Smarty Plants – Details, episodes & analysis

Making the holidays extra festive with Christmas trees, wreaths, and other greenery is something many of us love. However, invasive insects and noxious weeds can be hiding in our beautiful décor. Learn about these dangerous pests and ways to prevent spreading them into our environment with three Minnesota Department of Agriculture experts. 

Happy Halloween

Smarty Plants is a podcast of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Visit www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/smarty-plants for more episodes. Look for a new episode of Smarty Plants every month.

Fall can be a particularly irritating time when it comes to bugs, as often times you will see many taking up residence in your toasty home. In fact, sometimes it can feel like an all-out invasion. Arm yourself with knowledge of these pests with entomologists Angie Ambourn and Val Cervenka. 

Happy Halloween

Smarty Plants is a podcast of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Visit www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/smarty-plants for more episodes. Look for a new episode of Smarty Plants every month.

Just like people, plants can get sick. Fungi, bacteria, and other pathogens are common causes of plant diseases. Learning to identify when plants are sick and taking proper steps to contain these diseases is an important part of keeping your plants healthy. Michelle Grabowski, research scientist with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, covers the basics of plant disease and how you can help ensure the health of your plants.

Happy Halloween

Smarty Plants is a podcast of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Visit www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/smarty-plants for more episodes. Look for a new episode of Smarty Plants every month.

Managing weeds can sometimes feel overwhelming. But a little knowledge can make the job easier. Learn what noxious weeds are, what to look for on your property, weed management, and tips for fall yard clean-up with Emilie Justen, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Coordinator, and Bob Dunning, Stearns County Ag Inspector.

Happy Halloween

Smarty Plants is a podcast of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Visit www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/smarty-plants for more episodes. Look for a new episode of Smarty Plants every month.

Plant protection experts Mark Abrahamson and Tony Cortilet introduce the important work of the Plant Protection Division within the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. The division’s work is essential and effects all Minnesotans in numerous ways, this includes large picture work that protects our environment from invasive pests, down to the safety of the food we eat. Learn more about plant protection and its importance to you. 

Happy Halloween

Smarty Plants is a podcast of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Visit www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/smarty-plants for more episodes. Look for a new episode of Smarty Plants every month.

An essential part of garden planning is making sure that seeds or plants that you are planting are free from diseases and noxious weeds. Do some proactive planning for this spring and learn the key aspects of obtaining healthy plants and seeds in this episode of Smarty Plants.

Happy Halloween

Smarty Plants is a podcast of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Visit www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/smarty-plants for more episodes. Look for a new episode of Smarty Plants every month.

Minnesota's cold weather can have a big impact on invasive pest such as insects and noxious weeds. Learn how cold temperatures affect pest behaviors and the consequences of warmer winters. 

Happy Halloween

Smarty Plants is a podcast of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Visit www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/smarty-plants for more episodes. Look for a new episode of Smarty Plants every month.

There are many different weeds that can cause harm to our landscapes, forests, and agricultural land. Weeds that are of high concern for their dangerous impacts often land on the Noxious Weed List. Learn from two noxious weed experts what noxious weeds are, how weeds get placed on the Noxious Weed List, and tips for protecting your properties from these harmful plants. 

Happy Halloween

Smarty Plants is a podcast of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Visit www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/smarty-plants for more episodes. Look for a new episode of Smarty Plants every month.

Weed management is important throughout Minnesota, with many different entities doing essential work to minimize the effects noxious and invasive weeds have on our environment. 

Minnesota's 11 indigenous tribes are sovereign nations, each contributing their own perspective on ways to manage weeds. In this episode, Phil Defoe from the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Raining White from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe join host Jennifer Burington to discuss their tribes' weed management efforts and unique perspectives on the topic. 

Happy Halloween

Smarty Plants is a podcast of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Visit www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/smarty-plants for more episodes. Look for a new episode of Smarty Plants every month.

Junipers, crab apple, and apple trees are all important tree species in Minnesota. In fact, apple varieties of Minnesota origin are among the top sellers in the country, making the health of these trees a priority to many. Recently a new danger to these trees, red star rust, was found in Minnesota. Plant disease experts Michelle Grabowski from the MDA and Tiffany Enzenbacher from the University of Minnesota discuss the basics of red start rust, new research being done, and steps to protect these tree species. 

Happy Halloween

Smarty Plants is a podcast of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Visit www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/smarty-plants for more episodes. Look for a new episode of Smarty Plants every month.