WCCO's Smart Gardens

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...

What can gardeners do in the winter? Garden gift ideas for the holidays. Amaryllis bulbs can make the perfect present and how to maintain them. Why a clematis may not be blooming. How to get a Christmas cactus to bloom and what fertilizer to use. Controlling quack grass. Getting a poinsettia to turn red. Questions about growing Marijuana. Getting rid of woodpeckers. How long does grass seed last?...

Poinsettia advice. Dormant seeding with some snow on the ground. Should we worry about critters in the winter? Difference between moles and voles. Is it time to trim trees? Controlling the bloom on your Christmas cactus. What it takes to be a master gardener. Caring for asparagus. What to do with bulbs that haven’t been planted yet. Getting rid of moss in the lawn. Learn more from Master Gardener...

How snow can help soil. Tips for growing herbs indoors. Finding fungus gnats in your plants. Christmas cactus care. There is a lot happening at the arboretum even in the winter time and they have great food. Pruning Arborvitae. It is time to trim oaks. Problems with jade plants. Soil for lemon trees. Pruning Apple trees. Winter care for outside plants. What ferns in the office need. Learn more fro...

It's a perfect time to dormant seed. Caring for a Christmas cactus. Good plants to give as gifts this holiday season. A good low maintenance plant for the home. Tips for drying flowers. What it takes to be a master gardener. Fungus gnats. Common mistakes homeowners make with house plants. Caring for fruit trees in Minnesota. Is it okay to water plants with soft water? Growing Easter lilies. Preven...

Preserving flowers. Saving tulip bulbs until they are ready to plant. Caring for succulents. When brussels sprouts grow best. Where to keep plants in your house in the winter. Wrapping plants. Is it time to dormant seed? Getting rid of bugs on inside plants. Is it too late to plant perennials? Should plants be cut in the winter? Learn more from horticulturalist Julie Weisenhorn and Laura Irish Han...

What plants need the most water right now. Confused lilacs. Getting rid of bugs in plants that are brought inside.. Controlling wild raspberry bushes. Trimming asparagus. Thinking about fertilizing the lawn. Protecting plants from snow and critters this winter. Is it time to plant tulips? Earwig problems. Using the right mulch. Protecting rose bushes. When to transplant a tree. Learn more from Mas...

The warm weather is extending the gardening season. When it's okay to let the leaves be on the lawn through the winter. It is time to dormant seed. Pruning perennials. Is it time to fertilize the lawn? Watering sod. Seeding wildflowers. Dividing different house plants. Applying compost in the garden. When to prune hydrangeas and lilacs. Learn more from horticulturalist Mary Meyer. ext.umn.edu

Protecting your plants as winter arrives. Caring for plants that were brought indoors. Venus fly trap tips. When to lay topsoil or mulch. What to do with hostas as winter comes. Getting ahead of dandelions. What plants should you prioritize watering right now? Is it time to dormant seed? Learn more from horticulturalist Julie Weisenhorn. ext.umn.edu

Minnesota saw some rain this week but is it enough for your garden? How long can we water our plants before winter? Why elms are a good tree to plant in Minnesota. Winterizing roses. Is it too late to treat Creeping Charlie? When to sod the yard. Pruning water sprouts. When to plant bulbs? Lilacs have been having trouble. Dormant seeding. Getting rid of sumac. Pruning Raspberries. Learn more from...

When to plant Garlic. The Lawns are in need of water. Identifying weeds. Getting rid of moles. Finding a good arborist. Is it too late to fertilize the lawn? Collecting seeds from your plants. The strategy to seeding your lawn. Pruning fruit trees. What makes a lumpy lawn? When to mulch or bag leaves? Planting fall bulbs. Learn more from horticulturist Julie Weisenhorn and Dr. Jon Trappe. ext.umn....

Taking care of your plants as a stretch of dry weather continues. Managing thistle in your yard. When it's a good time to trim trees. How much water a tree needs. Identifying buckthorn and how to get rid of it. Preventing crabgrass. Preparing the lawn for winter. Fall is a great time at the Arboretum. Bringing plants inside for the winter. Pruning blue spruce. How to get a soil test. Learn more fr...

The Garden sale is on! What is happening to the fruit and nuts on trees this year? How to deal with leaf scab? Fungus on buckthorn? Shrub maintenance. Winterizing the lawn. Preventing pests from damaging your plants. When to prune trees? Getting rid of gnats. Preventing moss. Learn more from Master Gardener Teresa Rooney. ext.umn.edu

Lilacs are still blooming in September. Tree health. Seasonal hosta care. What time should the lawn be mowed? Recognizing herbicide damage. Apple tree issues. Grooming sumac. When will the maple trees get their fall color? Learn more from U of MN extension horticulturalist Mary Meyer. ext.umn.edu

How to handle unwanted plants and weeds with horticulturalist Julie Weisenhorn and Dr. Jon Trappe. ext.umn.edu

In today's episode we talked to U of MN Extension Master gardener Teresa Rooney to discuss how to deter emerald ash borers with your trees and garden, manual pollination of your flowers,  properly curating your lawn and also Teresa shares more on the Master Gardener program. For questions and more information visit ext.umn.edu