✅ Have you read the May garden checklist yet? Read our tips below or at z.umn.edu/agkp. - Water the soil, not the leaves. Wet leaves allow pathogens to thrive. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses, or direct water at the base of plants. - Mulch the base of plants, and remove any diseased plant parts promptly. Don't add diseased plant debris to home compost — it typically does not get hot enough to kill the pathogens. - Now’s a great time to plant woody shrubs. Consider serviceberry for its beautiful blooms, edible berries and benefits to pollinators. Take note of what’s blooming around you and use our plant selection tools to match plants to your site conditions. - Inspect plants before purchase. If you see leaf spots or dark, sunken areas on stems or roots, select a different plant. Many plant tags list whether the variety is resistant to common diseases - Fertilize houseplants while they are actively growing from late spring into early fall. The more frequently you water, the more you may need to fertilize. Be careful not to overfertilize, and follow directions on the fertilizer label. - Fertilize lawns with the right product (look for a 3:0:1 ratio) and skip the “weed and feed.” Spot-treat weeds and fertilize just before a light rain if you can. - Harden off your transplants! Slowly acclimate them to outdoor sun and wind to avoid stress and leaf burn. (fb)

From pizza farms and goat yoga to U-pick farms and barn weddings, these activities are all a part of the growing agritourism industry. Extension Educator DeeDee LeMier shared about how agritourism supports farmers, impacts Minnesota's impact, and builds community in the latest “Talking...with University of Minnesota." Read more: z.umn.edu/aggr (fb)