The Pests Are Back in Town!
It’s time to monitor tree fruits! Check out the most recent Fruit IPM Advisory for updates on codling moth, fire blight and more!Read more
Murder Hornets Might Pass on Taking Up Residence in Utah
To skiers, Utah is a magnet! But to murder hornets, the verdict is out – and this is good news for local beekeepers! Utah might escape a murder hornet migration because we are 1) too high and 2) too dry. If you missed it, check out this recent article published on ksl.com.Read more
The Gardening Bug Is At Infestation Level!
Gardening is certainly in the air. I have been awed at the amount of neighbors who are out working in their gardens. If there is a year for growing plants, this is the one! I loved this recent article in BBC – it describes what we have been seeing at the Salt Lake County Extension…Read more
Farmers’ Feeding Utah
If you are looking for a way to give to those in need and Utah farmers during this COVID-19 crises, there may be an easier way. Farmers Feeding Utah is a 501(c)(5) that, well in their words “connects Utahns in need with safe and locally-grown food. 100 percent of donations will go to purchasing, processing and distributing…Read more
It’s Time to Monitor Fruit Trees!
Some things happen once in a lifetime and others return every year. This post is devoted to the later – and fruit trees. We have a recent advisory from the Utah Pests Team on fireblight risk, coddling moth and more! Check it out here.Read more
Finally Some Better News About Insect Populations!
It has been interesting that amid this COVID-19 crises some of the best news has come out of Mother Nature. One of our currently Master Gardeners passed this link onto me. Insect populations may be faring better than we thought – which is exactly what I, for one, really needed and wanted to hear! BBC…Read more
The State of Local Food Markets Revealed
So much has emerged in the news of late about the impact of COVID-19 on our local food supply and farmers and ranchers. I was made aware this week an excellent new blog written by our USU Extension Food and Agriculture Marketing Specialist, Dr. Kynda Curtis called Marketing in Motion. The most recent blog post discusses the…Read more
2020 Virtual Urban Homestead Expo
How to Compost pdf Basic Organic Gardening Calling all backyard gardeners, urban homesteaders, and hobby farmers! Do you want to step up your sustainability game? Interested in moving beyond tomatoes and peppers in your garden? Come to the Urban Homestead Expo at Conservation Garden Park to learn from our experts. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY and be sure…Read more
April Showers Bring May Flowers!
Spring is officially right around the corner and with Mother’s Day just shy of a month away, our last spring frost for 2018 is almost history! It’s time to hit the garden shoveling, pulling, planting, fertilizing, composting or whatever else lands you in your happy place. Personally, I’m excited about some new raised bed gardens…Read more
A New Threat on the Horizon
I understand, the last thing you need is more bad news. But there is a new pest in town, and it is a bad one. This threat is not viral, its an insect – specifically a beetle. And it’s name…the Japanese Beetle. It’s time to educate ourselves on the Japanese Beetle. Check out these recent…Read more
Your Corona Virus Checklist
USU Extension has put together a really helpful site on all things Coronavirus – from parenting to food to mental and emotional well being to finances. And remember, gardening is excellent therapy too! USU Extension COVID-19 ResourcesRead more
Keeping Up With Coronavirus
This week has been chaotic to say the least! But the good news is with good food hygine, it is still safe to eat fresh produce and drink water from the tap. Check out this Washington Post article about food safety and coronavirus and relax, you’ve got this! Food Safety and CoronavirusRead more
Snow Melt Reveals Hidden Garden Treasures
It may still be February, but it is not too early to investigate around the garden for early signs of growth! Honestly, one of the greatest joys of gardening is looking forward to something new all year long. Sometimes gardeners forget ‘year-round’ includes the winter months as well, and it is certainly fun to see…Read more
Fruit Tree Pruning and Tree and Shrub Pruning Hand-outs
Basic Fruit Pruning_JVWC_2019_SH (1) TreeShrub Pruning_JVWC_2019_SH (3)Read more
The Garden Professors
If you have never visited the Garden Professors blog, you really should. I love their motto “advancing the science of gardening and other stuff since 2009”! The garden professors never shy away from a good garden controversy and are quick to help us all understand why some home garden remedies are just bad advice (scientifically…Read more
Pruning Fruit Trees: Clip with Confidence!
Correctly pruning fruit trees can lead to healthier trees that produce more quality fruit! Who doesn’t want that? Here at the Organic Forecast we want share tips on how to correctly prune as far and wide as possible. We promise pruning doesn’t have to be complicated! You can clip with confidence with some simple resources…Read more
Garden Safe De-icing Products for Sidewalks and Driveways
Wow, what a wet, wonderful winter we have had so far in the Salt Lake Valley! Skiers and snowboarders love it, but homeowners sometimes loathe it – shovel after shovel load of winter wonderland! Streets can be difficult to maintain and driving/walking conditions slippery which brings up a concern for gardeners – deicing salts. Salts…Read more
It’s All About Soil Structure!
We have started our 2020 Master Gardener training in Salt Lake County and the class just got done talking about soil science. I was reminded of the important relationship between organic matter and soil structure and thought it might be a good idea to re-visit and re-share Dr. Grant Cardon’s Dirt Diggers Digest post on…Read more
Gear-up for the Growing Season – Disease Free!
It is certainly easy to get excited about the up-coming growing season, and indoor seed starting and greenhouse production provides real relief for the wintertime blues. But before you let the intoxication of seed starting mixes and seedling heat mats cloud your better judgement, make sure you take time to practice proper sanitation methods. Nick…Read more
The Secret to Immortality is to Keep Growing – It’s Champion, the Gingko Biloba
If you are not familiar with the Gingko biloba, or Maidenhair tree, you are missing out! For starters, scientist have found fossils of the species dating back to the time of dinosaurs – Say What??? I found this recent article on CNN.com very interesting. Researchers are beginning to understand how some tree species can live so…Read more