Notes from your Educator
Happy April!
As the days are getting longer and planning for the growing season gets into full swing, take some time to check out the resources and upcoming events below. If you're still wondering what seeds to plant this year, the Master Gardener seed trial results can be a great place to start. And if you're looking for guidance on how to raise livestock, or if you're curious about the fusion of agriculture and solar panels, take a look into the upcoming opportunities to learn about those. For those who wanted to attend Horticulture Day (which was cancelled due to snow), several of the presenters from that event will be sharing their knowledge at the New York Mills Library over the course of April and May.
As always, please reach out with any questions you may have, or topics you'd like to see featured in the newsletter.
Take care,
Olivia Olson
office: (218) 998-8308
cell: (218) 282-5963
Trees still available at EOT SWCD
Are you still looking for trees to plant on your property? The East Otter Tail SWCD may have you covered, as they still have many saplings available in bundles of 25.
White Pine Seedlings $20/bundle
Norway Pine Seedlings $20/bundle
White Pine Transplants $40/bundle
Bur Oak Seedlings $55/bundle
Red Splendor Crabapple Seedlings $55/bundle
Common Hackberry Seedlings $40/bundle
Redosier Dogwood Seedlings $45/bundle
Nanking Cherry Seedlings $50/bundle
Trees can be ordered online or by calling the office at 218-346-9105.
Safely using animal-based compost
Animal-based soil amendments such as composted manure and poultry litter can build the health, tilth, fertility and water hold capacity of your soil. They can also be a great way to use resources you might have on the farm such as manure. However, all animal-based soil amendments, especially those that include untreated (raw) manure can have pathogens that can cause human illness. Read more about guidelines to help you minimize any potential risk of contamination and foodborne illness as you use these products.
Master Gardener Seed Trial results
Since 1982, hundreds of Master Gardener volunteers from across the state have devoted time and garden space to testing popular flower and vegetable varieties.
Each year, the seed trial gardeners test six vegetables and two flower varieties (and one herb, when possible). They look for the best return on investment. They've tested heirlooms, seed saved from generation to generation, and varieties that promise high yield, ease of growing, space saving and simple beauty.
Recommendations are based on flavor, disease and insect tolerance, productivity, and germination rate. Click here to see the seed trial results.
Time to frost seed your lawn
Even though daytime temperatures have started to rise, now is still a great time to frost seed. Frost seeding is a type of dormant seeding that takes place in early spring, with the same strategy as a late fall or an early winter dormant seeding. Seeding at this time takes advantage of openings created in the soil caused by regular overnight freeze/thaw cycles, ensuring proper seed-to-soil contact without soil cultivation. Also, more-predictable spring rain will assist seedlings as they germinate and emerge.
Dormant seeding your lawn | University of Minnesota Extension
Now is the time to sow native grass and forbs seeds. Here’s why. | Purdue University Forestry and Natural Resources
Minnesota Lawn Care Calendar
Wondering how best to care for your lawn throughout the year? Check out the lawn care calendar from UMN Extension, where you'll find guidance on the best time(s) of the year for a variety of common lawn care practices.
MN Farm and Rural Stress Support
Looking for help in coping with business, family, or mental health issues? This resource list from the MN Department of Agriculture has a list of trained professionals to assist in a variety of ways.
MN Farm and Rural Helpline:
Phone: 833-600-2670
Text: FARMSTRESS to 898211Email: farmstress@state.mn.us
Crisis Text Line:
Text: MN to 741 741