WCCO's Smart Gardens

Here are the facts, darn facts and opinions about President Donald Trump ordering the National Guard into Washington D.C., a move some believe underscores his totalitarian tendencies and others believe is a much-needed security measure for a key place in America.

Daffodil growing tips. Why dahlias are struggling this year. Where to plant black eyed Susans. Growing white clover. Identifying nutsedge. Preserving bulbs until they are ready to grow. How to grow a successful squash. What to know when there is rust on the grass. Planting a bee friendly garden. When to stop pruning. It is a good time to start seeding. When to cut peonies back. Why a variety of to...

Crabgrass and quackgrass troubles, transplanting milkweed and rhubarb, Laura shares more on her recent ‘Hort Shorts’ videos and also talks Honey Harvest and Flowers for Pollinators Farm event coming up, when to aerate and overseed, filling raised beds and much more! Learn more from horticulturist Laura Irish Hanson by heading to extension.umn.edu

Growing and keeping our gardens and lawns nourished amid this hot and humid weather - we discuss this with Mary Meyer, horticulturist with the University of Minnesota and answer any and all lawn and gardening inquiries from plum trees, combatting Japanese beetles, proper house locations for growing shrubs, HOA lawn troubles, safely transplanting your garden or plants and yes we had our weekly cree...

The weather has been wonderful for growing weeds. When to use weed and feed. Why an apple tree may not be blooming. Why you should not kill Japanese beetles. What could be used as a natural deer repellant? When to use Round Up. Getting rid of grubs. How to properly trim hydrangeas. Keeping rabbits out of the garden. Learn more from Master Gardener Teresa Rooney at extension.umn.edu.

It has been a great season for plants and weeds. Ways to get rid of weeds. New strategies to control the Japanese beetle. Reasons why a maple tree would be struggling to grow and how to help it. How to transfer a hydrangea. Controlling white clover. Removing and preventing ant hills in the yard. What could cause browning on cucumber leaves? Removing moss and how to prevent it from coming back? Fin...

Today we chat with Master Gardener Theresa Rooney with the University of Minnesota - she previews the upcoming Hennepin County Master Gardener Learning Gardening Tour - we also help with as many gardening questions as we can such as how mint affects your garden and yard, trouble with growing zinnias, tomato planting, jumping worms, milkweed, animals invading your growing process, iris blooming, br...

The impact all this rain is having on plants, trees, and flowers. Adding a clover lawn at your house. Why aphids could cause a big mess in your yard. When to dead head peonies. When its time to get control of weeds. Can you use pine needles as mulch? Getting rose bushes to bloom. Using herbicide on a bee lawn. Do not use pet manure as a fertilizer on plants. Properly mixing compost. Getting rid of...

Does extreme heat have a big impact on flowers and plants? Is it too late to plant sweet potatoes? How to propagate lilacs. Day lilly issues. Rejuvenating strawberry beds. Silver maples making a mess. Trouble with poppies blooming. Where to get good compost. Cucumber beetle problems. The basics of growing good tomatoes. The arboretum is very busy this time of year. What is companion planting and h...

A detailed 20-page complaint filed by federal prosecutors reveals chilling details about the actions by Vance Boelter, the suspect in targeted, political shootings that left former Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark dead, and State Senator John Hoffman and his wife seriously injured. Here's reaction from local hosts on WCCO in Minneapolis, plus commentary on our ov...

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...