Yards and Landscaping – East Metro Water

Putting Down Roots in the Prairie

By: angiehongmn August 7, 2018

Wildlife, Yards and Landscapingbirds, featured, leadplant, monarchs, native plants, prairie, soil and water conservationLeave a Comment

The roots of the leadplant chart a course toward the center of the earth. Thirsty and longing for stability, they branch, spread and burrow further and further into the soil. Encountering a rock or a flat pan of clay, they will pause, turn, and then continue their travels laterally. In sandy soils, where rainwater is…

Lessons from a garden

By: angiehongmn June 18, 2018

Keeping water clean, Yards and Landscapingenvironment, featured, gardening, habitat restoration, St. Croix RiverLeave a Comment

Sometimes you think you have a really good idea, like planting vegetable gardens at your office. Full of enthusiasm, you put your family to work and spend an entire day tearing out sod, piecing together scrap lumber, and hauling in dirt. It is hard work but you feel proud. Then it is the next year,…

Training the next generation to be “Keepers of the Trees”

By: angiehongmn June 11, 2018June 11, 2018

Partners and Updates, Water Conservation, Yards and Landscapingfeatured, Master Water Stewards, prairie, south washington watershed district, Tree Trust, trees, WoodburyLeave a Comment

The sun shines on a May morning and 23 tiny children gather round, faces up-turned, smiling and eager to begin the day. Kim Lawler, a team leader with Tree Trust, and Joan Nichols, a Master Water Steward in-training, stand before the children with a young white oak that the students will soon plant in a…

Sprinklers running? Better catch them!

By: angiehongmn May 16, 2018May 16, 2018

Groundwater, Yards and Landscapingfeatured, groundwater, irrigation, lawn care, lawns, water conservationLeave a Comment

75% of homes with automated irrigation systems have at least one broken sprinkler head. Is yours one of them?

Grants and workshops to help landowners create and improve woodland habitat

By: angiehongmn May 10, 2018May 7, 2018

Buckthorn, Yards and Landscapingbuckthorn, Habitat, oriental bittersweet, trees, Washington County, woodlandsLeave a Comment

In addition to its annual tree sale, the Washington Conservation District offers advice and assistance to landowners hoping to create and improve woodland habitat on their properties.

Planting a Monarch Mile, or Two

By: angiehongmn April 9, 2018May 4, 2018

Wildlife, Yards and Landscapingfeatured, gardening, Great River Greening, pollinators, south washington watershed district, volunteering, WoodburyLeave a Comment

In Washington County, local partners have added nearly 20 acres of new pollinator plantings in the past two years, with 25 additional acres coming this year.

Stillwater Partners Launch Adopt-a-Raingarden Program

By: angiehongmn March 29, 2018May 4, 2018

Keeping water clean, Yards and Landscapingfeatured, gardening, raingardens, Stillwater, volunteeringLeave a Comment

The Stillwater Adopt-a-Raingarden program will launch this spring with a city-wide Raingarden Clean-up event on Saturday, May 5, 10am-noon. During a follow-up event on Thursday, June 7, 6:30-8pm, teams will pull weeds as well.

Wild Bees, Rare Plants, and Native Gardens

By: angiehongmn March 13, 2018

Yards and Landscapingbees, native plants, pollinators1 Comment

The St. Croix Oak Savanna Chapter of Wild Ones just released a calendar of spring events that calls to frozen Minnesotans like water in a desert.

Bringing Nature Home

By: angiehongmn January 19, 2018

Uncategorized, Yards and Landscapinghabitat restoration, prairie, Washington Conservation District, Wild Ones Design With Nature Conference, WoodburyLeave a Comment

The Rambosek’s bought their home in 1980 when most of Woodbury was still corn fields and open space. Today, their prairie is an oasis of color and life.