WDSE >> I LIKE THE WAY THEY LAID THEM OUT.

THEY ARE NOT JUST STRAIGHT LINES ANYMORE.

>> BLUEBERRIES WILL TAKE FIVE YEARS TO RIPEN BEFORE YOU CAN GET A FRUIT CROP OFF OF IT.

>> THIS IS VERY POPULAR.

>> THIS WILL TURN GOLD AND THEN FALL.

>> THE VARIETY THAT WE HAVE IS INSPIRING.

♪ >> HELLO AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT FOR ANOTHER EDITION OF "GREAT GARDENING."

WE HAVE LOTS TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

JOINING ME IS BOB OLEN.

DEAD BIRDS ERICKSON WILL BE BACK WITH US NEXT WEEK.

-- DEB BURNS ERICKSON WILL BE BACK WITH US NEXT WEEK.

CALL US LOCALLY AT 218-788-2847, OR EMAIL US.

WE ARE TAKING QUESTIONS THROUGHOUT THE SHOW, SO CALL OR EMAIL US NOW AS WE START TO LOOK AT THIS REGIONS WEATHER.

IT WAS YESTERDAY, I CAN’T BELIEVE IT.

BOB: THIS WAS ALL SHOT YESTERDAY, WHICH IS REAL INTERESTING.

ISN’T IT AMAZING WHAT A 24 HOUR DIFFERENCE WILL MAKE?

WARM WEATHER OVER 70 DEGREES.

JUST AMAZING.

BUT WE STILL HAVE SNOW AND IT HAS BEEN A LONG WINTER, AND THERE MAY BE A LITTLE BIT OF THAT IN THE FORECAST IN THE WEEKEND.

BACK IN THE WOODS THERE REALLY IS A LOT OF SNOW, BUT WE APPRECIATE ALL OF IT BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN DEFICIENT IN MOISTURE.

THIS HAS ALL BEEN VERY GOOD.

I THINK SPRING IS GOING TO WIN.

SHARON: I AM READ FOR SPRING AND SUMMER.

WE WILL HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF COLD THIS WEEKEND, BUT I THINK IT WILL ALL WRAP UP.

KEEP CALLING IN YOUR QUESTIONS.

BEFORE WE GET TO THOSE, BOB, BUT WOULD YOU LIKE TO START OFF WITH TONIGHT?

BOB: THERE IS AN OLD EXPRESSION THAT THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME.

WE ARE GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT I CALL A VICTORY GARDEN.

THERE WAS A GENERATION THAT MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE VICTORY GARDEN TERM, BUT DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR AND SECOND WORLD WAR, THERE WAS A SHORTAGE OF FOOD IN NORTH AMERICA, AND MOST OF THE GOOD FOOD WAS BEING SENT TO THE TROOPS.

THERE WAS A NATIONWIDE PROGRAM.

I ACTUALLY TOOK THIS FROM A GUIDE PUBLISHED IN 1942, AND I’M GOING TO READ IT TO YOU.

I WANT TO THANK GARY, ONE OF OUR MASTER GARDENERS, WHO ORIGINALLY POINTED THIS OUT.

IT STRUCK ME AT HOW IT APPLIES TODAY.

HERE IS THE VICTORY GARDEN GUIDE.

THEY WANTED TO DO INCREASED CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION OF FRESH VEGETABLES TO THE END THAT WE BECOME A STRONGER AND HEALTHIER NATION.

WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE PROPER STORAGE AND PRESERVATION OF THE SURPLUS FROM SUCH GARDENS FOR DISTRIBUTION USED BY FAMILIES PRODUCING IT AND FOR LOCAL EMERGENCY FOOD NEEDS.

IT WENT ON TO SAY THAT THESE GARDENS SHOULD ENABLE FAMILIES AND INSTITUTIONS TO SAVE ON THE COST OF VEGETABLES AND APPLY THE SAVINGS TO OTHER NECESSARY FOODS WHICH MUST BE PURCHASED AND PROVIDED THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF COMMUNITY GARDENS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR GARDENING BY URBAN DWELLERS AND OTHERS WHO LACK SUITABLE HOME GARDEN FACILITIES.

IT WENT ON TO SAY THAT THESE VICTORY GARDENS SHOULD MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE MORALITY AND SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING OF THE INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, AND NATION.

THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE HOME AND COMMUNITY BY GARDENING PROVIDES HEALTHFUL EXERCISE, RECREATION, AND RELEASE FROM STRESS AND STRAIN.

THAT IS THE ACTUAL QUOTE FROM 1942.

IF I SUMMARIZE THIS, BUT ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT?

INCREASED PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF VEGETABLES.

WE KNOW THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE AMERICAN DIET AND THE WORLD’S DIET.

WE NEED TO BUILD A STRONGER AND HEALTHIER NATION.

WE’VE GOT A MAJOR FOOD SHELF DISTRIBUTION.

A LOT OF PEOPLE IN NEED IN OUR SOCIETY.

WE WANT TO SAVE ON THE COST OF VEGETABLES, SOME FAMILY ECONOMICS ARE A PART OF THIS.

WE WANT TO PROVIDE FOOD ACCESS TO COMMUNITY GARDENS.

WE’VE GOT MAJOR COMMUNITY GARDENS IN MOST COMMUNITIES IN THE NORTHLAND.

WE WANT TO IMPROVE MORALE AND SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING, AND THEN WE NEED SOME HEALTHY EXERCISE, RECREATION, AND STRESS RELIEF.

THOSE ARE KEY POINTS, AND THEY APPLY TO OUR NEW VICTORY GARDENS TODAY.

THERE IS A NICE JOB THEY HAVE DONE THEIR, ONE OF THE FIRST COMMUNITY GARDENS I ESTABLISHED IN THIS COMMUNITY AND I’M STILL ESTABLISHING THEM IN SOME COMMUNITIES THAT DON’T HAVE THEM.

IT’S REALLY INTERESTING HOW IF YOU TAKE AT LOOK -- TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE CALL A NEW VICTORY GARDEN, I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THAT GARDEN AS A REAL VALUABLE RESOURCE THAT IT IS.

>> I THINK THERE ARE PEOPLE DEEP DOWN INSIDE THAT REALLY WANT TO START A VICTORY GARDEN.

I THINK THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN HARVESTING SOMETHING FROM YOUR OLD -- FROM YOUR OWN GARDEN AND MAKING A MEAL OUT OF THAT, BUT IT WOULD BE INTERESTING IF VIEWERS DID THIS.

BOB: WE HAVE A GENERATION THAT PLANTED ONE OF THOSE VICTORY GARDENS STILL.

THEY ARE FROM THE SECOND WORLD WAR.

IT IS ON ALL OF US NOW.

WE’VE GOT OUR OWN OBSTACLES.

THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

BUT BETTER DIETS, BETTER SENSE OF COMMUNITY, BETTER SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING, THESE THINGS ALL REALLY APPLY TODAY.

THINK OF YOUR GARDEN HAS A NEW VICTORY GARDEN.

SHARON: AND VERY DOABLE IN MINNESOTA.

WELL, THANK YOU, BOB.

LET’S GET TO SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS.

WHY DON’T WE SEE MINERAL RINGS ON POTATOES ANYMORE?

BOB: MINERAL RINGS.

IF SHE IS LISTENING, I WOULD LIKE FOR HER TO DESCRIBE THAT A LITTLE MORE.

SHE MAY BE TALKING ABOUT THE GROWTH RINGS THAT COME FROM REGULAR MOISTURE.

SHE MAY BE TALKING ABOUT OXIDATION THAT OCCURS.

WE’VE GOT A FEW VARIETIES -- IT IS A NATURALLY OCCURRING PHENOMENON, BUT WE -- WHAT SHE CALLS A MINERAL RING, MAYBE SHE COULD DESCRIBE THAT MORE FOR US.

SHARON: WE HAVE ANOTHER VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHEN THEY CAN START YARD CLEANUP TO KEEP POLLINATORS SAFE.

BOB: THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

WE WILL DO A SEGMENT ON EARLY SPRING GARDENING ACTIVITIES.

THE REASON THEY WANT TO TAKE TOO MUCH OF THE OLD MATERIAL OFF IS THIS IS A HOME FOR SO MANY OF OUR POLLINATING INSECTS, THE STEMS OF OTHER MATERIAL.

LET’S SAY THINGS WARM UP A BIT, LOOKING AT MID MAY OR SO, YOU CAN BE SECURE THAT THESE POLLEN INSECTS HAVE EMERGED AND YOU ARE NOT DOING ANY DAMAGE TO THE HOMES.

SHARON: COULD QUESTION.

KIERSTEN IN DULUTH IS LOOKING INTO PURCHASING BARE ROOT APPLE TREES.

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN A HEALTHY TREE?

BOB: WE WILL SEE BEAR ROOTS DELIVERED VERY SOON.

THEY HAVE BEEN DUG FROM THE NURSERY IN THE FALL, STORED IN A ROOT CELLAR THROUGH THE WINTER, AND THEN THEY ARE LIFTED AND SOLD AND ARE NOT IN A CONTAINER OR POT WITH ANY POTTING.

THE NUMBER ONE THING YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR, IF IT IS AN APPLE TREE, IS YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR NICE, STRAIGHT STEM.

HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE ONE OR TWO NATURALLY OCCURRING BRANCHES THAT COME OFF OF THAT AT A VERTICAL.

A WELL BRANCHED TREE IS WHAT YOU ARE REALLY LOOKING FOR.

IF IT IS NOT WELL BRANCHED, YOU CAN STILL BUY THESE, BUT THE FIRST YEAR YOU WILL TAKE OFF THAT TERMINAL BUD AND THAT WILL FORCE ADDITIONAL BRANCHES IN THE SECOND YEAR, BUT IT TAKES A LITTLE LONGER TO GET THAT ACCOMPLISHED.

SHARON: AND GUTS.

YOU NEED COURAGE.

GLORY FROM DULUTH WANTS TO KNOW HOW LATE IS TOO LATE TO MOVE A LILAC BUSH.

MINE HAS NEVER BLOOMED, SO I THINK I NEED TO MOVE IT TO A SUNNIER LOCATION.

BOB: THAT IS REALLY GOOD.

I TELL PEOPLE OF THINGS ARE NOT BLOOMING, IT USUALLY MEANS MORE SUNLIGHT -- NEEDS MORE SUNLIGHT.

WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH SOME OF THE DISEASE ISSUES LAST YEAR THAT WE HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE, BUT SHE CAN MOVE THEM ANYTIME AS LONG AS THERE IS WATER MIDSEASON.

BUT I WOULD SAY THE EARLIER, THE BETTER.

THEY ARE GOING TO SURVIVE BETTER AND YOU WILL GET BETTER GROWTH IN THE FIRST YEAR.

MAY 1 IS A GOOD TIME.

SHARON: IS IT TOO LATE TO PRUNE TREES?

BOB: IT REALLY IS NOT.

IT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU ARE.

YESTERDAY WHEN WE HAD COLD, DAMP CONDITIONS, IT WAS NOT TOO LATE, BUT THESE BUDS ARE GOING TO BREAK.

AS LONG AS THE BUD IS STILL TIGHT, YOU CAN PRUNE THEM UP.

BOB: ANY TIPS -- SHARON: ANY TIPS OR RESOURCES TO GET RID OF BUCKTHORN?

BOB: BUCKTHORN IS A REAL INVASIVE, DIFFICULT PLANS.

YOU CAN DIG ALL THE ROOTS.

IT IS IMPORTANT.

MOST PEOPLE CUT THE BUCKTHORN STEM OFF AND THEN YOU HAVE TO TREAT WITH SOME KIND OF HERBICIDE EITHER ON THE CUTS STAND MORE ON SOME OF THE REGROWTH.

THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT WILL GET IT CARRIED DOWN INTO THE ROOT SYSTEM.

SHARON: ONE LAST QUESTION, JUST FROM DULUTH WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IS A GOOD VARIETY OF CLIMBING ROLES TO PLANT IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA?

>> YOU WANT TO BE WINTER HARDY.

WE GO BACK TO SOME OF THE EXPLORERS SERIES FROM THE COMMITTEE OF AGRICULTURE.

SOME OF THOSE DO WELL FOR US IN THIS AREA.

SHARON: LET’S HEAD WEST FOR A TOUR.

THE WESTERN GARDEN TOUR IS ABOUT TO TURN 24, AND WE HAD A CHANCE TO TAG ALONG DURING MOST OF THE RECENT EVENT.

FIRST STOP, DILUTES NORTHERN PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, WHERE TOUR GROWERS GET FUELED UP FOR THE BIG DAY.

>> 23 YEARS.

IT STARTED IN 2002 BUT THEY MOTHER-DAUGHTER TEAM WHO ARE MEMBERS OF OUR CHURCH, AND IT HAS GROWN SINCE THEN.

I AM KATHY MULLEN, AND WE ARE HERE FOR THE WESTERN GARDEN TOUR.

I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED FROM THE BEGINNING BECAUSE IN OUR FIRST THREE YEARS, WEEDED IT UP AT OUR GARDEN IN HERMANTOWN FOR AN ICE CREAM SOCIAL.

BUT TWO OF THE FIRST THREE YEARS RAINED.

DARLENE WANTED TO FIND SOMETHING WHERE IT WOULDN’T MATTER IF IT RAINED OR NOT, SO LET’S START WITH MUFFINS IN THE BASEMENT.

WE HAVE BEEN DOING THAT EVER SINCE 2005 NOW.

THAT IS A BIG PART OF THE DRAW FOR PEOPLE.

>> I STEPPED INTO THIS PROBABLY LIKE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE, IT WAS GOING BEFORE I WAS, AND THIS CHURCH PUTS A LOT OF ENERGY INTO NOT JUST MAKING A GARDEN TOUR OR FUNDRAISING, BUT ALSO AN ACT OF CREATIVITY AND DISCIPLESHIP.

>> I GO AROUND KNOCKING ON DOORS WHEN I SEE NICE GARDENS.

I ASKED FRIENDS IF THEY HAVE A GARDEN IDEA FOR ME.

IT IS HARD TO FIND PEOPLE WILLING TO DO IT, BECAUSE IT IS A LOT OF WORK, BUT WE ARE ALWAYS LUCKY.

WE GET SIX OR SEVEN GARDENS EVERY SUMMER.

>> THEY ARE ALL LAID OUT SO NICELY.

THEY HAVE WORKED FOR YEARS ON LEARNING WHAT TO DO WHEN THEY ARE WORKING IN A GARDEN AND VISITING OTHER GARDENS.

THEY ALL HAVE A LOT OF COLOR AND THEY KNOW TO PLAN THINGS THAT WILL BLOOM FROM SPRING UNTIL FALL.

>> I LIKE THE WAY THEY LAID THEM OUT.

THEY ARE NOT JUST STRAIGHT LINES.

THEY GO IN CURVING LINES.

THEY DON’T FOLLOW LIKE WE USED TO DO WITH EVERYTHING, LAID OUT, STRAIGHT ROWS.

NOW THERE ARE DISPLAYS PEOPLE PUT IN THE GARDEN WITH BENCHES AND THINGS THEY STAKE IN THE GARDEN THAT ARE METAL SCULPTURES, OR THE FERRY GARDENS, OR JUST THE -- JUST THE UNUSUAL ROCKS.

IT IS NOT JUST FLOWERS ANYMORE.

SHARON: A LITTLE LATER IN THE SHOW, WE WILL HIGHLIGHT ONE PARTICULAR GARDEN DURING LAST YEAR’S TOUR THAT INVOLVED A LOT OF FOLKS AND LOVE.

NOW TIME TO ANSWER MORE OF YOUR QUESTIONS.

JERRY FROM DULUTH ASKS, WHAT IS THE BEST CADENCE FOR HARDENING OFF SEEDLINGS?

FOR EXAMPLE, DAY ONE, SPEND HOW LONG OUTSIDE COME HALF DAY TWO, ETC.

BOB: CAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

YOU WANT THEM TO ADJUST BEFORE YOU TRANSPLANT THEM OUT.

THERE IS SUNLIGHT AND THERE IS WIND EXPOSURE.

YOU PROBABLY WANT TO DO THIS OVER MAY BE A WEEK’S PERIOD, SO YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE THEM OUT AND I WOULD START THE FIRST DAY OUTSIDE, PROTECT IT FROM BOTH THE WIND AND DIRECT SUNLIGHT, AND I WOULD INCREASE THE SUNLIGHT MAY BE A COUPLE HOURS THE NEXT DAY AND A LITTLE BIT OF WIND EXPOSURE AND THREE OR FOUR HOURS THE NEXT DAY UNTIL FINALLY YOU ARE AT THE POINT WHERE THAT PLANT IS PRETTY TOUGH AND HAS BEEN HARDENED OFF, AND IT CAN TAKE A FULL EIGHT HOURS OF SUNLIGHT.

SHARON: OK.

JULIE IN DULUTH HAS TWO OLDER FRENCH LILACS PLANTED IN THE TOP OF HER HILLSIDE.

SQUIRRELS HAVE STRIPPED THE BARK OFF THE LARGEST STEMS.

SHOULD SHE BE CUTTING THOSE OUT?

ALSO, THEY HAVE SUFFERED A BIT.

WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE SUCKERS SHOULD THEY BE CUTTING OUT?

BOB: THE SQUIRRELS TAKE THE BARK OFF.

IT DEPENDS ON IF THEY GET THE BARK ALL THE WAY AROUND.

IN THAT CASE, YOU MAY LOSE THE STEM BECAUSE YOU ARE DESTROYING A PACKAGE OF TISSUE.

IT MAY NOT BE SIGNIFICANT.

LET’S SEE WHAT YOU’VE GOT THERE.

A LOT OF SUCKERING AND HOW MANY SUCKERS, IF YOU CUT THE STEMS DOWN, YOU ARE GOING TO GET THIS PROLIFERATION OF DOG HAIR SUCKERS, WE CALL THEM, ALL OVER THE PLACE.

YOU’RE GOING TO BE TAKING OUT AT LEAST A 60% OF THOSE.

SHARON: THAT’S GOOD TO KNOW.

THERE WILL ANDERSON ASKS, I HAVE GROWN BLUEBERRIES FOR ALMOST 40 YEARS, BATTLING THAT WHICH IS BLOOM VIRUS -- THE WITCH’S BROOM VIRUS ALONG THE WAY.

OUR HONEY BERRIES SUSCEPTIBLE?

BOB: THEY ARE A TOTALLY DIFFERENT GENUS.

A HONEY BARRY IS NOT SUSCEPTIBLE AT ALL, THAT I AM AWARE OF, TO WHICH’S BROOM.

I THINK ON WHICH’S BROOM, THE FUNGI SPENDS PART OF THE TIME ON THE BLUEBERRY, PART OF ITS LIFECYCLE ON THE BALSAM, SO YOU WANT TO ELIMINATE ANY BALSAM THAT YOU CAN, BUT WHICH’S BROOM YOU WANT TO CUT BACK.

IF YOU SEE THIS WITCH’S BROOM FUNGI, YOU WANT TO CUT IT BEFORE THEY REEMERGE.

BUT HONEY BERRIES ARE NOT VULNERABLE.

THE NICE THING ABOUT HONEY BERRIES IS YOU DON’T HAVE TO ADJUST THE PH.

IT IS VERY PH TOLERANT.

IT WILL TAKE AN ALKALINE SOIL.

SHARON: CAROL B WANTS TO KNOW, BOB, HOW DO I FERTILIZE MY YOUNG PINE TREES?

BOB: THEY DON’T REQUIRE A LOT OF FERTILITY, BUT EARLY IN THE SEASON, IF YOU USE A BALANCED SYNTHETIC FERTILIZER, A 10-TO-10 , TRIPLE 17.

YOU WANT TO DO IT JUST AS THE GROWTH IS BEGINNING AGAIN.

YOU ALWAYS WANT TO FERTILIZE AS THERE IS GREEN AND ACTIVE GROWTH.

TWO OR THREE WEEKS FROM NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME.

SHARON: PAUL IN DULUTH WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO KEEP DEER FROM EATING THE HOSTAS.

BOB: THEY LOVE THE HOSTAS.

THAT IS DEER CANDY.

THEY ARE REPELLENTS, SOME BETTER THAN THE OTHERS.

I WON’T MENTION NAME BRANDS, BUT SOME OF THEM COME FROM TANKAGE, SOME OF THEM COME FROM EGGS.

THE KEY IS TO APPLY MULTIPLE DIFFERENT TYPES THAT COME FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES.

LOOK AT THE SOURCES.

MULTIPLY THAT, APPLY THEM, AND REAPPLY AFTER A RAIN AND THEN ROTATE THEM.

I THINK THAT’S THE BEST YOU COULD DO WITH HOSTAS, BECAUSE THEY DO LIKE HOSTAS.

SHARON: BACK TO THE WESTERN GARDEN TOUR, AT WINDOWS GARDEN.

THAT’S WHERE YOU WILL FIND LOTS OF BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS AND MEMORIES.

>> HAS BEEN A LABOR OF LOVE.

THIS IS MY SISTER’S MEMORIAL GARDEN.

MY SISTER AND MOM STARTED THE GARDEN TOUR THROUGH OUR CHURCH IN TWO THOUSAND TWO.

THERE WERE SO MANY GARDENS IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE CITY WHERE OUR CHURCH IS, WE DECIDED THAT MAYBE WE SHOULD JUST DO A WESTERN GARDEN TOUR.

>> MY SISTER PASSED AWAY FROM CANCER IN 2012.

OUR FRIENDS GOT TOGETHER AND STARTED GIVING US A LOT OF PLANTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AND IT WORKED INTO THIS BEAUTIFUL GARDEN.

THERE’S A LOT OF HEIRLOOM AND TYPE PLANTS IN OUR GARDEN, AND A LOT OF PLANTS THAT HAVE PERSONAL SIGNIFICANCE TO US.

SHE HAS THREE LITTLE GRANDCHILDREN.

THEY LOVE COMING TO THE GARDEN.

HER SON AND HER DAUGHTER.

WE USE LINDA’S GARDEN FOR MICHAEL AND JENNA’S WEDDING.

ALL OF THEIR FLOWERS CAME FROM THE GARDEN.

WE TIE IT INTO LOTS OF FAMILY EVENTS.

PEOPLE SHOULD BE SO PROUD OF WHAT THEY HAVE DONE.

MY GOODNESS, SHE WOULD LOVE THIS.

SHE WOULD BE SO FULL OF JOY.

7 SHARON: -- SHARON: WHAT A SWEET STORY.

THE 24TH WESTERN GARDEN TOUR IS COMING UP SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 OF THIS YEAR.

BOB, NOW YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT EARLY SPRING ACTIVITIES.

BOB: IT IS VERY EARLY SPRING RIGHT NOW, AND THERE ARE THINGS YOU CERTAINLY CAN DO AND A COUPLE OF THINGS YOU PROBABLY SHOULD NOT DO.

NUMBER ONE, EVERYTHING IS VERY WET OUT THERE RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS GOOD BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN DEFICIENT IN RAINFALL.

YOU WANT TO AVOID COMPACTION, WHICH MEANS YOU WANT TO STAY OFF THE SOGGY WET AREAS.

HERE IS PART OF MY LAWN.

YOU CAN SEE ALL THAT SNOW THAT IS MELTING DOWN ON THAT.

YOU WANT TO STAY OFF THOSE DAMP AREAS BECAUSE IT COMPACTS THE SOIL.

YOU REALLY WANT LIGHT, FLUFFY CEREAL FOR -- SOIL FOR READS TO EXPAND.

YOU WANT TO STAY OFF THAT FOR A WHILE.

WE WANT TO BE CAREFUL.

WE SEE A LOT OF ADVERTISEMENTS FOR EARLY SPRING FERTILIZATION.

LET’S MAKE SURE THE PLANTS ARE GREEN AND ACTIVELY GROWING.

THEN YOU MAKE THAT APPLICATION OF FERTILIZER, THE PLANT IS GOING TO PICK IT UP AND UTILIZE IT.

THERE’S NOT GOING TO BE ANY DIFFICULTY WITH RUNOFF.

NOT A BAD TIME TO SOIL TEST.

YOU CAN GET INFORMATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SOIL TESTING LAB.

PRETTY EASY TO LOOK UP.

PULL THAT SAMPLE NOW AND REQUEST AN EMAIL RESPONSE, AND THEY WILL GET IT BACK TO YOU BEFORE IT IS TIME TO PLANT.

THERE IS A LOT OF LITTER OUT THERE, SO YOU CAN LIKELY BREAK SOME OF THAT OFF ONCE AGAIN.

I’VE GOT PINE NEEDLES AND CONES AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

YOU CAN LIGHTLY TAKE THAT OFF WITH A FAN RAKE TO KEEP THE GARDEN RAKES OUT OF THERE.

WE DON’T WANT TO DAMAGE EMERGING GRASSROOTS.

WE JUST WANT TO CLEAN THINGS UP.

THESE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO.

AND I HAVE NOTICED JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE THERE IS A SIDEWALK OR DRIVEWAY.

THERE IS A LOT OF DAMAGE OFF THAT AREA.

PARTICULARLY IF WE DO NOT GET A LOT OF HEAVY SPRING RAIN, LET’S WATER THOSE AREAS DOWN.

IT SOAKS THE SALT DOWN AND AWAY FROM WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO REESTABLISH, THAT BREAST -- THAT GRASS CROP LATER IN THE SEASON.

YOU MAY WANT TO UNCOVER SOME OF THE MULCH CROPS.

THERE IS MY GARLIC PATCH.

IT IS WELL MULCHED, BUT NOW I’VE GOT A LITTLE TOO MUCH STRAW.

SOME OF THESE GARDEN PLANTS ARE JUST MERGING.

YOU’VE GOT TO PULL SOME OF THAT STRAW OFF.

IF YOU’VE GOT TO LIPS OR ANYTHING FROST SENSITIVE, YOU MAY WANT TO LEAVE IT BESIDE THE GARDEN PLOT AND THEN COVER THINGS UP AGAIN IF THERE IS, IN FACT, IT FROST OR FREEZE PREDICTED, BECAUSE IT IS STILL EARLY IN THE SEASON FOR US.

HERE IS AN APPLE BUD.

THEY ARE STILL NICE AND TIGHT, SO THEY CAN DORMANT PRUNE AS LONG AS THAT IS TIGHT, BUT THAT MAY CHANGE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AS THINGS WARM UP.

THIS I AM SEEING EVERYWHERE NOW.

THIS IS SNOW MOLD.

YOU ARE SEEING THE MYCELIA OF THIS FUNGI.

WE HAD THIS EARLY HEAVY SNOWFALL AND ALL THE FUNGI SET UNDERNEATH THE SNOW FALL, AND THIS IS A RESULT.

THIS IS A GREAT SNOW MOLD, VERY DESCRIPTIVE.

YOU CAN RAKE THAT OFF.

IF YOU HAVE PINK SNOW MOLD, YOU WANT TO BE A LITTLE MORE CAREFUL WITH THAT.

A PINK APPEARANCE CAN BE VERY DAMAGING.

IN THAT CASE, IT MAY BE APPROPRIATE FOR SOME KIND OF FUNGICIDE ON YOUR LAWN TURF AS IT EMERGES.

GREAT SNOW MOLD.

IT’S NOT GOING TO BE SIGNIFICANT AS FAR AS THE QUALITY OF THE TURF.

IT JUST HAS TO GROW THROUGH IT.

SHARON: LET’S GET TO SOME MORE QUESTIONS.

HERE’S MY DILEMMA.

MY HUSBAND AND I PLANTED MORNING GLORY FLOWERS YEARS AFTER THE LAST FROST.

WE DON’T START SEEING BLOSSOMS UNTIL THE END OF THE SEASON.

WE GET LOTS OF GREENERY AND SPREADING OF THE VINES BUT HARDLY ANY BLOSSOMS.

MY COUSIN’S PLANT BEARS SO MANY FLOWERS EARLY AND OFTEN.

WE HAVE NEVER HAD IT HAPPEN TO US.

ANY SUGGESTIONS OR GUIDANCE ON THIS?

BOB: USUALLY WHEN WE GET THAT VEGETATIVE GROWTH, THE PLANT IS SO HAPPY.

MAYBE IN THIS CASE THEY NEED A LITTLE MORE BENIGN NEGLECT OR LESS FERTILITY.

DON’T FERTILIZE ANY OF THEM.

IT MAY BE THAT YOUR SOIL MAY BE VERY RICH, SO LET’S KEEP THE COMPOST OFF.

MAYBE YOU WANT TO PLANT ANOTHER CROP IN THAT AREA TO PULL SOME OF THE NUTRIENTS OUT.

IT COULD BE THE CONDITIONS ARE JUST TOO GOOD AND THAT IS WHAT DELAYS -- SHARON: REALLY?

BOB: THERE IS VEGETATIVE GROWTH, AND THERE HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF TRIGGER TO TRIGGER THE PROCESS.

IN THIS CASE, IT’S THE DECLINE IN LIGHT.

THEY GOT THE GROWTH EARLIER.

LATER IN THE SEASON, THE LIGHT DECLINES, AND THAT IS WHAT LEADS THE FLOWERING TO OCCUR.

LET’S NOT KILL THEM WITH KINDNESS.

IT STRESSED THEM A LITTLE BIT.

SHARON: SOMEONE HAS TROUBLE GROWING RHUBARB.

I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES BUYING PLANTS AND WITHIN TWO YEARS THEY DON’T COME BACK.

ANY HINTS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

I LIVE IN A WOODED AREA JUST NORTH OF DULUTH.

BOB: SHADE IS MY NUMBER ONE THOUGHT THERE.

SHADE AND WHEAT COMPETITION AND POOR DRAINAGE OF HEAVY SOIL, RHUBARB WILL TOLERATE A LOT ABOUT, BUT FULL SUN, GOOD DRAINAGE, AND ELIMINATE THE WEED COMPETITION.

IF IT IS A WOODED AREA, HE NEEDS TO FIND AN AREA WHERE THERE IS GOOD SUNLIGHT PENETRATION.

SHARON: LASTLY, JOSH ASKS, DOES THE GOLDEN RULE OF NOT PLANTING BEFORE MEMORIAL DAY STILL RING TRUE WITH CHANGING CLIMATE?

BOB: THE INTERESTING THING IS WITH ALL THE TALK ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE, STATISTICALLY WE ARE PROBABLY ONE OF THE FEW PLACES WHERE NOTHING MUCH HAS CHANGED.

OUR AVERAGE TEMPERATURE LAST YEAR WAS 49 .9 DEGREES.

ONE OF MY GOOD FRIENDS WHO TRACKS ALL THE DATA, THAT WAS THE AVERAGE TEMPERATURE SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN KEEPING RECORDS.

STICK TO YOUR GOALS AND RULES.

FOLLOW THE LOCAL FORECAST, BUT OUR CLIMATE AT THIS POINT HAS NOT CHANGED DRAMATICALLY.

SHARON: OK.

WHAT ARE YOUR SUGGESTIONS FOR KEEPING RABBITS AWAY, BEYOND PHYSICAL BARRIERS?

BOB: WE LIKE PHYSICAL BARRIERS AND REDD FOXX.

PROTECT THOSE LOVELY FOX THAT NATURALLY HARVEST THEM.

BUT I WOULD SAY REPELLENTS.

A VARIETY OF REPELLENTS.

THERE IS A REPELLENT THAT IS A FUNGICIDE THAT IS SPECIFICALLY MADE FOR RAPID REPELLENTS.

BUT ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND LOOK FOR THAT ON THE LABEL FOR RABBIT CONTROL.

SHARON: THANK YOU, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO BOB FOR SHARING HIS EXPERTISE.

JOIN US AT 7:00 P.M.

NEXT THURSDAY FOR THE NEXT EPISODE OF "GREAT GARDENING."

IN THE MEANTIME, HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

♪ ♪