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Utah Gardening

Cool Season Vegetables vs. Warm Season Vegetables

May 19, 2016 by Vanessa Myers

Welcome, I’m so glad you’re here!

Do you know when to plant your veggies? (Hint: cool and warm season veggies aren't planted at the same time!) These handy lists will tell you what's what and when to plant!

Are you itching for beautiful weather so you can get your veggies planted?  You are not alone!  Fresh vegetables are the highlight of most gardens, with fresh, healthy and delicious produce.  Just make sure to plant the right veggies at the right time to get the best results!

Vegetable garden season is upon us and many gardeners are happily planning out their shopping trips to the nursery. It’s tempting to put out every kind of vegetable that you want to grow, all at the same time.

However, it’s important to know whether the types you are planting are cool season vegetables or warm season vegetables so that you can plant them at the appropriate times and help ensure the best crop possible.

Click NEXT to see the Cool Season Veggies and when to plant them!

Western Garden Centers | Salt Lake City | Sandy | West Valley UTAH

Image by *Jay~bay* under a Flickr Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives License

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Filed Under: Tips & How To's, Utah Gardening, Vegetables, Veggie Gardening Tagged With: cool season vegetables, food, Gardening, How To, tips, Utah, vegetarian, veggies, warm season vegetables, Western Garden Centers, Western Gardens

10 Veggies to Plant Now to Save Money Later

May 18, 2016 by Jenn Crookston

Hello! So glad to you’re here!  header

Do you love fresh, delicious produce, but you also love saving money?  Then you’re in the right place!  I’m sharing ten of my favorite veggies that not only taste better grown at home, but’ll keep more green in your wallet, too!

I am blessed with a household of children who love to eat veggies.  When I hear parents planning/plotting ways to get more veggies into their children’s diet I say a silent prayer of gratitude that isn’t a battle I have to fight!

But because we love our veggies so much, we tend to fly through them, especially during the summer months, when it’s hot and a heavy meal is too much.  This year, instead of running to the grocery store every other day, we can just run out to the garden!

Let me start by saying, if your family hates tomatoes, growing them yourself probably won’t make your kids suddenly love them (even though they definitely taste better than store-bought!).

So before you start planting, think of things your family enjoys and build around that.  Eat a ton of spinach?  Plant a ton!  Love kale, but hate spending $5 every week for a bag of organic baby leaves?  Put that on your garden list.  Save money by planting what you’ll actually eat and cross them off your grocery list!

There are a ton of great veggies that grow well here in Utah.  My list saves me money every year and they taste amazing fresh from the garden (and yes, I know a tomato isn’t botanically a vegetable, but in our house it falls into that category!).

Click NEXT to see what 10 garden veggies are saving me money!

Western Garden Centers | Salt Lake City | Sandy | West Valley UTAH

Pages: Page 1 Page 2

Filed Under: Gardening, Tomatoes, Utah Gardening, Vegetables, Veggie Gardening Tagged With: food, Gardening, How To, tips, veggies, Western Garden Centers, Western Gardens

9 Plants you need for your Salsa Garden

May 14, 2016 by Kirsten

Welcome, I’m so glad you’re here!

Love Salsa? Plant a salsa garden and make it fresh! 9 Veggies you need in your Salsa Garden! www.westerngardens.com

DSC_0200

Do you love fresh pico de gallo, chili verde salsa or red salsa with tortilla chips?  Then a Salsa Garden is perfect for you! We love enjoying any of these with our favorite Mexican dishes, and what’s better than being able to make it from fresh veggies from your own garden?!  The taste of homegrown tomatoes vs. store-bought is huge…homegrown tomatoes are so much more delicious and flavorful—and it’s exciting to be able to say “I grew that!”

DSC_0226

If you have never grown a garden in your yard, I suggest getting your soil tested. The cost is about $10 and can be done at USU in Logan, Utah. You can just mail in a sample and they can tell you the P and K levels, pH, salt, and lime content, which can help you find out what your soil might need before you spend money on your plants and take the time to plant and water them. Knowing these levels can help you avoid things like bottom rot and make sure you get the most out of your plants.

Avoid planting your veggies until the overnight temps are at least 50° or above. This is typically around May 15th in Utah.  Watch your local forecast…our Utah weather is famous for being temperamental!

Ready to get started with the 9 veggies?  Click NEXT to see what to plant!

Western Garden Centers | Salt Lake City | Sandy | West Valley UTAH

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Filed Under: Gardening, Tomatoes, Utah Gardening, Vegetables, Veggie Gardening Tagged With: Salsa, salsa garden, tomatillos, tomatoes, vegetables

10 Flowers for Beautiful Hanging Baskets

May 11, 2016 by Kirsten

Welcome, I’m so glad you’re here!

Do you ever see gorgeous hanging baskets that are filled to the brim with blooms cascading down over the sides, and wonder what kind of flowers they are?   And how you can get your hands on some to beautify your own yard?!

Hanging baskets can add so much to a sunny wall, or brighten up shady areas with flowers that flourish in the shade. I also love giving hanging baskets as a gift for those who are getting up in age or have bad knees, because there is no kneeling down in the dirt required, and choosing the appropriate flower can bring the receiver blooms from the summer months, on up to the fall!

If you have ever wondered what the best flowers for hanging baskets are, I’ve got you covered!

10 plants for beautiful hanging baskets- https://westerngardens.com/

One of the most important things you need to consider is if the space you want to decorate has full sun, or if it is in the shade most of the day. If you plant sun-loving flowers in the shade, they won’t thrive.  The same is true if you plant shade lovers in the sun.

You can have each hanging basket dedicated to one type of flower, or you can mix different flowers in each basket giving different colors and textures. Just be sure to put Shade Lovers together and Sun Lovers together!  Also make sure you get the trailing variety of flower for your hanging baskets.

Filed Under: Annuals, Container Gardening, Flowers, Gardening, Outdoors, Perennials, Tips & How To's, Utah Gardening Tagged With: flowers, Gardening, Mother's Day, tips, Western Gardens

DIY Hanging Basket Frame – A Mother’s Day Gift

April 28, 2016 by Kirsten

Looking for the perfect gift for the gardening mom? Check out this simple and beautiful DIY Hanging Basket Frame - A Mother's Day Gift www.westerngardens.com

Welcome!  I’m so happy you’re here!
DIY Hanging Basket Frame - A Mother's Day Gift www.westerngardens.com

Are you looking for a beautiful, unique gift for your favorite gardening mom?  With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I’ve come up with a gift idea for all the moms out there who have a hard time gardening because they can no longer kneel down for long periods of time.  Whether it’s because of knee problems or advancing age, this DIY Hanging Basket Frame is perfect for any sitting gardening enthusiast!

This frame is about 3 feet tall, can accommodate 3 hanging baskets, and has 2 “shelves” for boxes on each side. I love this frame because all the planting can be done at a table, and once its set up, watering can easily be done with a watering can. It has been a fun addition to our own yard, and one I wish we had for our patio all those years we were renting apartments!

I drew up my idea, and my husband made it a reality. He was in fabrication/welding for several years and told me this would not only be visually appealing, but also strong enough to handle a lot of weight…and I think we accomplished both of those things! The other awesome thing about it is that we were able to make it for less than $15!

DIY Hanging Basket Frame – A Mother’s Day Gift

Supplies for your Hanging Basket Frame:

  • Miter Saw (you need to be able to make 22.5° angled cuts)
  • Power Drill with #2 Phillips bit and ⅛ inch drill bit (for pilot holes)
  • 2 – 8 ft pieces of wood 2.5 x 1.5 inches
  • 1 – 8 ft piece of wood 1.5 x 1.5 inches
  • 1 – 8 ft piece of wood 1.5 x .5 inches
  • 3  J-Screws (4 inch)
  • 3 nuts (¼ of an inch)
  • 24 – 2 inch wood screws
  • Sand paper
  • Exterior Stain (I used Olympic Maximum)
  • Paint brush

You will begin by measuring and marking each cut.

DIY hanging basket frame www.westerngardens.com

Measure and mark the 1.5 x 1.5 piece at 58 inches. **If you would like to add another 10 inches, you would be able to hang two additional hanging baskets, one on each side.  This is up to you.

Measure and mark the  2.5 x 1.5 at 38 inches  (x4)

Measure and mark the 2.5 x 1.5 at 19 ¾ inches (x2)

Measure and mark the 1.5 x .5 at 9 inches (x4)

Once you have measured them all go ahead and cut each piece.

DIY Hanging Basket Frame - A Mother's Day Gift www.westerngardens.com

Pull the 38 inchers aside. You will cut each end with a 22.5° angle, opposite direction on each end – this will help the two A-frames to sit right on the ground.

Now take the two 19 ¾ inchers and cut each end at a 22.5° angle – same direction on each end.

DIY Hanging Basket Frame - A Mother's Day Gift www.westerngardens.com

These 4 pieces will make your two “A” frames.

DIY Hanging Basket Frame - A Mother's Day Gift www.westerngardens.com Lay the two 38 inchers on the ground with the 19 ¾ incher in the middle to form the “A.” Using your drill, you will drill a pilot hole in the direction shown here.

DIY Hanging Basket Frame - A Mother's Day Gift www.westerngardens.com

With the #2 Philips bit, insert the screw. Make another pilot hole about ¾ of an inch apart from the other screw, as shown in the picture above. Repeat this step on all 4 sides of the frame. Now you should have the two “A” pieces done.

DIY Hanging Basket Frame - A Mother's Day Gift www.westerngardens.com

For this step you will need someone to help hold the two “A” frames up. Lay the 58 incher on top of the two frames and measure 5 inches from the end. This is where it will lay. **If you decided to add the 10 inches, measure 10 inches from the end.

DIY Hanging Basket Frame - A Mother's Day Gift www.westerngardens.com

Now take the 9 inchers and drill a pilot hole, then screw it in. You will add another screw about ¾ of an inch just above that. Do the same on the other side.

DIY Hanging Basket Frame - A Mother's Day Gift www.westerngardens.com

Before you drill the pilot hole from the 9 incher into the 58 incher, use a level and make sure it is level and sitting evenly. Repeat it on the back side of the frame now.

DIY Hanging Basket Frame - A Mother's Day Gift www.westerngardens.com

Now drill the pilot from the 9 incher into the 58 incher, then screw them together.

DIY Hanging Basket Frame - A Mother's Day Gift www.westerngardens.com

It should look like this.
DIY Hanging Basket Frame - A Mother's Day Gift www.westerngardens.com DIY Hanging Basket Frame - A Mother's Day Gift www.westerngardens.com

Now, to secure the 58 incher, you will drill two pilot holes in opposite directions as pictured above, on each side.

DIY Hanging Basket Frame - A Mother's Day Gift www.westerngardens.com

It should look like this.

DIY Hanging Basket Frame - A Mother's Day Gift www.westerngardens.com

I did a quick sand job so it would be smooth and easy to stain.

DIY Hanging Basket Frame - A Mother's Day Gift www.westerngardens.com

I used Olympic Maximum Sealant and Stain in one. We used it for our deck and it has held up really well.

Hanging Basket Frame www.westerngardens.com

After allowing it to dry over night, we then drilled the 3 pilot holes 12 inches apart for the hanging baskets.
DIY hanging basket frame www.westerngardens.com

Here is what  the “J” screws look like. They come with only one nut so you have to buy 3 extra nuts to have one nut on the bottom of the the “J” and another on the top, so it will be secure. Screw those in and you are ready to hang your baskets!

DIY Hanging Basket Frame - A Mother's Day Gift www.westerngardens.com

I had a blast going to Western Gardens to purchase all my flowers. The staff there are awesome and helped me make my vision become a reality!  If you think Mom will want to choose her own flowers for her Hanging Baskets, a gift certificate to Western Gardens is the perfect idea so she can add her own special touch to this gorgeous display.

I have had lots of compliments on how much this adds to our yard, and my husband has had people ask him to make them one too! It really is an easy project that I think anyone would love to receive as a gift for Mother’s Day! How will you celebrate the women in your life this year?

See the Happy!

Kirstensig

 

Filed Under: Annuals, Container Gardening, Crafts, Gardening, How To, Utah Gardening Tagged With: DIY, frame, gift, hanging baskets, Mother's Day, tutorial

Best Plants for Window Boxes

April 23, 2016 by Jenn Crookston

Welcome!  I’m so glad you stopped by!

Are you looking for the best plants that will really stand out in your window boxes this year?  Flowers that will thrive, even in uncertain Spring weather?  Then you’ve come to the right place!  I’m sharing 6 of my favorite picks for gorgeous window boxes.

The best plants for your spring window boxes! Flowers that will survive sun and snow.Those who know me well know that my house and I just aren’t best friends.  I probably couldn’t have picked a house with an exterior that I like less!  But since an all-new exterior isn’t in the plans, I have to do what I can to make it as pretty as possible.

The best plants for your spring window boxes! Flowers that will survive sun and snow.

A few years ago I finally convinced my husband that we needed flower boxes for the windows.  We’ve had varying degrees of success, so this year I am determined to get these window flower boxes prize-worthy!  You know what I’m talking about, right? Jaw-dropping window boxes like this one from The Lily Pad Cottage.
The best plants for your spring window boxes! Flowers that will survive sun and snow.
Isn’t it just beautiful? I’m in awe.

I needed some advice to start out right in my quest for gorgeous window boxes, so I headed to Western Gardens to get some help.  Andrea answered all my questions and gave me some great tips that I can’t wait to share with you!

The best plants for your spring window boxes! Flowers that will survive sun and snow.

Prep Your Boxes Correctly:

  • Replace the liners in each flower box.  I was amazed at what this did to make everything look better immediately!
  • Fill the liners a little less than half full with styrofoam packing peanuts.  This will reduce weight and save potting soil, and allow more air and water to get to the roots.
  • Fill the rest of the liner with fresh potting soil, like Gardner’s Gold.
  • Plan out your flowers.  I planted earlier in the spring than normal, so I made sure to choose flowers that were all cold-tolerant (since April snow is a thing here!)
  • Ensure you have doubles of every flower, if you need to make matching boxes like I did.
  • Don’t overfill your boxes. Let your flowers get established before you fill in gaps.

Window Box Flowers (left to right, repeated in each box):

  1. Pansy Frizzle Sizzle Mix
  2. Primrose Danova Mix
  3. Vinca Bowles Cunningham Periwinkle
  4. Ranunculus Bloomingdale Mix
  5. Pansy Delta Premium Beaconsfield
  6. Pansy Matrix Lemon
  7. Pansy Frizzle Sizzle Mix

The same rules apply to window boxes as porch pots.  To create a truly awe-inspiring display, you need a filler, a spiller, and a thriller.  See my tips for porch pots if you’re not sure what this means!

Pansies and primrose are great fillers with a lot of wonderful color.  The Vinca will spill beautifully over the sides, and the tall, red Ranunculus is currently thrilling my boxes!

As these flowers grow and spread, they will fill the boxes nicely. These flowers should all last several months, depending on how quickly our Utah weather turns hot.

The best plants for your spring window boxes! Flowers that will survive sun and snow.

Two final tips for healthy window boxes:

  • Check the water regularly.  The heat from the house may increase your boxes’ water needs.
  • Fertilize regularly for the best blooms.  I use ferti-lome blooming and rooting soluble plant food, which is perfect for big, beautiful blooms.  Click here to see why I recommend this one!

I can’t wait to share how my window boxes progress this summer.  Here’s to growing gorgeous!

While I’m waiting for my flower boxes to fill out, I’ll be enjoying these delicious recipes with my family:

The best plants for your spring window boxes! Flowers that will survive sun and snow.
Gluten Free Oatmeal Cookies ~ Spinach Salad w/Poppy Seed Dressing ~ Strawberry Lemonade Cookies

Filed Under: Annuals, Container Gardening, Gardening, Utah Gardening Tagged With: flowers, Gardening, How To, how to's, tips, Utah, Western Garden Centers, Western Gardens

5 Plants for Utah Porch Pots

April 12, 2016 by Heather Leister

Need some beautiful, new plants for your porch pots? Try these 5 native Utah plants to freshen up your outdoor decor!

Welcome, gardening friends!  We’re so glad you’re here.

Do you love having beautiful flowers on your porch?  But have you grown tired of the same old geraniums and gerbera daisies that you plant year after year? If you’re ready to try something new in your flower pots this spring, then you’ve come to the right place!

We’re sharing five gorgeous plants that you should add to your gardening arsenal.  If you’re in Utah like us, these plants will thrive because they are native to our area.  They are perfect for planting in your containers, so give these beauties a try!

1. Bee Balm

Need some beautiful, new plants for your porch pots? Try these native Utah plants to freshen up your outdoor decor!

Bee Balm is a showy, native wildflower that will add color and excitement to your flower pots.  The plant requires well-drained soil, so you will need to ensure that your container is large enough to accommodate the plant’s growth.  Bee Balm attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, making it the perfect centerpiece for a container.

2. Silvery Lupine

Need some beautiful, new plants for your porch pots? Try these native Utah plants to freshen up your outdoor decor!

This native perennial can grow up to 1-2 feet tall.  Silvery leaves and spikes are covered with small showy flowers.  The height of the Silvery Lupine makes it an ideal showpiece in a pot.

3. Four O’Clock

four o'clock 2

The Four O’Clock is a fragrant, colorful flower that will thrive in dry soil. The Four O’Clock opens in the late afternoon, or on cloudy days, so it’s ornamental blossoms will complement your daytime blooming plants.

4. Wasatch Penstemon

wasatch pestemon 2

The Wasatch Penstemon is a familiar fixture in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains. The small plant blooms in a gorgeous blue, but it may take two years for flowers to appear. Seeds should be planted in the late fall, which means you’re going to have to plan ahead. It will be worth it in the end, when spring arrives you’ll have a mountain valley in a pot on your porch.

5. Prairie Aster

Need some beautiful, new plants for your porch pots? Try these native Utah plants to freshen up your outdoor decor!

The Prairie Aster is an upright perennial that thrives in the desert and will require little watering or attention. The flowers resemble daisies and are tiny and elegant. Once it blooms the Prairie Aster will attract butterflies and birds, bringing excitement to your flower pots.

If you can’t decide which Utah native plants to put in your containers, or you want more information, we can help!  At Western Gardens we carry a large selection of Utah native plants, and our staff knows exactly what grows here. Bring us your questions, we’re here to help you figure out exactly what you need for your flower pots or yard.

Images:
Prairie Aster, Wasatch Penstemon – Flickr
Bee Balm, Silvery Lupine, Four O’clock – commons.wikimedia.org

Filed Under: Container Gardening, Flowers, Gardening, Utah Gardening Tagged With: flowers, Gardening, tips, Utah

March Gardening To-Do List

March 1, 2016 by Western Gardens

March Gardening To Do List | Things to do in your yard and garden all month long

Welcome gardening friends, thanks for stopping by!

If you’re excited to work in your yard or garden, but not sure what to do in the uncertain early Spring weather, then you’ve come to the right place!  We’ve put together a list of things to do throughout the month.

March Gardening To Do List | Things to do in your yard and garden all month longYou may not need to do everything on this list.  For example, if you don’t have fruit trees to fertilize or a sprinkler system to check, skip over those items on the list.  Just pick what applies to your home and yard and plan out when you will do it all throughout the month!

March Gardening To Do List | Things to do in your yard and garden all month longMarch Gardening To-Do List

➺Fertilize fruit trees (6 weeks prior to bloom)

➺ Fertilize lawns with a Pre-Emergent Fertilizer to prevent weed seeds from germinating

➺Fertilize lawns with a regular fertilizer if you plan to seed your lawn/reseed bare patches in your lawn

➺Prune trees & shrubs (especially those damaged by winter snows), roses, fruit trees

➺Apply Dormant Oil Spray to trees (before bud break)

➺Yard Clean Up remove winter debris and remaining annuals from last year

➺Plan your planting schedule for veggie and flower gardens, drawing a diagram is very helpful

➺Check Sprinkler System for winter breakage, pressurize your system, etc.

➺Inventory Your Tools to make sure you have everything you need

➺Plant Some Early Spring Colors such as pansies, ranunculus, iberis, primrose, etc.  Check out our helpful article for 8 easy tips for Planting an Early Spring Flower Pot!

➺Plant Seeds Indoors: eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, begonias, dahlias, etc

➺Plant Outside:
Raspberries & Strawberries
Until May 1st: kohlrabi, lettuce, parsnips, potatoes, rhubarb, asparagus, cabbage, spinach, turnips
Until May 15th: onions & peas
Until June 15th: carrots & endive
Until July 1st: cauliflower, parsley, swiss chard
Until July 15th: beets & broccoli
Until Sept 1st: radishes

March Gardening To Do List | Things to do in your yard and garden all month long

Filed Under: Gardening, To-Do List, Utah Gardening

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