Native plants are hardy. Well-adapted to Minnesota’s harsh winters and summer heat, they don’t need much care to thrive. Once established, they provide food for pollinators, strengthen soil, and clean… Read More →
What do the yards look like in your neighborhood? Depending on where you live, you may see swathes of turfgrass lawns in shades of greens to browns, or perhaps neatly… Read More →
It may be the middle of winter, but now is the time to plan for changes you want to make to your yard this spring. How would you like to… Read More →
Blue Thumb encourages people to plant native plants, put in raingardens, complete shoreline stabilization projects and other practices to protect clean water, support pollinators, and choose turf alternatives that require less watering and fewer inputs. Blue Thumb is a program of the non-profit Metro Blooms. A donation to Blue Thumb goes through Metro Blooms to…
In the thick of Minnesota midwinter, dealing with snow is a way of life. Clearing snow and ice from roads and sidewalks helps us get around safely. Many of us… Read More →
What is a Pollinator Lawn? Bee lawns are made of a tight mix of grasses and low-growing perennials that can be used and treated much like a regular lawn but also offer high-quality nutrition to pollinators. Why should I plant a Pollinator Lawn? Pollinator populations have been declining in part due to habitat loss, pesticide…
Explore the tabs below for free downloads on a variety of topics related to planting for clean water and pollinators. For guides on specific types of native planting projects, you can also visit our Rain Gardens, Shoreline Stabilization, Turf Alternatives, and Steps to Plant for Pollinators pages.
