Tips for Hardy Gardeners

"Look at the lovely flowers that just came up in my garden!" gushed a novice gardener to Carol Andrews of the Arrowhead Chapter of Wild Ones.

"Goes to show weeds are pretty, too" came back the reply.

Would a weed by any other name be just as annoying?

Tom Kasper says you've got to establish your "weediness threshold."

Tom Kasper is excited about new backyard gardeners, looking forward to being able to donate fresh produce to soup kitchens and food shelves again,eventually ... and shaking his head over people who didn't prune the storm damage off their trees in a timely fashion.

Whatever you plan to do about the deer in your yard, from making them feel welcome to scooting them on down the road, Tom Kasper says you need to start doing it NOW before they get in the habit of dropping by your place for a meal.

And just like we're happy when Minnesota Governor Tim Walz tells us to go out and get some exercise, we should be delighted that Tom Kasper is telling us to get outside and start gardening.

The Icelandic Forest Service is encouraging people to hug trees.

An April 10 article from Iceland Review says:

Whether it's bird watching, phenology or planning a garden, the backyard is the place to be these days.

As soon as things dry out a little more, Tom Kasper says we can get started on raking the gravel off the lawn, pruning animal-damaged trees and shrubs, and sussing out the perfect spot for your new vegetable garden.

Here's the thing about gardening: you can do it alone, even if you garden with a friend you're usually more than six feet apart anyway, and getting outside is good for you.

Say what you want about millenials: they love their houseplants and they buy, grow and care for them.

Tom Kasper has some tips and tricks for taking care of your houseplants so you can reap the environmental and psychological benefits.

Concerned about houseplants and your pets?