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 "Giving Garden" Success
by David Anderson, Utah Botanical Center
It is
really exciting and encouraging to see the success of the UBC's Giving Garden.
All produce grown at this 1/3-acre garden is being given to local food banks.
The other day, I helped deliver some of it to the Layton Food Bank, where
hundreds of pounds of potatoes and tomatoes were received with gratitude. A
mid-harvest total of produce donated is more than 5,000 pounds.
This
would not have been possible without volunteers and the efforts of Super Master
Gardener April Clark, who willingly coordinated volunteer efforts on this
project. More than 1,000 volunteers have helped plant, weed and harvest this
garden. It has been very heartwarming to overhear comments made while weeding the
garden. Adults, youth and children have expressed thanks and taken pleasure in
being able to participate in such a worthy cause. It truly has been a
successful project. We have invigorated many, causing them to pause and enjoy
the activity of gardening; we have helped many to realize the importance of
sharing with their neighbors; and we have fed many with beautiful and delicious
"homegrown" produce. Thanks to all who have participated. But we do not plan to
rest on our laurels (or corn, tomatoes, melons or potatoes). Our aim is to
significantly expand the UBC's Giving Garden next year.
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Feature Article:
Drying Flowers
by Jerry Goodspeed
Many people enjoy drying flowers and then
using them in arrangements, to make cards or to simply brighten a room in the
dark days of winter. Most annuals and perennials can be dried; however, some are easier and look better than others. Here is a list of some of the more common flowers used for drying. - Annuals: Dianthus, Bells of Ireland, Celosia, Globe amaranth, Larkspur, Salvia, annual
Statice, Strawflower
- Perennials: Baby's breath, Dianthus, tri-color sage, Yarrow (yellow
varieties best) For
more information go to http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/factsheet/pub__887282.htm
or http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=G6540.
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 Featured Perennial:
Hardy Ice Plant
by Richard Anderson
Delosperma cooperi
Type:
perennial, succulent
Hardiness Zone: 5
(-20°F)
Size: 6-8 inches tall
12 inches wide
Description: Do you need a perennial evergreen groundcover for a
small pocket in the rock garden or a southern exposure that blisters with
summer heat? Hailing from the African continent, this hardy ice plant, although
appearing dainty, will enliven any water-wise garden with vermillion blooms
from spring until first frost. While it will adapt to various soil types, it
will suffer in poorly drained sites. Rocky, infertile soils, sited in full sun,
will provide good habitat for this plant to perform at its maximum potential.
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Featured Pest:
Thrips
by Jerry Goodspeed
One of the more common insects that cause problems in the
intermountain area are thrips. These
insects also go undetected by most people. They are small (1/16 to 1/32"), thin and generally hide themselves very
well. They attack fruits, some
vegetables, and most flowers. Although
they are quite small, they can indeed do quite a bit of damage.
Thrips
damage flowers by destroying the petals and other parts before the flower even
emerges from the bud. This causes
misshapen flowers and can even cause some to not open at all. Thrips feed through sucking the vital 'sap'
out of the plant. This not only weakens
the plant, but can also distort and destroy the buds, flowers and even the
leaves.
Thrips
can be hard to detect and then destroy. Keeping the plant as healthy as possible is the first line of defense. A systemic insecticide can be used on
ornamental plants and flowers. For more
information go to http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/HG_Orchard_14.pdf.
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  Featured Tree:
Bigtooth Maple
by JayDee Gunnell
Acer grandidentatum
Type: Medium native tree
Zone: 3-6 (to -40°F)
Size: 20-30 feet tall
20-25 feet wide
Description: In just a few short weeks, our
mountains and hillsides will be transformed into a display of color rivaling
any other spectacle on earth. The tree that deserves the majority of the credit
when it comes to this stunning show of color is our own native Bigtooth maple.
Often called the canyon maple, this small-to-medium tree casts hues of orange,
red and even hot pink with the right environmental conditions. The tree is slow
growing and prefers well-drained soil conditions, but is much more tolerant of
alkaline soils than other maples. The selections of Bigtooth maples commonly
sold in the nurseries are often grafted onto sugar maple rootstock (its eastern
cousin) which makes them more prone to iron deficiencies. USU researchers are
working to develop improved selections of this local wonder.
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Upcoming Programs and Events
► Sustainable Clothing Choices
Tuesday, September 8, 7-8 p.m. at the Utah House
Come to this workshop to learn about some of the impacts of
traditional clothing materials and to explore alternative materials that have a
smaller environmental impact, while still providing comfort and style. For more
information, please visit http://utahbotanicalcenter.org/htm/education/adults/green-building-workshops. The cost to participate in the workshop is $5. Contact Jayne Mulford at 801-544-3089
or jayne.mulford@usu.edu to register.
►
Drying Flowers to Make
Botanical Cards
Thursday, September 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Utah Botanical Center
This class is taught by Marie Kawaguchi, Weber County
Master Gardener. Card-making is an enjoyable creative outlet, and being able
to dry and use lovely flowers from your own landscape are rewarding parts of
this process. Marie has been designing botanicals for some time and will
share valuable tips and hints for selecting and drying desirable flowers to use
in making your own greeting cards and stationary. The cost is $25 for members and $30 for others. Call 801-399-8201 for registration at the OBG, or call 801-451-3403 for registration at the UBC.
► Clothing Swap
Thursdays, September 10, 17 and 24, 5-8 p.m. at the Utah Botanical Center
Bring a grocery bag full of washed and usable clothes to donate to the swap. Then, fill a bag
with clothes that other people have brought and take them home. Any clothing
items left over at the end of the last swap will be donated to Salt Lake City
homeless shelters or thrift shops. There
is no cost to participate in the event, which will be held at the Farmers
Market, across from the Utah House at 920 S. 50 West in Kaysville.
► Solar Homes Tour
Saturday, September 12, 8:30-5 p.m. at the Wetland Discovery Point
The 2009 Utah Solar Tour will be an exciting opportunity
for individuals, families and businesses to discover the reality of using
solar energy to lower energy bills and be part of the solution to our nation's
energy problems. You will have the chance to see how individual home
owners and business owners are using solar energy right now to create clean
sustainable energy. The Wetland Discovery Point is proud to be part of the 2009
Utah Solar Tour. For more information visit http://utsolar.org.
► Seasonal Splendor
Thursday, September 17, 6:30-8 p.m. at the Wetland Discovery Point
Planting for color? Come learn how to select plants that
give season-long colors and texture to your landscape.
►
Voluntary
Simplicity Discussion Course
Wednesdays, September 16-October 21, 7-8 p.m. at the Utah House
Discussion topics include the meaning of simplicity,
living more with less, making a living, living simply and sustainably and do
you have the time? This course was put together by the Northwest Earth
Institute (www.nwei.org). The goals
for the course are to understand the meaning of voluntary simplicity, to
explore the material and psychological distractions that prevent us from caring
for the Earth and to acknowledge the connection between our lifestyle choices
and the condition of the Earth. Cost to participate in the workshop is $20 and includes a
book. For more information visit http://utahbotanicalcenter.org/htm/education/adults/green-building-workshops.
► Dessert First: Designing with Bulbs
Friday, September 18, 12-1 p.m. at the Ogden Botanical Gardens
Taught by Mike Keyes, garden
director and designer, Ogden LDS Temple. Mark this date on your
calendar and plan to attend this educational class on incorporating bulbs in
your landscape. Bulbs are a great way to bring real color impact to your
flowerbeds from earliest spring into summer. This class will help you
begin thinking about choosing bulbs at your favorite nursery, or ordering from
a catalog in time to get the best selection.
► Fall Merit Badge Classes
Saturday, September 26, Environmental Science, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Wetland Discovery Point
Thursday, October 10, Landscape Architecture, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Utah House
Saturday, October 24, Energy, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Utah House
The Utah Botanical Center and Utah House offer several
programs which teach boy scouts about the world around them while helping
them earn badges. For most of the Merit Badge Workshops that are offered,
all of the requirements for the badge are completed during the one-day workshop. Cost: $25, which includes all supplies and lunch. To learn how to register, please visit http://utahbotanicalcenter.org/htm/education/youth/scouts.
► Apple and Cheese Tasting Event
Thursday, October 1, 5-8 p.m. at the Farmers Market
This free event is a great time to sample many different
apple varieties. Find your favorite before you plant one in your yard.
► Arranging Fresh
Flowers
Thursday, October 1, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at
the Ogden Botanical Gardens
Thursday, October 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Wetland Discovery Point
Just in time for holiday decorating, come learn how to
bring beauty into your home throughout the year by designing your own fresh
floral arrangements. Participants will take home their own attractive creation,
and an understanding of how to select and use a wide variety of plant
materials. The cost is $25 for
members and $30 for nonmembers. Call 801-399-8201 for registration at the
OBG, or call 801-451-3403 for registration at the UBC.
►Dessert First: Apple & Cheese
Tasting
Friday, October 9, 12-1 p.m. at the Ogden Botanical Gardens
This event is a
real favorite with everyone, and a tasty, informative way to choose an apple
variety for your own landscape. Always well attended, don't miss having a
chance to sample a variety of apples (and cheese), and receive information
about raising your own apples. This "dessert first" class will offer
samples from beginning to end and culminate the classes offered throughout the
growing season at the gardens.
► Utah Botanical Center Farmer's Market
Thursdays 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.
► Free DIAGNOSTIC CLINICS
Every Tuesday, 1-4 p.m. at the USU Davis County Master Gardener Office, Davis Co. Courthouse, Farmington;
Every Wednesday, 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 problem identified and ideas for control.
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 fertilizer to the lawn using 1 to 1½ pounds of nitrogen per
1,000 square feet.
► Treat broadleaf weeds in the lawn once temperatures are below 85 degrees.
► Reduce the amount of water applied to the lawn in the fall as the weather
cools, and lengthen the time between watering.
► Plant trees, shrubs, perennials and, of course, bulbs while the weather
is cooler and their root systems can establish before winter.
► Work compost (leaves, garden waste, grass clippings and dead annuals, but not weeds) into the
garden, flowerbeds and tree and shrub areas.
► Soak evergreens well to prepare them for winter before the water is turned off.
► Visit the Ogden Botanical Gardens and the Utah Botanical Center for ideas for
fall-blooming color to add to your own landscape.
► Plant a new perennial or two, and deadhead or cut back those that are dying.
► Control slugs and snails by using bait stations or even mechanical control
(hand-pick and discard).
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CONTACT INFORMATION
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY INSTITUTION
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