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Gardening by the Month

Shrubs With Fall Fireworks

As the crisp air of autumn settles over Minnesota, the landscape transforms into a vibrant canvas of fiery reds, golden yellows, and deep oranges. While the towering maples and oaks often steal the spotlight, a stunning variety of fall color shrubs add rich layers and texture to the seasonal display. From the brilliant red foliage of the red chokeberry to deep purple leaves of the Flaviramea yellow stem dogwood, these hardy shrubs not only thrive in Minnesota’s climate but also bring dramatic fireworks of color to gardens, parks, and natural areas. Their dazzling hues and low-maintenance nature make them a must-have for anyone looking to extend the beauty of fall well into the season. Read this article to see which shrubs shine bright in the fall.

Shrubs With Fall Fireworks

September - Seed Saving

Seed saving is a fun and rewarding experience—especially when you see the fruits of your labor the following year! We are approaching harvest time in Minnesota, so now is the perfect time to think about harvesting seeds. Read this article for some tips to help make your seed saving productive!

September - Seed Saving

Autumn Abundance: Fall Porch Pots

As your summer plants dwindle and spindle, fall is the perfect time to refresh your front porch with a fun fall planter. The best part? You can create a beautiful autumn display by salvaging some of your existing plants and adding a few fall-friendly plants. In this article, learn how to use your existing plants and new fall plants to add some cheer and beauty to your garden.

Autumn Abundance: Fall Porch Pots

Pumpkin Power: Creative Uses for October’s Harvest

Pumpkin Power: Creative Uses for October’s Harvest

Picking the Perfect Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin

Picking out and carving pumpkins is a favorite family activity in October. Read on for tips about how to choose and carve your pumpkins and what to do with all those seeds.

Picking the Perfect Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin

Don’t Let the Snow (or Lack of) Determine Next Year’s Blooms

It’s October and soon the winter snow will be here, or will it be? We all remember the “lost winter of 2023-2024” when Minnesota received record warmth and lack of snow. Just as a super cold winter can damage your plants, so can a super warm, snowless winter. This article explains why these extreme temperature variations can harm your plants and what you can do to protect them. October is the time to prepare your plants for the winter!

Don’t Let the Snow (or Lack of) Determine Next Year’s Blooms

Making Something Lovely After the Blooms Have Faded

It’s October in Minnesota and most of your plants are no longer blooming. It’s always a bit sad to see your colorful garden fade for the season. But many of these flowers leave behind lovely seed pods or lovely flowers heads. This article shows you how you can take dried plants from your garden and turn them into a beautiful wreath to enjoy inside.

Making Something Lovely After the Blooms Have Faded

October - “Fall”ing for Compost

October - “Fall”ing for Compost

November - Creative Uses for Plants Beyond their Prime

When we put our Northern gardens to bed for winter, sometimes we just want to be done: move our growing indoors for the winter, or even take a break from growing entirely! But there are fun and useful things we can do instead of just cutting, pulling and tossing into the compost. Plants can provide us with usefulness and beauty even when they are no longer growing.

November - Creative Uses for Plants Beyond their Prime

You Fall Garden Clean Up Check List

The garden growing season may be over but before you put your feet up and sip your hot cider, there are a few things you should do to clean up and prepare your garden for winter. Fall garden clean up provides multiple benefits for both you and your garden. Here are twelve tasks you should consider to tuck your garden in for the winter.

You Fall Garden Clean Up Check List

Make a Cayenne Pepper Wreath for the Holidays

It’s a great idea to grow vegetables in your garden to eat and share. But some vegetables lend themselves to other creative uses. Read this article to learn how to make a beautiful and useful holiday wreath with cayenne peppers.

Make a Cayenne Pepper Wreath for the Holidays

Alternatives to a Christmas Tree: A Greener Christmas

How many times have you seen dead, dry Christmas trees next to the road? Sometimes they just stay there, sometimes the city picks them up. But there are greener alternatives. Read on for some creative ideas.

Alternatives to a Christmas Tree:  A Greener Christmas
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