Jade Gunnell, a horticulturist at the University of Utah
To make your yard and garden look its best this year, consider these tips from the University of Utah Gardner Almanac.
- Stop harvesting asparagus in early June to allow leaves to form before the end of the growing season.
- Tomatoes are cut to open the crown of the plant.
- Consider drip irrigation in your garden to save water.
- Consider planting sweet corn in your garden once every two weeks (until early July) to increase your yield.
- Prune spring shrubs (those that bloom until June) after they have faded to encourage new flower buds to appear next season.
- Dead (cut off) wilted perennial and annual flowers.
- Cut apples, peaches, and apricots into 1 piece every 5 to 6 inches.
- Repeat the application of a pre-emergent herbicide in late May and early June to control annual weeds such as stingrays and ragweed.
- Remember, lawns only need 1-1 1/2 inches of water per week. View fuel requirements in your area.
Pests and problems:
- Watch vegetables and herbs to avoid damaging ear hairs.
- Protect the ash with a patented chemical to prevent damage to the ash/lilac.
- Use apple and pear control measures to reduce fruit worms. See the Utah Pest Management Handbook for specific terms.
- Treat apples for powdery mildew from the time leaves appear (up to 1/2 inch green) through June.
- Watch for raspberry pests from mid-May to early June. See Utah Department of Pest Control guidelines for specific times.
- Control the cherry fly when the fruit changes color from straw to pink to avoid cherry fly larvae.
- Examine the peach branches for peaches, nectarines, and apricots. See Utah Department of Pest Control guidelines for specific times.
- Beware of insects that damage the lawn. On previously affected areas, use a preventive (systemic) insecticide.
Consider taking an online gardening course. Courses cover everything from gardening and creating the perfect soil to tree planting and pest control, and are designed for beginners and professional gardeners alike. Use code SPRING25 to get 25% off your course!
Check out more gardening and backyard gardening tips from Extension.
