Hooked on wildlife watching Patrick Brejcha couldn’t believe his eyes when he checked his trail camera: a bald eagle, wild turkey and crow were side by side, eating from the same food source inches ...

When a tornado swept through southeast Minnesota, Owl Bluff Farm experienced how vulnerable Minnesota farms can be to severe weather and how valuable it is to have tools that offer stability when the ...

Anthracnose is a common fungal disease of shade trees that results in leaf spots, cupping or curling of leaves and early leaf drop. In Minnesota, anthracnose is most common in cool, wet spring weather ...

How to compost in home gardens.Unenclosed compost piles are uncommon in an urban setting since they usually spread out and become unsightly. Enclosing your compost pile in a structure keeps materials ...

Social wasps are a group of related insects belonging primarily to the family Vespidae(sometimes called vespid wasps). Being social means many individuals share one nest. Solitary wasps and bees nest ...

Like other plants in the potato family (which includes eggplants, peppers, and tobacco), tomatoes are heat-loving plants that require a long, frost-free season and full sun. The long, hot, sunny days ...

Quick facts Sowbugs, millipedes and centipedes are not true insects but are arthropods related to insects. They are not harmful to people, food, clothes, furniture, or other items within homes. They ...

Help trees and shrubs recover after harsh weather. Don’t mow heat-stressed lawns. And harvest regularly to keep your vegetable and herb plants productive.

Selecting trees and shrubs for your landscape Plant Elements of Design plant selection tool Gardening in the shade — how to create gardens in shady areas in your yard. Recommended trees and plants for ...

Freezing fresh fruit can involve less equipment and require less time than other food preservation techniques. Fresh fruits have a short shelf life because ripening enzymes change the texture and ...

Polk County partners with Extension to deliver practical education and research you can use at home, at work and in your community.

Blanching is an important step in preserving vegetables for both food safety and quality. Fresh vegetables should be blanched before freezing, drying, or dehydrating to kill bacteria that might be on ...