growing

Growing roses in Minnesota: Tough beauty for the bold north

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Easy Elegance 'Head Over Heels'. Photo: Bailey Nursery Roses may seem high-maintenance, but Minnesota gardeners know better. With the right varieties and a few smart habits, roses can be some of the most reliable, rewarding plants in a...

How growing families can create more space

Many people will admit that home ownership tops their lists of long-term goals. Finding a home that is affordable may require moving into what many real estate agents bill as a "starter home." But the arrival of a child, and then more children thereafter, could make a home that was perfectly...

A warm-weather jump on seed starting

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu With this week’s unusually warm weather and an above-average forecast ahead, it’s no surprise gardeners are eager to kick off spring. One of the easiest and most rewarding ways to jump-start gardening is to start seeds indoors. It’s simple...

Minnesota seed libraries grow more than gardens

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Old-fashioned library card catalogs are being repurposed in libraries across Minnesota. The drawers are the right size for packets full of flower, vegetable, herb and native plant seeds. Minnesota gardens may be frozen right now, but...

Mini greens, mega benefits: Growing microgreens at home

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Looking to add a boost of nutrition to your diet this winter? Say hello to microgreens—tiny flavorful greens you’ve probably seen topping salads or sandwiches at fancy restaurants. Microgreens are easy to grow, incredibly nutritious, and...

Tips for growing succulents in containers

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Succulents can be planted together in container gardens. Succulent plants have thick, water-storing leaves and stems that allow them to thrive in dry conditions. Succulents come in various shapes, sizes, and textures, including...

Reblooming plants reflect the growing season

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Lilacs blooming out of season are referred to as being "remontant." Photo: Allan Paul Eilen Lilacs usually bloom in spring, but many people are seeing them bloom again now. Why? Like so much in Minnesota, the weather has a lot to do...

How vegetables respond to heat

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu We are hitting the growing season's first heat wave. While the last few years have been hot, you can refresh yourself on the ways hot weather can change the way our crops grow and yield. Ways hot weather impact crops before fruit set...

Linus Project: Giant pumpkins

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Giant pumpkin seedlings sprouting in the greenhouse University of Minnesota Extension's horticulture team is growing giant pumpkins at the Arboretum! Track our pumpkins' progress throughout the season in Yard and Garden News. The giant...

Extending the growing season in your garden

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Cold frame made from wood and recycled windows The days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer, and many of us have started our first seeds. Even still, summer feels so far away! There are ways to extend the growing season...