Utah's First
Family Nursery
Dormant Oil and Pre-Emergent
Spring has sprung! Have you been checking off your March gardening to-do list? We recommend different products throughout the year to help you get the most out of your gardens. We have three product recommendations to help reduce your work load as the season progresses.
Dormant Oil is made up of Paraffinic Oil and water and is for use on ornamental trees, shrubs, fruit trees, and shade trees. One we recommend is Hi-Yield Dormant Spray, but there are a few varieties we carry that all work very well and are designed for slightly different conditions.
They are used to control pests and insects on trees and shrubs by covering leaves and limb surfaces, killing insects and insect eggs. They aren’t toxic or harmful to helpful pollinators because it dissipates quickly before pollinators arrive later in the spring. It’s also safe to use around children and pets.
Dormant oil is effective on aphids, mealybugs, thrips, whiteflies, adelgids, leafhoppers, mites, and more! It is the most effective on eggs and young insects so spraying before they hatch and are active is important. Mature insects create more work to eradicate from your plants.
As the name implies, you should use it when your tree or shrub is dormant but the buds are swollen and about to break open. Depending on which Dormant Oil you use, there are other factors that can affect its effectiveness so be sure to read the label. We recommend spraying when temps are at least 40 degrees but never above 85 degrees. Ideally, the temperature range is between 50-70 with no precipitation for 48 hours after application. If the buds have already opened, do not use it as it will impact the development of fruit and will adversely affect pollination.
Pre-emergent is an herbicide that prevents seeds from setting root, significantly reducing the amount of weeds that you will have to pull. As the name suggests, it works before the weed seeds have begun to sprout. It prevents tiny from developing, but will not affect plants that already have roots growing. As such, once the weeds have started growing, pre-emergent will not be effective (though, if you pull the weeds and then apply it, it will work for the prevention of new seed development).
Pre-emergent creates a protective layer in the soil. It contains chemicals that prevent seed development. As weed seeds begin to germinate, the roots will hit the protective layer. As it is a herbicide the product will prevent it from continuing its growth. You will never see the starts peeking through the soil!!
As we mentioned, pre-emergent should be applied before weeds start to emerge from the ground. Weeds have different germination periods, but the end of March or early in April will have the best effect. It’s better to apply it too early than too late. Apply pre-emergent evenly to the needed area and then water it in to solidify the protective layer - unless you are applying a liquid pre-emergent, then there is no need to water it in.
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Garden Plant Helleborus: The First Blooms of Spring
5 Things to do While Waiting for Spring
Many people picked up gardening as a favorite recreational activity over the last few years. Here at Glover Nursery, we’ve noticed the number of new gardeners we’re helping keeps going up year after year - and, we love it!
Gardening is an incredible hobby. Not only does it bring you joy, it can help keep you in good physical and mental health. There are extraordinary benefits that you gain in both body and soul when you spend time tending your garden. And, with all the benefits that gardening gives us humans, we want to ensure you know how to give the best care to your plants in return.
The primary problem we see with new gardeners is a lack of understanding around watering protocols - establishment watering versus maintenance watering will make the difference for the health and longevity of your plants.
Below are 5 tips to help be your plants' Super Hero.
Plants need water. But did you know that not only too little, but too much water can be a problem?
UnderwateringThis is the number one reason we see new plants die. To be a gardener in Utah is to understand that, even with our sometimes very snowy winters, we live in a high desert. Very few plants can survive here without regular watering, and none will survive without establishment watering. (Learn more about establishment watering here.)
While there are a few times a year where we can rely on rain/snow to properly saturate the soil, it is not consistent nor reliable so for the most part, your plants will need watering assistance from you throughout the year. Yes, even in the winter!
Signs that you may be underwatering:
- your plant is wilting or looks like it is drying out
- you may notice burn spots on the leaves
- when you dig into the soil, it is extremely dry (pro-tip, take a long screwdriver and stick it into the soil near the root ball. If it goes in easily, the soil still has some moisture content, if it is difficult to push into the soil, the soil is dry and watering is needed.)
If you notice any of these, it is likely that your plant needs to be watered more regularly. Start with a good long soaking of the soil around the roots, and then adjust your regular watering protocol a bit until you see the plant return to its regular perky, happy, healthy color.
Experience teaches that the initial signs of overwatering can look very similar to underwatering. If the leaves of your plant are turning yellow or brown, check the soil to see how much moisture is being held.
One thing that is not commonly know, roots need oxygen as much as they need water. The best watering practice will allow air exchange between waterings. If there is too much water around the roots, without the needed air exchange, the roots will start to rot. To fix this scenario, stop watering ASAP and let the soil dry out. That being said, this situation can be tricky to strike the perfect balance as there are some plants that really need extra water when they are first setting roots, like Willows, Spiraea, Barberry, Arborvitae, etc..
We recommend doing a bit of research on your plant to know what its exact watering preferences are, or feel free to give us a call or send an email. Alternatively, snap a photo and send it to the team here at Glover Nursery. We’re happy to help you diagnose your plant's issues and get it back to health. You can submit an inquiry via our website plant diagnosis form here.
In order to let the plant focus on new growth, remove any dead leaves, dead flowers or dead / broken branches. You can use a pair of pruners, or even scissors, to cut away any dead material. Every plant has it’s perfect season for heavy pruning, but cleaning up the dead material can happen any time.
Different plants need different amounts of light - some plants prefer significant exposure to direct sunlight while others require shade. Make sure you know which your plant prefers and plant it accordingly. If a plant is getting too much or not enough sunlight, it could contribute to its decline. Adjusting sun exposure can make all the difference!
Maybe your plant is malnourished and not getting all of the nutrients it needs. You can remedy this using fertilizer, soil amendment or even compost. Signs of a malnourished plant include weak stems and discolored leaves. If you aren't sure what to use, come and talk with our team. We can help you narrow down the best fertilizer for your specific plants needs.
Check your plant for any hint of green - even if your plant is completely brown, it may still be alive! Lots of plants go dormant as a normal part of their process, so don't fret just yet. If you can’t find any sign of life in the leaves or stems, see if you can check the roots. The roots are the plant’s support system and can provide plenty of insight into the health of your plant. If the roots are plump and tan (or they could be white), they are likely getting enough water and nutrients to keep the plant going. If the roots are healthy, you are back in business. Your next step is figuring out what is going wrong. You can submit a photo to the experts here at Glover Nursery and we’ll help you diagnose your plant and get it back on the road to health.
The best way to bring your plant back to life is to go through these steps slowly. Too many changes at once could overwhelm your plant. Once you’ve figured out the problem, stick with those habits to ensure your plant lives a long happy life. If you have any questions about being your plants superhero or need help figuring out how to care for your plant, you can ask our plant diagnosis team.
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
