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My Northern Garden

cantaloupe cut in half

A Toast to Minnesota’s Heritage Melon, Recipe Included

Plants

It’s been a great summer for Minnesota Midget melons, a small cantaloupe-type melon that grows very well in the North. I’ve got three Minnesota Midget melon plants, all growing in containers and all doing great.  So great, in fact, that I’ve been looking for ways to use them, including the cooler recipe you’ll find at the end of the post….
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Update on the Container Tomatoes

Climate

Leaf curl and blossom end rot have been problems for my container tomatoes, but not serious ones — at least so far.  Despite the heat, humidity and rain of the early summer, it looks like this will be a good year for tomatoes. First, the facts: As of mid-July, Minnesota has seen the highest combined levels of heat and humidity…
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monarch on orange flower

Three All-Star Pollinator Plants

Uncategorized

There are many plants that attract, feed and nurture pollinating insects and birds. And, every gardener will have favorites. In my garden, there are three plants that always seem to be covered with bees and butterflies. Here’s the rundown: Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) is the biggest bee magnet in my yard. Sometimes called giant anise hyssop or hummingbird mint, I…
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Why Grow Tomatoes in Containers?

How to

This is the first year that I am growing the majority of my tomatoes in containers, and wow, are they doing well! I decided to go with containers because I’m using my raised beds for a cutting garden, and I’ve found that growing tomatoes in my regular garden beds results in slow growth and late-season diseases. I planted one tomato…
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closeup of Mexican hat flower

Gardening for Pollinators in a Big Way

Plants

This summer I’ll be planting a small pollinator garden on our boulevard.  It’s the start of what I hope will be a bigger garden along my hellstrip—the 55-by-7 foot stretch of our property between the sidewalk and the street.  Start small, and grow it from there is a good motto in the garden. Still, seeing a big, private garden with…
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My Northern Garden book

mynortherngarden_mary

Author, editor, blogger. Plants, how-tos, books, recipes, and Lola, the dog. #coldclimategarden
#nativeplants
#urbangarden
#gardenwriter

Instagram post 2190808837592766596_1447832097 This book from the amazing @homesteadbrooklyn and two others reviewed on the blog today. Link in bio. All address our divorce from nature and how/why to reconnect. Good reading for winter. .
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#howtocatchamole #howtocatchamoleandfindyourselfinnature @greystonebooks #markhamer #moles #houseplants #millenialsloveplants #gardenreading #gardenbooks #nature #theartistsgarden #gardensinspireart #artistsandtheirgardens #gardenblogger #reviewonblog #mynortherngarden
Instagram post 2186530642328682344_1447832097 Even in a snow hat, the gray-haired clematis looks good. .
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#alphinabluedancer #bluedancerclematis clematis #donahuesclematis #winterinterest #mynortherngarden #northerngardener #minnesnowta #thanksgivingsnow
Instagram post 2186443825478771999_1447832097 After needing to be carried outside to do her business, Lola settles in for the snow day. .
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#minnesnowta #dogsofinstagram #hernamewaslola #dogshaming #shortlegs #snowstorm #dachshundmix
Instagram post 2183797691195279982_1447832097 Thank you, @mnhort and @fleur_de_louise_flower_studio for this stunning door swag. Love the wheat and ribbon!! .
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#mnhort #holidaydecor #doorswag #doordecor #itsbeginningtolookalotlikechristmas  #mnmaker
Instagram post 2183063749567501424_1447832097 Box of books✅
Author poster✅
Homemade butter caramels to lure shoppers ✅✅
I’m ready for tomorrow’s @mnhort Holiday Open House. If you are near Rosedale Center, the office is just west at 1935 County Rd B2. Vendors, a chance to make a fun door swag and  a once a year deal on gift memberships in MSHS. I’d love to see you there.
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#mnmakers #holidayshopping #shoplocal #authorlife #gardenwriter #coldclimategardener #mngarden #gardenbook
Instagram post 2179533207471514301_1447832097 Thanksgiving centerpiece—done! Thanks to @fleur_de_louise_flower_studio and @mnhort class at @badweatherbrew  tonight. Great instruction and idea. .
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#mnflorist #holidaydecor #centerpiecesideas #mnhort #makeandtakeclasses #decorating #falldecor
Instagram post 2177844428016899255_1447832097 Counting up my books in advance of the Holiday Open House at @mnhort  next weekend (Nov. 23). If you are a #mnmaker with garden or nature themed decor, cards, jewelry etc looking for an intimate event to sell your wares, DM me and I’ll connect you. We have room for one or two more folks. The open house includes a wreath class, super discounts on gift memberships in the Hort society, the popular T shirts and tools from the @mnstatefair etc. Plus, of course, moi there to sell and sign copies of the Northern Gardener book. ..
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#mnmakers #mnhort #supportmnhort #northerngardener #holidayevent #holidaygifts #homemadegifts #homemademn #mynortherngarden #gardenwriter #authorlife
Instagram post 2170630061458252617_1447832097 Kudos to the foresters at the @cityofsaintpaul They are replanting the boulevard in my neighborhood and they are doing it right! Lots oaks for pollinators, planted in fall, and there’s a mulch moat not a volcano at the base of the tree. Yes! .
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#streettrees #howtoplantatree #treeplanting #citytree #urbantree #eab #ashreplacement #northerngardening #minnesotagardening #mystpaul #stpaultrees #urbangarden
Instagram post 2168499509485654950_1447832097 November has arrived with a cold thud: clematis flowers that look like an old lady’s wig, frosted sunflowers and ice caps on the rudbeckia. We’re promised a warmer day tomorrow (40 ish) then back to the gray and cold. .
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#mynortherngarden #mygarden #novembergarden #clematis #sunbelievable #sunflower #henryeilers #frost #snow #earlywinter #minnesotaweather #mnhort #minnesotagardening #coldclimategardening
Instagram post 2167925642178417945_1447832097 Hitched a ride with my sister to the #tcheartball Great cause and they have some gorgeous flowers on the table. Love that this includes the dianthus we featured on the Northern Gardener in May/June! .
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#hearthealthy #floralarrangement #hydrangea #roses #floraldisplay
Instagram post 2166450568652930519_1447832097 I was going for surprised rather than spooky. Mostly looks glum. .
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#halloween #trickortreat #jackolantern #carving #readyfortrickortreat #realcandles #stpaulmn #stpaulhalloween
Instagram post 2164311892590370324_1447832097 Working on this all the time! .
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#vegetablewisdom #positivethinking #gardenphilosophy
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