Spring has sprung and a local garden center has tips for planting and gardening this spring in Utah.
J&J Nursery and Garden Center is the largest producing plant nursery in the state. It covers more than 100 acres of land that was originally homesteaded by the owners' pioneer ancestors.
Emma Steed, a J&J employee, has worked with the nursery for five years. She is also a senior horticulture student at Utah State University.
She believes that plants and people can mutually benefit each other.
"There's even been studies where your little plant, believe it or not, actually knows when you come home, and they perk up when they get excited," Steed said. "They're just as sentient as a pet. They know when you're there and you just kind of have a little friend that you can take care of, and it brings a little happy spirit."
She gave some tips for how to grow a garden that thrives — whether you're a student with limited space or a homeowner with a yard.
Gaura, a low-water perennial also known as "whirling butterflies," is noticeably popular among buyers this year.
"They have these cute little flowers that look like little butterflies, and when it's windy, it looks like little butterflies twirling around," Steed said.
Because of Utah's dry climate, it is important to grow hardy, drought-resistant plants that require little water.
Plants such as geraniums, zinnias, hens and chicks or sedums, are on her list of recommendations.
Growing plants that are native to Utah can help foster Utah's natural environment and pollinators.
"You can still get pretty flowers for butterflies and bees if that's what you're interested in, as well that are drought-friendly," Steed said. "You can look (at) our Utah natives that are often sold in neighboring nurseries here in Utah."
Even students living in a dorm room can grow their own fruit in pots as long as they have enough sunshine, Steed said.
Consider placing them on front porches, balconies or in windows that receive consistent sunlight throughout the day.
"We have the dwarf peaches that stay in little containers," Steed said. "Some of the berries can (grow in pots), like blueberries. They'll stay relatively small. We also tend to get lemon trees and lime trees, the dwarf varieties. They'll stay inside really well."
Herbs are another ideal option for gardens or small indoor planters, Steed said.
For anyone who wants to try their hand at gardening but hasn't quite cultivated a green thumb, low-maintenance plants are a great option.
Plants such as Nepeta catmint, philodendrons or ZZ plants can tolerate neglect if someone is frequently gone (or frequently forgets about them).
Gardening doesn't have to be expensive, Steed said.
"Cheap-wise, nothing is better than the heucheras, for example," she said. "They stay in the $10 range."
Garden centers that grow their own plants in-house, such as J&J, tend to be cheaper than companies that import them.
Steed also recommends looking for plant swap groups in the community or scouring Facebook Marketplace for local deals.
Additionally, she suggests asking friends and home gardeners for cuttings of their plants to take home and pot for oneself. Most people are happy to share.