8 comments


  • Kent

    Thanks for continuing to write about this issue. I talked with a member of the Northeastern Minnesota Beekeepers Association last fall and learned of an effort to determine which greenhouses in this area (Duluth) carry neonics free plant materials. They posted a short list here: http://nemnbeekeepers.org/Northeastern_Minnesota_Beekeepers_Association/Help_Bees.html This issue gave me the push I needed to start virtually all my plants (several hundred) inside from seed this year.

    I’m disappointed in Tangletown Gardens, which is a frequent stop for me when I’m in the Twin Cities. I already avoided Proven Winners, as I’m philosophical opposed to patenting of plants and won’t pay for anything I’m not free to propagate.

    June 11, 2014
  • Earl Rand

    Don’t give up writing about chemicals. They are ugly.

    Consider including in your articles other criticisms of chemicals and including advice on organic methods.

    In EVERY case of plant damage I have faced over many years of gardening, I have ALWAYS found the physical solutions (answers) have worked better than poisons.

    July 31, 2014
  • Many plants are grown by nurseries using “plugs” who then grow them organically or pesticide free. Can anyone share if these plugs are neonic free?

    May 11, 2015
    • Meleah

      Hi Chris,
      Depending on the supplier, plugs can be treated with neonics. Fortunately, though, if the nursery growing out the plugs don’t use neonics, the chemicals will dissipate quite a bit before the plant is actually sold to gardeners. – Meleah

      June 09, 2015
  • kathy

    I am very interested in helping out the bees and environment. Does anyone know of local gardening centers that are know to be pesticide free?

    January 17, 2016
  • After physical therapy today, my car took me to the nearby Kaw Valley outside plant stand to see about getting a few annuals for a couple wash tubs. I asked the young woman working there if the plants were treated with any pesticides, and she said they were grown organically. I didn’t pay attention, and saw that a couple of the plants were Proven Winners, even though they were in the same kind of pots as their other plants. I found this post while looking to see if Proven Winners uses them. I see it’s from 2014. Do you know if they have stopped doing that? I already planted them, but wonder if I should take them out Our yard is a monarch waystation and wildlife habitat.

    April 25, 2016
    • Maria

      An email reply from Proven Winners to me said they do not use neonics, BUT they DO NOT KNOW what their suppliers use. They also said that on occasion, they “spot use” neonics on just a few plants.
      So, Proven Winners are not neonic-free. I’ve ordered from High Country Gardens, which have neonic free plants.

      April 01, 2017
  • Rita Murtagh

    Thanks, I have a perennial flower farm . I just bought at a school fundraiser a bunch of pw annuals. I also have bee hives. I will not be planting these or buy any more. Thanks again for the information.

    May 19, 2016

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