Gardening Season Begins

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Summer is here, which means gardeners are turning up soil and setting in roots.

KVRR’s Nick Broadway asked professional and home gardeners for some tips on how to keep your plants up.

Shotwell’s Vice President J.D. Shotwell says, “oriental grasses, geraniums, and petunias” are the top three plants gardeners in Fargo are putting in their soil.

But it’s more than just planting flowers and growing food. They say there’s a personal connection.

“I have a little boy who loves to help me. He’ll pick out flowers he likes to dig in the dirt with me also, we connect. It’s a great bonding time for family,” says home gardener Valerie Genoch.

“It’s a labor of love, and just people love being out there and enjoying the weather and as you watch those things grow and blossom into beautiful pots, it’s just fantastic,” Shotwell says.

“I think it’s very therapeutic, it relaxes me,” says organic gardener Tanya Reinke.

Gardening requires patience and timing. With our extreme winters and heavy rainfalls, here are some things to keep in mind.

“Number one, keep it simple,” says Shotwell.

“Make sure you give them enough room to grow,” says Reinke.

“Don’t over water or under water,” says Shotwell.

Experts say to wait on starting your garden in case late spring cold fronts come through the Valley.

“My grandfather always said Memorial Weekend, never before,” says Shotwell.

Sometimes, you don’t even need a yard to start growing.

“I took a rain gutter, my girlfriend and I, and we sawed it in half and drilled some holes in the bottom and took some tie twists and got it on there and planted some basil and flowers this morning,” says home gardener Sheila Thomas.

Keep these tips and fun ideas in mind when growing your own plants at home.

There are many places in the F/M area where you can buy plants, find gardening tools, and seek advice from professional gardeners.

Shotwell Floral Greenhouses is located on 4000 40th St S., Fargo.

Hildebrant’s Farmers Market is located in West Fargo on 349 E Main Ave, Fargo.

You can also check out Floral Expressions on 1002 Main ave in Fargo.

If you’re in the Fergus Falls area, you can visit The Flower Mill on 205 W Lincoln Ave.