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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: 

Watch for Heavy Snow Loads

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 Bulbs

Check 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.

Start Dreaming

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. 

 

What is 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. 

How Do I start?

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. 

Trees and Shrubs 

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.

Flowers 

Remove faded flowers from annuals, perennials, and roses to promote re-blooming. Removing the spent flowers will encourage the plants to produce more and more beautiful blooms. 

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. 

Ponds

Keep your pond plants fertilized this summer. 

As you probably know, mosquitoes can be extra pesky this time of year and a pond may be a perfect breeding ground. To avoid a mosquito infestation, keep the water flowing and moving and use mosquito tablets to keep them away. 

Lawn

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. 

 

1. Ground Breaker - This product loosens compacted soil opening up pore space which allows for better water and air penetration.  It binds salt to itself and flushes it below the root zone.  It will help to normalize Ph and allows plants to have better access to nutrients.

2. Hydretain - Hydretain is not another wetting agent, surfactant, or super absorbent polymer crystal. It is actually a liquid group of hygroscopic and humectant components that attracts moisture. In other words, by acting like tiny “water magnets,” they form microscopic droplets within the root zone. As a result, this process allows plants to utilize soil moisture that would otherwise be lost to evaporation.

3. TurfMax - TurfMAX contains over 50 ingredients to treat and correct a wide range of factors that make grass unhealthy. It is the only product that addresses all the needs of lawns and the soil they grow in.

4. Revive - Getting water to the roots is the secret of Revive’s success. Its unique formula allows water to move deeper down into the soil, bringing organic lawn fertilizers and air with it. This results in much stronger grass roots that produce a thick green, healthy lawn. 

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.

Tree Care Tips 

• Remove all winter tree wraps to avoid overheating of tree bark
• Wrapping your tree with burlap or tree guard helps you reduce the chances of harsh winter weather ruining the tree’s bark - and keeps the deer from having a nibble. But, once the winter season is done it’s time to say goodbye to the tree wrap. Leaving it on for too long can be harmful to the tree’s trunk and encourage pests and disease. Removing the wrap in April is a good rule of thumb as the likelihood of seeing another frost is low. 

Fertilize Shade and Fruit Trees Tips

• Make sure to apply fertilizer to your trees to help them stay healthy. Just like humans, trees need important nutrients to grow and for their overall health. Think of the fertilizer as their daily vitamin.  Some trees may need an application again in May. We recommend using G&B Citrus & Fruit Tree Fertilizer for fruit trees and G&B All Purpose Fertilizer for established shade trees and shrubs, we have both products are available now.

Deep Soak Trees And Shrubs, Especially If The Winter And Spring Have Been Dry.

• As temperatures start to warm up in early spring, start deep soaking your trees and shrubs.  The ground will likely be dry after winter, so a routine of 1 time per week is good to start.
• Always check the weather first! You don’t need to deep soak during a week that you have significant precipitation. You can always check Conserve Water for their weekly watering guide to see up-to-date watering recommendations for your area.
• If you do need to deep soak, here is what that means:
• 1- Turn your hose on a slow trickle and place it 4-6” from the base of the plant.  
• 2- Let the hose run between 10-30 minutes (this will be determined bythe size of the root ball, 2-3 gallons per inch diameter of the trunk.). 
• Deep soaking with a hose is the best way to water your new plants, trees, and shrubs to ensure they are getting enough water for the proper establishment of the root system.

Weeding, Pruning, Fertilizing

• Prepare Your Garden
• Get your garden ready for spring by removing any winter mulch from around your perennials and roses. Rake out debris from flower and shrub beds and move shrubs, if necessary, before things start to bud.  This will prevent mold and fungus from developing and spreading.  Fresh compost can be added to flower beds if the soil has dried out enough.

Prepare for Weeds & Pests

• Thinking ahead helps you avoid disaster further down the road. In April, systemic insect controls can be applied to shrubs and perennials. Keep the weeds in check by regular weeding before they take and start to spread. Check for and control insect infestations before they become a problem. When controlling pests and weeds, consider using biological controls before other harsher chemical treatments.  We carry a large variety of products to help with weed and pest prevention, bring photos of your plants and we’ll make sure you get exactly what you need. 

Lawn Care Gardening Tips

• Lawn Preparation
• Early preparation of your lawn will help keep it green with less water use through the season. Rake your lawn to remove winter debris and then aerate. This will reduce the chance of fungus growing, and will allow for the roots to get a head start with a deeper structure that will keep your lawn healthy and strong with less water.  Always check your sprinkler system to make sure nothing has broken over the winter.  Apply pre-emergent and fertilizer at the end of March and early April unless you plan to overseed your lawn.  We recommend Fertilome Weed Free Zone plus Lawn Fertilizer.

Watering Tips 

• You actually should not need to water your lawn in March or April unless you are watering in fertilizer. If it does seem particularly dry, water it every two weeks. Again, checking the guide from ConserveWater.Utah is a great way to make sure you’re doing your part to conserve water while giving your lawn the support it needs

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

 

Other useful links and resources:

Gardening It's All in the Family

Creative Gardening Pairings from Monrovia

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! 

What Is A Raised Garden Bed?

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 wood, rock, or concrete and can be any size that works for you and your space! From small patio gardens to large backyard spreads, raised beds are a great choice. 

The soil in a raised bed is typically enriched with compost. Personally, we suggest Rich and Complete; it works wonders in raised beds!

What Is The History of Raised Garden Beds?

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. 

What Can You Grow In A Raised Garden Bed? 

When it comes to raised garden beds you can grow a wide selection of different plants. Some annuals you could grow in your raised bed garden are petunias, pansies, and a variety of herbs. Vegetables like carrots, kale, cucumber, lettuces, radishes, spinach, tomatoes, peas, beans, and squash are common for raised garden beds. If there is a vegetable that you eat often, you can likely grow it in your raised garden!

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

What Are The Benefits of a Raised Garden Bed?

An elevated garden bed is beneficial for a number of reasons - both for you and your plants. First, lifting your garden from ground level makes bending over and working on your garden less of a strain on your body. You can lift it as high 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. Because you add all the soil to the garden bed, it will likely be way more nutrient-rich so that you can grow more in a smaller amount of space. The soil will also be more aerated and have better draining. Your plants will love it!

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 as the weather gets colder and create a kind of greenhouse. 

Depending on the size of your outdoor space, raised garden beds can fit into small spaces or large spaces. They’re very versatile. 

You may also read: Cost Effective Veggies For Your Garden 

How Can I Create a Raised Garden Bed?

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! Some home improvement stores even provide raised garden bed kits. 

At our garden center, we carry beautiful cedar raised garden boxes made by local artisans that have a 3'x6' growing area with a small platform around the side to give space for holding material while planting in the box. The full size of the box is 42"x78” and the boxes hold a cubic yard of soil. 

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.

Other useful links and resources:

Set Your Veggie Beds Up For Success Garden

February Gardening Tips 💡

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.

 

Prune Shade Trees

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

 

 

Pick Up Your Flower and Vegetable Seeds

 

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.

 

Other useful links and resources:

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. 

1. Look for Green

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. 

 

2. Prune 

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. 

 

3. Prevent Winter Burn

The best way to treat winter burn is to avoid it completely. There are a few steps you can take to prevent it. 

• Be sure to water throughout the year as needed.  Newer plants will need more supplemental water, but even established plants will need water to help keep the needles hydrated, including over the winter months if there isn't significant snowfall. 
• Don’t do any late season pruning as it encourages new growth.  Prune in spring after the plant has sent out some new growth already. 
• Assist the water retention in the needles by applying Wilt-Pruf to reduce cold weather and wind related desiccation.

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. 

 

Other useful links and resources:

How To Winterize Your Fountain

Best Plants for Your Winter Garden