I had a fun afternoon at the Minnesota State Fair Wednesday, where I worked at the Minnesota State Horticultural Society booth, selling memberships (a heckuva bargain at $55 with lots of perks and goodies) and visiting with fairgoers. The fair really is a great get-together. Not only did I talk with many readers of Northern Gardener — always a pleasure…
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How Plants Add Nitrogen to the Soil
Back in the day, I worked for a large agricultural supply cooperative in Minnesota, which sold seed to farmers. To say that the co-op’s seed guys were fixated on nitrogen fixation—the way plants add nitrogen to the soil— would be an understatement. Nitrogen fixing is the process by which certain legumes take nitrogen from the air (N2) and, with the…
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Recipe: Bruschetta, a la Julie and Julia
If you had a chance to see the movie Julie and Julia, you know it’s full of images of fantastic food. But the scene that made me salivate was the one in which Julie Powell (played by former Chanhassen Dinner Theater actress Amy Adams) prepares bruschetta for her husband, and he devours it with messy gusto. With tomatoes finally coming…
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Why Soil Matters to Plant Growth
For a visual reminder of why soil matters so much to the health and vigor of plants, see the two photos below. These are identical sunflower plants. I planted them on the same day late in the spring. The plants are located less than 20 feet apart in identical full-sun exposure. Why are some of the sunflowers only waist-high, while…
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How to Use White in the Garden
In clothing and home decor, I avoid white due to my unfortunate tendency to spill coffee. But in the garden, judicious use of white in blooms, accessories and even foliage is striking and it often gives a focal point to the garden. That’s one of the best ways to use white in the garden. Recently, I’ve been enjoying several white…
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