Utah's First
Family Nursery
As a family business that has been serving the Salt Lake valley for over 130 years, one of the things we are constantly evaluating is what we can do to help our community.
Not only do we want to provide the best products and service for your gardening needs, but also give you all the information you need to succeed and your garden to thrive. Why? Well, one thing we know, which has been forefront in our minds over the last few years, is the very real therapeutic benefit of gardening.
The phrase “Garden Therapy” is one that’s been used for decades for a variety of reasons. Often it was a bit tongue-in-cheek when we bought a few more perennials than we told our spouse we would. However, these past few years has made the THERAPY of gardening a very real part of our daily lives. We now all know from personal experience the benefits of garden therapy.
There are untold benefits from gardening for our mental health. From digging in the dirt, caring for plants, watching them grow, harvesting our own food or maybe even creating beautiful bouquets to enjoy around the house.
Entire programs have been built around the physical and psychological benefits of working in a garden. There are some truly interesting studies being done in the field of horticultural therapy. This article from Psychology today hits the nail on the head. And just this year this article came out exploring research that shows gardening may help reduce cancer risk AND boost mental health.
Though we are not trained therapists, we are trained gardening experts. Within the overall theme of “gardening therapy” are dozens upon dozens of reasons that we’ve found create a sense of peace and wellbeing.
We did a poll recently in our Glover Gardening Group on Facebook to see what people found to be the most beneficial aspects of gardening. Here are the top 4 answers from you our gardening community.
Be it English style or traditional Japanese Zen, your garden reflects your own tastes and preferences. Whether you grow at home or in a community garden, your garden is your own. This makes it much more enjoyable to spend time outside in the yard. If you’re new to gardening, we highly recommend working with a landscape designer to give some expert guidance and avoid costly mistakes. Garden design is personal but a landscape architect will work with you to create your dream landscape.
From early spring blooms like Crocus or Pansies to late fall blooms like Coneflower or Mums, there is something that will bring color and texture to your garden all season long. Flowers bring a sense of joy with their blossoming. There are other benefits to be had as well – tinctures, cooking, aromatic satchels, or just a bright bouquet on the dining table.
During a regular year it is nice to pick your own tomato or gift a neighbor with some of the extra zucchini you’ve grown by hand. There is something deeply comforting in growing your own veggies, herbs and fruits.
It’s a fun experience, but also a deeply satisfying one. When your first harvest is ready and you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor (pun intended) you will not regret the time spent in your garden. Come and visit Glover Nursery to see what veggies and herbs are available and ready to plant now.
I don't know about you but 30 minutes of gardening sounds like a whole lot more fun than 30 minutes at the gym. There is always exercise in the garden. Being in the garden, digging, pulling weeds, and planting all are great forms of exercise. You'll be working different muscle groups and burning some calories. No, it’s not the same as a Crossfit session, but it’s better than nothing!
A study in the Preventative Medicine Journal reported the results of a meta-analysis of research examining the effects of gardening, including horticultural therapy, on health. They found substantive evidence to suggest that gardening can "improve physical, psychological, and social health, which can, from a long-term perspective, alleviate and prevent various health issues facing today's society."
If gardening is something that appeals to you, we are here to help. No matter your experience level, whether you are a novice who has no idea where to get started or an expert that would love something new to bring to your experience, there's the perfect gardening task for you.
We will keep you updated on everything we have coming in this spring to make this gardening season, the best yet!
We look forward to seeing or speaking with you soon. Happy Therapy!
June is Perennial Gardening Month
Gardening It's All in the Family
Hello fellow gardeners! It's hard to think of spring when we're surrounded by so much SNOW! But here we are, reminding you that no matter how much snow is on the ground it will melt away come spring. And when that happens, one of the most important steps in getting our gardens ready is starting our seeds. After all, the growing season is right around the corner!
There are a few things to consider when starting your seeds, including:
In this blog post, we'll explore all of these topics. You'll be prepared to start your seeds and have a successful growing season!
First, let's talk about how to pick seeds for your garden.
When selecting seeds for your garden, it is important to consider what type of climate you live in. If you live in an area with a short growing season, as we do here in Utah, you will want to choose plants that can be started indoors and then transplanted outdoors. Some examples of plants that can be started indoors and then transplanted outdoors include tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and herbs.
If you live in an area with a long growing season, you can start your seeds outdoors. Some examples of plants that can be started outdoors include squash, cucumbers, watermelons, and pumpkins.
It is also important to consider the amount of space you have available. If you have a small space, you can choose plants that thrive in containers or raised beds. Some examples include tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, herbs, and lettuce.
If you have a large space, you can grow just about any type of plant. However, it is still important to consider the amount of sunlight and water that your plants need.
Once you have considered these factors, you can choose the specific varieties of plants that you would like to grow. To find out more about specific plant varieties, consult a gardening book, online gardening resource or one of our experts here at Glover Nursery.
Next, we move on to the all-important question of when to start your seedlings. Here at Glover Nursery, we recommend taking the last average frost date and counting backward as to how long that seed would need to germinate.
According to the Farmer's Almanac, the average last frost date in West Jordan Utah is April 25. So, to get a good start ready for transferring outdoors we have an easy equation to help you. We recommend looking at how long something takes to germinate and adding a couple of weeks of growth onto that before transplanting it into the garden.
Here's a quick equation.
(Average Last Frost Date - Germination Time) + 2 Weeks = When to Start Your Seeds
Now that you know what to plant and when to plant it, you may be interested in learning how best to take care of your lil baby starts.
There are a few key things to keep in mind when caring for your seedlings. The first is to make sure that they have enough light. Seedlings need a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight per day. If you do not have a place in your home that gets six hours of direct sunlight, you can use grow lights.
The second key thing to keep in mind when caring for your seedlings is to make sure that they have enough water. Seedlings should be watered daily, making sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Finally, the third thing to remember when caring for your seedlings is to fertilize them regularly. Seedlings should be fertilized every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
If you're growing seeds for an herb garden we suggest you check out our blog post here. Herb gardens flourish with these specific guidelines.
By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your seedlings have a happy and healthy start to the growing season!
The seeds have arrived at Glover Nursery and we can hardly stand all the promise that the rows and rows of seed packets are giving off here.
If you're overwhelmed or looking to try something new this year we encourage you to stop by and chat with our knowledgeable staff. We love pointing out our favorite seeds for our local climate here in the Salt Lake City Valley. We may even have one or two surprises for the seasoned gardener.
Seedlings need a lot of care, but if you follow these simple tips you can ensure a happy and healthy start to the growing season!
Welcome to the month of June, gardeners! Spring days are here and we are SO ready to get our hands dirty in the garden. Spring has sprung, blooms are blooming, summer is right around the corner, and it’s time to get to work.
"I think that no matter how old or infirm I may become, I will always plant a large garden in the spring. Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from participating in nature's rebirth?"
~ Edward Giobbi, Artist
Check these June gardening tips off of your June to-do lists and check back in with us next month for more! If you missed our tips earlier this spring, you can find there here.
This month, keep an eye out for pests and infestations as the temperatures rise and the pests get hungry! At the first sign of aphids, treat your fruit and shade trees. Signs of aphids include curling and misshapen leaves. Look for them on the undersides of leaves. When possible, use organic treatments such as a homemade soap spray or the introduction of beneficials such as ladybugs.
Another pest to look out for around this time of year is the codling moth in your apple trees. The moth’s larvae are the ones to blame for wormy apples. On other fruit trees including apples, apricots, cherries, peaches, nectarine, grapes, pears, roses, and euonymus, watch for and control powdery mildew with fungicides.
We should be through our cold frosty nights but just in case, remember to cover tender annuals with newspaper or other covers, to protect from frost.
We are past the typical last frost date, which is May 15 in northern Utah so summer flowering tubers like cannas, begonia, and dahlias can be safely set out.
Keep dead blooms off of your annuals and perennials in order to keep them bushy, full, and blooming!
Apply plant supports to newly emerging perennials and annuals that tend to flop over, such as peonies. Support them before they grow tall enough to fall over.
As the temperature rises keep adding beneficial bacteria to your pond.
UPDATE: We no longer carry pond plants here at Glover Nursery. Our pond expert Shane went and visited Utah Water Gardens and we are so happy to recommend them to you.
Not only do they carry Utah’s largest variety of Aquatic Plants including Utah Natives, Winter Hardy Water Lilies, Perennials, Tropicals, and hard-to-find plants, but they are a great locally owned and operated business with a fantastic team. They have a resident botanist and helpful staff to fulfill all of your aquatic plant needs!
It’s sprinkler time! Now is the time to start watering your lawn, but don’t overdo it. Lawns don’t need to be watered every day, or even every other day. For guidance on proper lawn watering in your area, be sure to check this weekly watering guide.
If you haven’t already, be sure to aerate your lawn.
Fertilize your lawn every 30 to 90 days starting now but be careful not to over-fertilize. Always follow the label. Now is also a good time to apply iron to your lawn. Iron helps to ensure a healthy, lovely green lawn that doesn't grow excessively and is easier to maintain.
As the weather warms up, keep your lawn mowed between 2-3″.
For more tips, check out our Seasonal Tips page!
Get Ready for Spring: March Gardening Tips
Your To-Do List: April Gardening Tips
March brings with it the glorious days of spring - the first official day of spring is March 20th. We are springing forward, days are getting longer, and plants will start peeking their way up through the soil. While we enjoy a few late winter blooms, like Hellebore and Pansies, it is time to start prepping your garden for the growing season. Below are some tips and tricks to help you get ready.
Add these tasks to your March gardening “To-Do List”:
Early March is the time to prune peach, plum, cherry, and apricot trees. If you didn't prune your apple trees or other deciduous trees in February, prune them now as well. Apply Dormant Oil, also known as Horticultural Oil, to ornamentals, fruit trees, shrub and shade trees to help control insects such as aphids, scale, and mites that will be coming back in the spring.
Ideally, you will spray when temps are above 40 degrees with no precipitation for 48 hours after application. You can also spray Copper Fungicide this time of year, either 24 hours prior to the Dormant Oil application, or you can even mix them together and spray both products at the same time, just be sure to mix the proper ratio for each product separately before combining them in a sprayer.
As the snow melts away, it’s time to remove the winter layer of mulch from around perennials and roses. Rake out debris from your flower and shrub beds. If you are planning on moving your perennials, do it now before they start to bud.
Once the soil has dried out enough, nutrient-rich compost can be added to flower beds. Don’t work the soil if it’s too wet because it causes compaction (cement-like texture in the soil).
Apply fertilizer to your shrubs and perennials. Some garden beds may also need an application of iron in March. If you do not plan on starting anything from seed, it's a great time to put down some Pre-Emergent to help prevent weed seed from germinating. You can apply a granular formula or a liquid formula, depending on what is best for your circumstances.
You may also like to read: 5 Things to do While Waiting for Spring
Now is the time to prune your rose bushes, look for bud swell as your signal to prune. It is also a great time to start pruning back the perennials leaves, stems and seed heads that were left over winter. Summer flowering shrubs like potentilla and many spireas can be pruned at the end of March or early April.
Start begonias, dahlias, and other tubers indoors for earlier blooms. For more on starting bulbs indoors, check out How to Start Seeding Indoors
Another useful resource: Growing from Seed
Before you need them, make sure your garden tools are still working and in good shape. Service your power equipment and sharpen your lawnmower blades. Now is also a good time to organize your tool sheds and storage areas so that come gardening time you won’t waste any time finding what you need.
Getting back out in the garden has numerous benefits for our mental and physical health. Take care of these gardening items in March and springtime will be here before you know it. If you’re a newbie ready to start a garden, the team here at Glover Nursery are eager to help. Consider joining our Facebook community for a wealth of shared knowledge and be inspired by your fellow gardeners.
You might also be interested: Planning Your Garden
Early Spring Recommended Products
5 Things to do While Waiting for Spring
Are you new to gardening? Maybe you are a first time home buyer and excited to get into landscaping. Or you’re just looking to refresh your gardening skills or want to learn something new. We are very excited to let you know that Glover Nursery is launching our very first online Gardening 101 courses, open to anyone who is excited about gardening and ready to learn!
The course will consist of four one-hour classes aimed at helping new gardeners. We’ll go over seasonal gardening practices as well as prepare for spring and winter. Along with each virtual class taught by the Glover Nursery staff, we will provide you with a printable PDF so that you can go over the information when you need it as well as a newsletter, breaking down some of the information we have gone over.
Members of the course will also have access to a private Facebook group which can be used for accountability, to share your garden wins, ask questions, and to support one another.
We are so thrilled to be teaching this course and can’t wait to get started and get to know our new gardeners.
A Tour of Our Bulk Products with Ryan Glover
Glover Nursery on Good Day Utah: Early Spring Edition
The heat is here and it reminds us how lucky we are to have beautiful, waterwise perennials in our garden. With the increasing population here in Utah, conserving water is definitely a top priority.
There are many great resources in Utah for guidance on water conservation while gardening. We've shared many of these programs with you over the years: Utah Department of Water Resources, Conservation Garden Park, USU Extension Services, Red Butte Conservation Garden and Localscapes are all programs or resources we love. They all have Utah specific guidance with truly beautiful results.
Glover Nursery’s own landscape department participates in the Localscape design program. If you have done a Localscape design, you might have even worked with one of our experts to create your own waterwise oasis!
These make our top 7 for a number of reasons: beauty, aromatic, quick to establish, pollinators love them, season round interest, and of course, water-wise. We were going to just do 5, but it was impossible to narrow the list down that far.
Lavender -Commonly used for aromatherapy, Lavender is also an amazing plant for attracting pollinators. The purple flower wands bloom prolifically. The flowers create a lovely compliment to their grayish-green leaves and stems. Lavender loves the full sun and, once they are established, can tolerate a great deal of heat and drought.
Upright Sedum – Distinctive, fleshy foliage combined with bright flowers, Sedum is a great, waterwise addition to your garden design. They do better with more sun, tolerate low water well, and add a bright pop of color later in the season. The texture and color of the leaves prior to flowering add some visual interest and contrast in the mix.
Agastache (Hummingbird Mint) –These aromatic, showy, long blooming plants may as well be called “Hummingbirds love me”. They attract those elusive birds the second they start blooming. There are many varieties of Agastache available, some of them with very distinct black licorice smelling flowers in bright reds, yellows, purples, oranges and pinks.
This waterwise flower is a classic for a reason, Echinacea (aka Coneflower) makes top 5
lists frequently. The blooms are beautiful, they are easy to grow, available in all sorts of colors (we have 28 varieties of Coneflower right here at Glover’s!). Plus, it is well known for it’s healing medicinal properties – an effective immune system booster, very welcome these days!
Coreopsis – A repeat bloomer is a great addition to any area needing summer color. The bright flowers pop all season long and, added bonus, in addition to being water-wise, is extremely low maintenance. Blooms come in a wide variety of colors make this an easy choice for any color scheme. 
Yucca – Rosettes of evergreen, tough, sword-like leaves are extremely popular in desert areas for a reason, these are water-wise superstars. The come in a variety of colors and sizes and make a unique accent piece, especially when they bloom. During their bloom season, though it is shorter than the others on this list, the spectacluare sight of the tall stalks with bunches of white or cream flowers seem to hover above the leaves. 
Helianthemum – This waterwise flower is also commonly known as Rock Rose or Sun Rose. This is a great ground cover style perennial that resembles a flower carpet in mid to late summer. When this flowers, it is a show stopper. Deer resistant, disease-resistant, easy to prune, beautiful foliage when it isn’t blooming and truly breathtaking blossoms when it does, added to that list it is also a water-wise perennial…it is clear to see why we couldn’t leave this off the list. One other plant category to consider are perennial grasses – while it is ‘grass’, they are not the lawn. Perennial grasses are waterwise and they add striking visual interest with nice contrast that compliments the blooming perennials listed above.
Of course, there are loads more waterwise plants to choose from than just these 7 (ok, 8) that will work for your project. Still, we hope this gives you a good starting point for your new park strip.
If you're interested in learning more about waterwise solutions for your garden check out the “Flip Your Strip” rebate program. This wonderful program gives an easy way to start moving toward a waterwise yard. You can check out the guidelines and qualifications here. If you are eligible, you even get money for swapping out your lawn for some truly beautiful perennials.
While they do have a few fantastic examples of how you could design your park strip, the design options are limitless.
And, as always, if you have any questions, we are here to help. Come on down and see us at 9275 South 1300 West.
Happy Gardening!
5 Things To Do In Your Summer Garden
We’ve got to agree with John Denver, there really is nothing like homegrown tomatoes. It’s tomato time here at Glover Nursery which means we have literally hundreds of tomato varieties for you to choose from.
Tomatoes come in all shapes and sizes and each has a unique flavor. They are fun to grow too! If you need a little help getting started check out this video we have on How to Transplant a Tomato Plant.
Check out these fun facts about tomatoes then come down to our garden center and pick out your favorite varieties for your garden.
With so many tomatoes to choose from, let one of the experts at Glover Nursery help you with your selection. We love to help you achieve all of your gardening goals. Stop by soon!
Cost Effective Veggies For Your Garden
Garden Plant Helleborus: The First Blooms of Spring
Winter felt extra long this year and we are itching for spring. These first few months of the year provide us with a great opportunity to plan ahead to ensure a successful gardening season. Now that March is upon us, we can lay the groundwork for vegetable container gardening.
Many of our customers grow their own vegetables in container gardens, but even if you don’t already, now is the perfect time to start! There are so many benefits to having your own vegetable garden. You can grow your own food, have more nutrient rich veggies, and minimize your environmental impact. Plus, every gardeners favorite reason, it's fun to play in the dirt!
To help you get started we are sharing three great products that will set your vegetable container garden up for success. Check out our list then come down and see us at our garden center in Utah. We have veggie and herb starts available now but come and get them quick because they won’t last long!
Veggie Container Gardens Love... OsmocoteThe small balls, or prills, of Osmocote fertilizer have a polymer coating that is made from resin and vegetable oil. Because of this coating there is a slow release of the nutrients. so that you don’t have to regularly apply fertilizer to your garden. This fertilizer is great plant food for annuals and perennials, as well as houseplants, and can significantly increase your vegetable yield.
Humic Acid is a really easy tool to apply in your garden to help set the soil up for success. It plays a key role in transporting the nutrients in the soil to your plants, can improve soil structure, and help to hold water. When you are starting your plants as seedlings or adding new plants to your landscape, a small amount of humic acid can do wonders. Humic Acid can be applied in a liquid form by adding it to your watering can or in a granular form as a soil amendment.
If you want to learn more about the benefits of adding Humic Acid to your container gardens, read up on our blog, Diamonds for Your Soil.
Veggie Container Gardens Love...The key to a successful garden is helping out your soil so that it can do all the heavy lifting of growing your veggies. It just needs a little assistance sometimes in the form of weeding or added nutrients. Harvest Blend Supreme is a premium soil amendment packed with your growing vegetable plants’ favorite foods. Harvest Blend Supreme is particularly great for vegetable and flower beds and is available at our plant nursery in Utah.
It’s time to get growing! For more vegetable container gardening help, check out our library of videos full of tips and tricks from the garden experts here at Glover Nursery.
Last Chance for A Vegetable Garden
You CAN have a lush green yard in Utah!
Hanging baskets can add vibrance to an otherwise dull and drab area. Fortunately, making your own hanging basket isn’t as hard as it seems if you follow these steps and tips. And, for something unique, we suggest putting perennials in your hanging basket this year.
1. Choose a hanging basket, or make your own.
Baskets come in different sizes and materials. You may choose from wicker, plastic, wire, or DIY baskets. Having a plant in mind for your basket is helpful as it makes it easier to determine your basket’s ideal size.
2. Select a plant
Colors and types of flowers will depend on your preference and creativity. Experiment with colors, scent, or a theme, but keep in mind to combine perennial plants that work well together. For instance, putting sun loving plants with shade loving plants is not going to work very well. This list of the best flowers for hanging baskets will give you some ideas on suitable flowers to combine.
When selecting plants, you want to have a variety in your basket. We like to call it the key three; Thrillers, Fillers, and Spillers. 'Thrillers' ensure that your basket has height and a strong visual. 'Fillers' are those plants that will ensure your basket seems to be overflowing with flowers. And, 'Spillers' are trailers softens the basket edges and gives a creative flair to your piece.
Glover Nursery, the best plant nursery in Utah, provides a variety of perennial plants to choose from, we have deliveries of fresh perennials coming in weekly.
3. The fun part: planting.
Set up a liner in your basket. Cocoa liners or super moss work well for wire-framed baskets. This is essential for regulating water retention in the soil.
Place just the right amount of soil on the liner. We recommend four to five inches of soil from the base of the basket.
Gather your plants once the soil is in place. Start by arranging the Thrillers in the center, then add the Spillers around the edge, and lastly fill in the remaining areas with the, you guessed it, the Fillers. When placing the plants, be sure to look at the basket from all sides that will be visible when it is hung up.
Be as creative as you can get with arranging the plants. Play with color and a variety of flowers for added decorative detail. For a fuller-looking arrangement, you may opt to fill soil in between gaps.
Once it's all planted, give that basket a good soaking to water in the plants and settle in the soil. You may need to add some extra soil after the first watering to ensure the plants are nestled in securely.
Now you get to hang it! On a tree, on your porch, or wherever you see fit. This beautiful new basket you created will instantly change the mood and ambiance of your home.
After successfully making a perennial hanging basket, it is important to take note of the following steps to maintain its beauty:
Make sure to visit our plant nursery in Utah for some of the best plants for your perennial hanging basket.
We look forward to seeing you.
Our homes and gardens are our safe havens right now and as a result we are seeing a growth in….well, in growth. As far as the timing goes, it couldn’t be a more appropriate. Spring is upon us and it is time to plant.
As we do not know how this crisis will affect us long term, a number of people have started growing their own food source – some are doing it for recreation, and some as a genuine way to ensure fresh food for their families throughout the season.
If a Victory Garden is something that appeals to you, we are here to help.
You can view what is currently available to start getting ideas for what you may want to plant in your own garden. If you're looking to start anything from Strawberries to Onions to Cole Crops we've got what you're looking for in our Veggies, Fruits, and Herbs page.
We have the plants and expertise to help you start your own garden with everything needed for success. Now, that is a Victory indeed.
Find details on how we are safely conducting business under the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” directive on our website, link here.
We are open from 8am-5:45pm Monday through Saturday at 9275 South 1300 West.
See ya soon.
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
