Extension Gardening News
Ask an Expert – Winter Garden Planning Tips
If the spike in gardening interest the last few years is any indication of what 2023 will be like, now is the perfect time to start planning! Consider these tips and links from the Utah State University Extension Gardeners Almanac.
Ask an Expert - November Yard and Garden Tips
With snow falling early in many areas of the state, gardeners may have been caught off guard. Make sure your yard is ready for winter by finishing the last few tasks. Consider these tips and links from the Utah State University Extension Gardeners Almanac...
Ask an Expert - October Yard and Garden Tips
Autumn is officially here, and there is much to look forward to – pumpkins on the porch, apple cider, cooler temperatures, and walks through crunchy leaves. But before you get too comfortable, don’t forget there are yard and garden end-of-season tasks to ...
Ask an Expert – August Yard and Garden Checklist
The heat is on, and yards and gardens are trying to survive the high temperatures and drought conditions. Consider these tips from the USU Extension Gardeners Almanac to help your garden succeed.
Ask an Expert – Three Tips for Preventing Injury in the Yard and Garden
Whether you’re a weekend gardener or spend time in the dirt daily, you have probably experienced working too hard and feeling sore. Soreness can stem from exerting a new or weak muscle, and it subsides after a few days.
Ask an Expert – How Does Your Garden Grow? Tips for July
It can be a challenge to keep gardens growing as summer heats up, so Utah State University Extension provides a Gardener’s Almanac to help. The Almanac also includes links for tips and additional information.
Ask an Expert – Seven Principles for Water-Wise Landscaping
Our landscapes provide us with beautiful surroundings, natural cooling, and the cleansing of our environment. Nearly 65% of the annual culinary water consumption in Utah is applied to landscapes.
Ask an Expert – June Gardening Checklist
June is here, the sun is shining, and gardening is in full swing! Consider these tips from the Utah State University Extension Gardener’s Almanac to help make your yard and garden the best they can be.
Ask an Expert – May Gardening Checklist
April showers bring May flowers – as well as a multitude of gardening tasks. The Utah State University Extension Gardener’s Almanac provides a checklist for each month as well as links for tips and further information.
Ask an Expert – Spring Pruning Pointers
Temperatures are warming, and it is time to get out in the yard again. One of the first orders of business is pruning shrubs, roses, fruit trees, and raspberries.
Ask an Expert – Include Water-Efficient Practices in April Gardening Plans
Keeping water-efficient practices in mind, consider these tips as you prepare your yard and garden this year. Included are links from the Utah State University Extension Gardeners Almanac.
Ask an Expert – March Gardening Checklist
We are officially heading into gardening season! Consider these tips to help you prepare. Included are links from the Utah State University Extension Gardeners Almanac.
Ask an Expert – February Pre-gardening Checklist
There is much that can be done now to get a jump start on the growing season. These tips, with links from the Utah State University Extension Gardeners Almanac, can help get you going.
Ask an Expert – January Garden Planning Tips
If the spike in gardening interest the last two years is any indication of what 2022 will be like, now is the perfect time to start planning! Consider these tips and links from the Utah State University Extension Gardeners Almanac.
Utah Native Aspen Trees Affected by Invasive Insect
Oystershell scale, an invasive insect that can weaken and kill aspen trees, has recently been confirmed in native forests in Utah.
Ask an Expert – Plant Bulbs Now for Color Explosion this Spring
Spring-blooming bulbs are popular because of the beauty they add to the landscape and their ease of growing. Now is a good time to plant them, and many local retailers offer a wide variety. Consider these popular selections.
Ask an Expert – Time for Yard and Garden End-of-Season Tasks
Autumn is officially here, and there is much to look forward to – pumpkins on the porch, apple cider, cooler temperatures and walks through crunchy leaves. But before you get too comfortable, don’t forget the yard and garden end-of-season tasks.
Ask an Expert – Checklist for September Yard and Garden Tasks
Fall is in the air, which may make you want to hang up the rake. Don’t give up just yet, though – we’re coming in the home stretch! Consider these fall tips from the USU Extension Gardeners Almanac.
Ask an Expert – Do Wasps Get a Bad Rap?
All wasps can sting, right? Well, not exactly. While we tend to group them all into the stinging insect category, paper wasps, yellowjackets and aerial yellowjackets (hornets) do most of the stinging.
Ask an Expert – August Yard and Garden Checklist
The heat is on, and yards and gardens are trying to keep up with high temperatures and drought conditions. Consider these tips from the USU Extension Gardeners Almanac to help your garden succeed this month. Also included are links for further information...
Ask an Expert – With Proper Care, Drought Won’t Permanently Damage Yards
Utah is currently in one of the worst droughts since recording began in the late 1800s. Many reservoirs are at an all-time low, and some are drying up completely.
Ask an Expert – Five Tips to Help Trees Thrive During Drought
Trees provide cooling shade that helps reduce temperatures and energy bills, and they are an essential part of our landscapes. As the drought persists and we continue to cut back on lawn watering, it is critical that we remember to take care of our trees....
Ask an Expert – How Does Your Garden Grow? Tips for July
It can be a challenge to keep gardens growing well as summer heats up, so Utah State University Extension provides a Gardener’s Almanac to help.
Ask an Expert – Landscape Now to Help Prevent Wildfire Destruction Later
Recent drought concerns in Utah have prompted Governor Spencer Cox to issue an executive order declaring a state of emergency. To date, 100% of Utah is in the moderate drought category, and 90% of the state is experiencing extreme drought.
June Gardening Checklist
June is here, the sun is shining, and gardening is in full swing! Consider these tips from the Utah State University Extension Gardener’s Almanac to help make your yard and garden the best they can be.
USU Extension Releases New Pocket Vegetable Gardening Guide
Utah State University Extension recently released “The Pocket Gardener - A Quick Reference Guide to Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Vegetables.” The guide can be found at pocketgardener.usu.edu.
Ask an Expert – How to Prioritize Home Irrigation During a Drought
Due to drought conditions throughout the state, Governor Spencer Cox recently issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency for Utah. To date, 100% of Utah is in the moderate drought category, and 90% of the state is experiencing extreme drough...
Ask an Expert – Seven Tips for Container Gardens that Thrill, Fill and Spill
Container gardening has become popular as planting areas in the landscape have become smaller. Some containers are used to grow vegetables or specimen shrubs, while others display a beautiful splash of color.
Ask an Expert – May Gardening Checklist
April showers bring May flowers – as well as a multitude of gardening tasks. The Utah State University Extension Gardener’s Almanac provides a checklist for each month as well as links for tips and further information.
Ask an Expert – April Gardening Checklist
April showers (and work in the garden) bring May flowers (and plants). Consider these tips to help you prepare! Included are links from the Utah State University Extension Gardeners Almanac.
Ask an Expert – When to Plant? That Is the Question
Determining when to plant a garden can be especially confusing in Utah’s unpredictable, varied climate where last-frost dates can vary by many days within just a few miles.
Ask an Expert – March Gardening Checklist
We are officially heading into gardening season! Consider these tips to help you prepare. Included are links from the Utah State University Extension Gardeners Almanac.
Ask an Expert – February Pre-gardening Checklist
There is much that can be done now to get a jump start on the growing season. These tips with links from the Utah State University Extension Gardeners Almanac can help you get started.
Ask an Expert – January Garden Planning Tips
If last year’s spike in gardening interest is any indication of what this year will be like, now is the perfect time to start planning! Consider these tips with links from the Utah State University Extension Gardeners Almanac.
Ask an Expert - December Gardener’s Almanac Tips
Though yards and gardens were put to bed some time ago, there are still outdoor tasks to consider and holiday gardening gifts to give. Here are some tips.
Ask an Expert: Final Fall Pruning and Projects
Before giving up on gardening for the season, it’s important to finish strong by properly preparing your yard and garden for a long winter’s nap. Consider these tips.
Ask an Expert - October Yard and Garden Tips
Autumn is officially here, and there is much to look forward to – pumpkins on the porch, apple cider, cooler temperatures and walks through crunchy leaves. But before you get too comfortable, don’t forget there are still yard and garden end-of-season task...
Ask an Expert – Checklist for September Yard and Garden Tasks
Fall is in the air, which may make you want to hang up the rake. Don’t give up just yet, though – you are coming in the home stretch. Consider these fall tips from the USU Extension Gardeners Almanac. Also included are links for further information.
Ask an Expert – Is Crabgrass Making You Crabby? Six Tips to Help
We often label any weedy grass as crabgrass; however, not all of them are crabgrass. For example, if you have weedy grass growing in April and May, it is not crabgrass. Crabgrass seed germinates when soil temperatures are around 55 F, usually after forsyt...
Ask an Expert – August Yard and Garden Checklist
The heat is on, and yards and gardens are trying to keep up with the temperatures. Consider these tips from the USU Extension Gardeners Almanac to keep your garden thriving this month.
Ask an Expert – Iron Chlorosis: Symptoms, Causes and Solutions
Many landscape trees planted in Utah are highly susceptible to iron chlorosis, which is caused by a lack of available iron in the soil and results in the yellowing of plant leaves.
Ask an Expert - How Does Your Garden Grow? Tips for July
It can be a challenge to keep gardens growing well as summer heats up, so Utah State University Extension’s Gardener’s Almanac provides a checklist of tasks to help your garden, grass and plants grow well in July.
Ask an Expert: Timing Can Be Tricky for Spring Planting
Determining when to plant a garden can be especially confusing in Utah’s unpredictable, varied climate where last-frost dates can vary by many days within just a few miles.
Ask an Expert: Monthly Checklist from USU Extension Gardener’s Almanac
April showers bring May flowers – as well as a wide array of gardening tasks. Utah State University Extension’s Gardener’s Almanac provides a checklist for each month as well as links for tips and further information. The May checklist follows.
USU Extension Co-Hosts Public Hemp Seminar
The Utah State University Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Department and the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) host Utah’s first ever public hemp seminar.
Ask an Expert - October Yard and Garden Checklist
Fall is officially here, and it’s time to put the yard and garden to bed. Here are tips from the USU Extension Gardeners Almanac to help.
Ask an Expert - Checklist for September Yard and Garden Tasks
Fall is in the air, which may make you want to hang up the rake.
Ask an Expert: Why Are My Leaves Turning Brown?
Many of the trees grown in our landscapes are not native to the Intermountain West. They have been transplanted (like many of us) and struggle to adapt to Utah’s arid climate.
Ask an Expert – August Yard and Garden Checklist
The heat is on, and yards and gardens are trying to keep up with the temperatures. Consider these tips from the USU Extension Gardeners Almanac to keep your garden thriving this month. Also included are links for further information.
ASK AN EXPERT – How Does Your Garden Grow? Tips for July
How does your garden grow? It can be a challenge to keep it growing well as summer heats up. Utah State University Extension’s Gardener’s Almanac provides a checklist of tasks to help your garden, grass and plants grow well in July.
Gardener’s Almanac Checklist for June
It has been said that June is the gateway to summer.
Ask an Expert: Landscaping Tips for Season-long Color
Color in the landscape adds visual appeal and seasonal splendor. Many homeowners try to select plants that will offer season-long interest, add consistency and tie the landscape design together.
Gardener's Almanac Provides Monthly Checklist
April showers bring May flowers – as well as a plethora of gardening tasks. Utah State University Extension’s Gardener’s Almanac provides a checklist for each month as well as links for tips and further information. The May checklist follows.
Fickle Climate Keeps Gardeners Guessing
Determining when to plant a garden can be especially confusing in Utah’s unpredictable, varied climate where last-frost dates can vary by many days within just a few miles. Many experienced gardeners have planted and later lost their plants to frost.
Fall Yard Projects and Pruning Pointers
After all the planting, mowing, weeding and harvesting, many gardeners are looking forward to a winter reprieve. But before giving up, it’s important to finish the season strong by properly preparing your yard and garden for a long winter’s nap. Consider ...
What Causes Autumn Leaves to Change Color?
Colors are most vibrant when plants have had adequate moisture throughout the season followed by sunny autumn days and cool nighttime temperatures. With Utah’s extended dry summer, this year’s colors may not appear to be as bright as in previous years.
Six Focus Areas for Fall Yard Care
Fall is in the air, and the leaves are changing. It will soon be time to put the lawn and garden to bed for the year. By investing time before winter takes over, you can ensure healthier and happier plants next spring. Consider these tips.
Dealing With Problem Soil? Four Tips to Help
The condition of the soil often dictates success or failure in the landscape. Before spending money on trees and plants, be sure your soil is suitable for planting.
Grasshoppers Getting in Your Garden? Three Tips for Control
Grasshoppers are on the loose. The best time for controlling them is when they are young, before they have wings and can fly away from insecticide treatments. For best results, organize your neighborhood or local farming/ranching community to work togethe...
12 Ways to Stop Snakes From Slithering Into Your Yard
With a drier and hotter start to summer this year, more snakes are following their prey into areas that are irrigated and provide good cover and food. Unfortunately, this describes many people’s yards, and for a lot of people, the sight of a snake strikes...
USU Extension Gardeners Combat Hunger Among Senior Citizens
Senior citizens make up nearly 10 percent of Salt Lake's vast population. Many of these senior citizens are facing hunger issues that are almost impossible to believe. USU Extension gardeners are now coming their aid through their farmers market program....
Think Visual Impact When Readying Your Yard for Events
Learn more about how to ready your yard for special events. Find information and resources such as, focus on the areas your guests will see and visit more, follow the same route your guest will take, and more.
USU Extension Issues Codling Moth Advisory for Cache County
Utah State University Extension in Cache County issues a fruit pest advisory for codling moth this weekend, June 1-3. It is important to know when and how to take action.
Seven Tips for Container Gardens that Thrill, Fill and Spill
Container gardening has become popular as planting areas in the landscape have become smaller. Some containers are used to grow vegetables or specimen shrubs, while others display a beautiful splash of color. For thrilling container gardens, consider thes...
Spring has Sprung, but Frost Still Likely
Determining when to plant a garden can be especially confusing in Utah’s unpredictable climate and frost. Garden expert, Taun Beddes, presents his tips to combating late frosts.
Ask an Expert: Is Warm Weather Confusing Plants and Trees?
Many Utahns are concerned that the unseasonably warm temperatures are causing confusion for our plants and trees. While there is concern about plants breaking dormancy and emerging too early, thus increasing their susceptibility to frost, most plants are ...
Ask an Expert: Poinsettia Care During the Holidays and Beyond
Poinsettias are native Mexican plants. They thrive during the holiday season because they are short-day plants that require long nights to launch their color change. The colorful bracts of these plants are leaves, not flowers, with the most common bract c...
Ask an Expert: Four Areas of Focus for Fall Yard Cleanup
Winter is just around the corner. After all of the relentless mowing, harvesting and canning, we can get a little burned out on yardwork. However, don’t give up yet. Fall is an important time to set the yard up for healthy plants next year.
There’s a New Pest in Town
The elm seed bug has been recognized as Utah’s newest pest.
Ask an Expert: How Can I Keep My Landscape Looking Lovely in the Heat?
The heat is on, and many lawns are struggling. Consider these suggestions for keeping your landscapes and gardens healthy while also saving water.
PODCAST: Perennial Flowers with Extended Blooming Periods
Perennial flowers can add color and variety to any yard and garden. Taun Beddes, USU Extension horticulturist, discusses his favorite perennials that have long blooming periods in this podcast.
Ask a Specialist: Six Lovely, Long-blooming Perennials to Consider
It is finally time to plant flowers, and it is easy to default to annuals (plants that die at the end of the season) such as petunias and marigolds.
Ask an Expert: Three Tips for Tree Planting
Trees are an integral part of landscaping, and it’s important to know the basics of starting them out right so they will flourish for many years to come.
Ask an Expert: Five Ways to Protect Plants from Dipping Temperatures
With looming cold temperatures heading to Northern Utah this week, anxious gardeners are worried about their fruit trees and newly planted gardens.
New Low-Water Landscaping Book Released by USU Extension
Utah State University Extension recently released “Combinations for Conservation.” The landscaping book provides examples of plant combinations that have been successful in low-water gardens throughout the Intermountain West.
Ask an Expert: When to Plant? That is the Question
Determining when to plant a garden can be especially confusing in Utah’s unpredictable, varied climate where last-frost dates can vary by many days within just a few miles. Many experienced gardeners have planted and later lost their plants to frost.
Upcoming Grafting Workshops
Grafting is the age-old practice of joining plants to specific root systems to get the desirable benefits of both parts. USU Extension provides several upcoming workshops to teach the science and techniques of grafting.
USU Extension Launches E-Learning Gardening Course
Utah State University Extension recently launched a series of online gardening courses designed for beginning and intermediate gardeners.
New Gardening Book Released by USU Extension
Utah State University Extension recently released “The Ultimate Gardening Guide,” a book that provides gardeners of all levels with research-backed answers to fruit and vegetable gardening questions.
USU Extension Launches E-Learning Pesticide Applicator Course
Utah State University Extension recently launched the National Pesticide Applicator Core Exam Preparation Course.
Salem Witch Trials Culprit Again
More than three centuries after the Salem witch trials, the unlikely culprit that many believe caused the mayhem has appeared again, this time in Utah.
Ask an Expert: Slithering Snakes Spotted in Parks and Lawns
An increased number of snakes have recently been reported in lawns, golf courses and city parks. Aside from callers being spooked by an unexpected encounter with a snake, they are also concerned about the snakes harming them, their children or taking up r...
Ask an Expert: Five Fall Must-Do Yard Tasks
With autumn here, it’s time to think about getting the yard ready for winter. Consider the following tasks that will help your yard be healthy and happy next spring.
Fall Planting Brings Winter Color
Most nurseries and garden centers are holding fall sales to reduce plant inventory. The timing is right, because with cooler temperatures, now is a great time to plant. Many plants are available that will help create winter interest in the yard.
Ask an Expert: Four Tips for Dealing with Problem Soil
The condition of the soil often dictates success or failure in the landscape. Before spending money on trees and plants, be sure your soil is suitable for planting. Consider these tips for dealing with four common soil problems.
Ask an Expert: Four Tips for Getting Rid of Eerie Earwigs
European earwigs are common in Utah and are easily recognized by the large pincers on the end of their bodies. The ideas that earwigs crawl into ears and that their pincers are dangerous are both false.
Ask an Expert: Nine Tried and True Water-Wise Perennials
Temperatures will be climbing soon, and it’s important to select perennials now that require less water as the summer heat wears on.
Ask a Specialist: Seven Tips for Container Gardens that Thrill, Fill and Spill
Container gardening has become popular as planting areas in the landscape have become smaller. Some containers are used to grow vegetables or specimen shrubs, while others display a beautiful splash of color. For thrilling container gardens, consider thes...
Ask an Expert: Spring Has Sprung, but Frost Still Likely
Determining when to plant a garden can be especially confusing in Utah’s unpredictable, varied climate where last-frost dates can vary by many days within just a few miles. Many experienced gardeners have planted and later lost their plants to frost.
Ask an Expert: Five Tips to Prevent Vole Damage
As the snow melts, it becomes obvious that field mice, or voles, have damaged many lawns and ornamentals.
Ask an Expert: Five Tips for Indoor Gardening
Many people miss having fresh garden produce in the winter so much that they are willing to grow it indoors. This can be a little challenging, but having fresh tomatoes on a sandwich or fresh peas on a winter salad makes it worth the effort.
Ask an Expert: Pruners Make a Great Gift for Gardeners
If you are looking for a useful gift for the gardeners on your shopping list, consider hand pruners or loppers. Hand pruners are similar to scissors, but are sturdier and are used to cut branches less than 1Ž2-inch thick.
Ask an Expert: Plant Bulbs Now for Spring Color Explosion
Spring-blooming bulbs are popular because of the beauty they add to the landscape and their ease of growing. Now is a good time to plant them, and many local retailers offer a wide variety.
Ask a Specialist: Six Tips for Putting the Yard to Bed
Fall is in the air, and the leaves are changing. This time of year brings the tasks of putting the lawn and garden to bed for the year. By investing time before winter takes over, you can ensure healthier and happier plants next spring. Consider these tip...
USU Extension and Partners Receive Grant for Water-wise Demonstration Garden
Thanksgiving Point Institute in Lehi, in cooperation with Utah State University Extension, was recently awarded a $136,186
Watch For Common Vegetable Diseases This Time of Year
After a long summer of growing and caring for a garden, the last thing gardeners want is to lose their plants to disease. Knowing the signs of common plant diseases and the steps to treat or prevent them is a valuable tool. Be aware of these common vegeta...
Ask a Specialist: Edible Ornamentals Enhance the Landscape and Table
Most people have never experienced having their very existence depend on the foods they could harvest from their gardens or farms.
New USU Extension Gardening App Released
Gardeners now have step-by-step instructions and information available at their fingertips with the recently released Gardeners Almanac: Timely Tips for the Yard and Garden mobile app from Utah State University Extension.
10 Tips For Green Lawn
Having a green lawn this time of year is difficult! Here are 10 tips which will help your lawn stay green.
Ask a Specialist: Controlling Grasshoppers in the Yard and Garden
Large numbers of immature grasshoppers have been spotted in Utah this spring.
How to Do Your Own Water Check
Simple steps to conduct your own at home water check. All you need is some straight-sided containers, a ruler, some flags, and a timer such as the one on your phone.
Long-blooming Perennials Add Lasting Beauty to Landscapes
Perennials are not necessarily lower maintenance than annuals, but they open up a wider array of textures and flower styles that add interest to a yard. The following are among the easiest to grow and longest blooming and are just a few of the many wonder...
How Can I Keep My Landscape Looking Lovely When There Are Water Restrictions?
Water restrictions are in place in many cities in northern Utah, with more likely to follow. In most cases, though, landscapes and gardens can still be kept and enjoyed. Consider these suggestions for keeping your landscapes and gardens healthy while stil...
Ask a Specialist: Pruning Pointers
Though recent storms may have already removed tree branches, it is still time to think pruning. Consider these tips that will help take the pain out of fruit tree pruning.
Ask A Specialist: Some Plants Need Extra Care
Most retailers do their best to stock nurseries with locally adapted plants. However, it seems most carry a few plants that struggle in our climate. Here are some tips to get the right plants for our Utah climate.
Spring Has Spring But...Frost Still LIkely
Now that Spring is officially here, and weather is unseasonably warm, you may be tempted to start planting. Pay attention to these dates to avoid frost destroying your early attempts at gardening.
Think Gardening, Think USU Extension
USU Extension is your source for yard and garden. Vegetables, fruit trees, etc. you're covered!
Growing Tomatoes in Winter
The most likely option for hobbyists who want homegrown tomatoes throughout the year is to grow them in containers indoors.
Healthy Hanging Baskets: How to care for them like a pro…
Gorgeous hanging baskets can be the pride and joy of your front porch. But not if they’re dead and droopy.