Gardening
sort: title | dateAlternative Landscaping
updated: Thursday, April 26, 2012Alternative or Sustainable Landscapes encompass a variety of plants, aesthetics and biological dynamics that are promoted in St. Louis Park. We appreciate and plant many native and alternative landscapes on our own City properties and encourage you to consider an alternative landscape for your property. Click here for more information on implementing...
County Extension Service
updated: Wednesday, February 29, 2012Hennepin County's Extension Service, now merged with the University of Minnesota Extension Service, provides access to master gardeners who can answer questions about gardening, yard care, soil testing, composting, insects, and animal predation. The extension office can also answer cooking, laundry and consumer questions. There is...
Gardening Links
updated: Wednesday, February 29, 2012- Arbor Day Foundation
- Metro Blooms
- Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association
- Minnesota Grown
- Phosphorous
- Sustainable Urban Landscape Information Series
- University of Minnesota Extension Service
Get Tree and Landscaping Advice
updated: Wednesday, February 29, 2012The City Forester is available to answer your questions about tree care, tree diseases or drainage problems related to landscaping and will even make free house calls. The forester can also advise you on tree species that are suitable for your home or business sites. Click here for more information on selected tree species for St. Louis Park.
Lawn Care: Fertilizing and Pesticide Use
updated: Monday, March 19, 2012Keep Fertilizer from Reaching Ponds and Lakes
If you're fertilizing your lawn, please make sure to keep fertilizer off sidewalks, driveways and all other hard surfaces. Minnesota law prohibits the release of fertilizer on impervious surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways or the street. To learn more about what you can do,click here.
Don't Fertilize Unnecessarily
Have your soil tested once every five years to determine whether you need to fertilize. The University of Minnesota sells soil sample test kits for $15.00. For more information, call (612) 374-8400. The Minnesota Extension Service recommends fertilizing lawns no more than three times a year: mid-May, early September and mid-October.
Use Weed Killers and Pesticides Sparingly
Apply them only to the trouble spot - not the entire lawn. Click here for more information on sustainable landscaping
Choose a Lawn Fertilizer without Phosphorous
To protect water quality, Minnesota State law prohibits the use of phosphorus fertilizers on lawns and turf in the seven county Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Most soil in St. Louis Park has ample amounts of phosphorus and does not need additional amounts. However, there are exceptions to the law. Phosphorus-containing fertilizer can be applied to residential lawns if
- A soil test indicates insufficient phosphorus or
- This is the first growing season for new seed or sod.
When phosphorous from fertilizers when it makes its way into ponds and lakes, it causes excessive algae growth and scum. Make sure the middle number on the fertilizer package (which indicates the amount of phosphorus) is zero. Commercial lawn care services will also provide fertilizers without phosphorus upon request.
Aerate your Lawn
Through aeration you reduce the amount of fertilizer and pesticide you need to use. Aeration removes plugs of grass, loosens the soil and promotes healthy root development. Aerated lawns absorb water more quickly and minimize run-off.
New Oak Disease Identified
updated: Friday, February 10, 2012There has been a new disease, called Bur Oak Blight (BOB) , identified for the Twin Cities area. This disease affects Bur oak trees and mimics sypmtoms of Oak wilt disease, with lots of brown leaves appearing during the growing season. Click here for more information on BOB.
No Mow Grass
updated: Monday, March 19, 2012No or low mow grass is a great alternative to our standard, high maintenance, Kentucky Bluegrass. No/low mow grass is easy to install and will only grow to a limited height (approximately 6-8 inches) so you will never need to mow it, saving fossil fuels, and other inputs such as water and fertilizer. Click here for more information on no/low...
Plant a Tree
updated: Thursday, April 26, 2012The City of St. Louis Park loses hundreds of trees a year due to development, diseases and other factors. Unfortunately not all trees are being replaced on private properties (the City does try to replace trees removed in parks and boulevards on a one for one basis within a year of tree removal) and our mature tree canopy is diminishing.
Related Links
updated: Tuesday, April 24, 2012- Sustainable Urban Landscape Information Series
- University of Minnesota Extension Service
- Arbor Day Foundation
Tree Replacement
updated: Thursday, April 26, 2012Effective in 2010, council has passed the Urban Reforestation Program and Policy that will provide a healthy and diverse tree population to support the City's vision regarding environmental stewardship. This policy will enable the City to plant more trees on the boulevard. If you're interested in a tree for your boulevard, please contact the city forester...
Win a Landscape Award!
updated: Monday, March 19, 2012Win a Landscaping Award!
Nominations Due August 1st of each year.
Evergreen Award Nomination Form
Homes, apartment buildings and businesses located in St. Louis Park with exceptional plantings of flowers, shrubs and trees that are highly visible are eligible for the Evergreen Award. A certificate of recognition, publicity on the city's website and a green plant are presented to winners by the City Council each autumn.
For more information, contact Environmental Coordinator Jim Vaughan at (952) 924-2699 or jvaughan@stlouispark.org
