Learning Center

Literally, it's not easy to dig in clay soil. It's heavy, sticky and a bit stubborn to work with. You could work trying to amend the soil, but I choose to work with what I have and choose plants that naturally "thrive" in clay soil. A reminder of the Master Gardener creed, "Right Plant, Right Place". You may be questioning my sanity right now but stick with me... no pun intended.

Fall is here and we are now looking at our depleted vegetable gardens, spent perennials and brown lawns; our trees in various stages of color and/or "balding"! Is there anything we can do right now to help tuck them in for winter? Yup, there sure is. And in particular, new plantings.

Ahh fall... Our summer flowers are fading, and autumn colors are reintroducing themselves. Can anyone say, "road trip"? Heading north you'll find plenty of color change already.

There’s nothing like a home-grown tomato! Pick it, pop it in your mouth and savor that fresh flavor. Our Minnesota climate makes it a bit more challenging, but we don’t give up and that’s why, every year, we receive a lot of questions that start with, “What’s wrong with my tomatoes?”

Joanne is one of Gertens seasoned Annual House experts & here she shares her top ten list to help maintain your annual flowers through the season!

Brad shares his Top Ten Evergreens!

The ‘Scoop recently wrote about how our annuals & tomatoes are suffering with torrential downpouring from above, however, there are more issues in our landscapes. This article discusses what you need to know for this time of year!

Come again some other day. Who knew we’d be saying that? The last couple of years we’ve been in a drought. This year our soils are saturated, and our rivers, lakes & ponds are overflowing.

With the moisture we’ve had the ‘Scoop has received plenty of inquiries about some gross looking thing in their mulch. People don’t panic!!  Its prime season for slime mold. Learn more about what this slime is & what is means for your yard...

The National Garden Bureau, of which I am a member, loves celebrating plants. Me too. Every year they create a list of their choice for Perennial of the Year. For 2024 it’s HOSTA!

Is there a benefit to flowering weeds? The Garden Scoop discusses a few plants that can have a positive impact on your outdoor space!

Is there a difference between soil mix for your houseplants, potted annuals, vegetables and herbs? This Garden Scoop discusses the differences between soil types!

Bugged by ticks? You are not alone! This Garden Scoop discusses a few plants to naturally repel ticks!

We talked about this... yes, our local area has been deemed zone 5a. So, let’s just dive in and peek at some of those zone 5a plants we’ve only dreamed of...

Whether you're a seasoned bird enthusiast or just beginning your journey into the world of avian visitors, selecting the right feeder can make all the difference! This article reviews some key factors to consider when choosing a bird feeder.