Archives For gardening

‘Minneapolis Home & Garden Show’ will feature trends and how-to’s

January 30, 2013 — 2 Comments

Just in case the Boat Show (January 31 – February 3, 2013), Progressive Vacation and Camping Show (February 7 – 10, 2013), and the Lake Home and Cabin Show (February 8 – 10, 2013) are not enough to lure you to the Minneapolis Convention Center, just maybe the Minneapolis Home & Garden Show will do the trick.

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At the show, answers to all your gardening questions will be available from Hennepin County Master Gardeners from the Twin Cities metro area.

Scheduled to take place at the Minneapolis Convention Center from February 27 – March 3, 2013, the Minneapolis Home & Garden Show is designed as a one-stop spot for access to over 1,000 experts and thousands of products and services.

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MN Landscape Arboretum special events (including holiday teas, etc.) for November, 2012

October 29, 2012 — Leave a comment
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‘Tis the season! Holiday events will begin in November at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

The holiday season begins soon at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, Minnesota.  Holiday teas and an Auxiliary Holiday Sale are on the schedule, along with special Christmas music presented by cast members from Chanhassen Dinner Theatre.

Visitors should note that the Arboretum will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22, 2012.

As always, there will be numerous classes, events and activities going on all throughout the month.  For a complete listing of all November, 2012 events and information about fees, reservations or registrations, click here.

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MN Landscape Arboretum special events (including Halloween) for October, 2012

September 28, 2012 — Leave a comment
399px-Halloween_pumpkin_witch_hat_-_Evan_Swigart cr (credit - Evan Swigart cc-by-2.0 Wikimedia; copyright - Wikimedia Commons)

All kinds of kid-friendly “Boo” activities are featured on the Arboretum event schedule for October.

Grab your cameras and head for the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, Minnesota.  You won’t be disappointed with the virtually unlimited photo opportunities throughout the grounds that are especially inviting at this season of the year.

And if you like being spooked in a good way, note that Arboretum staff members have been busily getting ready for Halloween.  Among other spooky events on the calendar, the popular “Ar-BOO-retum!” will take place on October 31 with free admission that day for all who arrive in costume.

As always, there will be numerous classes, events and activities going on all throughout the month.  For a complete listing of all October, 2012 events, click here.

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MN Landscape Arboretum special events for September, 2012

September 1, 2012 — 2 Comments
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Paul Cézanne. Still Life with Apples. 1895-98; oil on canvas. Lillie P. Bliss Collection at the Museum of Modern Art in Midtown Manhattan in New York City.

Late summer and early fall are perfect seasons of the year to visit one of the loveliest sites in the Twin Cities area, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, Minnesota.

There is always a lot going on at the Arboretum.  An annual fall event is The Apple House opening which took place today (September 1st).  The Apple House will be open from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. daily through early November at State Hwy. 5 & Rolling Acres Rd.  Visitors can select from a variety of freshly picked apples, including many University of Minnesota introductions, plus local produce, U of M ice cream, fudge, pies, jams and more.  Call 952-443-1409 for current updates on available apple varieties and produce.

As always, there will be numerous classes, events and activities going on all throughout the month.  For a complete listing of all September, 2012 events, click here.

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MN Landscape Arboretum special events for August, 2012

July 26, 2012 — Leave a comment
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Echinacea plants are enjoying their time in the spotlight – their blossoms are gracing gardens throughout the local area.

Herbs, tomatoes (a free canning lesson!), irises, photography and much more – the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, Minnesota will be a busy place throughout the month of August. As a pleasant addition to a summery scene, visitors on August 9th will be treated to “summer music in the gardens” from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.  Music will be performed by Will & Stymie with their unique blend of Latin rhythms and melodic blues.

As always, there will be numerous classes, events and activities going on all throughout the month.  For a complete listing of all August, 2012 events, click here.

August special events at the Arboretum (from their website)

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MN Landscape Arboretum special events for July, 2012

July 2, 2012 — 2 Comments

This welcoming space was part of a garden tour in Seattle. Local gardens on the Arboretum tours will no doubt be equally inviting.

Two highly anticipated Arboretum events are held annually in July – “The Auxiliary Summer Garden Tours,” and “Toast & Taste in the Gardens.”

As always, there will be numerous classes, events and activities going on all throughout the month.  For a complete listing of all July, 2012 events, click here.

July special events at the Arboretum

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‘The Top 10 Plants that Changed Minnesota’ as selected by a panel at the U of M

May 30, 2012 — Leave a comment

Apples made the top ten list - aren't we fortunate that they grow so well in Minnesota?

How would you answer this question:  Which plants changed Minnesota and transformed how we live today?

After considering more than 100 different plants nominated by the public from early February through April 15, a panel of experts* met to determine the final top ten. Plants were judged by their impact, both positive and negative, in six areas: environmental; economic or industrial; cultural/spiritual; historical; sustenance; and landscape.

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Good-bye, petunias – Hello, strawberries

May 20, 2012 — 2 Comments

Six plants did pretty well for themselves in only two years! This photo was taken today after a morning shower (it was still very cloudy) which left the sidewalk and plants slightly dampened.

In-the-ground planting space is precious for me now.  I moved to a townhome over four years ago, leaving behind a home with a very large garden and numerous other spaces for flowers.  And prior to that home I had one with even more land that had room for as much garden space as I wanted to cultivate and tend, which was lots.  But time marches on.

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Plastic pot recycling – how gardeners can help rescue plastic from landfills

May 12, 2012 — Leave a comment

Rows and rows of plastic plant containers at only one nursery. Just think how many nurseries there are worldwide!

Plastic pot recycling – is this really a big deal?  Well yeah, it is for our landfills!  Minnesota gardeners will be purchasing thousands of plants in plastic pots this year, pots that can be reused if they are taken to a proper recycling location.  Plus, there are plastic trays and hanging basket containers that also do not readily decompose and remain intact in landfills for many years.

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Farmers Market news in the Twin Cities for May, 2012

May 2, 2012 — 2 Comments

Rhubarb and asparagus are the early season crops most widely available.

Are you getting antsy for more signs of spring?  It may seem early in the season, but farmers markets are beginning to open all across the Metro area with spring crops and other products available for shoppers.  And that is very welcome news for all those who eagerly shop these venues throughout the growing season.

There are three main sources of information that keep Twin Cities’ residents on top of the “what and where” of farmers market happenings.  For updates throughout the season, just do a bit of surfing on any of these three websites to keep abreast of the latest news:

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