Blog - Page 2 of 18 - The Organic Forecast

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…

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…

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…

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