Utah State University Extension horticultlar JayDee Gunnell has released expert gardening advice for July to help landscapes thrive through the summer heat. The recommendations include specific strategies for watering, harvesting, fertilizing, and managing pests to maintain garden health during the peak of the season.
July Maintenance Strategies
As summer temperatures rise, Gunnell's July tips emphasize proactive maintenance. According to USU Extension, gardeners should focus on consistent watering and pest control to protect plants from heat stress and insect damage.
In addition to immediate care, the university provides a Gardener’s Almanac that offers monthly checklists for tasks such as harvesting and fertilizing. These resources are designed to help gardeners track essential seasonal duties.
Educational Gardening Resources
For those seeking deeper horticultural knowledge, USU Extension offers various online and in-person courses. Available topics include vegetable gardening, managing garden pests, soil health, landscape design, and lawn care.
Specific curriculum options cover the biology of plants through basic botany, as well as practical skills like creating compost, managing fruit and nut yields, and maintaining trees and shrubs. The university also provides resources on controlling nuisance wildlife in Utah gardens and orchards using integrated pest management techniques.
Community Garden Events
The USU Botanical Center in Kaysville continues to serve as a hub for community engagement. The center is currently seeking builders for the annual Scarecrow Walk, an event that allows groups and families to design displays for public viewing.
Other upcoming summer programming at the Davis County office includes the 'Taste, Tour & Ta-Dah!' series. This free concert series, scheduled for August 5, 12, 19, and 26, features garden tours and fresh produce tastings at the Botanical Center.
Master Gardener Program
While the 2026 Master Gardener registration period has concluded, interested residents can join an interest list for the 2027 program. The program requires approximately 40 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of volunteer service.
Volunteer opportunities within the Master Gardener program include maintaining demonstration gardens, assisting with plant diagnostic clinics, and helping at the USU Botanical Center Farmers Market.
