By Dr. James R. Feucht, Extension Professor, Horticulture, Colorado State University
Less is more -- and better -- when water is involved. Cost increases, as well as shortages thanks to a low snow-pack, make water conservation a priority in 2002. With a few tricks, you can cut water consumption and still maintain a beautiful yard.
Check your sprinkler system. After danger of frost is past, turn it on, and observe where the water goes. Adjust sprinkler heads to point water where it is needed. In some cases, a different type of head may be in order. Most sprinkler systems are designed to water a lawn, but often they overlap and irrigate shrubs, trees and flower gardens that need less frequent watering. You may need to change entire portions of your sprinkler system to gain control over location and frequency of watering.
North exposure lawns do not need as much water as south or west exposures. Change your sprinkler system to occasionally skip waterings on north exposures, and to provide more water to sunny areas.
Most systems sprinkle in a circle or semi-circle pattern. Change your lawn to fit the sprinklers. Do away with corners that often are skipped. In place of lawn, consider ground covers that, once established, require little or no water. Creeping junipers, sedums and the old-fashioned hen-n-chicks do the job well.
Avoid large areas of gravel and plastic. While this method decreases lawn, it does not necessarily reduce water consumption. Light-colored gravel reflects a lot of heat and can create a microclimate resulting in greater water loss from the surrounding lawn. Black plastic over shrubs and trees creates oxygen starvation, causing these plants to develop shallow roots just beneath the plastic. After a few years, even drought-enduring trees such as Russian-olive develop shallow roots and lose their drought-tolerance. Plastic and gravel, therefore, are self-defeating. The new "breathable" fabrics are a better choice.
Wood chips or bark chunks, used without plastic or fabric, make a good mulch. These decorative materials allow air and water penetration, yet keep the soil cool. Heavier bark chunks are best in strong wind areas. Light weight wood chips will blow. Apply these mulches at least four inches deep to conserve water, as well as to discourage moisture loss and weeds. Over a period of time, materials closest to the soil will begin to break down to improve the soil. Add new chips after a few years.
Use drought-tolerant plants to reduce water consumption. Keep them separate from lawn and other plants that require more water. Design a succulent garden. Desert plants and nearly all succulents must have sandy, well-drained soils, of which there are few in Colorado.
With some effort you can convert your soil. Put three inches of coarse sand on top and incorporate it with a rototiller. Repeat using one inch of organic material such as aged barnyard manure or peat moss. This provides a well-drained top soil six to nine inches deep. Along with cacti and other succulents, consider gazania for a splash of color. This low-growing, drought-tolerant plant grows readily from seed and produces large showy flowers. Another choice is Cape Marigold, often called African daisy. This almost forgotten annual comes in a variety of colors including yellow, apricot and white. A variety of sedums or stonecrops also will produce interesting foliage, texture and color changes. Dragon's blood is one of the most popular. It produces a rose-red flower during the summer months.
Before you water, dig down and find out if the soil is dry. Don't gauge water needs on soil surface appearance. In this semi-arid climate, the surface dries quickly, but evaporation slows beneath. This is because dry soils tend to insulate, acting much as mulch. This insulation reduces heat conduction deep into the soil.
Black organic soil also is desirable, but it builds up heat and can be a water waster. Dark soils absorb heat and can need water as frequently as light-colored soils. The type of organic material makes a difference. Many mountain peats create a water problem. When they're dry, they are difficult to wet and they repel water. When they are wet, they are difficult to dry. The best organics to improve water-holding capacity are coarse materials such as compost and barnyard manures.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Bennett Watkins Lions Club
The Bennett Watkins Lions Club meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 7pm at the Bennett Community Center located at 1100 E Colfax. For more information contact themolers@aol.com Delbert Moler, President.
Deer Trail History
The Deer Trail community boasts of many colorful characters that have visited. There were early cattlemen and cowboys who dreamed of covering the vast area with cattle where the buf- falo were roaming. Then along came the sheep ranchers to the open prairies. Stagecoaches and prairie schooners traveled over one trail and camped where Deer Trail now stands. The Union Pacific Railway came to town and in 1875 the Town of Deer Trail was platted and surveyed. This now made Deer Trail a large shipping center for all of the livestock and farm products to eastern markets.
On July 4, 1869, local ranch cowboys were gathered when someone decided to wager a bet about who was the best cowboy and the sport of Rodeo was born. Rodeo continues to be a large draw for folks who attend the Labor Day weekend rodeo each year at the “Birthplace of Rodeo”. Over the past 100 years many improvements and changes have been made to the Deer Trail Rodeo grounds, but it still remains the home of one of the best rodeos to be found.
Deer Trail has suffered many adversities to hinder its growth. Severe snowstorms in 1876, 1885, 1902, 1910, 1913, 1946 and the winter of 1972 - 73 will go down in history for their record snow fall and loss of livestock. A flood ravaged the town in the mid 1960’s and destroyed many of the local landmarks. Drought is always another factor that limits the growth of a community that relies heavily on farming and ranching. Today you can find relics of Deer Trail’s past at the Pioneer Historical museum located at the north end of Centennial Park.
On July 4, 1869, local ranch cowboys were gathered when someone decided to wager a bet about who was the best cowboy and the sport of Rodeo was born. Rodeo continues to be a large draw for folks who attend the Labor Day weekend rodeo each year at the “Birthplace of Rodeo”. Over the past 100 years many improvements and changes have been made to the Deer Trail Rodeo grounds, but it still remains the home of one of the best rodeos to be found.
Deer Trail has suffered many adversities to hinder its growth. Severe snowstorms in 1876, 1885, 1902, 1910, 1913, 1946 and the winter of 1972 - 73 will go down in history for their record snow fall and loss of livestock. A flood ravaged the town in the mid 1960’s and destroyed many of the local landmarks. Drought is always another factor that limits the growth of a community that relies heavily on farming and ranching. Today you can find relics of Deer Trail’s past at the Pioneer Historical museum located at the north end of Centennial Park.
Byers History
The town of Bijou was founded in 1866 by pioneer scout Oliver P. Wiggins. Upon completion of the railroad through Bijou in 1870 the town was renamed Byers, after William N. Byers, who was owner and editor of the Rocky Mountain News.
In 1989 the community of Byers celebrated the 100th anniversary of the town's platting.
In 1989 the community of Byers celebrated the 100th anniversary of the town's platting.
Strasburg History
On August 15, 1870, the rails were joined at Comanche Crossing to form the nation’s first continuous chain of railways from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Five years later a rail siding was installed and the settlement was renamed Strasburg in honor of burly John Strasburg, the section foreman responsible for the project. The much touted ‘joining of the rails’ at Promontory, Utah, on May 10, 1869, did not, in fact, join the two coasts because the railway only went as far as Sacramento on the west and cargo was ferried across the Missouri River at Omaha until 1872.
From 1875 until 1907, the Strasburg site saw little activity, except for the occasional cowboy or settler who would flag down a train from there. Commerce went to Byers or Bennett, since business houses had already been established. But it 1907, that changed when Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Weaver moved to the east end of their homestead, close to the site and build a large two story building, which remains standing at 1407 Main St. The structure became the local gathering place as well as post office, general store and social hall for the area. Families bought everything from kerosene to pickles there. Purchases were weighed, measured and sacked to order. Clothing was also available and customers would often find a sack of candy tucked in with their goods for the children.
By 1915, the boom period brought new settlers daily. The previous depot agent, Glen Huston, in partnership with a Mrs. Harrington erected a large two-store hotel. The building was typical of western hotels with a generous awning providing shade, gas light, and rooms for rent on the upper floor. The ground floor housed a grocery, barber shop and dining room. This structure stands today as the historic Strasburg Inn.
When the new state of the art railway depot was finished in 1917, four passenger trains stopped at Strasburg daily. The town had become a growing, bustling center with a rich heritage.
Hometown Days, in mid-August, is Strasburg’s annual celebration.
From 1875 until 1907, the Strasburg site saw little activity, except for the occasional cowboy or settler who would flag down a train from there. Commerce went to Byers or Bennett, since business houses had already been established. But it 1907, that changed when Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Weaver moved to the east end of their homestead, close to the site and build a large two story building, which remains standing at 1407 Main St. The structure became the local gathering place as well as post office, general store and social hall for the area. Families bought everything from kerosene to pickles there. Purchases were weighed, measured and sacked to order. Clothing was also available and customers would often find a sack of candy tucked in with their goods for the children.
By 1915, the boom period brought new settlers daily. The previous depot agent, Glen Huston, in partnership with a Mrs. Harrington erected a large two-store hotel. The building was typical of western hotels with a generous awning providing shade, gas light, and rooms for rent on the upper floor. The ground floor housed a grocery, barber shop and dining room. This structure stands today as the historic Strasburg Inn.
When the new state of the art railway depot was finished in 1917, four passenger trains stopped at Strasburg daily. The town had become a growing, bustling center with a rich heritage.
Hometown Days, in mid-August, is Strasburg’s annual celebration.
Bennett History
Many of us have read or heard that the town of Bennett got its name from two sisters who were the wives of two train engineers killed when a flood washed out the Bennett bridge and washed away the train on which their husbands were working. But is that really where the name originated? And how did the town begin and develop?
Our local historical society has done a great deal of research to dig into these questions and provide us with the origins of our town. Documents from the Bureau of Land Management show that four Bennet brothers (Hiram, John, Uriah and one un-named brother) filed homestead papers in 1862 for two sections (34 and 24) now in the town of Bennett. These two sections were adjacent diagonally on the north and south to the current location of the Post Office in Bennett and, together with other sections homesteaded by the Bennet brothers, formed the Bennet Ranch.
One of these brothers, Hiram Pitt Bennet, was a respected judge in the early territory of Colorado. Mr. Bennet was elected the first Territorial Representative for Colorado in 1862 and was instrumental in obtaining statehood for Colorado, having introduced the first bill on statehood in 1863. Though the first bill did not make it out of committee, Colorado achieved statehood four years later in 1867. Mr. H. P. Bennet went on to become the third Postmaster of Denver in 1869 and began developing a method of delivering mail to all the new pioneer people in rural areas. Documents from the U. S. Post Office Department show that the Bennet Post Office was approved by the government in the Spring of 1877 and located on Section 26 in the middle of the Bennet Ranch. Through the years the English name of Bennet was Americanized to Bennett, first noted in railroad records; thus the town name evolved from the old Bennet Ranch.
The town of Bennett was not incorporated until 1929, but long before that time, the family that originally homesteaded the town and for whom the town was named were leaders in the development of the state of Colorado and in forging communications for the original settlers of the area.
Our local historical society has done a great deal of research to dig into these questions and provide us with the origins of our town. Documents from the Bureau of Land Management show that four Bennet brothers (Hiram, John, Uriah and one un-named brother) filed homestead papers in 1862 for two sections (34 and 24) now in the town of Bennett. These two sections were adjacent diagonally on the north and south to the current location of the Post Office in Bennett and, together with other sections homesteaded by the Bennet brothers, formed the Bennet Ranch.
One of these brothers, Hiram Pitt Bennet, was a respected judge in the early territory of Colorado. Mr. Bennet was elected the first Territorial Representative for Colorado in 1862 and was instrumental in obtaining statehood for Colorado, having introduced the first bill on statehood in 1863. Though the first bill did not make it out of committee, Colorado achieved statehood four years later in 1867. Mr. H. P. Bennet went on to become the third Postmaster of Denver in 1869 and began developing a method of delivering mail to all the new pioneer people in rural areas. Documents from the U. S. Post Office Department show that the Bennet Post Office was approved by the government in the Spring of 1877 and located on Section 26 in the middle of the Bennet Ranch. Through the years the English name of Bennet was Americanized to Bennett, first noted in railroad records; thus the town name evolved from the old Bennet Ranch.
The town of Bennett was not incorporated until 1929, but long before that time, the family that originally homesteaded the town and for whom the town was named were leaders in the development of the state of Colorado and in forging communications for the original settlers of the area.
Watkins History
In 1859 the Overland Stage Line built the New Fort Morgan Cut-off and at the east side of Box Elder Creek a stage station was erected. It was called Box Elder #2 and makes it one of the oldest settlements in the territory. Though smaller than the towns further east, it has played an important role in the development of a wide area. There has been a continuous settlement since the stage station was established there. During 1863 a telegraph line was built along the stage route. After the Hungate Massacre in 1864 most of the stage stations from Julesburg to Watkins were burned, and rebuilt, including Box Elder. In 1865 the North Smoky Hill Trail from Kansas was established from the south at Box Elder and merged with the Cut-Off trails making it a central location on the trail to Denver. In 1870 the town was re-named Watkins after a local rancher, Lawrence A. Watkins. Mr. Watkins owned a mercantile and a bank as well as other businesses and was a friend to everyone.
The first Post Office was established January 3, 1878, in the Trout's general store, livery stable and hotel. The old store was the last building to stand and it housed the post office for many years. In 1965 the Post Office was then moved to the south side of Highway #36 and in 1968 it was moved to the north end of the Tomahawk Truck Stop Complex. Now there is a new Post Office east of town which serves 1900 residents.
In 1937 Lula Winchell moved to Watkins and was responsible for bringing electricity and telephones into Watkins. Also in 1947 Walter Staack moved a portion of the Twelve Mile Stage Stop building to Watkins to be used for a liquor store. A historical mural is now on the east side of the liquor store and is recorded in the Parker Historical Society.
Watkins's School District #33 was in Arapahoe County and the school was built in 1901. Adams County School District #52 was assigned to the north side of Watkins and a brick school was built after the frame building was burned down. Both schools were vacated after consolidation of school districts in 1952.
In 1974 the Denver Regional Council of Government adopted a plan which included the site just outside of Watkins for the Front Range Airport and in 2001 the St Isidore -The Farmer-Catholic Church was completed on Colfax Frontage Road just South of I-70 Highway and in west Watkins.
The first Incorporation of Watkins was in 1888 but no formal government was formed. When the Adams County Courthouse burned down in 1904, the paperwork was destroyed. It was not successfully incorporated again until June 8, 2004.
The first Post Office was established January 3, 1878, in the Trout's general store, livery stable and hotel. The old store was the last building to stand and it housed the post office for many years. In 1965 the Post Office was then moved to the south side of Highway #36 and in 1968 it was moved to the north end of the Tomahawk Truck Stop Complex. Now there is a new Post Office east of town which serves 1900 residents.
In 1937 Lula Winchell moved to Watkins and was responsible for bringing electricity and telephones into Watkins. Also in 1947 Walter Staack moved a portion of the Twelve Mile Stage Stop building to Watkins to be used for a liquor store. A historical mural is now on the east side of the liquor store and is recorded in the Parker Historical Society.
Watkins's School District #33 was in Arapahoe County and the school was built in 1901. Adams County School District #52 was assigned to the north side of Watkins and a brick school was built after the frame building was burned down. Both schools were vacated after consolidation of school districts in 1952.
In 1974 the Denver Regional Council of Government adopted a plan which included the site just outside of Watkins for the Front Range Airport and in 2001 the St Isidore -The Farmer-Catholic Church was completed on Colfax Frontage Road just South of I-70 Highway and in west Watkins.
The first Incorporation of Watkins was in 1888 but no formal government was formed. When the Adams County Courthouse burned down in 1904, the paperwork was destroyed. It was not successfully incorporated again until June 8, 2004.
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