We close out the Shrub Club this week with hazelnuts, goji berries, and a fig that has absolutely no business growing in Colorado; but, it does anyway. That feels right for late March, in a year where winter basically forgot to show up.

The weekend list reflects the moment: record heat, coffin races in Estes, an Easter egg hunt for adults with cash prizes, and a fly fishing expo where the real stars are the kids learning to tie their first bug. March went out swinging.

Get outside. The dirt is warm. Let’s dig in!

– Megan

This is the final Shrub Club installment, and the most surprising, in my opinion. This week goes beyond the pleasure of berry picking into something more fundamental: serious calories, real shelf-stable nutrition, and one plant that has absolutely no business growing in Colorado. Bare root season ends this week. Check your local nursery (like Gulley Greenhouse, The Windsor Gardener, or Fossil Creek Nursery) but these varieties can be scarce locally, so you can also order from Raintree Nursery or Burnt Ridge — both in WA, both ship to Colorado (which can also be hard to find).

Hazelnut · The Calorie Crop
Every other plant in this series gives you something bright and perishable. Hazelnut gives you something categorically different: real, shelf-stable calories — 60% healthy fat, 18% protein — that store for months at room temperature without a freezer or pressure canner. Four or five bushes along a property line can yield 40–100 lbs of nuts per year and keep doing it for 40 to 50 years. Wind-pollinated, so plant at least two different varieties; Jefferson and Yamhill are solid Zone 5 choices. Plants begin bearing in 3–5 years. This is one of the best long-term investments in this entire series.

Goji Berry · The $20-a-Bag Superfood in Your Backyard
Health food stores have made goji berries feel rare and expensive, but they are just a shrub. They’re hardy across Zones 3–10, drought-tolerant, alkaline-soil-friendly, and practically designed for NoCo. Fresh goji berries are a completely different experience from the dried packaging variety: mild, sweet, somewhere between a cherry tomato and a ripe plum. You can’t buy them fresh anywhere, but you can grow em’. 2–6 lbs per mature bush; prune lightly each late winter to encourage vigorous new fruiting canes. Low maintenance and a genuinely high reward.

Chicago Hardy Fig · The Adventure Plant
Yes. Figs. In Colorado. The Chicago Hardy was discovered in the 1970s growing in a Chicago backyard, surviving winters that destroyed every ordinary cultivar around it. Its root system is cold-hardy to -20°F. The above-ground canes often die back in a hard Front Range winter; but, here's the key: it fruits on new wood. Canes that freeze to the ground grow back from those hardy roots every spring, carrying a full crop of sweet figs by late summer. A south-facing wall, plus heavy root-zone mulch before freeze, gives it the best chance. For the most reliable results, container on a sunny patio and overwinter in an unheated garage. The fruit is extraordinary. And it's a better conversation starter than anything else you'll grow this year.

And there ya have it. The series is complete. Here is the list of all 9 shrubs:

Garden Connection: Starting cucumbers, squash, and melons over the next few seed weeks? Plant your hazelnut pair along the north or west edge of those beds. By midsummer, the canopy provides just enough afternoon shade to keep your squash from bolting in the NOCO heat — and the deep root system stays well out of the way of your vegetable beds. That's the whole idea: shrubs and vegetables working together, season after season, in the same yard.

There is a specific kind of magic in watching a kid’s face light up when they realize a mess of thread and feathers can actually fool a fish. This Saturday, the NOCO Fishing Expo returns to The Ranch in Loveland, and while the gear is impressive, the real story is in the hands doing the teaching.

The event is a massive volunteer effort by the Rocky Mountain Flycasters, our local Trout Unlimited chapter, and it’s a genuine fundraiser for the next generation. All proceeds go directly to regional conservation and youth education, including the chapter’s legendary Youth Fly Fishing Day Camp.

The Kids’ Aspect: A Full-Immersion On-Ramp. This is more than just a quick look at a lure — it’s a hands-on introduction to our local waters.

The Expert Factor: Leveling Up For the adults looking to sharpen their skills, the lineup features some of the best in the West:

Support the Crew: Gear & Growth Fundraising runs through silent and live auctions for fly gear and trips at every price point, plus the Runoff Raffle. Every admission also includes a free ‘Trout Hero’ mesh bag to help you keep our local riverbanks clean on your next outing.

From Berthoud to the Wyoming state line, Fort Morgan to Estes, each week we pull together a list of the top events happening all over Northern Colorado. This one ran long — if your email cuts it off, open this in your browser, the ‘read online’ link is at the top.

GALAXIAS @ Bas Bleu Theatre (Fort Collins) — Fri/Sat/Sun at 7:30pm — Soul Penny Circus brings their cosmic big-top world to one of Fort Collins' most intimate stages. 👉 Get a ticket

The Cottage @ Lincoln Center Magnolia Theatre (Fort Collins) — Thu/Fri/Sat at 7:30pm — OpenStage's latest — a sharp British comedy about love, loyalty, and a very complicated weekend away. ⚠️ Verify description before publishing. 👉 See the show

The Shining @ Historic Park Theatre (Estes Park) — Fri/Sat/Sun, various times — Kubrick's classic on the big screen, with the Rockies right outside. No better setting for it. 👉 Check showtimes

Little Show of Horrors @ Estes Park High School (Estes Park) — Fri/Sat at 7pm — Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies serves up a carnivorous musical with community-theater heart. 👉 Feed the plant

Hello, Dolly! @ Candlelight Dinner Theatre (Johnstown) — Fri/Sat/Sun, various times — Dinner, a classic Broadway showstopper, and zero dishes to wash. 👉 Reserve your table

An Evening with Skye Griffith @ Old Firehouse Books (Fort Collins) — 6 to 7pm — Local author in conversation with journalist Kathleen Donnelly. 👉 Grab a seat

The Positive Spin: Vinyl Record Night @ Mobb Mountain Distillers (Fort Collins) — 6 to 10pm — Flip the record, pour the spirits, repeat. 👉 Spin something good

RPG Nights @ Foothills Shopping Center (Fort Collins) — 5 to 8pm — Roll dice, forge alliances, and save the realm — or at least the mall. 👉 Join the quest

A Year with Agatha: Murder on the Orient Express @ LINC Library Innovation Center (Greeley) — 5:30 to 6:30pm — Classic Christie, fresh conversation. Who did it? Settle it tonight. 👉 Join the discussion

Tinkering with Tech: Electric Light-Up Creatures @ LINC Library Innovation Center (Greeley) — 3:30 to 5pm — Kids build glowing critters using circuits and creativity. 👉 Light something up

Jeopardy! Bar League @ MeadKrieger Meadery (Loveland) — 6:30 to 8:30pm — This is Jeopardy! — meadery edition. Bring your trivia brain and a thirst for mead. 👉 Answer correctly

Tejon Street Corner Thieves / Yes Ma'am / Little Foot @ Chippers Lanes (Fort Collins) — 7:30pm — Three acts, one bowling alley, zero bad vibes. 👉 Get in there

Critter Chats: Nature's Architects — How Beavers Shape Our World @ Northern Colorado Wildlife Center (Fort Collins) — 6 to 7pm — The original dam builders get their due. A free talk on how beavers quietly engineer entire ecosystems. 👉 Learn something wild

Vienna Teng @ The Armory (Fort Collins) — 7pm — Intimate, piano-driven folk-pop from one of the most quietly brilliant singer-songwriters working today. 👉 Grab your seat

Next Stop Comedy @ Gilded Goat Brewing (Fort Collins) — 8 to 10pm — Cold beer, live laughs, Old Town. The Friday night formula that never fails. 👉 Show up

Static City @ Aggie Theatre (Fort Collins) — Doors 8pm, show 8:30pm — Six DJ b2b sets stacked back to back. If you know, you know. 👉 Get moving

Paint Like the French! Dancing Couple Impressionism @ Makers Mercantile & Studio (Greeley) — 6 to 8:30pm — Channeling Renoir with a paintbrush and probably a glass of something nice. 👉 Grab a brush

Adult Book Club: Hamnet @ LINC Library Innovation Center (Greeley) — 4 to 4:45pm — Maggie O'Farrell's gut-punch of a novel gets the discussion it deserves. 👉 Join in

Warner Parker @ Tavern at the Legion (Estes Park) — 6 to 8pm — Live music at the Legion. Local feel, mountain atmosphere. 👉 Pull up a stool

Slushee Season Opener @ Avant Garde Aleworks (Estes Park) — Noon to 9pm — Slushy beer season is officially open in Estes. First one of the year. 👉 Get yours

Project Hail Mary: Books to Movies @ MacDonald Book Shop (Estes Park) — 5 to 6pm — The beloved Andy Weir novel is headed to the screen — come talk about it before Hollywood gets it wrong. 👉 Join the conversation

Frozen Dead Bar Crawl @ Various Locations (Estes Park) — Starts 2pm — The annual Frozen Dead Guy Days crawl winds through Estes. Dress weird, drink well. 👉 Start crawling

Friday Live Music: Nick Critchlow @ Snowy Peaks Winery (Estes Park) — 4:30 to 6:30pm — Wind down the week with wine and live music in the mountains. 👉 Pour one out

Dead of Winter Art Exhibit, Award Ceremony & Mixer @ Aspen and Evergreen Gallery (Estes Park) — 6 to 8pm — Winter work gets its moment. Come see what cold weather inspires. 👉 See the work

Big Ivory Tickler: Dueling Pianos @ Historic Park Theatre (Estes Park) — 7pm — Two pianos, one stage, and a crowd that picks the setlist. Bring requests. 👉 Bang the keys

Easter Eggstravaganza @ Boardwalk Park (Windsor) — 10:15am to 12:15pm — Windsor's springtime egg hunt is back. Bring the kids and a basket. 👉 Join the hunt

Taylor Swift Wedding Shower @ Peculier Ales (Windsor) — 5 to 7pm — Bridal shower meets Swiftie era — library-hosted, brewery-located, chaotically delightful. 👉 Shake it off

Hop Till You Drop Adult Egg Hunt @ Mad Russian Event Center (Milliken) — 7 to 9pm — Grown-up Easter chaos with cash prizes and no children allowed. 👉 Hunt hard

Welcoming Spring Energy: Berthoud Sound Journey @ 425 Massachusetts Ave (Berthoud) — 6:30 to 7:45pm — A guided sound bath to shake off winter and settle into the season. 👉 Find your frequency

Those Crazy Nights @ Rialto Theater (Loveland) — 7pm — A powerhouse Journey tribute band straight from the Colorado Front Range. Soaring vocals, arena energy, and every anthem you know by heart. 👉 Don't stop believin'

Stoplight Social Games Night @ The Love Shack (Loveland) — 6 to 10pm — Wear your color, meet your people. Social games night with a built-in icebreaker. 👉 Play along

Hat Burning Workshop @ The Artisan Shop and Studio (Loveland) — 6:30 to 8:30pm — Wood burning technique, hat as canvas. Leave with something you actually made. 👉 Make your mark

Live Music: Luke Hahn-Zollo from Tumbledown Shack @ MeadKrieger Meadery (Loveland) — 6:30 to 8:30pm — Acoustic live music paired with locally crafted mead. Low-key Friday done right. 👉 Settle in

Waylon Willies @ The Boot Grill (Loveland) — 8pm — Boot-stomping country at one of Loveland's best honky-tonk spots. 👉 Two-step in

Junction 34 @ Tom Davis Saloon (Loveland) — 8pm — Live band night at the saloon. Come thirsty. 👉 Belly up

Bug Tea Party @ Northern Colorado Wildlife Center (Fort Collins) — 10 to 11am — Tiny guests, big personalities. Kids meet live insects over a proper (bug-themed) tea spread. 👉 RSVP for the party

Winter Farmers Market @ Foothills Shopping Center (Fort Collins) — 10am to 2pm — Local vendors, fresh goods, and the tail end of winter market season. Stock up while you can. 👉 Shop local

Acrylic Pouring: Flowing Colors @ Blue Moose Art Gallery (Fort Collins) — 10am — Pour, tilt, repeat. No experience needed — just show up and let the paint do its thing. 👉 Get colorful

Mini Landscape Consultations @ Bath Garden Center (Fort Collins) — 9am to 2:30pm — One-on-one guidance for your yard from people who actually know NOCO soil. 👉 Book your slot

Bonsai Class @ Bath Garden Center (Fort Collins) — 10 to 11am — Learn the fundamentals of shaping and caring for these miniature living sculptures. 👉 Start small

Birds, Bees & Native Plants Class @ Bath Garden Center (Fort Collins) — 1pm — Build a yard that gives back. A practical class on planting for pollinators in NOCO's climate. 👉 Plant with purpose

18th Annual NoCo Easter Keg Hunt @ Avogadro's Number (Fort Collins) — 1 to 5pm — The grown-up Easter tradition that Fort Collins has perfected over 18 years. 👉 Hunt the keg

St. Baldrick's Head Shaving Event @ Lucky Joe's (Fort Collins) — 2 to 5pm — Brave souls shave for childhood cancer research. Come cheer them on or sign up yourself. 👉 Support the cause

International 5K Color Run @ CSU Laurel Hall (Fort Collins) — 10am — A rainbow-dusted campus run celebrating CSU's international community. 👉 Run the colors

Fiction Writing Class & Workshop @ Blue Moose Art Gallery (Fort Collins) — 2pm — Get your story out of your head and onto the page with some structured guidance. 👉 Write something real

Live Music: Robin Lewis @ Breckenridge Brewery (Fort Collins) — 4 to 6pm — A mellow Saturday afternoon set at one of Fort Collins' most reliable brewery stages. 👉 Pull up a seat

Lyric Comedy Show @ The Lyric (Fort Collins) — 8pm — Late-night laughs at Fort Collins' favorite indie cinema. 👉 Get your tickets

Bad Suns with The Undercover Dream Lovers @ Aggie Theatre (Fort Collins) — Doors 7pm, show 8pm — Indie rock with hooks sharp enough to cut. One of the better live acts coming through this spring. 👉 Get in

The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery @ Fort Collins Marriott (Fort Collins) — 6 to 9pm — Dinner, deception, and a killer among your tablemates. 👉 Solve it

Fly Fishing Film Tour @ Lincoln Center (Fort Collins) — Doors 6pm, film 7pm — The annual celebration of moving water and the people obsessed with it. 👉 Watch the river

TRANSA Listening Party w/ Hanna Doreen @ Mishawaka Amphitheatre (Bellvue) — 5pm — An intimate indoor stage show at one of Colorado's most storied outdoor venues. 👉 Catch it early

NOCO Fishing Expo @ The Ranch (Loveland) — 10am to 3pm — Fly tying demos, gear, and the full Rocky Mountain Flycasters fundraiser spread. Good people, good cause. 👉 Cast a line

HPEC Low Water Landscaping Class @ High Plains Environmental Center (Loveland) — 9 to 11am — Practical drought-smart landscaping for NOCO yards. Free and worth every minute. 👉 Grow smart

Gold Rush in Leadville Exhibit @ Loveland Museum (Loveland) — 10am to 4pm — The history of Colorado's silver and gold rush era, told through artifacts and archival imagery. 👉 Dig in

Crochet Granny Squares @ The Artisan Shop and Studio (Loveland) — Noon to 2pm — The classic square, demystified. Great entry point if you've been meaning to learn. 👉 Cast on

Beginner Acrylic Pour Painting @ The Artisan Shop and Studio (Loveland) — Noon to 2pm — No experience needed — just a willingness to let paint go where it wants. 👉 Pour it out

Live Music: Derek Dames Ohl @ Loveland Aleworks (Loveland) — 5 to 7pm — A laid-back early evening set downtown. 👉 Wind down

Sober Open Mic Night @ The Love Shack (Loveland) — 7 to 9pm — All the open mic energy, none of the hangover. Everyone welcome. 👉 Take the mic

Bob Purcell & The Outriders @ Tom Davis Saloon (Loveland) — 8pm — Live band, saloon atmosphere, Saturday night sorted. 👉 Ride on in

Intro to Resin @ Makers Mercantile & Studio (Greeley) — 10:30am to 12:30pm — Learn the basics of resin pouring and walk away with a tray you actually made. 👉 Try something new

Community Easter Egg Hunt @ Rodarte Community Center (Greeley) — 10 to 11:30am — A free neighborhood egg hunt for the kids. 👉 Grab a basket

Community Easter Egg Hunt @ Greeley Family FunPlex (Greeley) — 10 to 11:30am — A second hunt across town — pick the one closest to you. 👉 Join the scramble

Watercolor Techniques with Bee @ Makers Mercantile & Studio (Greeley) — 1 to 3pm — Soft edges, layered color, and a patient instructor. 👉 Get your brush wet

Art Journaling on the Go @ Makers Mercantile & Studio (Greeley) — 2 to 4:30pm — Build a portable creative practice you can take anywhere. 👉 Start the page

Fantasy Fandom Crafternoon @ LINC Library Innovation Center (Greeley) — 2 to 4pm — Crafts, fandoms, and fellow nerds. No further explanation needed. 👉 Craft your world

A Night with John Williams @ Greeley Philharmonic (Greeley) — 7pm — From Jaws to Star Wars to Schindler's List — the Greeley Phil takes on the greatest film composer alive. 👉 Take your seat

Ty March with Zane Neale @ Chippers Lanes (Greeley) — 7pm — Live music at Chippers — local acts, good energy, lanes optional. 👉 Show up

Frozen Dead Guy Days & Coffin Race @ Estes Park Events Complex (Estes Park) — Noon to 9pm — The main event. Coffins fly, costumes get weird, and Estes goes full spectacle. 👉 Witness it

Cryogenic Cannibal Chase 8K @ 380 Community Drive (Estes Park) — 10:30am — The most uniquely named 8K in Colorado. Part of Frozen Dead Guy Days weekend. 👉 Run for your life

Royal Blue Ball @ The Stanley Hotel (Estes Park) — 8 to 11pm, costume contest at 9:30pm — Frozen Dead Guy Days' most glamorous night. The Stanley, costumes mandatory, mayhem guaranteed. 👉 Dress the part

Travel Series: East Africa @ Estes Valley Community Center (Estes Park) — 10 to 11:30am — A morning of armchair adventure through one of the world's most extraordinary landscapes. 👉 Go somewhere

The Sugar Britches @ Tavern at Red Feather Lakes (Red Feather Lakes) — 7 to 9pm — Live music way up at the Tavern. Worth the drive if you know, you know. 👉 Head up the mountain

On Water Entomology Class @ St. Peter's Fly Shop on the Poudre River (Fort Collins) — 10am to 12:30pm — Learn to read the bugs on the water so you can finally match the hatch. Taught streamside on the Cache la Poudre. 👉 Get on the water

Craft N Act: Costume Creation Week 4 @ The Lyric (Fort Collins) — 10am to noon — Kids build their own costumes from scratch. Week four of the series — drop-ins welcome or check ahead. 👉 Make something wearable

Flower Power: Alcohol Ink Art Class @ Blue Moose Art Gallery (Fort Collins) — 10am — Vibrant, fluid, and surprisingly forgiving. A great Sunday morning creative outlet. 👉 Get colorful

Natural Egg Dyeing with Herbs & Plants @ Golden Poppy Herbal Apothecary (Fort Collins) — 11:30am to 1pm — Skip the store-bought dye kit. Use plants instead. Beautifully old-school Easter prep. 👉 Dye naturally

Private Needle Felted Gnomes Class @ Blue Moose Art Gallery (Fort Collins) — 1:30pm — Stab wool into the shape of a gnome. Oddly satisfying, genuinely fun. 👉 Make your gnome

Guinea Pig Painting Fundraiser @ Petrichor Collective (Fort Collins) — 1 to 3pm — Paint a guinea pig portrait to support The Next Brushstroke. Wholesome chaos for a good cause. 👉 Pick up a brush

Sacred Bloom Plant Oil Embodiment Circle @ Golden Poppy Herbal Apothecary (Fort Collins) — 6 to 8pm — A guided evening ritual using plant oils and intention. For those who know what this is — and those curious enough to find out. 👉 Come in

Valley Flower @ Avogadro's Number (Fort Collins) — 7pm — A five-piece Austin string band bringing Appalachian roots, folk, and jam energy to Avo's stage. Grassy, groovy, and worth your Sunday night. 👉 Get a ticket

Los Amigos Invisibles with The Latin Groove @ Aggie Theatre (Fort Collins) — Doors 6pm, show 7pm — Venezuelan funk and dance music that will absolutely not let you stand still. 👉 Move your feet

Beethoven Camerata @ 2101 16th Street (Greeley) — 2 to 3:30pm — Beethoven in the Rockies brings chamber music to Greeley for an intimate Sunday afternoon concert. 👉 Take your seat

Mark Winters w/ Chelsey Webb @ Chippers Lanes (Greeley) — 7:30pm — Live music Sunday night at Chippers. Local acts, good energy. 👉 Show up

Bands & Bloody Brunch @ Tavern at the Legion (Estes Park) — 8am to noon — Live music with your morning Bloody Mary. The correct way to close out Frozen Dead Guy Days weekend. 👉 Brunch hard

Polar Plunge @ The Stanley Hotel (Estes Park) — 1 to 3pm — The icy finale to Frozen Dead Guy Days. Jump in or cheer from the sidelines — either way, someone's getting wet. 👉 Take the plunge

Easter Bunny Meet & Greet @ Johnstown Activity Center (Johnstown) — Noon to 3pm — Bring the kids, bring the camera, bring the patience. 👉 Hop to it

DI Men's Ice Hockey Regionals @ Blue Arena (Loveland) — 11:30am — NCAA tournament hockey comes to Loveland. High-stakes, fast ice, great seats. 👉 Get to the rink

Spring Equinox Fest @ The Love Shack (Loveland) — 1 to 5pm — A little late for the equinox but right on time for the party. 👉 Welcome the season

Easter Cookie Class @ Planks and Paint (Loveland) — 1 to 3pm — Decorate Easter cookies like a pro. Bring your competitive frosting energy. 👉 Ice something pretty

Adoption Event @ PetSmart (Loveland) — 10am to 2pm — Come for the animals, leave with a new family member. No pressure. (Some pressure.) 👉 Meet your match

Really Good Zoo @ Tom Davis Saloon (Loveland) — 5pm — Live band Sunday evening at the saloon. 👉 Come listen

After School Crew: Crafternoon @ LINC Library Innovation Center (Greeley) — 4 to 5pm — Kids drop in after school for crafts, creativity, and a little breathing room. 👉 Stop in

Trailblazers: Women of Words, Science & Strength @ LINC Library Innovation Center (Greeley) — 5:30 to 7pm — Stories and conversation celebrating women who pushed boundaries. Good programming for Women's History Month. 👉 Come listen

Beginning (and Beyond) Crochet Class @ LINC Library Innovation Center (Greeley) — 6 to 7:30pm — Whether you're casting on for the first time or just need a refresher, this one's for you. 👉 Pick up the hook

Retro Trivia @ The 120 Bar and Grill (Loveland) — 6:30 to 9:30pm — Dust off your pop culture brain and put it to work. Three hours of retro rounds. 👉 Test your knowledge