{"id":8022,"date":"2026-10-07T16:01:47","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T22:01:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/?p=8022"},"modified":"2026-10-07T16:23:19","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T22:23:19","slug":"master-gardener-newsletter-fall-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/2026\/10\/07\/master-gardener-newsletter-fall-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Master Gardener Newsletter &#8211; Fall 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Master Gardener Newsletter &#8211; Fall 2026<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<nav class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links  alignfull\"><div class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__outer-container\"><div class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__container\"><span class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__label\">Quick Links:<\/span><div class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__links-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__links\"><li class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__item\"><a href=\"#Mountain-Pine-Beetle\" class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__link\">Mountain Pine Beetle<\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__item\"><a href=\"#Praying-Mantises\" class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__link\">Praying Mantises<\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__item\"><a href=\"#Gayfeather\" class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__link\">Gayfeather<\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__item\"><a href=\"#Ripening-Produce\" class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__link\">Ripening Produce<\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__item\"><a href=\"#Fall-Perennials\" class=\"wp-block-csu-quick-section-links__link\">Fall Perennials<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/nav>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ed6f83e4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<h2 id=\"Mountain-Pine-Beetle\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-heading-3-font-size\">Now is the Time to Inspect for Mountain Pine Beetle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"302\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/MPB_Adult.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"mountain pine beetle\" class=\"wp-image-8025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/MPB_Adult.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/MPB_Adult.jpg?resize=300,89 300w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/MPB_Adult.jpg?resize=768,227 768w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/MPB_Adult.jpg?resize=1024,302 1024w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/MPB_Adult.jpg?resize=1400,413 1400w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/MPB_Adult.jpg?resize=600,177 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What to look for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pitch tubes in trunk<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tunnels under bark<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Woodpecker damage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mitigation includes: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Remove dead and dying trees.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prevent spread of beetles with solar treatment by cutting wood into short logs, laying it out in a single layer, soaking thoroughly, and covering with plastic.&nbsp;The heat should kill the pests.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Deterrents include pheromone packets like Verbenone.&nbsp;Plan to order in late winter\/early spring to apply before beetles fly in early June. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are also many companies offering preventative insecticide sprays.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check the resources below for more information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-quicklink\"><a tabindex=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/resource\/mountain-pine-beetle\/\"><strong>Mountain Pine Beetle Fact Sheet &#8211; CSU Extension<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-quicklink\"><a tabindex=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/csfs.colostate.edu\/2022\/10\/12\/landowners-urged-to-inspect-trees-for-mountain-pine-beetle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Landowners Urged to Inspect Trees for Mountain Pine Beetle &#8211; CSFS<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-quicklink\"><a tabindex=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/csfs.colostate.edu\/forest-management\/common-forest-insects-diseases\/mountain-pine-beetle\/management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Mountain Pine Beetle Management Options &#8211; CSFS<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"Praying-Mantises\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-heading-3-font-size\">Praying Mantises<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"518\" height=\"412\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/Mantis.jpg?w=518\" alt=\"Praying mantis\" class=\"wp-image-8049\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/Mantis.jpg 518w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/Mantis.jpg?resize=300,239 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 518px) 100vw, 518px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Native ground mantids are only 1.5 inches long and brown. A popular introduced species is the European mantis.&nbsp;These are 3-4 inches long and bright green or brown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They can be considered a \u201cgood bug\u201d to have in gardens because they eat pests.&nbsp;However, mantids eat all other bugs, good or bad, including each other.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can find them on tall grass or climbing warm, south-facing walls. They have wings and fly short distances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The egg cases of the European mantises protect the eggs from the cold, and nymphs hatch in the spring.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check the resources below for more information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-quicklink\"><a tabindex=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/resource\/mantids-of-colorado\/\"><strong>Mantids of Colorado &#8211; CSU Extension<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-quicklink\"><a tabindex=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.colorado.edu\/cumuseum\/2020\/12\/09\/european-mantis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>European Mantis &#8211; Colorado Museum of Natural History  <\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"Gayfeather\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-heading-3-font-size\">Liatris punctata &#8211; Gayfeather<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"825\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/Liatris-punctata-USDA.png\" alt=\"Liatris punctata flower\" class=\"wp-image-8023\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/Liatris-punctata-USDA.png 640w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/Liatris-punctata-USDA.png?resize=233,300 233w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/Liatris-punctata-USDA.png?resize=600,773 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Photo credit: Alan Shadow (via USDA Plants Database)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A lovely native wildflower, Grayfeather very prolific right now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Shades of purple<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rocky or sandy soil<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>About a foot tall<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Deer resistant<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Attracts pollinators<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Xeric in our EC meadows<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Several other species in CO, but different habitats<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-quicklink\"><a tabindex=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/coloradoplants.jeffco.us\/plant\/details\/543\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>GAYFEATHER (<em>Liatris punctata<\/em>) &#8211; Colorado Plant Database<\/strong>  <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"Ripening-Produce\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-heading-3-font-size\">Ripening Produce<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"426\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/Tomato-On-Vine-crop.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Tomato on Vine\" class=\"wp-image-8026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/Tomato-On-Vine-crop.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/Tomato-On-Vine-crop.jpg?resize=300,125 300w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/Tomato-On-Vine-crop.jpg?resize=768,319 768w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/Tomato-On-Vine-crop.jpg?resize=1024,426 1024w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/Tomato-On-Vine-crop.jpg?resize=1536,638 1536w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/Tomato-On-Vine-crop.jpg?resize=1400,582 1400w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/Tomato-On-Vine-crop.jpg?resize=600,249 600w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/Tomato-On-Vine-crop.jpg?resize=1568,652 1568w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the threat of cold weather looms, there are things we can do to get the most out of our garden before winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prune branches with small or no fruit and cut off any small blossoms to redirect energy to fruiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remove excess leaves to let light hit fruit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cut back water as days grow shorter and cooler to spur ripening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep warm overnight. Use row covers to keep ambient temperatures over 50 degrees.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-quicklink\"><a tabindex=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/resource\/ripening-tomatoes-indoors\/\"><strong>Ripening Tomatoes Indoors &#8211; CSU Extension<\/strong>  <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"Fall-Perennials\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-heading-3-font-size\">Planting Perennials in Fall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">End of season bargains on perennials, trees and bushes abound right now.&nbsp; Fall is a good time to plant them, before the end of October, when plants have an opportunity to establish some roots before a hard frost.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check the resources below for more information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-quicklink\"><a tabindex=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/planttalk.colostate.edu\/topics\/trees-shrubs-vines\/1707-fall-planting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Fall Planting <strong>&#8211; Plant Talk<\/strong><\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-quicklink\"><a tabindex=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/planttalk.colostate.edu\/topics\/annuals-perennials\/1020-perennials-winterizing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Perennials: Winterizing &#8211; Plant Talk  <\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-quicklink\"><a tabindex=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/resource\/herbaceous-perennials\/\"><strong>Herbaceous Perennials &#8211; CSU Extension      <\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Master Gardener Newsletter &#8211; Fall 2026 Now is the Time to Inspect for Mountain Pine Beetle What to look for: Mitigation includes: Deterrents include pheromone packets like&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":8023,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"class_list":["post-8022","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","pp_force_visibility":null,"pp_subpost_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_force_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_subpost_visibility":null,"pp_post_mime_type":"","acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/10\/Liatris-punctata-USDA.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8022","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8022"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8022\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8050,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8022\/revisions\/8050"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8023"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/elbert\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8022"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}