Green Spaces 2018

green spaces

by Scott Stowell for the Duluth News Tribune

Bees sometimes geta bad rapaspesky little stingers with hair-trigger tempers. Buttheir impactonthe bounty of human food supply is indisputable. Along with other pollinators like wasps and butterflies, bees conducttheir noble work helping gardens flourish. The next time fruits, vegetables and honeyare on the dinner table, thank abee

According to Theresa Smith, treasurer of the Northeast Minnesota Beekeepers Association (NEMNBA), most plants need to be pollinatedto grow fruits and vegetables. Plants produceeggs and pollen and, in turn, pollen fertilizes the egg.

“The morepollinators youhave, the more productiveyour garden is going to be, or your orchard, or whatever you’re trying to grow,” she said.

Pollination

Some plants self-pollinate and wind aids pollination by blowing pollen throughthe air.But bees collect pollen and deliver it on the fly from plant to plant. In theprocess, theireffortfertilizes planteggs.

Smithsaidpollen is oftenvisible as ayellow or orange bump clinging to the sticky hairs on the back legs of bees. They’ll transportpollen to their hives whereit’susedas aprotein source to feed larva andimmaturebees as theygrow.

Honey

Along with pollen and water,beesforage for nectar.It’sa sugar substancefromplants that provides carbohydrates in abee’s diet.When theybring the nectar back to the hive, some is fed to the other bees. Buttheyalso cache an amountintothe cells of a hivewhere the nectar is turnedintohoney.

Beekeeping: Attracting pollinators for productive gardens

SmithsaidMinnesota has about 400 native beespecies. However, honeybees arenot native to NorthAmerica. They were brought hereby European settlers.

She notedthatchanges in agriculture, the use of pesticides and cutting grasses along roadsides have hurthoneybeeand nativebee populations. As aresult, it’s decreased the amountoffood they have to forage. The concernamong NEMNBA members is not just forbees, but all nativepollinators.

Setting out the welcome mat

Attracting bees in a northern climateinvolvesa mixofoptions. Smithsaidnativeplants thatflower throughout the entiregrowingseason, especiallyperennials, areall-importantfor enticing nativepollinators. Variety is important. Examples include milkweed,coneflowers, sunflowers, squash,

pumpkins, peas, beans, and apple and basswood trees.

However, other attractants reside in plenty of places around backyards and shouldn’t be overlooked.She suggests not mowing down native plants when cutting the lawn. And go easy on the often-maligned dandelion.

“Ifyou don’t spray your dandelions, you’ll have lots of bees,”she stated.

Smithfurther emphasized carein purchasing plants. Make suretheyhavenot been pre-treatedwith pesticides.

Hives

Nativebees, likebumble bees, need accommodating habitattobuild their hives and layeggs. Nativebeesalsohave hivepreferences such as undisturbedbrush.

Honeybees, on the

other hand, aretypically kept in wooden hives. Smithexplainedthatthe hives aredesignedwith interior frames containing hexagonal cells. In northern regions, bees areintroduced to the hiveabout mid- to late-April. Ahealthy queen beewill layabout 1,000 eggs per dayinthe cells and the hive grows quicklyinspring. Beekeepers must monitor those hives closelyto make sure thebeeshave enoughofwhat’scalled “foundation”sothey don’t departelsewhere in searchofabigger home.

bees tendtogravitate toward ears and nostrils. “Theylikethose dark spaces,” shesaid.

Smithwears asuitwith ahoodand aveil. However,she doesn’t wear gloves. Bare hands allow her to feelthe bees and she’s muchmorecareful when handling them.

“Ifyou squish abee,that releases pheromones. [It] alerts the other bees thatsomething bad is happening and theywill become moreaggressive,”she said.

“Some honeybees will leavethe wooden hives and go setuphousekeeping in an old tree, or in some cases, evenin people’s houses or buildings,”she said

Safety

Beeand beekeeper welfareisareciprocalaffair. Smithrecommends that beekeepers covertheir head as protectionfrom stings and cautionedthat

Most beekeepers also use asmoker as another line of protection.It’s ametal cannister that smolders enoughsmoke to coverpheromone scentand interrupt the bees’ communication system, which is often via smells.

Getting started AccordingtoSmith,

Photo by University of Minnesota, North Central Research and Outreach Center.

Continued from Pg. 3

anyone newtobeekeeping and pollinator gardening will benefit from some preliminary homework.The hobby isn’tsomething to jump into without first talking to experienced beekeepers and doing afair amountofreading.

“Itmight be abigger commitmentthan people arereallylooking for,” she said.

Books and the Internet aregreat starter resources. The University of Minnesota Extension Serviceand the Xerces Society provide lists of attractantplants. The university also offers aseries of beekeeping classes designedfor beginners and advanced keepers.

Butshe said her number one recommendation for beekeepers-in-the-making

is to find aseasoned mentor.Thatcan begin by visiting abeekeeping club meeting, going to an equipmentseminar or attending asymposium on wheretopurchase bees. Mentorshave experienced allkinds of weathercycles and understand variables that humans can’t control. Theycan also speakto the time and financial commitmentassociated with beekeeping.

“It’sa very friendly community of people (who)liketeaching other people howtobecome beekeepers,”she said.

For further information, visitthe Northeast Minnesota Beekeepers Association website at nemnba.org.

Scott Stowell is a freelance writer from Ely. He can be reached through writingoutfitter.com.

Photo by University of Minnesota, North Central Research and Outreach Center.

Turnyouryard’seyesores intofloweringbeauties

by Alison Stucke for the Duluth News Tribune

Flowers and plants can do wonderstobeautify the less-than-lovely areas of your yardsuch as ugly sewerorseptic covers, spindlypoles, clunky air conditioners, chopped-off tree trunks, and other outdoor blemishes. Youdon’t need to spend alot to give these eyesores amakeover. Here’s whatafew local greenhouse owners suggest forgiving these unsightly spotsaninexpensivemakeoverthis growing season.

Do youhavetaller eyesores likeawirefence, cables or poles leading up to your transformer or electrical meter on

awallofyour house, or laundrypoles somewhereinyour yard?

Pretty-up these areas with climbing vines. (Just watch so theydon’t cover up the meter!)

Jennifer Couillard, who with herhusband Paul owns Spring At Last Greenhouse (formerly Cummings Greenhouse) in Duluth, says, “I like to use vines to coverup posts and meters, and a trellis forbigger things.

“Thunbergia, morning glories, or Supertunias areannuals thatgrow andflower fast. Clematis areperennials with tiny flowers, and it grows super-fast. Iuse these when Ineed aquick cover-up.”

These tall flowering plants bring abreathtakingwaterfall of color to areasthatusedtomake youcringe.

Jim Fahrenholz, owner of The GreenHouse of Carlton (he’s been in the greenhouse business since1960), also suggests Thunbergia, commonly calledBlack-Eyed Susanvine. “For poles, I suggest climbing roses, and aplant that’s really nicecalledThunbergia thatgives warm-colored flowers, oranges and yellow.”

“Canna growsupto48 inches tall, and sunflowers also gettall,”Couillard adds.“These two flowers canevenbeused

Continued

Whereyou area fewplants short of afull flat!

Close to 500 Annual Flower Thrillers, Spillers

Beautiful

Continued from Pg. 4 in your yardtoblock eyesores in your neighbor’syard!”

If it’s apropane tank you’re trying to hide, Fahrenholz suggests planting shrubs. “Anything that’sgoing to grow overfour feet tall,” he says. “Itcan be the preferenceofthe homeowner.There’s flowering shrub, ground cover shrubs, lots of different choices. The hot items right noware hydrangeas. Theycome in all kinds of sizes, colors, and looks. Theyget really big flowers, and thereare so manydifferent choices.”

Fahrenholz also suggests Hearty Wisteria, a shrub with exquisite cascading flowers. “Hearty Wisteria does very well in our area,” he says. “There’sone called ‘Summer Cascade’withkind of alavender flower.”

Unattractivefixtures canalsohavealower-profile, but they still detractfromthe beauty of your yard. Our experts

have ideas forthose monstrosities, too.

“For pipes, septic covers, and cleanout drains forsewers, tryCrackerjack Marigolds (with flowers up to four inches in diameter)orzinnias,” Couillardsuggests.

When youplant, be sure to leaveenoughspace around the fixturefor anyservicing that might be needed.And if the ugly area is an outside wall of your house, Couillardhas something forthat, too.

“Wealso sell bags with flowers in them to hang on awall, apost, or somethingunsightly,” she says. “For shadyareas, tryimpatiens or pansies. For areaswithsun, there’smarigolds and Wave petunias.”

Bags of flowers are especiallyquick and convenientfor giving your home andyard amakeover, Coulliard says. “Withbags, youcan getsomething to grow wherethere’snodirt.”

Areyou feelingthe urge to grow your ownvegetables nowthatspring is here? What agreat idea. Planting your own garden is arewarding activity thatwill not only save youmoney but will also provide youwith vegetables overflowing with goodness and flavour.

Organizing your first vegetable garden requires alittle planning. Choose alocation that receives at least six hours of sun per day and is sheltered from the wind. Makesureyou have asource of water nearby. The sizeofthe garden should be in proportion to whatyou

want to plant.

Atip:don’t go overboardduring the first year.You’remuchbetter offtrying your hand at a small vegetable garden to startwith. Remember thatyou’ll need to devote some time to this activity. Avegetable garden measuring 2.5 square

metres will requireabout 45 minutes per week of maintenancework.

Thereare four essential steps to preparing the ground: weeding, turning the soil, aerating and adding compost and anatural fertilizer. Wait until the ground has driedout so as not

to end up with soil that is compactand difficult to work with. Although it mayseemtedious, preparing the soil is of paramountimportance; the lighter and looser the soil, the better your chances of success.

Wait until all risk of ground frost has passed beforeyou plantanything. By the way,there’s one thing youcan be sureof: your patience will be fullyrewarded when the time comes to harvest your crop.

Pampering your yard

Haswinter been hard on your lawn?Don’t panic. The first thing to remember is not to rush outside and startwork on the grass when the ground is still soaking wet. The time to getout the leaf rake andpick up all the debris is when you canwalk on the grass without sinking in.

Makethe most of a beautiful daytoremove anyprotectivecovering from your treesand shrubs. Cut backdead anddamagedbranches,being careful not to damage the buds. Remove annuals, prune perennials and clean your rockeries if you didn’t getaroundtodoing these chores last fall. Go gently, taking care not to trample on perennials thatare already

beginning to show. Add compost (and some soil, if necessary),and cover your beds with agood layerofmulch.

Youmay have noticed thatfield miceorother rodents have made furrowsacross your lawn.There mayalso be patches of grass thatare completelydriedout. To ensurethatweedsdon’t takeoverall the bare spots, aerateyour lawn and sowgrass seed as soon as possible. Atip: use quality seed.Better to payalittle morethan end up with abag of seed thatmay contain weeds.

No time to takecareof yardworkinthe spring? Hire afreelancegardener; he or she will love pampering your yardfor you.

BUSINESS directory

A-1 Asphalt

Duluth/Superior

218-940-3530

Opening/Closing Dates:

4/28/2018, 11/28/2018

What is your area of expertise: Professional grade sealcoating, asphalt patching and hot mix available

What are you excited about this year: Honest, reliable and quality service since 1991.

A+ Garden Center

6150 Old Miller Trunk Highway Saginaw,MN55779 218-729-9079

Opening/Closing Dates: 4/30/2018,10/31/2018

Daily,9am to 6pm

What is your area of expertise: Annuals, perennials, nursery &soils

What are you excited about this year: New hanging basket combinations, more varieties of perennials, and our new expansion on our bulk materials selection.

AJ Landscape Center

6386 Highway 2 Duluth, MN 55810 218-729-4686

Opening/Closing Dates:

May,October

Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm; Saturday,9am to 2pm; Sunday,10amto2pm

What is your area of expertise: Complete landscaping needs.

What are you excited about this year: Great variety and prices on trees, shrubs and perennials. Anderson’s

Greenhouse

1403 7th Ave.

TwoHarbors, MN 55616 218-834-4837

Opening/Closing Dates:

Open year-round

Monday to Friday, 8am to 5:30pm; Saturday,8am to 4:30 pm; Sundays Mother’s Day through June,9am to 3pm

What is your area of expertise: We grow very healthy plants! What are you excited about this year: New varieties and new colors. Iamverycareful on the pesticides that Iuse to keep our plants healthy.Weuse no neonicotinoids. Iwon\’t sell Round Up (glyphosate) because it is not asafe product. There are several outstanding garden centers in our area, and we are one of them

Beier’sGreenhouse

2707 Midway Lane Grand Rapids, MN 55744 218-326-5357

Opening/Closing Dates: 4/23/2018, 9/1/2018

Open daily,but hours change throughout season. See www beiersgreenhouse.com

What is your area of expertise:

Beier’sisproud to have been afamily-owned business for over 60 years. We have a knowledgeable and experienced staff to assist you in all your gardening needs. We grow quality annuals, perennials, vegetables, trees and shrubs in the north for the northern gardener.Wealso promote education by offering avariety of seminars and classes to our customers. To register,visit www getlearning.org or visit www beiersgreenhouse.com.

What are you excited

about this year:

New this year we have Bonsai plants and planters as well as apermanent succulent line coming in! We also have lots of beautiful garden art on display as well as many gorgeous outdoor fountains. Stop in and check out our wide selection of new annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs. Likeuson Facebook! We love posting pictures of all our plants as they start blooming. Visit our website at www.beiersgreenhouse.com and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter where you can get sneak peeksatthe week’s specials, first to know about upcoming events and special coupons!

Bending Birches Greenhouses

5996 Cant Rd Duluth, MN 55804 218-525-1994

Opening/Closing Dates:

5/1/2018, 6/24/2018

Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm; Sunday, 10am to 3pm

What is your area of expertise:

High quality,unique bedding plants, custom hanging basket and container design, and wide selection of heirloom tomatoes, herbs and vegetables.

What are you excited about this year:

Many Aristo geraniums (these sold out quickly last year!), pretty annuals and perennials for pollinator and old-fashioned cutting gardens, more unique perennials including adozen varieties of peonies, Dinnerplate dahlias, and arainbow of lilies. We are excited to be continuing our low environmental impact pest control program!

Bloomer’sGarden

Center &Landscaping

1037 Golf Course Road

Grand Rapids, MN 55744

218-326-0668

Opening/Closing Dates:

4/23/2018, End of October

Varies -Call for current hours

What is your area of expertise:

Hanging baskets, annuals, fairy gardens, landscape designs, perennials, hostas, veggies, herbs, fruit trees,

fruiting bushes, shrubs and yard art.

What are you excited about this year:

Expanded house plant and succulent selections.

Byrn’s Greenhouse of Zim

1990 Highway 7 Zim, MN 55738

218-427-2634

Opening/Closing Dates:

4/26/2018, 7/1/2018

Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm; Saturday,8am to 5pm; Sunday,9am to 5pm

What is your area of expertise: We are all natural and sustainable.Nopesticides or herbicides.

What are you excited about this year: We are excited about everyone getting behind the pollinators and the bees! We grow everything on site and have afun and not-tooserious atmosphere; however, we are 100 percent serious about what we grow.www byrnsgreenhouse.com

Cherry Greenhouse

9960 Townline Road, Iron, MN 55751

800 SW 6thStreet, Chisholm, MN 55734 Iron: 218-263-9304

Chisholm: 218-254-3404

Opening/Closing Dates:

5/1/2018, 9/15/2018

Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm

Saturday &Sunday, 9am to 6pm

What is your area of expertise: Locally appropriate plant varieties, trees and shrubs.

What are you excited about this year: Fruit trees, amazing combination planters, fairy garden supplies, and reconnecting with customers.

Country Craft Shed and Greenhouse

7016 VanRoad (Island Lake)Duluth, MN 55803 218-721-3258

Opening/Closing Dates: 5/19/2018, 8/4/2018 Daily,10amto4 pm

What is your area of expertise: Perennials &garden gifts

What are you excited about this year: Garden junk, fairy garden supplies, primitives &bird baths

Dan’s Feed Bin

806 Hammond Ave Superior,WI54880 715-394-3430

Opening/Closing Dates:

4/30/18, 9/30/18

Monday to Friday 8am-5pm; Saturday 8am-4pm

What is your area of expertise: We are experts in flower baskets, trees and how to keep them alive.We’ll help you pick the proper plants for sun or shade covered areas.

What are you excited about this year: All of our new flowers, perennials and trees!

Denny’sAce Greenhouse

7Calvary Road Duluth, MN 55803 218-728-4479

Opening/Closing Dates: 5/9/2018, 7/1/2018

Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm

Saturday,9am-5pm

Sunday,10am-3:30 pm

What is your area of expertise: Great customer service!

What are you excited about this year: We are excitedabout our great variety of flowers and vegetables.

dj’sdaylilies

3827 W4th St

Duluth, MN 55803

218-522-0284

Opening/Closing Dates:

5/26/2018, 9/3/2018

Open by appointment and for Open House week

What is your area of expertise: Daylilies -over 200 varieties available for 2018.

What are you excited about this year: New varieties and Daylily Week! Check website -www djsdaylilies.com -for details. flowers and vegetables.

Duluth Farmers Market

Corner of 14th Ave. E& 3rd St Duluth, MN 55803 218-591-0632

Opening/Closing Dates: 5/5/2018, End of October Wednesdays, 2pm to 6pm; Saturdays, 8am to noon.

What is your area of expertise:

Products are locally grown by the person selling

Engwall Garden Center

4749 Hermantown Road Hermantown, MN 55811 218-727-8961

Opening/Closing Dates: 5/2/2018, 8/31/2018

perennials and new container garden combinations.

Engwall Kenwood Garden Center

1200 Arrowhead Road Duluth, MN 55811

218-727-8961

Opening/Closing Dates:

5/9/2018, 8/31/2018

Monday to Saturday, 9am to 7pm; Sunday,10amto6pm

What is your area

of expertise:

Known for our large selection of hanging baskets, perennials and quality annuals.

What are you excited

about thisyear:

Helping our customers try new plants in their gardens!

Evergreen Lawn Service

Duluth, MN 55811

218-525-0160

Opening/Closing Dates:

Early Spring, Late Fall Call for appointment.

What is your area of expertise:

We are locally owned and operated, and committed to providing our customers with the most effective lawn care available,helping you to achieve the many benefits of a thick, healthy and beautiful turf

Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm; Sunday,10amto5pm

What is your area of expertise: Area’s largest and oldest greenhouse,growing quality annuals and perennials since the 1800s!

What are you excited about this year: More vegetables than ever; new varieties of annuals,

The Evergreen Lawn Program is designed to multiply your existing turf through timely fertlization as we eliminate the controllable weeds from your lawn. In just one season, we can multiply your turf considerably (10 to 15 times) and reduce up to 95 percent of the controllable weeds. The combination of proper lawn maintenance and

Continued from Pg.9

the Evergreen Lawn Program can bring tremendous results for your lawn! The bestlooking lawn is agreen, healthy,weed-free lawn.

And healthy lawns are what our nitrogen-balanced lawn feeding program is all about.

What areyou excited about this year:

We are excited about our tree and shrub program, and welcome your calls and questions regarding scheduling an appointment to makeyourhome’s landscaping healthy and beautiful

Gardening Junky

4776 Hermantown Road Hermantown, MN 55811

218-626-5865

Opening/Closing Dates:

5/11/2018, 6/16/2018

Saturday,10amto4pm; Sunday,11amto3pm.

Occasional Shop open year round -third

Thursday-Saturday of the month: Thursday and Friday,10amto6pm; Saturday,10amto4pm.

*See www GardeningJunky.com/ Events for workshops, pop-up Saturday sales, Ladies Nights, occasional sale dates, and outdoor markets.

Whatisyourarea of expertise:

Where gardens and junk collide! An eclectic mix of new and repurposed garden art and vintage treasures to embellish your gardens. A FUNky greenhouse shopping experience!

What areyou excited about this year: More project parties in the greenhouse! Hypertufa trough planters, terrariums, and lots of succulents. Check out our events page at www GardeningJunky.com/Events.

Gordy’sGift

&Garden

4899MillerTrunk Hwy Hermantown, MN 55811 218-722-8666

Opening/Closing Dates:

4/23/2018, Open yearround Daily,9:30am

What is yourarea of expertise:

Unique vegetable plants for our area and beautiful hanging baskets.

What areyou excited about this year: We are excitedabout the new varieties of hydrangeas and other shrubs for our area.

Grindstone Greenhouse

21594RiverChase Road Hinckley,MN55037 320-384-7661

Opening/Closing Dates: 4/28/2018, 8/1/2018

Monday to Friday, 9amto6pm; Saturday,9am to 5pm; Sunday,9am to 3pm

Whatisyourarea of expertise: Designer baskets &fairy gardens.

What are youexcited aboutthisyear:

Having our fairy garden classes, and new petunia and sunpatiens colors.

Grussendorf

Nursery Inc.

4124 Midway Road Hermantown, MN 55811 218-729-7351

Opening/Closing Dates: 5/1/2018,10/31/2018

MondaytoSaturday, 8am to 7pmSunday closed

What is yourarea of expertise: Residential and commercial landscaping retail center

What are you excited about thisyear:

Large selectionoffruit trees and berry plants. Best evergreens in thearea-spruce,pine.Huge selection of maple and shade trees

Hammarlund

Nursery

159 N. Cloquet Road East Esko, MN 55733 218-879-3600

Opening/Closing Dates: 4/23/2018,November

Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm

Saturday,9am to 5pm

What is yourarea of expertise: Chemical free plants.

What are you excited about this year: Large selection of heirloom vegetable seedlings.

Hauser’sSuperior

View Farm

86565 County Highway J Bayfield, WI 54814 715-779-5404

Opening/Closing Dates:

May,October

May: Daily,9am to 5pm

June to October: Daily, 10amto5pm

What is yourarea of expertise: Winter-hardy field-grown perennials, annuals, hanging baskets.

KunnariGreenhouse

7873Bodas Road Eveleth, MN 55734 218-744-5853

Opening/ClosingDates: May,6/30/2018

May 1-15:Monday to Saturday,9am to 6pm

Sunday,12:30pm to 5pm

May 15-Closing: Monday to Saturday,9am to 7pm

Sunday,12:30pm to 5pm

What is yourarea of expertise: Hanging baskets, patio pots, lots of variety!

What are you excited about this year: Lots of new combos to offer in hanging baskets and pots.

Lake Superior GardenCenter

5137 Jean DuluthRoad Duluth, MN 55803 218-525-7477

Opening/Closing Dates: May, 6/30/2018

May 1-15:Monday to Saturday,9am to 6pm

Sunday,12:30pm to 5pm

May 15-Closing: Monday to Saturday,9am to 7pm Sunday,12:30pm to 5pm

What is your area of expertise:

Veggie starts, many herbs, 1000’sofperennials.

What areyou excited about thisyear:

Kohlrabi is going to be big, Evening Scentsation Petunia, ascented petunia, diseaseresistant elm trees, new varieties of non-invasive Barberry,Mexican Sunflower (a butterfly magnet), and Hillbilly heirloom tomato Maxwell’s WoodlandNursery

6185 LaxLakeRoad Finland, MN 55603 218-353-7726

Opening/ClosingDates: 5/1/2018,10/1/2018

Daily,9am to 6pm

What is yourarea of expertise:

We love perennials, but have abroad knowledge growing anything in the north!

What areyou excited about thisyear:

We are offering 20 varieties of peppers and 30-plus varieties of tomatoes, along with our usual gorgeous hanging baskets, trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials.

North Star Landscape &Garden Center

15677 WCountyRoad B

Hayward, WI 54843

715-634-8644

Opening/Closing Dates:

4/30/2018, 12/22/2018

Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm

Sunday,8am to 4pm

What is your area of expertise:

Many different varieties of hanging baskets and decorative containers.

What are you excited about this year: Our huge varieties of bedding plants and vegetables, along with many unique items of yard and garden decor

Peterson’s Greenhouse

4515 S. Crystal Lake Road Iron River,WI54847 715-372-4364

Opening/Closing Dates:

4/28/2018, 6/30/2018

Sundays, 9am to 5pm

Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm

What is your area of expertise:

Premium quality annuals and perrenials

What are you excited about this year:

Beautiful selection of hanging baskets and patio containers.

Rice Lake Gardens

5563 Rice Lake Road Duluth, MN 55803 218-729-7299

Opening/Closing Dates: 1st weekend of May,Last weekend of October

Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm

Sunday,10am to 5pm

What is your area of expertise:

Growing plants from start to finish.

What are you excited about thisyear: We are bee friendly.Wehave more hanging baskets, and more varieties.

Rice Lake Gardens Greenhouse & Farmers Market

5563 Rice Lake Rd Duluth, MN 55803 218-729-7299,390-1745

Opening/Closing Dates:

5/4/2018, 10/27/2018

Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm

Continued on Pg. 11

Continued from Pg. 10

What is your area of expertise:

New Perennials and Marigolds, 800 Beautiful Hanging Basket Combinations

What are you excited about this year:

Expanded Greenhouse Space

Rick’sTree & Stump Removal

4268 W. Calvary Road Duluth, MN 55803

218-728-2427

7am to 5pm

What is your area of expertise:

Tree trimming, removals, and tree care; emerald ash programs, brush chipping, tree cabling, growth regulators, birch and elm care programs, and storm cleanup

What are you excited about this year:

We are excited tohelptrees stay healthy,meeting our customers and warm weather

Rosie’s Garden

208 Ratika Road Esko, MN 55733

218-879-5027

Opening/Closing Dates:

5/20/2018, 10/25/2018

Daily,10amto8pm

What is your area of expertise:

Hostas and perennials. What are you excited about this year:

Over 1008 named hosta varieties -streaked hosta and color flash astilbia, Japanese Iris.

Spring at Last Greenhouse

4112 W. Arrowhead Road Duluth, MN 55811

218-728-3785

Opening/Closing Dates:

5/4/2018, 6/24/2018

Monday to Saturday, 9am to 7pm

Sunday,Noon to 6pm

What is your area of expertise: Minnesota grown; most things grown on site.Over700 baskets!

What are you excited about this year:

All the new colors and varieties. Old favorites and new soon-to-be favorites. More herbs and fairy garden decor

Suzie’s Country Greenhouse

4148 Normanna Road Duluth, MN 55803

218-721-5148

Opening/Closing Dates: 5/5/2018, Mid-June

Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm; Saturday,9am to 5pm; Sunday,10amto3pm

What is your area of expertise: Beautiful baskets &container plantings.

What are you excited about this year: Spring! All the new colors coming out in calibrachoa and petunias, and more vegetables for container planting.

Teri’sGreenhouse

4650 Lavoy Road Brookston, MN 55711 218-348-4754

Opening/Closing Dates: 5/7/2018

Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 4pm

What is your area of expertise: Annuals, vegetables, herbs, hanging flower baskets

What are you excited about this year:

Great prices for avariety of hanging baskets. Beautiful hanging baskets!

The Dirt Lady Gardens Greenhouse &Treasures

7299 Hill Road Virginia, MN 55792 218-741-0175

Opening/Closing Dates:

5/7/2018, 10/1/2018 Daily,9am to 6pm

What is your area of expertise: Greenhouse,giftshop, antiques, and local black dirt.

What are you excited about this year: Themost unique destination in northern Minnesota, growing with our customers.

The Fig Tree

418 Sunnyside Dr Cloquet, MN 55720 218-879-2260

Opening/Closing Dates:

Greenhouse: May 1, Gift Store: Open year-round

Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 7pm

Saturday,9:30am to 5pm

Sunday,11amto5pm

What is your area of expertise:

Hangingbaskets and large variety

The Garden House Greenhouse

11575 Cemetery Road Solon Springs, WI 54873 715-378-2425

Opening/Closing Dates: 5/1/2018, 6/30/2018

Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm; Sunday,10amto4pm

What is your area of expertise: Awesome plants!

What are you excited about this year: We are excited to share our wonderful blooming space with you this year! Healthy annuals, veggies, herbs, trees and perennials.

The Goodgarden Company

2724 N21stSt Superior,WI54880 218-348-8650

Opening/Closing Dates:

4/28/2018, 10/31/2018

Monday-Friday 10-6

Saturday 9-6 Sunday 10-4

What is your area of expertise: Ourcustomers constantly comment on the great health, vigor and variety of annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs. What are you excited about this year: Thebestgarden decor!

Beautiful pieces arriving daily! Lots of variety in fruit trees and edibles, so you can grow your own healthy food.

The Plant Place

3locations at Super One

Foods: 707 SHighway 33, Cloquet; 5401 Burning Tree Road, Duluth; and 5300 Bristol St., Duluth 218-348-8650

Opening/Closing Dates: 5/1/2018, July

Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm

What is your area of expertise: Hanging baskets, patio pots and ahuge selection of

perennials.

What are you excited about this year: Anew selection of pottery

Winter Greenhouse

W7041 Olmstead Road

Winter,WI54896

715-266-4963

Opening/Closing Dates:

4/26/2018, 10/15/2018

Daily April 26 to July 4: 8:30am to 5:30pm;

Daily July 5toOctober 15: 8:30am to 5:00pm

What is your area of expertise: Creativity,variety and atmosphere.Over 800 different varieties of hardy perennials, as well as unique hanging moss baskets of various sizes and combinations, and alarge selection of high quality trees, shrubs and evergreens. We have many display gardens in sun, shade and water, where we display all these plants. We offer one of the largest collections of miniature gardening items inWisconsin, and we have an awesome and talented staff

What are you excited aboutthis year: Ourbig miniature garden display with aPeter Rabbit section and areal foggy dungeon, our 35th anniversary celebration (May 19), and our new Art in the Garden event (Aug. 4). We accept checksand all major credit cards.

Young’sGreenhouse

94037 Partridge Road N. Sturgeon Lake,MN55783 218-485-5961

Opening/Closing Dates:

5/5/2018, 6/30/2018

Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm; Saturday,9am to 5pm; Sunday,10am to 4pm

What is your area of expertise: Locally grown plants, hanging baskets and specialty plantings.

What are you excited aboutthis year: Newcolorsinsomany plants, succulents, calibrachoa, and fuschia.