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

Native Plant Month raises new questions in a changing climate

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu 'Silver Queen' silver maple April is Native Plant Month in the United States, giving us an opportunity to celebrate the plants that have evolved over thousands of years in our specific regions. These plants provide important habitat for...

Lesser celandine: An invasive plant making its way across the Upper Midwest

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Lesser celandine has a bright yellow flower and heart-shaped leaves. Photo: Stephanie Day Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna), sometimes known as fig buttercup, is a short, perennial plant that is spreading in the Midwest. It has shiny,...

A Minnesota guide to garden timing

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Amaranth, lettuce and garlic are early cool-season crops. The spring weather we’ve been experiencing lately has confused wildlife, plants, and gardeners alike. Before you rush to plant seeds or seedlings, it helps to pause and plan. In...

2026 Fruit Update Series Season Kickoff Article

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Welcome letter Dear readers, After a winter full of farmer conferences and pruning workshops, the 2026 growing season is rapidly approaching for many fruit crops throughout Minnesota. A big welcome to those who are joining this series...

Apple Scab: About and significance of early season management

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Images: Apple scab can cause a wide range of damage on various apple types based on their inherent resistance, the amount of spores present in the spring, along with weather conditions and orchard management programs. Damage can be...

Almost time to plant potatoes in Minnesota

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu If you’ve lived through more than one Minnesota spring, you’ve learned not to trust the calendar, no matter what tradition says. A lot of gardeners rely on the adage: Good Friday is potato-planting day, if the weather allows. Some years...

Gearing up to Grow: Brassicas

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu We’re kicking off our crop deep dive series again this year, with deep-dive articles on a variety of crops to help you prepare for the growing season. We’re starting the year with head lettuce and Brassicas, two sets of early season crops...

Virus issues? Take a look at transplant production

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Many commonly grown Minnesota vegetables can be infected by plant viruses. With their limited means of prevention and no control options post-infection, these diseases can be devastating. Solanaceous crops, especially peppers and...

What nature says about spring's progress in Minnesota

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu With the first day of spring behind us, Minnesota gardeners are feeling a little antsy, and who can blame us? Even if temperatures can’t decide which season they’re loyal to, nature is dropping plenty of hints that spring is quietly...

How to donate homegrown produce to a food shelf

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Food shelves are vital resources for keeping our communities nourished. As a gardener, you can positively contribute to your community by donating fresh produce from your garden. As food shelf visits remain at record highs, with over 9...