Around dinnertime, Adriana Brandt hands her husband Wally a bowl. “Go get me some onions and tomatoes,” she says, as he happily follows her directions. The Brandts have created a gardening paradise on a third of an acre in Central, Utah. During the COVID-19 pandemic, self-sustaining lifestyles are increasingly being brought into the spotlight. “It’s definitely a factor,” … [Read more...]
Search Results for: gardening
Winter Gardening — Why Wait for Spring?
Why Wait for Spring? Most gardeners believe the only way they can grow vegetable plants during the dead of winter is in some type of greenhouse. However, I have successfully grown cold-hardy plants such as spinach, lettuce, arugula and even carrots, beets, radishes and Swiss chard right through the coldest Utah winters for more than 30 years without any protection from the … [Read more...]
DIY Greenhouses: Get a Go on your Gardening
I have designed, built and managed a variety of different greenhouses over the past 40 years. All of them have been primarily intended for starting hundreds of transplants for many varieties of vegetables for our garden and many others. My wife and I have never actually used a greenhouse for growing food. Obviously, some folk do, although that would be more aligned to … [Read more...]
Moonlight Garden Supply Brings Gardening Indoors
It is possible to enjoy home-grown, fresh garden produce even in the dead of winter. Moonlight Garden Supply offers everything needed to grow food indoors year-round. Although many gardeners start plants or seeds indoors to later re-plant outside, hydroponics allows full time indoor growth. Chad Morrow and Zack Stroup opened Moonlight about 2 ½ years ago, and according to … [Read more...]
Preserving Your Harvest Through Canning
As I was growing up, my neighbors had a root cellar; a stone outbuilding that was always dark and cool. Inside, from floor to ceiling, were stacked bottles of peaches, cherries, jams, and tomatoes. Everything that grew in their garden was canned and kept for use throughout the year. Today, canning is becoming a lost art. But there are a few stalwarts who carry on the … [Read more...]
Storage Container Gardening
, Harvest Squared is a company based in Park City, is changing the way we look at farming. Using what is basically a storage container and a system of growing plants without soil, called hydroponics, you can farm 365 days a year. You only need to add seeds and water. “We basically are a technology company, but our container project has worked out really nicely and showcases … [Read more...]
Gardening – Heirloom Seeds versus Genetically Modified Seeds
Starting your garden from seeds can be extremely satisfying and rewarding. With their transformative powers, tiny specks of potential life can grow into beautiful, vibrant plants. In addition, you have the opportunity to plant unique seed varieties not available at local grocers or big box garden stores. When choosing seeds, know that not all seeds are equal. But what should … [Read more...]
Gardening in a Desert – Utah Water Conservation
Though we have been inundated with heavy rainfall this spring, our hot, dry summer nonetheless looms on the horizon. And, with the summer’s arid conditions comes a significant surge in lawn and garden water consumption. According to the Utah Division of Water Resources,we use twice the amount of water outside as we do inside. There are, however, many simple and cost effective … [Read more...]
Vertical Gardening Tomatoes– See the Huge Difference!
I started using this method after programming some lectures 12 years ago for the Mittleidter Gardening Group. All over the world Mittleider was teaching people how to grow food more efficiently often in small spaces with poor soil conditions. I will not claim that I have perfected the method, or that I am a "master gardener" and I will not say that this is the one and only … [Read more...]
Organic Gardening in Utah
Where to Draw the Line “Organic” may be a simple choice for shoppers but can be a bureaucratic nightmare for farmers. Becoming a certified organic farm takes years of time and mountains of record keeping. Fortunately, backyard gardeners can use environmentally friendly practices in their own gardens to produce healthier meals. There are chemical free alternatives to pest … [Read more...]