You can look local frost dates up online. Frost dates are the dates where frost can be expected overnight or in the morning. The Farmer's Almanac online can help you find your frost date by entering your zip code. It's important to plant zinnias after the last frost date in the spring. Zinnia seeds will not survive if they're exposed to frost. It's a good idea to wait a few days or a few weeks after the last predicted frost date. Weather is unpredictable and there's always a chance the forecast could be wrong. If your pH is too high or too low, you can take measures to adjust soil pH. Adding organic materials to your soil, which you can purchase online or at a greenhouse, can alter your soil's pH.  Limestone is your best option to raise pH levels. Limestone should be added to the top seven inches of your soil. To lower pH levels, opt for acidic materials such as pine needles and peat moss. If you need to lower your soil's pH fast, opt for sulfur. If you don't want to alter your soil's pH, plant your zinnias in a pot or raised gardening bed with potting soil that has the right pH level.

Summary: Check your local frost dates. Adjust your soil as necessary.


When employees feel like their managers care, they're often more willing to work harder and share responsibility in meeting the company's goals. An easy way to make employees feel cared for is to be kind to your employees. Make sure your employees' needs are being met and let them know that their efforts have not gone unnoticed.  Listen to your employees when they have grievances or complaints. Being heard and seeing positive changes can make workers feel more motivated to help the company. Show an interest in your employees' work-life balance. Don't ask intrusive questions, but be understanding when employees need time off for doctors' appointments, family events, and other personal matters. Treat your employees the way you would want to be treated. Be kind without being weak and always offer guidance and support. If you want to keep your employees motivated, you'll need to know what level they're currently working at and what level they need to be at. You can do this by setting realistic, obtainable goals and offering support along the way.  Ask employees how productive and efficient they see themselves, and offer to let them have input into how productivity is assessed. Factor in considerations like how much of a job is repetitive versus original/creative work. Include (but don't solely rely on) objective factors like the number of sales calls made, reports filed, or functions coded. Balance this with subjective factors like management ratings and employee satisfaction. Remember that employees are still part of a team. If one employee isn't performing up to par, look at how his or her coworkers are managing their end of the work to ensure that that employee isn't left hanging with extra projects. Good work should not go unrecognized. Every employee who meets his or her productivity goals should be rewarded in some way, as your company would not be able to function properly without those employees.  Thank employees for their hard work and let them know that you value and appreciate their efforts. Personal incentives can do wonders to motivate employees.  Consider offering small bonuses/commissions to highly-productive employees. Throw a pizza party or sundae buffet when employees meet their goals for the month. Hard-working employees need some down time to maintain productivity. Working constantly without interruption is draining and may lead to performance problems down the line. You can avoid this problem by allowing your employees to balance work time and down time.  Allow for short breaks throughout the day, whether that means water cooler talk, a coffee break, or a short break to step outside for some fresh air. Breaks help improve productivity and boost morale. Make sure your employees have vacation options. A short vacation can do wonders for an employee's mindset and motivation. Reducing internet restrictions on social media and other websites can give your employees a much-needed break during the day. However, some managers feel that social media is too big of a distraction in the workplace and should be banned.

Summary: Show an interest in your employees' wellbeing. Set goals for and measure employee productivity. Implement positive reinforcement for good work. Give your employees some down time.


Do this to show proof of residence. If you do not have one, then a learner's permit or a receipt for a learner's permit will work. Additionally, a tribal I.D. with your name, address, photo, and a signature is also considered a valid I.D. If you do not have any of these, then you can provide a proof of residence by:  Providing a college student I.D. with a housing list. Providing a Notice of Late Registration if you were not able to register to vote within 20 days of the election. By telling the election judge your previous address or name if you are a registered voter who has changed their name or moved, but you still reside in the same precinct. You will need to do this if you do not have a valid I.D. to show proof of residence. Your photo I.D. can be expired.  A driver’s license, state I.D., learner’s permit, U.S. passport, U.S. military or veteran I.D., tribal I.D., Minnesota university/college/technical college I.D., or a Minnesota high school I.D. are all considered valid forms of a photo I.D. Valid documents include a bill, start-of-service statement, or account due or dated within 30 days of the election; a rent or residential lease agreement valid through Election Day; or a current student fee statement. Do this if you do not have a valid I.D., or a photo I.D. and a document with your current name and address indicating your proof of residence. You can have a registered voter from your precinct or a staff person from your residential facility vouch for you by confirming your address.  The registered voter must sign an oath confirming your address. The staff person must prove employment at the facility by bringing a badge/I.D. or a staff list to the polling place. To find out where your local polling place is, you can call your county election office. Visit http://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/find-county-election-office/ to obtain your county election office’s phone number. Alternatively, go online and copy and paste this website URL, http://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us, into your Internet browser. You will be directed to a page where you can either enter your zip code or county to find your polling place. You will be able to do this once voter registration eligibility has been confirmed. Fill out all of the required information and submit the application. Then go vote!
Summary: Bring a valid Minnesota driver's license or a receipt for one. Bring a photo I.D. plus a document with your current name and address. Bring someone to vouch for you. Go to your polling place. Fill out the registration application.