I know what you are thinking.
CARDBOARD boat???? You can't be serious. Cardboard soaks up water -- you'd be nuts to make a BOAT out of cardboard!!! Well that is exactly what I thought too. But to participate in the Morgan County 4th of July Cardboard Boat Regatta, you have to make a boat out of cardboard. The other thing you can use is duct tape -- which we feel is the real secret to success. The more duct tape the better. (In fact sometimes I think the better name should be the Duct Tape Boat Regatta.) But before I tell you all the secrets, first I will tell you about how the whole thing got started. One thing you should know about The Compost King he that he is full of ideas. (Some of them are brilliant, and some of them are crazy ;)). He also is involved with the Morgan Area Chamber of Commerce. Four years ago, the chamber had a meeting and were trying to brainstorm ideas to improve the County's Fourth of July Celebration. The Compost King said, "I have a great idea that I think would be really fun and work well because of the river that runs right through the fairgrounds and park. I can tell you the idea, but I am so busy with other things right now, I cannot do anything to help make it happen." They wanted to hear the idea. "A cardboard boat regatta. The boats could be in the morning parade (thus adding to Morgan's Fourth Parade), and the boats could run the river in the hot afternoon. It would be fun for spectators and participants alike." Then he left the meeting. The people in the meeting loved the idea, and it took off like wildfire! Several people called him that first year and said, "You won't believe what you started with your idea!" Though I must admit, when he first told me about it, I thought he was crazy. The first year, most of the boats went down pretty fast (as in sunk underwater!), but there was one boat (the winning boat) that made it to the end all in one piece -- and with the riders still dry! So then we knew it was possible and everyone really seemed really excited to scale it up for the next year. That second year Wild Valley Farms entered it's first boats. We did two. A LARGE BARGE and a WOOL SKIFF. At first we looked it upon online and considered boat patterns and designs. But when we finally got down to it, we had to make do with the cardboard shapes that we had. And we just started covering everything in duct tape!!!
The WOOL SKIFF did so well that afterwards we put it on a shelf in the shed and saved it. This year the boys wanted to lengthen it (hoping to stabilize it better). So we added a little more cardboard and a lot more duct tape.
Then they hopped in.
Cardboard and duct tape. Down the river. Dodging boulders and low hanging tree branches. This event was fun to do and fun to watch.
This post has had little to do with gardening, but what I wanted you to learn from it is this:
1. Don't be afraid to speak up and plant a little seed of an idea (even if your wife thinks you are crazy), you never know what it might become. :) 2. Things that you think are impossible may be possible with enough duct tape. I hope that you had a fun and adventurous 4th of July. I hope you are finding a way to stay cool and that you are keeping all your plants hydrated and lush and enjoying the beautiful sunshine. Happy Gardening and Happy Fourth. I love this country. -The Compost Queen
https://fox13now.com/2019/07/04/dozens-take-part-in-annual-cardboard-boat-regatta/
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via Wildvalleyfarms.comWarmer weather means spending more time outside which also means more gardening! There are so many different products that are needed to get your garden started. Lets talk about the two main products: compost and mulch. But just how much compost and mulch do you need for your yards? Do you know the difference between compost and mulch and also why they are needed? Lets get down to the nitty gritty and explain it all. CalculatingTo make it simple, here is a step by step on how to calculate how much your yard requires. First measure the area of you garden (Length x Width). Divide the area of you garden by 27 Finally, Divide your answer by 6 for 2 inch deep soil. Divide by 4 for 3 inch deep soil, or divide by 3 for 4 inch deep soil. What is Compost?What exactly is compost? Compost is a biologically active material that results in decomposition of organic matter under controlled circumstances! Compost is considered a conditioner, not a fertilizer because it can retain and make existing nutrients readily available for plants! Wild Valley Farms sells its on compost called Terra zest. Our premium organic and all natural Terra Zest is a special blend of manure, sawdust, and hygroscopic fiber (wool). We combine these products carefully to ensure your plants, lawn, trees or garden vegetables can get the full nutritional value needed for root development. Our premium Terra Zest will help your soil retain moisture and works as a slow release fertilizer that lasts all year long, (unlike chemical fertilizers that only last for a few weeks), and our Terra Zest won’t burn your lawn or plants. It is safe for use around children or pets immediately after use. Best part about our Terra Zest? It's all natural, organic and local! To learn more about Compost visit: |
Texas RangerSpring is all about the colors! And this plant has a vibrant purple color that will stand out! While this plant may look like it takes a lot of effort but it's one of the easier ones! The Texas Ranger is built tough, it can survive on little water. So all you have to do is plant in full sunlight and water during warm summers or in a time of a drought! Easy peasy! |
Gold Thread CypressMore of a shrub person? Good news because this is a low maintenance shrub. So it looks perfect for both foundation and accent planting. Sweet! The gold thread cypress also is a compact habit and is slow growing, which means it requires very little pruning! Who doesn't love that? This beautiful golden, evergreen color will shine bright all year long! | Blue Mist Spirea (Blue Beard) |
Maiden Grass (Chinese Silver Grass) | Blue is the color for this shrub and will bring light to your gardens or yards! You might have also heard this shrub called by another name, the blue beard. This shrub is heat, drought and deer resistant. Triple win there! The blue mist spirea does its best in full sun or partial shade. It's low maintenance in the summer, but will need a little more pruning to keep the blue mist spirea growing strong. |
While it has the word grass in it's name, it will stand out above your regular grass! One of the best qualities of the maiden grass is that it is resistant to drought, disease, deer, rabbit and any other pests that might show up In your yards. The one downside is that it can be invasive in some states, but most ornamental varieties shouldn't pose a problem. Maiden grass is cultivated to be sterile when its sold. |
Wool Pellets 8oz
Free Shipping on orders of 4 or more!
Soft Soil
A perfect blend of our screened topsoil and our premium compost. This is a great product for raised bed gardens!
Price is per cubic yard (about a pickup load) and will cover about 162sqft 2 inches deep.
Delivery is ONLY available in Utah and Western Wyoming.
Add in the comments when your preferred delivery time would be and we will call to finalize.
Terra Zest
Terra Zest for your garden, flower beds, or anywhere you want to improve your soil and retain moisture. Try planting your tomatoes straight into Terra Zest, you will love the results!
Price is per cubic yard(a yard is about a pickup load), and will cover about 162 sqft 2 inches deep.
Delivery is ONLY available in Utah and Western Wyoming.
Add in the comments when your preferred delivery time would be and we will call to finalize.
Read more about Terra Zest and how to use it in your garden and flowerbeds:
Terra Zest Premium Organic and All Natural Compost - Wild Valley Farms Product Highlight
via pouted.com
Bigroot GeraniumWell that's a mouthful! This is probably one of the easiest flowers that you could get! The first quality of this flower is that it is not affected by bad weather- either lack of water or extreme heat! Do you have a shady spot in your garden? Well good news because this flowers thrives in the shade! Also it's a good way to keep animals out of your yards because they won't eat this flower because of its lack of taste. I'd say that's a win! |
AjugaI'm just pulling out all these funny sounding plant names right? This flower is great because it has very unique green leaves and beautiful blue flowers! It's also mainly a ground plant, so it can take up a lot of space. Make sure you have enough room in your gardens! But if there is room for the beautiful plant, you won't be disappointed! |
Purple Coneflower
This flower is probably one of the more tricky ones. But don't be afraid to give it a shot! The purple coneflower is better planted from the middle of the summer to the beginning of autumn. It's also requires forty degrees in temperature and it grows up to three feet tall! So if you are willing to take on a little more effort with the purple coneflower, it will definitely stand out! |
Black-eyed SusanHave you ever heard of the Black-eyed Susan? Maybe not since it's mostly grown in Germany! However, it's becoming more common and has spread all over from the Czech to the United States because of it's amazing ability to reproduce! The best time to plant the Black-eyed Susan is from the beginning of March till the end of May! Then it will flower from June till September. This is also another one of the tall flowers, it grows up to two feet tall! |
Pink Astible
If you are a fan of color, this flower definitely lives up to it name! The pink astilbe also requires a little bit more of hard work! It needs lots of water and no more than thirty degrees Fahrenheit. You would want to plant it from the middle of summer to the beginning of fall. The best thing about the pink astilbe is that it doesn't matter being in a spot that is sunny or shady! |
Threadleaf TickseedWhile this name may scare you away because it has the word tick in it, but it won't bring them to your yards! This flower is probably one of the easier ones because it can be planted anytime from the summer to the fall. Do you love tall flowers? Good news, because this flower grows up to eighteen inches tall! That will definitely stand out! Majority of the time, you will find this flower planted with high quality wood work decoration. |
Wool Pellets 8oz
Free Shipping on orders of 4 or more!
Intelli-Soil potting mix
Intelli-soil comes in 1CF bags.
Soft Soil
A perfect blend of our screened topsoil and our premium compost. This is a great product for raised bed gardens!
Price is per cubic yard (about a pickup load) and will cover about 162sqft 2 inches deep.
Delivery is ONLY available in Utah and Western Wyoming.
Add in the comments when your preferred delivery time would be and we will call to finalize.
Nutriwool Pot
Nutriwool Pots are a 2.5 Quart fabric pot that are made in the USA.
Nutriwool pots will help air prune roots and will hold water better than any other fabric pot. Are 100% bio-degradable and will help feed plants when pots are placed in the soil.
You can transplant without taking your plant out of the Nutriwool Pot as the pot will breakdown when placed in the soil.
via fromhousetohome.com
1. Decide on Color Scheme
Seems simple right? Maybe even kind of silly. But deciding on your color scheme is the one of the first steps in planing your garden! We usually recommend a max of three colors in a single garden bed. Or if you are feeling a little bit more on the wild side, totally feel free to chose more colors or less! It's your garden, you decide! |
2. Vary Shape, Size and Texture
Here is the second step. Try varying the shapes, sizes and textures of plants when planning your garden. Add a little dimension and interest! Tall and thinner plants, like evergreens, add interest between shorter, more rounded bushes. Then there is plants with thinner leaves, or grasses, that look good next to plants with more broader leaves. |
3. Where is the Sun?
Who doesn't love the sunshine? I know I do! I love the sun shining through my windows in the mornings. You know who else loves the sun? Plants! That seemed like a silly question, because we all know that plants need the sun to help them grow! However there are three different types of plants. Shade, part shade and full sun plants. Here's the breakdown. Shade plants, such as Primrose, Lungwort and Foam Flower, require only less than four hours of sunlight per day. That's easy! Part shade plants like, bluebells and lily's only need four to six hours of sun. Then there is the full sun plants, like daisy's and sunflowers need at least six hours of sun per day! |
4. Consider the Size of the Plants Purchased
5. Soil
Intelli-Soil potting mix
Intelli-soil comes in 1CF bags.
Soft Soil
A perfect blend of our screened topsoil and our premium compost. This is a great product for raised bed gardens!
Price is per cubic yard (about a pickup load) and will cover about 162sqft 2 inches deep.
Delivery is ONLY available in Utah and Western Wyoming.
Add in the comments when your preferred delivery time would be and we will call to finalize.
Wool Pellets 8oz
Free Shipping on orders of 4 or more!
It is an all Natural, 100% organic, single ingredient fertilizer. Which means it is either made of one singe ingredient or a combination of three others. Ours is a perfect balance of three nutrients, it contains 9% nitrogen, 1% phosphorus and 2% potassium. All together, those ingredients help with overall plant strength, flower and fruit development, root growth and water balance.
The next reason is it is a slow release fertilizer. It slowly releases nutrients to feed plants for a time period of six months or longer. Once you add the wool pellets to the soil, it begins feeding them immediately. The wool fibers in the wool pellets naturally retain moisture and it reduces water use by 25%. They can also hold up to 20% of their weight. Who doesn't love saving on water? It is good for you and the earth! Did you know that is also reduces the need for additives like perlite? Score! Save money and your plants! |
Karen Wilde
Utah
There are many reasons as to why wool pellets are a good investment for your gardens and these are just a few! Wool pellets are also made from 100% raw waste wool from U.S farmers! Who doesn't love locally grown products? I know I do! Here is are a couple of products that would work great with wool pellets! Check them out!
Wool Pellets 8oz
Free Shipping on orders of 4 or more!
Nutriwool Pot
Nutriwool Pots are a 2.5 Quart fabric pot that are made in the USA.
Nutriwool pots will help air prune roots and will hold water better than any other fabric pot. Are 100% bio-degradable and will help feed plants when pots are placed in the soil.
You can transplant without taking your plant out of the Nutriwool Pot as the pot will breakdown when placed in the soil.
Intelli-Soil potting mix
Intelli-soil comes in 1CF bags.
via Wild Valley Farms
via landscapeforlife.org
Top Soil
Enriched Topsoil
Now that we have broken down the difference between the two, how do you know which one to buy and when? If you are just looking to fill maybe some holes or spots in your yard, topsoil is your go to. If you are wanting to help your fruits grow and get all those pack nutrients, use enriched topsoil or Soft Soil.
Soft Soil
A perfect blend of our screened topsoil and our premium compost. This is a great product for raised bed gardens!
Price is per cubic yard (about a pickup load) and will cover about 162sqft 2 inches deep.
Delivery is ONLY available in Utah and Western Wyoming.
Add in the comments when your preferred delivery time would be and we will call to finalize.
Potting Mix
- Intelli-soil has the nutrition needed for the whole growing season so all you need to do is add water.
- Intelli-soil retains more water in the soil to help reduce watering needs by 25%.
- Intelli-soil will not compact with watering maintaining porosity for strong root development.
Nutriwool Pot
Nutriwool Pots are a 2.5 Quart fabric pot that are made in the USA.
Nutriwool pots will help air prune roots and will hold water better than any other fabric pot. Are 100% bio-degradable and will help feed plants when pots are placed in the soil.
You can transplant without taking your plant out of the Nutriwool Pot as the pot will breakdown when placed in the soil.
Intelli-Soil potting mix
Intelli-soil comes in 1CF bags.
via squakfox
(Here's helpful tip: Don't through away the carton just yet, use it as a base to store and transport the plants without dropping them! )
via My Roman Apartment
via The Family Handy Man
Remember to check out these cute planter pots that Wild Valley Farms has to offer!
via popsugar
Intelli-Soil potting mix
Intelli-soil comes in 1CF bags.
Nutriwool Pot
Nutriwool Pots are a 2.5 Quart fabric pot that are made in the USA.
Nutriwool pots will help air prune roots and will hold water better than any other fabric pot. Are 100% bio-degradable and will help feed plants when pots are placed in the soil.
You can transplant without taking your plant out of the Nutriwool Pot as the pot will breakdown when placed in the soil.
When I think of tulips, I picture myself walking through fields full of them in the countryside of Holland. However, tulips originated from the Ottoman Empire, also known as present day Turkey. Tulips were actually imported into Holland in the sixteenth century by a man named Carolus Clusius. He wrote one of the first major books about tulips in 1952 which helped make these flowers so popular. They became so popular that his garden was raided and had bulbs stolen from it on a regular basis!
Did you know that tulips are one of the best flowers to plant in the spring? They can be used in a variety of settings, formal naturalistic, or causal. Either way there is a tulip for everyone, from a diminutive four inch tall to a beautiful multi-foot-high blossom.
1. Inspect Raised Garden Beds
We all know that winter can be harsh on our plants. From the freezing cold temperatures to the heavy snow fall we seem to get a lot of! Before you do anything, check for damage. It can become really easy to be ready to jumpstart your garden and then realize that you have bowed or split wood on the frames.
2. Check your Garden Tools
Did you consider to look at your tools? There's a 50/50 chance you have everything you need. This may save you time in the long run when trying to prepare your garden for this year! A good wipe down of all your tools is always a good idea and will help them preform to their high function! Here's a helpful hint, if the wooden handles are starting to split or have cracks, you can wipe them down with boiled linseed oil! Which increases its resistance to warping and cracking. Cool right?
3. Turn Compost
Now that we have the basics done, time to move into actually getting you garden ready! Now its time to get the soil ready. Here at Wild valley farms we have three different kinds of soils to choose from! There's our Intelli-soil which is a special formulated growing mix that is ready to use in your house plants, hanging baskets and outside pots! The second product is SoftSoil, SoftSoil is a special blend of premium topsoil and our Terra Zest, it's perfect for raised bed gardens. It's a two for one type of deal! Lastly we have good old Top Soil. Which has been screened to create a premium consistent product that has no rocks or other debris.
Soft Soil
A perfect blend of our screened topsoil and our premium compost. This is a great product for raised bed gardens!
Price is per cubic yard (about a pickup load) and will cover about 162sqft 2 inches deep.
Delivery is ONLY available in Utah and Western Wyoming.
Add in the comments when your preferred delivery time would be and we will call to finalize.
Intelli-Soil potting mix
Intelli-soil comes in 1CF bags.
Now that we've got the garden beds looking great, clean tools and your favorite compost/soil. Now its time to prep for putting those beautiful flowers in them! It's time to add the manure. There are two different types that Wild Valley Farms offers; Steer and Horse. Here's the breakdown of the two. Steer manure is used for a variety of lawn and garden needs. It helps improve the soil quality and health. Horse manure is well aged and broken down to provide a great natural fertilizer, it contains sawdust bedding to help loosen clay soils. We recommend top dressing with our Terra Zest which is a high quality compost.
5. Divide Perennials
We are finally on to the fun part, adding the flowers! Go to your local store and pick up some of your favorite seedlings. Or if your neighbor has some flowers/seeds that you like, ask them to see if you could use them or maybe trade some of what you bought for what they have! It's a very cost efficient way to add and give! Remember no to use any plant if they show signs of disease or discoloration. You wouldn't want to bring it to your new garden!
Lets get rid of those pesky weeds! Nothing ruins your day and garden like weeds! Remove young, sprouting weeds first and then add a layer of cardboard or landscape fabric onto the bare ground. Next, add about three to four inches of mulch. That is a sufficient amount to discourage any new weeds. Finally, plant your gardens tightly with your favorite perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs to try and crowd out the weeds. Want to add a little bit of color to your garden? We offer five different colors of mulch to help add that little extra you might be wanting!
Colored Mulches
Our premium-colored mulch is made from kiln dried wood which is why it holds it's color for 2 years before fading.
Price is per cubic yard(a yard is about a pickup load), and will cover about 162 sqft 2 inches deep.
Choose which Color you want by checking the small color box, then you can choose your Quantity.
Delivery is ONLY available in Utah and Western Wyoming.
Add in the comments when your preferred delivery time would be and we will call to finalize.
Now that you've done all the work, it's time to keep it all under control. Remove any dead branches from the shrubs, pull any weeds that might pop up. Also thin and shape the hedges, they need to look nice as well!
Hopefully these tips will help you feel a little less overwhelmed with getting your lawn and garden ready for the coming warm months!
By Cindy Cloninger
In recent years, gardeners old and young have been combining crafting and gardening into a space to create fun and whimsical fairy worlds. These small spaces exist among your already established flowerbeds, nestled under a tree, or can be created in pots and boxes of their own. They can be created on scales large and small and crafted by your or have many store-bought elements added. They can blend in seamlessly with your landscape becoming almost hidden in plain sight or burst with color.
Here are some fun and unique ways you can create your very own fairy garden with your kids, grand-kids, or just for your own enjoyment to be enjoyed in and outdoors.
Get Your Imagination Flowing
Bridge to Terabithia, Tinkerbell, Epic, The Borrowers, Smurfs, Indian in the cupboard, Night at the Museum, Tumbelina, The secret world of Arrietty, Horton Hears a Who, The Littles, Peter Pan, Gnomeo & Juliet, and Strawberry Shortcake.
Plan Out Your Tiny World
You may also choose to create something new in a unique or fun container or box. A hollowed out stump, painted pale, teacup, or an old wooden box is fun options.
Yard sale finds can be great choices too. A fishbowl, old birdbath, empty cake pans, and baskets make great fairy gardens.
Wool Pellets 8oz
Free Shipping on orders of 4 or more!
Nutriwool Pot
Nutriwool Pots are a 2.5 Quart fabric pot that are made in the USA.
Nutriwool pots will help air prune roots and will hold water better than any other fabric pot. Are 100% bio-degradable and will help feed plants when pots are placed in the soil.
You can transplant without taking your plant out of the Nutriwool Pot as the pot will breakdown when placed in the soil.
Terra Zest
Terra Zest for your garden, flower beds, or anywhere you want to improve your soil and retain moisture. Try planting your tomatoes straight into Terra Zest, you will love the results!
Price is per cubic yard(a yard is about a pickup load), and will cover about 162 sqft 2 inches deep.
Delivery is ONLY available in Utah and Western Wyoming.
Add in the comments when your preferred delivery time would be and we will call to finalize.
Read more about Terra Zest and how to use it in your garden and flowerbeds:
Terra Zest Premium Organic and All Natural Compost - Wild Valley Farms Product Highlight
ELEMENTS THAT MAKE IT MAGICAL

The dollhouse aisle at our local craft store will have endless choices right down to miniature gardening tools.
Does your child like dinosaurs over fairies? No worries. There are dinosaur gardens too.
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Feeling overwhelmed? Check out this cute way to change a simple flower pot into a fairy home?
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For more about Fairy Gardens check out this AWESOME link:
https://www.mostcraft.com/how-to-start-a-fairy-garden/
Cindy Cloninger
Virtual Assistant, blog manager, email & social media marketing assistant, web development. I enjoy hiking, fresh fruits & veggies, planting flowers, and cooking great meals. But I love being a wife and mother the most. When I'm not doing all of those, I love to read and try new things. Despite the forecast, live like it's spring.
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