Gardening ideas & tips for the average gardener.
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From The Ground Up

Boosting the safety of Minnesota’s cottage food marketplace

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Autumn Stoll guides a cottage foods safety trainee on pH testing. Cottage foods are an important part of Minnesota agriculture. With more than 10,000 registered cottage food producers in the state, this micro-producer industry is...

December garden checklist

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Mystery of the month Why isn’t this holiday cactus blooming? The solution is at the bottom of this article. Pests and diseases Read the instructions on any deicing salt containers before applying them to your driveways,...

Your holiday plant survival guide

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Poinsettia come in a variety of colors. The holidays aren’t just about glitter and garland; they’re about those beautiful plants that make your home feel festive and warm—but keeping them healthy beyond the season? That’s where a little...

Forestry for Minnesota birds

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Saw-whet owl. Photo: Ryan Pennesi A groundbreaking study documenting the widespread decline of bird populations across almost all species and habitats in North America revealed that since 1970, 2.9 billion birds — approximately 29% of...

Applying composted manure to your fields? Remember to think about food safety.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Animal-based soil amendments such as composted manure and poultry litter can build the soil organic matter and water hold capacity of your soil. You may be applying them now. Fall is a great time to do that, as it can be better for food...

3 ways to support food shelves in Minnesota

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Food shelves are vital community resource hubs for people experiencing hunger, and they are under unprecedented pressure. In 2024, Minnesota food banks hit a new record high of nearly 9 million visits. This year’s government shutdown and...

November garden checklist

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Mystery of the month Severe damage occurred on this pussy willow (Salix discolor) shrub overnight. What would cause this damage in early November? The solution is at the bottom of this article. Pests and diseases Protecting trees...

Can I donate my leftover cottage food products?

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Sierra Sjerven specializes in sourdough-based products, including cakes, breads, and pretzels. Most of her sales come from community events and word-of-mouth. Planning for community events or farmers markets can be tricky, and sometimes...

New on-farm pollinator management technical guide (free pdf)

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu As we approach the winter season, this can be a helpful time to dive into literature to support your efforts to build various aspects of your farm management program, including supporting pollinators on your farm. Pollinators provide a...

How to keep birds fed and happy this winter

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu As Minnesotans, we know how tough winter can be, and backyard birds face the same challenges. When the snow piles up and temperatures plummet, natural food sources become scarce. This is when bird feeders become a lifeline, providing...