Are We In A Drought In Utah?

It's a good question!  The snow pack in the Wasatch is low and it's been an unusually warm and dry winter.  According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, most of Utah is experiencing moderate to extreme drought conditions.
This makes gardeners worry about the vegetable beds - what if our water is restricted?  It could happen.  One of the best ways to prepare for the possibility of limited water availability is to amend the soil in the vegetable beds to increase the moisture holding capacity.  Digging some compost deep into the garden will add organic matter to the soil.  This organic matter will absorb water and keep the soil moist in between waterings during the hot times of summer.  Also, after you have planted your vegetable garden, a thin layer of mulch (1/2 to 1 inch deep) on the surface of the soil will keep it from drying out.

digging compost into the soil and spreading a little mulch on top will increase moisture holding capacity