Home and Garden Tips

How to create the ideal home study space

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Study skills are integral to academic success. Such abilities help students learn more efficiently and effectively, which can lead to better grades on assignments and tests. Developing strong study habits can prepare students for future success in life, as dedication to studying can be mirrored in habits related to job performance. The desire to study is one component of being […]

DNR classifies 13 invasive species as prohibited

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has classified 13 high-risk invasive aquatic plants, fish and invertebrates as prohibited invasive species. The DNR classifies invasive species as prohibited to prevent their introduction and spread in Minnesota and to protect the state’s environment, economy, natural resources and outdoor recreation. It is unlawful to possess, import, purchase, transport or introduce prohibited invasive species, […]

University of Minnesota seed trials information

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I was contemplating writing a column on ground covers for my March column, when all of a sudden, an email appeared announcing the results of last year’s seed trials with information about the 2024 seed trials. I have written on seed trials before, but it is always fun to look at the results of the trials from last season and […]

SLC Sheriff’s office gifted fire suppression tool

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY – When a house catches fire in a rural community, it’s not uncommon for a sheriff’s deputy working patrol to arrive before firefighters. If there are people trapped inside, it’s extremely dangerous for a deputy, who lacks fire safety equipment, to try and help them. Two Duluth-area Masonic lodges donated 10 portable fire suppression tools to the […]

Prune oaks now to avoid oak wilt infection

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The unusually warm winter might leave more than a mark on the record books—it could hasten the invasive oak wilt infection risk. Now is the safest time to prune and trim oak trees to prevent the spread of this deadly disease, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Oak wilt, a non-native fungal disease, is spread when sap-feeding beetles […]

Tips to avoid the buildup of clutter at home

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Clutter has a way of taking over a home. As time goes by, items that are not stored or discarded when they’ve lost their utility can gradually take over a space, creating a claustrophobic, cluttered feeling that can affect how people feel in their homes. Clutter is not something to be taken lightly. A 2010 study published in the journal […]

Tips to help houseplants thrive over winter

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Winter can be harsh. Frigid temperatures and fewer hours of daylight can take a toll, and many people prefer to stay warm inside as much as possible during winter. Indoor air also can take a toll, leading to dry skin and increasing individuals’ exposure to viruses, such as those that cause the common cold. Warm and dry indoor air also […]

Finding the benefits and ease of using grow bags

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Several years ago, I was thinking about how to make my garden space more user friendly (for me). My potato garden was especially difficult for me to deal with in the fall. It never failed, while digging potatoes I would inadvertently spear several which resulted in beautiful potatoes being maimed. There must be an easier way. I moved potatoes to […]

Traditional home hallmarks and characteristics

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A home can say a lot about its inhabitants. Perhaps that’s one reason why renters and homeowners alike spend so much time and expend so much effort on the various design components of their homes. Home styles are as diverse as the people who live in the homes. Each design style has its proponents, but traditional style homes are among […]

What to consider for fire protection of your home

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Over a five-year period beginning in 2015 and 2019, fire departments across the United States responded to roughly 347,000 home structure fires per year. That data, courtesy of the National Fire Protection Association, underscores the significance of home fire protection measures. Smoke detectors are a key component of fire protection, but there’s much more homeowners can do to protect themselves, […]


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