Blog

The Resilient Yard: One Space, Big Impact

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 arranged garden beds with neon-bright flowers. But maybe you’ve noticed a different kind of yard starting to spread, less flashy but with something different always…  Read More

Spring Native Plant Sales in Minnesota

It’s almost time for a new growing season! We’ve put together a list of upcoming native plant sales in the Twin Cities Metro and throughout Minnesota. Sales will be continually added as announced. Why native plants? Native plants fortify ecosystems by supporting local pollinators and improving water quality. Well-adapted to Minnesota’s climatic conditions, native plants…  Read More

Plan a Pollinator Garden From Scratch

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 support pollinators and clean water this year? If you are a first-time gardener, starting a pollinator garden from scratch can feel intimidating. In this blog…  Read More

Reflecting on the Year: “Bee-ing” the Change in 2023

Our community is what makes the work of planting for pollinators and clean water happen. As we wrap up the year, we’re feeling grateful for everyone who’s been involved with Blue Thumb, whether you’ve explored our resources or dived into a DIY planting project. We gathered and learned from each other in many ways this…  Read More

Helping Wildlife Overwinter

Late autumn in the pollinator garden is bittersweet. As flowers fade into shrunken seed heads and trees drop vibrant carpets of leaves, a silence settles in the air. Summer’s buzz of activity has subsided, but wildlife still stirs, hunkering down for the long winter ahead. We can make it easier for overwintering pollinators to survive…  Read More

Getting to Know Native Seeds

It’s easy to appreciate native plants for their colorful and varied blooms. But as autumn drifts in, petals wither and flower heads dry out. In their place, seeds are released that carry the promise of future generations of plants. Seeds are an under-appreciated part of native plants that deserve our attention. Beyond their beauty, we…  Read More

Changing Shoreline Norms

On a summer day at Lake Minnewashta, Conservation Corps of Minnesota & Iowa and Metro Blooms Design+Build crew members gathered in a resident’s yard to remove a large patch of sod and shape out a new garden bed. After a long day of digging, mulching, and planting, a new spread of small green tufts dotted…  Read More

Moments of Meeting: Hummingbirds, Cardinal Flowers, and Connection

Guest writer Nick Voss, Education & Outreach Coordinator with VLAWMO, contemplates what the relationship between the cardinal flower and ruby-throated hummingbird can teach us about connection and perseverance through the challenges of environmental stewardship.  The cardinal flower and the ruby-throated hummingbird share something special. Some know it as symbiosis, others by reciprocity, and others might…  Read More

Identifying Native Plants

Minnesota native plants play foundational roles in our local ecosystems. They strengthen soil, improve water quality, and support pollinators and other native wildlife. Perhaps you’ve added some native plants to your yard, and are enjoying the benefits of their beauty and low maintenance requirements.  Do you know the names of the native plants in your…  Read More

Summer Maintenance for Pollinator Gardens

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 water with little help from humans. However, a native garden will need some attention during the first few years of its life to thrive in…  Read More