Carlton County Extension Connection
April 2024
Greetings from your Extension office staff!
Gardening season will be here before you know it. Check out all of the events and information we have gathered to get you thinking spring. Give us a call at the office for help with horticulture, Ag, soils, entomology, 4-H info or pretty much any questions you have. We are here to help!
Winter damage on evergreen trees and shrubs
Without a doubt, it has been a weird and wacky winter from a gardener’s standpoint. We went into winter in drought conditions in much of the state and the minor snow precipitation never really made a difference.
So here we are on the brink of spring, with dry soil and wide temperature swings. While these conditions can be hard on all plants, we may see more obvious damage on evergreens, particularly in the form of burning, browning and bleaching.
For the complete in depth article from Extension Educator, Julie Weisenhorn, please follow this link.
Free vegetable seeds available
The Lake and Pines Community Action Council will once again be providing free vegetable seeds to Carlton County households. Seeds will be available at the Extension Office sometime in mid-April. Please contact the office for availability. Happy planting!
Climate Change Impacts on Wildlife & Habitat
The University of Minnesota Extension in partnership with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are pleased to announce a three-part webinar series sharing DNR research on the impacts of climate change on Minnesota wildlife, as well as the impacts on wildlife habitats. Sessions will be held on the first three Wednesdays in April (3, 10, and 17) starting at 12 p.m.
April 3-Cervid Species: Session one will highlight the four Minnesota biomes, the current wildlife species found within them, and the natural progression of the ecosystems. It will call attention to the change of wildlife species, specifically moose populations with some deer and elk (cervid species) considerations based on forest succession, disease, predation, and recent change of land use. It will provide participants with a historical context to how wildlife populations and their habitat have changed in tandem with physical and biological systems due to climate change and weather trends.
April 10-Cavity Nesting Creatures: Session two will dive into old growth forest ecosystems and complexes related to wildlife habitat, especially cover and space for cavity dwelling wildlife, such as the wood duck, fisher, and martin. The potential effects of forest system change on these wildlife species and their habitat will be discussed along with how people can assist and manage their forests for these creatures. In addition, we will provide resources that examine the effects of climate change and forest habitat for small migratory birds. Participants will learn about what they can do through phenology to be climate resilient, while tracking data for continued wildlife research.
April 17-Black Bears: The third and final session will focus on black bear habitat and adaptability, along with human and bear interactions and coexistence. Research biologists will predict the potential bear population trends in Minnesota and explain how they have already made accommodations in relation to a changing climate. Participants will learn about planting and habitat considerations for adapting ecosystems to future climate conditions, as well as the significance of being a steward of the land to benefit bears.
This is a free webinar, but pre-registration is required. Please register at z.umn.edu/WildlifeClimateSeries2024.
University of Minnesota Extension is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services, and activities. To request accommodation for persons with disabilities, contact your local Extension office two weeks before the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.
Save the date - Master Gardener Plant Sale
On Saturday, June 1st join the Carlton County Master Gardeners for their spring plant sale. Available will be perennial divides, vegetable starts, bulbs, house plants and a gardening white elephant table. Items priced at $2, $3, and $5. Your local garden experts will be available to answer any questions you may have. The sale starts at 9 am until sellout at the Veterans Park Pavilion (508 Cloquet Ave., Cloquet). Hope to see you there!
Vegetable and Flower seed trial results available
Since 1982, hundreds of Master Gardener volunteers from across the state have devoted time and garden space to testing popular flower and vegetable varieties.
Each year, the seed trial gardeners test six vegetables and two flower varieties (and one herb, when possible). They look for the best return on investment.
They've tested heirlooms, seed saved from generation to generation, and varieties that promise high yield, ease of growing, space saving and simple beauty.
Recommendations are based on:
- flavor
- disease and insect tolerance
- productivity
- germination rate
Minnesota Winners are chosen as the top performers in each trial. Find these varieties at your local garden center or search online for seed and plant sources. Click here for a complete list.
Carlton County to be a targeted area for Spongy Moth Treatments
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and partner organizations are proposing to treat spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) infestations this summer in seven counties across eastern Minnesota.
Spongy moths are ranked among America’s most destructive tree pests. The insect has caused millions of dollars in damage to forests as it has spread from New England westward in recent decades. Spongy moth caterpillars can defoliate large sections of forest. This pest is found in most of Wisconsin and is now establishing itself in northeastern Minnesota.
The MDA monitors for spongy moth each year, surveying for start-up infestations. When an infestation is found, the department conducts aerial treatments and targets the infestation before it can spread. The number of spongy moths detected in Minnesota in recent years has increased, and populations continue to push westward. The increase in moths created the need for more treatment areas in 2024.
Forty-two treatment areas totaling approximately 160,000 acres are proposed in Carlton, Chisago, Filmore, Houston, Isanti, Pine, and St. Louis counties. The areas will be treated with either: Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk), a biological insecticide that is organically certified for use on food crops, or mating disruption, an organic substance containing pheromones specific to spongy moths that confuses the male moths. Residents can view an interactive map on the MDA website to determine if they’re located within any of the proposed treatment areas.
The treatments will be conducted from June through July, depending on insect development and weather.
The MDA has successfully treated dozens of spongy moth infestations across eastern Minnesota from Grand Portage to the Twin Cities to Houston County. These successful treatments help postpone the full-scale invasion of spongy moth. They also save local communities and homeowners money and protect the health of the state’s urban and natural forests.
Residents in proposed treatment areas will also be receiving a postcard with more information. Citizens can also find info on spongy moth treatments, sign-up for text or email notifications, and proposed treatment area maps at www.mda.state.mn.us/smtreatments.
Residents in Carlton County are invited to attend an informational meeting to learn more about the insect and the treatment methods. The in person event will be on April 2nd from 4-6pm at the Cloquet Public Library, or can register for a virtual session on April 4th at 12pm. You can register for that event here.
Press release from MDA 3/13/2024.
BWSR accepting applications for fall 2024 Lawns to Legumes projects
The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is accepting applications for fall 2024 Lawns to Legumes pollinator habitat projects.
The Lawns to Legumes program aims to increase habitat for at-risk pollinators in residential settings across the state by providing people with cost-share funding, workshops, coaching and gardening resources. Anyone who lives in Minnesota and has a yard, deck, or other outdoor space for planting can apply to be reimbursed for up to $400 in costs associated with establishing new pollinator habitat in their yards. The program is available to both homeowners and renters.
“Lawns to Legumes helps Minnesotans be part of the solution to the challenges facing declining pollinator populations,” said BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke. “The gardeners involved in this program prove that small-scale habitat projects can have big impacts.”
Applications will be accepted through May 15, 2024. If you previously applied for the program, you will need to reapply to be considered for fall 2024 funding.
More than 4,000 residential habitat projects across all 87 Minnesota counties have been implemented since the program launched in 2019. The program shares online resources such as gardening templates, habitat guides and advice about selecting native plants for all Minnesotans interested in creating pollinator habitat in their yards. Lawns to Legumes receives funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund and the state General Fund.
Apply online at Blue Thumb’s website. For more information about Lawns to Legumes, visit BWSR’s website.
Carlton County SWCD Native plant and seed mix sale
Once again our friends at Carlton County Soil and Water Conservation District are taking orders for plant and seed mixes that benefit pollinators and the environment. Kits available are Monarch, pine mulch, pollinator, buckthorn replacement, deer resistant, raingarden, shady, shoreline stabilization and songbird. Click on the link to place your order and for more information. The deadline to order is June 14th.
Soil Fertility & Forage Management Workshops Recap
Many participants endured the snowy weather on March 26th & 27th for the Soil Fertility Workshops hosted in Sandstone and Iron Junction. Participants learned about basic nutrients, soil testing, forage species, seed bed prep for successful germination, weed control, and how to do fertilizer calculations. Overall it was a fun two days and the Northeast ANR team appreciates everyone who dared to tackle the blustery weather to join us!
The Little Free Library at the Extension Office is in need of some book donations. Any gently used books would be appreciated especially children's books! Donations can be dropped off at the office during business hours. 📚
Ask a Master Gardener
Are you making plans to change up your landscape? Maybe you have a garden, lawn care or tree question? Carlton County Master Gardener Volunteers are here to help. You can submit a question anytime through our handy webform, and one of our local volunteers will call or email you to help you out. Ask a question today!
Plat Books
Plat Books for sale!
Did you know? The Carlton County 4-H Federation has an ongoing fundraiser selling Carlton County plat books?! Currently we have plat books for the 2021 year which can be purchased at the Extension office for $40.00 (cash or checks only, please).
In 4-H all youth are welcome!
4-H is an out- of-school, hands-on learning program for anyone in Kindergarten through one year past high school (grade 13). You choose a project that's interesting to them and explore it with peers and caring adults. 4-H clubs are groups of youth who want to learn together and meet in every part of Minnesota.
What can I do in 4-H?
The sky's the limit! 4-H offers learning experiences in science, photography, agriculture, healthy living, civic engagement and much more. We have one-day events, year-long projects and everything in between. There are many ways to try 4-H.
For assistance with registration or printing of information please contact the Extension Office at
218-384-3511. A computer is also available for public use.
Carlton County Extension Staff
Keri Cavitt, Regional Director cavit005@umn.edu
Mandi Haglund, Principal Office & Admin. Specialist, haglu119@umn.edu
Mercedes Moffett, Agriculture Educator, moffett029@umn.edu
Ann Rust ,Vol. Coord. & Horticulture Asst., rustx048@umn.edu
Katie Siltanen, 4-H Educator, silta006@umn.edu
Contact the office
317 Chestnut Ave
P.O. Box 307 Carlton, MN 55718
218-384-3511
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