garden

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,...

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...

October garden checklist

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Perplexed about your peonies? Lawn got you down? Tune into our WCCO Radio “Smart Gardens” show on Saturdays, 8-9 a.m., for answers to your lawn and garden questions. Dial in AM 830 on your radio or ask your smart speaker. Or listen to ...

Cultivating curiosity

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Terra Kissel and Dave Tyler, who are Anoka County Master Gardener volunteers at nearby elementary schools, share gardening tips and resources. Planting seeds of learning Two University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners from...

Fall’s hidden architects: funnel weavers in Minnesota gardens

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Funnel weaver spider (Agelenopsis). Photo: David Cappaert, Bugwood.org As autumn settles over Minnesota, gardeners may encounter a silvery shimmer across their lawns and shrubs in the early morning light. On closer inspection, they find...

Tips to tend a garden in late summer

As summer winds down, long stretches of sunlight are dwindling and cooler temperatures are on the horizon. Gardening enthusiasts may wonder how they can manage their backyard gardens as the peak growing season comes to a close. People may not be eager to do much in their gardens come August,...

August garden checklist

When moisture means mayhem: protecting garden fruit in August

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Gray mold on raspberries By late July, Minnesota gardens are heavy with ripening fruit. Wet, humid weather has created ideal conditions for fungal and bacterial diseases, and alert growers know it’s time to scout, clean up, and protect...

July garden checklist

Weathering the storm: helping your garden bounce back

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu The early summer of 2025 has been a wild ride—from unseasonal cold snaps to blistering heat and powerful storms. If your yard took a hit, don’t worry. Here’s a simple, safe plan to get your yard and garden back on track. Start with a...