By Joan Bergsund

You know we harp on water conservation. It’s a familiar theme, and keeps reappearing in these weekly columns. A recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle told of the increasing burden the home gardener and his landscaping places on the available water supply. Quoting a new report from the Public Policy Institute of California, increasing numbers of people moving into our state will most likely have to locate in the hotter, inland areas, where water use for landscaping can be expected to soar. The single-family home on a generous sized lot is the popular choice. We see these developments mushrooming today as we travel the San Joaquin Valley, the Sacramento region and Southern California; many more can be anticipated in the future. By 2030 the state is expected to absorb 11 million new residents. Read more…

Want to brighten the fall landscape? Plant some fall annuals such as pansies or dianthus.

Fall pansies, in particular, are getting to be popular in many areas of the country. Why not here in Wyoming and surrounding areas? They are tough and, provided they get some water during the winter months, may bloom through next year.

The time to plant them is before frost begins so the plants have time for their root systems to get established. During the winter, pansies will often have flowers on them under the snow. Varieties with good frost tolerance are “Atlas Blue Splash,” “Atlas White,” “Delta Pink Shades,” “Delta Pure Primrose,” “Delta Pure Yellow,” “Happy Face Rose,” and “Happy Face Yellow.” This is hardly an all-inclusive list so check with your local nursery or University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service office for more varieties. Read more…