WCCO's Smart Gardens - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

Garden care vs aesthetics Jul 18, 2026

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We chat with University of Minnesota horticulturist Laura Irish Hanson about the best time to fertilize, moth and grub treatment, mowing tips and more ! For any gardening questions with your project visit extension.umn.edu

Fertilizing your garden, tomatoes, mulch, bugs and Summer Harvest Days! Jul 11, 2026

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With more of the summer heat on the way - plenty of time to get into those garden projects and we have Julie Weisenhorn, retired horticulturist with the University of Minnesota to help with any questions you have! We begin with some fertilizer questions, the weekly Creeping Charlie troubleshooting, perfecting the harvesting of tomatoes including Laura’s own personal experience and some questions on tomato growth - this, more on Summer Harvest Days coming up at the Arboretum and much more with Julie! If you have any questions on your garden or planting project - reach out to Julie and others - you can also access that extension website which is very multifaceted and helpful visit extension.umn.edu!

Hydrangeas, tomato plants, tree care and repair and more! Jul 04, 2026

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We begin the show talking about hydrangeas, tomato plant troubleshooting, rhubarb, applying GrubX to the lawn - how long can it last? oak tree trouble, insect damage to plants and gardens - this and much, much more with our friend Theresa Rooney, Master Gardener with Hennepin County and also the University of Minnesota! If you have a gardening question or want more information on some of the helpful tools you can access just visit extension.umn.edu

Preparing your garden for the heat! Jun 27, 2026

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With the heat on the way we want to keep our outdoor and garden projects in check - we chat with University of Minnesota horticulturist Mary Meyer - We get into everything from transplanting Rhododendron, Creeping Charlies, keeping your garden protected, Aster yellow disease, clematis and much, much more with Mary! For any gardening questions with your project visit extension.umn.edu

Foodscaping, Utilizing the ‘Ask a Master Gardener’ and more! Jun 20, 2026

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Plenty as always to get into with our Smart Gardens program and we begin discussing what is foodscaping, including a fun event at the University of Minnesota - Foodscaping at the Arb where you can plant and plan your growing project with the help of master gardeners. Of course, we answer some of your questions on creeping charlies, crabgrass, trimming stems, branches, zinnia plant problems, blight on the apples and more with our friend Julie Weisenhorn. Learn more from horticulturist Julie Weisenhorn at extension.umn.edu !

Pests in your gardens, growing those veggies and learning gardening! Jun 13, 2026

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We are in the thick of gardening season in Minnesota and we have so much to get into with Master Gardener Theresa Rooney with the University of Minnesota. Whether it is pests getting into your gardening project, fertilizer tips, asparagus plants on the move, arborvitaes caretaking, unwarranted trees popping up as well - and much, much more! Theresa shares an upcoming ‘Learning Garden Tour’ going on with Hennepin County in July where you can get face to face learning experiences with experts on gardening! You can reach out to Theresa and other gardening and horticulture experts with your gardening questions at extension.umn.edu !

Asparagus growth, pruning pests and more! Jun 06, 2026

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It is a new era with Smart Gardens as Laura Oakes takes the helm for the first time and we dive right into it with your questions regarding asparagus, pruning, many people experiencing pests as well! That, tree questions, transitioning from spring to summer in the garden and more with Laura Irish Hanson - to learn more from horticulturist Laura Irish Hanson at extension.umn.edu

Gardeners Say Goodbye to Denny May 30, 2026

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After years of helping our lawns and gardens we say goodbye to Denny Long as he heads into retirement. Should we begin to be concerned for our lawns and outdoor plants with a stretch of dry weather? Managing ground ivy or creeping Charlie. Keeping clover away from the yard. Preventing grubs from taking over your lawn. Keeping ants out of your yard. The right cutting height for a lawn. Learn more from horticulturalist Julie Weisenhorn and Lawn and Turf expert Jon Trappe at extension.umn.edu.

Seeding and Growing as Summer Begins! May 23, 2026

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We are LIVE from By The Yard Furniture showroom in Jordan, MN and we chat with horticulturist Mary Meyer with the University of Minnesota on a variety of gardening and lawn care topics - from tomato maintenance, ant problems, catmint planting, hydrangea seeding and much more! For any questions regarding your gardening project or lawn care questions visit extension.umn.edu !

Bareroot Planting Basics, Killing Dandelions, Getting Peonies to Bloom May 16, 2026

Show notes

Apple scab update. Bare root planting. Germinating rhubarb seed. Keeping critters away from your plants. The best way to kill dandelions. Preventing Lily of the Valley from spreading. Getting control of a clover outbreak. Best time of day to uncover plants. How to help peonies bloom. Bringing hydrangeas back to life. Waiting for peppers and tomatoes. Getting control of quack grass. Learn more from horticulturalist Laura Irish Hanson extension.umn.edu.

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