WCCO's Smart Gardens

Keeping bugs away from your plants. Getting rid of moss on your outdoor spaces. When to start planting spring flower trees. What to do if you need to relocate your rhubarb. Maintaining an amaryllis. When tulips will be in bloom. Phone apps for gardeners. Pruning a rose bush. Learn more from horticulturalist Laura Irish Hanson extension.umn.edu.

When to apply crabgrass killer. How often do trees need to be watered? When plants are okay to be left uncovered. Will tulips grow back after animal damage? When will hummingbirds arrive? Protecting pollinators during spring yard cleanup. When grass seed can be planted after applying crabgrass killer. How to best prune peonies. Repotting a Christmas Cactus. Signs of Emerald Ash Borer damage. Learn...

How to grow plants in a stock tank. Time to find some fertilizer for your lawn. When to prune oak trees. When to start uncovering perennials. Where to find the best grass seed for your lawn and its needs. When to start raking your lawn. How to utilize a grow bag. How to best treat weeds in your yard. Defending against crabgrass. Learn more from horticulturalist Julie Weisenhorn and Lawn and Turf e...

All the outside plants are loving this wet weather. How vinegar can be used to help plants. Controlling chives. When to do a soil test. When hostas will start to sprout. When to uncover strawberries. Do perennials need to be fertilized? What is the best way to get insects off houseplants? Getting rid of moss. Stopping buckthorn from growing back. Learn more from Master Gardener Teresa Rooney at ex...

Now that the snow is melting, what can we start to do in our lawns and gardens? Is it time to remove burlap from trees? Treating for grubs. What goes into strategic root pruning? Is dethatching necessary? It is time to finish up your pruning. Fertilizer that cannot be used in Minnesota. What to do with overgrown lilacs? When to start splitting hostas. Creeping Charlie questions. Learn more from ho...

Seed starting season is in full swing. What trees can be pruned right now? What to know when transplanting peonies. Is dethatching necessary in Minnesota? What to do if there is scale on a tree? Should we start uncovering outdoor plants? Preventing voles from damaging your lawn. Protecting plants from rabbits. Learn more from horticulturalist Julie Weisenhorn at extension.umn.edu.

As a big snow storm is expected to hit Minnesota, is it okay to winter seed before it comes? Putting down grass seed before snow falls. Why buying good grass seed goes a long way. Minimizing lawn and damage done by dogs. Will the wild weather swings have an impact on perennials. Plants to prevent deer. Where and when to prune hydrangeas. Learn more from horticulturalist Mary Meyer at extension.umn...

What to know if you are preparing to plant a vegetable garden. How to protect your plants from critters. Maple Fest is coming to the arboretum. Are buds growing on lilac bushes already? The best plants for a rain garden. Is it too late to prune an apple tree? What is the best way to get rid of used potting soil? How to grow oak trees from acorns. Is it too late for tulips? Learn more from Master G...

Now that the snow is starting to melt we are making moves on dormant seeding our lawns. What kind of work goes into planting a bee lawn? Is it okay to mix different grass species for a lawn? Maintaining lilacs. How to start a prairie area. How to get rid of moles in your yard. Getting an amaryllis to bloom. Deer droppings for fertilizer? Learn more from horticulturalist Laura Irish Hanson extensio...

The process of growing persimmons. Getting trees to grow better. How to inhibit algae growth. Where to plant rhubarb. When plants need cold treatment. Keeping critters away from plants and grass. The spring flower show is getting underway at the arboretum. Bringing geraniums back to life. Making a lawn that is best for bees. It is time to trim maple trees. Learn more from horticulturalist Mary Mey...

Minnesota growers are getting a tease of spring this weekend and that leaves many with questions when it comes to seeding, growing, and maintaining some of their gardening projects! To answer some of these questions we have the University of Minnesota Extension Horticulturist Julie Weisenhorn tackling some of your lawn care questions regarding seeding, pruning, greenhouse maintenance, peach trees,...

Does this winter warm up have an impact on plants? Getting started with seeds. When to consider repotting a plant. Grass cutting questions. When to transplant house plants. Fungus gnat solutions. When to rototill your lawn. Identifying tree trouble. Learn more from Master Gardener Teresa Rooney at extension.umn.edu

When to transplant a poinsettia. How to germinate seeds in the winter. Pruning spruces. Maintaining fruit trees. Handling hydrangeas. Getting rid of spider mites. Can bamboo grow in Minnesota? Will plants come back after deer damage? What is an ideal temperature for a house plant? Learn more from Master Gardener Teresa Rooney at extension.umn.edu.

What can a gardener do when we are in the middle of a cold winter? Spider plant problems. When to start fertilizing house plants. Debunking the exploding tree myth. Can streetlights impact plant growth? When is it too late to prune trees? Growing berries in Minnesota. Cutting back geraniums. Growing and caring for amaryllis plants. Recommended weed barriers. How to grow pineapple. Learn more from...

Do erratic temperatures have a big impact on trees? Winter tasks for gardeners. What to know if you want to start winter sowing. Preventing and getting rid of fungus gnats. How to properly repot a plant. Pruning practice. Getting a cactus to bloom. Making sure your pots drain. Learn more from horticulturalist Julie Weisenhorn at extension.umn.edu.

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