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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Do you know how to make your plants thrive? This article will tell you about the tips that will help you be your plants SuperHero this year.
So many people picked up the good habit of gardening over the last few years. Here at Glover Nursery we’ve noticed that the number of new gardeners we’re helping keeps going up and up every year. And we love it!
Plant Gardening is an incredible hobby. Not only does it bring you joy, it can help keep you in good health. There’s extraordinary benefits that you gain both body and soul when you garden.
We know how good gardening is for each and every human and that’s why we want to make sure that new gardeners know how to give that good ole TLC right back to the plants in your life.
The number one issue we see with new gardeners is a lack of understanding around under/over watering. Below are 5 tips to show you how to be your plants SuperHero and keep them strong and thriving throughout the year. It may take time, patience, and some trial-and-error but you can save the day and be your plants’ superhero by following these steps:
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 plants returned here at the nursery. To be a gardener in Utah is to understand that we live in a desert. Very few plants can survive here without regular watering. There are a few times a year where we can rely on rain/snow but for the most part your plants will need watering assistance from you throughout the year. Even in the winter!
Signs that you may be underwatering: your plant is wilting or drying out or you may even notice burn spots on the leaves. If you notice this it’s a sign that your plant needs to be watered more regularly. Start with a good long soak then up your regular watering schedule until you see the plant return to its regular perky, happy, healthy green.
If you have been overwatering, the soil will be moist and the leaves will be yellowish. Overwatering can cause the roots to rot. To fix this, stop watering ASAP, and if you can, move the plant out of direct sunlight until the soil that dries. To avoid this mistake, look up your plant to figure out what its exact watering preferences are. You can also snap a photo and send it to the experts 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, you must remove dead leaves and branches. This is also called pruning. You can use a pair of scissors or shears to cut away brown leaves and dead branches. Every plant has it’s perfect season for pruning. A quick internet search will reveal your plant's best time for a little hair cut. It may feel like you’re harming the plant, but you’re helping it so much in the long run!
Different plants need different amounts of light - some plants prefer hours of exposure to direct sunlight, others thrive in the shade. Make sure you know which your plant prefers and plant it/place it in your home accordingly. If a plant is getting too much or not enough sunlight, it could contribute to its decline. Just adjusting it’s 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 or compost. Signs of a malnourished plant include weak stems and discolored leaves. Glover Nursery recommends: TKTK to help revive your plant.
Check your plant for any hint of green - even if your plant is completely brown, it may still be alive! 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 plumb and tan or 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
