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Saturday, May 24, 2014

Moose Lake View

Photo by Amber Christenson Mckee

Thanks To The Sheriff


Carol Bills, owner of the Inn at Snow Meadows suggested that  it would be a great idea to congratulate our little county's police force.

"For years, school kids have parked their bikes/scooters out by the bus stops.  Last week a scooter and bike were stolen out from in front of our subdivision. The kids were devastated as well as the parents in realizing that theft does happen here in little ol Bear Lake," said Bills.
 
Sheriff Dale Stacey  and deputies were able to track down the perpetrator and recover the stolen articles.  There parents and kids who got their scooters and bikes back were very happy, since they are expensive to replace.

Garden City Council


Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  May 8, 2014.  The ordinances on the agenda were placed on the agenda with the idea that these ordinances would be passed on to the City from the Planning Commission.  However, the Planning Commission decided that they needed more time to work on most of these ordinances. 

Ordinance #14-11 was passed to City Council by the Planning Commission.  It is an ordinance updating the recording of voting conducted by the Governing Body and was discussed in the public hearing prior to the Council Meeting.  It was accepted by the Council that when someone doesn’t vote, it is considered to be a no vote..

The Council tabled a discussion concerning the new zoning map for the City.  The Planning Commission is still working on this project.

A discussion of the certification of delinquency of assessment and charges for the Buttercup SID (Special Improvement District) was held.   The SID was created to finance the asphalting of the roads in that subdivision.  Those individuals who fail to make their payments have a lien placed on their property.    The Council made and accepted the motion to accept the certification of delinquency on this SID.

A review of the budget discussion was held.  The motion was made to open the budget to cover over expenditures for the budget year July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014.  Also, a tentative budget approval for the fiscal year July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015 was accepted by the Council.  These items were also discussed during the Public Hearing prior to the City Council Meeting.

Paramedics are required to be on site whenever an activity such as a rodeo is being held.  An ambulance is also required.  Since the City doesn’t have many EMTs, it was determined that those individuals holding the rodeo need to be contacted to find out what their plans are concerning this item.

It was noted that water usage and sewer disposal increases tremendously whenever short term rentals are rented out.  This has a great negative impact on the current water and sewer systems in the City.  It was suggested that some type of program or action be taken by the City to do something about these problems to try and mitigate these negative effects on these systems.

Bruce Warner would like to join with Laketown on attempting to bring natural gas into the area.  He has set up a meeting with Questar Gas.  He noted that there are approximately 2,500 businesses and homes in the area.  Only 800 are full time residents, and the rest are vacant during the winter months.  He doesn’t know how these facts will effect the decision about bringing gas into the area, but he wants to try to get this alternative heating source available to the two communities.  He wants to get a commitment for a period of time.  Perhaps a surcharge would be put in place and then extra payments for the next three years would work.

There is a change in water rates.  It starts in May and will be billed out at the beginning of June.  It will be interesting to see what feedback is given concerning this item.
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Warner would also like to see a change in the Council Meeting format.  He would like some time at the beginning of the meeting for people to have an opportunity to express their opinions.  Perhaps a two-minute rule could be put in place.  Also, he suggested that public hearings be held at 6 p.m. to allow business people and workers a time to get off work and come to the hearings.

Bess Huefner reported that Raspberry Days seems to be shaping up nicely.  The Gun range needs to get a decibel reading taken.  Once the noise rating is known, a meeting will be held with the Sweetwater Trailer Park residents to get their opinions about this project.  The next step would be to apply for the money because the plans have already been created.  The Eagle Project currently under way is about fifty percent complete.  A grate is going to be made to be placed in the window at the park bowery.

Mayor Sphuler wants to emphasis the slogan “Where Families Play” for Garden City.  We need to clean up the town, finish the kiosk, and put the advertising of the businesses at that location.  Hopefully, over time every business will have similar computers that advertise all businesses at every location.

Darrin Pugmire, city council, reported that 300 West will cost at least $255,000 to get it graveled.  Bids are out.  Slurry seal will be put down on some roads on May 14.

Chuck Stocking, city council, reported that the pool had a filter issue that has since been corrected.  Swimming lessons are being scheduled.  The library has old computers.  They don’t have many options because new computers were not approved in the past.  The rummage sale will be held in June and signs are already in place.  The Kiosk is moving forward.  Chuck told the group that Andy Stokes was going to put up all the signs at the Kiosk.  Chuck was informed that the roof of the convention center needs repair.

A week from Friday there will be a bike rally starting at Blue Water.  There will be a lot of traffic that weekend.







Business License Requests


Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times


GARDEN CITY, Utah.  May 8 2014.  Lutz Construction received a license from the County to establish an excavation landscape gravel and equipment business and no longer needs City permission.

Wiser Ways had a request to conduct a storage shed sales business.  The recreation rental portion of the business was not part of the original request.  Also, it was noted that the trailer on the property needs to be in a trailer court where electricity, sewer, and water are available.  Bruce Warner, City Council,  noted that Mr. Bennion had no application for a business license on file with the City.  Currently Mr. Wiser has no supplier.  The business license can be given only if a vendor comes through and will be for storage shed sales only.  There needs to be a permanent foundation for storage sheds only as well.

Bennion Motors was thanked for its willingness to help Wiser get a business started.  A deposit has been made toward getting a license.  Darrin Pugmire said he probably had the application and will complete the process in working with Mr. Bennion.

OCS Cleaning Company requested a license to conduct a cleaning service business at 200 Lychee Lane.  Laura Cluff will be in charge.  The business license was approved.

The Bear Lake Shake Shack requested a license to conduct a food service company at 2123 South Bear Lake Blvd.  Chrissy Catania is the manager.   The Council approved this application contingent their getting a sales tax number and the required health inspection.

Bruce Warner noted that the business license application needs to be clarified.  Warner noted that he couldn’t tell what should be approved.  He also feels that the transient business license drives business away.

Warner made some good suggestions to clarify Ordinance #8-100.  He felt that the number of licenses was high.  He noted that an individual who has more than one business shouldn’t have to buy licenses for each business.  The Council, however, on this suggestion noted that when additional items are added or other businesses are created, the description on the present licenses needs to be changed by that individual to cover everything currently being done by the business.  The owners are responsible to make changes known to the City. Sometimes it is actually easier to get a second license if the businesses are not similar in nature.  Also, any change in land use needs to go to the Planning Commission.

It was suggested that any new business licenses should go through the City Administrator and then passed onto Warner.  Conditional Use is handled by the Planning Commission.  If some business type is going to be added to a zone, it must be permitted which is a long process and must go to the Planning Commission.  A hearing needs to be held.  If the type of business is added to the zone, then all of those types of businesses can be allowed from then on in that particular zone.

The Concessionaire License was discussed by the Council.  It was decided that any time a Concessionaire License is issued, it needs to be renewed annually so that the City is aware how things are progressing.  It was suggested that  Lance Bourne come in and report on his past summer’s activities.

Mel and Ellen Maynes Properties, LLC, requested a short term rental license.  They still need to get a building inspection and a fire inspection.  It was approved contingent upon getting those two inspections.  Tony Crowson at 280 North Bear Lake Blvd. was also granted a short term rental license.  David and Mary Wagner were also granted a similar license.

Youth Recreational Program


Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  May 8, 2014. Tia McKee and Kerri Pugmire asked that the youth recreational program be continued for this coming summer.  McKee will be in charge of the program with Pugmire helping her.  They would like to invite children from Montpelier to Randolph to participate.  They would like a $1500 budget for the summer.  This would allow them to pay the coaches $10 an hour.  Mayor Spuhler noted that he didn’t think coaches should be paid.  They should volunteer as most coaches do in other locations.

Individuals can register, pay, and get waivers online.  The Mayor will get that internet site ready for the summer activities.  McKee asked that the Mayor let her know as soon as the computer application is up and running.

Soccer will be at the City Park on Wednesdays from 4 – 6.  Softball will be on the field in Laketown beginning June on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 – 6.  McKee and Pugmire would also like to offer swimming lessons.  They will need to have two certified life guards whenever the pool is open.  However, Garden City is currently giving lessons at the pool.  They encouraged them to check into this program and work with it if possible.  Cheerleading and tumbling will also be held in Laketown.

The Council asked that McKee keep track of her budget and submit it to the Council at the end of the summer letting them see how the money was spent.  They reported that each child is charged $10 and those from kindergarten through 5th grade are encouraged to participate.

New Home Decor Boutique to Open Monday

The new "Inspiration Home Decor and Accessories Boutique and Design Center" is opening in Garden City.  Lori Haddock from Montpelier wants a gallery that supports local artists by displaying and selling their work in the store for a small commission.

They are planning to open on Memorial Day.  If you are an area artist or photographer and want to contact Lori e-mail her at  inspirationhomedecor@gmail.com

Sunday, May 18, 2014

The Unmuddled Mathematician



Bim
By Chris S. Coray, The Unmuddled Mathematician

When I was 16 years old my dad bought a membership in the Chesapeake Duck Club near Corinne, Utah.  The club rules allowed the sons of members to hunt with their dads.  The hunting was great but what I remember now aren’t the ducks and geese but the old guys whom I got to meet, hunt with, and observe as they socialized, hunted, and told lies to each other.  They were all characters. 

The following story is true, witnessed by me, and it is about C.H. Myers, called Bim by all who knew him.  He was 75, weighed about 130 lbs, and was almost always as excited as a 5 year old on Christmas morning.  When he got all his cold weather gear on he sort of just disappeared in it.  It was hard to find him in his down cocoon. 

One afternoon in the tired old club house Bim was using the bathroom.  Unfortunately for him as he flushed the toilet he had a violent sneeze.  Out came his false teeth, both tops and bottom, and down the toilet they went.  I told you he was excitable and this set him off at the top end of the scale.  He ran, in the style of a 75 year old guy, around the club house and made unintelligible sounds that all sounded like “Mmmmmm!, Nnnnnnn, Mmmmmm” to me.  Remember, he now had no teeth so his gums did a poor job of helping with diction.  Reasonable grown men eventually intervened and were able to settle him down a little.  After about 10 minutes and with the aid of pencil and paper we learned the story.  By now Bim had begun to regularly smack his gums which made a sound like that of pulling a vacuum sealed rubber cup off of a smooth floor.

All was not lost, however.  This was 1959.  It turns out that the sewage did not go into a septic tank or a sewer.  It just ran through a pipe and ended up in part of the slough that made up the Chesapeake.  Bim’s hunting partner thought all might be rescued.  He put on a pair of chest waders and got a fairly fine meshed net.  Then he waded out into the marsh and put the net over the outlet pipe leading from the bathroom to the swamp.  We began to flush the toilet over and over again and wouldn’t you know it after a while the net contained both the top and bottom set of teeth.  When the hunting partner brought them inside the club house Bim could scarcely contain himself.  He immediately grabbed the teeth and started to reinsert them in his mouth.  Cooler and quicker heads prevailed however, and we stopped his arms in midair and in time.  It was explained (with some difficulty) to Bim that it might be a good idea to wash the teeth off and disinfect them before reinsertion.

A glass full of bourbon whiskey was obtained.  The false teeth were thoroughly washed and then placed in the alcohol.  Bim paced around the table looking at his teeth like my wife eyeing a Snickers bar.  Eventually, he was given the OK and Bim grabbed the teeth, inserted them in his mouth, and immediately drank all the alcohol in the glass.

Sometimes I was sent out with Bim to hunt, to be the muscle and provide safety.  I told you he was excitable.  On one particular goose hunt I stood 2 feet away from him in our blind as he raised his gun to shoot some of the numerous birds that were flying that day.  On three consecutive flocks of geese I watched this 75 year old man raise his pump shotgun, aim it, and then eject 3 brand new shells without ever pulling the trigger.  Too much excitement.  

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Garden City Council Meeting


Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  May 8, 2014. The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m.; and Riley Argyle, head of the Public Works Department, reported to the City Council that he had found an automatic gate that could be used at the City Park.  It automatically opens and closes on a timed system.  It will cost about $1500 plus the expense of installation.  It was suggested that game cameras also be purchased to monitor the park.

The City has found brighter solar powered decorative lights along the highway.  They will do a much better job than those originally used.  Thirteen more sets have been ordered to replace those that are currently being used.

Zan Murray, the City Engineer, reported that the proposed new parking lots are moving forward.  The new parking lots are located at 150 South, 350 South, and 75 North.  They will all be funded by the $500,000 that was obtained from the State.  The City Park enlarged parking area will be paid for from a transportation alternative budget.  All required surveys should be completed in May, and plans drawn and completed in June.

At 200 North going east, the parking will be asphalt.  West on that same street will require a shoulder and some clean up work.  300 West will be graveled along with mag water and perhaps some slurry.

It was asked if the transportation tax could also be used for parking.  No one knew for sure so that will be checked out.  There will need to be pull-out areas—bus stops—for those who will take advantage of City parking and the shuttle service to the lake.

The Tiger Grant has been submitted.  The City will need $400,000 for the required match.  The grant is for $2 million.  If this money is not awarded to Garden City, Utah will not be getting any federal grant funds this year.

The water master plan is nearly complete.  Riley has submitted some additional water data which will be added to the study.  Also the information from Shundahi will also be taken into account.  Some additional work needs to be done dealing with the Shundahi tank.  The line to the tank is too small and must be replaced.  The pumps are not adequate either, and three-phase power needs to be obtained.  Norm’s Eagle Feather subdivision will require a fairly large percent of the tank storage capacity.  The City will be using the excess storage of the tank.  The value of the tank and the pumps need to be determined along with the value of the transmission lines.  There are actually three tanks in the city plus the excess from the Shundahi tank.  The above information will be used to finish up the master water plan.  The results of the recalculation may change slightly the impact fee amount.  It may also require a change in the monthly water rates.

The change of use for two wells has been submitted to the State.  As a result of this change of use, the City will be using water from the Swan Creek Canal Company to fill the pond at Heritage Park during the summer months.

The plans for Heritage Park are complete.  The Council was asked to look these plans over and make any suggestions for changes or improvements that they could see.

Riley noted that the Hodges Canyon Road needs some repair.  Also, at the City Park the road will be widened so that cars can pass going in and out.  There are trees along the south side of the grass that will need to be moved at least 20 or so feet to the north.  Riley thought it would be better to move the trees than to start over with small new ones.

Riley also noted that the City has done work on the canal.  They put in an additional 20 hours that should reduce the amount of the City’s assessment by that amount.  The beaches gate is up on 150 South.  People can walk down and can go around either side of the gate.  Other Lake accesses are being opened up.  There is a bit of a conflict with signage, however.  The people who own property on the beach have signs saying “Thou shalt not enter”, whereas the City signs indicate that there is walking access in that area.  As long as the property owners’ signs are on their personal property, they need to be left there.  The City will need to clarify as much as possible the rights to get to the beach through those access points.

The boat ramp near the Mayor’s home is still there.  The gate is also still in place.  However, again there is no vehicle access at that point so the gate should remain with open areas on both sides of the gate to allow individuals to walk to the shore.  Hopefully the shuttle will help with this problem in giving people an easy place to get off and on the bus without having to try and park their cars near those access points.

Gary Cox, the City Administrator, was asked to work with JUB and UDOT on the plans for the Garden City Park expansion.  He was asked to get cost estimates by July 1.  Currently Danny White is drawing up the plans for the parking at 150 South and 350 South.

UDOT is looking at the turn lanes that will be needed from the Logan Road onto both North and South Paradise Parkway.  Also UDOT wants to check the turn lanes that are in front of the KOA that turn onto Paradise Parkway North.

The Kiosk will have everything ready to go by June 1.  There is a crack that needs to be tarred. Andy Stokes said he would be happy to put up all the business signs that have been printed, and the power company will have the power in place within the next few days.

The Planning Committee has been working on the City ordinances.  Mr. Wiser has been living in a trailer on the Bennion property.  He must be in a trailer court where there is access to water, sewer, and power. 

Riley was encouraged to get as much done on Heritage Park as soon as possible.  He was told to be sure and include the childrens’ play equipment.

The sign at Subway needs to be brought into compliance along with the Pizza Place.  Signs cannot be extending over the highway.

Bruce Warner will be meeting with a couple to get needed documentation on access to Elk’s Ridge.  In the 2013 opinion, the City owns all the rights.  The City needs to get the conveyances done.  Bruce was asked to find out for sure what the City needs to do.  The couple involved have given up the rights for utilities.  The legal opinion was very clear.  The City does have the right to cross this land.  The City will honor the agreement with the owners. 

Dr. Webber agrees that the City does have right to travel over the road by his home for basic uses and to fix problems.  However, it is not a public road and will remain closed.

Elk’s Ridge will not be given any building permits.  They do not have a secondary access, no water has been turned over, no roads meet the standards, and no maintenance has been done on them.  The roads are a major problem.  Those individuals owning property there need to form a homeowner’s association and take care of the required improvements.

The City did pay $60,000 to get a portion of the water tank up on Elk’s ridge.  The City does own the land that the tank is on.  The City also has an easement across the land to get to the tank.  The City is willing to work with land owners, but they also need to be willing to work with the City.

Bruce was asked to work out as many of the difficulties and problems as possible when meeting with these individuals. 

A City transportation plan needs to be written.  A bus can be purchased from Logan City.  They will be selling two busses in June.  They always replace their busses at 100,000 miles.  Hopefully, the City will be able to get at least two in the next month or so.  If the vehicles carry 14 or less people, the drivers do not need to have a CDL license.  Nice vehicles with a trailer behind for beach paraphernalia will work well.  The City can paint or wrap them.

The State Economic Division will be here on the 20th and 21st of this month.  They will be talking about the local economy.  Advertise this activity and invite as many people as you can to go to the meetings.  Mitch Poulsen and Melinda Hislop are in charge.



Bear Lake In Black & White

Photo by Tammy Calder

Garden City Fire District Meeting


Chris S. Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  May 15, 2014.  The governing board of the Garden City Fire District held its monthly meeting on May 15.  Present were Perry Wakefield, Randall Knight, Howard Pope, and Brian House.  Christina Gracey was absent.

The regular meeting in April was interrupted by the structure fire on the south Sweetwater Parkway.  That house was a complete loss.  Chief Wahlberg estimated that between 40,000 and 70,000 gallons of water was put on the fire but the building was essentially lost before any 911 call as the fire started somewhere in the house and by the time it was visible the house was not defensible.  There was plenty of water although the water pipes supplying the hydrants are not adequately sized, hence there was come cavitation in the pumps as they tried to deliver full flow capacity.  This had no effect in the ultimate outcome.

The policy and procedures manual is still under development and review.  At some point there will need to be a legal review and information about experienced attorneys is being sought.

At the present time there are 26 firefighters in service.  During the month there were 8 responses including the structure fire mentioned above and a CO issue in a different home.

Training continues on a regular basis and specialized training is scheduled for a small group near Washington, DC in September.

There was discussion about public/department events scheduled for the summer.  Specific data will be forthcoming.  Finally, the $500 dollar value block and tackle that was reported missing at the last meeting was located in the fire station.

Garden City Redevelopment Agency Hearing


Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  May 8, 2014. The Town Council Public Hearing was held on May 8 at 4:30 p.m.  The agenda item concerning the new zoning map was postponed.  The Planning Commission asked for additional time prior to submitting this item to the City.

A discussion concerning proposed changes to ordinance #3-211-D noted that the ordinance will be changed to state that a silent vote will be recorded as a no vote.  A review and discussion regarding the current budget for fiscal year July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014 was held.  The purpose of the discussion was to open the budget to increase the total appropriations in the General Fund, the Enterprise Fund, the Beach Access Fund, and the SID Fund.

A Public Hearing for the Garden City Redevelopment Agency was held on May 8 immediately following the Town Council Public Hearing.  This hearing was held to allow the public to be aware regarding the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014.  This hearing was necessary to inform the public that the budget needed to be opened to increase the total appropriations in the Redevelopment Agency Fund.

The Garden City Redevelopment Agency held their quarterly meeting on May 8, 2014, immediately following the City Council Meeting.  The motion was made and approved to open the budget and make fund transfers needed to cover over expenditures for the budget year July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014.   

Tentative budget approval was also given for the fiscal year July 1, 2014 through
June 30, 2015.

April Sheriff's Report


Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times


RANDOLPH, Utah. April 2014.  There were 79 incidents in April.  There were 28 in Garden City, 23 in Randolph, 18 in Laketown, 7 in Woodruff, 1 area not defined, 1 in the north part of the County, and 1 out of the County.  There were 12 citizens’ assists, 10 animal problems, 5 medical emergencies, and 4 VIN serial number inspections.

In Garden City there were 4 citizen assists, and 2 each of the following: alarms, medical emergencies, traffic accidents with injuries, traffic hazards, trespassing, and VIN serial number inspections.  There was 1 each of the following:  an abandoned vehicle, an alcohol offense, a citizen dispute, a civil process, a dead body, a DUI alcohol or drugs, a fire, a traffic accident with damage, property damage—not vandalism, a theft, a traffic violation, and a welfare check.

Laketown had 4 animal problems, and 2 each of the following:  citizen assists, civil processes, fires, and medical emergencies.   There was 1 each of the following:  an alarm, a dead body, a controlled substance problem, a fraud, a theft, and a trespass.  

Randolph incurred 6 citizen assists, 4 animal problems, 3 criminal histories, and 3 suspicious persons/circumstances.  There were 2 juvenile problems, and 1 attempt to locate, 1 traffic hazard, 1 transportation of person/property, 1 wanted person, and 1 welfare check.

Woodruff had 2 VIN serial number inspections, 1 animal problem, 1 DUI alcohol or drugs, 1 medical emergency, 1 traffic accident with damage, and 1 welfare check.

The undefined area had an animal problem; there was a theft in the northern part of the County, and an agency assist out of the County.

There were 22 traffic citations given during April.  There were 13 speeding tickets, 2 driving under the influence, and 2 intoxication citations.  There was a no proof of insurance, an evading police, an open container/drinking alcohol, an improper usage of lanes, and a failure to stop.

Thirteen of the traffic violations with 10 traffic citations given were in Garden City.  There was 1 citation and 1 violation in Laketown.  There were 5 citations and 5 violations in Randolph; and 1 citation and 3 violations in Woodruff.  That gives a total of 17 traffic citations and 22 traffic violations.  One warning for speeding was also given in Garden City.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Dorothy Stringham 90th Birthday Reception May 24


Dorothy Stringham 90th birthday announcement.

Dorothy Watterson Stringham was born May 26, 1924, in Benson Utah.  She graduated from North Cache High School in the class of 1941.  She attended USAC for two years.  Dorothy married Briant Earl Stringham on March 2, 1945 in the Logan LDS Temple.  She has lived in Garden City, Utah for the past 47 years.

Her children, Paul and Barbara Stringham, serving a LDS mission in Nauvoo, Illinois, David and Julie Stringham, Garden City, Utah, Dan and Deb Stringham, Laketown, Utah, Mark and Kathy Stringham, Garden City, Utah, Julie and Ken Stucki, Pocatello, Idaho, her 22 grandchildren and their spouses, and her 63 great grandchildren are hosting a celebration to honor her 90th birthday!  It will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2014, in the Town of Garden City Building, Lakeview room, 69N. 3rdW., Garden City, Utah.  A dinner will be held for family at 1:00pm. 

An open house for her many friends and neighbors will be held following the family dinner from 3:00 to 5:00pm.  Please stop by and visit our sweet Mother, but no gifts please.  Your presence means more than presents to her.


Thursday, May 15, 2014

Spring Rainbow At Bear Lake

Photo by Amber McKee

Needles & Leaves


Three Things To Do NOW for Better Plants This Year Treat Iron Problems
By Jennifer Huefner, Bear Lake Landscape, Garden City

Have you wondered why you have to use so much chelated iron to keep your trees green? The soil we have in most parts of our valley is alkali. Because the pH is so out of balance, many plants struggle to metabolize the existing iron in the soil. That's why even if you treat a yellowing tree with chelated iron, you will find yourself needing to do it over and over again with mixed results. Although adding chelated iron IS good for your plants, remedying the cause of your problem will help your plants much more in the long run.

Here are a few things you can do to mitigate our pH-caused iron problem. Adding acid to the soil around your affected plants in the form of Iron Plus Acidifier, Soil Acidifier, and Copperas will help to correct the pH of the soil, thus allowing the plant to more easily metabolize the iron already in the soil. A foliar application of Ferriplus or chelated iron will help to green up the leaves quickly.

My most important recommendation to help remedy the soil around your plant is to top dress the soil with Live Earth Humate. Although it is best to add Live Earth Humate with any trees or shrubs when you plant, adding to the top and watering in will help your plant too. Live Earth Humate balances the pH in the soil. The best course of action for an already planted tree is to use a combination of the above. If you're considering planting a tree or shrub, DON"T FORGET to add Live Earth Humate to the soil you backfill with.

We have all these products in our Garden Center! Come on in. We'll be glad to help you with all your yard problems! (Sorry, we're not qualified for any of your other problems! :) ).

Gardening Step #1: When is the last freeze in our area? When can I start sowing seed in my garden? The old farmers' rule of thumb for our high mountain valley is sow seed on or around May 15. In the Bear Lake Valley, we are in official frost danger until June 15. (Those of us who have lived here a long time know we are really NEVER out of frost danger. Another old-fashioned saying around here is, "Plant early and plant often!" So if you sow garden seed before May 15, chances are very good you'll have to plant again because a frost has killed your seedlings. (You can plant peas, sweet peas, and a few other cold-hardy seeds before May 15.) The May 15 date is almost here!

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW is till soil pep or compost into your Iron-deficient Silver Maple