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Past Projects : 2004 - 2007 : Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC) Housing Futures Demonstration—Case study prototypes
Online resources related to home landscaping and sustainable practices:
- General
- Sustainable Landscaping
- Gardening and Home Landscaping
- Composting
- Lawn Care
- Rain Gardens
- Edible Flowers
- Fruits
- Poisonous Plants
- Soil Testing
- Backyard Wildlife
- University of Minnesota Extension Service
Publication Catalog
(http://www.extension.umn.edu/units/dc/)
The University of Minnesota Extension Service’s web site provides a wealth of information about home landscape care. This link takes you to the online catalog of educational materials. Selected Extension Service publications and links are highlighted elsewhere in this resource list. - Minnesota State Horticultural Society
(http://www.northerngardener.org/mngreenlinks.htm)
This site includes a comprehensive list of online resources specific to gardening in Minnesota. Included are links for community gardening, northern gardening, insects and diseases, and many more. - Garden Minnesota
(http://www.gardenminnesota.com/)
A helpful web site for Minnesota gardeners, including a detailed month-by-month“to do” list for gardeners.
- University of Minnesota
Sustainable Urban Landscape Information Series
(http://www.sustland.umn.edu/)
This site takes the visitor through the various stages of creating a sustainable yard. Included are extensive sections on design, plant selection, implementation, and maintenance, each with how-to instructions, photographs, and illustrations. - Hennepin County
Eco-Yard Seminars
(http://www.co.hennepin.mn.us/vgn/portal/internet/hcdetailmaster/
0,2300,1273_1716_100295472,00.html)
This link takes you to a list of upcoming landscaping and yard maintenance classes offered by Hennepin County. - Oregon State University Extension Service
Basic Design Concepts for Sustainable Landscapes
(http://eesc.orst.edu/agcomwebfile/edmat/html/EC/EC1533/EC1533.html)
A good introductory web site about designing a home landscape. This site is not as extensive as the Sustainable Urban Landscape Information Series mentioned above. - University of Minnesota Extension Service
Native Plants for Sustainable Landscapes: Establishment and Management of Lakeshores and Gardens
(http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG7447.html)
A great resource for lakeshore property owners or homeowners in a sensitive watershed district, this publication gives an in depth look at the benefits of sustainable lakeshore landscapes. It discusses the benefits of using native plants and describes how to create a sustainable landscape plan specifically for lakeshore properties. Plant lists and sources of native plants and erosion control materials are also provided. - Environmental Protection Agency
A Source Book on Natural Landscaping for Public Officials
(http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/greenacres/toolkit/index.html)
This is an extensive online resource about “natural landscaping.” The publication is geared toward professionals and larger projects.
Gardening and Home Landscaping
- University of Minnesota Extension Service resources:
Ornamental Grasses for Cold Climates (http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG6411.html)
This publication (#BU-6411) from the University of Minnesota Extension Service features ornamental grasses that are native or adapted to our climate. Some of the topics include culture, maintenance, soils, and pests. Grasses for different landscape conditions are also discussed. - Trees Shrubs & Vines for Minnesota Landscapes
(http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG0545.html) - Native Trees for Landscape Use
(http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG0466.html) - Planting Trees and Shrubs for Long-Term Health
(http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG7681.html)
This publication (#MI-07681) provides instructions about how to most effectively plant trees and shrubs for long-term health. The most current research is presented in an easy to understand manner. - Establishing and Maintaining a Prairie Garden
(http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG6748.html)
- University of Minnesota Extension Service resources:
What can you compost?
(http://www.extension.umn.edu/info-u/plants/BG275.html)
A brief web site discussing what can and cannot be composted. - Composting and Mulching: A Guide to Managing Organic Yard Wastes (http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG3296.html)
This site is an online version of a print publication (#BU-03296). The site provides information about requirements for efficient decomposition of wastes; how to locate, build, and maintain a compost bin; and how to use compost in your yard. A list of additional references and web resources is included. - Options for Disposing of Leaves
(http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG5570.html)
This University of Minnesota Extension Service site provides options for using leaves at home as well as information about off-site disposal.
- University of Minnesota Extension Service resources:
Lawn Clipping Management
(http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG3915.html)
This site provides general information about lawn maintenance. - Turfgrass Management for Protecting Surface Water Quality
(http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG5726.html)
This site provides information about minimizing stormwater runoff by maintaining a healthy lawn.
- Rain Gardens of West Michigan
(http://www.raingardens.org/Index.php) - University of Wisconsin Extension Service
Rain Gardens: A How-to Manual for Homeowners & Rain Gardens: A Household Way to Improve Water Quality in your Community
(http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/raingarden/)
This link takes you to two very useful downloadable documents about rain gardens. - The Neponset River Watershed Association
(http://www.neponset.org/raingarden.htm)
- University of Minnesota Extension Service
(http://www.extension.umn.edu/projects/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/H104edibleflowers.html) - Iowa State University
(http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1995/7-21-1995/eatflow.html) - Colorado State University Cooperative Extension
(http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/Garden/07237.html)
- University of Minnesota Extension Service resources:
Fruits for Minnesota
(http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG1104.html) - Growing Stone Fruits in Minnesota Home Gardens
(http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG1125.html)
This Extension Service publication (#FO-01125) describes in-depth the planting, pruning, fertilization, and harvest of stone fruits such as peaches, plums, cherries, and apricots in Minnesota. - Growing Grapes for Home Use
(http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG1103.html)
This publication site provides gardening tips for growing grapes including pruning, harvesting, and propagation. It also contains a partial list of grape varieties and their characteristics.
- Texas AM & M University System
(http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/publications/poison/poison.html)
This site includes a chart with information about poisonous plants, including which part is poisonous and what are the symptoms of poisoning. - Minnesota Poison Control System
(http://www.mnpoison.org/index.asp?pageID=116)
This web site provides plant lists of non-toxic plants, plants with minor toxicity, and plants that are highly toxic. The lists are available as PDF files.
- University of Minnesota Soil Testing Laboratory
(http://soiltest.coafes.umn.edu/)
This site explains how to take and submit a soil sample from your yard. It also provides links to gardening resources.
- National Wildlife Federation
Plan your Habitat
(http://www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/planyourhabitat.cfm)
This portion of the National Wildlife Federation’s web site provides advice about habitat planning for your backyard. This site includes sections about identifying habitat elements that currently exist in your yard; providing the four basic elements for wildlife; and practicing resource conservation in your yard. There are also useful sections with checklists, to-do lists, and species lists. This site also allows you to certify your backyard as an official Backyard Wildlife Habitat site.
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