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PRUNING is done to *promote a plants health**to improve plant appearance**to encourage flower and fruit development**and to protect people and property by removing dead limbs and hazards.
Timing is very important! Now, in late winter, it is the best time to prune apples, [IMAGE]

flowering crabs, mountain ash, hawthorne, honeylocust and cotoneaster shrubs.

Wait to prune trees and shrubs that bloom on their 'old wood' early in the growing season until after they are done blooming or you may loose this years flower growth.

From mid February to the second week of March is the time to "tap" maple trees to collect their sap for making maple syrup. Sugar or hard maples varieties produce the sweetest sap. It is an interesting experience for someone wanting to try it, however, it takes about 45 gallons of sap to produce just 1 gallon of syrup. But if you ever have tasted home-made Maple Syrup, it's worth it!

For Information on PROPER PRUNING and HOW TO [IMAGE]

MAKE YOUR OWN MAPLE SYRUP, see the U of MN Extension Service website and search these topics

Our page on 'Facebook' is updated often with pictures of what is going on inside of our greenhouses!

Practice "Phenology" - which means watching natural indicators to know when it is safe to sow seeds outdoors (from the Greeks) -

Plant these When

Hardy crops

Peach & plum trees are in bloom

Corn	Elm leaves are the size of a squirrels, oak leaves the size of a mouse's ear, or dogwoods are in full bloom

Lettuce, peas, spinach

Lilacs are in first leaf

Beans & squash

Lilacs are in full bloom

Perennials

Maples are coming into leaf

Gardening. It is that time a year again when all the stores are getting out seeds and starter kits. Just remember when looking for seeds to check the sell by date and the germination rate. The production goes down every year that the seeds are past their packaging date. Also, look for germination rates above 85%. This will give you the most plants. Don't forget the old "Wives Tale" that says "to plant your potatoes by Good Friday"!!! Well that isn't the case anymore, but they can go into the ground as soon as it thaws. They do need to get in the ground in early Spring. Also, some other varieties that can go in the ground in April are lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussell sprout.
A Sowing Lesson. Here is a list of vegetables best sown in the ground: Beans (bush & pole), Beets, Carrots, Collards, Corn, Cucumbers, Endive, Kale, Kohlrabi, Mustard Greens, Parsnips, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Spinach, Squash (summer and winter), Swiss Chard and Turnips.


A "Blast from the Past" This is the farmstead in the early 1900's where we are still located today! See our Spring 2009 Newsletter - and 'look how we've changed!		Annuals. This is the time of year to start thinking about some of the containers that you will be planting. Some of the things to think about are sun or shade, colors, height, how big of pot, and how often can this plant get watered? With that in mind we can assist you in picking out the perfect plants for you. Otherwise, if you want to start planning and want to do your research now go to www.provenwinners.com website. This site is very easy to use and we carry most of their varieties.
Our Garden Center will soon be open - watch for dates!!	March Community Expo Zimmerman- Saturday 3/20 Stop by our Booth!!!	SAT., APRIL 24th Our Annual Spring Open House! Mark your calendars!	sign up for the MN GROWN newsletter