gardening – East Metro Water

Numbers for the New Year

By: angiehongmn December 29, 2022December 20, 2022

Local Achievements, Yards and Landscapingconservation, featured, gardening, Homegrown National Park, native plants, Washington Conservation DistrictLeave a Comment

Since 2009, Washington County landowners have completed 5325 conservation projects ranging in scale from tiny front-yard pollinator gardens to large-scale conversions of cropland to native prairie.

Undies in the Garden

By: angiehongmn September 30, 2022September 29, 2022

Yards and Landscapingfeatured, gardening, soil healthLeave a Comment

I feel embarrassed to admit how excited and nervous I was to dig up the underwear in my yard and see how much they had decomposed.

Going native? Fall is a great time to plant

By: angiehongmn September 1, 2022November 30, 2022

Yards and Landscapingfall, featured, gardening, native plants, prairieLeave a Comment

You can plant native plants from small packs or pots between September and mid-October or spread seed for bee-lawn and native plantings in early November to mid-December.

Creating Water and Wildlife-Friendly Gardens with Native Plants

By: angiehongmn July 7, 2022August 19, 2022

Yards and Landscapingfeatured, gardening, native plants, treesLeave a Comment

In our developed areas, however, yards and gardens can help to form critical habitat connections for birds, bees, fox, and even mustachioed rabbits.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.