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

Reasons for Small Fruit Size in Strawberries

Small fruit size in strawberries is a common occurrence in Minnesota berry farms. Troubleshooting the cause of the problem and addressing it will help ensure higher marketable yields and happy U-Pick customers. There are several potential causes of small or deformed strawberry fruit. These...

Horticulture Oils: Use and Safety

Horticultural oils are widely used to mitigate insect pests in a variety of settings such as ornamental trees, landscape plants, greenhouses, fruit trees, and orchards. But what are they, what are their appropriate uses, and what precautions should you take when using them? What are horticultural...

Emerald ash borer active now through Sept 1

Minnesota Department of Agriculture reports the emerald ash borer (EAB) to be active from May 1 through September 1. EAB is responsible for destroying millions of ash trees across the US including in Minnesota. MDA Certified Seal Some things you can do to prevent the spread of EAB: Do not...

Summer Snowflake: A late spring favorite!

Sad to see your tulip garden fading? Here's a late spring flowering bulb that's often overlooked for perennial gardens. Summer snowflake, Leucojum aestivum, band putting on looms in late May and can put on quite a show. It is a long-lasting perennial in the Amaryllis family, similar to daffodils,...

Tunnels and holes from moles and voles

If you have rodents making tunnels in your yard, it’s important to figure out which critter is the culprit so that you can use the proper management practices. Vole and mole damage look quite different from one another, so they should be easy to identify and then manage appropriately. In the home...

3 perennial gardening pointers

Gardening is an engaging hobby that can provide a host of benefits, some of which may surprise even the most devoted gardeners. For example, the Harvard Medical School notes that just 30 minutes of gardening activities burns 135 calories, making gardening a fun and simple way to incorporate more...

What can and cannot be composted

Avid gardeners know that compost can add vital nutrients to soil used in gardens, container plants and lawns. The fact that compost is so versatile and nutrient-dense may not even be its most admirable quality. Made from items used in and around the house, compost costs just about nothing to...

Cleaning and Sanitizing on the Farm for COVID - 19

Agricultural producers are working diligently to prepare their farms to plant, harvest and sell their food crops in a safe and healthy manner during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the most important way to minimize the spread of the SARS-Co-V-2 virus is via physical distancing and minimizing person...

Ask Extension: Can I get rid of Creeping Charlie without using chemicals?

Creeping Charlie Q: What's the best way to kill Creeping Charlie in large yards without using harmful chemicals? My concern is the health of my children, and my well and septic system. We have this over a large portion of our lawn. A: First, a few facts about Creeping Charlie: Creeping...

Purple Tansy: Pollinator power player & Cover crop

When I was an undergraduate, I studied abroad for six months in Stuttgart, Germany. While there at the University of Hohenheim, my friends and I would explore the Swabian countryside any chance we could get. I was struck by a sea of purple created by what's commonly called "purple tansy" or...