Seed and fertilize when temperatures are moderate and soil is warm. Remember to keep new grass seed moist with frequent watering. Restoring lawns and gardens back to their pre-winter glory is high on many a homeowner's landscaping to-do list. In much of the country, the best times to tackle lawn projects are when temperatures are moderate, like in spring and fall. These … [Read more...]
Earth-friendly tips for autumn
Autumn is upon us, and with the change of seasons comes the fall to-do list that must be completed before the arrival of winter weather. Many outdoor jobs are best completed before temperatures drop, while others can be tackled indoors to help save energy and prepare for increased time spent inside the home. Outdoor cleanup Autumn means leaves are falling from trees and … [Read more...]
7 uses for fallen leaves
By the time autumn hits full swing, many trees will have shed their leaves for the season, and the last vestiges of red, yellow and orange magic will have faded to brown. Raking, blowing and collecting leaves becomes the primary chores of lawn and yard maintenance, and presents most homeowners with large piles of gathered leaves to tend to. It is impossible to count just how … [Read more...]
Did you know?
Before saying "so long" to yard work at the end of autumn, homeowners should remove thatch from their lawns. Thatch is dead grass that's often identifiable by its yellowish tint, and this dead grass, if left to loom in the lawn over the winter, can block air and moisture from making its way into the soil. That can make it difficult for a lawn to recover come the spring and may … [Read more...]
What to expect from Extension when calling about weed control options
Controlling weeds – especially ones with invasive properties – is challenging. Part of my job is to help people make decisions related to weed control. Here are some things you can expect when calling the Extension office looking for advice. • There is often no silver bullet to control the weeds we have today. Complete control takes time and work. And you will often need to … [Read more...]
USDA announces funding availability to help low-income individuals and families buy or repair homes
AUSTIN, MN – USDA Rural Development State Director Brad Finstad has announced that USDA has funding available for very low- and low-income individuals and families seeking to purchase or repair a home in a rural area. “Our housing staff will work one-on-one to ensure quality customer service for all applicants,” Finstad said. “To help prepare potential buyers for this … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Garden Tour happens Saturday, June 16
You are welcome to meander through the gardens of some of western Fillmore County’s most talented “green thumbs” from 9-4:30 on Saturday, June 16. Shelly Skindelien is the Master Gardener coordinating this year’s tour, the first for Fillmore County, and hers is one of ten gardens to view. “Every one of these gardeners is an artist,” Skindelien says with admiration, “On the … [Read more...]
Tiny house on the prairie
Deb Graf fondly calls her home the tiny house on the prairie, because she felt like a pioneer when she drove into Mabel with her house pulled behind a pickup truck. Graf “settled” on a flat plot of land east of town to begin a new chapter in her life. In the fall of 2016, Graf took a job as the band and elementary music instructor at Mabel-Canton Schools. “They needed … [Read more...]
USDA announces funding availability to help low-income individuals and families buy or repair homes
USDA Rural Development has funding available for very low- and lowincome individuals and families seeking to purchase or repair a home in a rural area. “Our housing staff will work one-on-one to ensure quality customer service for all applicants,” said State Director Brad Finstad. “To help prepare would-be buyers for this exciting step, USDA requires applicants to take a … [Read more...]
Plan a visit to Sweet 16 Farm
Sweet 16 Farm is so much more than a farm; it’s a destination. It’s an experience all its own; it’s the adventure you make it. It’s blue skies, sunshine and flowers rolled into a working, sustainable farm that has more to discover. Sarah Mann and Daniel Drazkowski are partners in life and partners in creating Sweet 16 Farm. Mann grew up in the St. Paul, Minn., area and … [Read more...]
Drury’s Furniture outfitting outdoor spaces
The push for livable outdoor spaces might be a product of an HGTV-enlighted audience, but the concept isn’t new, particularly in this region. Drury’s Furniture, a Fountain-based store now in it’s 93rd year of business, is capturing the momentum, offering an array of options for those wanting to enhance all of their living spaces. “I think people in our area have been waiting … [Read more...]
Get dynamite service from TNT Lawn & Snow Services
Living in the great state of Minnesota, we certainly get some diverse weather. Fortunately for the southeastern part of the state, no matter what the season TNT Lawn & Snow Services of Fountain, Minn., is available and has a variety of services to suit your needs. Ted Reinhardt, owner and operator of TNT Lawn & Snow Services, states the business was started in 1999 … [Read more...]
Custom-built home best fit for Rushford family
If you’ve seen any home-centered television or magazines in the last decade or so, the mass marketing of Do It Yourself home remodeling is ever present. In some instances, the costs of remodeling, depending on scale and ability, can be on par with the cost to build new. It also takes experience with a variety of aspects of home building. Some homeowners want to forego the … [Read more...]
MDA reminds Minnesotans to use pesticides and fertilizers with care
ST. PAUL, MN - Spring is here and many Minnesotans will be thinking about their lawns, trees and gardens. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) urges the safe use of pesticides and fertilizers in your yards and gardens by following all label directions. Pesticide and fertilizer labels specify how to use products … [Read more...]
Housing rehabilitation loans
Semcac, a Community Action Agency serving southeastern Minnesota, has funds available through Minnesota Housing for housing rehabilitation loans for eligible homeowners in Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Rice, Steele, Wabasha and Winona counties. This loan is a 0% interest rate loan with a 15-year term or a 10-year term for mobile/manufactured homes in a … [Read more...]