Carlton County Extension Connection
April 2025
Soil testing isn’t just good for the environment—it can also save you money. Here’s why:
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Optimized Plant Growth – A soil analysis provides essential insights into your soil’s condition, allowing you to apply the right amendments. This ensures your plants thrive with maximum health, beauty, and productivity.
Avoid Wasting Money on Unnecessary Fertilizer – Many people fertilize in spring and fall without knowing if their soil actually needs it. Over-fertilization can waste money, harm plants, and even lead to toxic soil conditions. Additionally, excess fertilizer can leach into water sources, contributing to environmental pollution.
Protect Your Investment – When you invest in plants, it makes sense to provide them with the best possible growing conditions. Healthy plants are more resistant to disease, look better, and yield better results. By following soil test recommendations, you can ensure your plants stay strong, vibrant, and productive.
The University of Minnesota Soil Testing Lab offers testing for soil fertility, pH levels, and issues related to excess salts or fertilizers. Based on your results and the plants you plan to grow, you’ll receive tailored fertilizer recommendations to promote healthy growth while minimizing environmental impact.
Cost: $21 for a basic test
How to Get a Kit: Call 218-384-8684 or visit our office at 317 Chestnut Ave., Carlton to pick one up.
Presented by: Dr. Jon Trappe, Turfgrass Extension Educator
This rescheduled class will focus on all matters of lawn care. Topics include best management practices related to mowing, fertilizing, weed and insect management, thatch management, aerification, establishment and renovation.
Thursday, April 17, 2025 from 6-7:30 pm
Carlton County Transportation Bldg., 1630 County Rd. 61, Carlton
$10 payable at the door. Admission includes: hand-outs and refreshments.
Please call 218-384-8684 or email rustx048@umn.edu to register.
Dr. Jon Trappe is the Turfgrass Extension Educator for the University of Minnesota. He has over 20 years of experience working in the turfgrass industry. Jon is passionate about helping homeowners and professionals manage their turfgrass areas using fewer resources.
Wondering what grows best in the Northland? Check out the newly updated Fruit Varieties for Northern Minnesota and Vegetable Varieties for Northern Minnesota publications available now at the St. Louis County Extension Office. Recommendations for varieties are based on varietal trials happening throughout the county. Lists are updated each year.
Vegetable Varieties for Northern Minnesota $5
Fruit Varieties for Northern Minnesota $4
To request variety lists, send a check for the appropriate amount payable to St. Louis County and mail it to:
St. Louis County Extension
Government Services Building
320 W. 2nd St., Suite 302
Duluth, MN 55802
For more information, call 218-733-2870.
The Carlton County Master Gardeners have announced the dates for the highly anticipated 2025 "Plant Sale" and "Garden Tour."
Join us on Saturday, June 7th, from 9 AM until sold out at Veteran's Park in Cloquet to browse a variety of perennials, bulbs, vegetable starts, and more—all available at the affordable price of $3 to $5.
This year's Garden Tour will showcase six stunning and unique gardens in the Carlton/Wrenshall area. The self-guided tour will take place on Tuesday, July 15th, from 4 to 7 PM.
Stay tuned for more details in upcoming newsletters. We look forward to seeing you there!
What is the Minnesota Horse Expo?
Minnesota's largest equine trade show with vendors creating an easy access marketplace for anyone wanting to find merchandise related to horses/owners and compare brands, prices and features. Horses representing many horse breeds and associations are displayed and exhibited daily. Speakers, trainers and clinicians educate on equitation, horse training, care and maintenance. Free pony rides.
Minnesota's Largest Equine Trade Show and Breed Exhibition
Sponsored by the Minnesota Horse Council
April 25, 26, 27 - Canterbury Park
For more information go to the website.
(952) 356-2029
St. Louis County Extension is excited to announce that the annual spring gardening conference will take place on Saturday, March 29th at the Depot in Duluth. This amazing day of gardening is brought to you by St. Louis County Extension and University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners.
This year’s theme is Better Gardens for a Better Life: An Integrated Approach to Gardening Your Way to Better Health and Happiness. Keynote presentations include: The Gardener’s Guide to the Human Microbiome, Designing Beauty into Your Landscape and Garden, Gardening for Life; Garden Smarter not Harder, Deep Dive into Soils, Fertility and Organics and Gardening for Better Mental Health. Featured presentations will be conducted by speakers from the University of Minnesota and local professionals.
Participants can choose from 14 break out sessions including: Landscape Design, Houseplant Workshop, Flowers for Cutting, Composting Essentials, Growing Great Garlic, Winter Sowing, Tomatoes and Peppers, Life Long Gardening Tips, Blueberries and Raspberries, Pruning Trees and Shrubs, Growing the New Hydrangeas, Creating Bee Habitats and Houses, and Growing the Cabbage Family.
March 29, 2025 • 9 am to 4 pm
The Depot, 506 W. Michigan St. in downtown Duluth
The cost of the day is $40 and includes a catered lunch, refreshments, displays and the 2025 Resource Book published for this event.
The University of Minnesota Extension is excited to bring back the online Wildlife Webinar Series this spring! This year’s series will explore how forestry management impacts wildlife habitats, economic decisions, and climate resilience.
Forests play a critical role in supporting Minnesota’s diverse wildlife, providing food, shelter, and breeding grounds at every stage of succession—early, mid, or late.
Managing your forest involves balancing wildlife habitat needs, long-term economic goals, and strategies for adapting to a changing climate. With approximately 18 million acres of forest covering one-third of Minnesota’s land area, these decisions are vital for the health of our ecosystems and the species they support.
Join us to learn how to identify the stage of your forest, discover which wildlife thrive in each stage, and explore management strategies that create resilient habitats while meeting economic and environmental goals.
Please join us for sessions from 12-1pm, Wednesdays in April (2, 9, and 16). This event is free, but preregistration is required. To register, please follow the link to each corresponding stage. You can register for all or pick and choose what is applicable to you!
z.umn.edu/EarlyForests4Wildlife
z.umn.edu/LateForests4Wildlife
"When we promote the health and diversity of trees in a forest, we also foster the health and diversity of wildlife. By being active stewards of our forests, we are supporting the many species of wildlife that call these forests home. Implementing stewardship practices that improve forest health and resilience is essential for wildlife management." - Anna Stockstad, Extension Educator, Forest Ecosystem Health
The Carlton SWCD Native Plant sale is back. They have Native Plant Kits Plants arrive from the greenhouse in 4-inch plant/ plug flats of 36 plants in six species. Plant for monarchs, songbirds, pollinators, shady areas, pine mulch gardens, deer resistance, buckthorn replacement, rain gardens and shoreline restoration. There are also native seed mixes available for pollinators, songbirds, monarchs, buckthorn replacement or a bee-friendly lawn! Plants are available for purchase online at carltonswcd.org/store or call 218-384-3891. Orders may be placed until June 13th. Plant pickup will be June 27th at the Carlton County Transportation Building (1630 Co Rd 61, Carlton, MN).