Yards and Landscaping – East Metro Water

Bee Lawns are Green Lawns

By: angiehongmn July 22, 2021July 22, 2021

Yards and Landscapingbee lawns, bees, Blue Thumb, drought, featured, lawns, pollinators, water conservationLeave a Comment

Unlike typical lawns, bee-friendly lawns feature a mix of drought-tolerant fine fescue grasses and low-growing flowers such as Dutch white clover, creeping thyme, and self heal.

Feeling parched in the Land of 10,000 Lakes

By: angiehongmn June 17, 2021June 18, 2021

Groundwater, Yards and Landscapingdrinking water, drought, featured, groundwater, irrigation, lawn care1 Comment

According to the University of Minnesota, approximately 20% of all treated drinking water in the Twin Cities metro area is used outdoors, with a majority of this being used on lawns and landscapes.

Create pockets of habitat with native plants

By: angiehongmn June 3, 2021June 3, 2021

Yards and Landscapingbirds, featured, gardening, native plants, plant grants, pollinators, sustainable landscaping, WildlifeLeave a Comment

Minnesotans can help to restore habitat for wildlife by planting native flowers, shrubs and trees in our yards to create pocket oases and connected corridors near larger parks and natural areas.

Cheap Trick Remix (the lawn version)

By: angiehongmn May 27, 2021May 25, 2021

Yards and Landscapingbee lawns, featured, lawn care, lawns, sustainable lawns, water conservationLeave a Comment

Five cheap tricks for a beautiful, healthy lawn that is safe for your kids and pets.

Marine community works to revitalize village center and protect the St. Croix River

By: angiehongmn May 13, 2021

Keeping water clean, Yards and LandscapingCarnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District, featured, Marine on St. Croix, raingardens, St Croix River, stormwater, volunteering, Wetlands1 Comment

On Saturday, May 1, volunteers in Marine on St. Croix planted 1,500 native plants along a wetland to create a natural buffer that will help to hold the soil in place and guard against erosion.

Let the gardening begin!

By: angiehongmn April 15, 2021April 14, 2021

Keeping water clean, Yards and LandscapingBlue Thumb, featured, gardening, landscaping, native plants, raingardens, shoreline plantingsLeave a Comment

Thanks to a relatively early start to spring this year, many people are already beginning to dream about gardens and planting projects. Here is a run-down of upcoming workshops and other support for eco-friendly gardening projects.

Preserving a piece of paradise in the St. Croix Valley

By: angiehongmn March 25, 2021March 25, 2021

Keeping water clean, Yards and LandscapingCarnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District, conservation easements, featured, land conservation, Minnesota Land Trust, prairie, prairie restoration, Silver Creek, St. Croix River, St. Croix River Association, Washington Conservation District, Washington CountyLeave a Comment

Paul Goodwin and his family have established a 49-acre conservation easement on land abutting Silver Creek near Stillwater, MN and are working to convert 14-acres of fallow farmland to prairie and oak savanna.

Online classes for gardeners and nature enthusiasts

By: angiehongmn January 21, 2021January 19, 2021

Wildlife, Yards and Landscapingfeatured, gardening, nature drawing, nature photography, online classes, pollinators, prairie, prairie restoration, trees, wolves1 Comment

Explore new interests, build skills, begin planning for a summer landscaping project at your home, or simply enjoy a few hours of escape from the doldrums of winter.

Boy Scouts and Water Stewards help to create outdoor classrooms in Woodbury

By: angiehongmn November 6, 2020

Keeping water clean, Partners and Updates, Water Conservation, Yards and LandscapingBoy Scouts, environmental education, featured, Master Water Stewards, prairie, south washington watershed district, stormwater, volunteering, water conservation, WoodburyLeave a Comment

South Washington Watershed District created its Campus Greening program two years ago to encourage schools and other large campuses to think holistically about how they can meet stormwater management requirements when expanding buildings and parking areas. At the Lake and Middleton campus, South Washington County Schools (District 844) worked with SWWD to convert 15 acres of turf to prairie, plant 200 trees, and create the two new outdoor classrooms.

Fall yard care reminders and tips

By: angiehongmn September 28, 2020

Yards and Landscapingfall, featured, gardening, lawns, leaves, pollinatorsLeave a Comment

Harvest the last of your tomatoes and herbs now before they’re killed by an overnight freeze. Wait to cut down old stems and seed heads until the late spring. Instead of raking leaves, mow your lawn a few times to mulch up the leaves and return nutrients to the soil. If you live on a lake, be sure that you hire a DNR certified contractor to remove your dock this fall.