Growing Smarts

What are those nasty things, and what do I do now?

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:46:00 GMT

Janelle Daberkow, Stearns County Horticultural Extension Educator, reports many queries about wriggling disgusting masses of caterpillars infesting trees around the area. Yes, tent caterpillars are back. Now, what to do about them?

Take a Look Around You

Fri, 11 May 2012 17:06:00 GMT

It’s time to stop and smell the roses. Well no, roses are not blooming yet even though this a really early spring for them. I mean just look up from your outdoor maintenance chores--- getting the lawn in shape, preparing the veggie plot, trimming and pruning whatever---and enjoy what is already on offer in the beauty department if you only take the time .

Leaves Of Three, Let It Be?

Tue, 08 May 2012 16:30:00 GMT

Remember that old Scout mantra from the woodlore badge? I’m thinking of it since a friend has been plagued by poison ivy at the Lake, but is confused by which plant is giving the grief. The confusion is understandable. In my own backyard I noted THREE different plants with leaves of three and she sent me a photo of another, yet different one too.

What to Do with Your Lawn RIGHT NOW!

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:20:00 GMT

We’ve got it now, some rain, some warm weather, lots of pretty flowers, it’s time to start enjoying spring. It says something about the nature of spring in Minnesota that up until now, I have been worrying about a retreat back to winter, but that’s just me I guess. The last week in April, surely I can count on it now?

Seasonal Scents

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:05:00 GMT

A rose by any other name may smell as sweet, but how about the Easter lily?

It's Not Too Late!

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:35:00 GMT

Has the garden bug bitten yet? Here’s just the thing for it.

There and Back Again

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:52:00 GMT

I’m back! Oh, you didn’t realize I was gone -- well, I was. I’m back from southern climes full of vim and vigor and eager for a new season. And I can prove it.

MAWG Alert!

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:34:00 GMT

I laughed out loud at the newest garden ‘controversy’ chronicled in the Home+Garden section of the Star Tribune paper earlier this month. It is supposedly between the urban hip, organic-vegetable-growing, twenty-something blogging male and the MAWG, the middle-aged woman gardener, aka, the ornamental garden fetishist.

What's New in the Green World

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:00:00 GMT

Hello, Everyone. It’s a new year, it’s a new climate—how ‘bout this weather?—and I have lots of new things in the garden world to share with you.

Alternative Holiday Plants

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:41:00 GMT

Maybe you have embraced an outside-the box approach to holiday plants. In addition to new colors on the old standby poinsettia there are many beauties from which to choose. These are great for decoration and good for gifts.