Hooked on wildlife watching Patrick Brejcha couldn’t believe his eyes when he checked his trail camera: a bald eagle, wild turkey and crow were side by side, eating from the same food source inches ...

Use the form To submit your question, fill out the Ask Extension form. An Extension Master Gardener volunteer will reply by email within 48 hours, Monday through Friday. Answers to questions received ...

How to compost in home gardens.Unenclosed compost piles are uncommon in an urban setting since they usually spread out and become unsightly. Enclosing your compost pile in a structure keeps materials ...

Anthracnose is a common fungal disease of shade trees that results in leaf spots, cupping or curling of leaves and early leaf drop. In Minnesota, anthracnose is most common in cool, wet spring weather ...

When a tornado swept through southeast Minnesota, Owl Bluff Farm experienced how vulnerable Minnesota farms can be to severe weather and how valuable it is to have tools that offer stability when the ...

Like other plants in the potato family (which includes eggplants, peppers, and tobacco), tomatoes are heat-loving plants that require a long, frost-free season and full sun. The long, hot, sunny days ...

Avian influenza harms poultry flocks especially if it’s highly pathogenic (HPAI). Always report any signs of disease to your state agency or veterinarian. Preventing disease is the best way to keep ...

Selecting trees and shrubs for your landscape Plant Elements of Design plant selection tool Gardening in the shade — how to create gardens in shady areas in your yard. Recommended trees and plants for ...

Polk County partners with Extension to deliver practical education and research you can use at home, at work and in your community.

Quick facts Sowbugs, millipedes and centipedes are not true insects but are arthropods related to insects. They are not harmful to people, food, clothes, furniture, or other items within homes. They ...

Home Home and financial management Disaster preparedness and recovery How to prepare for a disaster Organize a grab-and-go file Have you ever wondered what you would do if you became a victim of a ...

Blanching is an important step in preserving vegetables for both food safety and quality. Fresh vegetables should be blanched before freezing, drying, or dehydrating to kill bacteria that might be on ...