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Preparing for gardening gardening
Starting indoors is key
BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER
Though having a successful home garden does not have to be complicated, following a few simple rules can make a huge difference in having a bumper crop of homegrown and healthy vegetables by the time late summer arrives.
Patience, for one, is key, as eagerness to get seeds in the ground while frost is a possibility can prove detrimental, said DJ Janski, owner of Janski Greenhouse in Rice alongside her husband, Steve. Starting the process indoors — along with light, water and even a little TLC — plays a role in having a fruitful garden, DJ said. Gardening is more
than just a hobby for Steve and DJ. The couple, who live in Rice, have owned and operated Janski Greenhouse since 1979, when they added a greenhouse next to their previously existing
business, Janski Grocery.
While the greenhouse will not open until late April, like most enthusiasts, they will be eager
to get things going as spring approaches.
PHOTO BY TOM FENTON
DJ (left) and Steve Janski stand Feb. 24 among plants at their home in Rice. The couple, which have owned and operated Janski Greenhouse in Rice since 1979, said starting a spring garden with indoor growing is key to a fruitful crop.
Janski
For the most part, the process starts six to eight weeks prior to outdoor planting, depending on the variety. Tomatoes are one of the more popular homegrown plants, and DJ said it is necessary to start that process indoors. The last frost in Central Minnesota is typically near Memorial Day, meaning planting the seeds indoors should start in mid-April.
“Our growing season is so short, so if you start tomatoes outdoors, by the time they’re fruiting, you’ll be almost to the end of the summer, and you won’t get much of a crop,” DJ said.
The process of planting seeds indoors is both simple and inexpensive, though DJ offered some tips to get them going, including an LED light as opposed to sunlight.
“You can start them in a sunny window, but they tend to turn toward the light, and you have to flip them, and they tend to not do as well like that,” DJ said. “I get an LED shop light. You should have a cool, white light because it has more of the spectrum plants need to start. Put them under that light about 14 hours per day. I put mine on a timer, so I don’t have to check it.”
DJ said she fertilizes the indoor seeds about every two weeks with a half-strength mixture of a product such as Miracle-Gro. Another key part of the indoor process
is using a high-quality seed-starting soil rather than regular soil.
Planting indoor seeds immediately outdoors is not recommended, she said.
“You have to be sure to harden them off,” DJ said. “You don’t want to take them from indoors, where they’ve been controlled and with no hot sun and then put them in hot sun. They’ll go into shock and die. Take them to the east side of the house where they get some sun in the morning and leave them out for a few hours. Then, bring them back in at night because it gets cold, and do that for a week.”
Steve Janski bought Janski Grocery from his parents, Delmer and Angela, in 1977 and operated it until he retired from the business in 2017, focusing solely on the greenhouse. Steve’s parents dabbled in the plant business, for mostly aesthetic purposes, as their plants sat behind a large glass window in the store for people to admire. “They used to sell small amounts of plants they’d have in the front window (of Janski Grocery),” Steve said. “I remodeled the store (when I bought it), and I said we’d either get into the plant business or we’d get out of it (the business sector) totally. So, I found a greenhouse from a supplier that had an extra one. I bought that, put it up and we’ve been doing it ever since.”
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Flowers bloom at Janski Greenhouse in Rice. The business opened in 1979 next to Janski Grocery, which closed in 2017.
Upholstery gives old furniture new life
BY TIM HENNAGIR | STAFF WRITER
Restoration process transforms cherished items
Rapids Upholstery’s claim to business fame is based on a foundation of service and quality workmanship.
For more than 100 years, the business at has transformed furniture.
“We have three full-time employees who do reconstruction,” said John Sprengeler, owner of Rapids Upholstery. “You learn a lot about rebuilding and sewing when you restore classic chairs, footstools and full-size sectionals.”
Rapids Upholstery is recognized as the oldest upholstery shop in Minnesota. Sprengeler is the fifth person to own the business, which opened in 1918. Previous owner Al Berndt works with Sprengeler.
“Al got me involved in the business in 2015, and I’ve been here ever since,” Sprengeler said.
Rapids Upholstery breathes new life back into classic cars, boats, airplanes and furniture with expert materials and services provided by Sprengeler and his group of employees.
“We have a nice showroom and thousands of fabric and covering supplies to choose from,” Sprengeler said. “We ask customers to provide images of their furniture when we provide an estimate. That way, we have a better idea of what we will be initially working with when it’s finally dropped off at our shop.”
Rapids Upholstery page 6B
PHOTO BY TIM HENNAGIR
Josh Soltis displays a complete barstool seat top during a Feb. 21 shop visit to Rapids Upholstery in Sauk Rapids. The foam material inside the stool was coming apart and flaking away; Soltis replaced the foam and used new covering to rejuvenate the pictured barstool and five others.
PAINT COLORS
Each year, various paint brands select a color they would like to feature for the year. Five of the paint brands color of the year are listed below with descriptions according to each company’s website.
— Benjamin Moore & Co. — Cinnamon Slate 2113-40 is a mix of heathered plum and velvety brown.
— Dutch Boy Products Group — Mapped Blue 429-5DB. A medium-tone blue with slight yellow undertones.
— Behr Process LLC — Rumors MQ1-15 is described as a deep ruby red.
— PPG Industries Inc. — Purple Basil PPG1046-7. This hue is a balance between blue and red.
— Sherwin-Williams has chosen an arrangement of colors for its 2025 Color Capsule of the Year: Grounded SW 6089, Sunbleached SW 9585, Chartreuse SW 0073 and Rain Cloud SW 9639.
COURTESY OF SHERWIN-WILLIAMS
Sherwin-Williams 2025 Color Capsule of the Year includes four different hues. The company is celebrating its 15th year of having a Color of the Year.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BENJAMIN MOORE & CO.
Cinnamon Slate 2113-40 is the 2025 Paint Color of the Year for Benjamin Moore & Co. This hue can be used on walls from floor to ceiling.
PHOTO
StepTM 1 Crab-gras Preventer Plus Fertilizer
•Prevents crabgrass and problem weeds
StepTM 2 Weed Control Plus Fertilizer
•Kills dandelions & other broadleaf weeds.
StepTM 3 Lawn Fertilizer
•Feeds and strengthens against heat and drought.
StepTM 4 Fall Lawn Fertilizer
•Protects and strengthens for a better spring lawn.
Compost
from page 9B
“Everything that comes in turns to dirt,” Phenow said. “We take two types of waste — food waste and yard waste — and it is handled separately.”
A vast majority of the waste brought by Tri-County Organics permit holders is yard waste, Phenow said. Relatively smaller contributions of food waste come from commercial businesses, area school districts and the Minnesota National Guard’s Camp Ripley near Little Falls.
Once microbes and fungi complete their decomposition efforts, Phenow said customers can reap the benefits of the process by purchasing soil that is U.S. Composting Council Seal of Testing Assurance certified.
“If you have a garden and you till it every year, if you are not putting at least a yard (of compost) for every 10-by-10 (foot) space in the garden, you are missing out because of the nutrient value,” he said.
Phenow said most Tri-County Organics customers are repeat patrons, some of whom credit the compost with leading to 6-foot-tall tomato plants and other mind-boggling feats of garden growth.
Quincy Sadowski, University of Minnesota Extension horticulture educator for Benton, Morrison, Sherburne and Stearns counties, echoed the sentiment that composting is a process that should pique the interest of all green thumbs looking to treat their plants.
“Basically, compost
is organic matter, and that’s one of the main components that we look for when we do soil testing,” Sadowski said.
“If you have super sandy soil, adding compost is adding that organic matter, so it will help boost the quality of the soil. If you have clay soil or compacted soil, compost can help aerate the soil and cause it to be a little lighter.”
One of the largest hurdles to composting on a household scale, she said, is maintaining a large enough compost pile. She recommended a
site that is at least 3 feet long and 5 feet wide to ensure the pile reaches 130 degrees during the decomposition process.
“It doesn’t have to be on a large scale because people can totally do this on a household or individual scale,” Sadowski said. “It doesn’t have to be this large production, but, in order to get it up to that heat and to really get the decomposing microbes going, it does need to be on that slightly larger scale. If you have multiple little piles, push them together and keep them all together.”
According to information from the UMN Extension, compost piles will heat to somewhere between 130 and 160 degrees and should be turned once or twice per month. Many materials, though organic, are not recommended for at-home composting, like pet waste, which can transmit diseases, as well as meat, bones, whole eggs and dairy products, which can attract animals.
For Tri-County Organics, Phenow said most organic material is mixed, composted and screened into usable compost within a year. He said weather conditions like
drought can significantly impact the compost quality, as moisture is a necessary aspect of the process. While food waste can benefit a compost, Sadowski and Phenow recommended beginners start with an emphasis on carbon-rich material like leaves. If done properly,
“Just like farmers spread animal waste on their fields, this is the same exact thing,” Phenow said. “Only, this is a more controlled environment.”
PHOTOS BY HANS LAMMEMAN
Jamie Phenow points toward mounds of soil and other material Feb. 24 at Tri-County Organics east of St. Cloud. Phenow said most Tri-County Organics customers are repeat patrons, some of whom credit the compost with leading to 6-foot-tall tomato plants and other mind-boggling feats of garden growth.
Beyond beauty in your garden Year of the calendula:
Small renovations that make a big impact
e he n B s st or
BY ROBIN TROTT University of Minnesota Extension
Each year, the National Garden Bureau highlights standout crops — and for 2025, calendula, also known as pot marigold, takes the spotlight as an Annual of the Year.
Loved for its vibrant blooms and versatility, this resilient flower is perfect for seasoned and new gardeners alike.
Calendula’s story is as colorful as its petals. Native to the Mediterranean, this cheerful flower has been celebrated for centuries. Ancient Egyptians admired its healing properties, while Romans introduced it across Europe, where it became a staple in gardens and kitchens.
Dubbed “poor man’s saffron,” calendula petals can be used as a natural yellow dye or to flavor and color recipes.
Calendula thrives in cool weather, making it ideal for early spring and fall planting. Follow these tips for success:
— Direct sow seeds in early spring, even when light frosts are possible. Continue sowing every two to three weeks until early summer for
calendula blooms in shades of white, yellow and orange. The National Garden Bureau has highlighted calendula, also known as pot marigold, as an Annual of the Year.
a staggered fall bloom. Starting indoors? Sow seeds in late winter. — Sow seeds 1/4inch deep and cover completely; they require darkness to germinate. After germination,
If you need some extra help with a project or need some repairs done, contact us for an estimate. We can perform many services around and in your home.
place them under bright lights.
— Space plants 6 to 18 inches apart for healthy growth. Pinch back young plants to encourage branching.
— Provide full sun
and well-drained soil, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.
— Water regularly but avoid wetting leaves to prevent mildew.
— Deadhead faded blooms to promote continuous flowering.
Calendula’s beauty comes with added benefits, making it a garden favorite. It is a natural pest control;planted near vegetables like tomatoes and beans, calendula attracts beneficial insects while keeping pests at bay. Calendula is edible and delicious, as its petals add a peppery flavor and vibrant color to salads and soups. The flower also has medicinal properties. Harvest blooms to dry for teas, soothing salves or fragrant potpourri.
Calendula thrives in cool weather but may pause blooming during hot summers. Don’t worry — it bounces back with vivid blooms as temperatures drop, bringing a burst of fall color.
Whether you’re brightening your garden, attracting pollinators or exploring its edible and medicinal uses, calendula is a plant that truly gives back. Its rich history, ease of care and versatility make it a must-have for any garden.
Homeowners may think they have to tear down walls or build room extensions to transform their homes with renovation projects. But small projects can yield impressive results, and that’s something homeowners working with limited budgets can keep in mind.
There is no shortage of small projects that can change the look and feel of a home. Many of these undertakings can be achieved with a modest investment.
— Front door replacement: A new front door instantly improves curb appeal and can make a home more secure and energy-efficient. Painting the existing front door is an even smaller project that still offers appeal.
— Lighting addition: Whether a homeowner enlarges a window or adds skylights, natural light can produce incredible results. Investing in new lighting can feel like expanding a space without pushing out walls.
— Kitchen and bath fixture upgrades: Faucets and door pulls are used every day. Swapping existing fixtures for something a little more modern can unify spaces and provide subtle changes that enhance these popular spaces.
— Wood floor restoration: Scuffing and scratches can adversely affect the pristine look of a natural wood floor. Homeowners can polish a floor to restore its shine. A professional service will sand down and refinish older floors at a fraction of the cost of a new floor installation.
— Exterior lighting: Lighting isn’t just important inside. A welcoming glow in the yard is awe-inspiring. There are many energy-efficient lighting options, including ones that do not need to be hardwired to the circuitry inside the home.
— Staircase renovation: Coordinate the staircase to the style in the home with a decorative carpet runner. A secure runner is attractive and can help reduce slipping down the stairs. Tighten shaky railings or replace them while upgrading the stair treads. Interior paint: Change the color of walls, doors, cabinets or even furniture with paint. All homeowners need is a paint color that inspires them and a little bit of time.
— Replace outlet covers: Upgrade outlet covers with screwless options. Screwless plates for outlets and light switches can make walls look more sleek.
— Entry organizer installation: Banish clutter from the home by catching it at the door. An entry organizer with spaces for shoes, coats, backpacks, and shopping bags can be eye-catching and functional.
Carpets cleaning: Soiled carpets can look drab and dingy. Homeowners can rent carpet-cleaning machines or hire services to revitalize carpets with a deep cleaning.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL GARDEN BUREAU
A “Kinglit Mix” of
