winter

Interesting facts about winter

The winter solstice marks the first day of winter. For people residing in the Northern Hemisphere, Tuesday, December 21, 2021, heralds the official arrival of winter (the Southern Hemisphere's winter solstice is on Sunday, June 20). Though it's common to think of the winter solstice as an event...

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...

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...

Tip: Fall prep for winter

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Pull out annual flower and vegetable plants and compost. Clearing off these dead plants reduces the potential for pests in your garden next year and lessens work next spring. Wait to do any pruning till spring when you see buds swelling....

Skin cancer still poses a threat in winter

Skin cancer may be something on the minds of beachgoers and summer revelers frolicking around the pool. After all, when the sun is blazing hot and one's skin reddens after mere minutes outside, it's hard to ignore the potential for skin damage. But summer isn't the only time of year that skin must...

The deer ate my blueberry bush!

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Deer frequent my backyard hoping to find tasty garden treats. If the wildlife scene in your neighborhood is anything like mine, the only way to keep deer and rabbits off of your fruit plants is some sort of physical protection. If I don...

Preparing your vegetable garden for fall

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Fagiolina del Trasimeno cowpeas saved from my garden this year Fall is an abundant and satisfying season in the garden. Your hard work throughout the season has produced a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Flowers continue to bloom...

How to help houseplants survive a long winter

As fall gradually gives way to winter, gardeners expend ample energy preparing their flowers and plants for the months ahead. Plants may be pruned to increase the likelihood that they will return in full bloom come the spring, while lawns may be aerated so cool-season grasses can get the nutrients...

Fresh veggies are not exclusive to spring and summer

Spring and summer may be the seasons most often associated with gardening. But people who love to grow their own vegetables can do so even when the weather outside is frightful. Various vegetables thrive in cool temperatures. The home and garden experts at HGTV note that some winter vegetables are...