To avoid construction-related detours, turn onto 1300 West from 90th South. Enter at Gate #2

If you look online, there are all sorts of watering tips readily available, but they are not always the same. It can be tricky to determine what are the best practices are for your lawn and garden.  Not only can watering needs vary depending on where you live, but also what type of soil you have as well as what you planted. As one of the top plant nurseries in Utah, we thought we should share some general watering tips that work best for gardens and lawns in North/Central Utah. Here are three things to keep in mind: 

Be sure to check the Utah Division of Water Resources Weekly Watering Guide before turning on your sprinklers.  

Watering Tip #1: Time of Day

The best time of day to water your lawn and planting beds is before 8am or after 8pm. Temperatures will be cooler and the water has more of a chance to soak down deep into the roots without evaporating (aka wasting water). Another reason to water early/late is that after watering is complete, the plant foliage dries rapidly. This helps guard your plants from fungal diseases. 

Watering Tip #2: Four Important Holidays

Four holidays to keep in mind when it comes to watering in Northern/Central Utah are:

• Mother’s Day
• Father’s Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day

These holidays are easy markers for the transitional time in watering schedules.  For example, when it comes to your garden beds and lawn, Mother’s Day marks the time to start watering regularly. With clay soil, it means your garden beds should be watered every 7 days and your lawn every 5 days. Father’s Day marks the day to increase frequency, Labor Day to decrease frequency, and Columbus Day means it’s time to stop watering and start winterizing. 

Watering Tip #3: Type of Watering

The type of soil you have as well as the irrigation system you use determines the length of time you should water your garden. For example, if you have clay soil your lawn should be watered for about 45 minutes if you’re using a rotating watering method but only about 25 minutes with a fixed watering method. Similarly, your clay soil garden beds should be watered for 60 minutes with a drip watering method but only 25 minutes with spray watering. Refer to the Conservation Garden Park chart for more information. 

Though these are great things to keep in mind, there will always be different factors, such as rainy weather or overspray by the neighbors, that can influence how much/for how long your garden and yard need to be watered.

If you have more questions on watering, we are here to help.  Pop on over and chat with one of our experts any time. 

Other useful links and resources:

Watering 101: How to Water Your New Plants

How Trees Can Help With a Waterwise Landscape

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:

1. Water the hanging baskets when they are dry.  If the soil is wet, they can skip a watering. 
2. Deadheading will promote more blooms, keeping your basket beautiful all season long.
3. Adding fertilizers will help promote growth and blooms. 
4. Make sure your basket gets the appropriate amount of sun or shade, depending on your selection of plants.

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.

Other useful links and resources:

Pruning Perennial Grasses

Low Maintenance Perennials