It is important when you are getting a new lawn to get the best type for your region. That can be a difficult thing to decide, but hopefully this guide will help you make the right choice. There are certainly better types of grass to plant in Minnesota. Here is what you need to know.
If you have lived in Minnesota for more than six months, you know full well how cold it can get. For that reason, you absolutely must have a cool-season grass type for your lawn. These types of grass will hold up in cooler weather, and will survive the cold winters. They grow best in temperatures between 65 and 80 Fahrenheit, which is the range in the spring and autumn. Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and fescue are all cool-season grasses that can work in Minnesota. They all have their specific benefits as well.
Things to Consider
There are a few factors to consider when choosing between appropriate cool-season grass types. For one, is your lawn shady? If so, then try to find seed mixtures that combine Kentucky bluegrass with fine fescues. This will make your lawn better able to tolerate shade and grow well despite this condition. Also, if your lawn has a greater exposure to the sun, then you may want about half and half of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. If you want a lawn that is relatively easy to maintain, then a mixture of Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescues should do the trick quite nicely.
Grasses to Avoid
There are some grass types that are definitely not appropriate for Minnesota. For instance, Zoysia is a great grass for warmer climates, but it will not grow quick enough in cooler climates. Annual ryegrass, as opposed to the perennial ryegrass mentioned above, is very low quality and will not regrow after the winter. You will often find bentgrass on golf courses, but it is not great for home use. It requires a lot of maintenance, looks ugly when it grows out, and is prone to diseases.
Planting the right grass is very important to have a great looking lawn. Hopefully this guide will help you make the right choice for your new lawn in Minnesota.
In March 2017, The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) placed Goodhue County under a quarantine following the discovery of emerald ash borer (emerald ash borer) in Red Wing.
The emerald ash borer is an insect that can be classified as an invasive species. The insect gets its name from the trees that it feeds on, the emerald ash tree, which is commonly found in North America. If infected trees are not treated early on, saving them may not be possible. Entire forests can be impacted if the infection is not spotted quickly, as the species will move from from one tree to the next.
Indicators of emerald ash borer infection
- Check for cracks in the bark. When emerald ash borer larvae crawls its way into the tree, it causes the bark to split open, causing an “S-shaped” crack.
- Look for woodpecker damage. Woodpeckers eat the emerald ash borer. If you see an abnormal amount of holes in your tree, there is a chance the tree may be infected.
- Contact a professional. There are ways that professionals can determine the presence of emerald ash borer and prevent damage to your trees.
Before you contact anyone, make sure that the tree you are examining is indeed an emerald ash tree. The branches of ash trees come off the trunk, across from one another. The bark has a tight, diamond shape pattern.
One of the best ways to prevent emerald ash borer from coming to your area is to buy firewood that is certified “pest-free”. Buy it at a location near where you intend to burn it. This will help prevent emerald ash borer from traveling from one county to another.
Minnesota possesses more than one billion ash trees.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture recently issued a warning to rustic log furniture owners recently. Owners of the material are urged to check for signs of insect infestation in their furniture. MDA investigated two separate accounts of insect infestation in wood furniture in 2016. As a result, they are issuing warnings to log furniture owners to check for signs infestation. Insects can live in this kind of furniture for up to two years. While inhabiting the material, pests cause damage to, and threaten the integrity of the wood. Therefore it is important to know the signs of infestation in order to protect your home and furniture from unwanted intruders. If you own log furniture, learn more about why the MDA issues infestation warning for owners of rustic log furniture.
MDA Issues Infestation Warning For Owners of Rustic Log Furniture
2016 Infestations
MDA investigated two separate infestation incidents last year involving rustic log furniture. A piece of furniture ordered from China to Minnesota contained the brown fir beetle (Callidiellum villosulum). In addition, a piece of rustic walnut log furniture had velvet longhorned beetles (Trichoferus campestris) living inside it. Both pieces of furniture were imported to Minnesota from China. Although MDA and USDA are working with importers and customers to ensure all infested pieces are destroyed, some may still end up in customers homes.
Signs of Infestation
Look for these signs of infestation if you have furniture that was manufactured outside the United States:
• Sawdust – sawdust and residue found around your furniture indicates the presence of pests. Check for sawdust resin resting along the furniture and on the floor surrounding the piece.
• Entry/Exit Holes – small holes or tunnels in the furniture are a sign that insects have burrowed through the wood.
• Damaged Wood – wood or bark that is lose or chips easily indicates the wood was previously infested. As a result, inspect furniture before placing it in your home, or before purchasing it, if possible.
Take Action
There are several steps you can take if you suspect your furniture has been infested. Contact the manufacturer, or the retailer you purchased the furniture from. Inquire about the origins of the piece of furniture to discover if you are at risk. In addition, contact the MDA if you are certain your furniture is or has been infested. For more information, call the experts at Dean Bjorkstrand for further assistance with pest control.
An exotic Asian beetle is wreaking havoc on ash trees all across the country,and Minnesota is no exception. The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an exotic beetle indigenous to Asia. Introduced into the United States in 2002, the adult beetle causes little damage to plants when they nibble on leaves. Larvae, however, feed on the bark of ash trees, interrupting the normal flow of water and nutrients.
Nothing makes your home landscape look more beautiful than a luscious lawn in a red summer sunset. The summer heat, however, can be enough to wreak havoc on the health and appearance of your lawn. While the trees and plants on your property grow lusciously with plenty of sun exposure and proper watering, the grass in your lawn is susceptible to a number of hazards. Overexposure to the sun’s heat without proper watering or care will cause it to dry up and die before fall. On the flipside of the coin, grass that does not receive enough exposure to sunlight due to shading from thick tree canopies will also begin to thin right around midsummer. Consider planting a species of shade grass this summer for a full lawn all season long. (more…)
With spring weather quickly approaching, the time is getting near for you to start making plans for your summer garden, and believe it or not, there’s a lot more to consider than you might expect. When it comes to selecting plants for your garden, consider patterns, color schemes, and the climate and geography of the area you live in. Sunflowers and daisies are always great options because of their brilliant colors. You should also consider growing lilac bushes in your garden. The bright purple color of lilac plants enhances perfectly the whites and greens of late spring. Lilacs produce a great aroma when they bloom. Read on to discover more about growing lilac bushes.
Spring is here, and summer is just around the corner. With the warmer weather quickly coming our way, now is a great time to start thinking about your home landscape. That includes what plants you are going to feature in your design, and also the layout of your design. You should also consider providing some extra protection, or support for your garden. Fencing is one of the best ways to provide support and stability to your garden. It helps you keep your garden properly maintained throughout the season. Putting up a garden fence is a great way to keep your garden strong and uninhibited. Finding the right fence, however, can be enough to make or break your landscaping design. Your garden fence must be sturdy enough to provide support and protection. It must also add to the aesthetic quality, or overall appearance of your landscaping design. With that in mind, here are six benefits that come with putting up a garden fence on your property.
If you enjoy landscape photography, then you probably want to ensure you get the best shot every time. Although weather certainly plays a role with outdoor photography, you need to dig a little deeper to get the job done. In fact, try to approach landscape photography with an open mind. The rain, snow, and wind all make for interesting photographs. When you’re shooting outside, it may be beneficial to know the area well. However, you can still take some good pieces by letting your inspiration come from your surroundings. There are some key ways to approach landscape photography to help yourself get great shots every time. If you’re trying to make your photos better than ever, use these landscape photography tips.
This article is about ways you can make your garden care both easier and also more eco-friendly. The following examples and guidelines will give you more information into eco-friendly landscaping approaches. The methods you use to keep your yard maintained and looking good are directly tied to the local environment. You are just as responsible as anyone else about its condition. That said, follow these green gardening guidelines to do your part for the environment this year.
Green Gardening Guidelines for Minnesota
Why It’s Important
To really understand why green gardening is important, you need to first understand the situation. The production and transportation of pesticides and fertilizers uses a lot of energy. Avoid using these chemicals to be truly eco-friendly. The commercial products used today contain chemicals that pollute the environment. Instead, replace them with safer options. The shortage of vital water in many areas can be a problem if you employ reckless waste of water. There are sustainable green practices and techniques you can use to lower your water consumption. These also lower the need of hazardous pesticides and the use of synthetic fertilizers. This will provide sustainability to your landscape and a nice patch of delicious organic foods.
Growing Local Plants.
Choose plants that are native to your local area. This ensures your landscape can grow in optimal conditions. Local plants will require far less care and maintenance. One disadvantage of using native plants is that they can attract local pests. You will need to take the full range of countermeasures to eliminate the threat. On the other hand having some local greenery will help fit with the ecosystem with out wasting resources.
Using Natural Measures.
There are different gardening methods you can use to work on sustainability. Some involve digging and others do not. You will, however, need to use mulch with every method. Mulch has many benefits, such as protection from cold weather conditions and preserving moisture. It also enriches your soil with the right nutrients. The best thing about using mulch is that you will have a lot less problems with weeds you would otherwise have to deal with. This means gardening with far fewer pesticides, instead using the biomass coming from your garden, such as grass clippings, leaves and more.
Making compost.
The time to replace your fertilizers with natural compost is now. Just use any leftovers from the kitchen that include vegetable scraps and egg shells for example. These will really help you improve your soil without making it too difficult for you to handle while reducing your waste.
Dealing with the issues.
The insects around any garden can be a real problem especially since pesticides are not entirely effective in what they do or if they are there are side effects you will need to consider as well. Irritants can be fought by introducing their natural predators in their environment such as using ladybugs for aphids.
If you follow these green gardening guidelines for your summer landscape project, you will be well on your way to an eco-friendly landscape design. Why wait? Start doing some research today and discover what plants and designs you can incorporate in your landscape today!
➤ Click here to learn about the green landscaping services offered by Dean Bjorkstrand