Blog

Meet PRESTO: Prairie Restorations’ New Plant Finder Tool

At Blue Thumb, we love sharing tools that make native planting more approachable and successful. That’s why we’re excited to highlight our partner and sponsor Prairie Restorations and their new online tool: PRESTO. PRESTO helps take the guesswork out of choosing native plants. By combining site conditions with historical ecological data, the tool generates a…  Read More

Lawns to Legumes Habitat at Home: Creating Pollinator Habitat Together

Ready to support pollinators in your own yard—but not sure where to start, or what to do next? This season, Blue Thumb is launching Lawns to Legumes: Habitat at Home, a free, guided program that helps Minnesotans create, expand, or care for pollinator-friendly spaces—step by step, and alongside a community of others doing the same.…  Read More

Q&A with Organic Lawns by Lunseth: Supporting Healthy Lawns and Pollinator Habitat

Caring for water, soil, and pollinators starts right at home. For many, that includes rethinking how we manage our lawns. Organic lawn care is one approach that’s growing in popularity—especially for those looking for sustainable options that reduce chemical inputs and complement nearby native plantings. We connected with Shay Lunseth of Organic Lawns by LUNSETH,…  Read More

A gardener holds a pack of native grass plugs inside a native plant nursery greenhouse.

Celebrating Minnesota’s Native Plant Nurseries

When you visit a native plant nursery, you’re not just picking out plants. You’re stepping into someone’s life work—a story shaped by soil, seasons, pollinators, and community. In Minnesota, we are lucky to have many quality native plant nurseries across the state. These businesses and retailers, small and large, are growing more than flowers. They’re…  Read More

Spring Native Plant Sales in Minnesota

The growing season is approaching! We’re once again sharing 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 have robust…  Read More

Find the Right Blue Thumb Workshop for You This Spring

Thinking about planting native plants this year—but not sure where to start? Or maybe you already have a rain garden or pollinator planting and want to make sure it thrives long-term. Blue Thumb’s spring Planting for Clean Water workshops are designed to meet you where you are, with practical guidance, expert support, and plenty of…  Read More

Nature’s Giving Season: Reciprocity and Seeds in Winter

As the days grow shorter and the first snows begin to settle, our gardens slow down, entering a quiet dormancy. Yet even in winter, nature is busy giving. Seeds, stalks, roots, and leaf litter continue the cycle of life, providing nourishment, shelter, and renewal. In this season of giving, we can take inspiration from nature…  Read More

Local Grants for Native Plantings (2026)

Late fall is a great time to start planning for your native planting, rain garden, or other sustainable landscaping project. If you live in Minnesota, there are many funding opportunities to support your work! Minnesota residents can apply for a Lawns to Legumes grant, a $400 reimbursement for creating pollinator habitat with native plants. Apply…  Read More

Lawns to Legumes: Growing a Statewide Pollinator Movement

Two summers ago, Amy Lesher of Shoreview stood in her backyard imagining a transformation. What was once a patch of grass would soon become a tapestry of native flowers, alive with bees and butterflies. “I have absolutely loved every step,” Amy says. “Shopping for the plants was like a botanical treasure hunt. Now, in year…  Read More

Fall Yard Care for Pollinators

Fall is almost here—the days are shorter, the air is getting cooler, and your garden is slowing down for the season. But while it might be tempting to tidy everything up, pollinators prefer a little bit of mess. In fact, one of the best things you can do for your yard in autumn is less…  Read More