SoMN Spring Home & Garden 2023

By ANGELA DAVIS, MAJA BECKSTROM, SAMANTHA MATSUMOTO, NICOLE JOHNSON Minnesota Public Radio News

No matter what the season is, you can always enjoy some greenery and bring the great outdoors inside your home with houseplants.

Houseplants saw a boom in popularity in 2020 when many people were stuck indoors because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, Americans spent more than $2 billion on indoor plants and accessories, up from $1.3 billion in 2019, according to the National Gardening Association.

MPR News host Angela Davis talked with two houseplant experts: Jenn Hovland, a horticulturist, florist and owner of Studio Louise Flowers in Stillwater, Minn., and Maria Failla, the author of “Growing Joy: The Plant Lover’s Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants).” Here are their recommendations.

What are good starter plants?

Hovland: If people have a really bright area, cacti and succulents are great because they don’t need a lot of extra care. They

Everything you need to know about houseplants from two Minnesota experts

Houseplants grew in popularity during the pandemic as a way to bring nature indoors. (Photo courtesy Jenn

just sit on the windowsill and look pretty. They bloom, too. If you don’t have that really bright space in your home, you can also do something like a pothos or a sansevieria. Those are two types of plants that will thrive in lower light levels and are pretty hardy and easy to care for.

Failla: It’s also about figuring out your personality type and what plants are suited for your personality. So if you’re someone who really only wants to water your plants like once every couple of weeks, maybe you travel, maybe you have little kids, maybe you know you’re out of your home a lot, succulents are great. But if you’re a plant parent who wants to be incorporating plants into your everyday life and you try and water a succulent every day, that’s a surefire way to kill it.

How is wellness related to houseplants?

Failla: What I found after investing thousands of dollars into therapy, retreats and different type of healing modalities, plants ended up being one of the most affordable and simple self-development tools that I had. Because I found that if I dedicated a little bit of time every day, which could be as short as one or two minutes, they create space. I think many of us go through our entire day without

having a moment to ourselves to think own our own original thoughts.

How can I keep my pets off my plants?

Failla: There is a multitude of houseplants that are toxic for our pets, primarily dogs and cats. ASPCA is a great resource for toxic plants. Plants like the monstera and the poinsettia are very toxic. If you have pets that do nibble on your plants, make sure that you’re bringing non-toxic plants home. You can spray apple cider vinegar on your plant leaves.

Apparently, the pets don’t like the taste of it. I have listeners who put river rocks in the bottom of their pots so that their cats don’t go digging in them because their paws don’t like the feeling of the river rocks on the bottom.

How to take care of your houseplants

■ Clean the leaves: “It’s a good idea just to wipe them down with a damp cloth or a paper towel,” said Hovland. It removes the

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Hovland)

MPR News host Angela Davis talked to horticulturist and florist Jenn Hovland about houseplants. Author Maria Failla joined the conversation virtually. (Maja Beckstrom | MPR News)

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE dust from the plants so that they can better photosynthesize.

■ Spring shower: “I love to put my plants in the shower once a season, and I’ll actually mimic a real rainfall so that the water covers the whole plant,” explained Failla. The dust and any pests hiding under the leaves will drip off.

■ Play classical music: “Classical music is like really good for your plants,” said caller Melanie in Wayzata. “I’ve been doing some research on it and plants can pick up on sound waves. Heavy metal is not good for plants, but classical music — specifically string instrument pieces — are really good for your plants. Some scientific studies have shown that it helps promote

growth of indoor plants.”

■ Keep an eye on the light levels: “To our eyes, a bright room seems bright all the way across the room,” said Hovland. But “if you were to take a light meter and put it right against the window, versus putting that light meter 10 feet into the room against the wall, there is a huge difference in the quantity and the quality of the light. So moving a plant to a brighter location absolutely can help.”

■ Bottom-soak your plants to avoid hydrophobia: “Sometimes our plants get too dried out and then that soil is so dry that it’s almost like a flash flood when you water with a watering can and it just goes straight across the top and is not absorbing,” explained Hovland. “A really

Did You Know?

good remedy for that is to bottom-soak those plants. You can fill your bathtub or a sink or a small dish with water, set the pot in the water and let it hydrate all the way up until the soil surface feels moist.”

Some personalized tips:

■ Orchids: A learned lesson from the experts is to avoid putting ice cubes on your orchids. Some stores will indicate to do it in the instructions, however, “there’s no freezing water in the jungle for these orchids to get. So the fact that you’re putting this cold ice cube on their roots directly because they’re not planted in soil, it’s just so uncomfortable for those roots,” said Failla.

■ Fiddle-leaf fig: Failla said it is “one

A recent survey of home renovation industry professionals conducted by Fixr. com found that creating indoor spaces outdoors was homeownersÕ biggest priority regarding renovations in 2022. Sixty-two percent of renovationminded homeowners surveyed indicated outdoor dining areas are their most sought-after living space. In addition, 41 percent of respondents felt outdoor kitchens were their biggest priority. The survey found that certain outdoor living space features were especially popular, none more so than comfortable outdoor furniture. Firepits, outdoor fireplaces, swimming pools, hot tubs, and outdoor connectivity were some additional popular features among homeowners focused on their outdoor living spaces.

of the most Instagram-famous plants you’ve ever seen.” She added that it’s “a notoriously finicky plant” and “vigorous growers” that may need to be pruned. They also don’t like being moved and “need more light than you think you’re giving them.”

■ Carnivorous plants: Tom in Fargo, N.D. expressed his enjoyment in having “really interesting” plants including venus flytraps, pitcher plants and sundews. Failla said keeping them in your collection can keep pests away. If you are interested in owning a carnivorous plant, Failla recommends starting with sundews or Mexican butterworts. Hovland said these types of plants need special care because they love moisture and high humidity.

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ASK A MASTER GARDENER: Propagating Houseplants

By JENNIFER RENSENBRINK northerngardener.com

Neverending winter has me really searching for any plant-related activity I can find. April just also happens to be a great time to repot and/or propagate houseplants, so I recently took stock of my own collection to see what I could do. Here are the results— and these are just a handful of the many houseplants that can be propagated.

Q: Which houseplants are easy to propagate?

A: Quite a few of them. Here are some examples.

Let’s start with succulents. Several of these have outgrown their pots or are so leggy they belong in a Dr. Seuss book. In the case of the jade plant, I’d simply

like more of them because it’s one of my favorites.

I use normal garden pruning sheers to clip off sections of my jade plant. Cutting it like this encourages new, bushy growth.

Here’s a close-up of one of the leggier succulents. See how it’s growing roots in mid-air? Time to divide and repot.

I cut the tops off the leggy plants, plus some leaves. Whenever possible, I try to leave at least ½” to 1” of stem. I leave the cuttings out of direct sunlight on a plate for several days so the cuts have time to heal over.

After the cuts have healed, it’s simply a matter of sticking the cuttings in soil. I’m using a long, shallow pot with drainage holes and cactus mix potting soil.

I place rocks on the soil surface to anchor the baby plants in place and make the planter more attractive. Then I water them in. It’ll take some time for the plants to bounce back from transplant shock and start growing again, so be patient.

From the succulents I wasn’t able to get a stem cutting, I take the leaves and stick

them in a little succulent nursery. This is one of the babies I just dug out of my previous succulent nursery. The leaf sent down roots, then a new plant started growing. The original leaf will eventually

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wither away, or it can be very gently removed. Not every leaf that I start in the nursery will successfully grow a new plant, but it’s fun to try.

If you’ve ever grown Pilea peperomioides, you know how they practically propagate themselves by growing “pups” right in the pot you planted them in.

The pups are connected to the main plant’s root system, so you’ll need to cut them free with a sharp knife. After cutting the connection, carefully dig the pup out—the more roots it has, the faster it will start growing. I’ve had pups survive and thrive with hardly any roots, though, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t get any.

Place each pup in a small pot of its own, keep it watered (but let it dry out between waterings) and eventually you’ll have more pileas than you know what to do with. I have even composted a few of them, I’m not ashamed to say.

I also divided my peace plant. I’ve had it several years and it was looking decidedly overgrown for its pot. This is another of my favorite plants (who said I have to have one favorite?!) so I pulled it out of its planter and cut it in half with a sharp knife. The process is similar to dividing a hosta.

After cutting it in half, I carefully teased each half apart into 3 or 4 individual plants, then replanted them into two pots. It’s normal for the plant to

look a little shocked and wilty the first few days. Just give it time to adjust and make sure to keep it watered.

Final propagation idea: I’d be silly to not mention pothos, because they are terribly easy to propagate. Simply cut off the end of a vine, stick it in water in bright but indirect light for 2-3 weeks, and voila! It will start to grow roots and be ready for planting.

What houseplants do you like to propagate? Leave us a note in the comments. I didn’t even mention spider plants, which might be the easiest of all. When in doubt, Google the plant you’d like to propagate. Chances are you’ll be able to find a tutorial or even a video that shows you how. Just try to use reliable sources whenever possible, such as the U of MN Extension houseplants website.

Have indoor or outdoor gardening questions? Ask them in the comments below. If we don’t get to yours, you can

Ask a Master Gardener online or call the Yard & Garden Line at (612) 301-7590.

RABBIT DAMAGE: Can this plant be saved?

By MARY LAHR SCHIER northerngardener.org

s we dig out from this very snowy winter, we’re seeing lots of photos of rabbit damage to trees and shrubs. Whether fruit trees, evergreens or shrubs, the bunnies have been hungry this winter and they’ve been stripping the bark as high as our very tall snow drifts.

“This winter has been brutal on plants with rabbit damage,”

Asaid Travis McDonald, certified arborist with Davey Tree Expert Co. in Eden Prairie, who we contacted about what to do about rabbit damage. “I haven’t seen it this bad in 10 years.”

The damage is deadly when rabbits “girdle” a tree all the way around (see photos in this post). Yikes! Girdling happens when the flow of nutrients and water to the tree is interrupted due to damage or removal of tree bark and the phloem and cambian layers under the bark. All of the nutrients that keep a tree healthy flow just under the bark in those

layers. (This is the light-colored wood you see after the bark is removed.)

If a tree is improperly planted, it can be girdled by its own roots, which wrap around the trunk of the tree at its base or just underground and essentially choke it. Rabbit damage rips the protective bark off the tree.

Like deer, hungry rabbits will eat a variety of plants, but among their favorites are crabapples, plums, cherries and other fruit trees, maples, yews, burning bush, serviceberries and arborvitae as well as viburnums, hydrangeas and smokebush. A sure sign that the problem with your tree or shrub is rabbits is the presence of pea-sized rabbit poop near the plant.

Can It Be Saved?

Let’s start with shrubs. Shrubs grow from the base and have multiple branches. With many shrubs—dogwood, viburnum, ninebark—you can cut the plant down to good bark near the roots and let it re-grow from there. You will want to do some pruning as it grows and it may take a couple of years, but your shrub will grow back. Sometimes it even flowers in the first year after severe pruning.

Trees are another matter. A tree that is girdled all the way around will not survive longterm, McDonald said. It might leaf out this year but “any stress and that tree will die.” If a tree has in-tact bark around 25 percent or more of its trunk, it can survive, he said.

To give a damaged tree the best chance for recovery, water it consistently and amply throughout the season and into fall. Appropriate fertilizer for the type of tree you have is also a good idea, McDonald said. If the tree is large or precious to you and is not 100 percent girdled, contact an arborist about your options. McDonald sometimes recommends a trunk application of potassium polyphosphite, which stimulates the tree’s natural healing responses and helps close wounds quicker.

Preventative Measures

Preventing rabbit damage is the best way to ensure healthy trees and shrubs in your yard and garden. Rabbits don’t like the texture of burlap, so many tree owners will wrap the trunks of their trees with burlap in the fall. You can also fence around the tree trunk or shrub with chicken wire to discourage chewing. Be

sure to add the protections above the highest likely snow line!

There are sprays for foliage that can be applied to discourage rabbit and deer chewing as well, but most sprays available to homeowners wear off within a couple of weeks.

General tree health going into winter is also important.

“The biggest thing in the winter months is to give trees a deep watering in fall,” McDonald said. Rabbit numbers are a factor in how many plants are damaged. A lack of natural predators in some areas has increased populations. Fencing around your entire property and live trapping are among the options for dealing with too many rabbits.

Rabbits did a number on this small tree. (Photo credit: Davey Tree Expert Co.)

This serviceberry’s girdled branches are the result of hungry rabbits. (Photo credit: Davey Tree Expert Co.)

5 tips for first-time seed starters

By NORTHERN GARDENER northerngardener.com

Are you starting seeds this year, maybe for your first-ever vegetable garden? You might want to check out our free Ready, Set, Grow webinar series on vegetable gardening. Or, consider these five tips for first-time seed starters.

1. Use seed-starting mix. To start seeds indoors, it’s best to use a sterile seedstarting mix. It might be tempting to just dig up some dirt from the garden, but that soil is too prone to compacting and may have diseases or weed seeds that will affect your seedlings. If you have it on hand, potting soil also works. Seed starting mixes have a finer texture than potting soil, but I’ve found both work for starting seeds indoors. If you happen to have coconut coir or peat moss, vermiculite or perlite and some compost, you can even make your own mix. Whatever you use, make sure it is very damp before planting the seeds. (Many nurseries and garden centers are open and doing curbside delivery if you need to buy supplies.)

2. Don’t over spend on equipment. If you are a first-time seed starter, don’t go crazy buying equipment. A simple shoplight with fluorescent bulbs provides as much light as your seedlings need. You can use a variety of recycled or homemade

items as containers, including salad containers, yogurt cups or homemade newspaper pots. The container needs to drain, so poke holes in anything plastic. If you can position a fan nearby, that will mimic outdoor conditions and keep your seedlings strong.

3. Put them where you will see them. I used to start seeds in the basement. But when my timer failed and the lights did not go on for days in a row, I moved them upstairs. My seed-starting success skyrocketed. If you see them, you will probably take better care of them, monitoring for water or seeing if seedlings are getting leggy. A more central location may also have natural light, which your seedlings will love. And, your kids will enjoy watching the seedlings grow.

4. Pick easy to start seeds. Firsttime seed starters will experience more success with seeds that germinate easily. Lettuce, kale, tomatoes and peppers are good vegetables to start with. Annuals such as marigolds or zinnias also grow quickly. Warm-season crops like tomatoes don’t need to be started indoors in Minnesota until mid-April, so you have time.

5. Water judiciously. More plants— houseplants, seedlings, you name it—have been killed by over-watering than underwatering. The soil should be moist after watering but no completely soggy. Let it dry out just a bit between watering. As the seedlings get big for their containers, you will likely have to water more.

Did You Know?

The home gardening enthusiasts at Home Garden Vegetables (homegardenveg.com) note that there are at least 10,000 unique tomato varieties across the globe. Flavor could have a lot to do with that, as tomatoes are popular ingredients in dishes spanning the globe. Individuals who want their tomatoes to pack the most healthy punch possible may want to cook them in olive oil. Cooking tomatoes breaks down cell walls and releases the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to reduced risk for stroke, lower cholesterol and eye health. Consumer Reports also notes that lycopene is fat-soluble, which means it’s more effectively absorbed when eaten with some fat.

Watching seedlings grow is so satisfying.

Low-cost ways to revamp living areas

ome improvement projects require substantial financial investment. But just because a homeowner wants to bring a fresh look indoors doesnÕt mean he or she has to break the bank along the way. Living rooms are some of the most frequently used spaces in a home, and they can use an update from time to time to stay on trend or to make the area more functional for a changing family dynamic. Here are some budget-friendly ideas for breathing new life into living room designs.

■ Establish the budget. Homeowners should figure out how many dollars they can designate to a living room makeover before purchasing supplies or hiring out the work. Figure out the scope of the remodel, visit stores or suppliers to price out materials, get estimates from contractors, and then plan for some unforseen circumstances along the way to determine if this type of renovation is affordable. If not, scale

Hthings back until the project more closely aligns with your budget.

■ Change the paint color. Lighter and brighter colors are on trend. A can or two of paint can do wonders for updating a space without a large financial commitment. Pair that new paint color with new window coverings and complementary throw pillows to pull the theme together with minimal expense.

■ Update the flooring. Tired, outdated carpeting or other flooring can use an overhaul. While solid hardwood flooring may be preferable, there are many types of laminate flooring that mimic the looks of popular wood colors and styles for a fraction of the cost. Plus, many are sold at home improvement retailers and even at warehouse clubs or online for reasonable prices. Laminate flooring also may be a potential DIY job for a skilled homeowner, saving even more money.

■ Introduce a fireplace. Fireplaces were once hot commodities, but that popularity waned in the 1970s and 1980s. Homeowners with chimneys may discover a fireplace was boarded

over and the bare bones still exist that can be renovated to bring back character. There also are ventless freestanding units that are quite affordable that can mimic the look of a built-in fireplace.

■ Reupholster instead of replace furniture. There’s no need to throw away quality furniture if the fabric is the only thing impeding design. New upholstery or even a slipcover can update designs.

■ Conquer clutter. Rather than adding something to the living room, remove clutter to give the room a more airy feel. This can instantly change the look of the room. Use cord covers to tame plugs for electronics and remove unnecessary furniture from the room.

■ Improve lighting. Another easy and often inexpensive fix is to change lighting fixtures, including using brighter, more energy efficient LED bulbs, and to assess lighting needs to eliminate dark corners of rooms that can make the space seem drab.

Living room spaces in need of an update often can benefit from improvements that go easy on the wallet.

Popular trends in home exteriors

ertain homes have an undeniable wow factor. That instant appeal tends to be noticeable the moment visitors pull up to the

Ccurb, and it might be a byproduct of homeownersÕ willingness to embrace the latest exterior design trends.

Trends come and go, but recognition of the current fashions can help homeowners create that highly sought-after wow factor.

The following are some recent trends in home exteriors that have helped homeowners set their properties apart.

Wood

Natural wood has undeni-

able appeal, and it hasnÕt only found newfound devotion among home interior decorators. Natural wood garage doors create a sense of warmth and can set a home apart from others with steel doors, which tend to be the most popular garage door material. In addition to the garage door, natural wood entry doors and wood decks are popular ways to impart this classical, warm look to a homeÕs exterior.

Painted brick

Like natural wood, brick is a traditional material thatÕs both sturdy and classical. But homeowners can add character to brick with a coat of paint, which has become a popular trend in recent years. Light tones tend to be most popular when painting bricks. The experts at Better Homes & Gardens note that this could prove a long-term commitment if homeowners so desire, as a properly painted brick exterior could last as long as 20 years.

Hardscaping

Hardscaping isnÕt a new trend, but it has been trending in recent years. Hardscaping is an umbrella term that includes

everything from outdoor living rooms to incorporating natural stone into a landscape. Outdoor living rooms are one hardscaping trend that has become increasingly popular of late. These spaces serve as an extension of indoor living spaces. The home improvement experts at HGTV note that recently homeowners have looked to create covered outdoor rooms that can be enjoyed more frequently than patios or decks that are not protected from the elements.

Outdoor lighting

It makes sense that individuals looking to spend more time enjoying their properties outdoors would want more lighting outside. Ambient outdoor lighting can be utilized throughout a property. Such lighting can light up walkways and driveways and be used to light up landscaping features like trees and gardens. Home design trends tend to be fickle. But recognition of the current trends in exterior home design can set homes apart and turn properties into awe-inspiring places to enjoy the great outdoors.

Outdoor living spaces are one popular hardscaping trend that figures to remain sought-after for years to come.

Spring cleaning tips and tricks

Spring is a time of year when change is in the air. Trees are budding, plants are flowering, and homes laden with dark or heavy fabrics and clutter could use some lightening up.

Spring cleaning projects are popular this time of year as residents take inventory of their living spaces and aim to declutter, clean and increase efficiency. Some people find the prospect of getting organized overwhelming. Here are some tips that can help anyone master spring cleaning.

■ Create a plan. Make a checklist and establish a cleaning plan of attack. Focus on areas that are not regularly cleaned, as they probably need a little attention.

■ Assemble your cleaning kit. Spring cleaning can be slowed down considerably if you don’t have all of your equipment at the ready. Items to have on hand include an all-purpose cleaner, concentrated cleaner, microfiber cloths, paper towels, mop, vacuum, dusters, and a squeegee. Adjust your equipment based on the task at hand.

■ Curate your cleaning playlist. Create a playlist with songs that will get you moving and motivated to clean.

■ Work from top to bottom. Work efficiently by cleaning shelves, ceiling fans and other elevated items first, as dust and debris will trickle down and need to be cleaned next.

■ Purchase or rent a carpet cleaner. According to the experts at Clean That Up, carpets help filter indoor air by trapping debris and allergens. By deep cleaning carpets, homeowners can improve the indoor air quality of their homes. Use a carpet cleaner on a warm, dry day so that windows can be opened and cross breezes will help dry the damp rug.

■ Clean windows. Wash windows inside and out and utilize their screens to help brighten indoors spaces.

■ Deep clean the kitchen. Clean out and disinfect the refrigerator by wiping it down with warm water and baking soda or a vinegar-and-water solution. While in the kitchen, set the oven to the self-clean function so it becomes cleaner as well. Homeowners also can focus on cleaning curtains (including shower curtains), steam-cleaning upholstery, removing clutter from closets, cleaning out the dryer vent and duct tubing, wiping inside kitchen drawers, and vacuuming under beds and other furniture.

Spring cleaning can bring the revitalizing nature of this beloved time of year into your home.

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