Deb Brown

Columnist
Digging In
Deb Brown is a garden writer and former extension horticulturist with the University of Minnesota. To ask her a question, call 612-673-9073 and leave a message. She will answer questions in her column.

Contact

EMAIL
noreply+deb-brown-st@voxmedia.com
PHONE
612-673-9073

Latest from Deb Brown

Migration Catchall

Master gardener offers a master list of favorites

I've been writing gardening articles for the Star Tribune for more than 30 years. I think it's time to bow out. Rather than passing on any final words of wisdom, I'm going to share the names of a few of my favorite plants.
July 15, 2014
Lifelong garden writer Deb Brown.]JIM GEHRZ • jgehrz@startribune.com / Roseville, MN / July 9, 2014 / 10:30 AM
Migration Catchall

Get your garden ready for bed

It takes more than luck to give your ­garden a leg up. It takes action. Here are some things you can do this fall to prepare your yard and garden for winter — and next.
September 24, 2013
Migration Catchall

How to avoid downy mildew on impatiens

If impatiens will be making an appearance in your garden beds or containers this growing season, you should be on the alert for downy mildew disease.
June 4, 2013
Top: Impatiens downy mildew progresses with stunted plants, yellowing leaves and white fuzz on leaf undersides. At bottom: In time, plants drop flowers and leaves. Illustrates GARDENING (category l), by Adrian Higgins (c) 2013, The Washington Post. Moved Wednesday, April 17, 2013. (MUST CREDIT: Margery Daughtrey/Cornell) ORG XMIT: MIN1304221628030002
Migration Catchall

Improve your garden by improving the soil

Having a good garden hinges on a lot of factors, but one thing that often gets overlooked but shouldn't is the soil.
May 7, 2013
**FOR USE WITH AP LIFESTYLES** Homemade compost is seen Sunday, March 8, 2009 in New Market, Va. Compost or "brown gold" is the product of decomposed green kitchen scraps, yard litter and garden wastes. It becomes a nutrient-rich soil amendment when livestock and poultry manures are added. No-till gardeners spread a deep layer of mulch over the home-made compost to enrich and safeguard surface soils. (AP Photo/Dean Fosdick) ORG XMIT: MIN2013050314500447
Migration Catchall

Even if the snow melts, don't rake!

Raking won't make the snow melt. It won't thaw the ground. Or give the temperatures a boost. What will it do? "More harm than good," says one expert.
April 16, 2013
Migration Catchall

DIY holiday blooms

For holiday decorations or gifts, green thumbs love forcing bulbs.
December 11, 2012
Amaryllis, make perfect hostess gifts and last-minute gifts for the holidays and beyond. We'll show you some new varities and inexpensive ways to package them prettily.
Migration Catchall

Making your house a green house

Tips on keeping your houseplants healthy over the winter.
November 6, 2012
Give your houseplants plenty of light during the dark months.
Migration Catchall

Give it up for the garden

From planting mulch to washing tools, there are plenty of things to do to get your yard and garden prepared for winter.
October 16, 2012
JIM GEHRZ � jgehrz@startribune.com Oakdale/August 27, 2009/7:00 PM Betty Erickson, Maplewood, cleaned up the garden after an evening of harvest at the Guardian Angels Catholic Church parish food shelf garden. Volunteers harvest about 10,000 pounds of produce every year and donate it to food shelves and the Loaves and Fishes dinner.
Migration Catchall

Even if the snow melts, don't rake!

Raking won't make the snow melt. It won't thaw the ground. Or give the temperatures a boost. What will it do? "More harm than good," says one expert.
April 16, 2013
Migration Catchall

DIY holiday blooms

For holiday decorations or gifts, green thumbs love forcing bulbs.
December 11, 2012
Amaryllis, make perfect hostess gifts and last-minute gifts for the holidays and beyond. We'll show you some new varities and inexpensive ways to package them prettily.
Migration Catchall

Making your house a green house

Tips on keeping your houseplants healthy over the winter.
November 6, 2012
Give your houseplants plenty of light during the dark months.
Migration Catchall

Give it up for the garden

From planting mulch to washing tools, there are plenty of things to do to get your yard and garden prepared for winter.
October 16, 2012
JIM GEHRZ � jgehrz@startribune.com Oakdale/August 27, 2009/7:00 PM Betty Erickson, Maplewood, cleaned up the garden after an evening of harvest at the Guardian Angels Catholic Church parish food shelf garden. Volunteers harvest about 10,000 pounds of produce every year and donate it to food shelves and the Loaves and Fishes dinner.
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