water

Are rodents and bunnies nibbling your zucchini more than usual this year?

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu In periods of prolonged drought, you might be seeing more nibbles, chew marks and other signs of animal intrusion in your produce fields. Animals are seeking water, just like our plants, in the hot and dry conditions. Some farmers and...

Water quality during the drought - using surface water safely

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Many regions of the state are in moderate to severe drought, which is impacting water tables and wells. Are you seeing changes to your water table or wells running dry? Are you making changes on your farm because of a dropping water table...

Sanitizer in produce wash water - can it improve shelf life of greens?

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu While not all produce should be washed during postharvest handling, many items need to be washed to remove soil or to hydrocool to remove field heat from product. It is a best practice use a sanitizer in bulk tanks of wash water to...

Allow some browning in lawns to conserve water

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Kentucky bluegrass lawn entering a drought-induced dormancy. This lawn will green up when it rains and soil moisture is replenished. In Minnesota, we can usually rely on rain to provide adequate moisture for lawns. But the past couple...

What are rip currents?

Accidents and injuries may be the furthest thing on a person's mind while he or she is having fun on the water. However, safety must be a priority when spending time in bodies of water like oceans and lakes. People who live near oceans and rivers year-round may be familiar with the various ways to...

Testing your farm's water this spring - tips to save money and do it right

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Don't forget one of the most important parts of making sure you are producing safe food this season - testing your water for bacterial contamination. If you have not yet, spring and early summer is a great time to test your farm's water...

Technology to help your sprinkler system for this upcoming year

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu How to make your irrigation system “smart” As irrigation systems and sprinklers continue to be turned on, we want to let everyone know of some technologies that may help you use water more efficiently this year. To begin, not everyone in...

Simple safety tips for water sports enthusiasts

Bodies of water like lakes, rivers and oceans often elicit fond memories of fun times spent under the sun. Safety should always be a priority when spending time on the water, especially when participating in water sports, including swimming and water skiing. According to the World Health...

Lawn watering and fertilizing techniques

A lush, green lawn is a sight to behold. Many variables are involved in growing and maintaining grass, and water and fertilizer are among the most important components. Knowing how much water and fertilizer to apply and when to apply it can make a big difference in the appearance and health of a...

Adding plants to water features

Water features can make for relaxing and eye-catching additions to outdoor spaces. According to the online gardening resource Garden Know-How, a water feature is any landscape enhancement that uses water and other material to bring tranquility and beauty to a space. Thanks to their soothing sounds...