Gardening Archives

Mystery Plants and Garden Planning

Honest Home Podcast, Season 1

This week we tackle the perennial question: Do I let the landscaping grow in this first year I own my home, or do I change everything out right away?

We cover plant identification, landscaping tips, how to remove dangerous/problem thorny interlopers, and garden planning resources.

Resources:

CALL BEFORE YOU DIG!
Ask a Master Gardener, U of M Extension Service
DNR Invasive Species Resource
Permaculture
Minnesota Wildflowers
Our favorite travel mugs from Thermos!
Buckthorn identification from the Minnesota DNR site

What not to do in Minnesota - thistles LOVE this stuff! This whole section eventually became overrun with thistles, and we had to nuke it from orbit.

Common Buckthorn

Glossy Buckthorn

Artist's rendition of what the interior of your overgrown shrubs looks like.

Look Ahead to Spring

Honest Home Podcast, Season 1

In this episode we talk about water management (especially in light of the record snowfall we had this month!) and how to ensure the spring thaw doesn’t leave your basement flooded. We also take a look at landscaping. Our listener question is about repairing loose tiles.

W.hat T.he F.ail

A heaved deck!

Under side of deck is a mish-mash of DIY fixes. The deck itself is rotting.

Deck spans two town homes. It is heaved, boards are rotting, and it is not properly supported.

GREAT Stuff is not intended for use as a joist hanger.