Kim Melin

If you have delayed planting your spring bulbs, delay no more. The University of Minnesota Extension Service recommends planting of most spring bulbs in Minnesota by the end of October. Early November may not be too late though, especially for tulips which can be planted as long as the ground isn’t frozen too hard.

Here are some tips to remember:

• Bulbs should be firm with a papery skin. If soft or moldy, throw them away.

• Bulbs need to be able to grow roots once planted in the fall, and they need the cold winter to break their dormancy cycle in order to bloom in spring.

• Bulbs will need warmth and light in the spring to trigger their growth. Choose a site that will not be shaded in early spring.

• Bulbs can be planted under trees as long as they will receive enough light before and just after their blooming season. Full shade in summer is acceptable.

• Soil near southern and western exposure foundations could start to grow too soon, risking cold damage. It’s better to plant in an area that is sheltered from damaging winds but that will not warm up before other areas.

• Bulbs need rich, well-drained soil. Avoid areas that tend to fill with water during rain storms.

• New bulb beds should be cleared of rocks and matted roots, and some organic matter should be tilled in to a depth of 10-12 inches. Add some fertilizer in when tilling, but do not add it directly to the bulb holes.

• Plan to plant the bulbs in odd numbers or mass plantings. Put the bed where it will be enjoyed from a window or the road.

• The basic rule for planting depth is 2 ½ times deeper than the diameter of the bulb. Sandy soils should be a bit deeper, and heavy clay soil should be a bit shallower.

• Always plant the bulb with the pointed end facing up, cover with a portion of the soil and water well. Add the rest of the soil, smoothing the surface, water again and add 3-5 inches of mulch. Leaf material, grass clippings and straw work well. (You will remove much of this mulch in the spring.)

Then sit back and wait for spring!

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Looking for a home in Edina, Minnesota? Contact me, Kim Melin, today.

Check out my website for help in buying a home in the Minneapolis area.

Edina Public Schools have been recognized by publications around the nation as outstanding. One of the most recent was Family Circle magazine, which ranked Edina as one of its top 10 towns, due in large part to the quality of Edina Public Schools.

Concord Elementary is a five-star school within the Edina Public School district. Serving Kindergarten through 5^th grade students, Concord strives to create an exciting environment committed to meeting the mission statement goals and beliefs.

Concord has an active Parent Teacher Organization. They hold several fund raisers throughout the year, host fun educational events for the school’s families, volunteer in classrooms and at school activities, and help ensure the costs of “extra items” are met.

Concord Elementary is located at 5900 Concord Avenue South in Edina.

There are 5 other elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school located within the Edina Public School District. http://www.edina.k12.mn.us/

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Looking for a home in Edina, Minnesota? Contact me, Kim Melin, today.

Check out my website for help in buying a home in the Minneapolis area.

Looking for a unique activity this weekend? Head over to the Mall of America in Bloomington. There is a unique competition going on.

Called “Canstruction”, architect students are competing to see who can build the best structure. But these aren’t just any structures. They are made out of cans. Regular cans of corn, fruit cocktail, SpaghettiO’s, and everything else you can think of!

Beginning today, the competitors have 12 hours to create the most creative and intricate designs they can. Judging of the competition will be Sunday afternoon.

Here is a quick video I found on YouTube showing an entry in a similar Canstruction competition in Canada. Enjoy!

The designs will be deconstructed on Monday and the food donated to the Second Harvest Heartland food bank in St. Paul. Last year the competition raised nearly 20,000 pounds of food!

Want to contribute to the competition and the food drive? Be sure to bring along some canned goods with you when come. These can be delivered to the Sears Court stage throughout the event.

For more information on this competition, visit the Canstruction website.

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Looking for a home in Edina, Minnesota? Contact me, Kim Melin, today.

Check out my website for help in buying a home in the Minneapolis area.

There is a long list of fun things to do this Halloween in our area. Here are a few of my favorites.

ZooBoo at Como Park Zoo. Oct. 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 4:30-7:30 pm. $7 at the gate.

Apple Jack Orchard Corn Maze. Saturdays & Sundays through Halloween. Saturday nights are flashlight night until 10 pm. $6 adults, $5 ages 6-11, free ages 0-5.

Minnetonka Orchards. Lots to do! Open daily 9 am-7 pm. October theme days:

• CiderFest, Oct 17 & 18
• Bonfires and Hayrides, Oct. 24 & 25
• Dog Days of Fall, Oct. 31-Nov. 1

Autumn Unplugged at the Arboretum. All month! 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska. Admission is $9 for adults, free for members and children 15 and under. Activities include:

• Weekend Family Fun every Saturday and Sunday, noon-4 pm.
• Pumpkin Palooza, ongoing through Nov. 1.
• Pumpkin Palooza Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24 & 25, noon-4 pm.
• Ar-Boo-return Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31.

Halloween Happenings. Three Rivers Park District Halloween events. Find one near you!

Special events at the Minnesota Children’s Museum. 10 West Seventh Street, St. Paul.

• Spooky Woods, Oct. 20-Nov. 1
• Halloween Spooktacular Parties, Saturday, Oct. 24, Sunday, Oct. 25, 6-8:30 pm; Monday, Oct. 26, 10 am-12:30 pm; Saturday, Oct. 31, 6-8:30 pm.

Pumpkin Patches and More. A comprehensive list of pumpkin patches, corn mazes, safe trick-or-treating, hayrides, etc throughout the state of Minnesota.

Hope to see you out and about!

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Looking for a home in Edina, Minnesota? Contact me, Kim Melin, today.

Check out my website for help in buying a home in the Minneapolis area.