Carrie Barre-LiBaire's Gardening Column

Down to Earth Gardening

There is a fungus among us! The weather has been just right for producing mushrooms in our lawns and gardens. These mushrooms are the reproductive spore-producing parts of fungi that are decomposing organic material in the soil. These fungi are usually living off dead roots or woodchips left behind when a tree or shrub is removed from the landscape. We have had many calls about what to do about these fungi, and unfortunately, there is nothing to spray on your lawn to get rid of them. There really isn't much to do about them period, but if you are concerned that they pose a hazard to pets or children, you can rake the mushrooms off and dispose of them. They will probably pop back up again when the conditions are right until the matter they are living off of is gone. This is natures recycling system, so with all the talk about "going green", you can feel good in knowing that you are participating in an outdoor recycling program.

This is a good opportunity to teach children not to eat things that they find outside. This also includes berries on trees or shrubs. I tell my children not to eat anything outside, unless an adult they know has told them that it's okay to eat. Children are fascinated by colorful berries at eye level, or strange patches of fungi on the lawn. Yesterday my older son and his friend informed me that they were picking poisonous berries so that the birds wouldn't eat them. I had to explain to them that the berries aren't poisonous to the birds, but are probably poisonous to us. Some common plants that are poisonous include oak tree acorns, elderberry, rhubarb leaves, bleeding hearts, elephant ears, foxglove, lily of the valley, yew, mistletoe and azaleas. Ingesting these can be fatal. Know the plants in your home and garden. Treat unknown plants with respect, and teach children to do the same.

There are many new resources available to curious gardeners with access to a computer. The University of Minnesota Extension has updated their Yard and Garden website with a new Gardening Information site, http://www.extension.umn.edu/gardeninfo/. This is a great new tool for finding information on many different topics, including Yard & Garden News, diagnostics, questions, plant information and educational opportunities throughout the state. Our own Douglas County Master Gardeners have followed the University's lead and have created our own website at http://www.dcmg.info. Here you will find upcoming activities, programs, contact information, and past gardening columns.

If the annuals in your containers are looking tired, this is a great time to replace any that have succumbed to the intense sun and heat. Keep fertilizing all of your annuals every 2 weeks. They are heavy feeders and this will ensure that they look their best for the rest of the summer. It's also a good time to analyze how your perennials are performing, if they are outgrowing their space or need dividing later. And, of course; water, weed, repeat.

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