Minnesota gardens often reveal their full character once the last frost has passed. In one Midwestern plot, late spring has brought a surge of bright blooms that turn ordinary beds into vivid displays. The shift from cool, restrained tones to richer hues marks a clear change in the season. Gardeners in the region watch closely...

Summer has settled in across the northern hemisphere, with meteorological summer underway since June 1 and the astronomical season beginning at the solstice on June 21. Tonight brings the first full moon of the season, known as the Strawberry Moon, which reaches fullness at 7:56 p.m. EDT. This particular moon follows the lowest path across...

Something has been catching people off guard in Midwestern backyards this summer: a soft, eerie green glow pulsing from old tree stumps and rotting wood after dark. It’s not a trick of the eye or a stray light source. It’s a living fungus, doing something that feels more supernatural than biological. This phenomenon, often grouped...

Homeowners often look for ways to extend time outdoors when temperatures rise. A well-chosen deck awning supplies reliable shade that protects both people and plants from intense sun. This addition can convert underused decks into comfortable areas for relaxation and light gardening throughout the season. Addressing Heat Challenges in Compact Areas Small decks frequently become...

The Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center is overflowing with cats. An influx of kittens has pushed the facility beyond its usual capacity. Officials describe the situation as urgent and are appealing directly for foster homes to help manage the surge during kitten season. The Overflow Situation The center reports that its cat population has grown...

There’s something quietly satisfying about reaching up and pulling ripe fruit straight from a tree in your own backyard. One in every four food items on American tables comes from California’s Central Valley, which produces roughly two-fifths of the nation’s fruits and nuts. That staggering agricultural legacy isn’t limited to commercial farms. Your own backyard...

There’s something quietly satisfying about reclaiming a weedy garden bed without once reaching for a shovel or a spray bottle. Cardboard, the same plain brown material that arrives at your door with every online order, turns out to be one of the more practical tools in a no-dig gardener’s kit. Using cardboard as a weed...

Walk through most suburban neighborhoods and you’ll spot them within minutes. Trees ringed with towering mounds of mulch piled high against their trunks, shaped like small volcanoes. It looks intentional, even caring. Most homeowners who do it think they’re protecting their investment. The reality, as arborists and researchers now document clearly, is the opposite. Over-mulching...

Moving into a new-build home is exciting. The clean lines, the fresh start, the potential. Then you step into the garden and notice every neighbour has a direct line of sight straight to your back door. New developments are often built with minimal green infrastructure, leaving owners to figure out their own seclusion from scratch....

Something significant happened in 2024 that barely made headlines outside of energy circles. For the first time in modern history, wind and solar together generated more electricity across the United States than coal. In 2024, wind and solar hit a record 17% of US electricity, surpassing coal, which dropped to an all-time low of 15%....

A longtime nursery professional tracked every failed plant in a personal spreadsheet. The record shows that losses happen routinely, regardless of marketing claims about reliable performers. This evidence comes from decades spent running both retail and wholesale operations in the perennial trade. Retail Experience Highlights Routine Losses Allen Bush operated Holbrook Farm and Nursery in...

Homeowners with septic systems frequently cover discharge fields with basic lawns to protect the underground infrastructure. This approach keeps the area functional yet often leaves yards looking uniform and uninspired. Careful plant selection offers a practical way to add visual interest while preserving the field’s performance. Why Standard Lawns Fall Short Septic discharge fields require...