What does it take to grow a delicious apple in cold climates? In this episode, we check in with orchardist Bob Osborne, author of the new book, Hardy Apples: Growing Apples in Cold Climates (Firefly Books, 2022). We talk about what an apple tree needs to grow well, grafting, pests and diseases, pruning and favorite apples for northern gardeners. Bo…

Let's talk lawn! With the popularity of no-mow May, bee lawns and other alternatives to traditional Kentucky bluegrass turf, it seems a good time to bring in a lawn expert. James Wolfin of Twin City Seed is a proponent of lower-input lawns and has great information on how to have a good-looking lawn without a lot of work. More about James Wolfin Tw…

No interview today, just some information about the weather — our late spring, what to worry about and what not to worry about, seed germination and soil temperature. It's a shorter episode and I hope it encourages you to remain calm and garden on. Some links for more information: Seed Germination and Soil Temps (with small chart) Seed Germination …

Listeners may remember Meg Cowden of SeedtoFork.com from a previous episode on early seed starting. She's back to talk about succession planting and her new book, Plant Grow Harvest Repeat (Timber Press, 2022). Meg's book is filled with charts, plant lists, solid advice and inspiration for any gardener who wants to grow an abundant food and fruit g…

We're talking all about blueberries today and some of the challenges of growing them in the alkaline soil that many Minnesota gardens have. My guest is Melissa Wilsford of Rustic Hills Garden Co., a landscaping firm based in the Twin Cities, that specializes in creating edible landscapes. One of her favorite groundcover plants is the blueberry! To …

This episode features podcaster, blogger and author Teresa J. Speight of Cottage in the Court. Her new books (she has two coming out this spring!) are Black Flora: Profiles of Inspiring Black Flower Farmers + Florists (Bloom Imprint, 2022) and The Urban Garden: 101 Ways to Grow Food and Beauty in the City (Cool Springs Press, 2022) with co-author K…

Today's guest is Heather Holm, author, speaker and horticulturist, who is an expert on pollinating insects, including bees and wasps. In this episode, we talk about habitat restoration, how home gardeners can bring in more pollinators, why the spring and fall are so important to pollinators and cultivars of native plants. Check out these resources:…

Author Acadia Tucker talks about her latest book, Tiny Victory Gardens: Growing Food Without a Yard (Stone Pier Press, 2021), including how to decide which containers to use, advice for making your own potting soil and even how to grow a consistent supply of salad greens in containers, indoors, in winter. Good stuff! More about Acadia and her garde…

Author and soil scientist Lee Reich loves to experiment in the garden, and one of his first experiments as a young gardener was growing figs in Madison, Wis. In his new book, Growing Figs in Cold Climates: A Complete Guide (New Society Publishers, 2021), he offers northern gardeners tips on choosing varieties, pruning and how to get fig trees throu…

Welcome to another season of Grow it, Minnesota! In this episode, author Cathy Rees talks about her new book, Winterland: Create a Beautiful Garden for Every Season (Princeton Architectural Press, 2021). She explains what to think about as you design a garden and landscape that will offer beauty and more all year. We talk about the importance of te…

With the drought in Minnesota moving from moderate to extreme, gardeners are wondering how to take care of their trees. In this episode, arborist Jake McDougall of Davey Tree Service talks about how to tell if your tree is experiencing drought stress, best ways to water and the value of mulch for keeping moisture on trees. We touch on a few tree pe…

David Zlesak, plant breeder and professor at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, is my guest today, talking about the American Rose Trials for Sustainability or A.R.T.S. program. In this program, roses are evaluated all over the country for their ability to thrive without fertilizer, pesticides or fungicides. Regional winners are named each ye…

Learn all about growing herbs indoors from author Susan Betz, whose latest book is Herbal Houseplants: Grow Beautiful Herbs Indoors (Cool Springs Press, 2021). Susan talks about the special needs of indoors plants, understanding why some plants have shorter seasons, the value of sending houseplants outdoors for a summer vacation and more. Susan is …

Author and blogger Jen McGuinness talks about her new book, Micro Food Gardening (Cool Spring Press, 2021). The book includes information on how to grow food in containers, indoors or out, and it features 30 micro food gardening projects, from a cake stand for growing strawberries to how to grow basil in a muffin pan! Jen is known all over the inte…

Longtime Minnesota plantsman and author Mike Heger joined me to talk about bulbs, particularly those that grow well in the summer. Mike covered the basics of bulbs and talked about planting and caring for bulbs that grow well in a northern climate. He even mentioned a few favorite bulb cultivars. To Learn More MSHS Summer Bulb Sale (order by April …

Maddie Poling of Sacred Space Gardens joins me to talk about rain gardens: why they are important, how and where to install one, which plants to choose for sun and shade and more. Maddie's company provides sustainable garden services to commercial and residential customers, including designing and installing rain gardens. To Learn More . . . Maddie…

Amy Kainz—known as Milkweed and Daisies on Instagram—is a Central Minnesota gardener who started growing flowers from seeds to save money. Amy offers great tips on starting seeds indoors and out to expand your garden and how beginning gardeners should approach the process. Her one-half acre garden is a Certified Monarch Way Station, too. How to Bec…

Community gardener, blogger and local food activist Michelle Bruhn of Forks in the Dirt joins Mary for a conversation about companion planting. Michelle is teaching an online class on the topic later this month. You can also enter a book giveaway of Jessica Walliser's new book, Plant Partners, by commenting on the Grow it, Minnesota Facebook page o…

Sowing seeds using the winter sowing method has been one of the most popular trends in gardening over the past decade. Master gardener and professional photographer Michelle Mero Riedel walks us through the hows and whys of winter sowing, which she uses for perennial plants, and spring sowing, a similar method she uses for herbs, annual flowers and…

Herbalist and author Matthew Alfs joins Mary for a discussion of his new book, Edible and Medicinal Wild Plants of the Midwest, Third Edition (Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2020. We discuss plants Minnesota gardeners may be familiar with as weeds or garden plants and their edible and medicinal properties. Disclaimer: Ingestion of any wild pla…

Meg Cowden is a Twin Cities gardener, writer and photographer known for her amazing vegetable garden and beautiful Instagram photos. In this episode, she talks about spring seed starting and why spring is her favorite time to extend the season. To Learn More Meg's website Meg's Instagram When to Sow Vegetables for Continuous Harvest How to Fold a N…

In this episode, best-selling author Niki Jabbour talks about her new book, Growing Under Cover (Storey Publishing, 2020). Niki explains why row covers, cold frames, shade clothes and poly tunnels are great ways for northern gardeners to grow vegetables in our short seasons. She talks about how to build mini-hoops, the importance of using good-qual…

Rhonda Fleming Hayes returns to Grow it, Minnesota to talk about pollinator gardening. Rhonda is the author of Pollinator Friendly Gardening: Gardening for Bees, Butterflies and Other Pollinators. In this episode, she explains the basics of creating a landscape pollinators will flock to, why home gardens are so important to pollinator health and so…

Arborist Mark Moeller joined Mary to talk about what you need in your yard to attract birds and other wildlife. Mark, who started his career climbing trees, recommended more than a dozen species of shrubs and trees guaranteed to bring in the birds and support wildlife. Useful and Fun Links Davey Tree Expert Co. Bird Feeding Tips from the Minnesota …

Will the gardener in your life be far away this holiday season? In this bonus episode, Mary suggests ideas for five gifts for gardeners that are easy to ship, which includes everything from experiences to tiny tools that make all the difference in the garden. You'll find links to all the suggestions (and a few more) at My Northern Garden, or check …

Steven Biggs, horticulturist and author of Grow Lemons Where You Think You Can't and several other books on vegetable and fruit growing, joins Mary to talk about growing lemons indoors and out in the North. In this episode, you'll learn the best varieties to grow in northern climates, how to keep your lemons healthy in the winter, and how to use al…

Today's episode is about Everything Elderberry, which is also the title of Susannah Shmurak's new book on elderberries—a superfood you can grow in your northern garden! Susannah describes the health benefits of elderberries and elderflowers, how to use them to get the most benefit, great cultivars to grow in home gardens, and even foods you can mak…

Why start a vegetable garden? Why do some vegetable gardens succeed and others struggle? Melissa Wilsford of Rustic Hills Garden Co., a company that helps new and experienced gardeners incorporate edibles into their landscapes, is my guest on this podcast. Melissa talks about why she decided to start a firm focused on edible garden design in 2018, …

Native plants are the original ornamentals of the Midwest! Alan Branhagen is the author of the new book, Midwest Native Plant Primer (Timber Press, 2020), and director of operations at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. In this episode, Alan explains how to incorporate more native plants in your landscape, why natives are so important, and some of …

Dawn Lamm is the founder of Como Community Seed Library, one of several community seed saving and sharing organizations in Minnesota. In this episode, we talk with Dawn about why seed saving and seed stories are important, how to save seeds from beans, peas and tomatoes and how you can connect with a local seed library. Useful Links Como Community …

Your garden harvest is abundant. It's time to preserve it for the winter by canning and fermenting. In this episode, author Stephanie Thurow talks about how easy and fun it is to preserve the harvest. Her new book, Weck Home Preserving (Skyhorse Press, 2020), offers dozens of recipes for making your own relishes, pickles, jams and more, along with …

Welcome to Grow it, Minnesota. On this episode, horticulture researcher Steve Poppe talks about the work of the West Central Research and Outreach Center at the University of Minnesota Morris. The center tests new annuals and perennials, does research on how plants perform and has a beautiful trial garden to visit. To learn more: West Central Resea…

Welcome to the first episode of Grow it, Minnesota. On this episode, author Rhonda Fleming Hayes talks about growing a kitchen garden—what to plant, design advice and how a kitchen garden is different from a vegetable garden. To learn more: Rhonda's favorite Ruby Gem lettuce Corten steel raised beds Rhonda's potting shed, article includes some phot…

Welcome to Grow it, Minnesota, a podcast for beginning and experienced gardeners in the North. Host Mary Schier interviews expert gardeners about their interests and techniques in growing food and more in a cold climate. This trailer explains what the show is about.By Mary