planning

Road trip planning pointers

Travelers take to the open road for any number of reasons. When traveling on a summer vacation, families may find it's more affordable to travel by car than to pay for airline tickets for parents and kids. Others take driving vacations because they afford more freedom to move at one's own pace than...

St. Patrick's Day party planning

Each March 17, and even in the days surrounding that date, the world is awash in kelly green. That's because it is once again time to pay homage to the patron saint of Ireland and perhaps engage in a little spirited revelry. St. Patrick's Day is an opportunity to honor St. Patrick and celebrate the...

Planning your Valentine's Day proposal

February 14 is a day dedicated to love. And for couples who are pondering their futures together, Valentine's Day may seem tailor-made for wedding proposals. According to a survey of 1,000 married adults by James Allen, an online diamond and bridal jewelry retailer, people really love getting...

Evaluating seniors' biggest expenses

New parents may not be able to visualize that one day their largest expenditures won't be centralized around providing necessities for their children. Adults go though many years of paying for diapers, toys, clothing, food, and education for their children. Yet, when the children have flown the...

2021 Planning: Resources for Vegetable Variety Selection

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu We all know the varieties we select are one of the most important factors in how the farm season ahead will go. When flipping through seed catalogs, we are bombarded with acronyms for resistances and lots of big claims. Below are some...

2021 Planning: Cucumber Considerations

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu We’re starting a new series this spring: a biweekly crop by crop overview to help growers choose varieties, navigate different growing methods, and anticipate insects and diseases. Last year some of you said that while the summer vegetable...

Strategies to recession-proof your finances

"Financial planning" is an umbrella term that can be applied to various aspects of money management. Many people associate financial planning with retirement. However, effective financial planning can help people confront today's challenges just as much as it can help them prepare for their golden...

Cozy up with a seed catalog and set your gardening intentions

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu One of my favorite holiday traditions is to spend an afternoon by the fireplace with seed catalogs. Every year I try to take a few days off over the holidays to spend quietly at home, reflecting on the past year and setting intentions for...

Grow plants indoors all year long with hydroponics

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu A simple DIY hydroponics system for growing lettuce and other greens Are you looking for: A new winter hobby? Access to fresh greens or herbs throughout the winter? A fun project for kids? A unique holiday gift idea? Hydroponic...

Winter food safety planning - 5 tips to prepare for next season

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Winter is a good time for planning, reflection and thinking about the systems behind your farm's operation. What worked, what didn't, and what can be improved for next season? What did your employees suggest for improvements? That review...