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If your lilacs started looking rough seemingly overnight this summer — leaves turning yellow, developing brown blotchy spots, curling, or dropping well before fall — you are not imagining it and you are not alone. Lilac fungal disease is a real and growing problem across Becker County, and in the right weather conditions it can move through a plant faster than most homeowners expect.
Here is what is actually happening, why it spreads so fast, and why it frequently gets blamed on something it is not.
What Is Causing the Damage?
The primary culprit in Minnesota is a fungal disease called Lilac Leaf Spot, caused by Pseudocercospora or Septoria fungi. It is a relatively new disease in our region that has been spreading across the Midwest and has now established itself as a recurring problem in Minnesota landscapes.
According to the University of Minnesota Extension, symptoms typically appear from July through September. Leaves begin to yellow, then develop brown blocky spots that grow larger and merge together. Affected leaves twist, curl, and drop from the plant well before normal fall leaf drop occurs. In a bad year, a lilac can lose a significant portion of its foliage by midsummer.
There is also Powdery Mildew — a different fungal issue that shows up as a grayish-white dusty coating on leaf surfaces, as if the plant were dusted with flour. Powdery mildew is common on lilacs in Minnesota and is mostly cosmetic, but in a severe outbreak it...
If you own lakeshore property in the Detroit Lakes area, shoreline erosion is not a hypothetical problem — it is something you can see happening season after season. Wave action, boat wakes, ice heave, and spring snowmelt runoff are relentless forces working against your bank. Riprap is one of the most effective and time-tested tools available for stopping that erosion and protecting both your property and the water quality of the lake.
Here is what you need to know about riprap — what it is, why it works, and why maintaining it matters as much as installing it correctly in the first place.
What Is Riprap?
Riprap is a layer of large natural rock — typically ranging from 6 to 30 inches in diameter — placed along a shoreline to absorb and deflect the energy of moving water. Unlike a retaining wall, which is a rigid vertical structure, riprap works by distributing the force of wave action across a sloped surface of interlocking stones. Water loses its energy as it moves through and around the rocks rather than hitting a hard surface and rebounding.
When installed correctly, riprap sits on a bed of filter fabric, crushed rock, or gravel that prevents the fine soil underneath from washing out through the gaps. The stone layer above protects the bank. The filter layer below protects the stone. Both layers working together is what gives a properly...
One of the most common questions we hear from Detroit Lakes homeowners right now is a simple one: "How do I even know if I have an ash tree?"
It is the right question to ask. Emerald Ash Borer is confirmed in counties surrounding Becker County and moving our direction. Before you can decide whether to treat and protect your trees — or whether EAB is even a concern for your property — you need to know what you have. Here is exactly how to tell.
The Three Things That Identify an Ash Tree
Ash trees have three specific characteristics that, when you see all three together, confirm what you are looking at. You do not need any tools or expertise — just your eyes and a few minutes in your yard.
1. Opposite Branching
Look at how the branches grow off the main limb. On an ash tree, branches grow directly across from each other in matched pairs — one on the left, one on the right, at the same point on the stem. This is called opposite branching and is one of the most reliable identifiers. Most common trees in Minnesota — oak, maple, basswood — have alternating branches that stagger up the stem. Ash does not.
2. Compound Leaves
An ash leaf is not a single leaf — it is a group of individual leaflets joined along a central stalk, which then attaches to the branch. Each stalk carries five to nine leaflets depending on the...
If you have ash trees on your property here in the Detroit Lakes area, there is a conversation we need to have right now. Emerald Ash Borer has been confirmed in counties surrounding Becker County and is moving northward. The window to protect your trees is open — but it will not stay open forever.
What Is Emerald Ash Borer?
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a highly destructive invasive beetle originally from Asia. Since arriving in the United States in 2002, it has killed tens of millions of ash trees across the country. Minnesota has the highest volume of ash trees in the entire United States — which means the stakes here are particularly high.
The damage is done by the larvae. After adult beetles lay eggs in the bark, the larvae burrow into the tree and feed on the inner tissue that carries water and nutrients. As those feeding tunnels accumulate, the tree is gradually starved. Once symptoms become visible, an untreated tree typically dies within one to three years.
EAB attacks all species of North American ash. Once an ash tree is attacked by EAB, it will be killed if it is not protected.
University of Minnesota Extension — Emerald Ash Borer
How to Tell If You Have an Ash Tree
Before you can protect your trees, you need to know what you have. Ash trees have three identifying characteristics:
Opposite branching — branches grow...
Snow Mold in Detroit Lakes: What It Is, What Causes It, and How to Help Your Lawn Recover This Spring
As the snow melts across Becker County, many homeowners are stepping outside to find circular, straw-colored patches of matted, crusty grass spread across their lawn. Some patches are a few inches across. Others span several feet.
What you are looking at is almost certainly snow mold. The good news is that in most cases your lawn will recover. What you do in the next few weeks — and what you did last fall with fertilizer — will determine how fast.
What Is Snow Mold?
Snow mold is a general term for cold-weather fungi that thrive when snow sits on top of unfrozen ground for an extended period. In Becker County, our early-season snowfalls frequently arrive before the ground has fully frozen, creating an insulated, humid environment right against your turf — exactly what these fungi need to establish and spread.
There are two types, and it is worth knowing which one you have because they behave very differently.
Gray Snow Mold (Typhula Blight) is the more common type in northwest Minnesota. It appears as bleached, grayish-tan circular patches with grass that looks matted and water-soaked. The encouraging news is that Gray Snow Mold typically damages only the grass blades, not the crown of the plant. If the crown is alive, the grass will recover on its own.
Pink Snow Mold (Microdochium Patch) is less common but more serious. It carries a ...
If you live in the Detroit Lakes area, you know that once the snow starts retreating from the shores of Little Detroit, spring maintenance hits high gear. At the top of your list should be one of Minnesota’s favorite ornamental plants: Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass.
Because Karl Foerster is a cool-season grass, it doesn't wait for the heat of July to start growing. It begins pushing new green shoots as soon as the ground thaws. If you wait too long, you’ll find yourself accidentally clipping the new growth, leaving your grass with "chopped" ends all summer long.
In Becker County, we value the winter interest these golden stalks provide against the snow. However, leaving the old growth too long creates two problems:
The "Messy Center": Old stalks trap moisture, which can lead to crown rot in our wet Minnesota springs.
Stunted Growth: Thick, dead material blocks sunlight from reaching the crown, slowing down the vibrant green-up we all want to see in May.
For more detailed information on maintaining grasses in our specific climate, check out these authoritative guides:
University of Minnesota Extension: Gardening with Native & Ornamental Grasses
Wisconsin Horticulture (Division of Extension): Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass...
In Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, the transition from winter to spring is a critical window for your landscape. While there might still be piles of snow on the ground, the moment that melt begins is your signal to act.
For homeowners in Becker County, performing "deadheading" and cut-backs in late winter—specifically as soon as the snow melts enough to see the base of your plants—is the secret to a lush, healthy garden. Here is the professional breakdown of how, when, and why to handle your favorite local varieties like Karl Foerster grasses, Hostas, and Daylilies.In our region, "deadheading" (removing spent blooms) and cutting back dormant foliage isn't just about tidiness. It’s about energy and disease prevention.
According to the University of Minnesota Extension, leaving dead material too long into the spring can actually delay your garden's progress. Removing old growth allows sunlight and airflow to reach the crown of the plant, preventing the rot and fungal issues that often occur under a heavy, wet Minnesota snowpack.
Expert Insight: "Growth begins early in the spring, so cut back the clumps in late winter... to about 6 inches annually." — University of Wisconsin-Madison Horticulture (.edu) | Source Link
When it comes to establishing a new lawn in Minnesota, homeowners usually find themselves at a crossroads: Sod or Hydroseeding? One offers an "instant" yard, while the other involves a growing process. At Miller Yard Care, we install both, but the "best" choice depends on your timeline, your lifestyle, and—most importantly, the long-term commitment to maintenance.
Sod is the gold standard for homeowners who want immediate results. Because the turf is already mature when it arrives at your property, it provides lifestyle benefits that seed simply cannot match in the first 30 days.
Quick Establishment: While you still have to water it faithfully, a sodded lawn is generally ready for light use in about two to three weeks.
The "Look" is Finished: You go from dirt to a lush green carpet in a single day, providing instant curb appeal. As noted by the UMN Extension, sodding provides an immediate lawn that protects the soil from the moment it is laid.
The "Customized Excellence" of Hydroseeding
While sod is fast, hydroseeding is often the superior long-term biological investment. Many assume hydroseeding is just a "cheaper" version of sod, but it offers customization that sod simply cannot.
Winter is still in full swing here in Detroit Lakes, but we all know spring arrives fast. When the snow finally melts, it often leaves behind a yard that needs some serious attention.
At Miller Yard Care, our spring schedule fills up quickly. Getting on the list now ensures your yard is first in line for recovery when the weather breaks. Here is what our cleanup includes and how it helps your lawn.
Blowing Out Beds: We blow winter debris (leaves, twigs, trash) out of your rock and mulch beds.
Dethatching: We mechanically remove the layer of dead grass and thatch buried in your lawn. Learn more about thatch from South Dakota State University Extension.
Vacuuming & Hauling: We vacuum up the debris—leaves, thatch, and sticks—and haul it away for a spotless finish.
Beyond just looking good, a cleanup provides three key benefits to help your lawn wake up from winter.
1. Helps Manage Snow Mold
After a long winter, you might see crusty gray or pink patches on the grass known as Snow Mold. This fungus thrives on wet, matted grass. Dethatching helps break up these matted areas, allowing air to reach the soil and helping the grass dry out and recover faster. For more info please see Iowa State University Extension: Snow Mold Identification and Prevention.
2....
When planning a landscape in Detroit Lakes, we look for plants that can survive our harsh winters and look good doing it. One of our absolute favorites at Miller Yard Care is Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass.
If you are looking for a plant that offers height, movement, and extremely low maintenance, this is the industry standard for a reason. Here is why we recommend Karl Foerster grass for so many of our residential and commercial properties.
Many ornamental grasses tend to get messy or flop over after a heavy rain. Karl Foerster is famous for its vertical, upright growth habit.
The Look: It grows in a tight clump about 2–3 feet wide, with stalks reaching 4–5 feet tall.
The Use: Because it grows straight up, it works perfectly as a narrow screen, a backdrop for shorter flowers, or a structural accent against the side of a house.
In Minnesota, our gardens are covered in snow for months. Most perennials disappear, but Karl Foerster shines in the winter.
We intentionally leave these grasses tall throughout the winter. The stalks turn a golden-tan color that looks striking against the white snow. They also provide texture and movement in the wind, giving your landscape life even in January.
This is a "cool-season" grass, meaning it starts growing early in the spring. It is incredibly low...
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