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Almost time to plant potatoes in Minnesota

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu If you’ve lived through more than one Minnesota spring, you’ve learned not to trust the calendar, no matter what tradition says. A lot of gardeners rely on the adage: Good Friday is potato-planting day, if the weather allows. Some years...

Tips to manage a family schedule with greater efficiency

The average twenty-first century family is quite busy, with each individual family member having their own responsibilities and social lives. According to Aspen Institute's National State of Play 2024, nearly 40 percent of children in the United States between the ages of six and 17 regularly...

Scouting for invasive species this fall

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu The leaves of common buckthorn and other invasive plants remain bright green well into the fall, making them easy to spot. Photo: Steven Katovich, Bugwood.org. Fall is a beloved time of year for many Minnesotans, and for good reason! We...

Signs it's time to replace gutters

Home improvement projects run the gamut from complex undertakings like room additions to simpler renovations like a new front door. Some home renovations excite homeowners more than others, but all improvements are a way to make a home safer, more comfortable and/or more functional. A gutter...

March 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 ...

Fall is a good time to remove buckthorn

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Common buckthorn. Photo: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood If you're dealing with invasive buckthorn on your property, now is the perfect time to take action. Mid to late fall is ideal for applying herbicide, as the...

Families can make the most of summer's end

It seems like just yesterday people were heralding the arrival of summer. After many months of fickle weather, summer's warm temperatures and ample sunshine can be that hug from Mother Nature people need. But soon summer will be coming to an end, making room for apples, corn and pumpkin spice. Even...

Time to remove flowering weeds

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu After a rainy growing season, many growers have probably wished they could turn off the rain. There is one type of rain that growers can partially control-- weed seed rain. Every time a weed goes to seed, dozens to thousands of seeds...

What can you plant in mid July?

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu With the early warmth and heavy rains this summer, you may have gaps in your vegetable garden for a few reasons. Maybe you’ve finished harvesting your early spring vegetables, or perhaps certain things didn’t germinate as well as you...

How it pays to spend time in nature

Few things can be as distracting as a beautiful day. When the weather outside is welcoming, it can be hard to focus on indoor activities, including work and tasks around the house. Though it's not advisable to ignore responsibilities at work and at home when the weather outside beckons, it can be...