USU Extension Answers

Learn the fastest ways to safely thaw frozen meat with tips from USU Extension. Discover how to use the microwave, cold water, or refrigerator to thaw meat, whether you can cook meat from frozen, and when it is safe to refreeze thawed meat.

Learn how long raw ground beef lasts in the fridge with food safety tips from USU Extension. Discover safe refrigerator and freezer storage times, how to thaw ground beef, how long cooked beef lasts, and signs of spoilage.

Learn how to tell if eggs have gone bad with tips from USU Extension. Discover what the egg float test means, how long raw and hard-boiled eggs last in the refrigerator, and how to safely store farm-fresh eggs to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

Learn how long cooked rice can safely sit out, with tips from USU Extension. Discover why leftover rice can cause food poisoning, how long rice lasts in the refrigerator, and how to safely store and reheat rice to reduce the risk of harmful bacteria.

Learn why you should use research-tested canning recipes with tips from USU Extension. Discover which recipe changes are safe, whether you can double or halve a batch, how to choose jar sizes, and why following tested processing instructions matters for f...

Learn which canning jars, lids, and bands can be safely reused, with tips from USU Extension. Discover when to sterilize jars, how to prepare lids, why pressure canner gauges need testing, and how to check your canning equipment for safe use.

Learn how long it takes canning jars to seal, with tips from USU Extension. Discover how to check jar seals after cooling, avoid common canning mistakes, and safely handle or reprocess jars that fail to seal.

Learn why canning jars lose liquid during processing with tips from USU Extension. Discover what causes siphoning, how to prevent liquid loss with proper headspace and cooling techniques, and when jars are safe to store or eat.

Learn how to adjust canning times and pressure for Utah's altitude with tips from USU Extension. Discover why elevation affects food safety, how to adjust water-bath processing times, and which pressure settings to use for dial-gauge and weighted-gauge ca...

Learn what botulism is and how to prevent it when home canning, with tips from USU Extension. Discover safe canning methods, the importance of tested recipes, proper food storage, and how to reduce the risk of botulism in home-canned foods.

Learn how to start home canning with tips from USU Extension. Discover beginner-friendly foods, essential canning equipment, the differences between water-bath and pressure canning, and how to safely preserve food using research-tested recipes.

Learn the difference between water-bath and pressure canning with USU Extension. Discover which foods require each method, why acidity matters for food safety, what equipment you need, and how to safely process home-canned foods.

Learn how to talk to your kids about drugs, vaping, and substance use with tips from USU Extension. Discover age-appropriate conversation starters, warning signs of substance use, fentanyl safety information, and ways to build trust and support your child...

Learn how to prevent gardening injuries with tips from USU Extension. Discover safe lifting, digging, and raking techniques, ergonomic gardening tools, stretches, and ways to reduce back, neck, and joint pain while gardening.

Learn why your peach tree isn't producing fruit with tips from USU Extension. Explore common causes such as frost damage, poor pruning, and overcropping, and learn how to thin peaches, improve fruit size, and encourage healthy fruit production.

Learn how to prune a peach tree in Utah with tips from USU Extension. Discover when to prune, how much growth to remove, and how to train young and mature peach trees into an open-center shape for healthy growth and better fruit production.

Learn how to protect peach trees from common pests and diseases in Utah with tips from USU Extension. Identify and manage peachtree borers, peach leaf curl, gummosis, powdery mildew, and shot hole disease to keep your tree healthy.

Learn when peaches are ready to pick in Utah with tips from USU Extension. Discover the signs of ripe peaches, the best time to harvest, and how to ripen peaches after picking for the best flavor and quality.

Learn how to store fresh peaches with tips from USU Extension. Discover how long peaches last in the refrigerator, how to ripen firm peaches, and the best ways to freeze or dry peaches for long-term storage.

Learn how to grow a peach tree in Utah with tips from USU Extension. Discover the best peach varieties, when and where to plant, and how to properly water, fertilize, and care for your tree.

Learn how to care for your lawn in Utah during the fall, including when to fertilize, overseed, aerate, water, and mow. Find tips for preparing your lawn for winter, managing brown spots, and handling fallen leaves.

A high tunnel (or hoop house) is a plastic-covered structure used to protect crops and extend the growing season.

The best time to get rid of squash bugs is to catch them early. Check your plants often.

To adjust for altitude, add more time for boiling-water canning, and for pressure canning, increase the canner pressure.

Learn what to check during a beehive inspection, including brood, food, space, pests, and signs that the queen is laying.

Learn what bee brood is, how to recognize eggs, larvae, and capped brood, and how long worker bees take to develop.

Learn what bees eat, why they need nectar and pollen, whether they eat honey, what baby bees eat, and when managed hives may need extra food.

Learn how often to inspect a beehive, what to check, and when cold weather makes a full hive inspection unsafe.

Learn how eggs, brood patterns, queen cells, and seasonal changes can show whether a honey bee queen is doing her job.

Learn how to identify a queen bee by her long abdomen and smooth back, where to look for her, and what to check when she is hard to find.

Learn how to prepare a beehive for winter with enough food, mite control, ventilation, wind protection, and a reduced entrance.

Sweet corn should be planted on your area's average last spring frost date or shortly after, once the soil has warmed to 60 °F or higher.

Trees that work well near power lines are 25 feet or shorter when fully grown. Many evergreen and deciduous trees fit that limit.

A land-grant university or college is an institution that provides research-based programs and resources for residents within the state.