The gardening season isn't over yet for people residing in the
Castle Valley region. Fall is an excellent time for Carbon
County residents to start control efforts for next year's insect
pest problems. Many damaging pests will over-winter in fallen
leaves or other refuse around the base of the plants. At the end
of the growing season, people should clean up the leaves and
organic matter from gardens as well as landscapes and compost
the materials at a different location. Properly composted
organic matter should reach temperatures of 140 degrees to 150
degrees Fahrenheit. The high temperatures make it difficult for
many insect pests as well as weed seeds to survive. For more
information about composting, local residents with Internet
access may visit http://extension.usu.edu/carbon/htm/pest. After
accessing the Utah State University Extension website, visitors
should click on the composting link. Working - tilling or
turning - the ground in the fall will also expose insects that
over-winter in the soil to dry