Spring Dreaming

On Saturday, March 26, Master Gardeners in Washington County will hold a spring gardening program at Stillwater Area High School, 8am-noon. During this free workshop, participants will learn about sustainable gardening, landscape design, and landscaping with native plants.

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All about Insects

One example, wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa – also known as bee balm), is one of the best forage plants for bumble bees. Bergamot also provides nectar for honeybees, black sweat bees, mason wasps, great black wasps, eastern tiger swallowtail butterflies, silver spotted skipper butterflies, monarch butterflies, great spangled fritillary butterflies, moths, snout moths, hummingbird clearwing moths, long-horned bees, cuckoo bees, green sweat bees, wool carder bees, small resin bees, leafcutter bees, and sweat bees.

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Under the snow, gardens wait to grow

On February 20, Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes will hold its annual Design with Nature Conference in St. Paul at St. Thomas University. The event is an opportunity for gardeners, native plant enthusiasts, habitat restorationists, and landscape designers to learn more about gardening with native plants and making use of residential landscapes to improve habitat for birds and pollinators, and keep stormwater pollution out of local lakes, rivers and wetlands.

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Working in Partnership with Homeowners’ Associations

The Washington Conservation District currently has funding available through a Clean Water Grant to help interested Homeowners’ Associations in Washington County complete projects that will help to reduce runoff water pollution, improve habitat, and conserve groundwater.

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The mysterious connection between leaves and algae

Consider the contrast between what happens to fallen leaves in a forest, versus those in a city neighborhood.

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Downsizing to a small backyard

On Tuesday, Aug. 4, 6:30-8pm, Marge and Steve Sagstetter will invite neighbors and interested community members to join them for an educational event in their backyard.

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Your Lawn Care Personality, Decoded

Though we may like the idea of lush green grass in theory, the reality is that most of us aren’t willing to spend the time or money necessary to actually achieve a “perfect” lawn.

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Local residents stampede fairgrounds during rain barrel and tree sale

It’s almost as if we’ve all been on a diet since October and just discovered the rain barrels are filled with chocolate frosting.

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Chasing the Spring

Though the thermometer might not show it, one sure sign of spring is the Master Gardeners’ spring landscape workshop, scheduled for this coming weekend, March 7, at the Oakdale Discovery Center.

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