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

Tips to pick the perfect Christmas tree

Christmas trees are among the most recognizable symbols of the holiday season, and the popularity of trees is undeniable. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, approximately 25 to 30 million real Christmas trees are sold in the United States each year. Christmas trees also are big...

Holiday wreath dos and don'ts

No greenery is more recognized during the holiday season than Christmas trees. However, wreaths likely take a close second to towering evergreens when it comes to green holiday decor. It is important to treat wreaths with care in order to maximize their longevity and beauty. The following tips can...

Why the Cass County EAB discovery is so important

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu This October, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) announced that emerald ash borer (EAB) had been confirmed in southeast Cass County, near Remer. This is an important announcement. Landowners need to be aware of the threat EAB...

Lemon cuckoo bumble bees make sour house guests

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Male lemon cuckoo bumble bee Late summer to early fall is a great time of year to observe bumble bees. Sunflowers and goldenrods are still blooming and buzzing with activity. A few months ago, I spotted dozens of bumbles feasting on a...

Snow mold prevention begins in autumn

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Snow mold is common during years when an early, deep snow cover prevents the soil from freezing. As the snow begins to melt in the spring, matted circular straw-colored patches of grass appear in lawns. The fungi that cause snow mold...

Woodland species spotlights: Tulip tree, tri-colored bat, Virginia creeper and spotted cucumber beetle

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu With Halloween decorations up and bats on the brain, we decided to do a species spotlight that includes some “creepy” critters from the natural world. The plant species in this spotlight are found in the list of Recommended trees and...

Exploring African plants

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu University of Minnesota collaboration on traditional plants broadens to include more farmers and gardeners from African nations. Most Minnesota gardeners and farmers have never heard of jute mallow. Nor kittley. Nor spider wisp. But there...

Veterans of nature

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteers who served in the armed forces help fellow veterans connect with the outdoor world They probably seemed an unlikely crew — a handful of seniors, some with walkers, trooping through tall grass at Gray...

Oak wilt status: SAFE

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu A young 'Majestic Skies'TM Northern pin oak (Quercus elipsoidalis) What does it mean when we say “Oak wilt status is SAFE”? Oak wilt is a debilitating fungal disease that can kill all species of oaks quickly. It spreads by sap...

Houseplant hitchhikers: Mealybug

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu A female mealybug amongst cottony egg masses on an orchid stem Mealybugs have taken up residence on the underside of this saucer. And suddenly it’s fall! Time to start bringing in those houseplants that have thrived outdoors over the...