B105 TODAYS BEST COUNTRY » Nature

Portion of Duluth's Lakewalk Temporarily Closed for Repairs

Cathy Kates — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:30:04 +0000

With Grandma’s Marathon this Saturday you may have friends and family visiting from out of town. You should be aware that a portion of the Lakewalk in Duluth will be closed for repairs on Tuesday, June 18. It should only be for the day. Here’s the details and exact location. City Crews plan to repair [...]

Tomato's Short Growing Season isn't a Problem in the Northland if You Grow Them Upside Down

Cathy Kates — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:50:02 +0000

I have made several attempts at growing tomatoes. It seems that everyone ELSE I know doesn't have a problem, but we all agree that the season (especially THIS year) is much too short to grow an abundance of tomatoes to can, eat fresh and make salsa and sauces. I came across Topsy Turvey, a unique twist on how to grow tomatoes that just might make the difference. Have you used it?

Learn More About the Troublesome Invasive Terrestrial Garlic Mustard Plant Making it's Home in Duluth

Cathy Kates — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:02:09 +0000

When Spring hits in the Northland we’re always excited to see it “green up”. Buds on the trees and green grass (sprinkled with dandlelions), but there is a plant that is causing some havoc in the area that you should be aware of called Garlic Mustard. Typically, garlic mustard flowers arrive in late April to [...]

Planting Date Moved: Volunteers Needed for the Greater Downtown Council's Dig in the Downtown Waterfront Beautification Project

Cathy Kates — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 16:28:40 +0000

If you couldn't make the original "Dig in the Downtown Waterfront" planting date (June 5), you are in luck! Because of ~~snow~~, oops, (that delayed Spring cleaning in downtown Duluth), I mean rain, the date to plant the annual flowers has been moved to Thursday, June 6 and volunteers are welcome and needed! Grab your planting gloves and join in on the fun!!

Did You Know You Need an Agate Picking Permit in Carlton County?

Cathy Kates — Thu, 30 May 2013 12:45:49 +0000

As a child growing up in Wrenshall I did a lot of agate picking. My parents started me out at the young age of three, agate picking in the various gravel pits in our area. I'm not sure if a permit was needed then, but as I was checking out the Carlton County Transportation website, I came across the information I felt I should share with other "rock hounds".

The Lake Superior Zoo Welcomes Summer with Extended Hours and the Zoo Train Getting on Track

Cathy Kates — Thu, 30 May 2013 12:12:54 +0000

Longer hours at the Lake Superior Zoo means more time to visit over 250 different species of wildlife, including brown bears, lemurs, lions, kangaroos, tigers and more! Summer has hit the Northland and with the expected warmer weather are more hours to experience the Lake Superior Zoo and all they have to offer. New hours [...]

Navigating & Fishing the St. Louis River for the First Time Since June Flood [Photos]

Ken Hayes — Tue, 28 May 2013 16:50:38 +0000

I was invited to go fishing the St. Louis river with my friend Rich and his dad yesterday morning, and it would be my first time up the river since the historic 2012 June flood. The damage along the riverbank was unbelievable. There were mudslides, islands washed away, and trees toppled into the river all along the way.

Tent Camping Versus RV Camping [PHOTOS]

Ken Hayes — Tue, 28 May 2013 15:16:40 +0000

This Memorial Day weekend, Cathy and I both went camping to separate locations. My family decided to join some friends and go camp in the rustic northwoods. Cathy and her husband went and parked their RV in a casino parking lot. Ok, so it's a "campground." Check out the pictures and the drastic differences, it'll make you smile.

Common Items People Forget to Pack for Camping [VIDEO]

Ken Hayes — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:08:40 +0000

Memorial Day weekend is here and a lot of people are heading out to the campsites. This year is our first extended weekend camping as a family which has really complicated my usually short list of things to pack for myself. Here’s some common things people forget to pack: cell phone car charger first aid [...]

Homemade Mosquito Trap Could Help Keep Your Family Comfortable this Memorial Weekend

Cathy Kates — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:30:11 +0000

I've never liked the smell of mosquito repellent like Off or Skin-So-Soft. I never thought the Citronella candles worked very good and short of fumigating with a canister of insecticide fog like they use to do at the drive-in movie theaters, what's left to try? DIY Mosquito Trap!

Vinegar Makes a Cheap and Easy Weed Killer

Cathy Kates — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:04 +0000

It's spring! We're starting to see buds on the trees and the grass is greening up (our neighbor has mowed his lawn twice already....he's retired). But, with the sure signs of summer around the corner also comes weeds! With the weeds, questions. How do I get rid of them? Will they come back? How long until it's safe for my pets to walk on the lawn again?!?! If you use this inexpensive concoction of things you already have in the house, it will be safe AND cost effective.

9,000 Acre Wisconsin Wildfire Is Contained [VIDEO]

David Drew — Thu, 16 May 2013 05:41:31 +0000

After nearly 50 structures were burned in the Wisconsin wildfire, authorities late Wednesday night announced that the fire is 100% contained. While it’s sad that there was so much damage, it is great to hear that no injuries were reported as of the time of this post. Our media partners at KBJR-TV have the latest [...]

Spring Has Sprung Gardening Kick-off with the UW-Extension Horticulture Tomorrow

Cathy Kates — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:39:35 +0000

With the warmer weather (and NO SNOW), we can now start thinking about those starter plants. My friend Jackie has her tomatoes and strawberry plants already started in a cute little greenhouse on her deck. Inside her home she has fresh herbs that will be replanted and moved outside eventually. I am in awe of her gardening knowledge! If you are seeking that same knowledge, these classes with the UW-Extension Horticulture is for you.

Arbor Day in Duluth Will Utilize Planting Trees for Local Flood Recovery

Cathy Kates — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:00:37 +0000

It's been almost a year since the horrendous flooding in our area last June and recovery efforts continue. May is Arbor Month and May 15th will be Arbor Day in Duluth. This year the focus will be planting seedlings and trees to aid in the flood recovery as we continue to rebuild in the Northland.

Study of Chemicals in Minnesota Lakes Finds Cocaine in a Third of Lakes Sampled

Ken Hayes — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:16:32 +0000

A study has been done on 50 lakes across Minnesota looking for chemicals that find their way into the lakes. The most common chemical was DEET (used in bug spray). Followed by a plastics chemical, and then surprisingly cocaine showed up. Sometimes the cocaine was even found in remote lakes not near a sewer run off.

Cathy Kates Looks for Advice Involving Her Tree and Two Neighbors

Cathy Kates — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:50:05 +0000

First, I have to say that this is not causing any issues between me and my two neighbors. In fact, it was discussed last summer and hasn't been brought up again. However, with summer approaching, it might. It's a dilemma and I just want to make everyone happy, but that would be impossible. So, HELP! Here's the story:

City of Duluth Provides Road Sand Collection Sites to Help Protect the Trout Habitat

Cathy Kates — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:25:49 +0000

Now that the snow has melted we are dealing with garbage and dirt that's been hidden for the past few months. Garbage is easy throw it in the trash, the dirt/sand is another story. It would be so easy to just sweep it into the street, like we sweep the dirt in the kitchen under the rug (wait, did I just admit that?). But, sweeping it into the streets can cause problems, so the City of Duluth has the answer to that problem with Sand Collection Sites.

Some Duluth Public Trails are Closed Due to Wet Conditions, List of Ones Your Welcome to Use

Cathy Kates — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:26:58 +0000

It's going to be hard, because the weather is warming up and the sun is shining, but the City of Duluth is asking that you refrain from using the public trails. Obviously, the additional snow and rain we've been experiencing has made the trails very muddy and wet and if used, they can be damaged permanently.

2013 Wisconsin Fishing Opener Was A Cold Icy One to Remember

Ken Hayes — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:09:39 +0000

Months ago me and some friends made plans to fish the Wisconsin fishing opener. We kept the date open, got babysitters lined up, bought our licenses and eagerly waited to get back on the water. However, it was apparent last week that we were going to have to change plans with the bizarre late spring we've had.

How Young Is Too Young For Your Kids To Handle Firearms? [POLL]

Ken Hayes — Thu, 02 May 2013 15:57:28 +0000

Tragedy struck the other day as a 5 year old boy shot his sister with his youth .22 rifle he got as a gift from his parents. Long story short, his mother left the kids unattended for 3 minutes, and the 5 year old grabbed the .22 that still had a shell in it and fatally wounded his sister. How terrible. Right off the bat, multiple gun safety rules were broken, and this could have easily been avoided. Nevertheless, it's a terrible tragedy and I can't imagine the pain that family is going through.