The Routt County Master Gardeners will host their annual gathering of seasoned and new-to-Routt County gardeners. Visit with us 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 29 and Wednesday, April 30 in the Bud Werner Library Hall. 

Based on feedback from last year’s event, this year’s format will address not only those newer to gardening in Routt County, but more experienced gardeners as well. 

Routt County Master Gardeners partner with the Bud Werner Memorial Library to have an interactive, educational event designed to help all levels of gardeners, even those of you who have convinced yourself you can’t grow anything.

The format on Tuesday will feature a 30-minute talk, starting at 5:30 pm, to provide an overview of our local growing conditions and a summary of topics available for one-on-one interactions at a variety of tables.  On Wednesday, starting at 5:30, there will be a panel discussion where Colorado Master Gardeners will answer your more challenging questions. Anyone is welcome to attend either evening.

Are you wondering if it’s time to plant tomatoes — or what flowers will thrive in your new mountain paradise?  Or maybe you’ve been gardening here for some time and would like to share ideas with other gardeners? Maybe you found a suspicious critter on your indoor plant and need support. We are here to help!

Gardening in the high mountain West can be infinitely rewarding as well as a little challenging. Our short growing season, low average temperatures and dense soils may invite you to explore beautiful hardy or native plants. 

If you enjoy harvesting fresh vegetables and herbs, there are many opportunities to find creative ways to grow what you love in your own yard. Who doesn’t love a sweet, crisp carrot right from the ground?  Or the dizzying scent of flowers, or the beauty of busy pollinators at work. 

Lots of cool-weather, short-season vegetables do well here, and we’ve got lots of tricks to mitigate the intense high-country sun and extend the growing season. If you are more of a flowering plant kind of gardener, come and learn about selecting and caring for native plants that thrive here despite browsing deer and voracious grasshoppers. If you have a photo or name of a plant and are wondering if it will grow here — ask a Routt County Master Gardener!

Topics covered by the Master Gardeners will include soil, climate, seed selection, season extension, weed control, pests, native plants and more. The Yampa River Botanic Park, Colorado State Forest Service, Routt County Wildfire Fire Mitigation Council and Yampa Valley Sustainability Council will also be on hand with information and answers to your questions.

Master Gardener Office Hours start May 1. You can stop by or call us at 970-879-0825 during our office hours from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursdays for a free consultation at the Colorado State University Extension office,136 Sixth St., Suite 101, or email csumgprogram@co.routt.co.us with your questions.

Jackie Buratovich loves making things grow in and around a solar home here in Routt County. She received her Master Gardener training in Boulder County in 2003.