, drought-tolerant plants and where to find them on the Front Rang...

08/09/2026

Join the Colorado Master Gardener Volunteer Program in Jefferson County and turn your passion for gardening into community impact. Applications are open online August 1-31.

As a Colorado Master Gardener Volunteer, you'll:
• Receive research-based horticulture education from CSU Extension experts.
• Share trusted, science-based gardening information with your community.
• Help Colorado landscapes and gardens thrive.

We are especially looking for gardeners who want to work with youth and have experience gardening at altitude. If you have either of these skills sets, we encourage you to apply and tell us about your experiences in these areas!

Learn more: https://col.st/mahft

08/09/2026

🌿 **Work with Nature, Not Against It: The Benefits of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)** 🐞🌼

When insects or diseases appear in the garden, reaching for a pesticide shouldn't be your first step. Colorado State University Extension recommends **Integrated Pest Management (IPM)**—a science-based approach that combines prevention, observation, and targeted action to keep plants healthy while minimizing impacts on people, pollinators, and the environment.

IPM starts with **properly identifying the problem**. Not every insect is a pest, and not every damaged leaf requires treatment. By regularly monitoring your garden and correctly identifying insects, diseases, or environmental problems, you can avoid unnecessary pesticide use.

The foundation of IPM is prevention. Healthy plants are naturally more resistant to pests, so choosing the right plant for the right location, improving soil health, watering correctly, and encouraging good air circulation all help reduce future problems. Simple mechanical controls—such as hand-picking insects, removing diseased leaves, or using row covers and barriers—can often solve issues before they become serious.

Another key benefit of IPM is protecting beneficial insects. Lady beetles, lacewings, parasitic wasps, and many other natural predators help keep pest populations in check. Preserving these beneficial organisms reduces the need for chemical controls and helps create a healthier, more balanced garden ecosystem.

Chemical pesticides are **not eliminated** under IPM—they're simply used as a **last resort**, and only after monitoring shows they're truly needed. When pesticides are necessary, selecting the least disruptive option and applying it correctly helps protect pollinators, wildlife, and water quality while effectively managing the target pest.

A little observation and prevention can save time, money, and frustration while creating a healthier garden for everyone—plants, people, and pollinators alike.

Colorado .edu Sources

* Colorado State University Extension – Integrated Pest Management and Plant Health Care�https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/integrated-pest-management-and-plant-health-care/

* Colorado State University – Integrated Pest Management (Facilities Management)�https://www.fm.colostate.edu/ipm/

* Colorado State University – Colorado Center for Sustainable Pest Management�https://agsci.colostate.edu/agbio/ipm/



Photo: CSU Extension
Image Description: IPM pyramid

Jefferson County CSU Extension Colorado Master Gardeners are here to help answer your gardening, lawn, and diagnostic questions! Email [email protected] to send us a message or ask a question.

08/07/2026

Join us for a Community Plant ID Walk on August 16! We'll lead you along the creek in Lair o' the Bear Park for a little over a mile. Over the course of an hour, learn how to identify different riparian species here in Jefferson County.

Two chances to join the fun: 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Bring the whole family and learn a few things about Colorado plants.