Spring is right around the corner! As we watch the snow melt, we can plan out our dream gardens!
Everything is coming up roses...or maybe little bluestem: Plant a green garden
Maybe you've decided this is the summer you're going to plant the rain garden you've always wanted. Or you're determined to grow a green lawn without toxic chemicals this year. Now is the perfect time to investigate your options. March and April are big months for yard and garden expos, as well as workshops and classes. So, grab your seed catalogs and get to it!
Another good source of information is the Minnesota Master Gardener Program (University of Minnesota). You can find the answers to the most frequently asked garden questions in Minnesota.
If you still need more ideas, check out these yard and garden events.
Ramsey County landowners interested in native plantings can find free technical and landscape design assistance from the Ramsey Conservation District.
The Living Green Expo (May 5-6) will feature landscape design services, lawncare companies, and patio furniture suppliers.
Eat all your veggies: Become a member of a CSA farm
Remember how your parents used to tell you to finish your vegetables? Maybe you're the one doing the reminding now, for your own kids. To make sure that your family is eating fresh, organically grown fruits and vegetables, consider purchasing a share in a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm. Not only will you get great tasting produce all season long, you'll also be supporting local farmers and reducing the distance your food has to travel to get to you. Some farms even encourage their members to help with planting and harvesting!
You can start by checking out Land Stewardship Project's CSA Farm Directory. You'll learn more about CSA farms and get tips on how to select a farm.
The Minnesota Grown website helps you find locally grown produce and other food in your area.
Finally, talk face-to-face with area farms at the Community Food & Farm Festival, part of the Living Green Expo.
In addition to joining a CSA yourself, invite your neighbors and co-workers to join. If enough of your co- workers join, the farm might even make your workplace a drop-off site. Many farms start selling shares in early spring, so sign up now!
Speak your green mind: Living-green myths
Does the stuff in my recycling bin actually get recycled? Can changing a lightbulb really change the world? Paper or plastic?
What burning question is keeping you from taking the next step on your path to living green?
Days of our green lives: Community events and resources
Stop by the Living Green 365 booth at the Minnetonka Eco Fair on March 17.
Learn how your community can maintain organic turf on athletic fields. Chip Osborne of the Living Lawn Project is sharing information in several locations around the state. Contact Emily Moore for information at 651-215-0201.
March 19: 7 p.m. at Elk's Nature Center in Rasmussen Woods, Mankato, 507-387-8585
March 21: 7 p.m. at Quarry Hill Nature Center, Rochester, 507-281-6114
March 22: 7 p.m. McNeely Conservatory at Como Zoo
Want to green your business or explore sustainable tourism ideas for your community? Check out Greening Your Business workshops around the state.
Maybe you've decided this is the summer you're going to plant the rain garden you've always wanted. Or you're determined to grow a green lawn without toxic chemicals this year. Now is the perfect time to investigate your options. March and April are big months for yard and garden expos, as well as workshops and classes. So, grab your seed catalogs and get to it!
Eat all your veggies: Become a member of a CSA farm
Speak your green mind: Living-green myths 