Home & Garden

By Katie Drewitz, U of M Extension Raking leaves is one of those fall chores that you likely aren’t thrilled about doing, especially if you have an abundance of trees. Recently there has been quite a bit of media around what you should be doing for fall leaf clean-up. The short answer to that question…

By Katie Drewitz, U of M Extension Have you finished everything on your autumn to-do list? It can be hard to get everything done. However, if you are hoping to enjoy some of your favorite flowers and save some money next spring, you should store your tender bulbs. Tender bulbs that you may want to save…

By Katie Winslow, U of M Ext. The Benton County Extension Master Gardeners are hosting a FREE Fall Gardening Seminar Thursday, Oct.10. This event is open to the public. Whether you are an avid gardener or just enjoy learning, this seminar is for you. Join the Benton County Extension Master Gardeners Oct.10 at the Sauk…

By Katie Winslow, U of M Extension Although we often think of spring as the time for lawn improvement practices, autumn is actually a better time for fertilizing, seeding, and weed control in lawns. Fall is also the time to determine if dethatching and aerating your lawn is needed. From mid-August through September, assess your lawn’s…

By Katie Drewitz, U of M Extension Start monitoring for them now. The apple maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella) is the most important insect pest to Minnesota-grown apples and starts to become active in July. Heavily infested apples are distorted, inedible, and will have limited use. There are control options available for all sizes of growers and…

By Katie Drewitz, U of M Extension The Extension Master Gardener mission is to make a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota. Do you have an active interest in gardening? Do you have a desire to share your gardening interest with others? Are you willing to learn more…

By Katie Drewitz, U of M Extension The Benton County Extension Master Gardeners invite you to attend their annual Garden and Landscape Bus Tour ­Thursday, July 25. This year they will be touring Springwood Gardens and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Cost of attendance is $45 for the general public and $33 for Extension Master Gardeners.…

By Kylee Sherod, U of M Extension With the weather finally starting to feel like spring, trees are popping, flowers are blooming, and the landscape is turning green. Lawns are beginning to be mowed to keep the green grass groomed, but what if there is more than green mixed in? If you have little purple flowers…

#LeadYourFSA and be the voice of farmers in your community USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will begin accepting nominations for county committee members Friday, June 14. Agricultural producers who participate or cooperate in an FSA program may be nominated for candidacy for the county committee. Individuals may nominate themselves or others as a candidate. “I…

By Alanna Ivers, U of M Extension Insect season is upon us! While many of our bugs and pollinators are crucial to crop and garden productivity, biting insects can make the outdoors unpleasant. Mosquito bites are not only itchy but can spread viruses such as West Nile, Zika, Chikungunya, Dengue, and Malaria, depending on the region.…