By Bev Johnson Master Gardener Iron is only one of 16 essential elements that plants need to grow. Here are the others. Macronutrients. Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), and Oxygen (O). then there are the secondary nutrients. Calcium (C), Sulfur (S), and Magnesium (MG).  and micronutrients. Iron (FE), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo),… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda I’ve reached an age of balance. Not “balance” as in I do or don’t tip over, but “balance” in that conditions and situations in my life suddenly seem to have balance between them. Example: I’m retired, so there is more time to do stuff. Example: Therefore, I have more opportunity to use various… Read More

By Bev Johnson Master Gardener Bunkey noticed some odd lumps on the leaves on one of his Burr oaks. Since it shaded the house from the hot summer sun he didn’t want to lose it. He picked a few of the leaves and took them to the Extension office. There he was told that the lumps… Read More

To the Editor, Thanks, Joe for your selfless decision to step down from the presidency in face of mounting concerns for your age over the next 4 years. This, in no way diminishes the greatness of your presidency which, although criticized by your opponents, will shine brightly by historians as a nation and democracy saving term… Read More

With our deepest gratitude we want to thank our community for all the thoughts, prayers, cards, kind comments, stories, and hugs after our husband, father, and grandfather, Troy Henderson, passed away unexpectedly in June. It has completely changed our world, but with your support, it has made it that much easier on all of us. … Read More

The New York Mills Dream Team for Relay for Life would like to thank Everyone who supported them in the never ending fight against cancer at this year’s Relay. The team appreciates your support as you attend our fundraisers, buy luminaries and donate every year. A special thanks to the many business sponsors who continue to believe… Read More

By Bev Johnson Master Gardener Our hot, damp weather is perfect for the growth of that yucky white powder that seems to be on every plant in the garden. Woody shrubs can have a light dusting of powdery white spots to leaves completely covered with what looks like white felt. Ninebark, especially the dark leaved variety,… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda I come from a farming background, having grown up in NE Iowa in the Fifties. One of the things I have more than a passing familiarity with is baling wire. You don’t hear or see that term much anymore, much less find many people with a working knowledge of it, or from… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: Since I’ve moved to Minnesota, I’ve seen many drivers use right turn lanes as a bypass lane.  Is this legal or does the sign reading “lane must turn” mean exactly what it says? Answer: White signs are regulatory and failing to comply can result in a citation for “fail to obey… Read More

By Rodney Bernu Special to the Dispatch In the 1930s, before the invention of television and other distractions, it was common for farm families to spend their free time enjoying the simple things in life like family picnics, visiting friends and neighbors, and of course, fishing. From the time I was five years old, my parents let me… Read More