Gardening ideas & tips for the average gardener.
Please submit photos, tips and ideas to:
Email submissions: business@thedrummer.com   in subject line: From the Ground Up
Mail submissions:
               From the Ground Up
               C/O The Drummer
               PO Box 159
               Buffalo MN 55313

*All photos & Submissions become the property of The WCJP & The Drummer. Your submission gives us the right to publish your information/photos.

From The Ground Up

Schedule cover crops into your rotation this year

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu One of the most common reasons for not using cover crops is that as the growing season progresses and people become busy, planting cover crops end up at the end of the to-do list each week. By scheduling cover crops into your rotation...

New irrigation resources for specialty crop growers

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Following the extreme drought conditions last summer, many growers are reconsidering their irrigation infrastructure. While long-term climate trends actually show our climate is becoming wetter, projections show an increased likelihood of...

Winter fruit webinars

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu The University of Minnesota Extension and WU-Madison Extension Fruit Team are hosting a weekly webinar series about fruit crops. The series includes topics about: Advanced Apple Production and Management Alternative Berry Production...

Tricks to keep floral arrangements fresh

Who doesn't enjoy receiving a fresh bouquet of flowers on a special occasion? Flowers traditionally are given for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, anniversaries, and other special events. While a beautiful bouquet can make a lovely gift, fresh flowers have finite lasting power. Recipients of floral...

Greenhouses effectively extend growing seasons

Modern, large-scale agriculture operations utilize various machines and technologies to provide products to consumers. Greenhouses are among the resources used to help plants thrive. Greenhouses are not a new phenomenon, even if today's incarnations have technological upgrades over their ancestors...

Say "Will you be mine?" with flowering plants

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Cut flowers are a good option for people who love flowers but don’t want to care for a live plant. We haven’t had much opportunity lately to actually be with people we love, except online. February 14 celebrates L-O-V-E as well as great...

What should you plant in your garden this year?

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu If you’ve been browsing through seed catalogs, you’ve likely noticed that the number of plant varieties to choose from can be overwhelming. How do you choose the best tomato or zinnia for your garden when you have 50+ options? We'll cover...

Caring for poinsettias

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Many people receive or buy poinsettias around the holidays. Growing and caring for poinsettia has tips for keeping these plants healthy year-round. Keep your plant in a bright window or under a grow light. Allow your plant to dry out...

It was our coldest January in eight years. Did the Japanese beetles die?

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu While people may choose to start their year out with all kinds of new year’s resolutions, insects only have one resolution: live long enough to reproduce. Winter survival is one hurdle in a bug reaching its goal. Many people assume, after...

Growing herbs inside is easy and healthy

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Minnesota winters can be tough, but that doesn’t have to stop you from growing herbs. Herbs can make meals more flavorful without having to add more salt. University of Minnesota Extension provides guidance to help anyone grow herbs...