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

Plan ahead to prevent plant diseases in the garden

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Illustration by Urban Ecosystems & Stardust Interactive As the weather warms up and we enter the growing season, there are many simple, effective precautions you can take to reduce disease pressure in your garden. Our team has...

Technology to help your sprinkler system for this upcoming year

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu How to make your irrigation system “smart” As irrigation systems and sprinklers continue to be turned on, we want to let everyone know of some technologies that may help you use water more efficiently this year. To begin, not everyone in...

Gardening with non-invasive plants

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Gardening season is here and after two years in my home I feel motivated to put some time into planting beyond the vegetable garden. But I’m pretty intimidated by all the options. What should I plant? Where should I plant it? Where can...

New Extension resource for pollinator friendly landscapes

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Red splendor crabapple is a magnet for bees when in bloom. We often think about annual and perennial flowers where we think about pollinator friendly plants. However, trees and shrubs also provide food as well as habitat and...

Did you know?

Without pollinators, more than 100 crops grown in the United States would not be able to thrive. Plants, including various fruits, vegetables, nuts and more, rely on pollinators to ensure to transport pollen. Though many plants are self-pollinating and others are pollinated by the wind or water,...

First weekly vegetable update of 2021! 5/13

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Summer is here, and so begin weekly vegetable updates. In this series I'll provide an overview of things we're seeing in the field, a crop report, and issues to anticipate in the coming week. If you're seeing interesting things in your...

Lawn watering and fertilizing techniques

A lush, green lawn is a sight to behold. Many variables are involved in growing and maintaining grass, and water and fertilizer are among the most important components. Knowing how much water and fertilizer to apply and when to apply it can make a big difference in the appearance and health of a...

Ask Extension: Where can I buy native plants?

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Prairie smoke Native plants are a great addition to any landscape. They are adaptable, provide a wide diversity of color, bloom time, form and texture. And they benefit important pollinators and other insects and animals. As in all...

Prevent common garden insects before they cause problems

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Lifecycle of the diamondback moth. Illustrator: Martha Sudderth There are many common insects that show up each year in our vegetable gardens. While we have plenty of strategies to prevent these insects from eating our veggies, they are...

Use pesticides and fertilizers safely

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Let’s strive for no-pesticide landscapes in 2021! We always advise using the strategies of integrated pest management (IPM) such as: planting the right plant in the right place, scouting and identifying pests, determining if damage is...