Blog - The Organic Forecast

October 4, 2020

What Can Trees Tell Us About Air Pollution in Salt Lake City?

Hi folks, in case you missed this recent article in ksl.com about research being done by scientists at the University of Utah evaluating fine particulate pollution concentrations on trees, here it is – very cool stuff! How University of Utah trees are being used to measure air pollution

September 27, 2020

New Article in Utah State Magazine

Hi Everyone, I hope all is safe and well with you! I thought I’d take a break this week from the pandemic, pests, fires and windstorm to post some positive news! In case you missed it, Utah State Magazine featured a story on our senior center farmers’ market program in the fall 2020 issue. Enjoy!

A Guide To Growing Garlic

Garlic – what is it good for? Absolutely everything! It enhances so many yummy recipes, it’s the focus of fun festivals, and it scares away those pesky vampires. For those living along the Wasatch Front, the season for planting garlic is rapidly coming to an end and the ground will freeze before we know it.…

September 13, 2020

September Garden Tips

Enjoy some September gardening tips courtesy of USU Extension’s Gardeners Almanac! September Gardening Tips

September 6, 2020

Dealing with Nature’s Bounty – Your Guide to Garden Harvest!

Hello all, we are in the midst of garden harvest season and getting lots of questions on how to harvest and store your garden bounty. Shawn Olsen, Dan Drost and Teresa Hunsaker put together an excellent fact sheet on the harvest and storage of commonly grown vegetables and fruits. You can access it here– and don’t…

August 30, 2020

Utah Efforts to Help Monarch Populations

Hi folks, I recently came across a great article in KSL.com about on-going efforts to help out monarch butterfly populations in Utah! I wanted to make sure to post it here in case anyone missed reading it! Monarch butterfly populations continue to drop at alarming rates. Here’s how you can help in Utah

August 23, 2020

Are Earwigs Really So Eerie?

No doubt, earwigs look eerie, like really eerie with those prominent backside pinchers and nocturnal activity. And earwigs are prominent in the garden – every gardener has seen them and wondered, are these insects friends or foes. Often I hear gardeners categorize them in the foe camp which in some cases is valid. But earwigs…

August 16, 2020

Tree Fruit Pests Including Earwigs and Spider Mites

It’s that time of year when we starting getting lots of questions from gardeners about insect pests and diseases in the garden. The Utah Pests team has once again come to the rescue with common problems impacting tree fruit in Utah gardens now. Check out the most recent fruit IPM advisory here.

August 9, 2020

What’s Troubling My Tomatoes?

Many gardeners have waited all summer to eat fresh tomatoes. Sometimes though, as the first tomatoes mature, they may be deformed, cracked or have other problems. In this case, the weather, not microorganisms, is usually to blame. Four conditions are especially common. These include sunscald, cat-facing, cracking and blossom end rot. Consider this information. Sunscald appears…

August 2, 2020

It Turns Out Lobsters Birds and Some Primates Socially Distance Too!

I recently came across this August 2020 article in Scientific American on how some animals use quarantine to ward off infections. Fascinating stuff! Enjoy!

boxes of peaches ready for farmer's market tables

July 26, 2020

Could the Pandemic Actually Strengthen the U.S. Food System?

My Dad sent me an interesting article from National Geographic discussing how small and mid-sized farms might flourish with the pandemic – talk about a silver lining! Enjoy!!! National Geographic Article

July 14, 2020

We’re Set To Deliver – 2020 Farmers’ Markets at Senior Centers

Sometimes uncertain times bring out the best in people who want to give back to those in need. We are grateful that our partnership with Salt Lake County Adult and Aging Services has enabled us to continue to deliver farm fresh produce to senior citizens who pick up prepared meals outside the centers. We had…

July 12, 2020

It’s Grasshopper Hunting Season!

My six year old son gets excited about catching and pinning one insect the most – grasshoppers. He is remarkably good at catching them too! It takes patience, speed, accuracy and stamina to be an accomplished grasshopper hunter because, well, they are fast! I’m seeing lots of grasshoppers this year at Wheeler Farm so this…

July 5, 2020

July 4th Weekend Explodes with Color!

As the story goes, many of us are stuck at home with no fireworks show to attend. But fear not, you can see a spectacular fireworks display of colors in our surrounding mountains. Take some time in the coming weeks to enjoy a hike, breathe some mountain fresh air and admire the kaleidoscope of colors. …

June 28, 2020

It’s Time to Attack Because They’re Back!

Squash Bugs!!! They are the worst pest ever! Nick Volesky from our Utah Pests Vegetable IPM advisory recently wrote a post on squash bug management. If you grow squash, it is a must read!

June 21, 2020

Weather Damage to Vegetables

As if this year could be any more stressful – we are seeing injury to plants from an unlikely culprit – weather. Check out this recent Utah Pests Vegetable advisory with descriptions, images and secondary disease injury that you might be noticing in your own garden.

June 14, 2020

Upcoming Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping (CWEL) Virtual Field Day

Check out this ‘cool’ upcoming virtual field day hosted by CWEL. The Center for Water Efficient Landscaping would like to invite you to attend a virtual field day on June 18, 2020. This Zoom-based field day will feature our faculty, staff, and graduate students showcasing research and Extension projects that address urban water use, turfgrass…

June 7, 2020

2020 Is Certainly A Year for the History Books!

No doubt, we will all remember the year 2020! So many remarkable events have already occurred this year – and it’s only June!!! One significant event that occurred this year might have slipped by you unnoticed? What, you were distracted by an earthquake, pandemic and protests? – excuses, excuses! If you missed this article in KSL…

May 31, 2020

Great Webinar Series To Keep You Informed!

Hi Folks, this one got emailed to me and I SIMPLY had to share it with you! Check out this announcement from the Xerces Society about an online Gardening for Invertebrates webinar series. Enjoy!

May 22, 2020

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!

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