Have a Gardening Question?
Find Us At
PRIOR LAKE FARMER’S MARKET
Open Every Saturday May – October, 9AM-Noon
SHAKOPEE FARMER’S MARKET
Open 2nd Sundays of the month, June 2 – Sept. 30 9am-2pm
LIBRARY HELP DESKS
Chanhassen Library: Every Saturday 10AM-1PM, May – August
7711 Kerber Blvd, Chanhassen, MN 55317
Waconia Library: Every Saturday, 10AM-1PM, June – August
217 S Vine St, Waconia, MN 55387
Chaska Library: Every Saturday 10AM-1PM, June – August
3 City Hall Plz, Chaska, MN 55318
COUNTY FAIRS
Carver County Fair: August 10-14, 2022
Scott County Fair: July 27-31, 2022
MINNESOTA STATE FAIR
August 25 – Labor Day 2022
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM
Every Saturday and Sunday, Noon-4 PM. Year round
Japanese Beetles
These beauties are much prettier than they are friendly. There is a lot of information out there about controlling Japanese beetles…not all of it is accurate. Visit the University of Minnesota link to get accurate information for our area. Japanese Beetle Information from U of M
Best way to control the beetles is to manually pick the plants from your plants. The beetle traps are not a good idea. While the traps attract and catch many beetles, many more are attracted than killed. There are ways to control the beetles when they are grubs, but use of pesticides should be limited since they are more dangerous than helpful for the Japanese beetles.
Yard and Garden Line
Leave a message and an Extension Master Gardener will return your call/email within 48 hours.
*You must be able to accept blocked calls*
Call 952-466-5308 or fill out the form below.
If you have photos you would like us to see, email.
Email Us
Asian Jumping Worms
Be on the lookout for these little guys….not your typical earth worm that come out when it rains…
You probably think of earthworms as living underground. But the jumping worm actually lives in the topmost layer of the forest floor — amongst the fallen leaves and other material that cover the soil. It eats that fallen organic material. And that’s the problem.
Leaf litter provides essential nutrients to the forest. Trees need long-lasting sources of nutrients. When jumping worms quickly turn leaves into very loose soil (resembling coffee grounds), they deprive trees of essential nutrients.
For the homeowner, this species can tear through a garden destroying vegetation before you even notice their presence. The worms have traveled around the United States in bagged garden mulch, and sightings in Minnesota are being reported to the Department of Natural Resources. Be on the look out for these worms.
Gardening Help from UMN
Resources from the University of Minnesota
Diagnostic Tools
These diagnostic tools will help you identify and treat common yard and garden problems
Pest Information
Information About Attracting Pollinators
- 2017 List of Flowers for Pollinators: Which Annuals Attract Pollinators
- Plants for Minnesota Bees
- Bringing Nature Home – Douglas Tallamy and his book, Bringing Nature Home, is a good source for promoting native plants and identifying species that support the most pollinators and wildlife in general. This site has a lot of interesting information
Other Resources
- Home Garden Productivity Project (trifold)
Garlic Mustard
In 2006 the U.S. Senate designated the third Friday in May as Endangered Species Day for organizations (schools, parks, zoos, wildlife refuges, community centers, conservation groups) to celebrate the conservation of wildlife, fish, and plants. The Lake Minnetonka Garden Club is proud to participate by pulling garlic mustard from the Wolsfeld Woods.