Free Pruning Classes: Pruning 101 & More

 Here is a list of the upcoming classes we'll have during March.  Please come out and learn how from the professionals how to properly prune your trees & shrubs.

Saturday, March 17^th           Fruit Pruning Demonstration

112 S. 3000 W., West Point

9 – 11am 

USU Extension experts show you the art and science of proper pruning practices so you’ll be ready to prune with confidence. The focus will be on apples, peaches, grapes and raspberries. This outdoor event is one of our most popular workshops. Dress for the occasion and come ready to learn. Cost: Free

Saturday, March 24^th           Fruit Pruning Demonstration

USUBC  9 – 11 am

Prune with confidence after learning the art and science of proper pruning practices. The focus will be on apples, peaches, grapes and raspberries. This outdoor event is one of the most popular workshops.  Dress for the occasion and come ready to learn. Cost: Free

           

Saturday, March 31^st           Basic Pruning 101: Waking Up the Landscape

OBG  9 – noon

Our garden staff and Master Gardeners demonstrate proper pruning practices to care for fruit trees, deciduous and evergreen trees, shrubs and roses. Instruction includes how to clean up perennials and ornamental grasses for spring.  Pruning tools will be available to purchase. Cost: Free

Pruning Demo Flyer 2012

2012 Class & Event Schedule

2012 Class Schedule & Events Front Page
Calendar of Events Back Page

Landscape Design Class

We will be teaching a Landscape Design Class in April.  If you are interested please call Kathy at 801-399-8201 or register here.  Class size is limited.
Landscape Design Flyer (2)

Question of the Week: Planting Bare Root Fruit Trees

"Costco is selling bare root fruit trees now and they are dirt cheap.  Is now the time to plant them and if so, how?"  I've been asked this question many times in the past few days and I'm sure many more people might be thinking the same thing.  The answer is yes, but there are some things to look for before buying a new peach, plum, apple or apricot tree:
Tips:  When to plant bare root trees?

• Can you dig a hole in your soil deep enough for a tree?  If you answered yes then now is the time to plant a bare root fruit tree.
• Or is your soil buried under 2 feet of snow?  Is the soil frozen? Or too soggy?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, then now it is not time to plant.  You can however purchase the tree and plant it in a container and keep it in a sunny garage until your soil is not buried under snow, frozen or soggy.

Tips:  What to look for when purchasing bare root trees?

• Make sure the buds are tight, plump, and healthy--Not open, dry, or shriveled! 
• Examine the bark and make sure there are no injuries or deep scratches.
• If possible, look at the root system to see if it is well balanced and  undamaged.
•  Evenly spaced branching is another consideration. 

Tips:  How to plant bare root trees?

A side view of how to plant a bare-root tree before all of the soil has been placed back into the hole. Photo courtsey of Utah Pests News

1. Cut off damaged roots
2. Soak roots in 5 gallon bucket of water 3-6 hrs. before planting.
3. Dig the hole as deep as root ball and twice as wide.
4.  Support root ball with mound of soil.
5. Place tree in hole making sure root flare is at ground level.
6. Fill in soil around roots, tamp soil lightly, and water in to settle soil around roots.
7. Stake carefully, if needed for the first year.

Have more questions?  You can find more information about buying and planting bare root fruits here, here and here.

Standard Examiner Home & Garden Show this Weekend

Who's going to attend the Home & Garden Show this weekend at the Weber County Fairgrounds?  I am.  Susie is going to be there as well.  I hope that see many of you there too!  Not only can you watch the shammy guy clean up a mess, you can renew your newspaper subscription, and listen to Susie and I talk about growing some great veggies this upcoming year.

Thanks to all those who will be helping us at the Master Gardener booth by answering questions and sharing with the public our great program at the Ogden Botanical Gardens.  Our Master Gardeners truly are the best!  See you at the Home & Garden Show this weekend.
Kathy has lined up some really great speakers and they will be talking about some other fun gardening topics.  Here is the lineup:

STANDARD-EXAMINER

Home & Garden Show

GARDEN SPEAKER SCHEDULE

Friday, March 2, 2012

4:00 p.m.  Who Hid the Veggies?  Edible Landscaping

Pat Westaway, Weber County USU Ext.Master Gardener

5:00 p.m.  Creating Beautiful Containers for a Colorful Landscape

Kim Hunter, Country View Nursery Owner

6:00 p.m.  Perennial Choices for Color, Foliage & Interest Barney Barnett, Willard Bay Gardens Owner

7:00 pm  25 Great Deciduous Trees for the Wasatch Front

Katie Wagner, USU Extension Horticulturist, Salt Lake Co.

                                                                                                                                                           

Saturday, March 3, 2012

2:00 p.m.  Waterwise Isn’t Just Desert and Rocks

David Rice, Conservation Program Coordinator, Weber Basin Water Conservancy District

3:00 p.m.  Gardening with Kids

Adrienne Plicka, Weber County USU Ext. Master Gardener

4:00 p.m.   Successful Tree Planting in Northern Utah

Kim Hunter, Country View Nursery Owner

5:00 p.m.  Tips & Tricks for Growing Great Veggies Dorinda Jones & Susie Jones,Weber County USU Extension Ogden Botanical Gardens

   

Thanks for coming to the Seed Exchange

The Seed Exchange at the Ogden Botanical Gardens on February 17th was a huge success and we had a great turn out. 

Thanks to all who came and participated in the mini workshops about seed starting and those who took part in the seed exchange. 

It was fun to meet a lot of new gardeners and to get excited about the upcoming gardening season.  I was able to "score" some new veggie and flower seeds that we are going to plant in our raised bed gardens this spring.  There was a cute table display of  "flower bombs" made by Anika.  I thought they were so cute I had to take a picture.  Check it out.  I love young entraprenuers, especially when they are gardeners too!

We hope to continue having this event each year at the gardens.  It is a great way to kick start the gardening year!  Thanks to Gregg and David for organizing and putting the seed exchange together.

Seed Exchange

Gardeners it's time to come out of hibernation!  Mark your calendar for our first event of the year!

I'm excited to announce that we will be hosting the "Ogden Seed Exchange" at the Ogden Botanical Gardens on Saturday, February 18th from 11am-1pm.  This is your chance to come share and receive new flower and veggie seeds with other gardeners. Even if you have no seeds to exchange please come.  You will not go home empty-handed.  There will also be a few seed starting classes before the exchange.