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

Tip: Do your holiday shopping locally

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu During this season of giving, support our local economy and by shopping close to home. Purchase food and beverages from Minnesota farms, breweries, wineries, restaurants and speciality shops. Look for gifts that are unique to Minnesota and...

Watch for pests in holiday greens

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Our partners at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) publish the Plant Pest Insider newsletter. The November 24 edition includes information on spotting and reporting the following pests that are commonly found this time of year...

Tips to keep your tree fresh this holiday season

Christmas trees are often the pièce de résistance of holiday decor. Few things draw the attention of holiday guests quite like an awe-inspiring Christmas tree, especially when that tree maintains its fresh, healthy sheen throughout December. Many families purchase fresh trees over Thanksgiving...

Holiday gift ideas for your favorite gardener

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu As is tradition, our Extension horticulture team members from around the state have come up with their favorite gift ideas for the gardeners in your life. We wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season! Grow lights Providing...

Mark your calendars: winter farmer-to-farmer online resilience series

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Join UMN Extension and Land Stewardship Project for a series of online forums this winter to address resiliency on our farms. From the changing climate to the external and internal pressures impacting our farms, our strength lies in...

Cover strawberries with straw for the winter

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Strawberry plants covered in leaves for the winter Temperatures have been slightly above average for much of the fall, but it is finally time to cover your strawberries for winter. Before snow covers the ground, cover your strawberry...

Keep growing all winter with hydroponics

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu A deep water culture hydroponics system can be as simple as a bucket with a foam board top. As our gardens freeze over, many of us still have the gardening bug. Hydroponics, or growing plants in water, is a great way to keep growing...

‘Tis the season: Use deicing salts with care

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu More is not better in the case of deicing salts! Every year, we remind people about the careful use of deicing salts and how they affect our landscapes. Slippery conditions can be treacherous on our streets, driveways, sidewalks and...

Ask Extension: Pruning hydrangeas

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu H. paniculata ‘Little Lamb’ cascades over the author’s timber wall. Question: I moved into a new house with some gorgeous hydrangeas. When is the best time to prune them? Answer: When to prune hydrangeas is a common question and the...

Tip: Don't forget your bulbs

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Life gets busy and sometimes spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils get forgotten on the potting bench. While not ideal, you can still plant them as long as the soil is not frozen. Hardy bulbs need a cold period (think winter) in order to...