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Articles written by Cindi Dragon


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  • Deer resistant perennial flowers for Thermopolis

    Cindi Dragon, Red Dirt Master Gardener|Aug 20, 2015

    When I first started a garden in the Thermopolis area many years ago, I eagerly planted my favorite perennials in the fall for spring blooming. All winter long I imagined a beautiful garden come spring, only to have my expectations dashed by the local deer population, which apparently loved my perennials as much as I did. So, I started looking around the area and questioning local residents to find out which perennials survive the local conditions. My surveys and in-garden experiments have resulted in a select group of local deer-resistant...

  • Mid summer garden chores

    Cindi Dragon, Guest Column|Jul 30, 2015

    Mid-summer is a time to enjoy the bounties of your beautiful gardens, but the enjoyment comes at a price. Lawns, trees, flowers and vegetables are well-established and blooming. The abundance of vegetables and fruits of the gardens is peaking, veggies are ripening daily. You might experiment with some new recipes or go to a Farmers’ Market to try different produce not in your garden. However, nothing good comes without some good old-fashioned elbow grease. Here are some mid-summer chores to keep your yard and gardens beautiful and p...

  • What's the buzz?

    Cindi Dragon, Guest column|Jun 18, 2015

    National Pollinator Week is June 15-21. Due to declining bee populations, this special week was established in 2007 to enlighten us about the ecosystem services provided by butterflies, bees, birds, bats, beetles, and other pollinating animals. Wildlife habitat, healthy watersheds and our food are a direct result of pollinators. Of course, we should celebrate year-round these flower-flitting critters without which we would not have raspberries, chocolate, coffee, melons, almonds, tequila and many other tasty treats. We can help ensure the...

  • Know before you grow

    Cindi Dragon, Guest Writer|Jun 4, 2015

    Four terms good to know before you grow tomatoes are “determinate, indeterminate, heirloom and hybrid” to ensure you get what you want. 1. Determinate, also known as plum or bush tomatoes, are compact and useful for small spaces or short-season gardens. Bush tomatoes are bred to stop growing around 3-4 feet tall. All the fruit usually ripens within a two-week period making this a good choice for canning or preserving. Additionally, Roma tomatoes, also in this category, are used for making paste, sauce and drying because they are meaty and usu...

  • Column: Tips for getting your yard and garden in shape

    Cindi Dragon, Guest Writer|Apr 23, 2015

    Here are ten tips for getting your yard and garden into great shape this spring. 1. Buy new plants. There are wonderful new vegetable hybrids and colors now available at local nurseries and garden centers. 2. Mow. Mowing early and regularly will keep most weeds under control. 3. Prepare your soil. Test the soil and amend it with organic fertilizer and compost, as needed. 4. Rotate garden plots. To control diseases, move the legumes (beans and peas), brassicas (broccoli and cabbage), and nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant and peppers) to...

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