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… Read More →
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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… Read More →
About the Plant Finder
Back to the Plant Finder Tool The Blue Thumb Plant Finder is a tool to help people find Minnesota native plants that will thrive where they’re planted. It is composed of plants that are generally commercially available, and can be used to create planting plans for all types of projects. The state of Minnesota does…
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… 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… Read More →
Lawn Care for Pollinators: Beyond No Mow May
Minnesota bees are rising from their winter slumber. Some native bees overwinter underground; others are cavity-nesters and find refuge in hollow sticks and stems. Different bee species emerge at different… Read More →
Celebrating Lawns to Legumes
Lawns to Legumes projects have kickstarted countless neighborhood conversations around planting for pollinators. “We had so many people pass by while we were working,” one participant shared. “I am inviting… Read More →
American Goldfinch: Joy on Thistles and Quilts
The following essay is by environmental educator Nick Voss, Education & Outreach Coordinator at the Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization. Photo by Nick Voss. The American Goldfinch is a… Read More →
Partnership Information
How Blue Thumb Partnership Works The Blue Thumb Partnership is a network of clean water and native plant stewards creating change by bridging the gap between knowledge and action, offering resources and programs to Minnesotans. We work together to lead the way in changing landscaping norms among professionals, property owners, and renters. We aspire to…
Pollinator Meadows
Pollinator Meadows are expansive areas full of a diversity of native plants, much like the original prairie that covered the Great Plains. Pollinator meadows are the most beneficial choice for supporting as many pollinators as possible, so if you have the time and space to create a pollinator meadow, go for it! The easiest way…