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

Wild edibles: Common blue violets

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Wild violets come in over 100 different varieties. Although they all are edible, some are more palatable than others. The common blue violet is the most harvested. Flowers have 5 petals and a symmetrical, butterfly shape with varying hues...

Gradually expose houseplant to more sunshine.

Tip: Gradually give houseplants more sunlight.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Houseplants can become sunburned or bleached looking when exposed to too much sun too fast. When moving your houseplants outdoors for the summer, start by locating them in a shady, protected site. Over the next couple of weeks, gradually...

Should you add microbial soil amendments to your garden?

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu When rhizobia form symbiotic relationships with legume roots, they form nodules on the roots. Nodules should be slightly pink, which indicates that the bacteria are alive and fixing nitrogen. Take a look at the supplies sections of seed...

Preparing for the emergence of Japanese beetles in fruit crops

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Japanese beetles (JB) will begin emerging from the soil in Minnesota around the 3rd or 4th week of June. At this time, fruit growers should prepare their management strategies for JB and make any necessary purchases to control them. This...

Heat-Loving Pests

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu While the prolonged heat is testing irrigation systems and human endurance, some insects are thriving. Here’s a rundown of three pests whose populations boom during periods of hot, dry weather. The pests themselves are small in size and...

Weekly vegetable update 6/2/2021

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu The main story this week was frosty temperatures across the state, and a lot of last minute row cover applications. While many farmers made it through the night(s) without much damage, I got reports of major losses for growers in the...

Testing your farm's water this spring - tips to save money and do it right

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Don't forget one of the most important parts of making sure you are producing safe food this season - testing your water for bacterial contamination. If you have not yet, spring and early summer is a great time to test your farm's water...

Weekly Fruit Update - June 2, 2021

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu This week's fruit crop update includes: Blueberries - leaf reddening, freeze impacts Strawberries - freeze mitigation and impacts, fungicide application Apples - Late thinning options Grapes - Tasks to do during and after bloom ...

Wild edibles: Garlic mustard

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Welcome to our summer series on wild edibles! Each week we will introduce you to a wild-grown edible plant and talk about the importance of proper identification, sustainability and etiquette when bringing wild-harvested plants to your...

Sudex: Summer soil builder

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Sudex can grow very tall in agricultural settings. Early June is a great time to consider planting summer cover crops. Lettuce rows or other early spring vegetable beds might be prime locations to sow these plants. Unproductive areas or...