Best Tips from Minnesota Garden Tours
It’s that time of the year when garden clubs, Master Gardener groups and other organizations are hosting garden tours. I’ve been on five garden tours already this year, and have several more yet to come, and always learn something new. Here are a few of the best tips I’ve seen on local garden tours so…
Read MoreJuly/August Northern Gardener Available
The July/August 2017 issue of Northern Gardener is on newsstands now, and it’s the one with the cute little girl on the cover. This wonderful image was taken by Tracy Poser Walsh for her article on “Growing Up Gardening.” Like a lot of gardeners, Tracy grew up growing vegetables, fruits and flowers with her parents,…
Read MoreMinnesota River Valley Master Gardeners Bring Gardening to Mankato Schools
This article originally appeared in the May/June 2017 issue of Northern Gardener. Teaming up with Mankato Area Public Schools and Blue Earth County State Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP), the Minnesota River Valley Master Gardeners helped the staff and youth participants in the district’s after-school childcare program plant 4-by-12-foot raised bed vegetable gardens last summer. The…
Read MoreCelebrate Midsommer with a Garden Center Tour (and Wine!)
If you have ever been in Scandinavia at the end of June, you know how much they enjoy the long, summery days of “midsommar.” Picnics, family trips to the cabin, strolling through gardens and enjoying good food and drink are part of the annual celebration. This year, MSHS is sponsoring its own version of midsommar…
Read MoreHot Off the Press: Planting in a Post-Wild World
This book review originally appeared in the May/June issue of Northern Gardener magazine. Don’t reach for Planting in a Post-Wild World if you’re looking for reassuring recommendations for what to plant later this spring. Despite its lush color photos, relaxed layout and elegant styling, these people are calling for revolution—one that is bound to be controversial…
Read MoreTop 5 Plant Sale Shopping Tips
This weekend is the traditional start of plant sale season in Minnesota and there are dozens of them being held around the state. Check the special listings in the May/June issue of Northern Gardener magazine or the website at the Minnesota State Horticulture Society for sales near you. Plant sales are typically sponsored by garden…
Read MoreVisiting Art in Bloom 2017 at MIA
The annual Art in Bloom exhibit is on display today and through the weekend at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and MSHS is participating again with an interpretation of “Rouen Cathedral, Sunrise,” a painting by Richard Parkes Bonington. It was the 13th year MSHS created a display for Art in Bloom, and this year the…
Read MoreGet Discounts on Plant Shopping at MSHS Discount Partners
It’s that time of the year, when gardeners are prowling nurseries and garden centers looking for annuals, perennials, vegetable starts and those special pieces of art or decoration for their garden. If you are an MSHS member, be sure to check out the list of MSHS Discount Partners on our website. (The list also appears…
Read MoreMinnesota Green: Sherburne County Master Gardeners
The Minnesota Green program has had a big impact on the Sherburne County Master Gardeners’ community gardening projects, and they’ve only participated in the program for one year. “Before Minnesota Green, I was spending money out of my own pocket to get plants for our kids’ gardening programs. I was happy to do it, but…
Read MoreGrowing Greens in Early Spring
Lettuce and other greens, such as kale, spinach and Swiss chard, are among the vegetables that grow well starting in early spring. Growing greens is easy and this weekend, with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s, would be perfect for planting greens. Greens don’t like weather that is too hot and most…
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