plants

Did you know?

Homeowners should give due consideration to whether or not plants are considered invasive species before introducing new plants on their properties. According to the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration, invasive species of plants can lead to the extinction of native plants and animals....

Choose containers with good drainage

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu It’s fun to hunt for new containers for plants. Choose pots that have at least one drainage hole. If you recycle or upcycle containers for plants — I like to use olive oil containers for basil plants — be sure to use a nail and hammer to...

Plants can add winter interest to your landscape

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu When selecting a new plant, consider how it will add interest to your winter landscape. As you are perusing catalogs and websites and start to visit garden centers this spring, remember to consider what a plant can bring to your winter...

Reblooming plants reflect the growing season

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Lilacs blooming out of season are referred to as being "remontant." Photo: Allan Paul Eilen This year, as last year, Extension had a fair number of calls and emails from homeowners asking why they have seen lilacs blooming in late...

Plant pathology basics: Some plants are diseased, which ones are now at risk?

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Now that most of the state has gotten rain in that last week, vegetable diseases that have been held back by the drought are rearing up. The appearance of any disease often prompts questions about how far that disease can spread and what...

Coming clean on soap in the garden

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Aphids are good candidates for control with soap. Any place gardeners gather to talk about plants, there will be talk of soap. Dish soap and water are often referred to as the holy grail for managing insects from aphids to Japanese...

Plants that can keep bugs away from outdoor living spaces

Outdoor living spaces have become increasingly popular among homeowners in recent years, and that popularity grew even more over the last year. As social distancing guidelines issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic encouraged people to stay home as much as possible, a desire for accessible,...

Gardening with non-invasive plants

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Gardening season is here and after two years in my home I feel motivated to put some time into planting beyond the vegetable garden. But I’m pretty intimidated by all the options. What should I plant? Where should I plant it? Where can...

First weekly vegetable update of 2021! 5/13

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Summer is here, and so begin weekly vegetable updates. In this series I'll provide an overview of things we're seeing in the field, a crop report, and issues to anticipate in the coming week. If you're seeing interesting things in your...

Ask Extension: Where can I buy native plants?

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Prairie smoke Native plants are a great addition to any landscape. They are adaptable, provide a wide diversity of color, bloom time, form and texture. And they benefit important pollinators and other insects and animals. As in all...