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 Director's Message
by David Anderson, Utah Botanical Gardens
I want to congratulate OBG Director Jerry Goodspeed and his
staff, as well as the gardens' many volunteers, donors and partners on the
15th anniversary of the Ogden Botanical Gardens. Recently, a wonderful
celebration was held in honor of this achievement - it included art in the
garden, food demonstrations and a live concert. Kudos to everyone who has
helped transform a worn down, nearly abandoned place into a wonderful,
beautiful and educational place to connect with nature.
I am very pleased to announce that Wetland Discovery Point,
the UBC's newest teaching space, has been awarded Platinum LEED certification,
becoming one of just a few buildings in the state to earn that highest level of
distinction. LEED certification is an internationally recognized achievement in
building design and construction awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Although it is a public space, Wetland Discovery Point showcases green design
details that can be used in homes as well. More details, including a slideshow
of the building, are available online (utahbotanicalcenter.org).
Lastly, an update on the UBC's Giving Garden. The garden,
which is growing produce for local food banks, is doing well. We greatly
appreciate the many volunteers who have helped prepare, plant and maintain the
garden so far. We invite you to participate with us in this important activity.
If you would like to volunteer, contact Stacie at the Davis County Extension Office, 801-451-3403.
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Feature Article:
Come Visit the UBC Farmers Market
by JayDee Gunnell
 One of the greatest rewards in life is experiencing the
sense of community and friendship shared with our neighbors. This year's Farmers
Market will again feature fresh produce from local growers, hand-crafted items
from artisans, as well as an array of tantalizing food. The Children's Booth is always fun, and Master
Gardeners will also be available to answer any of your garden related
questions. However, with growth comes change.
Due to the growth and success of the market, the venue of the UBC Farmers
Market will be relocated (just
slightly!) to the east side of 50 West, (directly across from the Utah
House parking lot) in the new Varga Arboretum, which was dedicated this past
spring. We hope that this change will not only enhance the atmosphere of the
market, but also improve parking availability. This year the market will be Thursday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. and will
begin on Thursday, July 16 and run through October 1.
Come experience, good times, good people and good food.
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 Featured Perennial:
Sulfur Flower Buckwheat
by Richard Anderson
Type: Perennial, clump
Zone: 3
(-40°F)
Size: 1 foot tall and 1½ feet wide
Description: Sulfur flower buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum) is a native
perennial commonly encountered throughout the Western United States, growing on
hot, dry, rocky slopes and ridges. Sulfur flower buckwheat forms a low mat of
foliage with woody stems and the attractive flowers are long lasting, variably yellow colored, and gradually fade to orange russet, then coppery brown. Sulfur
flower buckwheat can be used in large plantings as a colorful evergreen
groundcover or in small groups mixed with other water-wise plants. We suggest planting
into lean, well-drained soils in a site where the crown is protected from
standing water. Sulfur flower buckwheat will attract butterflies and is reported
to be resistant to foraging rabbits.
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Featured Pest:
Water Stress
by Jerry Goodspeed
 One of the most common problems during the summer months is
water stress. This is caused by either too much or too little water. This can
occur in lawns, with annuals and perennials, and some large leaved trees. The symptoms on trees include leaf scorch (pictured). When annuals and perennials are drought stressed, they will wilt and die. The lawns will turn
an off-green color, then brown, and eventually go dormant.
As soon
as a plant shows any wilting or browning of the leaves, most people immediately
assume it needs more water. This can
actually do more harm than good. The best way to check and see if your plants have
enough water is to simply dig around in the soil. Although this sounds obvious, many people never
actually check the soil to determine water availability.
Before
just assuming the plant is water or drought stressed, check the soil. Dig a good 3 to 5 inches into the soil
(where the roots are found) and grab some soil.
If it is moist to the touch, the plant is probably not water stressed
and there may be some other problems.
See http://extension.usu.edu/drought/ for more information.
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 Featured Tree:
Kentucky Coffee Tree
by JayDee Gunnell
(Gymnocladus
dioicus)
Type: Large shade tree
Zone: 3 to 8 (to -40°F)
Size: 60 to 70 feet tall
40 to 50 feet wide
Description: Gazing up from underneath a
large Kentucky coffee tree invokes feelings of true majesty. The shape is
irregular when young, but becomes stately and strong with age. The tree has a
moderate growth rate and is considered to be "tough" in the tree world,
tolerating a wide array of soil conditions including drought. Early settlers
used the seeds as a coffee substitute giving the tree its common name. The
rough furrowed bark and picturesque shape also adds great winter interest. However, the leaves of this tree are probably
the most interesting feature. Each leaf
can be 2 to 3 feet long and 1½ to 2 feet wide. Now before you let your mind
conjure up an image of some tropical frond....let me "wax horticultural." The
leaves of the Kentucky coffee tree are bi-pinnately compound. This means that the actual leaf itself is a
complex of smaller leaflets attached together along a central petiole....twice. So when the bright yellow leaves drop in the
autumn, it appears that the tree is losing small branches.
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Down and Dirty Question:
What is a Locavore?
by Mike Dietz
The official definition is eating food that is produced
within a 100 mile radius of where you live (see http://www.locavores.com/). The main driving force behind
the movement was the high fossil fuel consumption associated with transporting
many food products hundreds or even thousands of miles from field to table. Read More
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 Upcoming Programs and Events
► Free DIAGNOSTIC CLINICS
Tuesdays, 1-4 p.m. at the USU Davis County Extension Office
Wednesdays, 3-6 p.m. at the Ogden Botanical Gardens
-Need help with something
in your landscape? Bring in a sample of a tree branch, section of an ailing
plant, leaf, an insect pest, chunk of turfgrass (4-6-inches on the margin of
the problem) or a weed you don't know how to handle. Just walk in and we will have someone there to help
you! Leave with the identification of the problem and ideas for control.
►Aggie Adventure Day Camps
Various dates in July at the Utah Botanical Center
-With themes like Witches & Wizards, Energy Explorers,
Wild Wilderness Art and Owls, Spells & Potions, there's bound to be a day
camp to suit every child. Each camp is designed for a particular age group and
full of fun, hands-on experiences. For a schedule and details about each camp,
please visit http://utahbotanicalcenter.org/htm/education/youth/summercamps,
or call 801-544-3089.
► Soap-Making with Connie Bott, Weber County Master Gardener
Thursday, July 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Ogden Botanical Gardens
Thursday, July 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Utah Botanical Center
-This class is for anyone who has wanted to "design" their
own soap. Connie is a master with fragrances and fun combinations to fit
the interests of everyone from masculine soaps with pumice, to something ideal
for gardeners. Participants will take home their own designer soap and a
working knowledge to make more at home. (This class is almost full;
seating is limited.) Fee: $25/OBG-UBC members; $30/nonmembers. To register for the class in Davis County, call 801-451-3403; to register for Weber County, call 801-399-8201.
► Utah Botanical Center Farmer's Market
Thursdays, July 16 through October 1, 5-8 p.m. at the Utah Botanical Center
-You'll
find local produce, artisan foods, crafts and expert help for garden and
landscape questions. Spend the evening shopping the market and visiting the
gardens and the ponds. Visit http://utahbotanicalcenter.org/htm/events/farmersmarket for more information.
► Designing Japanese Gardens
for Your Landscape with Susan Jones, OBG Lead Gardener
Friday, July 17, 12-1 p.m. at the Ogden Botanical Gardens
-This FREE class is one in our series of "dessert first"
classes that are open to the public. Meet at the Education Building at
the Ogden Botanical Gardens and enjoy a tasty dessert "first", followed by
instruction and a tour. If you have wanted to create your own Japanese
Garden, you won't want to miss this class. (No pre-registration or
notification is necessary.)
Click here for a complete list of events at the Utah Botanical Center
Click here for a complete list of events at the Ogden Botanical Gardens
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Get Growing Calendar
► Apply a registered pesticide to apple and pear trees to control the second
generation of codling moths.
► Plant some short-season vegetables (70 days or less) such as summer squash,
peas, carrots, beets. It is not too late.
 ► Harvest vegetables early in the morning or cool evening hours when the
vegetables are ready to pick.
► Apply a registered insecticide (Thiodan) to the trunk (lower 1 foot) of stone
fruit trees to prevent peach tree borer damage.
► Mow the lawn between 2½ to 3 inches tall.
► Apply between 2 to 2½ inches of water to the lawn, spread between two or
three times per week.
► Apply another application of rose systemic to control pests.
►
Watch for powdery mildew on apple trees, squash and pumpkin plants. Apply
a fungicide for control.
► Sign up for an educational class at the Ogden Botanical Gardens or Utah
Botanical Center, and mark your calendar so you don't miss out on any of the
great free public "Dessert First" classes.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY INSTITUTION
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