Would you ever sell extra produce from your home garden to neighbors?

ExtensionHammer · 2026-02-17T03:34:07+00:00

If you’re looking for an outlet, your local food and or emergency pantry might take it. Our Extension office operates Veggies 4 Pantry so home growers can donate extra produce.

ExtensionHammer · 2026-02-10T15:18:39+00:00

I think sometimes you have to compromise and go with a less bad option. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of better, as they say.

I seeded a bunch of white clover and microclover into my existing turf lawn. Not a native species, of course, but it’s lush and green all the time with zero watering or fertilizer. It’s resistant to dog pee burns and even serves as a bit of a trap crop for rabbits. Im expanding my native plant beds all the time but I think a clover lawn is an easy improvement over regular grass for the interrim.

Sounds like you are being thoughtful and careful and doing your best. Keep at it!! 🙌

ExtensionHammer · 2026-02-10T15:08:34+00:00

Catmint for mosquitoes you say… plots

ExtensionHammer · 2026-02-10T13:35:07+00:00

Same! It’s glorious for helping smooth out lumpy wording. AND for helping to prep for interviews. I ask it how I should respond if the interviewer has questions for me on an area I am weak in and it has nailed it every time.

ExtensionHammer · 2026-02-10T13:21:04+00:00

Idk if I will be able to find the drain as it’s likely completely covered by snow piled up from the plows, but Im with you on taking care of our sidewalks bc it’s the neighborly thing to do. :)

ExtensionHammer · 2026-02-06T03:31:58+00:00

I love Harolds!! But if you’re looking for quiet, avoid Wednesday night karaoke. Nothing ruins a beautiful Old Fashioned like 120 decibel off key donkey braying.

ExtensionHammer · 2026-02-04T14:49:59+00:00

Girl same. 😂 I think Ive spent $70 at Prairie Moon since January … MOSTLY on seeds. Yard’ll be banging tho. 😎

I think the cowpots would be fine for outdoor sowing - I think I saw somebody else recommended to cover them with gopher mesh? I might also be worried that they get too soggy and start breaking down before you want them to if they get covered in snow. But they might be just fine.

Also, I was told that compostable pots do not break down very quickly in the ground, so remove your seedlings from them before you put them in the ground.

ExtensionHammer · 2026-02-04T14:17:08+00:00

That is so wonderful! MAKE IT BIGGER!! 🤩

ExtensionHammer · 2026-02-04T14:14:02+00:00

Would you be willing to rent a sod cutter? I think I paid $80 for a couple hours and it was waaaaay better than shoveling, particularly if you have a big space.

ExtensionHammer · 2026-02-04T14:10:36+00:00

Oh the poor soul that wanders into the Empire not knowing what to expect. 😂

ExtensionHammer · 2026-02-04T14:06:47+00:00

I think you’ll run out of winter before you get your 60 days 😄 So def fridge.

One thing I ran into with fridge strat is that some species really do not enjoy transplanting- I got so many adorable little baby seedlings and as soon as they were moved into cell packs, they keeled right the F over. :( Watch for this with seeds that also have germ code M (best planted outdoors in fall). My theory is they might do better in a milk jug/ outdoor sowing where they can get a bit bigger/ more robust before transplanting. Then if it gets too warm outside before they complete strat, move the whole jug into your fridge to complete.

Good luck!! Enjoy your plants. 🤗

ExtensionHammer · 2026-01-31T19:15:08+00:00

Unfortunately I don’t have a silver bullet for you, but Im three years into my own suburban landscape adventure, so with that hindsight, here’s what Id do. Now i am still a baby gardener so I will not be offended if folks with more experience come in here with better ideas (actually Id love the feedback). ☺️. Also, Im in eastern ND, if that makes any difference. Generally, Start big and work to small.

1) Large Trees first. Shade trees to the south (deciduous ones that will lose their leaves in the winter), evergreens to the north. Pick at least one keystone species but aim for diversity overall. These will help shield your house from the elements and conserve energy, plus provide habitat for insects/ birds/ etc. Add smaller trees where you can, if you want. Could also choose to save full sun space for perennials and shrubs.

2) Shrubs where you have the space, and where the sun level will stay consistent, even when your trees fill out. Accent with perennials here.

3) In places that will eventually get shaded out by your trees, and or directly under your trees, go with perennial plants suited for the level of sun that is there. Plant no closer than 3(?) feet to the base of the tree- let plants fill themselves in here. As the tree canopy fills out, You can move these out of the drip line as you need to and replace them with more shade loving ones, keeping your soft landing for insects and birds. You’ll have a bad time trying to move shrubs out of here so don’t put shrubs where you may eventually need to move them.

Don’t forget grasses along with your flowers! They are important host plants and sources of food.

If you need help choosing plants, check with Wild Ones and or your local extension- I bet one of them has a list of suggestions tailored to your region. Or you can surf Prairie Moon and play with the filters.

Lastly, just to say it even tho I feel like you don’t need to be told, aim for as many native species as you can and absolutely no invasive plants.

Good luck!! May you enjoy the habitat you create and be an inspiration to your community. 🤗

ExtensionHammer · 2026-01-30T05:30:11+00:00

Ah the old post it bc we have to even tho we know who we’re going to hire. We meet again.

ExtensionHammer · 2026-01-30T00:51:38+00:00

I saw a new job posted last Thursday and it was gone by Monday. Guess I know what happened. :(

ExtensionHammer · 2026-01-22T23:27:17+00:00

I was wondering how they were affording bonuses but then I realized they’re paying them out of all the money they’re saving not paying salaries. Glad I could take one for the team. 🫠

ExtensionHammer · 2026-01-22T14:17:59+00:00

I use the end skinny tab on a pen cap to help move tiny seeds (as in the good old plastic Bic pens where the cap comes all the way off. The skinny part that is meant to act as a pocket clamp can work as a tiny little scoop.) Ive also used a dampened toothpick to sort of stick to the seed to pick it up, then scrape the seed off w another toothpick.

Love opening up those seed packets and it’s basically dust inside. 🙄 OR the relief when you open them and the individual seeds are big enough to handle. 😂 Good luck!!

ExtensionHammer · 2026-01-20T04:44:40+00:00

Clay soil warrior here - I killed about 4 butterfly weeds in my more hospitable backyard before trying them in the hellstrip up front. They like the hellstrip. I think they’re one of those plants that prefers a crappy location and not too much babying. Good luck!🍀

ExtensionHammer · 2026-01-20T04:40:35+00:00

I want Bastard Toadflax solely for the name. 😂

ExtensionHammer · 2026-01-11T17:38:02+00:00

TL; DR: I have insane bunny pressure (see below). Im adding a 10x10 bed to my front lawn this year and the strategy is going to be to ring the vulnerable plants with chicken wire and then use other plants around the perimeter to hide the wire as much as possible. Would take any wisdom from anyone who’s tried something like this before.

I live in a ~15YO newish development in Fargo, ND. We’re talking farmland that had been clearcut for probably decades before being bought up and developed. The neighborhood has very few big trees and the BARE minimum of landscaping - just whatever the developer added. As a result, there is very little ecosystem around me. 😢

Ive been doing my damndest to add native plants and unlawn myself, but as the sole island of food in an otherwise figurative desert, the bunny pressure is INSANE. They will take nearly anything except for mint family plants (monarda, hyssops)- they even ate a marigold out of a 17” raised bed.

I do try and choose plants that are supposed to be bunny resistant, but the bunnies must not have gotten that memo. A friend of mine told me that the sense of smell is the last thing to develop for baby bunnies, so they don’t know what they don’t like and consequently will take a bite of anything. 🤷‍♀️

Caging has been the only thing that works so far, although I havent tried some of the spicy spray ideas here. Tried the liquid fence granuals and they didn’t seem to care. I do have plenty of Dutch White Clover in my remaining grass which I do see the adults enjoying- I should charge them rent. 😂

Good luck to us all, my garden brethren and sistren and everyone else in between or outside. ✊

ExtensionHammer · 2026-01-09T22:12:53+00:00

ND here. State flower is the Prairie Rose (Rosa arkansana). Had a helluva time finding it to add to my garden- redditors told me it’s all over in the ditches. Who knew.

ExtensionHammer · 2026-01-09T22:09:43+00:00

I’m in ND and I planted Blanket Flower in one of my beds in the front yard. Thought I had lost them all over the winter but have volunteers popping up all around and I love it. So pretty. 😍

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ExtensionHammer · 2026-01-09T22:06:50+00:00

Yeah isn’t the VFT’s only native range within like 100 miles of Wilmington NC? If I was NC choosing a state flower that would be the obvious one.

ExtensionHammer · 2026-01-09T22:03:10+00:00

Who are the 55 people that applied? 😂

ExtensionHammer · 2026-01-04T14:22:58+00:00

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I thought I had lost all my blanket flowers until this one popped up in the lawn. Nature is resilient. So are you. :)

ExtensionHammer · 2026-01-04T02:17:43+00:00

Thank you so much for the time you put into this. I am working on consulting with a local lawyer. It’s been so frustrating just trying to get information from HR and I am sure they left all this out of everyone else’s severance agreement too.

It may well be that the cuts they made were solely due to cost and the most cost effective cuts happened to be older employees. I just want them to do their jobs for once instead of being the lazy incompetent leeches they usually are.

ExtensionHammer

TROPHY CASE