Hi there, We got our soil test back and now I have concerns. We are going to put in a small orchard on out property of about 20-30 trees. The soil sample came back and said… Your soil test indicates, on a yearly basis per 1,000 sq. feet: • Nitrogen (3 to 4 lb) is needed • Phosphate (1.9 lb) is needed • Potassium (2.7 lb) is needed • No lime required • Add organic matter So that is not what we were hoping for but it’s our bed and I’m going to sleep in it. My question is is it a good idea to put the trees in the spring 2025 or should I work on amending it this year and hold off on the trees until fall 2025/spring 2026? What I don’t want to do it put in all these tree for them to stress out and die or wait until year 2 or 3 and they don’t produce, hence wasting time and maybe money. Thank you in advance and happy holidays! Tom

which apps are best for identifying flowers , best for weeds , best for plants in general , best for trees--there are many apps but i would like to limit that number to the best for minnesota plants

Can Splenda be used as a substitute for sugar in jellies?

Hi there! It's my first time growing something from seed since maybe the 3rd grade. I have some Baptisia seeds that I scarified and was cold stratifying when some of them began to sprout..! I put them in little seedling things and boy, they've really taken off! Their roots were already coming out of the bottom of the seedling pods so I sized them up a bit but I've been reading about what long tap roots Baptisia plants get and I'm concerned about providing them with enough support to carry them through til May or June when I can get them planted outside (More specifically--for their root system). They're currently in a warmish enclosed space with a grow light on for a good chunk of the day with seedling soil that I'm trying to balance out in not soaking but maintaining enough moisture. Do you have any tips or advice for this unexpectedly long indoor growing season for them before I harden them off and plant them outdoors in May/June? (Or am I way overthinking things and there's not necessarily anything special I "need" to be doing for them?) Thank you so much!

Hard brown growths on 45 year old shrub. Deer strip lower branches of leaves. Leaves have white discoloration. I think these are galls. Can you tell me how to treat this plant. Thanks.

My brother just gave me a Pink Lemonade Blueberry bush. It's about three feet tall. I assume I have to wait until spring to plant it outside? Any tips for caring for it over the winter? I would love to take really good care of it now, so it will thrive when planted. Thank you.

White pine is about 20 years old. Needles are turning brown, and a black substance are turning. Some of the needles black and branches are coded in black.

Hello,

I grew an abundance of hot/superhot peppers this year. I’m using the Bernardin’s Habanero Gold jelly recipe which is a safe canning recipe but I’m wondering if I can substitute the peppers in the recipe to create some variety and still have it remain safe? My assumption is that using peppers hotter than a habanero will only continue to drop the Ph but I’m uncertain and I’m looking for some guidance if this is safe practice (similar thought to hot sauce). 

The peppers I’m looking to substitute the habaneros with are, Aji lemon drop, sugar rush stripy, jays peach ghost scorpion, fatalii peppers. 

Thank you!

Do you currently offer a class in the lansing area? I know of a senior who might be interested.