Fort Collins Coloradoan from Fort Collins, Colorado • C1

FORT COLLINS COLORADOAN SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2013 Today's Ticket DISCOVER MORE THINGS TO DO See more things to do, entertain merit, dining and nightlife in Thursday's Ticket or go to Coloradoan.com entertainment. Canyon Concert Ballet closes out its 2012-13 season with the classic ballet "Cinderella" at Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St. The Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m. matinees are perfect for families who dont want to keep the little ones out too late but still want to introduce them to this beloved fairy tale.

Tickets are $23 to $25. Visit www.lctix.com or call (970) 221-6730 for more information. BY STACY NICK A- 1 THE COLORADOAN Look at 'Face of Climate Change' this Earth Day The first Earth Day was held in 1970, and it led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agen cy and paved the way for the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts. Earth Day brought the environment into the national conversation with thousands of rallies and events that first year. Today, Earth Day has inspired and mobilized individuals and organizations worldwide to demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection and sustainability.

April 22 marks the 43rd anniversary of this grassroots event that inspired a nation to reflect on their effects on the Earth. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world. Across the globe, individuals, communities, organizations and governments acknowledge the amazing planet we call home and take action to protect it. The global theme for Earth Day 2013 is "The Face of Climate Change." Earth Day Network, the group founded by the organizers of the first Earth Day, said that this theme was chosen because of the need to highlight the mounting impact of climate change on individuals around the world. Climate change can seem like a remote problem, but the fact is that it's already impacting real people, animals and beloved places all over the world.

These Faces of Climate Change are multiplying every day. Fortunately, other Faces of Climate Change are multiplying too, those stepping up to do something about it. For Earth Day 2013, the network will bring our generation's biggest environmental challenge down to size the size of an individual faced with the consequences, lb learn more about the global challenge and how you can participate, visit www.EarthDay.org2013 If you are looking for ways to celebrate Earth Day in Fort Collins, here are a few events that are family friendly and free to the public: Earth Day Fort Collins is organized by the Sustainable Living Association and will take place See FALBO, Page C4 Local and national sources, including CSU, can provide scientific answers not myths for gardeners. Garden Remedies Maybe you've heard about adding sand to loosen heavy, clay soil? The worst remedy for clay soil is to add sand. This turns the clay soil into a rock-hard, mortar-like substance.

Instead, use organic matter, such as compost, to loosen heavy soils because it is light in composition and also improves nutrient quality. Sand can improve a clay soil, but it must be added until it constitutes most (90 percent-plus) of the mineral composition of the soil. At that point, it's not really clay soil any This information may be accessed via the CSU Extension website: www.ext.colostate.edu or the Colorado Master Gardener website at www.cmg.colostate.edu. PlantTalk provides reliable, timely information on more than 500 horticultural topics in English and Spanish, www.planttal-k.org, or gardeners in Larimer County can call the local Extension office at (970) 498-6000; Master Gardeners are available to answer your questions from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through Oct.

By Charleen Barr CSU Master Gardener program We have all followed someone's gardening advice without knowing if it was based on factual and proven information. As we maintain our gardens this season, consider if your techniques are simply ideas passed down through the ages, or smart practices based on solid science. Colorado State University Extension offers hundreds of factual, research-based resources for gardeners. 30. See MYTHS, Page C3 Don't let water restrictions get you down, we are here to help! From irrigation to drought tolerant plants, we've got you covered.

Gulley's staff attend gardening trends workshop Collect observations, adventures with kids in garden 4 'Each year, breeders create exciting new plants When my nephew, Job, was very small, I inquired about a rather large pile of rocks he was busy sort a a the freezer in the laundry room. I love the idea of creating and maintaining a specific nature table in your home, an area of significance for young and old, inhabitants and visitors alike, a space connects the inner world of the home with the greater natural world past the front door. The concept of the nature table is not new. I would be willing to bet that from the beginning of time, humans, especially young humans, have been treasuring bits of nature. Your nature table need not be a table at all.

Use a designated shelf or a special corner of the dining room. We use a pretty wooden bowl. Open to personal interpretation, consider the following: limit to a specific space (help those compulsive collectors to become selective) and stick with the season at hand. No tulips in November, no See GINNITY, Page C5 By Coloradoan news services Two Gulley Greenhouse and Garden Center staff members attended the most highly anticipated event in the gardening industry, the California Spring Trials 2013, formerly known as the Pack Trials, from April 6 to Thursday. "We are excited to have the opportunity to go and get a first glance at the best new varieties being introduced in 2013.

Each year, breeders create exciting new plants featuring hardiness, ease of production and they are always beautiful," said Beth Bee-gles of Gulley Greenhouse and See GULLY'S, Page C5 Fort Collins- BETH BEEGLES Gulley Greenhouse and Garden Center ing. He had much to tell me of his observations, his collection sites and the intriguing features of his trove. He selected one rock for me to keep this one he said, is a powerful love rock. I've held on to this one for more than a decade now. Often, these magical finds end up at the bottom of the washing machine, dryer lint trap or on top of NURSERY 2121 East Mulbeny.