WCCO's Smart Gardens

We were pleased to be joined by Julie Wiesenhorn U of MN Extension horticulturalist - visit ext.umn.edu. This morning we tackle all things from pink magnolias, soil conditioner spray, Siberian iris questions to much more with Julie!

When should garlic be planted and what to do when it starts to grow? Getting rid of comfrey in the lawn. When can you start to reseed a lawn after using Roundup? How long do fruit trees live? Why would marigold leaves change colors? Why would rhubarb stalks start getting skinny? Keeping soil moist. The best place to plant hydrangeas. Why plants growing near a house could have trouble growing. Remo...

Managing black locust and buckthorn in the yard. What is the difference between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes and what to know ahead of planting them? What could cause an evergreen tree to dry out? When should canna lilies be planted? Why would a peony bush not be flowering? Getting rid of lily of the valley flowers. What could impact the taste of cucumber? Saving trees with windburn. Whe...

Today Jon Trappe and Julie Weisenhorn with the University of Minnesota joined to answer gardening questions you may have regarding the growth and health of your planting and seeding. From top soil questions, grass seed and crab grass emergence, asparagus growth and much much more! For more questions you may have with your garden and growing, learn more from horticulturalist Julie Weisenhorn and La...

The impact this change in weather is having on our flowers, plants and lawn. What to do if you have a tree infested with emerald ash borer? Getting rid of green worms. The best way to remove crown vetch. Why hydrangeas may be slow to grow. At what temperature should vegetable plants be covered? Preventing squirrels from damaging trees. How to loosen hard soil. Big plant sales are underway. Learn m...

The plant sale is underway at the Arboretum. Growing great Raspberries. Identifying grubs in grass. When to transplant and divide peonies and rhubarb? Picking the right tree to plant in the yard. Preventing dogs from digging holes in the yard. Plants to attract butterflies and bees. Starting over on your lawn. How to get rid of bittersweet? Growing blackberries in Minnesota. The Learn more from Ma...

Tips for reseeding a bare patch on the lawn. What is goose grass and how is it different from quack grass? How to get rid of quack grass? The best way to remove a tree stump. How to get rid of mushrooms in the yard? Siberian squill removal. What to use to kill and prevent grubs? Protecting trees from deer. The best time to spray dandelions. Trimming lavender plants. Moles and voles removal. At wha...

Why junipers change colors. The best method to get rid of buckthorn. Fungal disease in seeds. Removing quack grass. When to put young vegetable seedlings outside. Is aerating and dethatching necessary for reseeding a lawn? Fertilizing lilacs. Maintaining young trees. How to best trim peonies. When dormant seeds will start to grow. When is it safe to remove leaves from garden beds? Benefits of a le...

Planting potatoes properly. Is it time to use weed and feed? Plants that rabbit won't eat. Is it too late to dig up day lilies and irises? When can we clean the leaves off of plants? Will hostas grow in direct sunlight? When to divide plants? When to prune old lilac bushes Best method to divide tulips. Getting rid of red beetles that infest your plants. Maintaining a peony bush. When is the best t...

Is it okay to start planting onions? Can crab grass treatment be applied yet? How to get rid of a moss infestation in the yard? Is it time to remove mulch from plants? When is a good time to start raking the lawn? What is thatch and how best to handle it? Tips on getting grass seed to grow. Are there remedies for dog urine spots in the lawn? What is deadheading and why could it help plants? What t...

What it takes to be a master gardener and how you can become one. How to control forget-me-nots. Is it time to remove mulch? Can grass seed be planted now? When to apply weed prevention treatment? Why an Alberta Spruce tree may be dying. What to know when replacing trees. How to grow great squash. Pussywillows are growing at the arboretum and there is a lot more happening on the grounds as spring...

Gardeners are doing their best dealing with this rollercoaster weather pattern in Minnesota. Is there a general consensus on tilling soil versus other methods? Leaving leaves for mulch. Addressing an amaryllis emergency. How to get an Endless Summer Hydrangea to bloom. What does coppicing and pollarding mean when it comes to tree trimming? Can you prevent a blue spruce tree from growing too large?...

It is Maple Fest at The Arboretum and they are doing a lot of tree tapping and syrup tasting. Controlling thistle. Getting rid of fungus gnats. Is it time to remove the mulch off of vegetable gardens? The right temperature to apply fertilizer. Planting sweet potatoes. When and how to move strawberry plants. What are the benefits of using coffee grounds for plants? Planting lilac bushes. Is it too...

What type of turf has the deepest roots? What is the best grass seed for Minnesota lawns? How to best propagate ginger? Trimming ornamental grasses. Fixing a lumpy lawn. When to use your sprinkler system. Is it time to fertilize? Making a lawn more lush. What temperature should the lawn be before seeding? Learn more from Jon Trappe and horticulturalist Laura Irish Hanson. ext.umn.edu

Just around the corner is spring so Theresa shares the latest seed trials going on. Also we take your gardening questions today pertaining to everything from arborvitae and other plants absorbing too much heat, trimming dogwood into spring, monitoring the grow light with your indoor plants, buckthorn, using distilled water with plants and much, much more - also answer some gardening questions with...

Recovering plants after damage caused by rabbits. It's time to tap maple trees. Deer doing damage in the yard. How to get an Easter Cactus to bloom? The time to prune trees is running out. What is a flaming Katy plant? Reusing soil for vegetable plants. What mulch to use for growing pumpkins? Preventing disease in tomato plants. How long do Amaryllis plants last? Learn more from horticulturalist M...

This morning there is a warmer temperature but Laura Irish Hanson, U of MN Extension horticulturalist joins to tell everyone - “hold off”, she explains why! We also dive into microgreens, buckthorn eradication, lilac growth fixes, more seeding questions and much more on Smart Gardens! For more information or questions you can go to ext.umn.edu

This snow cover will be a big benefit for lawns. How long can grass seed last with proper storage? Putting Amaryllis plants into dormancy. Repotting a spider plant. Removing crownvetch from the yard. Plants that attract deer. Can you grow tomatoes with just compost? Is it safe to fertilize a lawn near a lake? Learn more from Jon Trappe and horticulturalist Julie Weisenhorn at extension.umn.edu

How this snow can help outdoor plants. Gardening classes are available for you. How much can you trim a burning bush? Properly planting baptisia flowers. What is hybrid vigor? Dormant grass seed starting to grow. Identifying black spots on roses. When to cover strawberry bushes. When to remove a tree and plant a new one in its place. When to move an azalea bush. Pumpkin patch advice. Transitioning...

Transferring Norfolk pine trees and what fertilizer to use for it. Growing edible perennials. Capturing rain water. Why soft water is not good for house plants. Is water collected from the roof okay to use on edible plants? Is it too soon to prune trees? Replacing soil for tomato plants with disease problems. Growing garlic. Repairing damage done by animals. The flower show opens today at the Arbo...

Fertilizing house plants. What to do if you want to reuse soil. How long do we have left to dormant seed? Treating apple scab. Planting a poinsettia outside. Growing yellow wax beans. Controlling cattails in a pond. Learn more from horticulturalist Julie Weisenhorn extension.umn.edu

What this stretch of freezing cold weather and lack of snow could do to lawns and gardens. Pruning oak trees. Trimming maple trees before spring. Is there a temperature that kills plant pests? Garden overcome with berries. How to use a soil blocker and how it helps with planting seeds. What to do with a leaning tree. Experimenting with watering methods. Is it too early to start parsley plants? Is...

Garden resolutions for the new year. Building a raised bed garden. Growing an espalier fruit tree. Consider letting the lawn and garden grow to welcome animals and pollinators. Which fertilizer to use on house plants in the winter? Getting cacti to bloom. Squash vine borer infestation. What to know before digging a new garden space. Planting black walnut trees. Learn more from horticulturalist Mar...

How this cold weather is impacting our lawns and gardens. How to protect your plants from frost. Pruning apple trees. Why does Minnesota produce great apples? The best breeds of apples for eating and cooking. Getting rid of spider mites. Gophers causing issues in the garden. Caring for lavender plants. Planning a trip to the arboretum. Learn more from horticulturalist Julie Weisenhorn extension.um...

How this December rain and these mild temperatures could have an impact on the lawn. Propagating passion flowers. Caring for Meyer Lemon Trees. Growing a rubber plant. Keeping a Christmas Cactus alive. Common houseplant mistakes. Pruning magnolia trees. Moving Peony plants. Repotting aloe vera. Donating plants. Can we still dormant seed the lawn? Learn more from Master Gardener Teresa Rooney. exte...