Successful Gardening Tips for 2015

When it comes to gardening, there are some myths that need to be debunked. As you plot your planting this year, keep these things in mind for a more successful growing year.

If you include drought-tolerant plants in your landscaping remember they don’t need very much water to survive. However, keep in mind that they will still need to be watered--probably once every other week. Because Utah is a desert state, when you are planting, make sure the soil is wet. Young plants are most susceptible to a drought, due to their roots not be established, and you will need to verify the soil remains moist.

When choosing a pesticide, the safer choices are the ones that contain Bacillus thuringiensis, aka Bt, and insecticidal soap. A lot of of synthetic and organic pesticides contain natural toxins and poisons which can be hazardous to people, pets, frogs, and bees.

Staking newly planted trees is probably not needed,
unless the tree is top heavy or in a windy area. As you go about staking, remember to keep the stake loose (a little movement is good for the tree) and don’t leave it up longer than 6 months. If a tree is staked too long or too tight, trees tend to have smaller trunks that are weak and prone to breakage.

For more insights on gardening, read: 10 Gardening Myths Busted!