July 2026 E-Magazine

Petrichor. We had a few rumbles of thunder and a very light rain here last night, but it was enough to notice that relaxing, earthy scent that accompanies the release of aromatic compounds when moisture hits dry soil and rocks. The term for this is petrichor and research shows that it calms the nervous system and stimulates the limbic system, triggering memories and a feeling of peacefulness. No wonder we have an urge to go (or stay) outside when it rains, or at least fling open the windows. If you happen to be gardening when it rains, you’ll get a double dose since Mycobacterium vaccae, a bacterium found in soil, has been shown to trigger the release of serotonin, which reduces anxiety and improves our mood. Just sayin’.

From Rob Proctor's Garden

Summer is here, the rabbits have rebounded, and the swing chair in the shade by the veggie garden is a most pleasant place to hang out. I made it to some inspiring gardens in June, including the northern Colorado tour of members’ gardens in the local chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society (RMCNARGS) and the Colorado Cactus & Succulent Society (CCSS). I’ve said it many times before & I’ll say it again, joining one of these clubs is entirely worth it. You meet interesting, generous, passionate gardeners and learn a lot about the many plants and methods that work in our climate. I also visited gardens on the Lafayette tour as well as Rob Proctor’s exuberant Denver garden for his “final, final” garden tour.

Clockwise from top left: Front Range Beardtongue near Fort Collins, two photos of the Front Range Wild Ones Native Plant Swap at a member's house in Washington Park's Polinator Corridor, and two photos of the RMU-HSA Herb Garden at Hudson gardens in Littleton.

Our web designer, Idelle Fisher, has been taking photos of wildflowers in the mountains, and attending various garden tours and events, including a Front Range Wild Ones Member Plant Swap and hosting “Meet the Herb Gardener” at Hudson Gardens with others members of the Rocky Mountain Unit of the Herb Society of America (RMU-HSA)while also weeding and planting annual herbs there. There will be three more Meet the Herb Gardener events there this summer on Wednesdays, July 15, August 15 & September 16.

This month I’m including an article that the late David Salman, horticulturist extraordinaire and founder of High Country Gardens, wrote for us several years ago on “Gardening with Hummingbirds: Planting Natural Nectar”, plus a piece by entertaining and erudite entomologist Eric R Eaton (“Bug Eric”) on “The Sting of Summer”. Eric’s latest book is Bugwatching: The Art, Joy, and Importance of Observing Insects.  Look for an excerpt in an upcoming e-magazine.

Keith Funk discusses organic-based vs natural fertilizers, Hackberry “pimples”, Hollyhock weevils, and debunks a persistent watering myth in his  Q&A.

Keep calm & cool,

- Jane Shellenberger