< Back Find Award-Winning Plants for Your Garden Julie Harris, Dakota County Master Gardener Aren’t we all interested in buying the best plants for our gardens; plants that will grow and prosper in our Minnesota growing conditions? There are many ways to research and find such plants. However, this article will discuss two sources of perennials and annuals that have won awards for their excellence in our region. Read this article to learn more about which plants the industry experts think are outstanding for our gardens. Minnesota gardeners are, of course, interested in planting the best perennials, annuals and edibles in their gardens. We all want our plants to be have characteristics like hardiness, disease and pest resistance, low-maintenance, beauty, and being pollinator-friendly. There are many ways to find plants that have these characteristics. You can research plants on websites like the University of Minnesota Extension and others. You can also go to the Dakota County Master Gardener annual plant sale every May for a reliable selection of plants. But this article will talk about two organizations who provide information about award winning plants in our region. The Perennial Plant Association and the All-America Selections are professional organizations whose purpose is to evaluate perennials and annuals for excellence and provide that information to you, the consumer. Perennials Perennial plants of the year have been named annually since 1990 by the Perennial Plant Association. The association is a non-profit organization made up of horticulture professionals from the United States and Canada. The professionals include growers, retailers, landscape designers, educators and others. Each summer, hundreds of these horticultural professionals vote for the Perennial Plant of the Year. The award is based on features such as: low-maintenance, pest and disease-resistance. You can find the winners on the association’s website . Search the winners by USDA Hardiness Zone and level of sunlight needed. Here are some winners in Zone 4: 2026: Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks,’ a big bluestem ornamental grass 2025: Pycnanthemum muticum, a clustered mountain mint 2024: Phlox paniculata ‘Jeana,’ a purple garden phlox 2023: Rudbeckia ‘American Gold Rush,’ a black-eyed susan 2022: Schizachyrium scoparium, Little Bluestem Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks Look for these and other winners at your local garden centers. Annuals All-America Selections (AAS) is an independent, non-profit organization that tests new, never-before-sold varieties of annuals and edibles for home gardeners. The mission of AAS is to identify new garden varieties that have superior performance and to provide that information to consumers. AAS was the brainchild of W. Ray Hastings, president of the Southern Seedsmen’s Association of Atlanta, Georgia, way back in 1932. The concept was to encourage seed companies to set up trial grounds throughout the United States, where varieties would be grown and judged by skilled, impartial judges. Currently, the trials are conducted in about 80 sites throughout the United States and Canada. The judges are volunteer professional horticulturists. Judges are asked to evaluate plants on a set of characteristics, such as: earliness, disease-resistance, uniqueness, etc. There are three types of awards: the standard AAS National Winner for varieties that achieve superior garden performance compared to other like varieties on the market; the AAS Regional Winner for varieties that perform well in specific regions; and the AAS Gold Medal Award, given only occasionally for a breeding breakthrough. AAS does not advertise its awards. Winners can be found in consumer magazines, newspaper articles, garden blogs, garden club bulletins and cooperative extension agents – and publications like the Garden Buzz. AAS also has nearly 200 display gardens in 55 locations around the country. In Minnesota, you can find AAS display gardens at the University of Minnesota, Falcon Heights, the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and at Central Lakes College in Staples, MN. You can access information about the winners on the AAS website . The website lists all of the historic winners and allows you to search the winners by category, year or region. For seed-buyers, the website helpfully provides the name of the breeder. Here are some winners from our region (Heartland) over the last six years: 2026 Tomato - BadaBing! F1 - Solanum lycopersicum – Breeder: Frogsleap Farm, distributed by A.P. Whaley Seed Company Tomato BadaBing 2025 Basil - Piedmont - Ocimum basilicum – Breeder: Garden Genetics/Seeds by DesignP 2025 Petunia - Dekko Maxx Pink - Petunia hybrida - Breeder: Syngenta Flowers Petunia Dekko Maxx Pink 2025 Nasturtium – Baby Gold – Tropaeolum minus - Breeder: Takii Europe 2025 Nasturtium - Baby Red - Tropaeolum minus - Breeder: Takii Europe 2025 Nasturtium - Baby Yellow - Tropaeolum minus - Breeder: Takii Europe 2025 Pepper – Pick-N-Pop Yellow – Capsicum annuum – Breeder: Semini Home Garden 2023 Tomato – Zenzei F1 - Solanum lycopersicum - Breeder: Bayer/Serminis 2022 Tomato – Pink Delicious - Solanum lycopersicum - Breeder: Bayer/Serminis Look for these plants at your local garden centers or search online for distributors from whom you can order seeds. Garden with the best! Picture credits: Ed Lyon, Midwest Groundcovers (1), All America Selections (2-3)

< Back Planning A Summer Cocktail or Mocktail Garden One of the joys of gardening is the after-the-gardening-day-is-over refreshment while sitting in or admiring your garden. Whether you prefer a cocktail or a mocktail, part of your garden plan can include great garnishes. Herbs such as basil, lemongrass, mint and many others add something to your garden refreshment and can easily be grown in your garden. This fun article discusses appropriate herbs and how to grow them. And stick around for the recipes at the end! Amanda Drews, Dakota County Master Gardener Whether you are into cocktails or mocktails, here’s some tips on how to grow some great garnishes for either in a small garden. Dry January is over and there might be a cocktail/mocktail (or two!) you’ve been dreaming about. It’s also that time of the year when gardeners get antsy to get back outside so we start making plans and over order seeds online so we have something to look forward to. I want you to take a moment and imagine your favorite summer beverages. Think about what kinds of plants you can grow in a small container at home to add to those drinks. I call this a “cocktail garden” because it sounds way fancier than “drink garden”. But I also use mine to grow ingredients for tea, lemonade, and even cake! Hop online or grab a cookbook and find some recipes for inspiration. Pick out a few versatile plants that could be used for multiple recipes or play around with ones you’ve never tried before. If you’d like to start your garden from seed this University of Minnesota Extension link has some tips for starting herbs indoors in late winter. Make sure your containers have proper drainage and use a soil with low nutrient content so your herbs can focus on maintaining their essential oils (instead of promoting rapid growth). Once they are outside, fertilize sparingly with a 5-10-5 commercial fertilizer only once over a growing season. For indoor container herbs, you can apply a liquid fertilizer every 6 weeks at half the recommendation on the label or for outdoor patio containers, every 3-4 weeks. If you’re looking for seeds, our lovely Master Gardener volunteers have created a seed library at the Farmington Library. If you want to check out what was put into the seed libraries last year, here’s a link to the 2025 Seed Library List pdf . Here are some small cocktail garden or patio plants to choose from: -Basil (Likes full sun and well-drained soil) -Mint (Good for Mojitos and Mint Juleps. Likes partial shade) -Lemon balm (Good for tea. Likes partial shade and dry soil) -Lemon grass (Good for iced tea. Likes moist soil) -Lemon verbena (Good in a lemon cake. You can’t drink on an empty stomach!) -Sage and Thyme (Muddle into drinks or make into a simple syrup) -Chamomile (Good for tea) -Lavender and Rosemary (Good for lemonade or make into a simple syrup) -Borage and Nasturtium (Purple and orange flowers for a garnish) -Jalapeños (Good for spicy margaritas) -Blueberries and Strawberries (Great as additions to many drinks) -Stevia (Grown as a sweetener) I’ve found I don’t need much for a small patio cocktail garden and wait until the plant sales in the Spring to buy individual plants. I use 2-3 stackable containers, each with 3 sections for pots. Consider which side of your container will be shaded and either add taller or shade tolerant herbs there and face your sun-lovers toward the light. Put moisture loving plants toward the bottom and plants that tolerate drier soil on the top level. Now you’ve got a stack of bodacious botanicals to choose from after a long day of gardening! Here are a couple of recipes to get you started. References: https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-herbs https://crowwingmastergardeners.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Plant-Guide-Herbs.pdf https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/libraries/Using/Seed/Documents/SeedLibraryInventory.pdf https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-basil https://extension.umn.edu/flowers/edible-flowers Picture credits: Amanda Drews (1-3)

< Back How to Deal with Pantry Pests Susan Ball, Dakota County Master Gardener If you have ever opened a bag of flour and found little black speck in it, you have experienced a common household problem – pantry pests. Any kind of dried food, especially flour, meal (example, cornmeal), and cereal, can become a home for pantry pests, which will contaminate all the food they touch. Read this article to learn about what these pests might be, how to prevent them and what to do if you find them in your flour! If you have ever opened a bag of flour and found little black speck in it, you have experienced a common household problem – pantry pests. Any kind of dried food, especially flour, meals (example, cornmeal), and cereal, can become a home for pantry pests, which will contaminate all the food they touch. Pantry pests are not picky. Although their preferred foods are grains, like flour, cereal and other processed food, nearly any food stored a room temperature can be a target. Dried fruits, beans, nuts and spices are favorites. Any open package is also a target, but these pests can get into unopened packages as well. The most common culprits are: moths and multiple types of beetles, cigarette, drugstore and saw-toothed beetles – and weevils. Confused Flour Beetle, found in flour, cereals, meal Rest assured, you did nothing to cause this problem! These pests come from granaries, warehouses and food processing plants. They travel from the grocery store to your home and are so tine – many are 1/8” in length or less – they can be difficult, if not impossible, to spot until they multiply, infesting your food. Merchant Grain Beetle, found in Cereals, pasta, flour, meal, nuts, cracked seeds, seed dust How to prevent infestations Prevention is the best cure. Check incoming groceries, including pet and bird food. Better yet, check packages in the grocery store before you buy! Look for packages that are not well sealed or have tiny holes. Avoid packages that have dents or scratches. Check the expiration date – the longer a product has been sitting around in the same place, the more likely it is to be infested. Also, the longer a product sits in your pantry the more likely it is to become infested. The answer is to buy small packages that you can use up in two to four months. Consider transferring target foods to glass, plastic or metal containers with airtight seals. They keep pests out much better than cardboard or foil. Or store products, like flour and other meals, in your refrigerator. How to you know if you have an infestation If you find a pest in an area where you don’t store food – especially in the summer when insects flourish – you probably don’t need to worry. But if they are on your counter or the floor near your pantry, it could be an early sign of pest infestation. What to do about it If you find a pest, throw away the box or package it is in. Check the products that were stored near it. If you can’t see the bottom of a package or box, pour the food onto a baking sheet and check it with a flashlight. Granary Weevil, found in Whole grains, rice, corn, millet, rye, beans, bird seed, and caked meal If you don’t find anything, the pest was likely an isolated incident. However, if you do find an infestation or even just a pest or two, do the following: Empty out your pantry Vacuum the shelves Wash down the shelves with soapy water Check each package and box before returning it to the shelf Don’t do the following: Apply bleach ammonia or pesticides – they don’t work and are dangerous if they contact food Spray the area with insecticides If you have concerns or want to be extra cautious, freeze the package or box for three to four days. Alternatively, you can heat the product in an oven at 140 degrees fahrenheit for two or three yours. Either method will kill any eggs or larvae. If you have survived an infestation – or want to be sure you never have one- clean your pantry shelves every three to six months, which has the extra benefit of helping you stay organized! References : https://extension.umn.edu/product-and-houseplant-pests/pantry-pests-insects-found-stored-food https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/packages/kitchen-fixes/everything-about-pantry-pests https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/common-pantry-pests-and-their-management https://extension.psu.edu/cereal-and-pantry-pests Picture Credits: Gary Alpert, Penn State Extension (1,2), University of Nebraska, Department of Entomology (3)

Gardening by the Month Happy Feathered Friends Is it important for us to take care of our feathered friends when the weather turns cold and the snow begins to fly? Yes it is, because birds play an important role in the ecosystem of our garden from weed and pest control to pollination and fertilization, plus birds are fun for all ages to watch. Now it’s time to help the birds stay strong and healthy throughout the Winter with only a few simple supplies needed. Read More Guarding the Gardener: Cold Injury Most Minnesotans spend the month of January by a nice warm fire, or at least by a nice warm TV. Not so, the avid gardener! There are things to do, last minute trimming, tipping a floribunda rose that you missed in October, cleaning up all those dead stalks that didn’t get clipped. But working outside in Minnesota in January can lead to cold injury. An unwary gardener can easily lose bits and pieces of his anatomy out in the yard if he's not respectful of the cold. Read this article to help yourself to keep safe in the winter “garden.” Read More January, A Perfect Time to Re-Design Your Landscape When January brings us huge snowdrifts and blustery winds do you think of Spring? Yes, it’s the perfect time to be thinking about your flower and vegetable gardens and begin making plans for re-designing your landscape. If you have these thoughts, then click on the link to learn more about basic landscape design concepts and current 2024 trends in landscaping. Read More Winter is a Perfect Time to Start Seeds On a chilly February day, the thought of blossoming flowers and growing vegetables seems like a far-off dream. Despite this, February is the perfect month to begin planning your summer garden and organizing a plan for indoor seed starting. Read this article to learn the why, what. how and when for starting your own plants. Read More February - Starting Seeds Indoors If you want to grow plants from seed for your garden this spring, February is the time to start – planning and planting. There is a little more to it than dropping a seed in soil. Read More Extend the Growing Season with Greenhouses The doldrums of winter are upon us and gardeners are drooling over seed catalogs and dreaming of fresh vegetables and riots of flower colors. But spring planting is still several months away. This is an excellent time to research gardening season extenders such as greenhouses, cold frames, and low tunnels. They could help you start your growing season sooner in the spring and last longer in the fall. To determine which one(s) will best meet your growing needs, there are some key questions you will want to ask yourself and information you’ll want to consider. This article explains the basics and provides helpful resources to move your from – that’s interesting to – I’d like to try that in my yard. Read More Lop & Lose While March is the ideal time to prune most trees and shrubs in your garden; note that it is NOT the time to prune those that bloom in the spring. Pruning your spring blooming trees and shrubs may kill blooms that are forming. These plants should be pruned right after they bloom in the spring. Read this article for valuable information about pruning some of your most beautiful spring blooming shrubs. Read More Seed Bombs - An Explosion of Color The calendar has turned to March and the excitement builds in anticipation for Spring, but wait, I can’t plant seeds outside yet. Don’t worry, DIY seed bombs are a great way to get your hands dirty and also introduce your children and grandchildren to a way of transforming a barren or hard to grow area of your yard into a beautiful flower spot. Read More Snowdrops for the Early Spring Garden Are you a gardener that loves to have flowering plants staggered throughout the growing season? Then perhaps you should consider planting snowdrops in your yard. They are the first spring bulb to bloom and they are known to pop up amongst the snow melt. They usually bloom before larger daffodils and tulips. Read More Master Gardener Seed Trials – Choose the Best Varieties It’s March and you may be thinking about starting vegetable or flower seeds for your garden this summer. First, you have to decide what to grow - beans, basil, zinnias, tomatoes? But there are several different varieties of each of these plants. So, how do you know what variety to plant? You can look through the seed catalogs or go to the garden store and peruse the many different varieties on the racks. Confused? The University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners can help. Read More I Forgot to Plant My Garlic in October! Planting Garlic in March Are you a garlic lover? Yes, you can buy it at the grocery store but garlic grown in your own garden is so good. Garlic is normally grown in late fall BUT not to worry, if you act quickly, you can plant garlic in March and harvest it in July. Read this article to learn more about planting garlic in the spring or the fall. Read More April is Here! No Worries - Quick Seed Germination The first day of spring has come and gone, but it is still too early to plant seeds outside and maybe too late to start seeds inside? Or is it? Let’s try this quick germination activity with the little ones in your life to get a jumpstart on your flower or vegetable garden. Read More 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 ... 6

Pollinators All About Those Bee Houses Bee house? Pollinator palace? Bug hotel? Check out some ideas for building pollinator real estate with the child in your life and find out why we may want to invite pollinators into our yards and gardens! Read More Aster and Hyssop – Pollinator Magnets One of the goals for many gardeners is to have plants blooming in the garden all season. With a little planning, Minnesota native plants can help you fulfill this challenge. But having blooms in your garden all season isn’t just aesthetically pleasing, blooming native flowers are a constant food source for pollinators. This article focuses on two late summer plants loved by pollinators - Asters and Hyssops. Read More Attracting Monarch and Swallowtail Butterflies to your garden One of the sweetest events in a Minnesota June, is the appearance of butterflies in the garden. These delicate creatures are not only astonishingly beautiful but a key link in a healthy environment. In this article, you will learn about the life cycles of two butterfly species - Monarch and Swallowtail; along with what plants to grow to encourage them to take up residence in your garden. Read More Bees - Friend or Foe? Is There a Way I Can Help? As the weather warms, we are faced with the question -” Are bees my friend or foe?” What is your first reaction when you see a bee? Do you stand still and watch in amazement as a bee flies around or do you wave your arms, scream and run the other way. Little eyes are watching our reaction so before you turn and run, let’s teach our children and grandchildren to respect bees and remember how important bees are to us and how we can help them exist by making a Bee Bath. Read More Bug Hotels and Pollinator Habitats Insect populations are at risk around the globe, with 40% of all insect species in decline and roughly one third of all species endangered. Between the loss of habitat, climate change, and the extensive use of pesticides, our bees, butterflies, and beetles are dying off in unprecedented numbers. This seems an overwhelming problem, but it is one that all gardeners can begin to remedy. As Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said, “There is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time.” No matter the size of the garden, every gardener has steps they can take in order to make positive changes for the insects we all need to keep our planet healthy. Read More Building a Pollinator Garden “If the bee disappears from the surface of the earth, man would have no more than four years to live.” This may or may not be a true Albert Einstein quote but the concept is valid. We need bees and all pollinators. Approximately 75% of the world’s flowering plants require a pollinator to reproduce. Pollinators help produce one-third of our food. It’s hard to imagine a diet without many fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Read More Do All Bees Sting? On one hand, a gardener’s tiny friend, the bee, is usually a docile doer of good, buzzing around from plant to plant, pollinating to provide a bountiful harvest in the future. On the other hand, many fear the small insect with the mighty sting. But do all bees sting? If you are curious, click on the link to learn more about our little friend, the bee. Read More Get to Know our Minnesota State Bee Did you know that the Minnesota state bee is the rusty patched bumble bee? This designation is intended raise awareness about the role of pollinators in Minnesota’s environment and preserving their habitats. Unfortunately, while historically, our state bee appeared widely in North America, it is now on the endangered list. In this article read more about the rusty patched bumble bee and the important role that you can play in Garden Scavenger Hunt preservation efforts. Read More Here a Pollinator Garden - There a Pollinator Garden – Everywhere a Pollinator Garden - Part 2 Master Gardener Brenda Scheer understands how important pollinator gardens are for the environment and wanted to start this type of garden. But how to start? This article is the second in a series of three in which Brenda describes her experience starting a pollinator garden in her backyard. Follow Brenda’s motivation, planning, lessons and tips to build your own environmentally friendly garden. In this installment, Brenda talks about how plan for and choose plants for her native garden. Read More Here a Pollinator Garden - There a Pollinator Garden – Everywhere a Pollinator Garden - Part 1 Master Gardener Brenda Scheer understands how important pollinator gardens are for the environment and wanted to start this type of garden. But how to start? This article is the first in a series of three in which Brenda describes her experience starting a pollinator garden in her backyard. Follow Brenda’s motivation, planning, lessons and tips to build your own environmentally friendly garden. Read More Here a Pollinator Garden - There a Pollinator Garden – Everywhere a Pollinator Garden - Part 3 Master Gardener Brenda Scheer understands how important pollinator gardens are for the environment and wanted to start this type of garden. But how to start? This article is the third in a series of three in which Brenda describes her experience starting a pollinator garden in her backyard. Follow Brenda’s motivation, planning, lessons and tips to build your own environmentally friendly garden. In this installment, Brenda talks about planting and lessons learned. Read More How To Identify Butterflies Few things in nature enchant both children and adults more than butterflies. Whether feeding on a flower or basking in the sun, butterflies, in every imaginable color, with patterns and markings that only nature could create, delight the soul. And like all things in nature we love, we want to know more about them. But butterflies are also important pollinators. Traveling long distances and responsible for one in every three bites of food we consume, butterflies contribute over 200 billion dollars to the food economy worldwide. It seems appropriate to know more about which of these essential creatures are visiting our gardens. Read this article for important advice about how to identify the butterflies that you see. Read More 1 2 1 ... 1 2 ... 2

A Pest Above the Rest – Japanese Beetles It’s July and our gardens are in their prime! But wait, what is that insect on my beautiful roses? And why do the leaves on my raspberries look like skeletons? Read this article about the dreaded Japanese Beetle and what you can do to minimize the damage they cause. Read More Bird Feeding Bird-feeding is for all of us who enjoy and love watching birds. Inside this article you’ll find information on bird-feeding tips, preventing disease in your bird feeders and an update on the AVIAN (HPAI) bird flu that disrupted this summer’s bird-feeding habits. Read More Boxelder Bugs It’s cool but sunny outside and I would like to walk into my front door but the door and wall are covered with black and orange bugs! They are boxelder bugs and they are looking for a warm home for the winter. Read how to manage these nonharmful but annoying pests. Read More Creating a Butterfly Habitat Would you like to attract a variety of butterflies to your garden? Different plants and environments attract different types of butterflies. So, if you really want to focus on particular butterflies, you can do it by planting appealing plants and creating welcoming environments. Read this informative article about what you need to do to attract butterflies to your garden. Read More Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea} Is creeping charlie an unwelcome intruder in your garden? Read this article to find out more about why this plant is so hard to eliminate and, even, how you can appreciate and even live with Creeping Charlie in your garden. Read More December - Feed The Birds That Live in Your Neighborhood Winter is upon us and as the temperatures drop and the snow begins to fall, our feathery friends need our help finding food. The first step is to understand what birds you have in your neighborhood. Different birds eat different foods. Observe with your young gardeners what birds frequent your area to determine the best way you can help. There are many different make-at-home birdfeeders but let’s get started on making mini frozen bird feeders that can be made, frozen and set out for our feathery friends this winter. Read More Don’t Let Powdery Mildew Haunt You! Powdery mildew is a very common garden fungus. This fungus was even more prevalent last year when our abundant rainfall increased our summer humidity. If you experienced powdery mildew in your garden during 2024, what can you do, if anything, to ensure the fungus does not continue to haunt your garden this year? Read this very informative article to understand what powdery mildew is, how it affects plants, what you can do to prevent it and how to control it when it happens. Read More Eastern Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis): Springtime Coquette The Eastern Red Columbine is an erect, branching perennial, up to 2 ft. tall, and is well known for its showy red and yellow flowers. Here are some reasons why they may be a great addition to your landscape. Read More Getting the Jump on Jumping Worms Many of us associate worms in the soil as an indicator of “good garden soil.” Unfortunately, that is not necessarily true in Minnesota these days. “Jumping worms” have become more common in local gardens recently and that is not a good thing. Read this article to understand why. Read More Grow Pear Trees Successfully In Your Back Yard Pear trees can be just as easy if not easier to grow than apples! Find out how in this article. I am sorry to report that Partridges are a mostly ground-dwelling bird, so you’ll likely not see any in your trees. Read More How to Deal with Pantry Pests If you have ever opened a bag of flour and found little black speck in it, you have experienced a common household problem – pantry pests. Any kind of dried food, especially flour, meal (example, cornmeal), and cereal, can become a home for pantry pests, which will contaminate all the food they touch. Read this article to learn about what these pests might be, how to prevent them and what to do if you find them in your flour! Read More Hum along with HUMMINGBIRDS, NATURE’S FLYING GEMS In 1485, Leonardo da Vinci designed the first helicopter, though it was never built. 454 years passed before Igor Sikorsky finally developed an aircraft that could fly forwards, backward, straight up and straight down, and hover in air. Hummingbirds, meanwhile, have existed on our planet for roughly 42 million years and fossils of these aerial acrobats, dating from 30 – 35 million years ago, were unearthed in Germany in 2004. Those fossils reveal that the early ancestors of these birds, that capture our awe today, also hovered and flew in any direction they pleased. Read More 1 2 1 ... 1 2 ... 2 Diseases, Pests & Wildlife

< Back Chocolates From Sweet Potatoes Do you love sweet potatoes but have trouble growing them? Well, you’re not alone. Read how Master Gardener Anita Oakman managed to find a way to serve her skinny sweet potatoes that fooled and pleased her sweet potato loving mother-in-law. You might love this recipe, too! Anita Oakman, Dakota County Master Gardener I’ve never had much luck with growing sweet potatoes but every spring, hope springs eternal! I was so excited to get my hands on some not-so-readily-available Murasaki slips and a new elevated self-watering planter so I wouldn’t have to dig up my big purple potatoes on my hands and knees. I grabbed a new large bag of soil with compost and planted those slips after all danger of frost had passed. I made sure to keep up on my watering and sometimes even added soluble fertilizer. What a conscientious gardener I was! And what beautiful foliage grew from those slips! I thought for certain that some large, luscious tubers lay below the surface. Well, I was wrong. Again. Those of you who have grown sweet potatoes successfully saw this coming, didn’t you? You saw it from the moment I mentioned “new soil with compost”. And the words “beautiful foliage,” were a dead giveaway. You may have found that they produce well in poor soil , not in compost-happy soil and certainly not in over-fertilized soil. Lesson learned. See if you can detect the difference between my two homegrown Murasakis and the two I picked up at Trader Joe’s. Defeat is not such a bitter pill to swallow, especially when dealing with compostable goods, but I was too emotionally attached to let those skinny little potatoes fade away. I cured them properly and stored them in a cool, dry place. And then Thanksgiving rolled around and brought my mother-in-law, Carolyn, along. Carolyn grew up in farm country and loves her sweet potatoes sweet, with butter and marshmallows. I had unfortunately neglected to pick up any canned candied yams before the stores closed and had to call those Murasakis up from the bullpen. Or rather, the basement. I simply washed and scrubbed them well, poked them with a fork, placed them on a cookie sheet and roasted them with the skins on in a 425 degree oven for 30 minutes. The cooking time was reduced from an hour for normal-sized sweet potatoes, but even a half hour was too long. My potatoes came out too soft and small to even think about peeling, so I chopped them crosswise, poured a little melted butter on them, and into a serving dish they went. Our Thanksgiving dinner was lovely and when it came time to send guests home with leftovers, we asked Carolyn what she wanted. “Oh, I’ll have some smoked turkey and mashed potatoes and some of Anita’s homemade buns,” she said. “And I’d like some of those little chocolates for dessert, too.” With their deep purple color and natural sweetness (and a little assist from the melted butter), my mother-in-law had mistaken the Murasaki sweet potatoes for chocolate pieces. We drove her home happy and well-fed.

Annuals & Bulbs Planting Bulbs with your Growing Sprouts As the leaves fall and the temperatures begin to tumble, don’t forget to plant your favorite bulbs with a young gardener. Tulips are a perfect choice to plant in early November as long as you can dig in the ground. Daffodils’ ideal planting season is up until mid-October, but if the temperatures are warm and the ground workable, daffodils can be tried also. Your Growing Sprout will delight in the spring display. Read More Sunflowers - Bright, Beautiful and Fun to Grow Summer is upon us and what is better to grow with your child than flowers that are big, bright and beautiful. Sunflowers come in many varieties and heights and “Yes” they can be planted in containers too. Planting sunflower seeds with children is an incredible way to see the entire life cycle of a plant. This article explains how to engage in this fun and easy learning opportunity. Read More Spring in September Plan Now to Start 2025 Blooming in Color Spring begins this month! I know, it’s September, but on a gardener’s calendar, this is the month to begin planning for an awakening of eagerly blooming sprouts and a palette of spring colors. Whether you are a “bulb-beginner” like me or a bulb enthusiast looking to expand on some gardening ideas, continue reading as we discuss the what, where, when, how, and why of spring blooming bulbs with a few design tips planted along the way. Read More BULBS 101 Snowdrops and daffodils are harbingers of spring, the first flowers to appear after the snow has melted and the days start to lengthen. For many of us, these early bulbs are a wake-up call, reminding us that the growing season is beginning. Of course, if seeing daffodils makes us want them in our own gardens, it’s too late for this year! For many Minnesota gardeners, bulbs have been in our yards for decades. However, if you’re new to bulbs or would just like a more in-depth look at them, this Bulb Primer is for you! Read More Protecting Bulbs for Winter Autumn in Minnesota is the time to prepare your bulbs for next year’s growing season, whether that is tucking in your hardy bulbs for their winter sleep (and protecting them from foraging critters!) or retrieving your tender bulbs for indoor storage to spare them from the harsh cold. Read on to learn more about what to do this season for beautiful blooms next year! Read More Overwinter Geraniums the Correct Way As the end of the growing season appears it may be sad to think of your beautiful geraniums’ endless show of color coming to an end. Fear not! While non-hardy geraniums are considered annuals, overwintering your prized plant indoors can carry them through to the following year, giving you a jump start on spring and saving you some money if you usually replace them each year. But beware – it’s not quite as simple as carrying your geranium pot inside and waiting for spring. This article talks about two ways to overwinter geraniums in a way that will maximize your chance of success. Read More What Can Alliums Do For Your Garden? As fall approaches, you might be thinking about planting bulbs that will provide you with a beautiful display in the spring. In this article, Marjory Blare explains why you should consider planting Alliums for that purpose. You may be familiar with varieties of allium used for cooking (for example, onion, garlic, scallion). But there are many ornamental alliums with many different features and colors. Read this article to learn more about the virtues of alliums. Read More The Ws (plus an H) of Bulbs The great thing about planting bulbs is that they will bloom year after year. Here's what you need to know to grow bulbs successfully in your garden and look forward to early spring color. Read More Glorious Amaryllis Amaryllis is a beautiful plant with large, stunning blooms that can be grown as a houseplant year-round. Get ready for some beautiful inside blooms and learn all about growing Amaryllis this winter. Read More Zinnias: Vibrant Accents to a Northern Garden You know that zinnias provide a beautiful flourish to the summer garden. The varieties and colors are endless and can be enjoyed from late Spring into the Fall. But did you know that growing Zinnias from seed is both easy and rewarding? Read this article to learn why you might want to grow your own zinnias from seed this year. Read More Early Spring Blooming Plants Deep in the doldrums of winter, everyone is anxious for spring weather to arrive so that, once again, they can dig in the dirt planting flowers and vegetables. To entice us even more, we’re seeing bulb plants in the stores for sale so we can enjoy them at home until spring finally arrives. In this article, I’ll talk about some of the most popular spring blooming plants for your garden. Read More Harvesting and Preserving Herbs Harvest time is such a fun time of the year. There are so many herbs to harvest and preserve for the upcoming winter months. Some share their bounty year after year, like tarragon and oregano, and others, like basil and marjoram, are planted in spring for a fall harvest. Read More 1 2 1 ... 1 2 ... 2

Edible Plants Edible Plants Bitter Melon – The Bumpy, Spiky Gourd Loved ‘Round the Sub-Tropical World’ How about growing “bitter melon” for a change of pace. You may not be familiar with this vegetable as it is more widely grown in the tropics and subtropics. But bitter melon can be grown in Minnesota and has many health benefits. Read on to learn more about how to grow this lesser-known vegetable and when you are finished, read the Garden to Kitchen article about how to use bitter melon. Read More Brussels Sprouts Brussels sprouts are one of the few crops usually harvested in late fall – late September through late October, depending on your location. Flavor improves with cooler fall weather and they can stay in the garden as long as temperatures remain above 20°F. Read more about how to grow and enjoy this late season vegetable. Read More Brussels Sprouts: The Last Gasp of a Northern Garden Brussels sprouts need a northern garden environment to thrive. Cool autumn air and frost intensifies the sugars in the sprouts, enhancing their flavor. This characteristic means that brussels sprouts are often the last plants standing in a Minnesota garden. Read on to learn more about Brussels sprouts and discover the best way to care for sprouts from late summer through harvest. Read More Butternut Squash – The Best Flavor of All Winter Squash? December marks the beginning of winter – the time of year when winter squash seems like just the right vegetable to enjoy. Butternut squash is often described as having the best flavor of all winter squash. After you enjoy eating butternut squash this winter, you will want to grow some of your own next spring. Read on to learn how to grow butternut squash successfully. Read More Carrots and Parsnips Carrots and parsnips are favorite “winter” vegetables. They are “root” vegetables that are staples of Minnesota gardens. You can save the carrots and parsnips that you grew in your garden for eating in the winter. Even if you didn’t grow them yourself, carrots and parsnips are a great addition to a winter meal. Learn more about how to grow and enjoy these healthy and tasty vegetables. Read More Cat-Grass Learn how to grow your own! Many cats like a little salad now and then – cat-grass that is. Grass is not a necessity if your cat its eating a well-balanced diet. But cats can enjoy it and grass provides environmental enrichment for an indoor cat. With the help of the child in your life, you might want to grow some cat-grass as a treat for your cat. It’s also a fun and easy activity. Read More Chocolates From Sweet Potatoes Do you love sweet potatoes but have trouble growing them? Well, you’re not alone. Read how Master Gardener Anita Oakman managed to find a way to serve her skinny sweet potatoes that fooled and pleased her sweet potato loving mother-in-law. You might love this recipe, too! Read More Discover Delicata Squash? Delicata Squash is favored for its delicate, edible skin. No peeling necessary! This squash is booming in popularity. Here are some growing tips. Read More Eating Jicama Jicama is a light brown skinned root vegetable that can usually be found in the produce section of most major supermarkets, and more commonly in Hispanic and Asian markets. Peeling away its leathery, toxic skin with any kitchen knife or vegetable peeler reveals an opaque white, fibrous flesh that can be enjoyed raw or cooked. Read on to learn how to use this interesting vegetable Read More Eating Winter Melon Looking for a comfort food that can come straight from your garden? Try this recipe using winter melon. Winter melon, also known as ash gourd, is a fruit native to parts of Southern Asia. The fruit grows on a vine and matures into a round or oblong melon that is approximately the same size and color as a watermelon. When it is ripe, it’s exterior turns a greenish-powdery ash-color. It tastes a bit like cucumber and is delicious in the soup described in this article. Read More Food for Thought in the Home Landscape Everyone wants a yard that is both beautiful and functional. For anyone wanting to grow food and make their landscapes more productive, there are many ways to incorporate both, outside of the usual raised beds, berry bushes, and fruit trees. Many more plants and plant parts than you might think are edible, and you can create layered designs to maximize density and diversity. Read this article for ideas and resources that you can put to use in your own yard. Read More Foraging 101 Foraging is the oldest form of food procurement. Here are some suggestions on how to get started. Read More 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 ... 5

Perennials Find Award-Winning Plants for Your Garden Aren’t we all interested in buying the best plants for our gardens; plants that will grow and prosper in our Minnesota growing conditions? There are many ways to research and find such plants. However, this article will discuss two sources of perennials and annuals that have won awards for their excellence in our region. Read this article to learn more about which plants the industry experts think are outstanding for our gardens. Read More Perpetual Poinsettias Christmas is over and leaves are starting to fall off your once-flourishing poinsettia plants. Most people throw away Poinsettias and buy new plants each winter. Instead, consider saving a plant’s life and the Poinsettia will reward you with beauty throughout the year. If you enjoy Poinsettia’s and are willing to care and feed this lovely plant throughout the year, read this article for some great information about saving your Poinsettia for another beautiful display during next year’s holidays. Read More Raccoon Grape: Ampelopsis cordata A Tough Customer in the Beds This month marks the beginning of a series by Master Gardener Jim Lakin on native vines. First up is the Raccoon Grapevine (Ampelopsis cordata). Raccoon Grapevine is quite a vigorous vine plant which, if managed well, will reward the grower with a spectacular display. Read this article to learn more about this hardy vine. Read More Fritillarias October is a great month to plant bulbs for your spring garden. Tulips, crocuses and daffodils are well-known lovely spring bulb plants. But why not try something new and different? Read this article to learn about the Fritillaria, a unique spring blooming plant that grows well in Minnesota. Change it up with this spectacular spring plant. Read More Hydrangeas – An Essential Garden Classic The Hydrangea shrub is a classic garden staple because of its hardiness and beautiful blooms. Shopping for Hydrangea at your local garden store can be overwhelming because there are many different varieties of this lovely perennial shrub. This article describes the different varieties, their characteristics and care needs. Read on to learn more about which hydrangeas would work well in your yard. Read More Yes, You Can Grow Shade-Loving Plants Many people think that shade just creates problems for the garden. This article explains how wrong that can be. Read on to learn more about which trees, shrubs and perennials can prosper in your shady garden. Read More Straight Info on Zigzag Iris: Iris brevicaulis There are many beautiful varieties of iris that you can choose from for your garden. This article discusses one type of iris that may not be as well known but definitely deserves your consideration - the zigzag iris. The zigzag iris is a native usually found in moist areas of the wild. When they bloom in the spring they put on a striking display of blues and yellows. If you are looking for a gorgeous springtime accent to your pond or stream side or the more moist areas of your garden, Zigzag iris is sure to be a stunning addition. Read More American Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens): An American Beauty American Bittersweet is a hardy native vine traditionally found on country roads and farms. It puts on a beautiful display of orange-hulled fruit in autumn. It has been a favorite material for welcoming door wreaths. Read this article about this beautiful and useful native Minnesota plant. Read More Aromatic Aster: That Which We Call an Aster by Any Other Name Would Smell as Sweet As summer winds down and our garden colors turn to reds and oranges, the blue and yellow of Aromatic Aster is a lovely pleasure. But its good looks aren’t even the best reason to grow Aromatic Aster. Read this article to learn more about why this midwestern native should have a place in your garden. Read More Beware of Periwinkle Periwinkle is a semi-evergreen ground cover plant that was once touted as a great ground cover. It grows very well in most conditions and have pretty green leaves and purple flowers. But now Periwinkle is on some invasive species lists. If you have Periwinkle in your yard, you probably know why. Read this article to understand the problems Periwinkle can pose in your yard and how you can manage them. Read More Shade Gardens Shade – a gardener’s headache? Does your garden require full sun to be beautiful? NO! While most flowers do require hours of full sun, there are attractive foliage plants and even colorful flowering plants that flourish in shade. As you start to plan your garden for 2025, this article gives you lots of ideas for how to make the most of the areas of your yard that are a bit sun challenged. Read More Winter Hardy Cacti in Minnesota Cactus – does not only grow in the desert! Who knew? There are cacti that are not only winter hardy, but native to Minnesota? Read on to learn more about how you can grow a cactus garden in your yard. Read More 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 ... 5

Indoor Plants Humidity and Indoor Plants Are you filling your winter gardening needs by growing houseplants? If so, you’ve probably noticed that the air in our homes is dryer during the winter months. That not only affects us, but it also can have a significant impact on your plants. This is especially true for tropical plants . . . and many house plants do originate in tropical settings. In this article, Master Gardener Linda Stein provides advice about how providing humidity to your plants can help them through the winter. Read More Terrariums - A Garden in a Bottle Are you looking for an easy way to enjoy a live project with your child or grandchild over the Winter? How about creating a simple Terrarium that not only will be easy to care for but will also add a living garden to your home. All you need to begin is an open or enclosed glass or plastic container and a variety of planting materials. Read More Is it Time for Houseplants? It’s December. Everything in the garden is dead or hibernating. Assuming you did your fall clean-up in the yard, cleaned and sharpened your tools for next year and planted your spring bulbs, there is nothing to do in the garden. Feeling lost? Maybe it’s time to consider houseplants. Read More The Vacation is Over Your orchids have been enjoying an invigorating respite outside, but like all good things, it must come to an end. Orchids, like any indoor plant that has summered outdoors, have the potential of picking up nefarious bugs and potential diseases that you don’t want to bring into your indoor growing area. It is better to go on the offensive while they are outside because there are more treatment options available to combat the offenders when the orchids are outside. Read this article to learn how to return your orchids (or other house plants) indoors after their summer vacation. Read More Give Your Orchid a Vacation Orchids are like school children. They have been cooped up in your house all winter. They have treated you well, stayed healthy, and maybe even treated you to blooms; for that they deserve something special: a vacation! It is easy; you don’t need a travel agent, an airline reservation or even a hotel room: just set them outside. Read this article by avid orchid grower, Paul Wood, to learn how to safely grow your orchids outside in the summer. Read More How to Select an Orchid Have you been intrigued about orchids but don’t know where to start or how to keep them alive? Or, are you already an orchid grower but want some expert tips? This article on orchids is the first of three by orchid expert, Paul Wood. The first article provides great advice about how to choose the right orchid for you. Read on to learn how you can begin to be an orchid grower – and lover! Read More Moving Houseplants Outdoors for a Summer Vacation You have been enjoying your indoor plants during our long, cold winter. But soon it will be time to think about transitioning some of those plants outdoors. March might seem a bit early to think about moving your indoor plants to the outdoors but plants do require a transition time and warm weather will be here sooner than you think. There are many reasons that you might move your houseplants outdoors for the summer. But there are several things to consider to ensure that your plants flourish as a result of this move. Read More Indoor Allergen Friendly Plants Did you know that Americans spend roughly 90% of their time, on average, indoors according to US EPA report? As a gardener, perhaps it’s time we focus on our indoor space and the benefits and types of plants we could have indoors. Click on this link to learn more about Indoor Allergen Friendly Plants. Read More Pet-Safe Plant Choices There are a lot of us in Dakota County and beyond who love both plants and our pets. Not all plants are compatible with the dogs and cats who live with us. Read on to find out about safer plant choices to make for our furry family members - and a few plants to keep away! Read More Propagating House Plants Winter blahs got you down? Bring more green into your home by propagating your houseplants. It’s easier than you think for many plant varieties, and it’s a fun way to spend part of a gray day. Read More The Short-lived Beauty of Blooming Cactus Various cacti can provide gardening pleasure in Minnesota both outside in the summer and inside during the cold weather. There are thousands of varieties of cacti, many of which are different and exotic, in other words, pretty cool. But there are some tricks to growing cacti successfully. Here are some tips on growing healthy cacti and getting them to re-bloom. Read More African Violets African Violets are one of the most popular houseplants because they require little maintenance and, cared for properly, bloom several times a year. But, as with any plant, they do have specific needs that you must know and pay attention to in order to provide the color and pleasure that you are hoping for. Read this article to understand how to achieve a happy, healthy African Violet in your home. Read More 1 2 1 ... 1 2 ... 2

Books & Other Resources County Hosts Seed Collection for Dakota County Master Gardener Volunteers Read More Learning to Grow African Leafy Vegetables in Minnesota The number of African-born refugees and immigrants and their offspring living in Minnesota has grown significantly since the 1990s. With them has come vegetables native to Africa. Many of these vegetables are popular items at farmers markets. However, Minnesota’s short growing season and limited access to seeds has made it challenging to grow some of these vegetables here. This article identifies some native African vegetables and discusses an important plant breeding program started by the University of Minnesota and partnering with community members. Read More Shoot Your Plants Like a Pro July – when we can walk out into our gardens and are captivated by the beauty of our plants, vegetables or trees – nature. It’s natural to want to capture the beauty of nature in a photograph. With the advent of the iPhone, and its pal the Android phone, we have all become photographers, or so we think. Often the subjects we photograph do not come out looking as well as they did in real life. There is more to photography than pointing your camera and clicking the button. Here are some tips to help you take better photos. Read More Paper Poinsettias Here is a fun seasonal project for your Growing Sprout. Read on to find out how to make them and where poinsettias grow. It might surprise you! Read More Master Gardeners Answer Your Questions One of the most important services that the Master Gardeners in Dakota County provide to the community, is answering garden and environmental related questions. This article explains some of the ways that you can have your gardening questions answered by a certified Master Gardener in Dakota County. In particular, at Farmers Markets around the county, you can find MGs at their “Ask a Master Gardener” table, ready to answer your gardening questions. Read More Know Your Resources “Hey, Siri, what’s the best kind of mulch for my garden?” This is a question often overheard in a plant center from someone trying to make a selection for their yard. And while Siri can give some options, one has to doubt the accuracy of the reply. Questionable advice can always be found somewhere, whether that’s from artificial intelligence or your neighbor’s second cousin on Facebook, but surely there’s a better way to get the most accurate and helpful answers! This article explains how you can find answers to many of your gardening questions from experts and based on research. Read on to learn how to find reliable answers to your gardening questions. Read More Find Plants for Tough Sites Have you ever fallen in love with a plant that you know in your brain won’t grow in your garden but your heart made you buy it anyway? You bought that sun-loving plant and planted it – full of hope - in your shady garden. Didn’t work out? Unfortunately, wishing, and even tender loving care, can’t make a plant grow if it is in the wrong garden space. Fortunately, this article tells us about a resource that can help you find just the right plant for even tough garden sites. Read More A Versatile Understory Tree: Eastern Redbud Jim Lakin introduces us to another stunning, not-too-big tree native to Minnesota – the Eastern Redbud. This lovely specimen welcomes spring with rosy-pink pea like flowers and ends the growing season with large, heart shaped yellow leaves. It would make a lovely addition to your garden. Read on to learn more. Read More All About Upcycling By now, many of us have heard the phrase, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” Read on for ways to set up our youngest gardeners with good habits to “Reuse” or “Upcycle” what they already have. No purchase required! Read More The Dakota County Seed Library This month we would like to tell you about the Dakota County Seed Library, located in the Farmington Library. Read on to learn about how this important project contributes to the support of pollinators and sustainable landscaping practices and, most importantly for you, the home gardener, how you can benefit from and contribute to this project. Read More The Gardeners Guide to Prairie Plants: Written By Neil Diboll and Hilary Cox Interested in prairie plants for your garden or just to admire? Jim Lakin reviews one of the most indispensable books on the subject – “The Gardeners Guide to Prairie Plants.” The book includes photographs of each species described, along with a general description and listing of significant characteristics. But this book also contains more valuable information. Read More The Backyard Parables: Lessons on Gardening, and Life “The Backyard Parables: Lesson on Gardening, and Life,” is a gardening memoir of sorts writing by Margaret Roach. Roach, a former editor-in-chief of the ‘Martha Stewart Living’ magazine, quit her job to tend to her gardens full-time. In this delightful book, Roach dispenses both gardening and life lessons. Read this book review to learn more. Read More 1 2 3 1 ... 1 2 3 ... 3