Recent content from Deb Brown
![Lifelong garden writer Deb Brown.]JIM GEHRZ • jgehrz@startribune.com / Roseville, MN / July 9, 2014 / 10:30 AM](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/VSA3U7PUNR5GBCXPCM2GSTXVPA.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Master gardener offers a master list of favorites
I've been writing gardening articles for the Star Tribune for more than 30 years. I think it's time to bow out. Rather than passing on any final words of wisdom, I'm going to share the names of a few of my favorite plants.
Get your garden ready for bed
It takes more than luck to give your Âgarden a leg up. It takes action. Here are some things you can do this fall to prepare your yard and garden for winter — and next.
How to avoid downy mildew on impatiens
If impatiens will be making an appearance in your garden beds or containers this growing season, you should be on the alert for downy mildew disease.
Improve your garden by improving the soil
Having a good garden hinges on a lot of factors, but one thing that often gets overlooked but shouldn't is the soil.
Even if the snow melts, don't rake!
Raking won't make the snow melt. It won't thaw the ground. Or give the temperatures a boost. What will it do? "More harm than good," says one expert.
Give it up for the garden
From planting mulch to washing tools, there are plenty of things to do to get your yard and garden prepared for winter.
It's prime lawn care time
As garden chores wind down, you can turn your attention to improving your grass -- now and next spring.
A guide to watering in extreme heat
Don't wait until the soil is bone-dry and cracked. Find ways to continuously give your plants the water they need to stay healthy.
The grass is growing; make it greener
The waiting is over. It's time to feed, get after those weeds and seed thin area.
It's time to tend to houseplants
Now that the days are getting longer, houseplants are revving up. It's time to turn your attention to them, until you can get out in the garden.
End-of-season yard and garden wrap-up
Take advantage of the warm spell to take care of fall yard chores.
Following the path to greener grass
To get your lawn to look its best next spring, feed, seed, mow and weed now.
Get the best from balcony garden
Tending a balcony garden takes just as much time and effort as tending a container garden. Here's how to keep your plants looking their best.
Digging in: Damage control in your yard
Winter was good to our plants in many ways. The heavy snow cover provided a thick blanket that protected trees, shrubs and perennials. But now that the snow is receding, many of us are seeing problems.
Give plants a head start
Starting from seed lets you dabble in the dirt and get a jump on the growing season.
Mulch matters
Adding a layer of protective mulch is one of the best ways to help plants, especially those marginally hardy ones, make it through the harsh Minnesota winter.
Seasonal lawn seeding
It's getting late to seed for grass, unless you want to give dormant seeding a try.
The garden goes indoors
Don't stop at bringing in houseplants that spent the summer outside; you can also pot a few annuals to brighten your home.
Japanese beetlemania strikes
Our warm summer seems to have encouraged Japanese beetles, a garden scourge that doesn't really need a whole lot of help.
Deadhead - you'll be grateful
Removing faded flowers keeps plants producing and looking good, but it does take some time.
Most vines aren't made for the shade
There aren't many flowering vines that bloom in heavy shade, but there are shade-tolerant vines with good-looking foliage.
Put down that pruner
Most spring-blooming shrubs should be pruned shortly after they've bloomed, but many don't need to be pruned at all. If you have lilacs that are out of control, here's some advice for taming them.
Battling borers and beetles
Keeping plants healthy - and doing some hand-to-hand combat - will help keep your plants pest-free.
Digging in: What to know to grow
You can plant to put food on the table, but remember to start small, improve your soil, choose plants wisely and expect the unexpected.
Houseplants are hungry for growth
Now's the time to get back into the habit of regularly feeding your houseplants.
Plant lore: Fact or fiction?
When it comes to keeping cut flowers fresh and caring for houseplants, you'd be wise to ditch the aspirin, dump the mayo and start singing.
Flowers with staying power
Flowers fade. Poinsettias are pretty, but they lose their appeal once January rolls around. If you want a holiday plant that's still welcome in the new year, consider one of these long-lasting alternatives.
Birch trees can do well in Minn. , but there are things to know before planting
Birches are beautiful trees and usually grow well in Minnesota. But there are a few things you should know about them before planting.
Get handy with weeds
• Right now, pulling is the best way to deal with dandelions and other perennial weeds in your lawn.
Beating problems with beets
Beets don't necessarily need lots of sun to germinate. But they do need to be planted correctly and at the right time.
Planting under a tree
When planted together, trees and flowers can compete for sun, water and minerals. Here are a few ways to get them to peacefully coexist.
Oct. 22: Is it too late to plant spring bulbs?
Daffodils, hyacinths and smaller bulbs such as crocus, grape hyacinth and Siberian squill do best when you plant them by mid- to late October. Tulips tolerate late planting better, but it's still best to get them in as soon as possible.
Where to put your seed money
There's no trick to buying the best garden seeds. Look for plants that mature quickly, and don't buy more than you can use.
When to start seeds
Here's a general guideline for seed-starting dates in the Twin Cities area. (Move the date a week earlier for every 100 miles south of the metro area, and a week later for every 100 miles north.)