Gardening 101

 

Resources: 

            Books:  Sunset New Western Garden Book

                         Trowel and Error, Over 700 Tips, Remedies and Shortcuts for the Gardener

                                      by Sharon Lovejoy

                        Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew

            Websites:  www.jlgardencenter.com   Check it out – there are many handouts and fact

                                    sheets of several garden topics.

                              www.extension.usu.edu  Very informative – Offers gardening tips for the

                                    current month and provides information on several garden topics.

 

Early Spring:  Prune trees, shrubs, summer/fall blooming perennials

                        Clean out dead organic material

                        Divide perennials

 

Soil Preparation:   Remove sticks, stones, and clumps from soil

                              Turn soil by digging or rotor-tilling.   This aerates the soil, improves structure.

                              Incorporate organic matter – compost

 

            Test Soil:   Check out the USU website above.  USU offers a soil testing service.  The

                        information you receive  is well worth the effort and money  if you want to be a

                        successful gardener.

 

            Soil pH:   pH scale    Acid ------------------------------Neutral-----------------------------Alkaline

                                                0                                              7                                              14

                            Most plants prefer a pH of 7-8.   There are a few exceptions.  Learn about your

                                    plants needs and provide the best environment for them.

 

            Enrich the soil:  Organic material

                                    Fertilizer labels have three numbers.   

                                                            Nitrogen – Phosphorous – Potassium

                                    Nitrogen is for top growth/greening

                                    Phosphorous is for fruiting/flowering

                                    Potassium is for overall health, rooting/color

 

Planting:  Davis County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5,  Western Garden/Sunset Zone 2

                Our average last day of frost is May 10.  First day of Frost is October 5th

                General Rule of thumb for Davis County:  Plant after Mother’s Day or May 15th.

                For more information on freeze dates and Utah’s climate go to http://climate.usu.edu

               Consider the type of plant,  cool season or warm season.  Cool season plants can be

                        planted earlier than May 15th.

                USU has given the following suggested planting dates for the Wasatch Front

 

Suggested Vegetable Planting Dates for the Wasatch Front

by Shawn Olsen, USU Extension Agent

 

Plant Group

Average Planting Dates

Plants to consider

 

Group A:

Hardy

 

Plant as soon as the soil dries out in the spring.

 

March 15 – May 1

 

Artichoke, Asparagus, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kohlrabi,   Onions, Peas, Radish, Rhubarb, Spinach, Turnip

 

Group B:

Semi-Hardy

 

Plant a week or two after “A” group or about two weeks before average last spring frost.

 

March 20 – May 1

 

Beet, Carrot, Cauliflower, Endive, Lettuce, Parsley, Parsnip, Potato, Salsify, Swiss Chard

 

Group C:

Tender

 

Plant on the average date of the last spring frost – about when first apples reach full bloom

 

May 5 – June 1

 

Celery, Cucumber, Dry Ban, Snap Bean, Spinach, Summer Squash, Sweet Corn

 

Group D:

Very Tender

 

Plant when the soil is warm, about two weeks after “C” group

 

May 20 – June 10

 

Cantaloupe, Eggplant, Lima Bean, Pepper, Pumpkin, Tomato, Watermelon, Winter Squash,

 

Special Plants for Fall Harvest

 

 

Average planting dates

Beets

July 1 – August 1

Cabbage

May 1 – July 15

Kale

July 1 – August 15

Lettuce

June 1 – August 1

Onion

August 1 – August 10

Rutabaga

June 15 – July 1

Spinach

July 1 – August 15

Turnip

July 1 – August 1

Extend your growing season: 

                                    Protect tomatoes with Walls of Water or other protection

                                    Use small PVC pipe to create a dome tent (green house) over planting

                                                area

                                    Plant a second crop later in the season for a fall harvest as indicated

                                                above

                                    Begin plant starts indoors before moving to the garden

                                                You can make your own plant starter pots with newspaper – they

                                                are biodegradable and plant and paper both can be put into the

                                                garden.    See www.potmaker.com for instructions and tools. 

 

Where to Plant:   Know your yard and how much sun and shade your plants will receive

 

            Exposure to sun -   Full sun:  6-8 hours full sun

                                           Partial Sun:  4-6 hours full sun

                                           Partial Shade:  4-6 hours filtered sun

                                           Full Shade:  Less than 4 hours full sun

                                           Deep shade:  No sun

 

            Microclimates:  South side – most sun

                                       East side – am sun/ pm shade

                                       North side – mostly shade

                                       West side – pm direct sun/ am shade

 

            Rotation:  Rotate plants from year to year to avoid soil depletion and bug infestation

                             Consider plant group when rotating –  all plants in one group pull the same

                                     nutrients from the soil

 

How to plant:    Read seed packets for specific information

                           Consider Square Foot Gardening instead of rows to conserve space (see Book

                                    listed above)

                           Sets – Dig hole, add organic matter, break apart roots, plant, root starter

                           Give water to newly planted items

 

Maintenance:  Mulch will prevent evaporation, control weeds and will look nice

                          Soil pep makes a nice mulch

 

Water:  Know your plants needs – plants have different watering needs, look at the fact sheet

                        from the web sites listed above. 

                        Many of us overwater -

            Types of irrigation:  Drip, Sprinkler, Soaker hoses

            Schedule:  Take time to write up a watering schedule – it will simplify your work later

 

 

 

 

 

Weeds:  Pull weeds while soil is moist and when weeds are small

              Bring a digging tool, bag and scissors with you

              Dead Head:  cut off dead blooms of flowers

              Pull weeds before they bloom to prevent weed seeds from dropping into the soil

 

Problems:   USU Extension – Master Gardeners are available at the County Courthouse  M-F

                        from 9-12 to answer questions.   Bring in a sample of your plant to show the

                        problem.  If they cannot answer the question, they will send it onto the Plant

                        Clinic

 

Fall:  Harvest and Winterize

          Consider covering your beds to protect from seed pods and other debris falling into your

            garden area