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Be observant
It’s been a different sort of winter. As gardeners, we need to pay close attention to what is happening in our landscapes as spring arrives.
- Watch for insects (see Marissa Schuh’s article).
- Feel your soil and water it if it's dry, followed by mulching (leaf mulch works great).
- Prune off winter dieback.
- And keep good records on how your plants are performing.
Find climate-resilient, native trees and plants recommended for southeast Minnesota.
It is time to bring in the houseplants you have kept outside this summer. Here's what to do before you bring them back indoors.
![Woman shows man how to identify oak acorns](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/JeffJackson-oak-acorns.jpeg?h=8e2b5fb6&itok=6bm72sxl)
Extension is working with The Nature Conservancy and Minnesota DNR to develop a tree seed collection training program in an effort to reforest one million acres in Minnesota by 2040.
![A person in a white shirt, blue jeans with a yellow button up holding two tomatoes, one larger than the other. Both are a cherry orange color.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/tomato-hands.jpg?h=af9ff919&itok=ftatV0tP)
If you are saving seeds, now is the time to start collecting them.
![Bee hovering above a crimson clover flower.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/crimson-clover.jpg?h=790587f2&itok=D5TmOACx)
Cover crops can improve the health of your soil. There are several times during the year that you can plant, including now.
![Round green, purple and white plants with wavy texture in a garden bed.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/Brassica-oleraceas-Nagoya-Mix-form1.jpg?h=cb7eba4b&itok=FH2xol_4)
There's still plenty to do in the garden before wrapping up the season.
![A drought-stressed maple tree has leaves browning from the tips toward the center of the leaf.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/Drought%20stressed%20maple%20tree%20-%20Robert%20L.%20Anderson%2C%20USDA%20Forest%20Service%2C%20Bugwood.org_.jpg?h=5a43c567&itok=yM0kJz2W)
This is the third consecutive year of drought across much of the state, and successive years of drought can compound stress on trees. There are steps you can take to reduce drought stress on your woods.
![A rich, deep green forest with a closed canopy and lush understory plants](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/Northern%20hardwood%20forest%20stand.png?h=6f9f2036&itok=IBId3-hQ)
Extension foresters provide recommended tree and plant lists for east-central Minnesota.
![Green lawn with weeds beside a street curb.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/weedy-lawn-fall.jpg?h=00e18867&itok=FkQrVpKz)
This is the best time of the year to encourage a healthy lawn next year through proper fertilization and weed control.
![Soil testing lab sign.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/soil-lab-sign-umn.jpg?h=2cb0256d&itok=WJ1SzNgK)
Thinking of soil testing in the spring? Consider testing this fall when the Soil Testing Lab has a smaller backlog of samples to test, results are just as accurate, and you can be ready for planting as soon as the soil thaws.
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