As soon as you arrive to work, if you don't see me or you haven’t received a work assignment yet, these are things that ALWAYS need to be done in each of our gardens.
Basically, inspect EACH plot:
1) Borders – Tidy the border on each plot. Make sure it is neat, clean and secure. We get a lot of traffic and our borders remind everyone where they can and cannot walk. Make sure rocks are straight, dust off any grass or mulch. Whether the border is made of rock, tile, plastic pipe, wood, etc., notice if any part of it is missing and could be fixed and then fix it.
2) Walkways – They need a new layer of mulch often all summer long also. When they get thin, you'll see dirt or weeds coming thru. Lay more mulch down. Make sure it’s even and easy to walk on. Pick up larger weeds, pine cones or sticks and put them in our compost pile. Newspapers should not been showing. Cover them up.
3) Plots – Mulch should be evenly spread over the entire plot – leaving a small space for where the plant is growing. If mulch is getting thin and you can see dirt or weeds, lay more mulch down. Make sure it’s laid evenly. Get rid of any larger weeds or sticks. Make sure newspapers do NOT show thru. Cover them up.
4) Driplines – Make sure they are UNDERNEATH the mulch and close to the plant. We will continue to lay drip line throughout ALL of our gardens.
5) Laminated Plot Names – Make sure they are stuck in the ground INSIDE the plot.
6) Plants – Get acquainted with the Moisture Meter. Check the plants for moisture BEFORE watering any plants. For the most part, you won’t be watering the plants. That will be done by others who will monitor them closely.
5.14.2009
My NEW Favorite Place to buy Plants - Lambert's Floral
Several people who I've talked to about gardening have referred me to one of the BEST and most reasonably priced places to buy veggie plants! Lambert's Floral in WVC. They are located at 3910 Redwood Road, SLC UT, on the west side of Redwood Road. I got there too late, after they closed so I haven't been able to go in yet but there prices beat Walmarts plant prices AND they have a much better selection. Check them out!!
Lettuce and Spinach - More on How to cut it from the plant
In my backyard garden, you'll find three kinds of lettuce and a whole bunch of spinach growing in 2 plots. Take your scissors and cut toward the bottom of the leaves. Don't pull the roots out since the plants will continue to grow for about another month. On the larger leafy lettuce plants, make sure you cut only the outside, underneath, larger leaves since the lettuce grows from the inside center. There are plenty of those to choose from. You will love this salad!!!
5.13.2009
May 13!! First harvest is ON and ready to be picked!
Fresh spinach and three types of lettuce are ready to be picked! This makes for a very delicious tossed green salad! You should taste these leaves especially if you've never had fresh greens before right out of the garden! They are SO good!
I'm excited since this is our FIRST harvest of the season and it's only May 12!!
If you want to pick some of this harvest, email me ASAP and let me know when you can come.
Those who are eligible for this harvest are those who have put in any amount of hours in the garden so far this year OR are one of our garden property owners.
Bring a quart AND gallon size ziplock bag AND a pair of scissors. If we get a lot of response, I'll ask you to pick a quart size bag of greens, if we don't get as much response, you'll be able to pick a gallon size bag. I'll let you know when you come.
This crop MUST be picked during the next 2 days while at its peak (before it gets too big and starts to go to seed.) Thanks so much!!
I'm excited since this is our FIRST harvest of the season and it's only May 12!!
If you want to pick some of this harvest, email me ASAP and let me know when you can come.
Those who are eligible for this harvest are those who have put in any amount of hours in the garden so far this year OR are one of our garden property owners.
Bring a quart AND gallon size ziplock bag AND a pair of scissors. If we get a lot of response, I'll ask you to pick a quart size bag of greens, if we don't get as much response, you'll be able to pick a gallon size bag. I'll let you know when you come.
This crop MUST be picked during the next 2 days while at its peak (before it gets too big and starts to go to seed.) Thanks so much!!
5.09.2009
MULCH is the key to a "water-wise" garden this summer
SAVE AND BRING any of the following items ALL SUMMER LONG! This is ORGANIC MULCH and we want and NEED LOTS of it!!
Sawdust
Grass Clippings
Newspaper
Pine Needles and Pine Cones
Leaves
Etc.
Sawdust
Grass Clippings
Newspaper
Pine Needles and Pine Cones
Leaves
Etc.
5.08.2009
xxxxxxxxxxxCOMPOSTING - Great info on How To compost in your backyard
I was debating about whether to get my compost at the landfill or not. Then I heard about another source. It's more expensive than the landfill but it's REALLY good compost! The company is "Replenish", 4660 So. 200 W, Murray Utah, 801-262-5142. They sell a little more in bulk, which is what I need this year. We picked up a big 2 sq yards of RICH compost - which filled our truck. It took Gail and I over an hour to empty the truck full of the good stuff! We use it with all of our plants in each of our gardens.
I asked the USU Extension for their opinion about Compost. Here's their response:
The very best compost is what you make at home yourself. This is a very good USU publication on composting that you can refer people to. Click on Great Publication On Composting.
The compost at Trans Jordan Landfill is phasing out the use of sewage sludge in their compost process, that actually was a very good solution for both composting and for the sewage sludge – so that may be the “stink”” in compost from Trans Jordan Landfill. However, the compost itself that has been sifted and ready for sale shouldn’t be smelly. I believe this is the last year the will be using that sludge as part of their composting process – in the future they will use similar composting methods as they do at Salt Lake Valley Landfill which is similar to home composting, except they use high volume sprinkler heads and front loaders and back hoes to turn their compost piles.
General recommendations were for those compost with sewage sludge (if it stinks, it’s not fully composted), it’s fine for ornamental beds but generally not recommended for vegetable gardens. That won’t be an issue the next year.
Salt Lake Valley Landfill compost is great, for any use. Biggest issue is buying it before they run out.
Link to website is http://www.slvlandfill.slco.org/ and rates are $30 for pick up load.
Landfills
Salt Lake Valley Landfill
(801) 974-6920
6030 West 1300 South
Trans Jordan Landfill
(801) 569-8994
10832 South 7200 West
I asked the USU Extension for their opinion about Compost. Here's their response:
The very best compost is what you make at home yourself. This is a very good USU publication on composting that you can refer people to. Click on Great Publication On Composting.
The compost at Trans Jordan Landfill is phasing out the use of sewage sludge in their compost process, that actually was a very good solution for both composting and for the sewage sludge – so that may be the “stink”” in compost from Trans Jordan Landfill. However, the compost itself that has been sifted and ready for sale shouldn’t be smelly. I believe this is the last year the will be using that sludge as part of their composting process – in the future they will use similar composting methods as they do at Salt Lake Valley Landfill which is similar to home composting, except they use high volume sprinkler heads and front loaders and back hoes to turn their compost piles.
General recommendations were for those compost with sewage sludge (if it stinks, it’s not fully composted), it’s fine for ornamental beds but generally not recommended for vegetable gardens. That won’t be an issue the next year.
Salt Lake Valley Landfill compost is great, for any use. Biggest issue is buying it before they run out.
Link to website is http://www.slvlandfill.slco.org/ and rates are $30 for pick up load.
Landfills
Salt Lake Valley Landfill
(801) 974-6920
6030 West 1300 South
Trans Jordan Landfill
(801) 569-8994
10832 South 7200 West
Receive FREE Utah Native Plants Sat. May 9th by joining us on Purge the Spurge!
Before my hike at 8:30 am, Sat. May 9th, I am looking for people to meet me at 7:45 am, Meet at 6200 So. Wasatch Blvd, UTA Park n Ride, far SOUTH end of the parking lot. We'll drive less than a minute away and pull the pretty but noxious weed out of the ground. In return we receive Native Utah Plants for FREE! RSVP!
A “noxious weed” is a legal term used at the federal, state, and
county level to identify and list plants that pose a significant
threat to agriculture, the environment, recreation, and public
health. One weed affecting the Wasatch Front foothills of
concern is myrtle spurge, Euphorbia myrsinites. This weed is
also known as donkey tail spurge.
The Salt Lake County Weed Program, Salt Lake Conservation
District, REI, Utah Native Plant Society and the
Bonneville CWMA (Cooperative Weed Management Area)
are sponsoring a program to manage this noxious weed in
sponsoring “Purge Your Spurge” on Saturday May 9, 2009,
10am to 3:00pm.
You can help by collecting this weed and
exchanging it for Utah native plants at REI at 3285 East 3300
South. Wear protective clothing and gloves and dig up and
bag all your myrtle spurge and remove at least 4” of the rooting
clump.
Myrtle spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites) is a low growing
perennial with trailing fleshy stems. The leaves are fleshy,
blue-green and alternate. Flowers are inconspicuous with
yellow-green, petal-like bracts that appear from March to
May. Myrtle spurge spreads by seed and plants are capable of
projecting seeds up to 15 feet. The plant grows from a taproot,
with new stems emerging in early spring and dying back in
the winter. Plants can grow up to 8-12 inches high and 12-18
inches in width.
Myrtle spurge is an escaped ornamental that quickly crowds out native
plants. The key to effective control of this noxious weed is to
remove plants prior to seed set and to detect and remove new populations in
natural areas early on.
Warning!! All parts of myrtle spurge contain a caustic latex sap that can result in
skin irritation, redness, swelling, and blisters. This plant is poisonous if ingested causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
For information about Salt Lake County Noxious Weeds
go to http://www.weeds.slco.org
By Maggie
5.07.2009
5.04.2009
What is ORGANIC Matter?
One of the best soil amendments is organic
matter. Organic matter simply defined is
anything that at one time had carbon atoms
and was once alive.
Manures from herbivores (cow, turkey,
horse), animals that eat alfafa, hay or grass
are considered organic; however problems
may occur if you put manure directly onto
your vegetable and flower beds. Manures
are high in salts and often have weed
seeds.
The best method of adding organic matter
is using compost. Compost is organic
matter that has been decomposed through
microbes, that is fungi and bacteria, which
have broken down the materials over
time, at the same time raising temperatures
of compost piles up to 140 degrees,
hot enough to kill many weed seeds and
pathogenic microbes.
The best solution would be to compost
your own kitchen scraps (no meat, bones,
or fatty foods), and garden wastes for your
garden. However, if you are limited with
space or need additional compost, it is
available for purchase. Compost can be
purchased at nurseries and garden centers
by the bag or one could go to one of
two landfills in Salt Lake County.
Compost is available in bulk at two
municipal facilities in Salt Lake County.
Best to call ahead for availability. Go
to
http://www.slvlandfill.slco.org/
for more information for
compost rates at 6030 West California
Ave (1400 South) call (801) 974-6922.
The other location 10873 S. 7200 W. in
South Jordan and phone number (801)
569-8994.
A small half ton pickup truck holds
approximately one cubic yard equivalent
to about five wheelbarrows. Also it
may be helpful to know that at nurseries
and garden centers, compost is usually
sold in bags that are one cubic feet, and
it takes 27 bags to equal one cubic yard.
A common question is how much to
add? Here
matter. Organic matter simply defined is
anything that at one time had carbon atoms
and was once alive.
Manures from herbivores (cow, turkey,
horse), animals that eat alfafa, hay or grass
are considered organic; however problems
may occur if you put manure directly onto
your vegetable and flower beds. Manures
are high in salts and often have weed
seeds.
The best method of adding organic matter
is using compost. Compost is organic
matter that has been decomposed through
microbes, that is fungi and bacteria, which
have broken down the materials over
time, at the same time raising temperatures
of compost piles up to 140 degrees,
hot enough to kill many weed seeds and
pathogenic microbes.
The best solution would be to compost
your own kitchen scraps (no meat, bones,
or fatty foods), and garden wastes for your
garden. However, if you are limited with
space or need additional compost, it is
available for purchase. Compost can be
purchased at nurseries and garden centers
by the bag or one could go to one of
two landfills in Salt Lake County.
Compost is available in bulk at two
municipal facilities in Salt Lake County.
Best to call ahead for availability. Go
to
http://www.slvlandfill.slco.org/
for more information for
compost rates at 6030 West California
Ave (1400 South) call (801) 974-6922.
The other location 10873 S. 7200 W. in
South Jordan and phone number (801)
569-8994.
A small half ton pickup truck holds
approximately one cubic yard equivalent
to about five wheelbarrows. Also it
may be helpful to know that at nurseries
and garden centers, compost is usually
sold in bags that are one cubic feet, and
it takes 27 bags to equal one cubic yard.
A common question is how much to
add? Here
Tips for Growing a GREEN Lawn
Tips for maintaining a green lawn
May 3rd, 2009 @ 10:47pm
By Paul Nelson
RIVERTON -- The rain has kept our lawns looking nice and green for now, but what can you do to keep it green and full after the weather dries up?
If you noticed you lawn had some patches where it wasn't growing and you think you need to reseed, do it now.
IFA Home and Garden assistant manager Geoff Jensen told KSL, "You're going to have a lot better germination. That grass is going to grow back better. You're going to have better results doing it this time of year."
Jensen says iron helps, but you shouldn't use it if you don't like mowing.
"If you put iron on, it really greens it up. It makes your lawn look great, but you are going to be mowing every three to four days," he said.
Many people make organic compost with egg shells and corn for their gardens and flower beds, but Jensen says that stuff doesn't work for lawns.
Another tip for this time of year: fertilize your lawn with a weed and feed. If you don't have a problem with weeds, use a 30-10-0 spring blend of fertilizer. Don't use a 17-5-10 fertilizer because that will put it to bed for the fall. Using a 46-0-0 during the summer can burn your lawn.
If you see brown spots in your lawn, pull up some of the brown grass. If it comes right up, you likely have grubs. If you sense some tension in the grass, you likely have a fungus.
With all the advances we've made in gardening, they still haven't created a lawn that takes care of itself.
May 3rd, 2009 @ 10:47pm
By Paul Nelson
RIVERTON -- The rain has kept our lawns looking nice and green for now, but what can you do to keep it green and full after the weather dries up?
If you noticed you lawn had some patches where it wasn't growing and you think you need to reseed, do it now.
IFA Home and Garden assistant manager Geoff Jensen told KSL, "You're going to have a lot better germination. That grass is going to grow back better. You're going to have better results doing it this time of year."
Jensen says iron helps, but you shouldn't use it if you don't like mowing.
"If you put iron on, it really greens it up. It makes your lawn look great, but you are going to be mowing every three to four days," he said.
Many people make organic compost with egg shells and corn for their gardens and flower beds, but Jensen says that stuff doesn't work for lawns.
Another tip for this time of year: fertilize your lawn with a weed and feed. If you don't have a problem with weeds, use a 30-10-0 spring blend of fertilizer. Don't use a 17-5-10 fertilizer because that will put it to bed for the fall. Using a 46-0-0 during the summer can burn your lawn.
If you see brown spots in your lawn, pull up some of the brown grass. If it comes right up, you likely have grubs. If you sense some tension in the grass, you likely have a fungus.
With all the advances we've made in gardening, they still haven't created a lawn that takes care of itself.
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