We want to help you make your home a mini paradise and so we’ve got some tips for beginner gardeners in Utah! Summer is the perfect time to start up a new hobby, so why not try out gardening ? Gardening can seem a little overwhelming for at first, but we’re here to help you learn some quick tips to get started this summer and also learn about some of the benefits of gardening too!

Tips for starting your garden

1. Make a list of your favorite fruits and vegetables!

There’s no point in growing something you don’t want to eat.

2. Find Out When to Plant

After you have your list of what you want to grow, research what time of year is the best to plant them and how much space they need to grow. Do not just plant all your favorite vegetables right now, because you want them right now.

Here’s a little list of the best time to grow some of the most common vegetables if you’re living in Utah. You can also check out this link if you want to explore what season you should plant other fruits, veggies, and herbs.

When to Plant in Utah
Early spring (March-early April): Peas, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, radish, turnip.
Mid spring (mid March-April): Beets, lettuce, carrots, dill, parsley, potato, Swiss chard
Late spring (after last frost, May): Beans, cucumber, summer squash, corn
Two weeks later: Tomato, peppers, eggplant, winter squash
Late Summer for Fall harvest (August-September): Carrots (Aug 1), lettuce, spinach, kale

3. Enrich Your Soil with Compost

Your soil is crucial to harvesting a good crop, and in Utah you’ll definitely want to add some sort of organic matieral, like compost. The soil in Utah contains a lot of clay, so adding compost will help the plants have pockets in the soil so they can more easily access air and water.

4. Till Your Soil

Tilling the soil is also recommended. If you can till your soil 6-8 inches deep that is ideal, so that the roots of your plants get a firmer grip in the soil and don’t have to fight to get through rock solid soil. At the minimum you’ll want to get 3-4 inches deep.

5. Fertilize

Fertilizing your soil provides the minerals that plants need to grow, like phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen.

6. Adding Humate

The soil in Utah is incredibly salty and so adding humate, which is made of decomposed green organic matter, helps manage the salt in the soil and increases microorganism activity in the soil. It also helps the soil retain water and lower the high alkaline pH naturally found in Utah soil.(High alkaline just means the soil is more basic and has a pH level greater than 7).

7. Have fun!

Don’t forget to have fun as you garden! Everything might not go perfectly your first season, but you’ll learn as you go and by following these simple tips you should be off to a good start.

Benefits of Gardening

Physical and Mental Benefits of Gardening

Gardening is a simple way to get in exercise as you squat, lunge, and balance to reach weeds, lug bags of mulch and other supplies around and till the ground. Gardening is also a great incentive to improve your diet. You’re spending a ton of time and energy to help your plants grow, which makes it more exciting than ever to eat your vegetables! Being outside also helps your immune system, reduces your heart rate and muscle tension, and lowers your risk for depression, quickening  your psychological stress recovery. It can also help you slow down after a busy work day and let you therapeutically release any stress in your life.

Social Benefits of Gardening

Gardening can also help you make connection with other gardeners! Working in community gardens is a great way to meet people from diverse backgrounds and support the common good of the community. Gardening can also help you appreciate your neighbors’ yards and the work that they put into them. It’s also a great family activity and can help your family appreciate the yummy produce you’ll have at the end of the summer if everyone puts in a little work.

For more gardening tips, check out this website!