Utah's First
Family Nursery
We love plants. We love to help our customers succeed with growing their new plants. So, we thought we’d share a bit more about the products we recommend using whenever new plants are planted.
It can seem overwhelming at first.
“Why should I add all these powders, liquids, and blends to my soil?”
“Shouldn’t my plants know what to do naturally without all this extra stuff?”
The answer to both these questions can seem complex, so we wanted to break it down for you to understand why we recommend these products and how they truly do help your plants succeed.
First off is “the little blue tub” that we always recommend for eligible trees and shrubs called, aptly named, “MYKE Tree & Shrub.” Yes, it extends the warranty from a 1-year to a 5-year, but why?
MYKE Tree and Shrub is an all-natural growth supplement that contains biological fungi called mycorrhizae which is an inoculant that stimulates the existing mycorrhizae in the soil to produce more mycorrhizae.
Soil is naturally teeming with bacteria and fungi, though most are neither beneficial nor harmful. Still, they play a subtle, yet vital, role in plant health by boosting the number of helpful organisms in the soil. By adding helpful bacteria or fungi to take up those tiny spaces, you minimize the risk of dangerous microorganisms taking up residency and potentially harming your plants. An easy-to-understand comparison would be an inoculation humans receive to ward off undesirable diseases, sort of like a flu shot.
When applied correctly, which is close to the roots during the transplantation (we recommend patting it directly on the root ball), Mycorrhizal fungi will start to germinate in the soil and make their way to the nearest roots. The roots are then colonized by the fungi and mycorrhizae is established. Upon establishment, mycorrhizae assist the root system through a more efficient uptake of water and nutrients for the plant.
While MYKE has minuscule amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in it, it is not to be confused with fertilizer. It’s true that those minuscule amounts may be of minor help to the plant, but it is not a replacement for a good plant starter fertilizer such as Fertilome Root Stimulator.
No, for new plants with tender roots, you want to use something formulated specifically for root growth. Fertilizers that are for established plants have higher concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which can burn the tender root systems of new plants.
Fertilome Root Stimulator is recommended when transplanting to stimulate early root formation and development. It is perfect to use when transplanting trees and shrubs. In fact, it can also be used on berries, fruit trees, and flowers. In addition to the gentle fertilizer needed to give the plants a healthy, but not overwhelming, boost of nutrients, it includes an active ingredient called Indole-3-butyric acid.
Indole-3-butyric acid is a plant hormone used to initiate root formation. It should be used one time after initial planting at the rate of 3½ tablespoons of root stimulator in one gallon of water. We recommend using this product for new plantings at the initial planting, then again in the fall when plants start going dormant and push their energy into root growth. Do not use this product excessively or in amounts higher than recommended as it can lead to root burn, nutrient toxicity, or dry and damaged roots.
Awww, OK, that all makes sense. But with those products, why would I also need to amend my soil?
Unfortunately in the Salt Lake area, the soil structure needs help to allow for proper drainage along with nutrient density. We used to be a lake bed, a salty lake bed, so we have high alkalinity, poor drainage, heavy clay or sandy soil, and not a lot of organic matter to help break down the clay or hold moisture levels appropriately.
This is why, in addition to a mycorrhizal inoculant and a root stimulator, we recommend one of the following soil amendments to give your plants the best start possible, depending on which area you are in.
These blends are fully composted composts with few or no raw wood products in them and create a wonderful soil environment for strong plants and healthy root growth. Additionally, they are OMRI listed for organic gardening and great for breaking up hard clay soils and improving drainage, which in return will promote healthy root development. We have found the best ratio for use is 1 part soil conditioner to 3 parts native soil.
Note: Using a product that is not fully composted will steal nitrogen from the plant you are trying to grow in the process of composting the raw wood in the material, so you will end up needing to add a nitrogen fertilizer to supplement the soil
In summary, key factors that will help your new plant to establish properly and successfully include a mycorrhizal inoculant, a root stimulator, and a soil conditioner.
Be sure to check out our other informational pages on how to properly plant and water your new tree.
Happy Gardening!
The Glover Diagnostics Department
Though it always depends on the weather, in general gardening is cyclical. Even if the season starts early, or late, the basic “to-dos” will be pretty much the same. So, we’re sharing a recap of our helpful July gardening blog posts throughout the years for all your summertime gardening needs.
Looking for some tasks to keep you busy this summer? We’ve got some ideas to help maintain your trees, shrubs, flowers, and more! Check out the below two lists and see how many tasks you can tackle this month.
Your To-Do List: July Gardening Tips
5 Things To Do In Your Summer Garden
We love the vibrant colors of flowers and plants that pop up during the hotter months of the year. From the ever popular roses, to drought-tolerant and waterwise plants, learn more about some of our favorite summer finds here.
Top 7 Waterwise Perennials for Summer
Top 5 Drought Tolerant & Resistant Plants
If you’re looking to explore more plants or to see if we have specific ones, check out our catalog here.
An important reminder for all humans and greenery this summer: Stay hydrated! Whether you’re a beginner gardener or a seasoned expert, check out these helpful blog posts about watering, maintaining your lawn, and how to use less water.
Watering 101: How to Water Your New Plants
5 Ways to Reduce Water Waste in Utah
4 Products to Achieve a Greener Lawn & Use Less Water
Top 3 Tips for Maintaining Your Lawn
Landscaping, Your Top 5 Rules for Success
Gardening is a fun solo activity, but is always more exciting when you have others to share your passion with, especially those who are local! To interact with like-minded gardeners, join the Glover Nursery Facebook Group, where community members share images and questions about their home gardening and landscaping projects. We hope to see you there.
Happy Gardening! 🌱
At Glover Nursery we are dedicated to helping you achieve your garden goals. We love to answer your questions and set you up for success with the best plants and garden supplies. Recently, we’ve received a few questions from you all about raised garden beds: what are they, how do I make one, what are the benefits, and how can I make sure it's successful? We want to answer all of your raised bed questions right now!
Raised bed gardening is a type of gardening in which the soil is lifted above ground level and enclosed. The structures for raised beds, a platform with four walls or garden boxes, can be constructed out of a variety of materials, some of the most common are wood, rock, or concrete. They can be made in any size that works for you and your space. From small patio gardens to large backyard spreads, raised beds are a great option.
The soil in a raised bed is typically enriched with compost. Personally, we suggest Rich and Complete; it is a fabulous blend with all the nutrients needed for your flowers, veggies and herbs.
Raised garden beds can be dated back to medieval times when farmers would use walls made of woven limbs and branches - wattle fences - to keep their gardens contained. Fast forward to the 18th century when Parisian gardeners would use horse manure to grow vegetables to sell at the market. In the 1970s this way of gardening was appealing to smaller-scale home gardeners because of the higher yield.
When it comes to raised garden beds you can grow a wide selection of different plants. Some of the most common to grow are annual flowers, veggies or herbs. What works best for your setup will depend on how much sunlight the raised bed receives - but more often than not, you will have raised beds in mostly sunny areas. Some common things to grow in raised beds are Tomatoes, Peppers, Lettuce, Squash or small fruits like Raspberries or Strawberries. But, in reality, there is no limit to what you can grow. Maybe you use your raised beds for an amazing floral garden for cutting flowers like Peony, Coneflower, Poppies, Lavender or Foxglove.
Pro Tip: Use trellises for plants like peas that like to crawl.
Another useful link: Learn about Setting Your Veggie Beds Up For Success Garden
An elevated garden bed is beneficial for a number of reasons - both for you and your plants. First, raising the garden above ground level makes bending over and working on your garden less of a strain on your body. You can build them as tall as you need - as long as you can fill it with soil.
A raised bed also isolates your plants and helps prevent weeds and pests. The soil will also be more aerated and have better drainage.
Raised garden beds allow for a longer growing season because they warm up quicker in the spring, and cool down slower in the fall. You can also cover them with plastic stretched over hoops as the weather gets colder and create a little mini greenhouse.
You may also read: Cost Effective Veggies For Your Garden
Many people choose to build their raised garden beds themselves with treated 2 x 4s or retainer wall materials. If you are crafty, building raised beds could be a fun weekend project. There are a few places that provide raised garden bed kits, such as SilverCreek Garden Boxes. You can also order a kit from Vego Garden for a more modular look that is easy to move and adapt to an area if you want to try a few options out.
Let us know in the comments if you plan to start a raised bed this spring! If you already have one - tell us your favorite thing to grow. If you’d like to join an ever-growing online garden community for both beginners and seasoned gardeners alike, come say hello in our Glover Nursery Gardening Group. The community is always sharing their garden wins and gardening tips.
Set Your Veggie Beds Up For Success Garden
It’s true, the month of January, with its cold weather and snowfall, doesn’t exactly scream gardening, but there are actually plenty of things you can be doing this time of year to make the most out of your gardening season. There’s a quote that we love from author, Josephine Nuese that goes:
“Anyone who thinks gardening begins in the spring and ends in the fall is missing the best part of the whole year: For gardening begins in January with a dream.”
We couldn’t agree more!
January is for dreaming & designing, pondering & planning, so that come springtime, you are ready to hit the ground running. There are also a few things around your Utah garden you should be keeping an eye on, so here are some garden tips & ideas to keep you busy this month:
Make sure to keep heavy snow loads brushed off of your shrubs and small trees to prevent breakage. Gently brush the snow off by hand or with a broom. Don’t shake the branches, as they are likely brittle this time of year. In the case of ice, let it melt, instead of trying to remove it.
To prevent ice and snow build-up, you can wrap your trees or shrubs with twine to keep multiple leaders together.
H2: Stay Off Dormant Frozen Lawns
If you can, stay off your frozen lawn in order to protect the plant crowns from breakage. When the lawn appears frosted, the blades of grass are frozen and walking or mowing will cause damage that will make it so your lawn won’t be able to bounce back quickly in spring. This could cause more work for you.
Check On Your BulbsCheck on your stored bulbs such as begonias, cannas, and callas a few times throughout the winter to make sure that they are still firm. Throw out any bulb that is mushy or moldy to prevent them from ruining the whole bunch. If it’s just a small mushy patch, you may be able to salvage the bulb by removing the spot with a sterilized knife.
If you notice that the bulbs are getting too dry, you may need to moisten the storage medium with a mist of water.
This is the really exciting part. Start thinking about everything you want to grow in your garden, and how you want it to look. Read through catalogs for plants and ideas you may want to incorporate into your planting beds. Order seeds or plugs early if they need to be started early indoors, and to get the best selection! A fantastic way to keep track of all of your ideas is with a garden journal.
Every garden & gardener is unique and so every garden journal is unique as well. A garden journal can be anything you want it to be. You can use anything from a regular notebook, your computer, or a planner, to a commercially made garden journal.
Here’s a local Utah notebook designer company that we love! Not only can you support local artists, but your purchase will also help to build schools. That’s a win-win.
The point of the journal is to plan ahead, keep track of what you are growing, and note what went right and what went wrong. From year to year, you’ll be able to look back at your journals, celebrate your successes, and learn from your challenges.
Like we said before, there’s no right or wrong way to keep a garden journal. Each is unique to the gardener. But whether you have a small vegetable garden or are landscaping a large property, there are a few basic things you can keep track of in your journal.
A great way to start is to log your plant hardiness zone, which is the standard gardeners can use to figure out what plants thrive best in their zone. Our garden center in Utah is a zone 6, even though the USDA map has us listed as a zone 7a. The wild weather here in Utah creates a lot of microclimates that can be tricky to ascertain. Some local resources with a bit more guidance about many microclimates in Utah are Conservation Garden Park and USU Extension Services, both are excellent resources for Utah gardeners.
Another important thing to keep track of would be your average spring and fall frost dates.
It helps to split your garden journal into different sections, which could include: planning, sketches, seeds & plants, a calendar, a growth log, expenses, maintenance, etc. Organize your journal to suit your needs and your garden.
Setting up your garden journal is a great way to keep yourself busy while you wait for spring. When it comes to planning, we’d be happy to have you come into Glover Nursery where you can talk to one of our knowledgeable specialists about preparing your garden. You can also schedule a landscaping consultation here.
Welcome to July, gardeners! Summer is in full swing and the days are heating up after a wet, cool spring.
"And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer."
~ F. Scott Fitzgerald
Check these July gardening tips off your to-do lists. It’s always helpful to know what to do in the garden this month! If you missed our tips last month, you can find them here.
Temperatures are rising and insects are getting hungry! Keep an eye out for diseases and pests including powdery mildew, peach twig borers (on peach, nectarine, cherry, and apricot trees), and codling moth (on apple and pear trees). The codling moth’s larvae are the ones to blame for wormy apples.
Watch out for red spider mites. If you suspect that you may have spider mites, flick a branch or leaf onto white paper and look carefully to see if any of the specks move. 
There are a few options when it comes to getting rid of spider mites. Consider using a hard spray of water to knock them back, dormant oil, or organic insecticides.
Continue deep soaking newly planted trees and shrubs 2 to 3 times per week and fully established plants 2 to 3 times per month. Check out our watering guide for more tips.
Remove faded flowers from annuals and roses to promote re-blooming. Removing the spent flowers will encourage the plants to produce more and more beautiful blooms. You can also remove spent flowers from your perennials, though it likely won't help to extend their bloom season.
It may not be your favorite chore, but keep up on the weeding! A little prevention by pulling them early prevents weeds from going to seed. Once they go to seed they’ll start growing like…well, weeds.
Give your Hanging baskets and planters a refresh. . They may need some sprucing up. Cut back overgrown plants and replace any spent plants as needed. A few pops of new color mixed in with the cleaned-up flowers will keep your planters and baskets looking as beautiful as the day you bought them.
Hanging baskets may need extra water in the summer heat so test the soil in the morning and again in the evening.
A lot of folks are reducing (or even eliminating) lawn from their yards these days. But, one thing to keep in mind - a healthy lawn does help to keep the yard cooler.
Lawn care doesn’t have to use up excessive amounts of water. Creating a strong root system with healthy soil allows your lawn to look great with far less water than you might think. Now is also a good time to apply products like Revive, Groundbreaker, Hydretain, and TurfMax - four products to help your lawn in the heat.
For more tips, check out our Seasonal Tips page.
April days are upon us. Those long spring days spent outside in our gardens are ahead of us. The temperatures are warming up and we start to see more and more buds and blooms. Now is the time when our garden to-do lists seem never-ending…and we couldn’t be more thrilled!
There are no days in the whole round year more delicious than those which often come to us in the latter half of April... The sun trembles in his own soft rays... The grass in the meadow seems all to have grown green since yesterday... though there is warmth enough for a sense of luxury, there is coolness enough for exertion.
~Thomas Wentworth Higginson, "April Days”
Check these April gardening tips off of your April to-do lists and check back in with us next month for more!
If our missed March’s list, you can find it here.
Lawn Care Gardening Tips Further Reading: Top Three Tips for Maintaining Lawns
Happy gardening to you! heck out our seasonal gardening tips for even more information and come on over to see us with any questions or to grab the products you need to help your lawn and garden thrive
Gardening It's All in the Family
Creative Gardening Pairings from Monrovia
We are inching closer and closer to spring!
It’s not spring yet but I swear we can already smell it. February is another month of maintenance and preparation to help ensure a successful growing season. We are gearing up at the nursery with new shipments of gardening tools, seeds, water plants, and more! We’re also bringing on new team members to help better serve the Utah gardening community come March and April.
If you think you, or someone you know, would make a great fit here at the garden center, make sure to send in an application.
Here are some of our top monthly tips for February but definitely check out even more seasonal planting tips & tricks.
The end of February is the time of the year to prune your shade trees because they are dormant and less susceptible to bugs and disease. You can also prune apple and pear trees. When you prune, you will cut off broken or dead branches and trim the top branches. Make sure that your cuts are angled and clean. Pruning your trees encourages new growth so your tree can provide even more shade in the summer month.
Related Reading: Need more shade in your backyard? If you live in Utah you're in luck. Our shade trees will turn your backyard into an instant oasis for all your summer activities. We've got a wide variety of instant shade trees and we deliver and install them too!
Read more: Instant Shade For Your Yard
Check Your Garden Ponds
There are a few things to keep an eye on in February when it comes to your pond. Make sure to check the heaters and aerators often to make sure that they are working properly. Ponds also must have a hole in the ice to release noxious gasses that form from decomposing matter in the pond. Pond owners will also want to check for ice dams. Ensure they are not forming on waterfalls or streams that might divert water level over the liner.
Related Viewing: In this video, Glover Nursery's water garden manager, Shane, gives you a quick checklist to go through when preparing your pond for winter. Watch here
New seeds are rolling into the garden nursery all the time! Now is the time to look through plant catalogs for plants and ideas you may want to incorporate like companion plantings into your garden beds. Order / come pick out your seeds or plugs now to get them started early indoors and for the best selection.
Growing plants from seeds is an exciting and fulfilling undertaking. If you haven’t done it before, Glover Nursery is here to help. Utah gardeners now’s the time to start your seeds inside (also known as seeding indoors). We’ve got you covered with all the tips and tricks (& seeds!).
You may also check out our seasonal tip videos here.
We are available for all of your gardening questions - that’s what we do! Come down and visit us at the garden center, give us a call, or reach out on social media.
Creative Gardening Pairings from Monrovia
Gardening It's All in the Family
Come spring, gardeners might discover that their evergreens and needled plants have brown, dry patches. This is known as winter burn, or desiccation, and is caused by a combination of things including: freezing temperatures, low soil moisture, and blowing winds. The good news is with most cases, and with a little care, your trees and shrubs will bounce back from the winter burn and be as good as new. If you think your plants have winter burn, or any other issue, send a picture to our team of diagnostics team using this form, they will get back to you ASAP and help you figure out how to treat it.
Here are a few tips and tricks to help you treat winter burn and avoid the hassle of replacing the plants.
If new foliage hasn’t started growing by spring, gently scratch the bark on affected branches and look for a green color underneath. When it’s green, the branch should heal on its own with a bit of time (and fertilizer). If the color under that gentle scratch is brown, then it is time to prune! After a few growing seasons, the tree or shrub will fill in the areas that you’ve had to cut away. If the tree is completely brown, recovery is unlikely and in that case, you will need to replace it.
Winter burn starts with the tips of needles turning brown and, eventually, full needles on a whole section of the tree are brown and dry. Prune away the brown, dead, and dying needles/branches once new foliage has started to grow on the tree or shrub because premature pruning could worsen the desiccation. New foliage will often push out the dead tissue and you won't need to do much pruning.
The best way to treat winter burn is to avoid it completely. There are a few steps you can take to prevent it.
Gardening and maintaining your landscape is always a learning process and we want to help you every step of the way. The team at Glover Nursery are always happy to answer any of your questions. Don't forget that you can send pictures of your plants in to our diagnostic team for assistance. Stop by or give us a call, we are here to help.
Updates, Sales, and Gardening Tips
9275 S. 1300 W. West Jordan, UT 84088
Phone: (801) 562-5496
Fax: (801) 562-5595
Email: [email protected]
Updates, Sales, and Gardening Tips
