Garden Advice for Spring 2026
- Mar 7
- 4 min read
Information from the Garden Education Volunteer Program of Ramsey County
03/07/26
Lilacs in the garden | Photo by Garden Education Volunteer
Ramsey County Master Gardeners are now “Garden Education Volunteers”
The University of Minnesota Extension, in collaboration with Ramsey County leadership, has renamed the Master Gardener Volunteer Program within Ramsey County. Starting this year, we are the Garden Education Volunteers of Ramsey County.
New name; same passion, same dedication, and same credentials as Master Gardener volunteers in other parts of the state. The name update reflects the ways we support our neighbors in a way that reflects the trust and comfort we hope all community members feel when working with us. We continue to use research-based knowledge to develop collaborative relationships that emphasize the important role of plants and horticulture, and the impact on local ecosystems in all Minnesota communities.
Save the date! Plant Sale May 16
Garden Education Volunteers will be selling an incredible variety of plants at the annual sale on Saturday May 16 at Aldrich Arena in Maplewood. This is one of the largest community plant sales in the Twin Cities! Shop for landscape plants, vegetables, flowers, native plants and houseplants — there is a little bit of everything! We look forward to seeing you there!
Spring Garden Activities
Start seeds for spring planting — use this seed-starting guide as a helpful reference
Consider winter sowing or other strategies to get a jump-start on the growing season
Start fertilizing actively growing houseplants
Monitor temperature in greenhouses, cold frames, low tunnels, or winter sowing jugs
Divide some perennials (April through June)
Start cool-season seeds outside
Prune spring flowering trees and shrubs (forsythia, lilac, azaleas) after they bloom
Direct seed spring cover crops
Apply pre-emergent herbicide for crabgrass control
Protect tender plants against late spring frost dates
Clean up garden beds after night temperatures are above 50 degrees
Plant new trees and shrubs
Fertilize houseplants while they are actively growing from late spring into early fallFebruary
Spring Garden Information
Repurposing Potted Bulbs
Have the flowers from your potted bulb garden faded? Some forced bulbs transplant more successfully than others in the landscape. For example, forced daffodil bulbs transplanted in the landscape may regrow and bloom in 1 to 2 years if the plants are cared for properly. When the flowers in your potted bulb garden fade, place the pot in a sunny window until it is warm enough to move it outside (~50°F at night). Then, put the pot in a sunny location and continue watering it. When the leaves start to fade in early to midsummer, stop watering. Remove the bulbs from the pot and let them dry out for a few weeks, but don’t let them get so dry that they become wrinkly. Then, store them in a paper bag in a cool location (45-50°F). In the fall, plant them in your garden with your other spring flowering bulbs.
Native Plants for Minnesota Gardens
Native plants provide essential food and habitat for wildlife, including birds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Many native plants produce nectar, pollen, and seeds that are crucial for these creatures’ survival. Check out this list of recommended native plant species for Minnesota gardens.
Webinar 3/12/2026: Adapting to climate change in your yard and garden
How is climate change impacting spring temperatures and precipitation patterns across Minnesota, and what does this mean for your yard and garden? In this webinar, UMN Climate Scientist Sam Potter will discuss past trends and future changes in spring weather and climate including warming temperatures, timing of the last freeze, changing precipitation types and amounts, and soil moisture. Horticulture Extension Educator Laura Irish-Hanson will discuss the implications of these changes on the landscape, and provide tips for responding to a changing climate in your yard and garden. March 12 | Register here.
Selecting trees to plant this spring
As we have learned from Dutch elm disease, which killed American elms, and the emerald ash borer, which is killing ash trees, we need to diversify our landscapes by planting many tree species and avoiding overplanting a single tree family. Check out this guide from UMN Extension on choosing trees for your landscape.
This Earth Day, visit a state park - for free!
Each spring, the Department of Natural Resources offers free admission to all state parks on the Saturday after Earth Day. Save the date for this year: Saturday, April 25.
Tapping maple and other trees
Tried tapping sugar or silver maples on your property? What about black walnuts? The best conditions for sap flow are warm days and nights at or below freezing. See the Extension page on making homemade maple syrup, and watch Hort Shorts on YouTube for videos tapping black walnut and maple.
Healthier soil, less work with no-till gardening
The no-till approach is gaining traction for good reason. Instead of tilling, gardeners layer compost and organic matter on top of existing soil. This preserves soil structure, boosts microbial life, improves moisture retention and reduces run-off. It’s a win-win-win: healthier plants, less work, and better for the environment.
More Resources to Help You Grow
Ask a Garden Education Volunteer Online & Phone Services
Ramsey County Yard Waste & Food Scraps Drop-off Locations