The Gardens on Spring Creek

  Mason bee carrying mud to nest.  Photo from crownbees.com What’s Buzzing:   Mason Bees by Lydia McCracken, Propagation Intern, Gardens on Spring Creek To gardeners, the first welcome signs of spring might come from the blooms of crocus or grape hyacinth.   But for these plants, one the most welcome signs come from the unsung heroes of spring – mason bees.  Tucked away over winter in their mud and clay nests they were eating, growing, resting for the early work that must be done. As daily temperatures reach 55 degrees, this hero is springing into action and has already been spotted at the Gardens on Spring Creek!  Mason bee entering cavity nest to unload pollen. Sealed cavities are complete nests with multiple brood cells. Mason bees are a non-aggressive solitary bee belonging to the genus Osmia . They get their name from the masonry work they use building their unique nests. Although their appearance varies from species to species, they are often a m...

  What’s Blooming:  Plans for Vegetable Gardening by Mary Miller, Community Garden and Outreach Coordinator, Gardens on Spring Creek   Each growing season brings new opportunities to one’s garden. Whether your garden space is quite small or is large, spring affords the chance to try a new tomato or add beets and chiles to the list of what to grow. As a nearly-lifelong gardener, I have explored growing a bajillion different varieties of vegetables.   Some are abandoned after the first year.   Others remain as favorites forever (or at least as long the seed remains available).   Sometimes treasured varieties are dropped from the trade. At times, it feels easier to go with what I know and plant many of the same crop varieties season over season.   Responsibilities for me include managing the Gardens on Spring Creek’s Garden of Eatin’.   It is a three-quarter acre site wholly dedicated to edible crops and the plants that support those crops. ...

  Narcissus romieuxii  ‘Julia Jane’ blooming at The Gardens What’s Blooming:   Bulb Displays by Rita Jokerst, Horticulturist, Gardens on Spring Creek   Spring bulbs are a much-needed blast of color after a long winter, and we can’t wait to see our newest bulb installation pop in the Color Walk. Last fall Gardens staff, along with cohorts from the City of Fort Collins Parks department, installed 2,760 bulbs including a variety of crocus, daffodils, tulips and more. This year we will be rewarded for our fall toil with botanical treats in shades of pink, yellow and cream. Crocuses are usually the earliest signifier of warming weather, and we could not resist giving ourselves that treat. Installed in the Café Grove, Crocus tommasinianus ‘Roseus’ may be the closest there is to a pink crocus. These plants are sometimes lovingly called “Tommies” and typically pop above ground even earlier than Dutch crocus varieties. In addition to crocus, many gardeners’ early go-...