Lambert Growers in West Valley City is one of the few remaining family-owned nurseries in Utah that grows everything on site. The business began in the 1960s and is now in its third generation. Today, it’s run by Kim and Charlie Clark, who have modernized operations while sticking to the core principles set by Kim’s grandfather, Paul Lambert.

Paul, a carpenter by trade, built the original greenhouse by hand and taught himself how to grow vegetables using research from UC Davis. He also designed and built custom equipment, some of which — like the germination chamber and flat filler — is still in use today. That hands-on approach laid the foundation for a business that continues to prioritize quality, consistency, and community.

Unlike many modern retailers that ship in plant starts, Lambert Growers grows all its plants locally. That means they’re already adapted to Utah’s climate, avoiding the shock that comes with long-distance transportation.

“We grow everything here from seed, so we know exactly how it was handled, what soil it was in, and what care it received,” Charlie says.

But Kim and Charlie are more than growers. Over the years, they’ve become a trusted resource for home gardeners across the Wasatch Front. They take time to educate customers, answer questions, and share practical techniques that work in Utah’s dry and often unpredictable conditions.

Here are some of their top tips for anyone looking to have a more successful garden:

1. Grow what you’ll actually eat.
“People get excited and want to try everything,” Kim says. “But it’s better to start with vegetables and herbs you actually use in your kitchen. That way, you’ll be more motivated to take care of them.”

2. Start small and build over time.
Charlie recommends resisting the urge to go big in your first season. “Don’t try to plant ten different things in your first year. Learn what grows well in your space and add on from there.”

3. Use drip irrigation.
Utah’s climate makes water conservation critical. Drip tape delivers water straight to the roots, minimizing waste and reducing weed growth. “It saves water and makes a big difference in how healthy your plants stay,” Kim says.

4. Mix in flowers with your vegetables.
Interplanting flowers like marigolds or sweet alyssum isn’t just for looks. These plants attract pollinators and beneficial insects that help control pests naturally. “It’s one of the easiest things you can do to improve your garden without chemicals,” Charlie says.

5. Understand companion planting.
Certain plants help each other grow when placed together. A well-known example is the combination of corn, beans, and squash. The corn provides a structure for beans to climb, the beans return nitrogen to the soil, and the squash shades the ground to retain moisture. “These old methods work,” Kim says. “They’re simple and effective.”

6. Don’t leave your garden beds empty in winter.
Cover cropping during the off-season adds organic matter back into the soil and prevents erosion. Lambert Growers sells seed mixes with legumes and grasses specifically for this purpose. “It’s an easy way to keep your soil healthy without fertilizers,” Charlie says.

The Clarks also understand the needs of urban gardeners. As more Utahns live in apartments or homes with limited space, Lambert Growers offers compact plant varieties suited for containers and patios. “You don’t need a big yard to grow food,” Kim says. “Even a few pots on a balcony can produce something useful.”

Photos by Richard Markosian.