By SARAH DAVIS
For those with a love for being outdoors and working hard, gardening is becoming a fast-growing pastime for BYU students this summer.
Unlike some places, where the climate or pollution make it impossible to garden, Utah is a prime location for planting.
Brent Braithwaite, garden specialist at Countryside Garden Center, 1145 N. State Street in Orem said, 'For outdoor garden or vegetable gardens, the soil and conditions in Utah are ideal for growing.'
For those with the 'bug' to plant, harvest and landscape, there are a few precautions and tips from the experts to know before beginning.
Beware of weed killers because many trees and shrubs can die along with the weeds, according to a recent article from the Associated Press.
'Remember that sterilants do what they promise: sterilize the soil and make it unfit for plant growth, whether it's desirable or undesirable,' according to the Associated Press. 'Most will last for at least one season. Others can persist up to 10 years.'
'The University of Arizona said tree roots seldom are killed initially. It is more common to first find interference with or inhibition of the photosynthetic process, resulting in yellowing (chlorosis) of leaves and finally death of tissues,' according to the Associated Press.
Braithwaite suggested not over-watering the lawn immediately after putting weed killer on and reading the label to avoid the problems.
'Weed killer 240D is the thing most people use on their lawns to kill the broad-leafed weeds without killing the grass,' Braithwaite said. 'Don't water right afterward. Keep the water off the lawn for a while until (you) are certain it is absorbed by the weeds and not by the roots.'
As for growing in Provo, Braithwaite said the only problem most people have is watering too much. He said most people water their vegetable gardens like they do their lawns. He recommends watering once a week or once every 10 days.
One way to assure a successful garden is to prepare the soil.
'Mix in manure in the fall or spring three weeks before planting,' Braithwaite said. 'It should be tilled in and incorporated in the garden soil.'
As for the spring and fall frosts, some vegetables can withstand the cold and others cannot.
'If people are really good at planting their gardens, they can start early with peas, onions, broccoli, potatoes ... March is a good time to do that (begin planting),' Braithwaite said. 'You can start now and have a fall crop. They (these vegetables) don't mind the frost.'
Another precaution is to watch the days needed for maturity. The bags on the plants or the packet of seeds will indicate how many days are needed to get a ripe plant.
For indoor plants, the subject of gardening becomes a little more specific, depending on the green thumb of each person.
Braithwaite said almost any plant can grow indoors here in Provo, it just depends what the person wants and what they are willing to do to care for it.
For plants, it is 'whatever people like. Go to a reputable garden center
-- they can tell the people which ones are hearty or which ones need tender loving care.'
All plants need water, soil and sunlight.