Yards and Landscaping – East Metro Water

Using goats to control buckthorn and other invasive species

By: angiehongmn April 21, 2022April 20, 2022

Buckthorn, Yards and Landscapingbuckthorn, featured, garlic mustard, goats, invasive speciesLeave a Comment

To learn more about managing invasive species with goats, join the East Metro Water Resource Education Program, Washington County Parks, and The Munch Bunch for an outdoor workshop on Tuesday, May 3, 6-7pm at Big Marine Park Reserve.

Help save monarch butterflies

By: angiehongmn April 14, 2022April 13, 2022

Wildlife, Yards and Landscapingbutterflies, featured, gardening, milkweed, monarchs, native plants, pollinatorsLeave a Comment

USFWS estimates that there is a 96-100% probability that western monarch populations will collapse within 50 years and an 80% probability that eastern monarchs will as well. But, people can prevent that from happening by planting more milkweed.

Waiting for the birds

By: angiehongmn February 24, 2022February 22, 2022

Wildlife, Yards and Landscapingbirds, featured, migration, native plants, planting for birds, winterLeave a Comment

While a back-yard bird feeder is a great way to attract and enjoy watching birds in your yard, you can actually do far more for the birds by planting native flowers, shrubs, and trees.

Wandering out of winter into spring

By: angiehongmn February 18, 2022

Water Conservation, Yards and Landscapingfeatured, forest, forestry, pollinators, spring gardening, sustainable landscaping, water conservationLeave a Comment

Beginning next week, local conservation partners are offering a variety of online and in-person workshops to help you transition from winter into spring, and, hopefully, create a more environmentally sustainable landscape in the process.

When the flowers bloom again

By: angiehongmn January 28, 2022

Yards and Landscapingfeatured, lawns to legumes, native plants, pollinators, winterLeave a Comment

The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is currently accepting applications for its Lawns to Legumes program. Apply online by February 15 for the opportunity to receive $300 in grant support to install native pocket plantings, native trees and shrubs, pollinator lawns, and pollinator meadows in order to restore and enhance habitat for birds and pollinators.

Give me a home where the bees and butterflies roam

By: angiehongmn November 26, 2021November 23, 2021

Yards and LandscapingBlue Thumb, featured, lawns to legumes, native plants, prairie, prairie restoration, Washington Conservation DistrictLeave a Comment

A native plant revival is underway and Lawns to Legumes grants are here to help.

Wetland in your yard?

By: angiehongmn November 4, 2021November 2, 2021

Keeping water clean, Yards and Landscapingfeatured, native plants, Valley Branch Watershed District, Washington Conservation District, WetlandsLeave a Comment

Wetlands protect nearby homes from flooding and help to reduce shoreline erosion along the edges of rivers and lakes. If you have a wetland on or near your property, however, you may need to make some changes in your landscaping and seasonal yard care.

On the forest and the trees

By: angiehongmn October 11, 2021

Yards and Landscapingfall, featured, forest, leaves, woodlands1 Comment

Take a break from raking leaves and get involved in efforts to create more resilient woodlands this fall.

Wildlife-friendly fall gardens

By: angiehongmn September 23, 2021September 21, 2021

Yards and Landscapingbees, birds, fall, featured, gardening, leavesLeave a Comment

In the coming weeks, there are several steps you can take to prep your yard and gardens for winter and continue to support pollinators, birds and other wildlife.