Southwest Connector

April showers bring May flowers, and May flowers bring in the bees. This bee is feasting on creeping Charlie. (Photo submitted)

Stumbling over bicycles and skateboards in the back of the garage, your fall is broken by the lawn mower handle. Wrestling your new turf terrorizer out of its winter hold, a vague memory forms of the … more

By Russ Henry | 5/5/23

Spring cleaning tips and tricks

Here are some tips that can help anyone master spring cleaning.• Create a plan. Make a checklist and establish a cleaning plan of attack. Focus on areas that are not regularly cleaned, as they … more

4/19/23

The Wilson’s back porch was opened up through careful deconstruction by a Better Futures crew. (Photo submitted)

Why throw away a house when parts can be reused?

From early 20th Century thrift to building cabins from contractor cast-offs, building materials reuse had long been an informal norm. But in a more recent world, entire houses have been thrown in the … more

By Margo Ashmore | 4/6/23

A true sign that spring is on the way or has actually arrived is the appearance of the Mourning Cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa).

Spring yard Cleanup in a word: WAIT!

Especially this spring, after what feels like an endless winter with February weather in March, most gardeners are understandably impatient for the snow to melt and clear the way for yard work. But … more

By Constance Pepin | 4/6/23

Nataliya Beccera, marketing person for Sustainable 9, visits 3900 Ewing Ave. S.

Learn about building reuse grants April 29-30 on MSP Home Tour

Ryan Hanson of the Linden Hills-based Sustainable 9 Design Build sees deconstruction – and when applicable, use of a Hennepin County grant that helps with the cost – as part of their … more

4/6/23

Most plants should be pruned in the late dormant season, generally around January or February. The exceptions are those that bloom early in the growing season on last year's growth. (Photo submitted)

Best time to prune most plants is late winter

As fall turns to winter, you may be looking at the bare, brown branches in your yard and wondering when to cut them back. Overall, the answer is not yet! But there’s lots to think about before … more

By LAUREN BETHKE, Master Gardener | 11/30/22

Haruko Ruggiero, who grew up in Whittier and now lives in Standish, points out that the smaller houses in south Minneapolis offer the opportunity for homeowners to make the most of what they have, and to make each space special. (Photo submitted)

Tile artist creates unique pieces for homes

Standish tile artist Haruko Ruggiero always had a sense that she would develop her own “something” related to interior design and patterns. She began by fashioning together mosaics. … more

Tesha M. Christensen | 10/11/22

FOR HEALTHIER YARD AND WORLD, SKIP FALL CLEAN-UP

Climate change, habitat loss and pesticides are causing dramatic declines in populations of insects and the birds who need them – with likely dire consequences for humans’ quality of life … more

Constance Pepin | 10/11/22

Haruko Ruggiero points out that the smaller houses in south Minneapolis offer the opportunity for homeowners to make the most of what they have, and to make each space special. (Photo submitted)

Standish tile artist creates unique pieces for homes

Standish tile artist Haruko Ruggiero always had a sense that she would develop her own “something” related to interior design and patterns. She began by fashioning together mosaics. … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 9/29/22

When you bring houseplants inside, check to make sure there aren't any pests. (Photo submitted)

Bringing houseplants inside for the winter

This summer, you may have brought your houseplants outside to enjoy the warmth and humidity – I certainly did! As the nights get colder and days get shorter, it’s time to bring … more

By LAUREN BETHKE, Master Gardener | 9/29/22

Early blight is common, and causes yellowing leaves. A lack of air flow in dense tomato plants can be an issue.

Should you use eggshells and Epsom salt?

It seems like every time I open up social media, I see posts or videos with gardening advice. Sometimes the advice is good, but sometimes it’s useless or even harmful. But how to know which … more

By LAUREN BETHKE, Master Gardener | 8/31/22

Dawn2Dusk farm provides land, infrastructure, and sharing of knowledge of farming and markets, as well as building community to beginning farmers through 1-on-1 support. (Photo by Susan Schaefer)

FARMERS MARKETS

Summer in the cities finds metro residents flocking like sheep to partake of the bounty offered at more than 15 local farmers market from various neighborhood locations. (See sidebar on page 3.) … more

By SUSAN SCHAEFER | 8/2/22

Standish-Ericsson resident Roxanne Stuhr said, "One of my biggest rewards comes from guiding people through the process of creating their own individual take on an effective system and seeing them be proud and excited of their contribution." (Photo by Penny Fuller)

Guardians of our freshwater

What thoughts or images come to mind when you hear “freshwater”? Do you see a sparkling lake, hear water lapping against the shoreline, feel it tickling your toes? Is it a gurgling creek … more

By PENNY FULLER | 5/30/22

Grubs Vs Nematodes: showdown in the soil

Large bare patches of dirt, tufts of dead grass, and birds feasting on insects squirming from the ground – if your lawn is starting to look like a scene from “Grapes of Wrath,” you … more

5/24/22

Add long-blooming perennials for color all season

Many of us would love to have a yard full of beautiful flowering plants that bloom all season long, providing food for pollinators as well as visual interest. Lots of perennials have showy flowers in … more

By LAUREN BETHKE, Master Gardener | 4/28/22

Installing a small elevator and widening doorways made this lower level more accessible. (Photo by Andrea Rugg Photography)

Home renovations to age in place

At age 69, I was a “silver sneaker” poster child – fit and healthy, living on my own, fiercely independent and proud of it. Ironically, my main fitness exercise, avid fast walking … more

By SUSAN SCHAEFER | 4/28/22

Go native in your yard for bugs, birds, beauty and biodiversity

Despite the roller-coaster temperatures and freeze-thaw hazards in Minneapolis this month, after all it is March and the familiar flowers of spring will soon emerge. But as many people anticipate and … more

By Constance Pepin | 4/5/22

How to create a food forest

Food forests represent an abundant past and a hopeful future. A diverse planting of native trees, shrubs, and perennials that bear edible flowers, fruit, nuts, and seeds; food forests grow all the … more

by Russ Henry | 3/23/22

Not sure what to put in your boulevard? Plan ahead for success. Pick plants well-suited to the conditions.

Wondering what to plant in those tough spots?

As a Master Gardener, people ask me lots of questions about their yards, but probably the most common type of question is “I have a spot that’s hard to grow things in. What should I plant … more

By LAUREN BETHKE, Master Gardener | 3/23/22

PASSIONATE ABOUT BUNGALOWS

What is the history of the Bungalow Club?Longtime Bungalow Club President Tim Counts: The Twin Cities Bungalow Club was started in 1995 by Kristi Johnson, who lived with her husband in a Longfellow … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 2/23/22