University of Minnesota Extension

Welcome to the rollercoaster of our Minnesota winter! This year we have had temperature extremes that can vary 50 degrees in 24 hours. Add to this the slim to none snow cover and we are looking at a long winter that may severely impact some of our most hardy herbaceous perennials,...

Hydroponics is "the cultivation of plants without soil." The plant's roots can either be in water or in a growing medium like sand, gravel, perlite, peat moss, sawdust, coir, or rockwool. Hydroponic systems are often used when the supply of water and farmland are scarce or among home...

Now that the growing season is put to bed, and the holiday season is in full swing, I pause to consider the food that I prepare and serve to my friends and family. This summer my garden didn't produce as I'd hoped, but I have plenty of leftover home-canned green beans and an abundance...

It's that time of year again, Thanksgiving is over, I've got Christmas music on the stereo, and snow is in the forecast. Oh the joys of living in Minnesota in December! But all is not desolate and cold in the mind of your gardener loved ones. This is the time of year to dream and...

Ernie Miska, an Alexandria man who manages farm land for his elderly mother, think farmers are paying too much to rent farmland. "The farmers are getting the short end of the stick," said the retired truck driver, who manages about 600 tillable acres in Polk County. "Crop prices have...

Black and orange insects abound this time of year. I have had several calls about the black, orange striped boxelder bug.

I have gotten many, many questions regarding tree pruning lately. The weather has been lovely, gardens have been put to bed, and people are eager to get the rest of the garden chores done. If you've got a pruning saw and loppers in hand, STOP, and put them right back where you got...

Fall is a bittersweet time of beginnings and endings. Bright yellow school buses abound as children start a brand new school year. Rose bushes burst with their last colorful blossoms; tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers are plentiful; and my kitchen is filled with the mixed aromas of...

If your garden is running low on some of your favorites, don't fret! There is still plenty of time to plant vegetables for a fall harvest. In Alexandria, our average first frost date falls roughly around October 1, which leaves us a good 45 days to get things growing. Add to this...

I've recently received many calls from people who are struggling to find plants that bloomed in the shade. They were surprised to hear that there are choices beyond hostas and impatiens. In fact, there are quite a few shade loving plants that can add color and texture to your garden,...

For a $3 fee, the University of Minnesota Extension office in Douglas County, 720 Fillmore St. in Alexandria, will test pressure canner gauges for home canners. Proper equipment in good condition is required for safely canning low-acid vegetables, meats, poultry and fish. Two types...

An extension educator will share tips on growing fresh garden produce in a small space with minimal effort on Saturday, June 3, at the Douglas County Library Meeting Room from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Robin Trott, University of Minnesota Extension educator, will explain how to chose delicious,...