Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883

Articles written by Esther E. Mcginnis


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  • Dakota Gardener: What makes daylilies special?

    Esther E. McGinnis, Horticulturist, NDSU Extension|Aug 12, 2024

    Do you want to hear a deep, dark secret? I didn't use to be a fan of daylilies. This confession is sheer heresy because I now oversee one of the largest public collections of daylilies in the United States. North Dakota State University is home to the American Daylily Society Historic Daylily Collection and has approximately 2,000 cultivars. In my former ignorance, I used to think daylilies were rather pedestrian because you see them everywhere. Now, I have an incredible appreciation for them....

  • Dakota Gardener: The myth of high phosphorus fertilizers for more flowers

    Esther E. McGinnis, NDSU Extension|Aug 21, 2023

    In my youth, I worked for a well-known Minnesota garden center. My co-workers and I would be frequently asked why a customer’s dahlia, geranium or other prized ornamental plant wasn’t blooming. Without fail, we would sell the customer a high phosphorus fertilizer to stimulate flower production. In my current position as a North Dakota State University Extension horticulture specialist, my job is to give objective, evidence-based recommendations to help home gardeners. Thankfully, I am not expected to promote product sales but rather to deb...

  • Dakota Gardener: Putting the garden to bed

    Esther E. McGinnis|Oct 17, 2022

    As a North Dakotan, I appreciate the end of the gardening season. By fall, I am weary of weeding gardens, watering container plantings and mowing the lawn. Having just visited Georgia, I was reminded that southern gardeners don’t get the reprieve that we do. We have the luxury of taking an extended break from garden and lawn chores. By spring, our enthusiasm is renewed and we can’t wait to dig in the soil. With our autumn freezes, it is time to put the garden and lawn to bed for the long winter. Here are some tips to make gardening in spr...