USU Extension - Washington County

10/31/2026

10/30/2026

LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP! Registration closes Friday, October 30, at 5:00 p.m.!

Ready to bring new ideas into your kitchen? You still have time to join the Diabetes Cook-Along Series, starting November 2!

Register: Scan the QR code or Linktree in the bio.

10/29/2026

Create diabetes-friendly meals in this FREE interactive class.

What: 5-class series on Monday and Thursday evenings
When: November 2, 5, 9, 12, 16
Where: Southwest Utah Public Health Department (620 South 400 East, St. George)
Time: 6:00 p.m.-7:45 p.m.

Diabetes Cook Along Series - presented by Utah State University Extension and the Southwest Utah Public Health Department

10/28/2026

🥗 Healthy eating doesn't have to be complicated! Join Us Nov. 2nd

Want practical ideas for making delicious meals while managing diabetes?

Join USU Extension Washington County's Diabetes Cook-Along Series and discover helpful cooking tips and inspiration you can bring into your own kitchen.

🍎 Learn new ideas.
🥕 Build kitchen confidence.
🍽️ Find inspiration for everyday meals.

📣 Ready to cook along? Register today!

🔗 Tap the link in our Linktree to learn more and sign up.

💚 Know someone who might enjoy this series? Share this with them!

10/24/2026

🎃 Help Your Carved Pumpkin Last Longer!

Carving a pumpkin is a fun fall tradition, but once you cut the skin, your pumpkin becomes more vulnerable to microorganisms that can cause it to spoil. Try these tips to help your jack-o’-lantern stay fresh a little longer!

🍂 6 Tips for a Longer-Lasting Pumpkin

1. Wash before carving. Thoroughly clean your pumpkin before cutting into it.
2. Clean your tools. Wash and sanitize knives, spoons, and other carving tools before use, especially between pumpkins.
3. Remove the pulp. Scrape out as much stringy pulp and seeds as possible to reduce areas where mold can grow.
4. Sanitize your carving. A properly diluted bleach solution may help reduce microorganisms. Always follow product directions, wear gloves, and keep bleach away from children and pets.
5. Protect the cut edges. A thin layer of petroleum jelly may help slow moisture loss, though it won't prevent rot.
6. Skip the candle. Use an LED light or glow stick instead to avoid adding heat that can speed up deterioration.

🎃 Extension Tip: Keep your carved pumpkin in a cool, shaded spot, and bring it indoors when temperatures are warm. Remember, even with the best care, carved pumpkins won't last forever!

🍁 What are your favorite tricks for keeping your jack-o’-lantern looking its best? Share them in the comments!

10/22/2026

🍎 Preserve the Harvest: Make the Most of Apple Season! 🍏

Have more apples than you can eat? Fall is the perfect time to preserve your apple harvest and enjoy that fresh-picked flavor for months to come!

🍎 Here are a few ways to preserve your apples:

🥫 Canning: Make homemade applesauce, apple slices, or apple pie filling using tested recipes and safe canning methods.

❄️ Freezing: Peel, slice, and freeze apples for future baking, smoothies, and cooking.

🍏 Dehydrating: Dry apple slices for a delicious snack that’s easy to pack for hiking, lunchboxes, or on-the-go adventures.

🥧 Cooking: Turn your harvest into apple butter or applesauce to enjoy now or preserve using a tested recipe.

🍎 Storing: Keep suitable apple varieties in a cool, humid location to help them stay fresh longer. Check regularly and remove any apples that begin to spoil.

🌿 Food preservation tip: Always follow tested recipes and recommended processing times when canning. Applesauce and other apple products require proper preparation and processing for safe storage.

What’s your favorite way to preserve apples? Share your tips and favorite apple recipes in the comments!

10/21/2026

🍎 Happy National Apple Day!🍏

Let’s settle the great apple debate!
Do you prefer your apples tart or sweet? Tell us your favorite in the comments!

One fruit, so many varieties! From tart Granny Smith to sweet Fuji, apples come in a rainbow of colors and flavors. Whether you enjoy them fresh, baked into a pie, sliced with peanut butter, or cooked into homemade applesauce, there’s an apple for everyone!

10/19/2026

What Survives a Light Frost?

A light frost doesn’t necessarily mean your garden is finished for the season! 🍂 Some vegetables are more cold-hardy than others.

🍅 Frost-sensitive crops: Tomatoes, peppers, and squash can be damaged by freezing temperatures.

🥬 Cool-season crops: Kale, spinach, carrots, and many other cool-season vegetables can tolerate cooler weather and, in some cases, light frost.

🌿 Protect your garden:

Harvest ripe tomatoes, peppers, and other tender crops before frost arrives.

Cover sensitive plants with frost cloth or a lightweight covering before temperatures drop.

Leave hardy vegetables in the garden to continue harvesting, depending on the variety and conditions.

Gardening tip: In Southern Utah, fall temperatures can fluctuate quickly, so watch the forecast and be ready to protect your plants!

What’s still growing in your garden? Share your fall gardening successes in the comments!

10/17/2026

🍝 Happy National Pasta Day! 🇮🇹

Spaghetti, penne, rotini, ravioli… oh my! Did you know pasta comes in hundreds of different shapes and varieties? Each shape has its own texture and works best with different sauces and recipes.

From a comforting bowl of spaghetti to a hearty pasta salad, there’s a pasta dish for everyone!

👇 Tell us in the comments: What’s your favorite type of pasta, and how do you like to prepare it?