WCCO's Smart Gardens - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

Bringing Outside Plants Inside, Tips to Saving a Tree, Getting Hostas to Survive the Winter Oct 11, 2025

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What to do before bringing your outside plants inside. When to start watering perennials. Getting rid of Lily of the Valley. Why it is not recommended to use bat guano on a vegetable garden. Bringing a tree back to life. When to plant allium bulbs. Protecting shrubs from critters. Managing bugs that can be found on plants. When to dig out a lilac bush. Making sure hostas survive the winter. Learn more from horticulturalist Julie Weisenhorn at extension.umn.edu.

Attracting Birds with Plants in your Yard, How to Dormant Seed, Saving Squash Oct 04, 2025

Show notes

Maintaining asparagus plants. Plants recommended to attract cedar waxwings. When to aerate and dethatch your lawn. Tips to dormant seeding. When to trim birch trees. Should crabgrass be removed before fertilizing a lawn? Solving moss problems. Keeping slugs away from hostas. Preserving squash for the season. The edible puffball mushroom. How long can potatoes be left in the ground? Tree replacement process. Learn more from horticulturalist Mary Meyer at extension.umn.edu.

Sneaking in final lawn and garden care while the temps allow! Sep 27, 2025

Show notes

More heat on the way which means more time for your lawn care and growing project - we discuss the end days ahead this summery Fall weather season with Jon and Julie, and tackle various questions with your lawn and garden inquiries from rose bushes, grow bags with tomatoes, seeding questions, Japanese maple growth, lawncare without harming bunny populations, jumping worms and can we still seed? Also Julie shares details on Apple Fest taking place over at the Arboretum. Learn more from horticulturalist Julie Weisenhorn and Lawn and Turf expert Jon Trappe at extension.umn.edu.

When to Plant Apple Tree Seeds, Causes Behind Lilac Issues, The Lifespan of Plants Sep 20, 2025

Show notes

When is the best time to fertilize the lawn and how often should it be done? Is it time to plant apple tree seeds? Causes behind brown spots in the yard. What is causing lilacs to have so many issues in Minnesota? What is the lifespan of a lilac bush? Why are there so many acorns this year? How long should the lawn be aerated? What are the best hostas to plant in Minnesota? What to do after laying sod. What is the best apple for apple pie? Should clover be added to the lawn? Adjusting the height of your lawn mower. Learn more from horticulturalist Julie Weisenhorn and Lawn and Turf expert Jon Trappe at extension.umn.edu.

Grass Seed for Shady Areas, Ongoing Lilac Issues, Tree Planting Tips Sep 13, 2025

Show notes

What it takes to become a Master Gardener. The best grass for a shady area. Killing Creeping Charlie. Continuing issues with lilacs. Using Google Lens to identify plants. Methods to killing moss. Growing grass on bare patches. The basics of tree planting. When tress should be trimmed. Can grass seed get too old to use? Learn more from Master Gardener Teresa Rooney at extension.umn.edu.

September To Dos in the Garden, When to Plant Grass Seed, Maintaining Lilac Bushes Sep 06, 2025

Show notes

What to do in our lawns and gardens now that September is here. What to do with plants as we hit a cold snap. When to move ferns. Peach tree problems. Lemon tree growing basics. Becoming a master gardener. Now is the time to plant grass seed. Black spots on peonies. The best time to plant and move hydrangeas. How to keep lilacs alive. The best time for fall fertilizing. Getting rid of a Hosta virus. Dividing and replanting Hostas. Learn more from horticulturalist Mary Meyer at extension.umn.edu.\

Signs to Start Pruning, Killing Creeping Charlie, Identifying Crab Grass Aug 30, 2025

Show notes

Why different types of turf could take longer to grow. When it's time to prune hydrangeas. Stopping unwanted chives from spreading. An increase in perennials dying across Minnesota. Planting around roots. Cleaning up crabapple trees. Using milk to water plants? Where to grow weigela in Minnesota? The best method to kill creeping Charlie. How to identify crab grass. The rule of 3 for mulching trees. The best time to cut back peonies. What is the brown dust that is sometimes seen on grass? Killing fungus on plants. Learn more from horticulturalist Laura Irish Hanson extension.umn.edu.

Back to School 2025: Tech that can detect shootings, concerns over AI, heart problems and screen time, plus where cell phones are banned in class Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

Labor Day is over, which means it's officially back to school for all of America. Here, we dive into the latest in topics, including tech that can save lives ... and shorten lifespans. Plus, how much help with homework is okay and how to teach your kids about AI.

How do you send thoughts and prayers to kids who were shot while praying? Minneapolis school shooting latest from experts, families, survivors, and politicians Aug 28, 2025

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Hear from kids who got away, a father who ran in alongside first responders, and Minnesota's top political leaders as we grapple with something all-too familiar: a school shooting. Get the latest on the perpetrator, and insight into what -- if anything -- may finally change.

Seeding, perennials and fall preparation! Aug 23, 2025

Show notes

This morning we had horticulturist Julie Weisenhorn and lawn and turf expert Jon Trappe joining Denny LIVE on the WCCO Radio stage for today’s Smart Gardens program! We cover all things from dormant seeding (and overseeding), aeration, perennials, getting rid of japanese beetles and grubs, soil and salt with certain vegetable growth including plenty of tomato questions, sweet grass growth and much more!. Julie shares an Abiders show coming up Saturday night at the Westonka Sound Wave Benefit Event in partnership with the Westonka Food Shelf and Back Channel Brewing and they both share the latest of what is going on over at the Arboretum! If you have a gardening or lawn question visit their website at extension.umn.edu

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