By Lyle Hillyard
Utah State Senator, Cache Valley

With all the rain and cold weather, which saved us from the very serious flooding we feared, we did not get our garden planted and growing as soon as we usually do. It is now growing very well and we are enjoying new potatoes, onions, broccoli, red beets, zucchini, and lettuce from it. The pole beans and corn on the cob are just coming on. Last year, my raspberries plants turned very yellow in spots and did not produce so I put liquid iron on them and they have really come out of it.

My berries don’t come on until about Labor Day but I was noticing yesterday, how many blossoms are forming with the bees working through the patch. My tomatoes look good and we should be picking ripe ones within the week. Remember, normally the tomatoes in Cache Valley are much later than the ones planted in Salt Lake County. The cabbage and squash also look great.

I was concerned yesterday morning when I began working in the garden at sun break, I could see my breath with the cold air. An early frost would kill all our work except for the potatoes and broccoli. As I look at the prices in the grocery store, I am glad when I can sit down to my meals and see food there that I have planted.  There are benefits beyond just the feeling of the growth of a garden.