Sherburne County Master Gardeners

Our gratitude to all who joined us at our annual Plant Sale Extravaganza this past Saturday! Your support truly made it a smashing success. 🌿🌸

Happy Mother’s Day!

Registration is open for the Junior Master Gardener program that starts Tuesday May 28. Gardening season is here!

Prune oaks now to avoid oak wilt infection
The unusually warm winter might leave more than a mark on the record books – it could hasten invasive oak wilt infection risk. Now is the safest time to prune and trim oak trees to prevent the spread of this deadly disease, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Oak wilt, a non-native fungal disease, is spread when sap-feeding beetles become active in warm weather and carry oak wilt spores from one tree to the next. These beetles are attracted to the sap from fresh wounds, such as those made by pruning. Once beetles introduce the fungus, it frequently spreads to neighboring oaks underground through connected roots.

“Don’t wait until after February to trim oak trees – it might be too late,” said Brian Schwingle, DNR forest health coordinator. “Oak wilt is widespread in parts of southeastern Minnesota, and pockets of disease extend to north and west of Brainerd. We can slow this northern progression by pruning oaks now, when the risk of oak wilt transmission is zero.”

Typically, April through July is the period of highest risk for oak wilt to spread. However, this winter is anything but typical. If late February and early March bring high temperatures approaching 60 F for a few consecutive days, sap-feeding beetles will become active much earlier than usual and oak wilt risk will increase. The last time that happened was in 2012.

If people must prune or cut oaks during a riskier period, they can greatly reduce infection risk by immediately applying a pruning paint to the fresh cut or stump. Always check the status of oak wilt risk at the University of Minnesota’s oak wilt in Minnesota website (extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/oak-wilt-minnesota) before working on oak trees.

DNR also cautions homeowners, campers, cabin owners, visitors, and hunters against moving oak firewood, which can spread oak wilt over long distances. Instead, use firewood sourced onsite or certified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/firewood/firewooddealers) to prevent transporting oak wilt and other invasive species.

For more details on oak wilt, including identification, prevention and how best to deal with infected trees and wood, visit the DNR’s oak wilt management webpage (mndnr.gov/treecare/forest_health/oakwilt/management.html).

The University of Minnesota Extension to host Maple Syrup workshops nearby

Whether you’re looking to get started, or home in on syruping skills, this workshop is a great learning tool for small-scale enthusiasts. Extension educators will lead participants through the tapping and syrup-making process with presentations and hands-on activities. There will be opportunities for on-farm tours, depending on location.

Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of the history of maple syrup, laws and regulations, and techniques and equipment for extracting and processing sap for sustainability. Dress appropriately for the weather and activities involved.

For more information, please visit the Extension website here: z.umn.edu/MapleSyrup2024 Sign up soon as space is limited.

Visit our online store and place your order today.
https://www.sherburneswcd.org/tree-sale-store.html

There are a couple of workshop options not too far from Sherburne County if this is something that you'd like to learn more about!

Statewide dormant pruning workshops for cold hardy grapes happening February-March, 2024 Madeline Wimmer- Food Systems, fruit production From growing grapes in a vineyard setting to your very own backyard or garden, dormant prun...

Thinking of putting in a windbreak, living snow fence, scenic buffer, or wildlife habitat? Check out the Sherburne Soil and Sherburne Soil & Water Conservation District annual tree sale

Tree Sale The tree program originated in order to provide landowners with an affordable and convenient way to purchase trees and shrubs for conservation practices, such as, windbreaks, shelterbelts, living...

For those who live close to Princeton . . .

Looking for answers to your conservation questions?
Stop by Coffee Corner in Princeton on Jan. 27th and speak with SWCD staff.

Know when to harvest melons and squash

Guidelines for harvesting watermelons, melons and squash are confusing and often contradictory. Farmers and gardeners often struggle to pick melons at the right time and find that they are either flavorless or mushy and overripe.

Watermelon ripeness is determined by a variety of traits including sugar content, how easily the fruit detaches, ethylene production and firmness of the skin.

All types of pumpkins and squash do not continue ripening after harvest, so they should be allowed to ripen to full maturity on the vine. This is a quick guide to harvesting cucurbit crops for optimal ripeness.
https://extension.umn.edu/commercial-fruit-growing-guides/harvesting-and-storing-melons-squash-and-pumpkins

Helpful information to remember if you decide you need to use a pesticide for any reason this season on your lawn or garden.

Make sure to always read the label BEFORE using a pesticide product to minimize your exposure and save your garden! Learn more at: http://npic.orst.edu/health/readlabel.html
Questions? Call us at (800) 858-7378 M-F: 8AM-12PM PT

Our Junior Master Gardener program is getting ready. Register by Sunday May 28 for the last couple of spots. See what the fun is all about! Starts May 30. Learn more and register https://www.sherburnecountymastergardeners.org/junior-master-gardener-program Sherburne County Junior Master Gardeners Iron Shoe Farm

Getting ready! 🌱 A lot to be excited about this summer. For starters, these little seedlings are almost ready for the gardens for our Junior Master Gardeners. A hands on experience full of learning opportunities. What will these grow up to be?!

Mark your calendars! Our annual plant sale is happening on May 13!

Tomorrow is our 39th Annual Seed Exchange! Join the Sherburne County Master Gardeners here at the Oliver Kelley Farm from 2PM-4PM to share seeds, demonstrate how to start vegetable seeds with a grow light, learn how to start native seeds in milk jugs, and to talk all things gardening! We will have refreshments, seed art activities, and a roaring fire in our Visitor Center - we hope you join us!

Our Jr Master Gardener Program wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of community and those willing to support us. 1000x thank you’s.

Getting ready! Register to save your spot 🤩

Who’s ready for fun?! Program starts June 14. Register early for your spot by June 6th. Summer is here! ☀️🌱 The Junior Master Gardener program is a hands on learning environment with getting our hands in the dirt learning everything from gardening basics to hydroponics, and so much more. Register early for your spot online by June 6. https://www.sherburnecountymastergardeners.org/junior-master-gardener-program

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! Program starts June 14. We're excited to get back in the gardens with the kids. The Junior Master Gardener program is a hands on learning environment with getting our hands in the dirt learning everything from gardening basics to hydroponics, and so much more. We're looking forward to hanging our with our JrMg kids! Register early for your spot online by June 6 https://www.sherburnecountymastergardeners.org/junior-master-gardener-program

Attention Jr Gardeners! Happy National Arbor Day! 🌳🌲 Plant a tree, spend a day in nature, learn about a favorite tree, are all great ways to celebrate this 150 year Arbor Day Anniversary. The benefits of trees are plenty; They clean our air, provide much needed cooling, reduce the affects of climate change, and support our wildlife. Learn more about what native trees are best for Minnesota and their benefits https://extension.umn.edu/find-plants/trees-and-shrubs

Earth Day month is a great time to kickoff our new start to the program! The last couple of years have certainly posed it's challenges. That's ok! because we have been busy working behind the scenes making our program even better. We are excited to say that we will be kicking off the program starting this June. If your kids have a green thumb, or want to make that thumb green, you're in the right place. Check back often as we start to kick this season off! Welcome!

Ask Extension: Where can I buy native plants?
Native plants are a great addition to any landscape. They are adaptable, provide a wide diversity of color, bloom time, form and texture, and they benefit important pollinators and other insects and animals.

https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/ask-extension-where-can-i-buy-native-plants

Ask Extension: Where can I buy native plants? Native plants are a great addition to any landscape. They are adaptable, provide a wide diversity of color, bloom time, form and texture, and they benefit important pollinators and other insects and animals.

Prevent common garden insects
There are many common insect pests that show up each year in our vegetable gardens. Now is a great time to plan ahead with some preventative management strategies.

https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/prevent-common-garden-insects

Prevent common garden insects before they cause problems There are many common insect pests that show up each year in our vegetable gardens. Now is a great time to plan ahead with some preventative management strategies.

Use pesticides and fertilizers safely
Let’s strive for no-pesticide landscapes in 2021. There are many non-chemical ways to reduce and even eliminate insect pests, diseases and weeds in yards and gardens.

https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/use-pesticides-and-fertilizers-safely

Use pesticides and fertilizers safely Let’s strive for no-pesticide landscapes in 2021. There are many non-chemical ways to reduce and even eliminate insect pests, diseases and weeds in yards and gardens.

National Herb Week
Herb gardening is one of the easiest and oldest types of gardening. As garden plants, herbs are kind and forgiving and grow well under conditions that other plants would find difficult.

https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/national-herb-week

Celebrate herbs during National Herb Week Herb gardening is one of the easiest and oldest types of gardening. As garden plants, herbs are kind and forgiving and grow well under conditions that other plants would find difficult.

Let's turn toward spring!
In an new episode of the Explore, Teach, Conserve podcast, host Nate Meyer talked with Gary Wyatt from Extension's Forestry Team and Julie Weisenhorn from Extension's Horticulture Team about tips for your spring tree, yard and garden care.

Find the Explore, Teach, Conserve podcast here: https://share.transistor.fm/s/8e604ee4

Explore, Teach, Conserve | Spring Tree, Yard, & Garden Care In this episode, we learn from University of Minnesota Extension Forestry and Horticulture faculty about spring care for your trees, yards, and gardens.

Ask Extension: Dead, bumpy lawn
Grubs? Animals? What's causing this lawn to die?

https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/ask-extension-dead-bumpy-lawn

Ask Extension: Dead, bumpy lawn Grubs? Animals? What's causing this lawn to die?

Dividing perennials

Spring is a great time to divide many of our favorite herbaceous garden perennials. Find out how often to divide perennials and which ones you just shouldn’t divide.

https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/dividing-perennials

Dividing perennials Spring is a great time to divide many of our favorite herbaceous garden perennials. Find out how often to divide perennials and which ones you just shouldn’t divide.