WCCO's Smart Gardens

WCCO's Smart Gardens

  • 36 minutes 49 seconds
    Getting to Work on the Lawn, Fertilizer Facts, Putting Labor into Lilacs
    Now that the snow is melting, what can we start to do in our lawns and gardens? Is it time to remove burlap from trees? Treating for grubs. What goes into strategic root pruning? Is dethatching necessary? It is time to finish up your pruning. Fertilizer that cannot be used in Minnesota. What to do with overgrown lilacs? When to start splitting hostas. Creeping Charlie questions. Learn more from horticulturalist Laura Irish Hanson and Lawn and Turf expert Jon Trappe at extension.umn.edu.
    28 March 2026, 1:03 pm
  • 40 minutes 15 seconds
    Preparing to Prune, Treating Tree Scale, When its Time to Transplant
    Seed starting season is in full swing. What trees can be pruned right now? What to know when transplanting peonies. Is dethatching necessary in Minnesota? What to do if there is scale on a tree? Should we start uncovering outdoor plants? Preventing voles from damaging your lawn. Protecting plants from rabbits. Learn more from horticulturalist Julie Weisenhorn at extension.umn.edu.
    21 March 2026, 1:04 pm
  • 8 minutes 41 seconds
    Winter Seeding Ahead of Heavy Snow, Seed Starting Basics, Preparing For Pruning
    As a big snow storm is expected to hit Minnesota, is it okay to winter seed before it comes? Putting down grass seed before snow falls. Why buying good grass seed goes a long way. Minimizing lawn and damage done by dogs. Will the wild weather swings have an impact on perennials. Plants to prevent deer. Where and when to prune hydrangeas. Learn more from horticulturalist Mary Meyer at extension.umn.edu.
    14 March 2026, 1:03 pm
  • 41 minutes 3 seconds
    Planning a Vegetable Garden, Planting a Rain Garden, Growing Oak Trees from Acorns
    What to know if you are preparing to plant a vegetable garden. How to protect your plants from critters. Maple Fest is coming to the arboretum. Are buds growing on lilac bushes already? The best plants for a rain garden. Is it too late to prune an apple tree? What is the best way to get rid of used potting soil? How to grow oak trees from acorns. Is it too late for tulips? Learn more from Master Gardener Teresa Rooney at extension.umn.edu.
    7 March 2026, 2:11 pm
  • 38 minutes 11 seconds
    Bee Lawn Basics, Preparing a Prairie Area, Getting Rid of Moles and Voles
    Now that the snow is starting to melt we are making moves on dormant seeding our lawns. What kind of work goes into planting a bee lawn? Is it okay to mix different grass species for a lawn? Maintaining lilacs. How to start a prairie area. How to get rid of moles in your yard. Getting an amaryllis to bloom. Deer droppings for fertilizer? Learn more from horticulturalist Laura Irish Hanson extension.umn.edu.
    28 February 2026, 2:13 pm
  • 36 minutes 33 seconds
    Growing Persimmons in Minnesota, Cold Treating Plants, Planting a Lawn for Bees
    The process of growing persimmons. Getting trees to grow better. How to inhibit algae growth. Where to plant rhubarb. When plants need cold treatment. Keeping critters away from plants and grass. The spring flower show is getting underway at the arboretum. Bringing geraniums back to life. Making a lawn that is best for bees. It is time to trim maple trees. Learn more from horticulturalist Mary Meyer at extension.umn.edu.
    21 February 2026, 2:13 pm
  • 41 minutes 6 seconds
    Warm weather, even in winter, means spring is coming!
    Minnesota growers are getting a tease of spring this weekend and that leaves many with questions when it comes to seeding, growing, and maintaining some of their gardening projects! To answer some of these questions we have the University of Minnesota Extension Horticulturist Julie Weisenhorn tackling some of your lawn care questions regarding seeding, pruning, greenhouse maintenance, peach trees, dormant seeding and indoor plant upkeep and much more!
    14 February 2026, 3:04 pm
  • 39 minutes 25 seconds
    Transplanting House Plants, More Fungus Gnat Problems, Tree Trouble
    Does this winter warm up have an impact on plants? Getting started with seeds. When to consider repotting a plant. Grass cutting questions. When to transplant house plants. Fungus gnat solutions. When to rototill your lawn. Identifying tree trouble. Learn more from Master Gardener Teresa Rooney at extension.umn.edu
    7 February 2026, 2:10 pm
  • 39 minutes 13 seconds
    Winter Sowing Solutions, Fruit Tree Tips, Spider Mite Mitigation
    When to transplant a poinsettia. How to germinate seeds in the winter. Pruning spruces. Maintaining fruit trees. Handling hydrangeas. Getting rid of spider mites. Can bamboo grow in Minnesota? Will plants come back after deer damage? What is an ideal temperature for a house plant? Learn more from Master Gardener Teresa Rooney at extension.umn.edu.
    31 January 2026, 2:10 pm
  • 39 minutes 14 seconds
    Preparing Gardens in The Winter, Exploding Trees, When to Start and Stop Pruning
    What can a gardener do when we are in the middle of a cold winter? Spider plant problems. When to start fertilizing house plants. Debunking the exploding tree myth. Can streetlights impact plant growth? When is it too late to prune trees? Growing berries in Minnesota. Cutting back geraniums. Growing and caring for amaryllis plants. Recommended weed barriers. How to grow pineapple. Learn more from horticulturalist Laura Irish Hanson extension.umn.edu.
    24 January 2026, 2:10 pm
  • 39 minutes 17 seconds
    How Temperature Can Impact Trees, Winter Sowing Tips, Properly Repotting a Plant
    Do erratic temperatures have a big impact on trees? Winter tasks for gardeners. What to know if you want to start winter sowing. Preventing and getting rid of fungus gnats. How to properly repot a plant. Pruning practice. Getting a cactus to bloom. Making sure your pots drain. Learn more from horticulturalist Julie Weisenhorn at extension.umn.edu.
    17 January 2026, 2:10 pm
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