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Colorado Gardening Calendar for July

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July is one of the best months for enjoying the beauty of your garden.

Much of the preparing and planting work completed in prior months will have paid off at this point, and it’s wonderful to see, and taste, the results!

Because July is typically hot and dry, this is a good month to make sure your garden is getting the right amount of water and to remain observant for pest or disease problems.

A GARDENER’S YARD AND GARDEN CHECKLIST FOR JULY

Mark your calendar to get these gardening to-do’s done in your yard and garden this month:

VEGETABLE GARDEN

  • Harvest your veggies, fruits, and herbs as they become ripe. Enjoy them now or find a way to preserve them for later.

  • Wondering what is going on with your tomatoes? July in Colorado can be a challenging month for them environmentally, with our wide temperature ranges and winds that prevent pollination. Some suggestions for protecting your tomatoes from these tough conditions are available in the Plant Talk article on Tomato Questions Abound in the Heat.

  • Late July and early August are the times to plant fall season vegetables such as peas, broccoli, and kale, so they’ll have time to mature before the first frost. The average first frost is mid-October for the Denver area, but can vary by several weeks from year to year. Advice on checking the germination times on the seed packet, and much more is found on this guide to planting these cool season crops.

TREES AND SHRUBS

  • Tree and shrubs need to receive adequate water to prevent leaf scorch, that occurs when dry winds remove moisture from plants faster than their roots can absorb.

  • Trim back perennial shrubs when they finish flowering to help them bloom next year on this season’s growth.

  • Avoid trimming trees when they are water stressed by hot and dry conditions – they need to conserve all the energy they can this time of year.

LAWN CARE

  • While an established lawn should be watered deeply and as infrequently as possible, with high temperatures, a lawn may need as much as 2.5 inches of water or more per week. It’s also important to check your sprinklers for even coverage. The most common cause of brown and bare spots in the turf is water not reaching the area.

  • Are Japanese Beetles making an appearance in your neighborhood? Unfortunately, you’ll most likely notice when they do! The adults will start to appear around June, and are most active July through early August. During this time, the female adults lay their eggs in grassy areas, which then hatch and the grubs (larvae) start to feed on nearby roots. Make sure to mow your lawn high, which encourages strong root growth, and let the soil dry out a bit to help reduce the amount of turf damage from these insect pests. Japanese beetles can’t be eliminated entirely; however, there are a variety of ways to manage their presence.

PERENNIAL FLOWER BEDS

  • Dead-heading, which is removing spent and fading blooms, will help prevent spreading and re-seeding of perennials, if that’s not desired, and will encourage further blooming.

  • Keep pulling those weeds! Weeds that are not left to go to seed will help prevent more weeds later, saving you time and effort down the road.

  • Refresh mulch as needed, to a depth of about 4 inches, to help retain moisture in the soil and prevent weeds.

  • Plants that have grown tall and leggy may need to be supported, and cages or stakes are a good option.

ANNUAL FLOWER BEDS

  • Check the soil moisture in pots and hanging baskets frequently, as they will dry out quickly in the summer heat and wind.

  • Clear and thin out plants that are fading, and make room for planting fall annuals.

  • Dead-head to encourage growth of new blooms.

OTHER PROJECTS

Take a look around your garden for empty spots and bare areas that could be filled in later. Also make note of any plants that are weak, dying, and will need to be replaced. This is a perfect time to make a plan ahead for a fall, a great season to divide, add, and replace perennials and shrubs before winter.

NEED MORE GARDENING TIPS?

Please visit the CSU Extension Yard and Garden website for more seasonal gardening tips.

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Colorado Springs Real Estate Market Report from June 2022

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4th of July Fireworks + Festivities Around Colorado

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From fireworks to parades, communities across Colorado are preparing to celebrate the Fourth of July this weekend.

Read on for a list of weekend celebrations, and keep in mind that all events are weather permitting and may change. Additionally, many cities are forgoing fireworks this year due to fire danger. However, the festivities live on!

All of the following events are free, all-ages, open to the public and weather-permitting, unless otherwise noted. As a rule of thumb, be sure to leave your pets, booze, drones and weapons at home, and don’t forget to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Also keep a mask handy for free shuttles, bathrooms and other indoor areas.

Arvada

Independence Day fireworks return to Stenger Sports Complex (entry at West 58th Avenue and Oak Street) on Monday, July 4, once again minus any refreshments or performances. Gates open at 7 p.m. and West 58th Avenue will shut down to traffic beginning at 8 p.m. Handicapped parking is available in Stenger’s northeast lot. arvadafestivals.com

Aurora

The Aurora Municipal Center will host the city’s Fourth of July Spectacular display, which takes place around 9:30 p.m. from Bicentennial Park on July 4. Returning, after taking last year off, are food trucks and nearly four hours of live music. The fireworks display lasts 30 minutes. 15151 E. Alameda Parkway. auroragov.org

Berthoud

Berthoud’s Third of July festival will take place 4-8 p.m. on Sunday, July 3, at the new Berthoud Recreation Center. Live music, inflatables slides, a beer garden, face painting, lawn games and more, with fireworks at 9 p.m. 1000 Berthoud Parkway. berthoud.org

Brighton

The city of Brighton’s Fourth of July celebration takes over Carmichael Park, 650 E. Southern St., starting at 5 p.m. on July 4. The evening will feature live entertainment, with DJ Tidal Wave and Sisters of Rock, as well as food, kid’s entertainment and more. The fireworks display will follow at the end of the live performances. brightonco.gov

The sprawling Stars & Stripes event also return the day before that, on Sunday, July 3, from 4-10 p.m. at Riverdale Regional Park, 9755 Henderson Rd. in Brighton. Food and beer vendors will begin serving at 4 p.m., with live entertainment at 6 p.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. riverdaleregionalpark.org

Broomfield

Broomfield’s Great American Picnic kicks off at 5 p.m. July 4 in Broomfield County Commons Park, 13200 Sheridan Blvd., and includes a beer garden, children’s carnival (with separate tickets) and the 16th annual, all-ages bike parade. Kids are required to wear a helmet, so be sure to bring one if you’re riding. Live music starting at 6 p.m. will lead into 9:30 fireworks. Limited parking on-site and additional parking available at Legacy High School, with shuttles available from 5 to 11 p.m. broomfield.org/greatamericanpicnic

Castle Rock

CANCELED: Castle Rock’s 9:30 p.m. fireworks show is centered on the top of Santa Fe Quarry butte, above Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course, at an elevation of about 6,700 feet, which should make for great viewing nearly anywhere in town during the 15-minute show on July 4. Red Hawk Golf course will offer food and drink for purchase in its parking lot, 2156 Red Hawk Ridge Drive. crgov.com/2658/fireworks-in-castle-rock

Commerce City

This the 25th year for the Colorado Rapids’ popular 4thFest Celebration at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Billed as the state’s largest display, the free, family-friendly event on July 4 opens before that day’s game against the Austin FC with an impressive array of family-friendly activities and entertainment. The soccer game at 7:30 p.m. costs money, but fireworks can be seen all around the stadium at 6000 Victory Way.

New this year: a Block Party with a live DJ, drinks and more, as well as bike parking in the Burgundy Bike Lot, on the east side of the stadium between Gates B and C. Hours: 5-9 p.m. Parking lots are limited, and RTD bus and rail travel is encouraged. coloradorapids.com/4thfest

Denver

Downtown residents can celebrate the return of Civic Center‘s traditional Independence Eve, which has been sorely missed during its pandemic-era postponement. The Sunday, July 3, event includes live music from Colorado Symphony and other local artists, a light show on the City and Country Building, and fireworks around 9:15. Gates at 4 p.m. and music at 6 p.m., with food trucks on-site. 101 E. 14th Ave. denver.org

Get a jump on displays with the Friday, July 1, show from Denver Municipal Band, with a picnic starting at 6 p.m. and the live musical performance at 7 p.m. in Cranmer Park, followed by fireworks. 4501 E. 1st Ave. denvermunicipalband.org

Coors Field will launch fireworks on Friday, July 1, and Saturday, July 2, following the nighttime Colorado Rockies games against the Arizona Diamondbacks (they’ll be fighting the Dodgers in L.A. on July 4). Best-view seats are obviously inside the stadium, but hanging out around Lower Downtown or adjacent urban neighborhoods never hurts. 2001 Blake St. mlb.com/rockies/tickets/specials/fireworks

Englewood

Englewood’s family-friendly July 4 event, starting at 5 p.m., spans Belleview and Cornerstone parks in conjunction with the cities of Littleton and Sheridan, Arapahoe County and South Suburban Parks & Recreation. It will feature kids’ activities and food trucks, although this week organizers said they were pulling the planned fireworks for safety reasons. englewoodco.gov/fourthofjuly

Erie

This year’s fireworks display takes place at Erie Community Park (450 Powers St.) on Sunday, July 3, with the fireworks launched from the rooftop of the Erie Community Center at 9:30 p.m. Limited parking is also available there starting at 7 p.m. Food trucks and vendors will be on site. erieco.gov

Firestone

The 20th annual Fourth at Firestone is back on July 4 with another parade and family friendly activities at Miners Park — including booth vendors and food trucks — through 3 p.m. At 5 p.m., Miners reopens with live music, a beer garden, and more food trucks, followed by the 9:30 p.m. fireworks display. firestoneco.gov

Glendale

This early Independence Day celebration takes place on July 1 at Infinity Park, having jumped locations due to Creekside Park’s closure. Viewers can sit inside the stadium, in the stands or on the field, or on the turf field to the south of the stadium to view fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Movie shorts and videos will preface the display on the big screen and food trucks will be on site. glendale.co.us

Golden

Lions Park Ballfields are the site of Golden’s annual July 4 — with no fireworks this year, given its foothills location and fire dangers. The Golden Lions Club festival, starting at noon, leads up to the display with live music, food trucks, beer (Coors, naturally) and wine, 1300 10th St. visitgolden.com

Highlands Ranch

The celebration begins with a 8:45 a.m. family bike-and-pet parade, followed by a 9 a.m. community parade. See the city website for street closures and the parade route, which begins at 9285 Hepburn St. The 9:30 p.m.-10 fireworks display is back in Highland Heritage Regional Park, 9651 S. Quebec St, after a pandemic-era break. hrcaonline.org

Lafayette

After a year off, Lafayette’s celebration will feature 4-10 p.m. festivities at Waneka Lake Park, 1600 Caria Drive, including food, adult drinks, kid’s activities like face painting and bounce houses, live music, and the fireworks at dusk. business.lafayettecolorado.com

Lakewood

Big Boom Bash and its fireworks-only programming was this week canceled, having been initially planned as a display over Jeffco Stadium on Saturday. lakewood.org/bigboombash

Littleton

Will Red, White & You finally return to Clement Park this year? Foothills Parks & Recreation says yes, but details have yet to arrive for the Friday, July 1, fireworks display and/or programming. The rain or shine event is scheduled to run 5-10 p.m. at 7306 W. Bowles Ave. Check ifoothills.org/events/red-white-and-you for updates.

Lone Tree

Lone Tree Elementary and Prairie Sky Park will host a full slate of activities on July 4, starting with the 9 a.m. Family Fun Ride and Stroll, followed by the Family Fun Park through 1 p.m. (free, but reservations are required). At 5 p.m., Party in the Park kicks off with DJs, live brass-funk and “roaming entertainment.” 9381 Crossington Way. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. cityoflonetree.com/cityevents/july4

Longmont

Longmont’s display is back at Fox Hill Country Club, 1400 CO-19 in Longmont, with food trucks opening at 5:30 p.m., Hazel Miller performing at 7 p.m., and the Skyline Kiwanis fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. Organizers also suggest nearby viewing areas such as Sandstone Ranch, Clark Centennial Park, Stephen Day Park and Jim Hamm Nature Area. longmontcolorado.gov

Louisville

Coal Creek Golf Course at 585 W. Dillon Road is open again for 2022’s July 4 display with free hot dogs and sausages beginning at 6 p.m. (while supplies last), bounce houses, face painting, and patriotic music from the Boulder Concert Band. Fireworks start at 9:45 p.m., and free shuttles are available at the King Soopers at 1375 E. South Boulder Road. louisvilleco.gov

Loveland

Loveland’s July 4 Festival and Fireworks will take over North Lake Park, 2750 N. Taft Ave., from 2-10 p.m. July 4. Look for kids games and entertainment, vendors and food trucks, summer-game competitions (cornhole, etc.), a beer garden, and fireworks at 9:17 p.m. lovgov.org

Northglenn

After a pause, Northglenn’s jam-packed July 4th Festival is back with the classic cars, duck derbies, live music, military recognition and picnics and kid’s activities galore. Food vendors and a beer garden, too. Noon-10 p.m. July 4 at E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park, 11800 Community Center Drive. Fireworks will launch between 9 and 9:30 p.m. northglenn.org

Parker

Parker’s Stars and Stripes Celebration is back after taking a year off, returning July 4 to Salisbury Park (11920 Motsenbocker Road). Free live music, walk-around entertainers and a carnival, with low-cost kid’s activities and tasty food vendors. In lieu of fireworks organizers will feature a coordinated drone light show. parkeronline.org

Thornton

Family activities begin at 4 p.m. on July 4 at Carpenter Park (11000 Colorado Blvd.) with food and drinks, live music, a presentation of colors and more. Paved and unpaved parking is available in the lots south of the Carpenter Park Fields and west of 108th Avenue. And don’t miss the annual tradition of the nighttime parachutists, who will herald the dusk fireworks. cityofthornton.net

Westminster

Organizers have not yet announced fine details for this 4-10 p.m. celebration on July 4, with fireworks at 9:15 p.m., but it’s one of the area’s best. It takes place at Westminster City Park, 10455 N. Sheridan Blvd., with fireworks scheduled for 9:15 p.m. Check cityofwestminster.us for updates on shuttle schedules and routes.

Get the updated list here.

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8 Things Nobody Tells You About Buying a House Near the Beach

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But From the inevitable environmental concerns of sea levels rising to pesky (and expensive!) HOAs and complicated zoning laws, buying a house at the beach isn’t always a breeze. 

Realtors from California to Florida and beyond weighed in on the eight concerns and considerations they wish buyers had to go into their beachfront house hunt with clear eyes (and hopes of clear water).

HOA Fees Can Get Pricey

In some towns, beach communities are full of HOA-run neighborhoods, which is not something every buyer realizes or considers. The costs can add up. Real estate broker Theresa Raymond says, “If your home is within an HOA community, you are bound to pay their regular fees for everything.” 

Dan Driscoll, co-founder of Boutiq, a startup that connects buyers with vacation rental properties, explains that there are questions to ask beyond what the HOA monthly or annual fee is. He recommends digging into the rules and regs in the covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) to determine whether the HOA board is developer/declarant-controlled or elected by homeowners. “The age of the community may mean that HOA fees are artificially low in order to move homes, but as it becomes more established, HOA fees may rise considerably,” Driscoll adds.

Sea Levels Should Be a Top Concern

You’ve read the stories. Sea levels are rising and oceanfront beach homes will be the first to bear the brunt. Mitchell G. David, founder of Beach Life Ocean City, explains that buyers can get caught up in the emotion of buying a beach house and neglect to consider the looming environmental concerns. 

“Consider whether the beach house you are buying is far enough above sea level,” David says. “You are likely to face consequences in the near future if it’s not.” Also, don’t forget that high and low tides have an impact. Low tide may look like smooth sailing, while high tide brings the ocean’s reach within feet of your doorstep.

Zoning Could Have an Impact on Your Views or Plans

“Make sure you are well versed in short-term rental and zoning laws,” says DJ Olhausen of Realty ONE Group Pacific. Vacation destinations across the country are passing laws that cap the number of short-term rentals or place restrictions on who can rent out their home and when. Speaking to new laws in his hometown of San Diego, Olhausen says, “Only those homeowners who are chosen from a random lottery will be allowed to hold a license to rent for shorter than one-month periods.” If buying your dream beach house involves relying on rental income, check on zoning laws before you make any moves.

Additionally, Olhausen points out that zoning laws are critical to beachfront properties. “No one wants to purchase a new beach house with a view only to see a four-story building erected next door,” he warns.

A Coastal Home Inspector Is a Must

The wear and tear on a beach home is totally different than a home in a city or suburban neighborhood. Jeff Tricoli of the South Florida-based Keller Williams Tricoli Team explains, “Unless an inspector is expert enough with coastal properties, you should resist the temptation to hire them. Beach homes are subject to a highly corrosive environment and can have unique issues.” There may be roofing, window durability, or siding issues that a standard inspector could miss — and you don’t want to end up with an unexpected repair bill months later.

Your Location Determines Sunrise or Sunset Views

Water views are stunning, but they’re made even more stunning by vibrant sunrises and sunsets. Those are what Instagram visions are made of, right? That’s why California-based broker Martin Carreon recommends figuring out which you prefer before taking the plunge with a beachfront house. “If you would love to watch the sunset, go for west-facing homes,” Carreon says. “If you prefer sunrise, get a home where you will face the water when the sun rises from the east.”

Get the full list on Apartment Therapy.

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The Color You Paint Your Front Door Could Affect Its Sale Price — By Thousands of Dollars

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The eyes may be the window to the soul, but the front door is the gateway to your home.

And it turns out, the color of your home’s front door plays an incredibly influential role in how much money prospective buyers are willing to pay for it. A new study just released by Zillow evaluated prospective and recent homebuyers, and asked them what colors made them more or less likely to purchase a home. So before you grab a paint can, take a look at what the statistics showed.  

The color blue conjures images of peace. Whether it’s a beautiful sky or the waves of the ocean, it’s an overall crowd pleaser. So it’s no wonder that homes with a front door painted slate blue, a chalky light blue-gray color, received the top overall score with buyers. That score could also play a role in selling price. On average, buyers would be willing to offer an estimated $1,537 more for the home with a slate blue front door.

It pays to be bold with a front door, as well. Black doors proved to be a win, and were associated with the highest offer price. Buyers saying they would be willing to pay, on average, $6,449 more for a home with this high-contrast front door. But that doesn’t mean this didn’t polarize some survey participants. Some said black front doors were “imposing” and “don’t give positive vibes at all.” Another popular pick was the color olive green, with recent and prospective buyers saying they would be willing to pay an estimated $969 more for a home with the front door painted that shade. 

Of course, along with the colors that boost the likelihood of your home selling for more money, there are certain colors that were proven to be off-putting to recent or prospective buyers. Pale pink front doors were referred to as “kind of shabby looking.” That color choice could significantly affect its sale price, because those surveyed said they would be willing to pay, on average, $6,516 less than expected. The pink shades weren’t the only one that didn’t get much praise: Cement gray front doors received the lowest overall score.

To conduct the study, recent and prospective home buyers were randomly assigned images of front doors painted one of 11 colors. Each color received a score based on buyers’ perception of the home, likelihood of buying the home, and the price they would be willing to pay for the home.


“This research shows how seemingly minor home improvements can make a big difference in the way a potential buyer views and values a home,” says Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert. “A front door is often the first thing that captures a buyer’s eye, and first impressions matter when buyers need to make swift decisions in today’s fast-moving market. When going through a stressful process that brings half of all buyers to tears, visual cues like color can have an outsize impact on decision making.” 

While the color of a front door does seem to play a role, keep in mind that a home’s sale price is determined by a laundry list of factors. However, it does demonstrate that when getting your home ready for sale, small details can play a major role. On average, most sellers make two home improvements before putting it on the market. Painting is an incredibly popular option, since it can be done rather quickly and doesn’t cost as much as major renovations. 

Get more tips like this on Apartment Therapy.

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