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

January garden checklist

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Mystery of the month The snow melts, and you notice something is off with your lawn. What could be causing the turf near your sidewalks or other impermeable surfaces to die? The solution is at the bottom of this article. Pests and...

Winter pruning basics: What you can (and shouldn’t) cut now

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu January in Minnesota may feel like a gardening lull, but it’s prime time for one important task: dormant pruning. When trees and shrubs are bare, it’s easier to see their structure and make clean cuts that promote health and productivity....

Sustainable gardening trends for 2026

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu As Minnesota gardeners look ahead to 2026, one thing is clear: sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s becoming the backbone of modern gardening. From no-till methods to composting and creating wildlife-friendly landscapes, these trends...

Selecting trees to plant this spring

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu As we plan for 2026, now is the time to consider which trees and shrubs to plant in the coming spring and to order the varieties we want. As we have learned from Dutch elm disease, which killed American elms, and the emerald ash borer,...

Boosting the safety of Minnesota’s cottage food marketplace

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Autumn Stoll guides a cottage foods safety trainee on pH testing. Cottage foods are an important part of Minnesota agriculture. With more than 10,000 registered cottage food producers in the state, this micro-producer industry is...

December garden checklist

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Mystery of the month Why isn’t this holiday cactus blooming? The solution is at the bottom of this article. Pests and diseases Read the instructions on any deicing salt containers before applying them to your driveways,...

Your holiday plant survival guide

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Poinsettia come in a variety of colors. The holidays aren’t just about glitter and garland; they’re about those beautiful plants that make your home feel festive and warm—but keeping them healthy beyond the season? That’s where a little...

Forestry for Minnesota birds

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Saw-whet owl. Photo: Ryan Pennesi A groundbreaking study documenting the widespread decline of bird populations across almost all species and habitats in North America revealed that since 1970, 2.9 billion birds — approximately 29% of...

Applying composted manure to your fields? Remember to think about food safety.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Animal-based soil amendments such as composted manure and poultry litter can build the soil organic matter and water hold capacity of your soil. You may be applying them now. Fall is a great time to do that, as it can be better for food...

3 ways to support food shelves in Minnesota

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Food shelves are vital community resource hubs for people experiencing hunger, and they are under unprecedented pressure. In 2024, Minnesota food banks hit a new record high of nearly 9 million visits. This year’s government shutdown and...