outdoors

Fall maintenance tips for a healthier spring lawn

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Vole damage in a lawn In Minnesota, we can usually expect fall to come at the end of September or beginning of October. Fall freeze dates can start as early as September 22, which means the air temperatures drop to 32 degrees F....

Preserving winter squash and pumpkins

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Pumpkins and squash can be preserved for later use by freezing, canning or drying. They should have a hard rind and stringless mature pulp. Small size pumpkins (sugar or pie varieties) make better products. Freezing Freezing is the only...

Understanding how to use a compass

Global positioning systems have revolutionized the way people get from point A to point B. Utilizing satellites and orbital data, GPS devices can ping these satellites and compute location anywhere on the planet. GPS-enabled maps are used in smartphones, car navigation systems and elsewhere. But...

Tips for buying hiking footwear

Nothing can cut a hiking excursion short faster than a blister, ankle injury or uncomfortable shoes. Novice hikers may not think twice about footwear before hitting the trails, but a good pair of hiking shoes or boots can make all the difference between an enjoyable experience or one cut short by...

Making jams, marmalades, preserves and conserves

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Jams, marmalades, preserves and conserves are fruit products preserved by sugar. These products differ in gel consistency, ingredients and how the fruit is prepared. They are easy to make at home. Jams are made from crushed or ground fruit...

Another invasive insect confirmed in Minnesota

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed that European chafer (Amphimallon majale) has been found for the first time in the state. This invasive insect is a severe pest of turfgrass. First found in the U.S. in New York...

Explore nature in your backyard and beyond

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu We've gathered a list of Extension sponsored activities as well as opportunities from recommended sources to give you and your family ideas for fun and educational things to do at home, nearby, inside or outside. Get outside Forest...

Kits bring 4-H learning home for the summer

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu From stomp rockets to tasty peppers, 4-H summer interns helped provide youth screen-free opportunities to explore, discover and be inspired. In a year when everything went sideways, one constant remains: 4-H is providing hands-on learning...

Harvesting and storing home garden vegetables

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu One of the joys of summer is homegrown sweet corn, picked right outside your back door and plopped straight into a pot of boiling water or onto the grill. The advantage of having a home garden is that you can pick and savor your...

Planting vegetables in midsummer for fall harvest

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Quick facts Know the average first frost date in your area will help you calculate when to plant these late vegetables. Some vegetables will tolerate some frost and keep growing even when temperatures are in the low forties. Others cannot...