gardening

The Sky Dance Plant Swap will place April 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Green Island in Wadena. Interested participants may swap anything related to horticulture, gardening, farming, or foods ( plant cuttings, divisions, seeds, potted plants, house plants, natives, produce, gardening...

The definition of a weed is any plant growing where it is not wanted. However, there is a very large classification of plants which are weeds and if not controlled will take over a garden. If you look at the root systems of these plants they are usually massive for the size of the...

This is my last article for this season and I would like to write about trees and their care. Trees shade homes and tree-filled yards make life pleasant and provide practical benefits. They help lower heating and air conditioning costs and increase the re-sale value of homes. When...

Making a glass terrarium this time of year will help ease the hurt of the past weeks' harsh frosts. They are unique, easy to make, easy to care for, and the live plants give a sense of tranquility. Terrariums are a miniature garden under glass, which need very little care and only...

The chrysanthemums breeding program at the University of Minnesota is one of the oldest public sector breeding programs in the world, and the only one in North America. One of their experiment stations for mums is located in Grand Rapids, Minn., and is a definite zone 3. Beginning...

Eating and drinking food outdoors in late summer often results in an invasion of flying insects. People often think these are bees, but usually these uninvited guests are yellow jackets. Yellow jackets will make a gray paper-like nest in the air, in the brick or siding on your house...

August is the month when we need to make decisions about the plants in our flower beds. With the abundant rainfall this season, our plants have often expanded their boundaries, not only with blossoms, but their foliage is thick and lush and green. So many perennials probably need...

Slugs can best be described as snails without shells. They are a type of mollusk, related to clams and oysters. Slugs are soft-bodied, generally brownish or grayish in color with their eyes on stalks. They vary in size from 1/4 inch to more than two inches. As they move, they secrete...

There are two things necessary in creating a successful butterfly garden. First, the adult butterflies are seeking nectar which they need for food, and second, a host plant, the place where the female will lay her eggs and which will supply food for the caterpillars (butterfly larvae)...

Sweet potato vines have become a very popular colored foliage plant to use in container gardens, borders and flower beds in recent years. Some of the commonly grown varieties of foliage vines are: Blackie, with deep purple to nearly black foliage; Marguerite, which has bold chartreuse...

The heat of the summer is upon us and the ascent of a flower stalk puts a bitter end to a sweet crop of lettuce and/or radishes. So what happens in these vegetables so that they can not be enjoyed all season? The obvious answer is that they turn bitter or woody and bolt. So what causes...

Fuchsias work well in hanging baskets with their beautiful delicate exotic flowers. The dangling habit and teardrop shape of the flowers gave rise to the popular name "ladies' eardrop." Fuchsias are low-growing bushes or sometimes tree-like plants. Most fuchsias are native to South...

Minnesota is blessed with many colorful and helpful birds which many people spend a lot of time and money to attract to their backyard. There are three basic elements which will invite birds to your backyard. They need food, water and shelter in order to survive and raise a family....