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

Weekly vegetable update 5/21/2025

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu What a change weatherwise! When we wrote last week things felt like mid-July, while this week things feel like Mid-March. In the south metro we’re seeing flooded fields, while in the northern and western parts of the state, the rain has...

Troubleshooting seedling issues

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu While we hope your seedlings are healthy and vigorous, some of you are likely seeing some common problems such as seedling collapse, or tall, spindly plants. This guide is meant to help you troubleshoot issues. Poor germination If...

May garden checklist

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Perplexed about your peonies? Lawn got you down? Tune into our WCCO Radio “Smart Gardens” show on Saturdays, 8-9 a.m., for answers to your lawn and garden questions. Dial in AM 830 on your radio or ask your smart speaker. Or listen to ...

The risks of pesticides to pollinators

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Pesticides used to kill pests, diseases, and weeds can harm pollinators and other beneficial insects. They can remove important flowers (food) and impact bee reproduction, navigation and memory. Exposure to pesticides can also multiply the...

Northern forests of the future

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Doug and Julie Kmoch stop to look at understory plants after checking on the trees they have planted since buying the Cook County property. Volunteers help identify, cultivate trees expected to thrive in warmer woodlands When ice...

Wash/pack design ideas with supplies list and instructions

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Dedicated packing areas are an essential part of food safe produce handling on the farm. Let’s look at common reasons for building a pack area and key features that must be included in any design. Why build a packing area? Packing...

Fruit Update - May 7, 2025

This fruit update contains information about… Apples Growth stage update: pink- bloom. Considerations for fruit thinning during bloom Grapes Growth stage update: Early-season shoot thinning. Raspberries Raspberry cane diseases Honeyberries Growth stage update: bloom, and pollination...

Building biodiversity in your forest: Cavity trees, snags, and deadwood

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Pine tree with cavity drilled by a woodpecker. Photo: Dale Wade, Rx Fire Doctor, Bugwood.org Forests are home to many species of trees, plants, and wildlife. A healthy mix of species helps forests withstand stress, which is essential as...

Crop planning deep dive: sweet corn

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Choosing varieties & when to plant Consistent sweet corn emergence is more likely when seeds are planted when the soil is warm enough. Photo: Marissa Schuh, University of Minnesota Extension. While regular field corn...

Crop planning deep dive: pondering potatoes

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Our biweekly crop by crop growing season prep series continues. This week we are digging into potatoes. Cutting seed: impacts on yield, tuber size, and disease pressure Due to the warm spring weather, many growers are getting ready to...