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Ag and Extension

Growing vegetables in containers

I think as the weather seems to be going, we are all wondering how quickly our gardening season will take off this year. I am not even betting that my vegetable garden will be wet because there were portions of it still under water from last fall yet. I am pretty sure that I will need to move operations farther into the garden and a piece of the vegetable garden that I was planning on using for a native prairie restoration, will have to wait until the end of the year as I will need that piece in order to have a vegetable garden. There are other things that we can do if you have ...

Pruning shrubs

As the snow melts, and we know it will, we may have some interesting things going on with our buried trees and shrubs. Mice, voles and other small animals may have been using the cover of our deep snow to get at some of our plants. The tricky part about pruning shrubs, especially flowering shrubs, is that we don’t want to prune off the flower buds. This can be particularly tricky when you start talking about hydrangea plants. They are not all the same. Generally speaking, spring blooming shrubs should be pruned right after they have flowered and then left alone for the rest of the ...

Winter Crops Day & Small Grains Program in Slayton Feb. 20

SLAYTON — The 2019 growing season was one of the most challenging years that many farmers can remember, and one that all of us are eager to forget. If you farm or work with farmers, the Winter Crops Day and Small Grains Program in Slayton is a great opportunity to hear the latest University-based research and information about corn, soybean, and small grain production and management strategies. The morning program will focus on corn and soybean management topics and production economics pertinent to our area. Following lunch, the Southern Small Grain Winter Workshop will be held, where ...

Growing lavender

I usually compile a list of must-haves for my garden each year. Last year, for some reason, I had lost three lavender plants that I had for almost four years. Lavender can be a tricky one to grow in our area. I have used some tamed varieties of catmint (or cat nip — you choose) for their place instead but once in a while, I can get lucky and can grow actual lavender. This past year would have been a good time to do it but who can predict how much snowfall a person gets each year. The snow acts as wonderful insulation. You can still grow lavender to your hearts content here but it just ...

Ag and Extension Briefs

Produce Safety Rule Training Available for Farmers WILLMAR — The University of Minnesota Extension, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and other partners are hosting a FSMA Produce Safety Rule Grower Training in Willmar on March 10. Register today at www.psp.tix.com. Registration deadline is March 2. Space is limited. Do not delay your registration. If your farm is not excluded or exempt from the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, at least one supervisor or responsible party from your farm must complete a training that uses FDA-recognized curriculum or ...

Petersen touts export markets, looks ahead to session

ST PAUL — Thom Petersen, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, said it was a jam-packed week leading up to the Minnesota State Legislature reconvening for session Tuesday. The commissioner said the department hosted visitors from Colombia and Taiwan to discuss trade relationships. The department of agriculture sees itself as “real ambassadors and connectors,” said Petersen. “We’re lucky to be home to a lot of big agriculture companies in Minnesota, from Land O’ Lakes, General Mills or Hormel,” said Petersen. “So it’s really important for us, those ...