Gardening

LAYTON — The Weber Basic Water Conservancy District’s Learning Garden on Wednesday will host a free class on growing herbs.

ROY — Roy High School agriculture students are planting seeds to grow their understanding of the botanical world.

The school’s new greenhouse makes its public debut at an open house March 28, but four soil science classes already have gotten their hands dirty and learned a few life lessons.

BRIGHAM CITY — The Brigham City Library, 26 E. Forest St., will host a six-week gardening series beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Planting a garden probably isn’t as hard as you think it is. Dorinda Jones, garden manager with Utah State University Extension Services, said those who start small, prepare the soil, plant at the right time and water properly will likely have a very productive and enjoyable garden.

Start small

The best advice Jones has for beginning gardeners is to start with a manageable space.

“Try to start in an area that’s not too big. People get so excited in the spring and clear a huge area and take out sod. They start tilling, weeds start popping up and they get discouraged. Weeds take over and they forget about the vegetables,” she said.

Jones recommends starting out by planting something easy, like radishes.

LEHI -- Matt McConkie of Mountain Green set a Utah record with his enormous pumpkin.

FARMINGTON -- The number of families along the Wasatch Front who grow their own home gardens is on the rise.

"With the price of fuel and food, people are more interested in home gardening," said Britney Hunter, the newest Utah State University Horticulturist Extension Agent assigned to Davis County.

OGDEN -- It was like the Steve Martin bit: Each show, he likes to do something that is impossible. Instead of sucking a piano through a straw, John Dallinga, of South Ogden, was showing off his skills Saturday as Utah's contestant in the upcoming International Tree Climbing Championship.