Brad Nagel It is with a heavy heart that I reach out to you today to share my thoughts about the passing of our good friend, Brad Nagel. It is moments like this that remind us how precious life is and we lean into our relationships a little closer and squeeze our loved ones a little tighter. There are people you meet along the path of life who you will never forget. Those who make a true, deep and lasting impact. For me, Brad was one of those people. We both grew up in this beautiful river town, went to the same church, the same schools, and both had a love for nature and exploring the natur ..read more

Are ready to plant a pollinator garden, but aren’t quite sure how to put it together? These base designs for native plant pollinator gardens are great templates for design and are customizable with substitutions for each plant. Choose the design that best fits your space and needs. Is it a shady area? Sunny? Maybe you’d like a rain garden to help improve water quality as well?  Use the plan as a shopping list to source your plants at Sargent’s. If the plant on the design isn’t available, we can suggest a good substitution for you! Plant your pollinator garden and watch the bees, butterfl ..read more

Struggling to find perennial plants that will grow in that shady nook of your garden? If you live in Southeast Minnesota, including our pretty Red Wing (Zone 4), don’t fret! Discover five magnificent perennial plants that thrive in low-light conditions, bringing beauty and vibrancy to your shaded oasis. 1️⃣ Astilbe These elegant beauties are a shade gardener’s dream come true! ? Astilbes flaunt feathery plumes in shades of pink, red, white, and lavender, adding a soft, romantic touch to your garden. With their fern-like foliage, they create a lush, enchanting atmosphere. 2️⃣ Bleeding Hearts ..read more

Jumping worms are becoming a hot topic. And if you haven’t heard of them yet, we’re sure you’ll be hearing more as these little buggers have been confirmed in Goodhue County. Jumping worms are mostly found in forest floor areas, where leaves and other natural debris decompose, so you’re not likely to find them in open field areas. Characteristics: 1 ½” – 8”plus in length Live in the leaf litter in the top few inches of the dirt Smooth,white to cloudy ring around body Jump or wiggle when disturbed. Can move in an “S” shape across the ground. So, why are they bad? The short answer is they bre ..read more

Feeding Backyard Birds in Winter The popularity of feeding backyard birds year round has grown in the last few years with folks spending more time in their homes. Much of the popular backyard feeding is done in the ways you normally think of with bird feeders, seed, and suet–these are all great ways to help out backyard birds that don’t migrate. Access to food and open water is important for species that winter in Minnesota and Wisconsin, but aside from the usual feeders, there’s another great way that you can plan to help birds in the winter… Sargent’s Nursery carries high-quality bird see ..read more

Feeding Backyard Birds in Winter The popularity of feeding backyard birds year round has grown in the last few years with folks spending more time in their homes. Much of the popular backyard feeding is done in the ways you normally think of with bird feeders, seed, and suet–these are all great ways to help out backyard birds that don’t migrate. Access to food and open water is important for species that winter in Minnesota and Wisconsin, but aside from the usual feeders, there’s another great way that you can plan to help birds in the winter… Sargent’s Nursery carries high-quality bird see ..read more

One pollinator project we’ve told you about in the past is “Lawns to Legumes” which is run by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). This program offers a combination of workshops, coaching, planting guides, and individual grants to install pollinator-friendly native plantings in residential lawns. This summer Red Wing couple Pam and Kyle Klatt found themselves the recipients of an individual grant from the Lawns to Legumes program. The Klatt’s learned of the Lawns to Legumes program on Facebook and while they had previous interest in gardening, they did n ..read more

Sargent’s Nursery is proud host of the 2023 Quilt Show Presented by Red Wing Evening Star Quilt Guild. Join us in the tropical warmth of our greenhouse as you experience a spectacular showcase of quilting expertise and talent. Door Prizes – Quilting Vendors – Class Projects  – Wool & Fiber Art  – Pieced Quilts  – Appliqued Quilts  – Fun Challenges  – Accessories Friday, Saturday, & Sunday January 6, 7, & 8, 2023 9am – 4pm $5 Admission Price of admission enters you to win a door prize quilt! Location: 3352 N. Service Dr., Red Wing, MN 55066 In the event o ..read more

Buying Lady’s Slippers – A Unique Opportunity If you haven’t seen Tracy Walsh’s beautiful photo of Lady’s Slippers on the cover of the 2022 May/June edition of Northern Gardener Magazine–the publication of the Minnesota Horticultural Society–then you should really check it out. The cover features the Yellow Lady’s Slipper and is a great look at the exquisite woodland dwellers.  The opportunity to see one of Minnesota’s native orchids in bloom is quite an experience, especially the Showy Lady’s Slipper (also known as the Pink and White Lady’s Slipper) which is the Minnesota State Flower ..read more

The best time to amend your soil is when you’re building a new garden. If you have flower or veggie gardens that haven’t been producing strong plants with great foliage, prolific flowers, or good harvests, then it may be time to amend your soil. Soil Testing The only real way to tell what your soil needs is with a soil test. Soil tests look at the texture, pH, and nutrients present in your soil. pH If you remember back to high school biology, pH measures the alkalinity and acidity of something; in this case, our soil. pH is a critical aspect of soil health because without proper pH plants c ..read more