Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast · Forum Communications Co.

A few reasons to visit a garden center this fall from Luke at Nygard Nursery

·55 min·2 clips

Luke grows trees in gravel beds to create fibrous roots that prevent circling and reduce transplant shock.

This episode of Growing Together features hosts John Lamb and Don Kinsler, the NDSU Extension horticulturist for Cass County, alongside guest Luke Nygaard, owner of Nygaard Nursery in Dilworth, Minnesota. They discuss end-of-season gardening tasks and the operations of a local garden center. Don provides specific advice on ripening green tomatoes by placing blushing fruits in a paper bag in the dark, not on a windowsill. He also advises a listener on a flopping panicle hydrangea, citing stem immaturity and recommending replacement of rock mulch with wood mulch. Luke Nygaard shares his background, transitioning from being a drummer in the band 32 Below to running a nursery, driven by a lifelong passion for gardening instilled by his grandfather. Nygaard Nursery offers planting services, custom container gardening, and a wide range of plants, with Luke emphasizing the importance of selecting varieties suited to the local clay soil and climate. He is already placing orders for fruit tree rootstock for the 2027 season. A surprising insight is that Luke starts some plants from seed in his basement as early as January 1st. He overwinters unsold stock by freezing plants in a layered mound covered with specialized fabric to prevent premature growth. The guest reveals he is experimenting with grafting hardy, later-blooming apricot varieties, like 'Westcott' and 'Debbie's Gold', to overcome spring frost issues. He is also testing a gravel bed and fabric grow bag system to develop superior fibrous root systems in trees, a method pioneered by the University of Minnesota. The conversation covers the advantage of fall tree planting, as plants are larger and require less summer watering, and Luke recommends the 'Chestnut Crab' apple tree for its hardiness and flavor. The tone is friendly, conversational, and educational, blending practical gardening tips with behind-the-scenes business insights. Listeners who enjoy regional gardening advice, DIY plant care, and small business stories will love this episode. Those seeking highly technical horticultural science or fast-paced narrative might find it too leisurely.

As heard by us

A steady fall garden conversation with practical advice and a personal career story.

This fall garden chat keeps its feet on the ground. John Lamb and Don Kinsler move from lingering annuals and swelling squash to the stubborn problem of green tomatoes, and the result feels plainspoken and useful.

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Why you'd press play

Hear why fall is still a smart time to pay attention to your garden.

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