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Extending The Garden Season, Taun Beddes, Michael Caron, Sheriden M. Hansen, Jaydee Gunnell
Extending The Garden Season, Taun Beddes, Michael Caron, Sheriden M. Hansen, Jaydee Gunnell
All Current Publications
Many homeowners have the dream of growing fresh vegetables year-round. Unfortunately, in colder climates, this is only possible using a complete greenhouse with supplemental heating/cooling and lights. Greenhouses can be excessively expensive to maintain and heat, making them impractical for most homeowners. This is not only due to cold winter temperatures but shorter day lengths and lower available light that must be offset artificially. There are practical, less expensive ways to obtain self-grown produce earlier and later in the growing season, though, by using season-extending techniques. These include using equipment such as cold frames, high tunnels, low tunnels, floating row …
Irrigation System Maintenance, Candace Schaible, Kelly Kopp, Jennie Hoover
Irrigation System Maintenance, Candace Schaible, Kelly Kopp, Jennie Hoover
All Current Publications
Irrigation system maintenance is necessary to ensure the most efficient use of the water that is being applied. Efficient irrigation is important because over two-thirds of the total water used in the average Utah home is applied to the landscape. With the natural drought cycles that occur in Utah and the growing population, efficient water use is critical. These maintenance recommendations will help you evaluate your irrigation system before using it each spring and also throughout the growing season.
Preparing And Improving Garden Soil, Katie Wagner, Melanie Stock, Larry A. Sagers
Preparing And Improving Garden Soil, Katie Wagner, Melanie Stock, Larry A. Sagers
All Current Publications
A great garden starts with healthy soil. In Utah, there are unique considerations for creating and maintaining healthy soils. Native Utah soils are relatively low in organic matter. One of Utah’s most troublesome, pH-related deficiencies is iron chlorosis, a deficiency of plant-available iron. Soil salinity easily increases in Utah. This fact sheet addresses these challenges to help gardeners transform garden soils from brutal to beautiful!
Using Degree Days To Time Treatments For Insect Pests, Marion Murray
Using Degree Days To Time Treatments For Insect Pests, Marion Murray
All Current Publications
Insecticides that are applied for a perennial insect pest based on a calendar date often result in poor insect control and a waste of resources. Insect activity varies from year to year depending on weather. For example, in Logan, Utah, eggs of the apple pest codling moth began hatching on May 15 in 2005, May 5 in 2006, and April 30 in 2007.
Spruce Health In Utah Landscapes, Ryan S. Davis, Michael R. Kuhns, Claudia Nischwitz
Spruce Health In Utah Landscapes, Ryan S. Davis, Michael R. Kuhns, Claudia Nischwitz
All Current Publications
Spruces are common trees in cultivated landscapes in Utah. They have varied shapes, attractive foliage color, and can be fairly long-lived. They have pests, but not overly so, and are not very messy.
Grow Your Own Transplants At Home, Sterling Banks
Grow Your Own Transplants At Home, Sterling Banks
All Current Publications
Growing transplants can be a rewarding experience if a few basic principles are followed. Experienced gardeners have a wider range of varieties to pick from if they start their own plants from seed. By selecting your own varieties you will be able to determine what grows in your area.
Water-Wise Landscaping: Practical Turfgrass Areas, Kelly Kopp, Paul Johnson
Water-Wise Landscaping: Practical Turfgrass Areas, Kelly Kopp, Paul Johnson
All Current Publications
Of the seven guiding principles of water-wise landscaping (a.k.a. Xeriscaping™), the most controversial involves the use of turfgrass in the landscape. At times it has seemed that water-wise landscaping might not allow for the use of turfgrasses at all.
Basic Turfgrass Care, Kelly Kopp, Paul Johnson
Basic Turfgrass Care, Kelly Kopp, Paul Johnson
All Current Publications
The basic practices of turfgrass care include mowing, fertilization, and irrigation. In Utah, our climate has a unique effect on the turfgrasses that we grow and proper basic care will help to keep your lawn healthy and attractive.
Solutions To Soil Problems: Ii. High Ph (Alkaline Soil), Loralie Cox, Rich Koenig
Solutions To Soil Problems: Ii. High Ph (Alkaline Soil), Loralie Cox, Rich Koenig
All Current Publications
PH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a material. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. A pH value below 7 indicates the soil is acidic, while values above 7 are alkaline. Each unit change in the pH scale is a 10-fold difference in acidity or alkalinity. For example, soil with a pH of 8 is ten times more alkaline than soil with a pH of 7.
Solutions To Soil Problems: I. High Salinity (Soluble Salts), Vernon Parent, Rich Koenig
Solutions To Soil Problems: I. High Salinity (Soluble Salts), Vernon Parent, Rich Koenig
All Current Publications
Salinity is a measure of the total amount of soluble salts in soil. As soluble salt levels increase, it becomes more difficult for plants to extract water from soil. Some plants are more resistant than other’s, but as the salt levels exceed their ability to extract water, they become water stressed.
Solutions To Soil Problems: Iv. Soil Structure, Rich Koenig, Teresa Cerny
Solutions To Soil Problems: Iv. Soil Structure, Rich Koenig, Teresa Cerny
All Current Publications
Soil structure refers to the combination of primary soil particles – sand, silt and clay – into larger units called aggregates or clods. Aggregates are commonly seen when a soil is tilled or disturbed.
Solutions To Soil Problems: V. Low Organic Matter, Kevin Heaton, Rich Koenig
Solutions To Soil Problems: V. Low Organic Matter, Kevin Heaton, Rich Koenig
All Current Publications
Utah soils are inherently low in organic matter due to the desert climate and historically low plant growth rates. In Utah, soil organic matter levels are typically 0.25 to 1%, while regions with high rainfall such as the Midwest and Eastern United States have soils with as much as 7 to 10% organic matter.
Turfgrass Cultural Practices And Insect Pest Management, Diane Alston, Kelly Kopp
Turfgrass Cultural Practices And Insect Pest Management, Diane Alston, Kelly Kopp
All Current Publications
There are a number of insects that can cause aesthetic and economic loss to turfgrass in Utah – in home lawns as well as in athletic fields and on recreational lands. Good turfgrass cultural practices are the primary way to prevent insect infestation and turfgrass damage.
Cover Crops For Utah Gardens, Michael Johnson, Maggie Wolf, Rich Keonig
Cover Crops For Utah Gardens, Michael Johnson, Maggie Wolf, Rich Keonig
All Current Publications
No abstract provided.
Solutions To Soil Problems: Iii. Drainage, Michael Johnson, Rich Koenig
Solutions To Soil Problems: Iii. Drainage, Michael Johnson, Rich Koenig
All Current Publications
Drainage is a common problem throughout Utah. Complex patterns of soil development, transport and deposition have resulted in excessively drained soils that are coarse-textured (sandy or rocky), and poorly drained soils that are fine-textured (silt and clay-dominated). Excessively drained are more common in higher elevation and bench areas.
Planting Landscape Trees, Michael R. Kuhns, Margaret Shao
Planting Landscape Trees, Michael R. Kuhns, Margaret Shao
All Current Publications
Trees and shrubs are valuable additions to most property, providing beauty, wind protection, shade, wildlife habitat, visual screening, and other benefi ts. Unfortunately, many landscape trees are not properly planted or cared-for.
Prince's Plume In The Landscape, Heidi Kratsch, Graham Hunter
Prince's Plume In The Landscape, Heidi Kratsch, Graham Hunter
All Current Publications
No abstract provided.
Curl-Leaf Mountain Mahogany In The Landscape, Heidi Kratsch, Graham Hunter
Curl-Leaf Mountain Mahogany In The Landscape, Heidi Kratsch, Graham Hunter
All Current Publications
No abstract provided.
Understanding Your Soil Test Report, Grant E. Cardon, Jan Kotuby-Amacher, Pam Hole, Rich Koenig
Understanding Your Soil Test Report, Grant E. Cardon, Jan Kotuby-Amacher, Pam Hole, Rich Koenig
All Current Publications
Regular soil testing helps to develop and maintain more productive soils for farming, gardening, and landscaping. The purpose of this guide is to help you understand and interpret the results from a Utah State University soil test report. Additional Utah State University Extension bulletins are available, which address solutions to specific soil problems and offer guidance on fertilizer selection and use. See “Where to obtain additional information” at the end of this guide.
Home Water Self-Check: Do-It-Yourself Water Check For The Home Landscape, Todd A. Mccammon
Home Water Self-Check: Do-It-Yourself Water Check For The Home Landscape, Todd A. Mccammon
All Current Publications
In Utah, nearly two-thirds of the water consumed by residential homeowners is used to maintain landscapes. Recent water checks conducted by Utah State University Extension found that a typical homeowner applies 80 inches of water each growing season. This is twice as much as is needed.
Water Wise Plants For Utah Landscapes, Wade Bitner, Rick Heflebower, Larry Sagers
Water Wise Plants For Utah Landscapes, Wade Bitner, Rick Heflebower, Larry Sagers
All Current Publications
In order to better market the water wise plants available in many Utah nurseries and garden centers, and to assist consumers in identifying these plants, a program to recognize desirable low water use species has been developed.
Designing A Low Water Use Landscape, Teresa Cerny, Kelly L. Kopp, Maggie Wolf, Debbie Amundsen
Designing A Low Water Use Landscape, Teresa Cerny, Kelly L. Kopp, Maggie Wolf, Debbie Amundsen
All Current Publications
A landscape design should meet the needs of the people who will use and maintain the area while incorporating the site’s existing environmental conditions into the design. Water is a limiting resource in Utah, so designing the landscape to efficiently use water is important. Conserving water in the landscape can be accomplished by selecting low water use plants, designing and scheduling irrigation systems efficiently, grouping plants according to their water requirements, and using hardscaping materials (patios, stone paths, decks, etc.) appropriately to reduce the area requiring irrigation.
Efficient Irrigation Of Trees And Shrubs, Teresa A. Cerny, Michael R. Kuhns, Kelly L. Kopp, Mike Johnson
Efficient Irrigation Of Trees And Shrubs, Teresa A. Cerny, Michael R. Kuhns, Kelly L. Kopp, Mike Johnson
All Current Publications
In Utah, urban landscape irrigation accounts for 50-75% of the annual municipal water use, and much of it is applied in excess of the plant’s needs. This excess is a tremendous resource waste and the overspray causes substantial damage to hardscape (i.e., decks, patios, fountains, decorative concrete, etc.). Scheduling irrigation according to landscape plant water needs can reduce excess water use. In addition to conserving water, proper irrigation can encourage deeper root growth and healthier, more drought tolerant landscapes.
Garden Water Use In Utah, Robert W. Hill
Garden Water Use In Utah, Robert W. Hill
All Current Publications
The goal of garden irrigation is to maintain yield and quality by replacing water lost to the atmosphere from the soil by evaporation, and from leaf surfaces by transpiration. The combination of evaporation and transpiration is referred to as evapotranspiration (Et), or simply water use. Garden water use is presented in units of inches of water per day, week or month.
Growing Turf On Salt-Affected Sites, Michael Pace, Paul Johnson
Growing Turf On Salt-Affected Sites, Michael Pace, Paul Johnson
All Current Publications
In many areas of Utah, high salt levels in the soil limit the growth of some turfgrasses, especially Kentucky bluegrass. This fact sheet was written to assist you in determining if you have a soil with a high salt level and, if you do, how to manage it with the use of irrigation, drainage, and salt tolerant grasses.
Grass Pasture Response To Water And Nitrogen, Robert W. Hill, Robert Newhall, Scott Williams, Brian Andrew
Grass Pasture Response To Water And Nitrogen, Robert W. Hill, Robert Newhall, Scott Williams, Brian Andrew
All Current Publications
The objective of this project is to study the response of pasture grass varieties to weather, irrigation and fertility in a field experimental plot at a high elevation. The water variable is accomplished with a line source sprinkler irrigation system. Two nitrogen fertility levels were imposed on two of the grass varieties
Turfgrass Weed Control, Usu Extension
Turfgrass Weed Control, Usu Extension
All Current Publications
Weeds in the lawn are one of the more noticeable pests of the landscape. They not only detract from the aesthetic value of the home, but also waste water and fertilizer, harbor insects, and reduce the overall health of the lawn. There are a number of cultural and mechanical practices to reduce weed populations. In severe and difficult cases, herbicides can be used to control some weeds.
Landscape And Garden Weed Control, Steven Dewey, Dan Drost, Larry Rupp, Larry Sagers
Landscape And Garden Weed Control, Steven Dewey, Dan Drost, Larry Rupp, Larry Sagers
All Current Publications
Weeds around the home are a general or injury. Often a veterinarian is needed to nuisance, mar the natural beauty of a landscape, remove the seeds. and decrease the value or marketability of Weeds cost Utah farmers millions of dollars residential properties. Weeds ruin lawns, each year in damage to both crops and livestock. gardens, and flowerbeds. Some weeds even grow The consumer pays more for food because of through blacktop. Weeds may cause hayfever, be these losses. a fire hazard, and harbor insects or diseases. Much of the damage caused by weeds They cause flat tires, puncture bare feet, …
Home Vegetable Garden, Dan Drost
Home Vegetable Garden, Dan Drost
All Current Publications
There are so many vegetable varieties available, how do you select good ones for the home garden? Which ones are adapted and grow well in my area? This bulletin gives you some answers to these questions. It lists some of the better vegetable varieties for Utah. Since varieties vary in disease resistance and maturity characteristics, it is important to select ones that are adapted to our area. Should I grow a hybrid? Does it have disease resistance? When will it mature. What things should I think about before planting the garden?
Water-Wise Landscaping, Terry Keane
Water-Wise Landscaping, Terry Keane
All Current Publications
Land use, like a pendulum, has swung from sparse land settlements of Native Americans, with a reverence for nature, to sprawling developments of western settlers. The settlers’ intent was to “tame” the harsh western elements. The result was the introduction of soggy green English landscapes to the West