Tag: denver

Roxborough State Park

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Last weekend I checked out another state park with friends.

Roxborough State Park is about an hour outside of Denver. We drove and arrived to discover a “20 minute wait” line of cars at the entrance, which isn’t surprising in the middle of the day in a Saturday with nice weather. I grumbled about Denver having too many people, then we read about the trail and had some snacks.

Fountain Valley Trail

We opted for the “moderate” 2.3 mile Fountain Valley Trail it was pretty easy with a few nice overlooks that featured views of the sandstone rock formations, and some historic structures.

View from Lyons Overlook

The weather was a perfect partly sunny, and I think we all agreed it would be rough in full sun and summer heat due to the lack of shade. It was a nice easy walk.

Flora and fauna

We did see a few deer, and wildflowers popping up (mostly these little light purple-pink ones).

Early wildflowers. Virginia springbeauty? (April 9)

Garden Week 2: seedlings and pollen bank

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Garden plants update

I started all of these seeds on March 17. On day 5 things started to get exciting! (This post running late)

Day 5: Signs of life for tomatoes, honeynut squash, zucchini, and cucumbers.
Day 8: Honeynut and tomatoes get up-potted

Garden plot update

I’m having trouble committing to a layout, but I do have some early volunteer plants from the plot’s previous owner. My best guess is that the green guys are garlic.

I started laying out a rough grid but didn’t want to go crazy because I assume it will be easier to plant and mulch without working around a grid.

Indecision town
Early volunteers

Premature plants update (started in January)

First cucumber blossom
Cucumber making itself at home

My one remaining cucumber plant popped out it’s first blossom this week. It appears to be a female flower with a teeny cucumber behind it, but I don’t have anything to compare it to. It’s also making itself right at home grabbing onto the shelves for stability.

This is my first season with cucumbers and I am delighted to report that cucumber seedlings and roots really do smell like cucumbers! Unexpected, but I guess of course they do.

This baby was evicted from the shelf for taking up too much space. She can try her luck at climbing.
Butternut squash
The greenest Zucchini plant
Pollen bank

Pollen can be hard to come by as squash blossoms usually bloom for about a day, and there has to be a male and female flower in bloom simultaneously for the fruit to get fertilized. As such, I’m using my indoor plants to bank pollen in the freezer. I’m not sure how effective it will be but it’s my backup plan.