Blog - The Organic Forecast

January 17, 2021

Thriving Hive Beginning Beekeeper Series

After a chaotic year in 2020, are you ready to slow things down a bit and get back to the basics. If so, perhaps beginning beekeeping is just what the doctor ordered – after all, a spoon full of honey helps the medicine go down! Lucky for you, USU Extension is hosting a virtual beginning…

January 10, 2021

What Positive Change Will You Make in 2021?

Dear Utah – I love New Years’ Resolutions!!! I think the start of a new year is a great opportunity to make much needed (or maybe just desired) personal change. The year 2020, with all of its challenges, had one very bright point – at least from my perspective – many new people decided to…

January 3, 2021

Whew, 2020, What a Year of …… Weather?

No doubt, 2020 was full of challenges! However, weather events beyond the earthquake, fires and windstorm, do not top most people’s list as most remarkable. But 2020, dare I mention it, was a remarkable weather year and savvy gardeners know remarkable weather can sustain future impact on gardens. As we move forward in 2021, it…

December 27, 2020

Happy New Year Y’all!

May 2021 enter like a lion and exit like a lamb, happy new year everyone! Let’s all make it a great year in the garden!

December 20, 2020

Give the Gift of Knowledge!

Truth be known, it’s totally fine to self gift, and a great option is the gift of quality, practical and FREE knowledge! The Utah Pests Team has come to our rescue once again with their Vegetable IPM Winter Webinar Series. The webinars are free, but you must register. Click here for more information and Happy Holidays everyone!…

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…

December 6, 2020

Cleaner Manure – You Bet!

Truth be told I don’t usually attribute manure with the word ‘clean’ but if it turns out manure, hog manure specifically, can produce clean energy to power homes. What a great idea – and soon to be a reality. If you missed this article in KSL.com, make sure to check it out here.

November 29, 2020

Utah Vegetable Production and Pest Management Website is NOW LIVE!!!

Wow, what a tremendous new online resource! The following is from Nick Volesky, our USU Extension Vegetable IPM Associate, happy reading! The USU Extension IPM program is excited to share that the brand new Utah Vegetable Production and Pest Management website is now live! This resource is a comprehensive guide for small and large vegetable producers across…

November 22, 2020

Our Food System and the Impact of COVID-19

I recently came across an article and podcast in USU’s Cultivate Magazine about the impact of the pandemic on our local food supply. It featured Dr. Kynda Curtis, USU Professor of Agriculture and Food Marketing, who discusses food distribution and disruptions. Check it out here.

November 15, 2020

Late Fall Pruning Tips

Well it’s officially here, the dormant season! Trees lose their leaves, grass turns brown for the winter, insects go into hiding (or try to escape into our homes) and a nice white blanket of snow covers up everyone’s yard and garden problems! Sometimes us gardeners are tempted to get a jump start on spring yard…

November 8, 2020

So you want to be a Master Gardener?

It’s the time of year again when the harvest is in full swing, kids are back to school and the Extension office is flooded with phone calls from those eagerly inquiring about the upcoming Master Gardener program. Throughout the year we keep an interest list with names and emails of those who would like to…

November 1, 2020

Now That’s One Tough Beetle!

Nature and engineering are often a magical combination. I loved this recent article in CNN.com about the diabolical ironclad beetle and what the information locked in his body can do for humans. Check it out! CNN.com Ironclad Beetle Article

October 25, 2020

Our Numbers Are In!

2020 was a challenging year to say the least, but our Farmers’ Markets at Senior Centers numbers are in and they are impressive if I must say so myself. Drumroll please… We serviced 2,500 seniors in 2020 during 40 markets with 9,610 pounds of fresh produce estimated at $22,747. We gave away (amongst other things):…

Planting beds in fall covered with leaves

October 18, 2020

It’s Time To Clean Garden!

I know, I get it, it’s been a long summer and you are tired of yard work but this fall is critical for Spring 2021 garden preparation! Insect pests and diseases can overwinter in garden debris so it is essential to tidy up your garden this fall to avoid potential problems next growing season! As…

Biochar being used in a research field at USU

October 11, 2020

Predicting Drought in Utah?

Hi Folks, in case you missed it there was a really neat article in ksl.com about USU researchers who are using a model to forecast drought one to three years in advance! Check out the story here. I also want to make sure everyone is familiar with USU’s Climate Center website which contains all kinds of…

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!

September 20, 2020

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…

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