Advertise on podcast: Minnesota Gardening Podcast

The leaves don’t wait for frost—they’re already counting the night. We dive into the quiet timing system inside trees that decides when the colors ignite, why some years burst into crimson while others fizzle to brown, and how weather and latitude shape the show right above our heads. It’s a guided tour of photoperiodism, phytochromes, and the pigments that paint fall—carotenoids hiding under summer’s green and anthocyanins that arrive late to set maples and oaks on fire. We break down how plants measure darkness rather than just daylight, why the red vs. far‑red balance matters, and what “cool nights, sunny days” really does to sugars in leaves. Then we follow the story to its elegant conclusion: the abscission zone, a microscopic tear line that lets a tree reclaim nutrients and drop each leaf cleanly. Along the way, we connect the science to practical gardening—how healthy soil, reduced chemical use, and smart fall cleanup can protect pollinators, save water, and set up stronger color displays next year. This is a nerdy, satisfying look at the biology behind peak color season, told through the lens of our Minnesota landscapes and the broader mission to build resilient, pesticide-free yards. If you’ve ever wondered how trees “know” when to turn, or why reds pop only in certain years, you’ll come away with answers and a toolkit of simple, high-impact steps you can put to work at home. Subscribe, share with a friend who chases leaf-peeping weekends, and leave a review to help more neighbors find the show—and consider joining our community to grow healthier landscapes together. Join Minnesota Gardening as a member today for just $77 a season (this promotion ends today!) --> Click here to join for $77 a season.

This episode is the audio from our October Masterclass: Key to Healthy, Living Soil and focuses on the importance of soil health in gardening, emphasizing the role of organic material, soil organisms, and sustainable practices. Our community discusses the EFS framework for maintaining healthy soil, the significance of understanding soil structure, and the impact of community engagement in gardening efforts. The session also highlights the need for eliminating chemicals and fostering a supportive gardening community. October MG Membership Drive We are holding member drive through the month of October with the goal of reaching 100 Minnesota Gardening Members. 🎉🥳🍾 With just 100 Minnesota Gardening Members moving from standard landscape practices to a healthy, thriving landscape, together in ten years we could: Eliminate 7,500 gallons of herbicide used (!)Support 90,000 birds (!!)Provide habitat for over a million pollinators (!!!)Together, our Minnesota Gardening Members make a HUGE difference!!!! If you are listening when this goes live, you can join Minnesota Gardening with an annual membership for only $197. This is the best price we will ever have and is available today only. Save 56% off the normal monthly price!! Your price will never go up, never change. It is yours forever if you act now. Please join our community on our journey switching to healthy landscapes from our feral era. Together, we are making the world a better place through all the chaos. --> Click here to become a Minnesota Gardening Member and save 56%. Brad

In this episode of the Minnesota Gardening Podcast, host Brad Tabke reflects on personal challenges and the importance of community in gardening. He introduces the Minnesota Gardening EFSS's Framework, which focuses on eliminating chemicals, feeding pollinators, saving water, and storing carbon. Brad discusses the Landscape Wellness Stages, guiding listeners from standard maintenance to thriving landscapes. He emphasizes the significance of community involvement and announces a membership drive aimed at fostering healthy landscapes and environmental stewardship. Minnesota Gardening is holding a membership drive in the month of October to gain 100 new members. This week only - you can join with an annual membership of just $197. --> Click here to save 56% off our monthly membership at MinnesotaGardening.com. With just 100 Minnesota Gardening Members moving from standard landscape practices to a healthy, thriving landscape, together in ten years we could: Eliminate 7,500 gallons of herbicide used (!)Support 90,000 birds (!!)Provide habitat for over a million pollinators (!!!)--> Click here to save 56% off our monthly membership at MinnesotaGardening.com.

We continue our 3x3 series with the final installment focusing on planting helpful plants to feed pollinators, save water, eliminate chemicals, and store carbon. This free course from Minnesota Gardening provides nine keystone actions for creating a healthier lawn and landscape. • Introducing the concept of "helpful plants" as an inclusive alternative to the native/non-native divide • Explanation of keystone plants that provide the most ecosystem services for local wildlife • The importance of reducing lawn areas by converting 20-30 square feet annually to helpful plant spaces • Why starting with smaller plants is more cost-effective and often produces better long-term results • Bonus action about reducing salt use to protect waterways (one tablespoon permanently impairs five gallons of water) • Tour of the Minnesota Gardening platform and membership benefits • Community support for transitioning to environmentally responsible landscaping practices Head over to MinnesotaGardening.com and click on 3x3 to download the workbook, see photos, and access the complete course materials. This course is free for now but won't be forever, so check it out today. Want to switch to more environmentally-responsible landscape and lawn care practices but don't know where to start? Join our movement bringing together Midwest homeowners so that we can to make the world a better place for our kids and grandkids by building up strong local ecosystems for songbirds, pollinators, and our families to thrive. Learn more at MinnesotaGardening.com.

Fall is the perfect time to implement environmentally friendly practices in your landscape that support local ecosystems while reducing your workload. We explore part two of our 3x3 program on environmentally responsible landscaping, focusing on practical steps that make your yard more sustainable. • Leave fallen leaves in place to provide essential overwintering habitat for pollinators and return nutrients to the soil • Keep hollow plant stems standing through winter as they house native bee eggs and larvae • Use the PlantNet app to identify what's growing in your yard and remove invasive species • Pull weeds properly by removing the entire root system using tools like a weeding fork • Recognize when selective use of chemicals might be necessary for persistent problems like thistles • Join our free masterclass on Tuesday, September 9th at 8pm to learn three things to stop doing this fall in your landscape Check out the complete 3x3 program with videos, workbooks and photos at MinnesotaGardening.com while it's still available for free. Want to switch to more environmentally-responsible landscape and lawn care practices but don't know where to start? Join our movement bringing together Midwest homeowners so that we can to make the world a better place for our kids and grandkids by building up strong local ecosystems for songbirds, pollinators, and our families to thrive. Learn more at MinnesotaGardening.com.

Today is a wonderful day! Releasing our free course called 3x3: Nine keystone actions you can take today for a healthier lawn and landscape. Here is the audio of the first lesson for you. The workbook, videos, and graphics are all available for free at MinnesotaGardening.com. Want to switch to more environmentally-responsible landscape and lawn care practices but don't know where to start? Join our movement bringing together Midwest homeowners so that we can to make the world a better place for our kids and grandkids by building up strong local ecosystems for songbirds, pollinators, and our families to thrive. Learn more at MinnesotaGardening.com.

Spring plant sales and swaps are a great time for jumping worms to spread in our landscapes. Laura Van Riper, the Terrestrial Invasive Species Coordinator at the Minnesota DNR joins me for this replay episode of Minnesota Gardening Podcast. We discuss all aspect of Jumping Worms from where they're currently invading, what to do if you find them, how to locate them, and lots lots more. Check out current maps and learn more at MinnesotaGardening.com. Want to switch to more environmentally-responsible landscape and lawn care practices but don't know where to start? Join our movement bringing together Midwest homeowners so that we can to make the world a better place for our kids and grandkids by building up strong local ecosystems for songbirds, pollinators, and our families to thrive. Learn more at MinnesotaGardening.com.

I've been getting a lot of questions lately on the timing of spring gardening tasks. In this episode we talk through the timing on spring gardening tasks and how you want to accomplish them. Download the Seasons Calendar at MinnesotaGardening.com for a list of gardening tasks and when to do them. Join Minnesota Gardening today and get Two Weeks Free!! Want to switch to more environmentally-responsible landscape and lawn care practices but don't know where to start? Join our movement bringing together Midwest homeowners so that we can to make the world a better place for our kids and grandkids by building up strong local ecosystems for songbirds, pollinators, and our families to thrive. Learn more at MinnesotaGardening.com.

In this episode of Minnesota Gardening Podcast, host Brad Tabke speaks with Stephanie Rose, author of 'Regenerative Garden.' They discuss Stephanie's journey into gardening as a form of self-healing, the principles of regenerative gardening, and the importance of community involvement in gardening. Stephanie shares insights on understanding soil health, the role of weeds, and how gardens can foster connections among neighbors. The conversation emphasizes accessible gardening practices for everyone, regardless of physical ability, and the joy that comes from nurturing both plants and community relationships. Grab Regenerative Garden by Stephanie Rose on Bookshop. Want to switch to more environmentally-responsible landscape and lawn care practices but don't know where to start? Join our movement bringing together Midwest homeowners so that we can to make the world a better place for our kids and grandkids by building up strong local ecosystems for songbirds, pollinators, and our families to thrive. Learn more at MinnesotaGardening.com.

Madeline Wimmer is a guru of Upper Midwest fruit tree in the UMN Hort Department specializing in grapes and apples. Lucky to have Madeline with us to talk care for midwest fruit trees. Show notes, links, and transcript for members at MinnesotaGardening.com. Want to switch to more environmentally-responsible landscape and lawn care practices but don't know where to start? Join our movement bringing together Midwest homeowners so that we can to make the world a better place for our kids and grandkids by building up strong local ecosystems for songbirds, pollinators, and our families to thrive. Learn more at MinnesotaGardening.com.

Owen Wormser is the author of a wonderful book called Lawns Into Meadows  a "how-to book on growing your own wildflowers and native grasses is also about sustainability, regeneration, and beauty." Show Notes, Links, and Transcript at MinnesotaGardening.com Want to switch to more environmentally-responsible landscape and lawn care practices but don't know where to start? Join our movement bringing together Midwest homeowners so that we can to make the world a better place for our kids and grandkids by building up strong local ecosystems for songbirds, pollinators, and our families to thrive. Learn more at MinnesotaGardening.com.

Show notes available to members at MinnesotaGardening.com. Minnesota Gardening's 2025 Seed Starting Cohort is NOW OPEN! The Seed Starting Cohort is FREE to Minnesota Gardening members and $197 for the cohort alone. Check it all out including the Seed Starting Course, one-on-one Q&A, and the 2025 Seed Starting Cohort kickoff on Feb 16, 2025 at 8 pm. Learn more at MinnesotaGardening.com. Want to switch to more environmentally-responsible landscape and lawn care practices but don't know where to start? Join our movement bringing together Midwest homeowners so that we can to make the world a better place for our kids and grandkids by building up strong local ecosystems for songbirds, pollinators, and our families to thrive. Learn more at MinnesotaGardening.com.

Unveiling the renewed Minnesota Gardening focused on sustainability and helping Upper Midwest homeowners switch to more environmentally-friendly landscape and lawn care practices. Right now, you can get an annual membership for only $127! That is 71% off the regular price. Join today at MinnesotaGardening.com.  Want to switch to more environmentally-responsible landscape and lawn care practices but don't know where to start? Join our movement bringing together Midwest homeowners so that we can to make the world a better place for our kids and grandkids by building up strong local ecosystems for songbirds, pollinators, and our families to thrive. Learn more at MinnesotaGardening.com.

Connie Fortin and Kyra Oliver join me for a BONUS episode of Minnesota Gardening Podcast to talk all about Winter Design and efforts to reduce salt use and water pollution. Connie Fortin has been working for 20 years with winter maintenance professionals trying to reduce salt by integrating science into winter maintenance. Now she finds herself in an engineering firm, Bolton & Menk, working to integrate low salt concepts into infrastructure design. Improved winter design is the most cost-effective way to get on top of the chloride problem and she is energized to share this new strategy.  Kyra Oliver is a Water Resources Design Engineer at Bolton & Menk with a background in Landscape Architecture.  She began her career at a landscape design and build firm, with a focus in native plantings and rain garden design, construction, and maintenance.  In 2019, she earned a master degree in water resources engineering and now works to improve the health of the environment in urban areas by bringing water resources, landscape architecture, and natural resources together to create quality solutions.  She has gained experience in stormwater management in rain gardens, grading, vegetation, GIS mapping, site assessment, design, and construction documents. Want to switch to more environmentally-responsible landscape and lawn care practices but don't know where to start? Join our movement bringing together Midwest homeowners so that we can to make the world a better place for our kids and grandkids by building up strong local ecosystems for songbirds, pollinators, and our families to thrive. Learn more at MinnesotaGardening.com.

Want to switch to more environmentally-responsible landscape and lawn care practices but don't know where to start? Join our movement bringing together Midwest homeowners so that we can to make the world a better place for our kids and grandkids by building up strong local ecosystems for songbirds, pollinators, and our families to thrive. Learn more at MinnesotaGardening.com.