Welcome to Minnesota’s dormant season. Leaves have fallen from our deciduous trees, carpeting the ground in shades of dull browns. The stalks and stems of native flowers and grasses have dried out, their energy reserves moving into roots below ground. Though all is quiet in the garden, native plants are still doing work to support… Read More →
If you are thinking about installing a native planting, rain garden, or other project for pollinators and clean water, late fall is a great time to plan. As part of planning, consider searching for grant opportunities for your project. All Minnesotans are eligible to apply for Lawns to Legumes, a $400 reimbursement-based grant for pollinator… Read More →
A healthy ecosystem starts with healthy soil. Soil plays a foundational role in supporting life — anchoring and nourishing plants and trees, cycling nutrients, recharging groundwater, and boosting the resiliency of plants. Planting for clean water and pollinators begins below the surface—with our soil. “I am involved in organic lawn care, pollinator planting and ecological… Read More →
Peer across Snail Lake in Shoreview, and you’ll quickly see how different the shoreline can look even on the same body of water. The suburban lake is bordered by a regional park at one end and a large wetland at the other, with homes sandwiched in between. Boats, kayaks and other recreational gear adorn the… Read More →
Fall might be Minnesota’s most underrated season for planting native perennials. While we think of gardening during spring, there are tons of benefits to planting in fall. We asked Blue Thumb Partners to share what they like about fall gardening and their tips for a successful fall planting experience. Mid-summer is a perfect time to… Read More →
June 17-23, 2024 is Pollinator Week! Initiated and managed by Pollinator Partnership, National Pollinator Week was designated in 2008 by the U.S. Senate as a necessary step toward addressing the urgent issue of declining pollinator populations. In the years since, Pollinator Week has grown into an international celebration of all that pollinators do for our… Read More →
The growing season is finally here! Spring brings the excitement of seeing perennials return to our gardens. Soon, native plants will be busy providing resources for wildlife, sequestering carbon, and continuing to filter stormwater runoff with their roots. But with new growth comes new weeds. Weeding is an inevitable part of maintaining a native pollinator… Read More →
Organic Lawns by LUNSETH, a Blue Thumb partner, is an organic lawn care company specializing in high-quality commercial and residential landscaping services in the SW Twin Cities Metro Area. We recently sat down with co-owner Shay Lunseth to learn about the story behind Organic Lawns by LUNSETH and benefits of organic lawn care: How… Read More →
After a dry and mild winter, Minnesota is ushering in an early spring. By mid-March in the Twin Cities, fuzzy catkins already emerged from pussy willows and buds formed on maple trees, and robins have been hopping about in parks and yards. Sprinkle some late March snow on top, and the strangeness of this unprecedented… 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 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 →
