Welcome to the Colorado Master Gardener GardenNotes! This site contains University horticultural information as well as training resources for Colorado Master Gardener and Certified Colorado Gardener students.
2023 Spring Green School Information
CERTIFIED COLORADO GARDENER TRAINING
- Certified Colorado Gardener Syllabus
- Includes course syllabus, schedule and reading list
- Student Training Guide | Print to take notes
- Includes optional homework/activities, and class notes
- If you downloaded your guide before 1/9/23 you need these extra pages
- Full Course Spring 2023 Training Schedule Subject to modifications
COLORADO MASTER GARDENER TRAINING
- Colorado Master Gardener Syllabus
- Includes course syllabus, schedule and reading list
- Student Training Guide | Print to take notes
- Includes optional homework/activities, and class notes
- If you downloaded your guide before 1/9/23 you need these extra pages
- CMG Apprentice Spring 2023 Training Schedule Subject to modifications
GREEN SCHOOL ONLINE COURSE INFORMATION
Link to Online Courses CSU Online’s Canvas site
Optional: Canvas Scavenger Hunt & CMG Scavenger Hunt Answers & CGC Scavenger Hunt Answers
Direct Links to GN Information
- CMG Program Overview: Growing Plants. Growing People.
- Botany: How Plants Grow
- Colorado Climate Summaries & Frost Dates
- Diagnosing Tree Disorders
- Entomology and Identifying Insects
- Herbaceous Plants
- Identifying Trees and Shrubs
- IPM and the Diagnostic Process
- Irrigation Management
- Lawn Care – Turfgrass Management
- Native Plants
- Plant Pathology
- Pruning
- Small Fruits
- Soils, Fertilizers, and Soil Amendments
- Tree Care
- Tree Fruit
- Tree Planting: Right Plant Right Place
- Vegetable & Herbs
- Water Wise Landscape Design
- Weed Management
DOWNLOAD GARDEN NOTES COMPLETE SET [PDF]
Note: GardenNotes is in the process of being updated. This will be completed at the end of 2023. Revised publications are posted as they are completed. PDF links will be removed in February and only added once that section’s revisions are complete. Thanks for your patience while we work to improve this resource!
010 – CMG Program Overview
- #010, References and Study Questions: The Colorado Master Gardener Program
- #011, Learning
- #015, Communications
- #016, Fielding Questions: Tips
- #017, Listening Habits Evaluation
- #018, Using Copyright Materials
100 – IPM and the Diagnostic Process
- #100, References and Study Questions: PHC and the Diagnostic Process
- #101, IPM and Plant Health Care
- #102, Diagnosing Plant Disorders
- #103, Worksheet: Reading Pesticide Labels
IPM & DIAGNOSTIC PROCESS SECTION [pdf]
110 – Diagnosing Tree Disorders
120 – Botany
- #120, References and Study Question: How Plants Grow
- #121, Horticultural Classification Terms
- #122, Taxonomic Classification
- #131, Plant Structures: Cells, Tissues and Structures
- #132, Plant Structures: Roots
- #133, Plant Structures: Stems
- #134, Plant Structures: Leaves
- #135, Plant Structures: Flowers
- #136, Plant Structures: Fruit
- #137, Plant Structures: Seeds
- #141, Plant Physiology: Photosynthesis, Respiration and Transpiration
- #142, Plant Growth Factors: Light
- #143, Plant Growth Factors: Temperature
- #144, Plant Growth Factors: Water
- #145, Plant Growth Factors: Plant Hormones
BOTANY SECTION [pdf]
170 – Identifying Trees and Shrubs
- #170, References and Review Questions: Identifying Trees and Shrubs
- #171, Identifying Trees and Shrubs
- #172, Identifying Conifers
- #173, Identifying Broadleaf Flowering Trees and Shrubs
- #177, Key to Identifying Common Landscape Trees of Colorado
210 – Soils Fertilizers and Soil Amendments
- #210, References and Review Questions: Soils, Fertilizers and Soil Amendments
- #211, Introduction to Soil
- #212, The Living Soil
- #213, Managing Soil Tilth
- #214, Estimating Soil Texture
- #215, Soil Compaction
- #218, Earthworms
- #219, Soil Drainage
- #221, Soil Tests
- #222, Soil pH
- #223, Iron Chlorosis
- #224, Saline Soils
- #231, Plant Nutrition
- #232, Understanding Fertilizers
- #233, Calculating Fertilizer Rates
- #234, Organic Fertilizers
- #241, Soil Amendments
- #242, Using Manure
- #243, Using Compost
- #244, Cover Crops and Green Manure Crops
- #245, Mulching with Wood/Bark Chips, Grass Clippings, and Rock
- #246, Making Compost,
- #251, Asking Effective Questions About Soils
SOILS, FERTILIZERS, & SOIL AMENDMENTS SECTION [pdf]
260 – Irrigation Management
- 260, Reference and Review Questions: Irrigation Management
- 261, Colorado’s Water Situation
- 262, Water Movement Through the Landscape
- 263, Understanding Irrigation Management Factors
- 264, Irrigation Equipment
- 265, Methods to Schedule Home Lawn Irrigation
- 266, Converting Inches to Minutes
- 267, Watering Efficiently
- 268, Worksheet: Home Lawn Irrigation Check-Up
IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT SECTION [pdf]
310 – Entomology and Identifying Insects
- #310, Identifying Insects: References and Study Questions
- #311, Taxonomy of Arthropods (Insects and Insect Relatives)
- #312, Insect Anatomy and Growth
- #313, Insect Orders
- #314, Key 1 – Common Garden Insects
- #315, Key 2 Insect Orders
ENTOMOLOGY SECTION [pdf]
330 – Plant Pathology
PLANT PLANTOLOGY SECTION [pdf]
350 – Weed Management
- #350, References and Study Questions: Weed Management
- #351, Weed Management
- #352, Weed Identification
- #353, Weeds Associated with Specific Environments and Cultural Conditions
- Additional Resources:
WEED MANAGEMENT SECTION [pdf]
410 – Water Wise Landscape Design
- #410, References and Review Questions: Water Wise Landscape Design
- #411, Water Wise Landscape Design: Design Steps
- #412, Water Wise Landscape Design: Selecting Turf Options
- #413, Water Wise Landscape Design: Design Principles
510 – Herbaceous Plants
- #510, References and Review Questions: Herbaceous Plants
- #511, Colorado Plant Ecosystems
- #512, Herbaceous Plants: Right Plant, Right Place
550 – Lawn Care – Turfgrass Management
- #550, Reference and Review Questions: Turfgrass Management
- #551, Basic Turf Management Principles
- #552, Broadleaf Weed Control in Lawns
- #553, Dog Urine Damage on Lawns: Causes, Cures, and Prevention
- #554, Earthworms and Nightcrawlers in the Home Lawn
- #561, Turfgrass Species Selection Guidelines
- #562, Best Turf Varieties
- #563, Hybrid (Kentucky X Texas) Bluegrass
- #564, Fine Fescues for Lawns
- #565, Buffalograss Lawns
- #566, Sources of Grass Seed, Sod, and Plugs for Colorado Lawns
LAWN CARE & TURFGRASS SECTION [pdf]
Additional Resources:
- Sprinkler Types for Lawn Irrigation
- Lawn Watering Guide
- Irrigation Audit
- Should you move over to clover?
580 – Native Plants
- #580, Study Questions: Native Plants
- #581, Native Grasses
- #582, Native Plant Reference
- #583. Sources of Colorado Native Plants
610 – Pruning
- #610, References and Study Questions: Pruning
- #611, Tree Growth and Decay
- #612, Pruning Cuts
- #613, Structural Training of Young Shade Trees
- #614, Structural Training Summary
- #615, Pruning Maturing Shade Trees
- #616, Pruning Flowering Shrubs
- #617, Pruning Evergreens
PRUNING SECTION [pdf]
630 – Tree Planting: Right Plant Right Place
- #630, References and Study Questions: Tree Planting
- #631, Tree Placement: Right Plant, Right Place
- #632, Tree Selection: Right Plant, Right Place
- #633, The Science of Planting Trees
- #634, Tree Staking and Underground Stabilization
- #635, Care of Recently Planted Trees
- #636, Tree Planting Steps
TREE PLANTING SECTION [pdf]
650 – Tree Care
- #651, Fertilizing Shade Trees
- #652, Tree Preservation: Preventing Construction Damage
- #653, Wrapping Trees for Winter
- #654, Staking Trees
- #655, Dealing with Leaves in the Landscape
- #656, Herbicide Use Around the Landscape
- #657, Watering Mature Trees
- #658, Mulching Trees
- #659, Understanding Tree Roots
TREE CARE SECTION [pdf]
710 – Vegetables & Herbs
- #710, References and Study Questions: Vegetables
- #711, Vegetable Garden: Soil Management and Fertilization
- #712, Sample Vegetable Garden Seed Catalogs
- #713, Block Style Layout in Raised Bed Vegetable Gardens
- #714, Irrigating the Vegetable Garden
- #715, Mulches for the Vegetable Garden
- #716, Water Conservation in the Vegetable Garden
- #717, Growing Tomatoes
- #718, Early Blight of Tomato
- #719, Vegetable Garden Hints
- #720, Vegetable Planting Guide –
- #721, Sample Planting Guide for Raised-Bed Garden
- #722, Frost Protection and Extending the Growing Season
- #723, Growing Vegetable in a Hobby Greenhouse
- #724, Vegetable Gardening in Containers
- #731, Herb Gardening
VEGETABLES SECTION [pdf]
740 – Climate Summaries & Frost Dates
- #741, Climate Summary: Boulder and Longmont
- #742, Climate Summary: Castle Rock, Littleton and Parker
- #743, Climate Summary: Colorado Springs
- #744, Climate Summary: Dillon
- #745, Climate Summary: Eagle and Glenwood Springs
- #746, Climate Summary: Fort Collins, Greeley and Estes Park
- #757, Climate Summary: Gilpin
- #747, Climate Summary: Gunnison
- #748, Climate Summary: Northeast Colorado
- #749, Climate Summary: Northwest Colorado
- #750, Climate Summary: Southwest Colorado
- #751, Climate Summary: Pueblo
- #752, Climate Summary: Salida and Buena Vista
- #753, Climate Summary: Norwood and Telluride
- #754, Climate Summary: San Luis Valley
- #755, Climate Summary: Canon City
- #756, Climate Summary and Planting Dates: Tri River Area
760 – Small Fruits
- #761, Growing Raspberries in the Home Garden
- #762, Growing Blackberries in the Home Garden
- #763, Growing Strawberries in the Home Garden
- #764, Growing Grapes in the Home Garden
- #760, Reference and Study Questions: Small Fruits
SMALL FRUITS SECTION [pdf]
770 – Tree Fruit
TREE FRUIT SECTION [pdf]
