WCCO's Smart Gardens - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

Happy Harvest Moon Sep 26, 2026

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Happy Harvest FULL Moon! UMN Extension Educator Julie Weisenhorn talks about a fun event happening tonight at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: Full Harvest Moon Hike! Check out arb.umn.edu for more info on how to attend. Plus tips on how not to overwater when we bring our plants inside for the season, how to best cut their roots, fertilization after rain, and more! For any gardening questions with your project visit extension.umn.edu

House Plant…Pests? Sep 19, 2026

Show notes

House plant pests - the need to know. We’re joined with an expert on this topic, University of Minnesota horticulturist Laura Irish Hanson. You can hear her give a workshop on house plant pests on 10/3. Register at hennepinmastergardeners.org! Plus, Umn Extension Educator Jon Trappe walks us through his tips for grass seed and fall weed maintenance. For any gardening questions with your project visit extension.umn.edu

Becoming a Master Gardener, Arborviates and Dahlias, and more! Sep 12, 2026

Show notes

A lot to get into with Master Gardener Theresa Rooney as time is ticking down on summer and your outdoor gardening projects! Right away, we give Theresa the floor to share more about the Master Gardener program and the step by step process of that! We try to tackle as many of your garden questions and issues as we can! Today we talked about dahlias, weed and feed, different Arborvaite varieties, some troubleshooting lilac bushes late in the summer, Creeping bentgrass removal, (yes we also got the Creeping Charlie question) and much much more! For any gardening questions you may have visit extension.umn.edu

Last minute seeding, grass and garden treatment before the winter! Sep 05, 2026

Show notes

You can smell it in the air - summer is ending and once again we discuss those last minute seeding and winterizing processes. We also dive in to talking fern beds, nitrogen addition, coloration of your lawn, white spruce troubleshooting, crabgrass issues, raking vs. leaving those leaves and brush out into the winter, Creeping Charlies, getting blueberries planted before its too late, dormant seeding - that and more with University of Minnesota Horticulturist Mary Meyer and University of Minnesota Turfgrass expert Eric Watkins. Be sure to check out their website with a plethora of tools and guides on your gardening and lawn project - just visit extension.umn.edu

Drought maintenance and when to winterize those gardens! Aug 29, 2026

Show notes

While the drought continues, we do have some rain for your lawn and garden this Saturday morning! We also have the two experts to answer your questions for any lawn and garden project - lawn and turf expert Jon Trappe and U of M extension horticulturist Julie Weisenhorn who join Laura on the WCCO Radio porch! We discuss drought of course, also - raspberry plants, Creeping Charlies, boulevard garden questions, rodent control with your yard, when to put hibiscus and other gardening to rest for the winter as edge closer to the fall temps! That and so much more as we pack in a lot this hour on WCCO’s Smart Gardens! Be sure to check out the massive and multifaceted extension website at extension.umn.edu!

The Drought Continues… Aug 22, 2026

Show notes

Laura is joined in studio this morning with UMN Extension horticulturist Laura Irish Hanson. This season’s drought has been difficult, but Laura has tips on how to keep your gardens alive. Don’t forget to water your trees! And when is the best time to water our plants? Clue: you can stay in your pajamas. Plus questions about apple tree termite infestations, tomato blossom end rot, butternut squash just in time for fall. For any gardening questions with your project visit extension.umn.edu

Watering Tips Aug 15, 2026

Show notes

Laura is joined this morning with UMN Extension horticulturist Mary Meyer! She takes questions regarding watering during these drought conditions, maintaining Mexican Marigolds, and the most interesting questions she’s answered from the “Ask a Master Gardener” feature on the University of Minnesota Extension website. Plus the Minnesota Horticultural Society is celebrating its 160 anniversary! Mary tells us about the fun things to expect at the MN State Fair to commemorate the big anniversary. For any gardening questions with your project visit extension.umn.edu

Lawns are growing and so is everything else! Aug 08, 2026

Show notes

Laura is joined this morning with not one but two garden experts: UMN Extension horticulturist Julie Weisenhorn and UMN Extension Educator Jon Trappe. Jon in particular knows about his Quack Grass and we have many questions about how it spreads. Julie weighs in on peach tree maintenance for an ambitious caller trying to grow peaches in MN! Plus Julie previews all the fun events coming up at the Arboretum. For any gardening questions with your project visit extension.umn.edu

Things are going (growing) crazy! Aug 01, 2026

Show notes

Master Gardener with UMN Extension Teresa Rooney answers questions about pole bean control, tree pruning, magnolia scale, and critter control. Also a gentle reminder to clean your pruners, especially if you’re going from plant to plant. For any gardening questions with your project visit extension.umn.edu

Garden party! Jul 25, 2026

Show notes

University of Minnesota horticulturist Laura Irish Hanson is in studio to chat about all things horticulture. Plus questions and answers about Japanese Knotweed, Magnolia Scale treatment, fern takeovers, and garden veggies! For any gardening questions with your project visit extension.umn.edu

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