MNL

09/09/2026

Did you miss us at the fair? Or maybe you couldn't get plants that day?

No worries, we'll be at the Blue Thumb - Planting for Clean Water Thumb – Planting for Clean Water plant sale on the 19th in Golden Valley.

The last day to preorder for a custom species selection with us will be this Sunday, the 13th.

https://mnlcorp.com/product/blue-thumb-fall-sale/

Take advantage! This is the best time of year to get some plugs in the ground.

Details for our September 19 Fall Native Plant Sale! 🍂🌼

⏰ The plant sale takes place from 10 AM - 1 PM on Saturday, September 19. The earlier you arrive, the more plants will be available. We will not admit anyone to the plant sale before 10 AM. Some of our nurseries are accepting pre-orders now!

🌟 We have some amazing organizations tabling at our sale this year! After you’re done shopping, pick up resources from Golden Valley Garden Club, City of Golden Valley, MN - Local Government, Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission, and Wild Ones Twin Cities, Minnesota.

☕ Arrive ready to be caffeinated! We are excited to have the incredible Càphin Mpls with their Vietnamese-inspired coffee and matcha drinks.

💧 There is also a water fountain onsite, so don’t forget to bring a water bottle and stay hydrated!

We’re just a few weeks away now! Plan your plant orders and learn more at https://bluethumb.org/fall-native-plant-sale/

09/08/2026

What an unBEElievable 12 days at the State Fair; from Monarchs to milkshakes, Cardinal flower to corndogs, and Swallowtails to Sweet Martha’s! 🦋🌻🐝
We loved welcoming so many new and returning visitors to MNL’s Pollinator Park, where the sights, sounds and smells of the Fair intertwined with Minnesota's most amazing native plants and insects!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by, asked a question, shared a story, learned something new, admired the blooms, or simply took a moment to enjoy the butterflies and bees.

It's the fastest dozen days of the year and we can't wait to see you in 2027!❤

09/01/2026

Did you visit us at the Minnesota State Fair, get a Buy 2 Get 1 six-pack of plants, and now have no idea what you’re doing?
Or maybe you’re planning a fall planting because it’s one of the best times to get native perennials in the ground.
Don’t stress the garden. That’s not what it’s about.
A garden is what you make it. Put in a ton of effort or keep it simple. There’s no right or wrong way to do it.
The important thing is getting the plants in the ground.
You know the “the best time to plant a tree...” mentality? That applies to native grasses and forbs too.

08/28/2026

Hey, UMN's plant of the week is our favorite...always the Monarch's favorite food source.
If you're at Minnesota State Fair check out the Blue Book there maybe a special deal if you visit us for 6 of suckers.

One of five blazing star species native to Minnesota, meadow blazing star adds bold, thistle-like flower spikes to the summer garden. It grows about 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide in full sun and well-drained soil. Most notably, its nectar-rich flowers are a favorite of monarch butterflies, making it a beautiful and beneficial addition to a pollinator garden.

08/26/2026

Visit MNL’s Pollinator Park at the Minnesota State Fair! 🐝🌸🍿

Explore native plants, discover what a thriving pollinator habitat can look like, and get inspired to bring a little more native ecosystem home. 🏡🦋

While you’re there, grab a free native seed packet, shop native plugs and seed, and check out our native ecosystem-inspired apparel. 👕

Find MNL on the west side of Underwood St. between Murphy & Lee avenues (About a block northwest of the Eco Experience and Blue Thumb booth).

Thank you, MNL, for supporting Blue Thumb as a sponsor! 💙

08/26/2026

We're here, the plants are here, the pollinators are here. We're waiting on one key element... you!

Opening day is less than 24 hours away, and everything is blooming. Come see us on Underwood St., next to your favorite cookie jar😉.

We've got six-packs of native plugs (60+ species!) for $20, buy two get one free.
Also available:
100 and 500 square foot seed mix packets,
New apparel
Yard signs
Butterfly fan
& Seed packet giveaways,

We'll also have small DIY classes on how to germinate your own native seeds, with a take-home gift🪴

We can wait to meet and talk plants and pollinators with you all!

08/20/2026

One week, 7 days, 168 hours, 10,080 minutes...how many ways can count to basically say....we're flippin' excited for the Minnesota State Fair .

And here's something we're positively BEEaming about -
NEW APPAREL!!!

A Pollinator Park hat you'll find nowhere else, a classic vintage look with a bold embroidered logo of the Park whose colors stand tall against the natural fabric of the cap.

An American Bison (Bison) t-shirt that shows a particular fondness to the this stately animal of the prairie. Presented in navy blue on 100% cotton.

Bringing back a popular design from last year's line, the Goldfinch, coneflower, and butterfly artwork is now available in a crewneck sweater. An understated addition to your wardrobe as fall swiftly approaches.

And a nod to our 2026 seed packet design, you can where proudly the great state of Minnesota presented in native flora bouquet on your chest. 100% cotton and a one-of-a-kind pickup at the Fair.

Of course, we'll have all the favorites of last year as well.
Special note that on Deal Days for the Fair you save 25% on any piece of apparel from us with the purchase of any native plant product.

We can hardly contain ourselves,
We'll see you there!

08/17/2026

30 days of restored prairie in 30 seconds. Taken from mid-June to mid-July, we can watch the late-season grasses grow tall while a succession of flowers blooms from day to day, week by week. A timelapse like this shows a lot, but one thing it illustrates especially well is why planting for bloom times matters. Some of these plants may only bloom for a few days before they’re successfully pollinated. Keeping a succession of flowers in bloom throughout the season helps provide a continuous source of nectar and pollen for pollinators.

08/12/2026

Prescribed fires and wildfires are a completely different beast, but our guys are trained to tame them both.

Our Red Rock Fire crew is out in Montana helping suppress the Skillet Fire, not far from Kalispell. They’re working as tactical water tenders, refilling aerial drops from a Chinook helicopter, while also mopping up and taking on spot fires.

It’s been a long, hot summer for this team. They’re coming off wildfires in northern Minnesota, and I’m sure we all remember the smoke that blanketed us this year.

But a huge shoutout and THANK YOU to our Red Rock Fire crew for the hard work, dedication, and courage they continue to bring to an incredibly difficult and demanding job. The work doesn’t seem to end, but they keep showing up and getting it done.

And if you’re someone who’s adventurously drawn to the flame, we have open positions in the field of fire. Check them out on our careers page:
mnlcorp.com/careers/

Stay safe out there, guys!

08/06/2026

"Hey MNL!... I thought we were supposed to get new native seed packet artwork every year... Where's 2026's???"

We waited for a very special State Fair edition! We're launching a native plant collage, Minnesota-themed packet that will be an exclusive giveaway at the Fair (as if you needed another reason to come see us :)

We're also showcasing our Prairie Plant Butterfly packets, which will be available all year long, starting now!

So, all you native seed packet collectors (I know you're out there), don't panic, we've got beautiful new artwork to add to your collection. And you can't miss the exclusive State Fair artwork... you have to come see us!

Here's the list of species for the nerds:
Little Bluestem
Columbine
Fragrant Giant Hyssop
Rose Milkweed
Purple Prairie Clover
Common Ox-Eye
Prairie Blazing Star
Wild Bergamot
Black-Eyed Susan
Showy Goldenrod
Smooth Blue Aster
Hoary Vervain
Golden Alexanders