DOWN TO EARTH

Garden is therapeutic for caregiver

If you’ve ever imagined what the Garden of Eden must have looked like, there is a living reincarnation of it tucked into a shaded residential neighborhood in north Park Rapids.

By Sarah Smith , August 25, 2010

Hortiscope: Hostas can be cut back to improve their aesthetics

Q: I have two apple trees with branches that die every year. It starts in the spring when these branches leaf out later than the others. The leaves that do grow on the affected branches are small. During the course of the summer, the leaves dry up and the branch dies.

By Ron Smith , August 18, 2010

A bumper crop growing in a confined space

Nicole Guida overlooks her wondrous garden and lets out a moan. “Other people have red tomatoes,” she said. “I don’t have red tomatoes.”

By Sarah Smith , August 18, 2010

Dying petunias may have tobacco mosaic virus

Q: I took two cuttings from a white lace cap hydrangea. Both flourished and are blooming this year, but the flowers are pale pink. I understand the different color could be because of the soil. Will you clarify this for me?

By Ron Smith , August 11, 2010

4-H dog trainers learn the patience of Job

We can all relate to the day Caroline Drury was having Saturday – you know, one of those days when you wished you’d stayed in bed.

By Sarah Smith , August 11, 2010

Maple colors reflect extreme environmental changes

Q: We had several autumn blaze maples planted on our property during the spring of last year.

By Ron Smith , August 04, 2010

Free nitrate testing clinic draws 150 residents with water samples

Hubbard County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Minnesota ag department conducted a free nitrate testing clinic July 23 in Park Rapids. Residents were asked to bring two cups of water in a sterilized container for analysis. Lawrence Garber , who brought in a sample, said last year, his nitrate level on Long Lake measured 16 parts per million, more than the 10 ppm considered safe for drinking. This year his sample measured 19 ppm. Nitrate contamination in local wells has been steadily rising due to farmers and homeowners fertilizing the ground. It has necessitated the closure of two city wells and drilling a new deep water well for city residents. “Year to year that much movement isn’t alarming,” ag department water quality advisor Luke Stuewe told Garber. “But if it trends longer term it could be a problem.” Tests revealed 12 percent came in higher than recommended levels of nitrates, with the highest sample registering in the mid-30s ppm.

By Sarah Smith , July 28, 2010

What killed the mountain ash fruit? Ask Mother Nature

Q: I have 16 coneflowers, but six of the flowers have deformed buds. Could something other than aster yellow be to blame for this problem?

By Ron Smith , July 28, 2010

Blue spruce’s broken tip won’t hinder future growth

Q: I purchased and planted two blue spruce trees. While they were being loaded at the store, the very top branch that sticks straight up broke off one of the trees. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but now am worried that the top vertical branch might be responsible for the tree’s growth. I’m not a tree expert, so I could be wrong about how the tree will grow taller. Without the center vertical branch, will my tree have stunted growth? The tree also was oozing a little sap where the top branch broke off. To protect it from insects, I put some tape on it. Should I leave it exposed to dry up and heal?

By Ron Smith , July 21, 2010

Nitrate testing clinic to be held in Park Rapids Friday

The Hubbard County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture will be holding their annual Free Nitrate Testing Clinic on Friday July 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The clinic will be held in the Environmental Education Building at the Hubbard County Fairgrounds.

July 20, 2010

Crafting the farm’s bounty into wall art

Holly Froemke of Lisbon, N.D., weaves wheat into art, grown on the family farm. She uses black bearded wheat, which is traditionally made into pasta, or winter wheat, which is made into bread flour, to make wall designs that incorporate feathers and other dried plants from the farm. Froemke had a booth at last weekends craft fair in Park Rapids. She said she typically sells three-quarters of the inventory she brings to each show. She learned the craft from a book and has been making wheat pieces for decades. In Scandinavian countries, she said, the art is called corn dolly making. She does make a few dolls, but most of her works are wreaths, windmills and other farm designs.

By Sarah Smith , July 14, 2010

Enterprise readers ask about changing flower colors

Q. Enterprise readers have told us that sometimes perennials come back in a different color.

By Ron Smith , July 14, 2010

Bonny’s veggie garden earns July accolades

Across the street from one of Park Rapids’ busiest commercial enterprises is a small oasis of lush flowering trees, flowers, vegetables, herbs and fruits.

By Sarah Smith , July 07, 2010

HORTISCOPE: Lots of tree and shrub choices available for windy lot

Q: I am looking for a purple flowering crabapple tree for a boulevard planting. The more resistant to diseases it is the better.

By Ron Smith , July 07, 2010

Frost-bitten cactus should survive but will be leathery

Q: I have a question about my spring cactus. Right now, it is blooming beautifully! I live in Texas and this past winter we had several hard freezes. Not knowing any better, my poor cactus was left outside. Now it has very brown and leathery base growth. I am not sure if I need to remove that part of the cactus or just let it grow out. The new growth is healthy and doing fine. I am baffled, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

By Ron Smith , June 30, 2010