I posted many of these shots on the MSHS Facebook fan page, but wanted to share them more broadly, too. A group of horticulture society volunteers work all summer to create and nurture the wonderful MSHS State Fair garden, which is located just south of the Horticulture Building on the Fairgrounds. Visit the state fair garden, then come inside the…
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I make about 20 half-pints of jams and jellies each year, some of which we eat and some of which we give away. One of the more appreciative recipients of my jamming efforts is my dad, who often enjoys a PB and J sandwich for lunch. When I told my mom I was making jam with blueberries Sunday night, he…
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We love berries around my house, but I only grow one kind, and it’s a calculated decision about when it’s better to pick berries grown by others rather than grow them. Here’s the calculation: Reward – work = to grow or not. The imaginary solution to this equation must be positive. I thought about this yesterday as my husband and…
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This year I planted three kinds of basil: the sweet Genovese that is typically used for making pesto and seasoning Italian food, Thai basil and lemon basil. A week or so ago, I picked all three and made a pesto with them for pasta. It was …. disappointing. As I learned, Thai basil probably should not be substituted for sweet…
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I’m one of the fortunate few Minnesota gardeners who — at least so far — does not have a problem with Japanese beetles. The JBs can be extremely frustrating and they have driven two of the most peace-loving ladies I know to near distraction. There are lots of rumors about what works and what doesn’t work with the beetles. Hand…
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