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It’s iris season, and I’m loving these purple

It’s iris season, and I’m loving these purple beauties in all their phases. I don’t know 🤷🏻‍♀️ which variety they are as they came with our townhouse when we bought last August.

The former owners planted a plot between our unit and our neighbors with a dogwood, irises and bee balm. I added daffodils last fall and am thinking about putting in a small rose. Townhomes have limited space, but you can still garden on decks, patios, foundations and other nooks and crannies.
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#smallspacegardening #northerngardening #irises #bloomwhereyouareplanted #townhouseliving

Rows and rows of daffodils 🌼. I had a chance to

Rows and rows of daffodils 🌼. I had a chance to take some photos of a grow field in western Wisconsin, where an amateur grower is developing new, early varieties for the north.

Tip for home gardeners: if you want to move daffodils, dig them and move them foliage and all two weeks after they bloom. The foliage will flop and look bad, but no worries, they’ll come back next year as good as ever. As always when moving plants, water well! #daffodil #bulbgarden #northerngardening #gardentips

Quick report on my seed starting experiments with

Quick report on my seed starting experiments with coco coir vs peat as the base of a soil-less mix. Not a lot of difference: coco pot germinated a day ahead of the peat.
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#peatfree #seedstarting #gardenexperiment #mngardener #growingherbs

A break from the usual garden content: Lola has NE

A break from the usual garden content: Lola has NEVER been allowed on our bed and we were sure she could not get up on it, since she is short and the bed is not. A recent increase in her arthritis meds seems to have created an athlete. Never underestimate a 15 year old dog in pursuit of sun.
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#olddognewtricks #sundog #hernameislola #mndogs #dachshundmix

It is definitely spring at the Galleria where the

It is definitely spring at the Galleria where the annual Floral Experience by Bachman’s is underway. The scent of the hyacinth is intoxicating and the plants and whimsical art pieces make for a sweet stroll indoors during our relentless March.

It is so much more than bulbs, too—ots of trees, topiary, shrubs and two knockout weeping larches, annuals, perennials and just tons of color and fun. Highly recommended, and it runs through April 9 (Easter Sunday).

Enjoy!
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#floralexperience #bachmansflowershow #galleriaedina #springflowers #twincitiesevents #minnesotaspring

Glass and gardens, you bet! We’re heading home

Glass and gardens, you bet! We’re heading home after spending a few weeks in Sarasota, Florida. A highlight of our time there was seeing the Tiffany exhibit at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. It was creative and fun and the plant-themed art glass really did shine a light on this tropical garden. So worth a visit if you’re ever in the area!
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#sarasota #tropicalgardens #gardensofinstagram #artingardens #mngardenwriter #gardentravel #snowbird

Has your garden been transformed in the last year

Has your garden been transformed in the last year or two? I'd love to see it! I'm back to editing Northern Gardener for a bit and one of the new features in the magazine highlights garden or yard transformations. We need help finding some great ones!

The spring issue "Before and After" features a vegetable garden created out of a blank backyard in Bloomington, MN. The homeowner worked with Rustic Hills Garden Co. to add raised beds, fencing, paths and trellises. It's incredibly productive and really nice looking, too!

I'm looking for more transformations to feature in upcoming issues. They can be DIY or something you worked on with a garden pro. The goal is to give our readers ideas and inspiration.

Send me a DM with details. Don't worry about writing the piece yourself. We've got a bunch of great writers available to help with that. But you need to have photos of both before and after. I can't wait to see your gardens!

PC: @rustichillsgardenco

#coldclimategardens #gardendiy #gardentransformation #beforeandafter #showmeyourgarden

Are you trying winter sowing this year? Now is a g

Are you trying winter sowing this year? Now is a good time to sow perennials. Winter sowing is a way to get more plants at less cost by sowing seeds outdoors in mini-greenhouses in winter. The best greenhouse is a one-gallon milk jug. (Edit: leave the caps off! This was my first attempt at winter sowing and I did it wrong. The podcast episode explains why.)

For advice on how to do it from an expert, check out a podcast episode from 2021 where Michelle Mero Riedel explains her process. Great info! Link in bio and in stories. #wintersowing #mnpodcast #mngardening
#gardenpodcast
#growyourownflowers

What’s new in 2023? My winter break in Florida c

What’s new in 2023? My winter break in Florida coincided with the Tropical Plant International Expo so I had to attend. Research! So many cool houseplants. And pots! And roses with scent. And new ideas about everything from pest control to house plants as decor and gifts. Enjoy!
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#tpie #tpie2023 #houseplants #gardentrends

When you’re up to your knees in new snow, it’s

When you’re up to your knees in new snow, it’s time to dig out your lists of favorite plants and start planning ✍️ this year’s garden.

My January newsletter includes lists of best annuals for pollinators (of course zinnias are on the list), best herbs for beginners and a link to a slightly older blog post about best trees for urban gardens in our current and future climate. Check it out and start making your own list of go-to plants!

Link to the newsletter is in bio and stories. Please subscribe for occasional tips for Northern gardeners.
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#gardeningtips #annualflowers #pollinatorfriendly #urbantrees

2022 — uff-da — what a year! A few photos al

2022 — uff-da — what a year!

A few photos all reeled together that mostly weren’t on instagram. Wishing you all a Happy New Year and a bloom-filled, homegrown 2023.

Highlights include: Garden shots from Florida, England, my home garden, St. Cloud and Washington County, Minnesota, plus the Minnesota State Fair dahlia garden. Steve and I at Hadrian’s wall, then being escorted off the cruise ship after we got Covid (do NOT recommend!), harvest dinner at my brother’s farm in Wisconsin, my friend, Julie’s, indoor ripening set up for the Aleppo peppers she helped me trial, a bit of garden philosophy and @resawithoutherspoon’s amazing Christmas cookies.
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#gardenforlife #gardenyear #mynortherngarden #zone4gardening #happynewyear

Poinsettias are nice but kind of tough to keep goi

Poinsettias are nice but kind of tough to keep going with the heat running 24/7. So how about some holiday plants that are not poinsettias. Norfolk Island pine, rosemary, paperwhites, amaryllis or any houseplant with red veining add that holiday cheer and are easier to keep alive or are not meant to last, so no need for guilt when they are gone.

I have a post over on the @mnhort website with info about great holiday plant gifts that are NOT poinsettias. Link in bio and stories.
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#holidaydecor #holidayhouseplants #amaryllis #norfolkislandpine #paperwhites

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