WCCO's Smart Gardens

Are seed catalogs still available? With the warmer weather we have been having, is it okay to prune fruit trees? Oak wilt worries. Grass to plant around the yard that does not get cut. When to start dormant seeding. Getting control of moss. Advice on growing plants on a fence. Can plants recover from animal damage? Are there plants rabbits do not eat? Jumping worm problems. Learn more from horticu...

The best methods to repel critters. How to get started on growing plants indoors. Working with frozen soil. Why some grass seed grows better than others. Getting rid of fungus gnats. Are grow lights a good investment? Why a Christmas cactus might not bloom. What plants need to be kept away from plants. Bush trimming basics. What to know about winter sowing. Learn more from Master Gardener Teresa R...

Planting grass to protect evergreen trees. Finding a Meyer Lemon Tree. Protecting plants from deer. What to do when overwintering a rose tree. Caring for an indoor bamboo plant. What to consider before giving a plant as a gift. Preparing for a snowstorm. Raking leaves in the winter. Keeping effective compost. What could be pruned right now. How to maintain a decades old Christmas cactus. What if g...

There are many deadlines gardeners need to know about. More insight on dormant seeding as winter is in full swing. Caring for plants in Arizona. Preparing plants indoors before bringing them outside in the spring. Steps to take to protect plants from animals. Tree planting tips. The benefits of a snake plant. Checking seeds for quality. How to tell one a lilac bush is dead. Growing milkweed. Learn...

The process of growing sweet potatoes. Some gift ideas to give the gardener in your life. Keeping rabbits away from particular plants. Saving an amaryllis. Getting rid of fungus gnats. Making a Christmas Cactus to bloom. Growing herbs indoors. Humane critter control. Learn more from Master Gardener Teresa Rooney at extension.umn.edu.

What to do with our outdoor plants now that the snow is here to stay. How to pick the best apple seeds for a future tree. Trimming back birch. Germinating grass seed. How to manage grass that can be damaged by a dog. When to treat the lawn for creeping Charlie. Cutting back hostas in the winter. What is the best way to spread grass seed? Preventing crab grass. Learn more from horticulturalist Laur...

With the snow coming in waves, the clock is ticking on when you need to salvage your lawn and garden. Indoor planting and seeding, tackling the lawn to-do lists before the snow really hits. Theresa Rooney is here to answer all of your winterproof gardening and lawn questions you may have, questions regarding amaryllis flowering bulbs, magnolia tree planting, indoor planting tips and more! Learn mo...

Do these wild weather swings have a big impact on plants? Is it too early to burlap boxwood? More dormant seeding questions answered. Proper way to plant purple prairie clover. Trimming back honeysuckle. How and when to cut back a variety of plants and flowers. How long can outdoor plants be watered? Benefits of moss. What to know if you have high phosphorous in your soil. Learn more from horticul...

Does this shot of warm weather have an impact on outdoor plants? How to take the temperature of your soil. Some tips and tricks to get spring bulbs to bloom as we enter the colder months. When to cover strawberries for the winter. What is the best insulation for plants? When rose bushes should be covered. Why some lilac bushes are blooming once again. How to stop rabbits from eating hostas. When t...

It is a great time to dormant seed. Properly guarding your trees and plants for the winter. Taking care of crab grass patches. Now is not the time to prune. The benefits of mulching your leaves. Ways to keep a geranium through the winter. Preventing moles and voles from damaging your lawn. Learn more from horticulturalist Julie Weisenhorn and Lawn and Turf expert Jon Trappe at extension.umn.edu

What to know about dormant seeding and how it can help the lawn. Marinating asparagus for years to come. Saving a peach tree in the winter. Is it to late to fertilize the lawn? Properly guarding your trees ahead of winter. The myths behind products that increase aeration in the lawn. What to do when you mow your lawn for the last time of the year. Cutting back hydrangeas. Is it too late to spray f...

A lot of questions from listeners, specifically today on winterizing your garden as many decide on if it is too late to tackle that garden project or wait until the spring thaw - we discuss that, pocket gopher issues, soil troubleshooting, mulching on roots as we wind down the growing and garden for many with these colder temperatures. Julie shares the details of the upcoming Tonka Brew Fest!. Lea...

Why its so important to keep watering plants even in the middle of Fall. Moving dahlias. Burning pollinator gardens. When to tip roses. Is it still okay to spray for creeping Charlie? Fertilizing house plants. When to plant pollinator seeds? When to start cutting branches and how much should be trimmed? Preventing squirrels from digging up bulbs. What to know when watering tomatoes. Learn more fro...

What to do before bringing your outside plants inside. When to start watering perennials. Getting rid of Lily of the Valley. Why it is not recommended to use bat guano on a vegetable garden. Bringing a tree back to life. When to plant allium bulbs. Protecting shrubs from critters. Managing bugs that can be found on plants. When to dig out a lilac bush. Making sure hostas survive the winter. Learn...

Maintaining asparagus plants. Plants recommended to attract cedar waxwings. When to aerate and dethatch your lawn. Tips to dormant seeding. When to trim birch trees. Should crabgrass be removed before fertilizing a lawn? Solving moss problems. Keeping slugs away from hostas. Preserving squash for the season. The edible puffball mushroom. How long can potatoes be left in the ground? Tree replacemen...

More heat on the way which means more time for your lawn care and growing project - we discuss the end days ahead this summery Fall weather season with Jon and Julie, and tackle various questions with your lawn and garden inquiries from rose bushes, grow bags with tomatoes, seeding questions, Japanese maple growth, lawncare without harming bunny populations, jumping worms and can we still seed? Al...

When is the best time to fertilize the lawn and how often should it be done? Is it time to plant apple tree seeds? Causes behind brown spots in the yard. What is causing lilacs to have so many issues in Minnesota? What is the lifespan of a lilac bush? Why are there so many acorns this year? How long should the lawn be aerated? What are the best hostas to plant in Minnesota? What to do after laying...

What it takes to become a Master Gardener. The best grass for a shady area. Killing Creeping Charlie. Continuing issues with lilacs. Using Google Lens to identify plants. Methods to killing moss. Growing grass on bare patches. The basics of tree planting. When tress should be trimmed. Can grass seed get too old to use? Learn more from Master Gardener Teresa Rooney at extension.umn.edu.

What to do in our lawns and gardens now that September is here. What to do with plants as we hit a cold snap. When to move ferns. Peach tree problems. Lemon tree growing basics. Becoming a master gardener. Now is the time to plant grass seed. Black spots on peonies. The best time to plant and move hydrangeas. How to keep lilacs alive. The best time for fall fertilizing. Getting rid of a Hosta viru...

Why different types of turf could take longer to grow. When it's time to prune hydrangeas. Stopping unwanted chives from spreading. An increase in perennials dying across Minnesota. Planting around roots. Cleaning up crabapple trees. Using milk to water plants? Where to grow weigela in Minnesota? The best method to kill creeping Charlie. How to identify crab grass. The rule of 3 for mulching trees...

Labor Day is over, which means it's officially back to school for all of America. Here, we dive into the latest in topics, including tech that can save lives ... and shorten lifespans. Plus, how much help with homework is okay and how to teach your kids about AI.

Hear from kids who got away, a father who ran in alongside first responders, and Minnesota's top political leaders as we grapple with something all-too familiar: a school shooting. Get the latest on the perpetrator, and insight into what -- if anything -- may finally change.

This morning we had horticulturist Julie Weisenhorn and lawn and turf expert Jon Trappe joining Denny LIVE on the WCCO Radio stage for today’s Smart Gardens program! We cover all things from dormant seeding (and overseeding), aeration, perennials, getting rid of japanese beetles and grubs, soil and salt with certain vegetable growth including plenty of tomato questions, sweet grass growth and much...

If you want to become a master gardener, now is your chance. Is it too late to fertilize perennials? How to get female squash to bloom. What is the best way to maintain a maple tree? Pumpkin growing problems. Clematis concerns. Getting rid of moss on the patio. How to grow a peach tree. When to prune hydrangeas. Grass seed recommendations. Why lilacs have been having problems. Learn more from Mast...

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are meeting today in Alaska to talk about the possibility of peace in Russia's war against Ukraine. One analyst says the word 'no' is Trump's most powerful weapon ... But will he use it? Also, CBS' Major Garrett has tips on what to watch for in the meeting.