Learning Center

The Garden Scoop - Ode to the Partridge Pea

The Garden Scoop - Ode to the Partridge Pea

December 12, 2024

Many years ago, I went on a local garden tour and saw these AMAZING yellow flowers. I found these flowers were NATIVE annuals to Minnesota! Super easy to start from seed and a pollinator magnet.

The Garden Scoop - 2025 Year of the Monstera

The Garden Scoop - 2025 Year of the Monstera

December 5, 2024

"It's YOUR turn, Monstera", so says the National Garden Bureau, of which I am a member. From their website: Each year the National Garden Bureau selects one annual, one perennial, one bulb crop, one edible, one houseplant and one shrub as our "Year of the" crops. Plants are chosen because they are popular, easy-to-grow, widely adaptable, genetically diverse and veratile. 

The Garden Scoop - There ARE plants for clay soil

The Garden Scoop - There ARE plants for clay soil

November 11, 2024

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.

The Garden Scoop - Fall into winter to-do's

The Garden Scoop - Fall into winter to-do's

October 23, 2024

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.

The Garden Scoop - Fall Pollinator Magnets

The Garden Scoop - Fall Pollinator Magnets

October 14, 2024

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.

Top Ten Tomato Problems & How to Solve Them

Top Ten Tomato Problems & How to Solve Them

August 21, 2024

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?”

Top Ten Annuals Care Guide

Top Ten Annuals Care Guide

August 9, 2024

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!

Top Ten Evergreens

Top Ten Evergreens

July 25, 2024

Brad shares his Top Ten Evergreens!

THE GARDEN SCOOP: Get Off Your Soaked Lawn!

THE GARDEN SCOOP: Get Off Your Soaked Lawn!

June 21, 2024

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!

THE GARDEN SCOOP: Rain, Rain, Go Away!

THE GARDEN SCOOP: Rain, Rain, Go Away!

June 19, 2024

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.

THE GARDEN SCOOP: WHAT is growing in my mulch?

THE GARDEN SCOOP: WHAT is growing in my mulch?

June 13, 2024

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 GARDEN SCOOP: Perennial of the Year 2024

THE GARDEN SCOOP: Perennial of the Year 2024

May 31, 2024

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!

THE GARDEN SCOOP: Flowering Weeds: What's To Love?

THE GARDEN SCOOP: Flowering Weeds: What's To Love?

May 3, 2024

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

THE GARDEN SCOOP: All Soils Are Not Equal

THE GARDEN SCOOP: All Soils Are Not Equal

May 2, 2024

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

THE GARDEN SCOOP: Preventing Ticks With Plants

THE GARDEN SCOOP: Preventing Ticks With Plants

May 2, 2024

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

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