It's that time of year again... when Minnesotans take a break from a year of complaining about the cold to complaining about the heat for two weeks. All kidding aside, it can be tough to stay cool without breaking the bank, particularly if you live in Southern locales. We've got ways to beat the heat on a budget. Check them out: … [Read more...]
Looking for a fun activity to do with your family? A nature scavenger hunt could be just the ticket to give your hiking trips a new twist or teach your kids a greater appreciation for nature. … [Read more...]
We're a little behind schedule when it comes to our garden this year. It's not really our fault either. The weather has been unseasonably cold and damp here. I would have loved to have start my garden from seed, but life was just too busy for me to get to it. We made our annual trek to our favorite local greenhouse and I picked out veggies to plant in our two 4'x4' raised beds: 2 cherry tomato plants, 6 hybrid tomato plants, 2 kohlrabi, 10 broccoli plants, and 26 bush bean plants. I … [Read more...]
Chances are if you live in Minnesota or you have even visited the state you have seen the funny signs and t-shirts that display a large mosquito and says “Minnesota State Bird” (seriously though, our state bird is the Loon.) But being bit up by mosquitoes and gnats is not funny at all and neither is the amount of DEET or other chemicals used in most conventional insect repellents. Many people can experience serious side effects from prolonged heavy use of DEET such as memory loss, headaches, … [Read more...]
I don't know why it takes one special day or week in April to remind us to be kind to the Earth, but it seems to happen every year. The truth is, there are plenty of ways to live greener every day. And many of them will save you money, too. 40 Ways to Live Greener Every Day Switch to more energy efficient lighting. Turn off the water when you're brushing your teeth. Take shorter showers. Install a timer switch for your bathroom fan. You'll get out of the shower quicker AND you … [Read more...]
Figure out what to plant and where to plant it with free online garden planners. Before you turn over any dirt, turn on your computer and check out these resources for designing your garden: … [Read more...]
If you are an experienced gardener, you know that there are some seeds you need to start indoors NOW in order for them to be ready to be planted. Don't worry too much if you didn't get those March items planted indoors already, you may still have enough time. A majority on this list do not need to be planted until April and there are some you can plant in May. Starting your own seeds indoors can save you money over buying seedlings in the spring. This is also the time when seed companies offer … [Read more...]