We have more Kandiyohi County Master Gardener reports this week.
Daryl Anderson from Raymond reports: “Growing flowers and vegetables in pots in 2025 made for an abundant season. The flowers did well all summer. I watered my pots no more than six times in total.
“The fairy tale eggplant provided a continuous supply to make a quick ratatouille while the Red Robin cherry tomatoes produced enough to oven roast or use for salads.
“The raised beds in the vegetable garden fared very well despite losing the battle with the weeds. I had good luck growing early season crops of bok choy, lettuce and kale. Green and waxed beans produced well after a trimming by a rabbit. The Roma and slicing tomatoes were large with no blossom end rot.
“This year’s garlic grew well and was harvested two weeks later than expected. The garlic heads were a bit smaller than normal. The same was true when visiting with commercial growers.”
Dale and Judi Lauer from north of Willmar report the following:
“We had a big downsize project in our gardens this year. But Joe Pye lives on!
“Six-foot deer fence is really working in our big garden, amazing how plants look when the deer aren’t nibbling on them.
“Planting ‘deer-resistant’ plants in our landscape is working so far. (Lantana, boxwood and Spice Girl viburnum). Plan to plant more deer-resistant annuals, perennials next year.
“Dahlias in a large pot works! We enjoyed watching the blooms on our deck closer to the house.
“Overwintered some geraniums this year, will do it again next year.
“Lots of rain and it was great for seeding new grass as part of our landscaping project. “
In conclusion, this will be my last column for the 2025 gardening year. Time to reflect on the good, bad and ugly. We had a very open winter. Nice for snow removal but not so nice for winter protection of the perennial garden.
Nice rain in April and then the sky opened up and stayed open until sometime in September. After dealing with water all summer, the farmers were able to have a warm and dry fall for harvest. Same for gardeners.
I had more perennials die over winter than ever.
The rain brought dozens of beautiful daylilies. In the middle of September, I discovered blooming Queen of the Prairie. A neighbor gave me some many years ago.
Due to construction, I had to move these plants in 2002 and enjoyed them in my cottage garden for several years. Forgot about them as they disappeared a few years later.
A miracle — they were back in full bloom in September — for a plant that always blooms in late June. A wonderful surprise.
No apples this year. When they were blooming, we had hot and windy weather and the blooms only lasted three days, and bees take the day off in hot weather.
Early Girl tomato was a disappointment. They produced well but the fruits were about half the size they should have been. Were they mislabeled in the nursery? Or was it the year?
With all the rain, I didn’t have to water hanging baskets very often. Bubble Gum supertunias didn’t disappoint. Still my favorite.
The ugly part of the year was the South Fork of the Crow River flooding the fields for six weeks after the huge June rains. Never had water come up into the lawn and trees before.
So I have lost two apple trees, a plum and a bunch of black walnuts and won’t know until ’26 what else. Don’t tell me there isn’t climate change.
Make notes, check out new introductions and make plans for next year.
Master Gardener Sue Morris has been writing a column since 1991 for Kandiyohi County newspapers. Morris has been certified through the University of Minnesota as a gardening and horticulture expert since 1983. She lives in Kandiyohi County.
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