Yard & Garden (Extension)

We are your Larimer County Yard and Gardening Experts

Gardening & landscaping in Colorado can be challenging in our semi-arid climate. Larimer County Extension brings expertise and research from Colorado State University to the Larimer County community. Rely on our Horticulture Agent, Alison O’Connor, and the Master Gardeners to provide you with information and guidance on all aspects of your landscape.

What can we help with?

Lawns · Flower Gardens (Annuals and Perennials) · Houseplants · Landscape weeds & control · Plant Disease and Insect Issues · Trees & Shrubs · Vegetables · Waterwise Landscaping

Have questions?

Stop by the Office: Master Gardeners are available to answer questions in person on Wednesdays 10am – 1pm, April 13th – Oct. 19th. Bring photos and even samples.

Stop by the Larimer County Farmers' Market: Master Gardeners are at the Larimer County Extension Booth every Saturday, 9am - 1pm, May 21st - Oct. 29th. Bring photos and even samples.

Email Your Questions: Master Gardeners are available year-round and are often found at many community events during the growing season. Send your questions and photos to LarimerMG@gmail.com.

What are Master Gardeners?

Do you have lawn or gardening question? Having trouble with a tree on your property? Our volunteer Master Gardeners are here to get you answers.

Yard & Garden Services

Lawn Checks
Request Presentations
Ask Question
Request a Tree Team Visit

Larimer County Vegetable Trials

Tomato trial results are in. Sweet pepper results coming soon! Learn more here.

Yard & Garden Workshops

Upcoming webinars:

Fort Collins Sprinkler Checkups

A free sprinkler checkup helps you save water by using your sprinkler system more effectively.

Fort Collins Xeriscape Incentive Program

Earn a rebate for removing grass and installing a water-wise landscape. Available to Fort Collins Utilities residential water customers only.

Fort Collins Licensed Arborists

Businesses that make tree pruning or removal cuts at 10 feet or greater above the ground when working within the City limits are required to be licensed by the City of Fort Collins.

NoCo Bloom

NoCo Bloom is your free guide for all things gardening in northern Colorado. Brought to you by Colorado State University's Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, the Gardens on Spring Creek and CSU Extension in Larimer County, NoCo Bloom will provide timely topics to help your lawn and garden thrive.

The Gardens at Spring Creek

The Gardens on Spring Creek is the community botanic garden of Fort Collins, Colorado. The 18-acre site opened in 2004 as part of an important partnership between the City of Fort Collins and the Friends of the Gardens on Spring Creek.

CSU Soil, Water, and Plant Testing Laboratory

A variety of testing options.

Plant Talk Colorado

Planttalk Colorado™ is sponsored by Colorado State University Extension, Denver Botanic gardens, and the Green Industries of Colorado. It is a resource for Colorado residents to find research based gardening information for the diverse Colorado climate. Newcomers to Colorado will find specific information to successfully garden in Colorado's diverse climate and geography.

Yard & Garden Fact Sheets

Colorado State University Fact Sheets are research-based and designed for residents across Colorado. You can find a variety of topics

A grassy yard with gravel and shrubbery bordering

Co-Horts Blog

Advice and Observations from your CSU Extension Horticulture Agents and Specialists

Grow and Give

Fresh, home-grown produce distributed to those in need is the core mission of CSU's Grow & Give project. Learn how to donate produce to organizations who would love to receive it.

Flower Trial Gardens

The outdoor display and test areas at the Annual Flower Trial Garden were established to allow students, researchers, industry representatives, homeowners and extension personnel to learn, teach and evaluate through horticultural research and demonstration projects conducted in the unique environmental conditions of the Rocky Mountain/High Plains region.

Garden Notes

Horticultural information as well as training resources for Colorado Master Gardener and Certified Colorado Gardener students.

Two adults sit at a table with a tree branch in front of them.

CSU Online - Certified Gardener Program

Are you a green thumb? Happiest while knee-deep in dirt? Enjoy planting and watching things grow? Based on the Colorado Master Gardener^SM curriculum, the Certified Gardener Program is your opportunity to learn the latest gardening techniques and become an authority for sharing your gardening know-how. Learn more and view fees at CSU online.

Los siguientes enlaces proporcionan información disponible en español.

Temas de jardinería en español de PlantTalk Colorado

Publicaciones de jardinería en español de Extension

Guía de vegetales

Screen shot of PDF - Guide to Vegetables

The Colorado Gardener Certificate program is designed for those passionate about gardening. But Colorado gardening and landscaping takes grit…. and knowledge of our unique soils, climates, and plants. CSU Extension has been helping people grow in our great state for 150 years.

Those who complete the Colorado Gardener Certificate program receive the same training provided in the Colorado Master Gardener program. Courses are science-based and specific to our unique climate, soil, environment, insects, wildlife, and plants.

CSU Extension offers two options for their Certified Gardener Program:

Short Courses
- Bundles of 5 self-paced online courses
Green School
- Upon completion of the Green School, you’ll receive a Colorado Gardener Certificate. Because there is no subsequent volunteer commitment, participants do not become Colorado Master Gardeners. The title of ‘Master Gardener’ is a registered service mark and only to be used for CSU Extension events and purposes. The Colorado Gardener Certificate, however, may be displayed in a place of business and used in business marketing.