r/Minnesota_Gardening

What have you guys been planting so far? I am wanting to start planting. What vegetables do you guys think it is warm enough for?

Hello fellow MN Gardeners! I found this article on the Star Tribune and wanted to share (note - I am not affiliated with the Star Tribune but thought this was very helpful). Mostly Twin Cities metro but a few other cities around the state. Please make any corrections or add any additional sales in the comments.

Twin Cities area

Minneapolis/St. Paul

-Garden Club of Minneapolis: New and unusual annuals and perennials, herbs, vegetables and more. Master gardeners will offer advice. (9 a.m.-7 p.m. May 7. St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, Great Hall, 3450 Irving Av. S., Mpls.; gardenclubmpls.org)

-Vegetables, herbs and organic flowers grown at the school’s 160-acre farm will be sold at Lake Country School in Minneapolis May 7-8.

-Lake Country School: Vegetables, herbs and organic flowers grown at the school’s 160-acre farm will be available, along with native perennials, annuals and hanging baskets grown organically by Glacial Ridge. (8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. May 7-8. Lake Country School, 3755 Pleasant Av. S., Mpls.; lake-country-school.square.site)

-Clara Barton Community School: The 44th annual sale offers a wide selection of perennials, annuals, herbs, patio planters, hanging baskets and more. (4-7:30 p.m. May 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 9; Barton Community School, 4237 Colfax Av. S., Mpls; bartonplantsale.com)

Clara Barton Community School in Minneapolis holds its plant sale May 8-9.

-Friends School: The annual fundraiser includes more than 2,000 popular and new varieties of annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, shrubs and trees. The Garden Fair will include tropical and hardy plants, garden accessories and food. (The Minnesota Water Garden Society will not sell water plants this year). (9 a.m.-8 p.m. May 8; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 9; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 10. Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1800 Randall Av., St. Paul. Parking details here: friendsschoolplantsale.com)

-Northern Lights: The St. Paul School of Northern Lights sale features vegetables, native shrubs, perennials, annuals, compost, art activities, a makers market, bake sale, Brick Oven Pizza Bus, fresh lemonade and a raffle. (9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 9. St. Paul School of Northern Lights, 768 S. Hamline Av., St. Paul; northernlightsplantsale.com)

-Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota: Perennials and more will be featured at this annual fundraiser. (9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 15-16. 1647 Laurel Av., St. Paul; www.ansrmn.org)

-The Great Plant Sale: Members of the Garden Club of Ramsey County will sell native wildflowers and perennials, tomato plants, houseplants, shrubs from Baileys Nursery, used garden tools and more. (9 a.m.-noon May 16; inside St. Luke Lutheran Church, 1807 Field Av., St. Paul; ramseygardeners.org)

-Daylily Society of Minnesota: Shop from a large collection of daylilies and get questions answered from club members. (9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. June 14. Bachman’s Heritage Room, 6010 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls.; daylilysocietyofminnesota.org)

North

-Hennepin Technical College: New this year, shoppers can buy trees and shrubs in addition to annuals, perennials, vegetables, hanging baskets and patio pots. (10 a.m.-7 p.m. May 5-7. 9000 Brooklyn Blvd., Brooklyn Park; hennepintech.edu)

-Champlin Garden Club: Select from a range of annuals, perennials, natives, vegetables, herbs and hanging baskets. (8 a.m.-3 p.m. May 9. Willy McCoy’s parking lot, 12450 N. Business Park Blvd., Champlin; northerngardener.org)

-Anoka County Master Gardeners: Volunteers can help you select from a variety of vegetables, herbs, shrubs, perennials, annuals and houseplants including thousands of neonic-free varieties. (9 a.m.-7 p.m. or until plants sell out, May 12. Anoka County fairgrounds, 3200 St. Francis Blvd. NW., Anoka; anokamastergardeners.org)

-Soil & Sunshine Garden Club: Annuals, perennials, tomatoes and herbs will be sold by club members to fund educational events. (Noon-5 p.m. May 14; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 15-16. 1184 115th Circle NE., Blaine; northerngardener.org)

-Anoka Area Gardener Club: Choose from native sun and shade plants including perennials, annuals and vegetables, plus houseplants and garden items. (8-11 a.m. May 16. St. Stephen’s Catholic School parking Lot, 506 Jackson St., Anoka; northerngardener.org)

East

-South St. Paul Garden Club: Perennials grown by garden club members including hostas, lilies, herbs, peppers and tomatoes plus garden accessories and art will be sold. (8 a.m.-4 p.m. May 16. 1900 Burma Lane, South St. Paul; 651-269-5343)

-Shoreview Community Garden Club: Vegetables, herbs, perennials, native plants and more, plus garden art and books will be sold. (10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 16. Lake Owasso County Park, 370 N. Owasso Blvd., Shoreview; shoreviewcommunitygardenclub.org)

-Ramsey County Master Gardeners: Shop for native plants, perennials, annuals, herbs, vegetables and houseplants. (9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 16. Aldrich Ice Arena, 1850 N. White Bear Av., Maplewood; ramseymastergardeners.org)

-Washington County Master Gardeners: Annuals, perennials, native and prairie plants, herbs and vegetables will be sold. A Garden Expo will include master gardeners, garden-themed items made from natural materials and a diagnostic clinic. (9 a.m.-1 p.m. May 16; Washington County fairgrounds, 12300 N. 40th St., Lake Elmo; washingtoncountymg.org)

-Landscape Revival: At this 15th annual event, get expert advice on how to buy and grow native plants, maintain your home landscape and more. A food truck will be onsite. (9 a.m.-1 p.m. June 6; Rockpoint Church, 5825 Kelvin Av. N., Lake Elmo; saintpaulbirdalliance.org)

-Minnesota Chapter, North American Rock Garden Society: Specialty and common rock garden plants will be on sale. (8 a.m.-1 p.m. June 6; Roseville Central Park Jaycee Shelter, 2540 N. Lexington Av., Roseville; nargs.org)

-Oakdale Garden Club: A selection of natives, houseplants, vegetables, perennials and some garden accessories. (9 a.m.-1 p.m. June 6, Oakdale Nature Preserve, 4444 Hadley Av. N., Oakdale; facebook.com)

-St. Croix Valley Master Gardeners: Proceeds from the plant sales go to fund nonprofit garden community projects. (9 a.m.-1 p.m. June 6. Octagon House Museum, 1004 3rd St., Hudson, Wis.; scvmga.weebly.com)

South

-Burnsville Native Plant Market: Select from pollinator-friendly native wildflowers, ferns and grasses, plus check out a garden tool exchange. Maleku Food Truck will be onsite. (9 a.m.-noon May 16. Adjacent to Nicollet Commons Park, 12550 Nicollet Av. S., Burnsville; burnsvillemn.gov)

-Dakota County Master Gardeners: Sun and shade perennials, native and woodland plants, grasses, groundcovers, herbs and vegetables will be sold. (8 a.m.-noon May 16. Western Service Center, 14955 Galaxie Av., Apple Valley; dakotamastergardeners.org)

-Lakeville Area Garden Club: Choose from perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs and indoor plant varieties. (10 a.m.-7 p.m. May 16. Antler’s Park,20141 Ipava Ave., Lakeville; lakevilleareagardenclub.org)

 

West

-Birch Island Woods: Visit the farm to shop for hybrid and heirloom tomatoes, shrubs, vegetables, annuals and perennials. (11 a.m.-6 p.m. May 7-17. Picha Greenhouse and Farms, 6649 Birch Island Road, Eden Prairie; pichagreenhouses.com)

-Edina Garden Council: Perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs, hanging baskets and houseplants will be sold. Master gardeners will be on hand to answer questions. (10 a.m.-7 p.m. May 8. Arneson Acres Park, 4711 W. 70th St., Edina; edinagardencouncil.org)

-Minnesota Arboretum: This massive annual sale features annuals, perennials, fruits, vegetables, herbs, natives, trees, shrubs and several varieties of University of Minnesota-introduced fruit trees. Free, but timed tickets required. (8 a.m.-4 p.m. May 8-9. 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chanhassen; arb.umn.edu)

-Richfield Garden Club: Annuals, vegetables, herbs, hanging baskets, perennials and native plants will be sold, with proceeds benefitting the Federated Garden Clubs of Minnesota scholarship program. (3-7 p.m. May 15; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 16; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. May 17. 7027 Park Av. S., Richfield; facebook.com)

-Hennepin County Master Gardeners: More than 20,000 perennials, annuals, baskets, vegetable seedlings, native plants, herbs, hostas, groundcovers and more make this one of the largest plant sales in Hennepin County. (9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 16. Hopkins Pavilion, 11000 Excelsior Blvd., Hopkins; hennepinmastergardeners.org)

-Wright County Extension Master Gardeners: Perennials, annuals, herbs, native plants, vegetables and houseplants will be sold. (9-11 a.m. May 30. Wright County extension office, 3500 Braddock Av. NE., Buffalo; facebook.com)

-Diggers Garden Club: The club has been around since 1943, and garden plant lovers will find a variety to select from here. (9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 6. Robbinsdale Historic Library, 4915 42nd Av. N., Robbinsdale; robbinsdalediggers.com)

-Hopkins Avenues Neighborhood Association: Garden and houseplants and more will be sold and master gardeners will answer questions. (9-11 a.m. June 6, Alice Smith Elementary School, 801 Minnetonka Mills Rd., Hopkins; theavenueshopkins.wordpress.com)

-Minnesota Hosta Society: A variety of hostas and other perennials are the big draw at this sale. (9 a.m.-2 p.m. June 7. Smith Coffee and Cafe, 8107 Eden Prairie Road, Eden Prairie; mnhosta.org)

-Carver-Scott Extension Master Gardener: Select from perennial divisions from master gardeners’ yards as well as over 80 varieties of native plants, houseplants, garden art and fresh produce. (9 a.m.-noon Aug. 22. Cub Foods parking lot, 200 Pioneer Trail, Chaska; carverscottmastergardeners.com)

 

Greater Minnesota

Central/north

-Sherburne County Master Gardener: Select from herbs, annuals, perennials, trees and more. (9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 9. Oliver Kelley Farm, 15788 Kelley Farm Rd., Elk River; extension.umn.edu)

-St. Cloud Flower and Garden Club: Perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs and houseplants are part of the plant sale. (5-6:30 p.m. May 16, cash or checks only. Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud; facebook.com)

-Stearns County Master Gardeners: A selection of perennials, annuals, vegetables, specialty tomatoes and more will be sold. (8:30-11 a.m. May 16. St. Augustine Church, 442 SE. 2nd St., St. Cloud; extension.umn.edu)

-Benton County Master Gardener: Perennials, annuals, houseplants, herbs, vegetables, native plants and more for sale, and U of M master gardeners will answer questions. (11 a.m.-2 p.m. May 17. Mississippi Height Elementary School, 1003 S. 4th St., Sauk Rapids; extension.umn.edu)

-Duluth Garden Flower Society: Shop for roses, orchids, annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables and more grown by members of more than 20 garden clubs. Garden art and accessories will also be sold. (8-10 a.m. May 23. Rose Garden parking lot, 1314 London Road, Duluth; dgfs.org)

-Isanti Master Gardeners: This annual sale offers annuals and perennials grown by local University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners who will be available to answer questions. (9 a.m.-noon May 30. Cambridge Community Garden, 1700 E. Rum River Dr., Cambridge; extension.umn.edu)

South

-Winona County Master Gardener: This third annual sale offers annuals, perennials, native plants and vegetables, plus fun activities. (9 a.m.-noon May 9. Winona Family YMCA, 902 Parks Av., Winona; extension.umn.edu)

-Blue Earth County Master Gardeners: Select from perennials, native plants, herbs, vegetables, annuals and houseplants. (9 a.m.-noon, May 16; Caledonia Community Center, 600 Hope St., Mankato; facebook.com)

-Rochester Garden and Flower Club: Native plants, vegetables, herbs, perennials and annuals and succulents will be sold. (4-7 p.m. May 20; 8 a.m.-noon May 21; Graham Park, Building 41, 112 Arena Drive SE., Rochester; rgfc.org)

-McLeod & Meeker County Extension Master Gardeners: Choose from a mix of vegetables, perennials, houseplants, bulbs and natives. (9-11 a.m. May 30. McLeod County fairgrounds 4-H building, 840 Century Av. SW., Hutchinson; facebook.com)

 

West

-New London Spicer Future Farmers of America Chapter: Annuals, herbs and vegetables will be on sale. (8 a.m.-5 p.m. May 7-8, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. May 9. New London-Spicer High School, 101 4th Av. SW., New London; facebook.com)

-Meeker County Horticulture Society: Shop a selection of grasses, flowers, bulbs, bushes, hostas, vegetables, plus some garden art, tools and more. Master gardeners will be on site. (9-11 a.m. May 16. Meeker County Fairgrounds, 4H building, 1230 Armstrong Av. N., Litchfield; 320-693-3556)

Hey yall, in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area, where do you guys get the best starter plants-tomato, cucumbers, peppers etc. a good size for a good price? Ghertins was expensive, I don’t feel good about Home Depot…I have gotten from th farmers market in the past.

There are just SO MANY tomato types available... I tend to grow some faves and some new to me each year but I'm curious what YOUR favorites are any why?

And realizing they serve different purposes, lets divide into a few categories:

• Slicers - Best fresh off the vine
• Canning
• Cherry / Snacking size

I like Aunt Ruby's German Green for their size and sturdiness (great for burgers and caprese), Constoluto Genovese for their flavor and lacy interiors and Blondkopfchen for their sweetness.

What are your must grows?

It's too early based on the temperature forecast, right? Logically, I know this. But my impatience with these temps is at an all time high and I need some sort of greenery on my patio like... today. Will I regret it?

Hey folks, we are figuring out what to plant in our small sunny St. Paul front yard. Does anyone have any experience with a native red mulberry tree?

We've been working in our garden this past week and there are no bees or insects . The cherries have already blossomed and faded. I'm thinking there was no pollination. Anyone else experiencing the same?

Hi everyone! I am an admittedly terrible gardener. I also have two large dogs that are not helpful, in that they tend to trample my plants.

I wish keeping them out of the backyard garden was an option, but it's not. Does anyone have suggestions for some hardier plants that are dog-friendly? So far, I'm thinking about coral bells, phlox, and astilbe.

Interested in planting wild strawberry as ground cover. Anyone had success with this and/or know good nurseries or other places to purchase it? Thanks!

In Minneapolis.
Sunday night gets down to 36 it looks like, but after that the lows are all above 40 for the 10 day forecast.

Will I regret if I buy some tomato and pepper plants this weekend and keep them inside until Monday to plant outside?

Hello fellow gardeners!

I'm starting in my community garden plot (in-ground) this year, and wondering where everyone's go-to brand and place to buy compost for some soil amendment is? Seems like there are so many options out there.

Thanks!

Does anyone know where I can buy Jack In The Pulpit plants in the Twin Cities? If anyone has any pointers for growing Jack in the Pulpit let me know.

We planted one last year, and it’s got flowers this spring. Do we need to plant another one to get berries? Have never had this tree before and am not sure if there are any others in the area.

I went to the Hennepin Tech College sale yesterday (great sale BTW). I put all my new purchases on my front porch, and covered them up last night. Unfortunately, my sweet potato vine ended up looking very sad. It is supposed to be 35 overnight. Should I cover again, or bring them into the garage?