Garden Bite: Recent Episodes
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Click below to listen to my review: A Year Full of Pots by Sarah Raven
As we plan and prepare planting our seasonal containers, I was given the opportunity to review Sarah Raven’s book “A Year Full of Pots”. It is a tome of information and amazing photos for each season of the year.
From her Sussex property, she starts with spring and takes us through winter. Calling her containers the “bubbles in champagne, the cherries on the cake” on a property .
After decades of perfecting her container … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to today’s Garden Bite: Don’t scratch that Garden Itch Yet:
I KNOW you’re itching to get out and start Spring Cleanup. Please, DON’T. I’ve been cringing as I watch people out raking and cutting back perennials. UGH…
This affects the insects and critters that have been sheltering in your “debris”. I know, a 74 degree day seems like it should mean “Go Time”. If this were May or even late April it would be, but this is early March 2024 and that means we can still … [Continue reading]
Click on the link below to listen to today’s Garden Bite: Debunking NASA study on air-cleaning plants
Over 30 years ago, in 1989, NASA scientist Bill Wolverton claimed that household plants could provide a “promising” solution to indoor air pollution.
Decades later that report is doused with cold water. And for the record, not from me but from those WELL above my pay grade! Including the American Lung Association. In part they said that This NASA study showed that plants did clean the air in a closed, limited environment or … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my Garden Bite podcast: Prepping the landscape for winter
To rake or not or not to rake? Another question I get all the time is what to do with your perennials? What are the advantages/disadvantages to leaving them be?
To assist wildlife, the answer is simple. Leave the leaves. They provide shelter for local wildlife including bees, beetles, butterflies, moths and more. This from the Xerces Society: At the end of summer, mated queen bumble bees burrow only an inch or two into the … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my show/podcast: Aster yellows or mites? A special Garden Bite
What is that weird growth? The fear that creeps in when you see some weird growth on an otherwise beautiful coneflower is real!
My first thought was Aster Yellows, a dreaded disease spread by aster leafhoppers. The disease severely deforms plants and is incurable. It mostly affects plants in the aster family, but all plants are susceptible. When I became a Master Gardener (a while ago) it was drilled into us that you … [Continue reading]
Good Morning!
I’m trying something new. I bought this fabric 8 ft. raised bed late last season on sale.
Since I’ve had issues with roots in the wood raised bed (no barrier underneath), I wanted to try this. It took 1/2 cu. yd of soil.
I used an old 6 ft. tabletop for it to sit on. Shoring it up with pieces of 2×4’s. I also placed dried grasses on the backside after I took these photos!
I planted some herbs in one pocket. Plan is to move tomatoes out … [Continue reading]
Good morning on a cloudy, drizzly Saturday! May 6th, 2023
I started planting seeds I received from All America Selections on April 1st. Here’s a link to that Garden Bite. PS, Coast of Maine stinks. Just so ya know.
Then….
I used a lighter mix when transplanting.
- Transplant seedlings that outgrow cell packs into larger containers. Larger peat pots or plastic cups with holes punched in their bottoms work well.
- Lift seedlings by the rootball using a spoon or plant tag for support if necessary.
- Never hold the seedling by
… [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Garden Bite closes a chapter
In March of 2007 I started this 2 minute radio program after being approached by a local media distribution company. My background in radio and television along with becoming a Master Gardener in 2003 cemented my desire to create this show.
I have loved producing a space for home gardeners who yearn to learn without feeling judged. Providing a fun, inclusive atmosphere and sharing my “nibbles of knowledge on all things in the … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Arbor Day 2023, diversity and the Musclewood tree
As mentioned yesterday, tomorrow is Arbor Day. Celebrated on the 4th Friday of April. Nebraska newspaper editor, J. Sterling Morton had an enthusiasm for trees and advocated strongly for individuals and civic groups to plant them. That link gives some differing information on Arbor Day’s origin, nonetheless, it’s “mostly” correct! Ahh, research always leads to more research!
When he became secretary of the Nebraska Territory, he further spread … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Trees and grass, can they relate?
I have often quoted information from my friend, Faith Appelquist, an arborist with her own company Treequality. She puts out a great newsletter and in one of them she discussed grass and trees.
Friday is Arbor Day and I thought this would be a great topic. Faith says, “trees and turf grass were never meant to live together”. Trees evolved in the forest with twigs and leaves as a ground cover. … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Prairie up and enjoy
Another author I’ve interviewed, and a MAJOR advocate of normalizing prairie lawns, Benjamin Vogt, has a phrase: Prairie Up. He’s referring to eliminating your lawn that offers pollinators nothing and is not the natural state of things. He uses ONLY natives. I have cultivars too.
While lawns have a purpose for those who play yard games, have pets or maybe used as a path, etc. the era of the Great expanse of lawn … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Re-thinking No Mow May
As I close the chapter on my Garden Bite radio show this week, I’m going to focus on rethinking our lawns and my own gardening philosophy. Today I want to focus on a popular initiative that is getting a 2nd look. That is No Mow May.
The idea of it was to assist pollinators by allowing early flowering, however, I recently received information from University of Minnesota Extension turfgrass educator, Jon Trappe, wherein … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Earth Day 2023
Tomorrow is Earth day. During the pandemic we saw what our industry has done to the planet. We’ve noted how climate change has, literally, changed our climate zone map and we’re seeing a lot of native species become extinct. More on global warming from NOAA.
However, I want us to focus on how beautiful Earth is and celebrate it. As Van Gogh said “if you truly love nature you’ll see beauty everywhere”. It’s … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Pond and bog gardening with natives
I don’t have a bog or a pond but I know folks who do! Today I’m sharing some great ideas from my new favorite book, “A Northern Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants and Pollinators”.
Bogs and ponds are unique in that those areas are consistently moist so the plants that thrive in that environment have to be cool with wet feet.
Diversity in planting is not only more pleasing to the … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: More fun plants for 2023
Everyone I talk to is SO excited for gardening season this year. I love it! I spotted a beautiful verbena I plan to use in at least 1 container! ‘Sparkling Amethyst’ is a stunner in part to full sun with blooms from Spring to Fall.
Seriously! This Proven Winners addition is part of their Superbenas series which are their most vigorous, heat tolerant, and mildew tolerant plants.
The white and amethyst bicolor … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Annuals f0r 2023
My local gardener friends are giddy. The 2022/23 winter was long but finally we’re on the other side with warm temperatures and drought conditions over, our local garden center flowers are on full display. Aisles of pansies and violas, petunias and impatiens, snapdragons and more coming out every day!
It takes years of trialing at various locations to finally introduce a new plant to the public although accessibility may still be a bit challenging!
Some … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Tips to keep your indoor seedlings thriving
If you planted seeds indoors, you’re seeing sprouts now. I’ve got okra coming big time!
Tomatoes, peppers and more.
Now is the time to give them some extra attention. The University of Minnesota Extension says one of the most common problems affecting seedlings is damping off. I had to remove the covers early, I was starting to see issues!
This problem is caused by a number of pathogens that I can’t … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Trendy bee hotels – yea or nay
Trends can be fun. Trends can also be wolves in sheep’s clothing. One of the latest trends plays on our desire to help pollinators. Bee hotels.
My good friend and arborist, Faith Appelquist of Treequality, once again gives me a great bit of information to share with you. Faith writes: Research shows that bug hotels are mostly a fad. There has been very little science applied to them to determine … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Planting the “Hell strip” aka boulevard
I shared about my favorite new book on Monday, “A Northern Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants and Pollinators”. Today I want to include some of their information on planting the “Hell Strip” also known as the boulevard.
This is the place that almost always looks lousy as it gets a beating from cars, trucks and road salt. Or drought…
Consider planting native wildflowers. DO make sure that you check your city … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Shrubs for containers 2023
Container gardening is a trend that continues. Proven Winners, a major plant breeding company, shares some perfect shrubs for your containers. First up is a native plant! Aronia melanocarpa aka Black Chokeberry.
Specifically Low Scape Mound (a nativar) is hardy to zone 3 and offers three-season appeal with masses of white spring flowers, black summer fruit and fabulous red fall color. Low Scape is under half the size of the native species growing … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Rain barrels and compost bins
April Showers bring May flowers. At least that’s the hope and that moisture isn’t in the solid form of snow!
Rainwater is the best kind of water for your landscapes and gardens and capturing it is a good thing for several reasons.First, it’s free! It’s also a good stormwater management practice. Corralling that precious water before it rushes down the storm drain and carries with it phosphorous that is a major contributor … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: A Northern Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants and Pollinators
I am so excited to share this new book with you. I received a copy from the publisher to review and, I have to say, I am more than happy to report “A Northern Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants and Pollinators, creating habitat in the Northeast, Great Lakes and Upper Midwest” by Lorraine Johnson and Sheila Colla, is even better than I anticipated.
Sharing knowledge on ALL things in … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Choosing your Easter lily
This Sunday is Easter. It changes every year as Easter always falls on the first Sunday after a full moon between March 22nd and April 25th, approximately. This Christian Holy Day is marked by cherished traditions that bring joy, comfort, warmth and a continuity between generations.
The beautiful trumpet-shaped white flowers of the Easter Lily, or lilium longiflorum symbolize purity, hope and life – the spiritual essence of Easter – a time of renewal. … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Mulch and a tragic misstep IMHO
I just read a statement from a website that is thought to be very reputable. It’s used by a LOT of lay people to get, what they believe, is the best information. That’s why I had to do this Garden Bite.
I won’t name the website but it clearly stated that plastic and landscape materials (fabric) are great mulch for foundation areas. NO, please do NOT use either of those. Ever. The … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Assessing wildlife damage on plants
The weather was warm enough to start shoveling out the 4 ft. pile next to my back door to melt!
I’m now wearing a brace on my elbow. BOY that stuff was frozen! And then…
I’ve been continuing to tread lightly in my gardens but I DID see life!
Have you been assessing wildlife damage? I have damage on nearly all my shrubs and even some perennials.
Rabbits, voles and squirrels can all … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Tomato and pepper seed start time 2023
The last official frost date for Zone 4 is May 15th while zone 3 is looking at about May 25th. That date is completely subject to the current weather!
I’m in zone 4b and we have yet to reach our first 50 degree day. (It was predicted but didn’t quite get there). The average first 50 degree day in my area is March 9th. At this point, let’s … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Climate zones plus!
I’ve seen the buzz lately in trade magazines and websites discussing the fact that our climate zones are NOT absolute. This isn’t really NEW news but it IS news that backyard weed warriors or weekend gardeners don’t really think about.
First a little info on how climate zones are determined; Data is collected for a 30-year period from nearly 8,000 temperature stations around the country to create the hardiness zone map. The data is reviewed … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Understory native plants
Looking for plants that do well in those shaded areas under your trees aka understory plants? I’m sharing some fabulous native perennials today from Prairie Moon Nursery.
Instead of surrounding your trees with rocks, which we know is a no-no, plant some companions that will help ward off weeds and add some flare! Wild geraniums are a favorite of mine. They are hardy to zone 3, grow to about a foot tall and fill … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: For the Birds
There are some awesome native plants to attract birds to your landscape.
These plants are vital in that they attract insects the birds need to feed their young. Natives also serve as safe nesting sites and perches. I’m sharing some from my friends at Prairie Moon Nursery. Of course, since the birds love them for insects it’s only natural that the pollinators dig them too!
An early blooming tree would be the Downy Serviceberry … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Bailey Nurseries 2023 plant introductions
In 2013 I had a local television show called DigIn Minnesota. I had SO much fun doing that show. I hosted and co-produced it. During one of the episodes I had the opportunity to visit Bailey Nurseries in Minnesota. I met with Alec Charais and produced a segment on their Easy Elegance Rose series.
Today I want to talk about their new 2023 introductions which include a wonderful new hydrangea from the … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Maple Syruping 2023
I’ve spotted tapped trees!
It’s not too late to get some golden goodness out of your trees. Although it’s not really gold flowing, it looks more like water!
Weather plays a big role in sap flow. Maple sap runs best when daytime temperatures are in the high 30s to mid-40s and overnight temperatures are below freezing. This cycle of above-freezing days and below-freezing nights needs to continue for several days, although nature occasionally has been … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Peat-free options
A couple of weeks ago I talked about the depletion of peat bogs and a growing movement to stop using so much of a resource that is not instantly renewable.
Today is about peat replacement options. Coconut coir aka coconut fiber is at the top of the list. It is the fiber between the husk and outer shell of a coconut and a waste product of the coconut industry.
Coco coir can hold up to 10 … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Tiptoe into 2023 spring garden cleanup
Normally we’re tiptoeing into spring garden cleanup and I remind my listeners to be gentle in their gardens. While Monday was the “official first day so spring”, THIS year, 2023, has most of the listening area with still abundant snow/rain/slush and temps that are not conducive to gardening.
Soggy, muddy soil compacts much easier. A situation none of us wants. Frost depths vary widely. Check out NOAA where you can put … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Crop rotation in the vegetable garden
We’re SLOWLY creeping into planting season and I wanted to get you thinking about crop rotation as we consider our vegetable garden. While there are many more disease resistant vegetable cultivars, crop rotation is still something to think about for a couple of reasons.
It’s really the single easiest thing we can do to keep soil nutrients working FOR us and to help prevent disease. But what crops do you rotate with? … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Gardening in a changing climate
As mentioned yesterday I was at a Horticulture Day and was really looking forward to the main speaker, Meg McAndrews Cowden. She, sadly, had laryngitis and wasn’t able to give her talk on Gardening in a New Climate.
Her notes were in our material and I am sharing some of them with you today along with my own information over the years I’ve been doing Garden Bite. Meg has a book, “Plant, Grow, … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: How NOT to kill your trees
I just spent last weekend at our local County Master Gardener Horticulture Day and one of the speakers was a University of MN Extension Educator, Katie Drewitz. Her talk was titled How Not to Kill Your Tree.
She had some doozy stories and a lot of great reminders I want to share with you as we head into spring. She told one story of a woman who called and wanted to … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: 2023 Spring Equinox – where are you?
Hello, Spring? Where are you? Today is YOUR big day and I haven’t heard a peep out of you. Seriously we’re all getting a big concerned! 2022/23 Winter will go down in history if you have been reading social media platforms.
Our LONG, very wet/snowy winter has started to wear on all of us.
Ahh, but spring is here, maybe, hopefully. We look forward to the freshness of it, the hope … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Is Shamrock a real plant?
“Top of the mornin’ to ya!” and Happy St. Patty’s Day! I may be slightly Irish but I am all American, as those phrases really are! But it IS St. Patrick’s day and that makes me think of Shamrocks and all things green.
It was the Celtic druids who started the shamrock on its path to Irish glory! They believed the number 3 to be a perfect number and, as such, to have … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Rhododendrons vs Azaleas
Are rhododenrons the same as azaleas? Kinda. From the American Rhododendron Society comes this: All azaleas are rhododendrons but not all rhododendrons are azaleas. Azaleas have been reclassified and are now in the genus Rhododendron. There are no clear cut lines for distinguishing all azaleas from all rhododendrons WHAT? Check out this past Garden Bite on Rhodos & Azaleas for the North.
Very generally, Azaleas tend to be smaller with more pointed, narrow leaves … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: A 2023 AAS winner that’s an Angel
All America Selections judges have chosen an Angel for a 2023 winner. Leucanthemum ‘Carpet Angel’. The first-ever groundcover Shasta Daisy as well as the first-ever AAS Winner from this breeder! Green Fuse Botanicals’ First Light Perennials.
Large 3-inch flowers boast a second inner frilly bloom adding to the unique look of Carpet Angel. It grows to just 6 inches tall but boasts a spread of 20 inches making it a … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Oh for Peats sake
It’s been a staple in potting mixes for something like forever. It’s water retaining qualities, ability to hold nutrients in the soil and leave space for oxygen make it valuable to gardeners. And we’re depleting this carbon sponge we so desperately need.
Another article in Northern Gardener magazine shares that peat creates ideal growing conditions for plants.
Peat moss comes from bogs, a kind of wetland that’s home to unique flora and fauna. It … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: A whole new look at Bleeding Hearts
My Northern Gardener magazine came!! It never disappoints, I always discover something. If you’re a cold climate gardener, check them out. No, I’m NOT paid to say that!
Common bleeding heart (the old-fashioned early bloomers) are native to Asia but there are several North American Natives!The common bleeding (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) heart bloom early and go dormant over the summer.
There are lovely cultivars of them including ‘Alba’ (these 3 plants … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Change is gonna come 2023
I’ve said it before and it continues to be relevant: The only constant thing in life is change and that really follows us into the garden.
Whether it’s change WE choose, the PLANT chooses or even a hungry critter chooses! In particular this winter of 22/23 has been challenging to say the least.
Every one of my shrubs has been eaten by rabbits. I can’t really blame them as they need to eat … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Microgreens
March is here but for those of us in cold climates, and this winter in particular!, our weather just isn’t suitable for outside growing yet! In come microgreens! They are really popular and super easy indoors.
Microgreens are not sprouts (germinated seed), they’re edible immature greens, harvested with scissors less than a month after germination, when the plants are up to 2 inches tall. For more on sprouts check out microveggy.com.
They’re pretty much any green … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: General seed starting
From now to about mid-April you can start planting seeds indoors. Be sure to adjust for YOUR climate zone. I am focusing on zone 4 mostly but that can translate to areas of 3 and 5 also.
- For germination, most seeds need warmth
- For growth, they’ll need light. There’s no need for fancy/expensive grow lights unless you’re growing flowers indoors.
And yes, my 1897 built home tilts! I will have to put some shims on … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: 2023 Year of the Spirea
Spirea, years ago I really didn’t like them. They seemed a bit boring and I sort of ignored them. Then along came Double Play ‘Candy Corn’.
It’s changing colors throughout the seasons are something to behold.
The National Garden Bureau has named their shrub of the year for 2023, it’s Spirea! With nearly 100 unique species, NGB reports that this hardy group of plants boasts a wide range of colorful foliage ranging … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Host plants for butterflies and moths
Plowing out from our blizzard I received my Prairie Moon Nursery catalog. Oh the joy it brings! Inside the catalog is a list of native plants that are hosts for specific butterflies and moths.
I share some with you today! For earlier bloom and the first to provide nectar for hummingbirds, choose Columbine. This plant is host to the Columbine Duskywing. Red and yellow flowers bloom from April to June … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Newspaper recycling and your garden
While I don’t always enjoy the news, I’ve always enjoyed getting the big Sunday paper. My Sunday paper didn’t show up… so this is a previous photo!
I’d really hate to see print go away completely although I understand the push to online formats, spreading the paper out and reading while enjoying a cup of coffee isn’t something I want to give up. I’m not good and scrolling and drinking my coffee!! HA, … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: What to know about bare-root plants
Once again, it’s time to check out bare-root plants! From perennials to shrubs (including roses) to trees, planting bareroot is less expensive.
Bare-root plants are typically one to perhaps even 3 years old when dug out of the ground where they’ve been growing. Prairie Moon Nursery has a great PDF on Installing Bare-root which includes the various roots systems and planting specifics. They’re shipped to you with no soil, just moist … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Getting a jump on summer bulb planting
Get a jump on summer bulb planting! Karen is an expert at Gertens Garden Center in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota and shares some great info. Oh, and I share some too!
You can purchase bulbs from local garden centers or maybe you dug up your gladiolus, cannas, your dahlias or your tuberous begonias last Fall and want to get started. PS, as Karen says, if you get it a little be … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: New shrubs for 2023
‘Purpink’ you say? Why, yes I do!
I’m sharing new shrubs for 2023. Introducing a new Proven Winners Bloomerang Lilac ‘Purpink’! Since they couldn’t decide if the flowers were a lovely shade of purple or pink, they chose to name the plant combining the two colors!
With incredible rebloom and disease resistance, this is a perfect shrub for spring from zone 3a (the tundra) all the way to zone 7b. It grows 3 … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Fireflies and plants
Have you noticed over the past several years seeing fewer and fewer fireflies? Or maybe you call them lightning bugs? They were always such a delight when I was a kid seeing them light up and chasing after them.
Fireflies are a type of beetle and there are over 150 different species in the United States alone with Britannica reporting over 2,000 species worldwide.And here’s more from pestworld.com.
Prairie Moon Nursery, a … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: GMOs and more
Earlier this week I discussed seed terminology and briefly talked about GMO’s and GE’s. I offer a little more clarification on today’s Garden Bite. This is a big topic and I have links to more information below.
First, modifications, genetic mutations take place in every living thing naturally. When 2 people have a baby, there’s some mutation going on. Not sure that’s real romantic but you catch my drift.
Hybridizers have been modifying plants since … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Small space garden plants
A small space doesn’t mean you can’t have a garden! I have a raised bed for my vegetables but I also plant in pots. I like to have a few cucumbers but don’t want to give up space for them. ‘Patio Snacker’ is the perfect size cuke to plant in a 15 inch pot with a trellis for the 3 to 5 foot vines to grow on. Bonus, they mature in 50 days!
Peppers … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Seed buying 101
Tis the season of seeds! A perennial topic this time of year as we really start the gears rolling on early seed starting. All America Selections put together some great information regarding seed terminology. Descriptive terms to know as you search out seeds. Click on that link for more.
So what is a “cultivar”? It’s often presented as the ‘variety name’ after the genus and species in seed catalogs. So ‘San Joaquin’ is the cultivar … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Popular annuals for 2023
The plant breeder, Proven Winners, analyzed the most sought-after annuals from nurseries who purchase seeds and/or plugs of plants to grow for their upcoming season and came up with some predictions for the most in-demand Proven Winners annuals for the spring of 2023.
Supertunias tops the list and they happen to have a brand new one called ‘Persimmon’.
First, Supertunias are petunias with more vigor and a more mounded habit. ‘Persimmon’ flowers … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Mexican vacation and plant discoveries
As you know I was on vacation in Mexico a couple of weeks ago and did manage to take a few pictures of the plant life! The hibiscus were blooming. That was a welcome sight in the middle of winter!
Correctly identifying the other flora pictures turned out to be more challenging than I thought. The one I id’d easily was Monstera deliciosa. The leaves are WAY larger outside in their native … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: How invasive species get around
We have many invasive plants and insects that affect our ecosystems. It’s hard to imagine NOT having them based on the fact that humans are a traveling invasive species! Centuries ago our ancestors traveled to the Americas bringing with them all kinds of plants and taking other plants back to their homelands.
There wasn’t a thought to the ramifications of what one species would do to the local plant and/or insect populations. … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Should we plant more trees or not?
Is planting trees enough to reverse climate change? Short answer: no.
Last week I re-aired Garden Bites from last year as I was on vacation. One of those was titled a Change of Climate for gardening and I talked about the various ways to help our planet including planting trees.
My arborist friend, Faith Appelquist of Treequality, came out with another awesome article regarding that very thing. She got a … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Buckthorn, bunnies and blue pee
Years ago, I lived on 5 acres in Lakeville, MN. While wandering through the woods, I discovered smurf blue stains in the snow! The property had been a “farm dump”.
After cleaning up a bunch of barbed wire, old farm implements and plastic toys, that blue stain was worrisome. I knew it wasn’t mouthwash that I’d spit out or what I called “Blue Juice” back in my traffic reporting days, out in the … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Valentines Day traditions around the World
Be with someone you love, do something you love, eat something you love, grow something you love!
In the meantime I’ll share some Valentine traditions around the world. In Denmark people traditionally exchange pressed white flowers called snowdrops instead of fresh bouquets. It’s also traditional for people to send their crushes “joke letters” called gaekkebrev. These poems or rhymes are signed only with dots, so the recipient has to guess who … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Symbolism behind the color of flowers
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, just in case you hadn’t heard! Flower color symbolism dates back centuries and is found in most cultures! What DO those colors mean? You might want to know before you buy, just in case your special someone DOES know!
Red, in particular with roses, stands for romantic love and passion, but can also mean desire, strength, courage and respect.
- Pink is playful, innocent and a more platonic
… [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: A new sunflower for bees and a “parasol” for humans!
Last year I planted several sunflowers in support of Ukraine and also for bees and the finches too!
This year, as I was perusing my Burpee catalog, I noted a new sunflower they’re offering for 2023 called ‘Creme Brulee’.
This is their description: Elegant crowns of golden-yellow petals surround fluffy, amber-bronze centers, a floral reflection of the caramelized sugar atop that fabulous dessert, crème brulee! It really … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Native salt tolerant plants
Minnesota has had one of the snowiest winters in a long while. The ice has been awful.
400 crashes reported on icy roads one morning in the Twin Cities! The salt truck was BACKING UP my hill so the salt preceded the truck! YUP, those salt trucks are necessary to help prevent more crashes and falls.
I expected it and finally received it… a note from my poor mailman to get rid of the … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: EAB 2023 update and Ash tree alternatives
As of January 5th, 2023, the USDA reports that Emerald Ash Borer has been located in 36 states across the country. First discovered in 2002 in Michigan, it is believed to have actually arrived in the 1990’s on infected wood used in shipping. It is native to northeast Asia where it only attacks dying Ash trees.
Here in the US, it is responsible for killing tens of millions of once healthy … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Pericallis – a must have annual
Suntory is a world wide family of companies involved in a lot of areas including flower breeding. I shared last week about a beautiful new pericallis they developed in their Senetti series called ‘White Red Heart’. It’s a lovely annual.
Pericallis are plants you’ll instantly know but their name doesn’t really roll off the tongue! They remind me of daisies but come in many colors and are annuals. Pericallis are … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Prairie up – your lawn converted
Many years ago I interviewed Benjamin Vogt on his book “A New Garden Ethic’. Last December I mentioned his latest book, “Prairie Up – an Introduction to Natural Garden Design”. It was just released last Tuesday, January 24th.
Vogt is a native to Minnesota, growing up in the western suburbs when they were NOT suburbs. He talks about when, during an exploration of the undeveloped land, a flock of geese flew … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Plant catalog terms
The plant catalogs have been arriving or you’ve been googling and finding all kinds of fun plants. Every year, and 2023 is no different, I grab a hot chocolate and enjoy perusing plants.
One question I get every year, and generally when people are looking to plant vegetables, is what those terms mean. If you’re looking up lettuce and see the term “slow to bolt” – that’s a good thing. It means that your lettuce … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Companion Planting
Gazing out at a winter wonderland, I made soup using herbs from last year.
I dry them in my dehydrator and LOVE having them on hand. Oh the Rosemary!
Herbs offer fragrance, taste, medicinal properties and they repel some pests. While not always substantiated by University based information, there are a number of books and articles, as well as old gardeners around that swear by the use of herbs and companion planting.
A book I’ve used … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Rabbits and your shrubs
Ugh, they really nailed my dwarf Burning Bush… it’s now REALLY a dwarf.
It’s always a good idea to monitor your shrubs and newly planted trees this time of year to see if there’s been bunny, vole or deer damage!
This year, 2023, is starting with plenty of snowpack for many of us, including me. I’ve seen those rascally rabbits making a beeline for under my porch when I approach. Next year I gotta … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Air plants trend for 2023
Last week I talked about the latest popular plants including Strings of plants and succulents and cacti, so great for the office.
Air Plants have been trending for a while and remain very popular in 2023. Their Latin name is Tillandsia and they are native to South and Central America with about 500 species!
Do they really grow with no soil? Yes, they are epiphytes, meaning they grow on other plants, usually tree … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: More new plants for 2023
The best part about this time of year, besides enjoying some winter sports, is sitting in my favorite chair and gazing at all the new plants.
Today I’m sharing an annual, a perennial or shrub, if you prefer, and an edible. I discovered these 2023 offerings I found through the National Garden Bureau where I’m a member.
A beautiful early spring bloomer, this plant has multiple names. I’m going with Cineraria Senetti ‘White … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: New Proven Winner plants 2023
As we reach the end of 2022, we look forward to new plant introductions for 2023! Proven Winners is a brand comprised of leading plant propagators around the world. In North America, they are Four Star Greenhouse in Carleton, MI and Pleasant View Gardens in Loudon, NH.
Here’s a look at a few new Proven Winners perennials for 2023! They will be available at your local nurseries next year. A new Astilbe … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Birds are feeding!
It’s full-on winter in much of the country. Last week I talked about ice and snow collected on our trees and shrubs and whether to knock it off.
I admit, the snow DOES look lovely resting on those branches. The birds feeding on some fun ornaments made of seed is also lovely to watch.
The video above is a chickadee at a birdhouse made of seed that my niece gave me as an early … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: My Gardeners version of Twas the Night Before Christmas
It’s Christmas Eve and that means I bring you my gardeners version of an old classic poem written in 1823 by Clement Clarke Moore. I wrote my version well over a decade ago but it still holds true for me.
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,
not a plant was stirring not even a sprout.
The seedlings were hung by the glow of a grow … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Mesmerizing caladiums
I was perusing topics for today when I came across a caladium that screams Christmas! Since this IS Christmas week, I really wanted to share it. Heart to Heart “Mesmerized’ by Proven Winners is SO festive with various shades of greens and reds along with splashes of white in each leaf. This is definitely your Thriller in a container, growing to about 20 inches tall with a 14 inch spread.
Another Christmasy caladium is called ‘Fiesta’ … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Winter Solstice 2022
The Winter Solstice occurs at 3:48 this afternoon central time! While it marks the shortest day of the year, it also means that the days will start getting longer! YAY. I look forward to longer days, as I know LOTS of people do.
Why does this even happen? Because Earth is tilted. But we’re not alone, all the other planets are tilted with Mercury and Jupiter the straightest.Western culture owes many of the traditional … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: American Lotus
Prairie Moon Nursery is an excellent native seed and plant company based in Minnesota. I’ve purchased many seeds and plants from them over the years. They just highlighted a plant whose seed pods are very often used in holiday container arrangements and more.
American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea). This aquatic plant is sought after for its huge flower, and also for the decorative dried seed capsules. Very large, 10″ or more across, and … [Continue reading]
Click on the link below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Taking care of our trees
Last week I talked about how road salt damages our plants and more. I discussed the care we need to use when our trees, evergreens and shrubs are laden with snow and ice. Then I received my Treequality holiday message from my favorite Arborist, Faith Appelquist. She talked about how she loves the Christmas lights but not when they’re strangling our trees.
The examples of the torture some people … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Knock it off or not? Snow and ice
Should I knock it off or not? A perennial topic.
When our timbers are shivering, our trees and shrubs are layered in snow and ice, our first instinct is to knock that stuff off, set the branches free, however, you might do more harm than good.
And put your own safety at risk. Always proceed with caution as you head out after a wintry mix. I’ve seen trees that literally … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Road salt alternatives
I’ve already had a couple of white knuckle commutes and watched semi’s jackknife and get t-boned.
Road salt and salt alternatives are today’s Garden Bite subject.
We all know by now that salt is NOT good for lawns or most plants. It’s taken years for state Departments of Transportation to figure out how to use it with more discretion and find alternatives. Back in the 1930’s New Hampshire was the first state to use rock … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: The case for the Northern long-eared bat 2023
I’ve written before about White Nose Syndrome and the Northern long-eared bat, and their situation is getting much worse. The US Fish & Wildlife service just announced that, starting in January of 2023, the state of Minnesota will reclassify the Northern long-eared bat from “threatened” to “endangered”.
In a press release, the Director said, “White-nose syndrome is decimating cave-dwelling bat species like the northern long-eared bat at unprecedented … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Pantone Color of the Year 2023
We’ll be seeing plenty of red next year, or rather reddish-purple. Pantone has chosen Viva Magenta as their 2023 Color of the Year.
While they wax poetic in their description, it’s really an amazing color. To quote Pantone, “Viva Magenta is brave and fearless. A pulsating color promoting joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.” That’s not all. It is a shade rooted in nature. It’s inspired by the red of … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: National Poinsettia Day and the Legend
The quintessential plant of the holiday season is due in part to Joel Roberts Poinsett who was the first U.S. diplomat to Mexico.
He took a fancy to the plant in 1828 and sent samples back home. Euphorbia pulcherrima was used by the Aztecs for dyes and medicines.
Spanish Catholicism made the connection to Christmas due to the leaves that were said to be shaped like the Star of Bethlehem and the … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Small space gardening 2022
Small space gardening continues to trend up as we head toward 2023. In fact, container gardening is the number 1 way 35 to 45 year olds prefer to garden. With that in mind, I did some research on incorporating container gardening into your landscape. Plants such as the Petite Knock Out® rose are perfectly suited for this type of gardening. Click on the link to see it in the ground too!
It has the … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Striking houseplant choices
Since we’re mostly indoors now, our houseplants serve as our “nature respite” in the warmth of our homes! We all have or have had spider plants, mother-in-law tongues, philodendron and the like. How about adding a little bite, with the striking foliage of the Rattlesnake Plant also known as Calathea lancifolia.
It’s leaves are various shades of green with wavy edges and a reddish-purple underside. The leaves alone can grow to 30 inches in … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Evergreens of another color
Looks like most of us will have a white Christmas! Snow pack is great for our plants, it acts as an insulation coming just in time for those frigid temps.
Then in Spring, as the soil thaws it will soak up that snow for a refreshing wake-up call.
With all that white, we do appreciate some color in our landscape. Evergreens generally come to mind first. But they’re not all green! These evergreens are … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: 2023 AAS winners – Edibles
Yesterday I talked about AAS annual flower winners. Today I’m going to share some of the edible winners so you can start planning! I love watermelon but don’t grow it due to size. ‘Rubyfirm F1’ is a personal size, very sweet tasting 2023 winner with crisp flesh and minimal seeds.
It yields 2 to 3 fruits on a 10 ft. vine. It also has good disease resistance. It must be grown in full … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: 2023 AAS winners – Annuals
It’s that time of year! Sharing AAS winners for 2023. All America Selections are truly the best of the best having been trialed by numerous horticulture professionals in blind trials.Today I’m sharing some spectacular new annuals that will be available next year. First up may be my favorite. It’s a colocasia in the Royal Hawaiian series. This one is named ‘Waikiki’.
This gorgeous elephant ear’s leaves are deep, glossy green with … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Taking out the lawn
A number of years ago I interviewed Benjamin Vogt on his book “A New Garden Ethic”. I’ve mentioned him before. Earlier this year, in fact, on the dandelion debate.
As owner of Monarch Gardens he designs prairie landscapes specifically to remove expanses of lawns. In his new book, “Prairie Up – An Introduction to Natural Garden Design” Vogt shares his expertise with prairie plants aimed at gardeners and homeowners, making big ideas about … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: 2023 bulb of the year – Amaryllis
Each year the National Garden Bureau selects a bulb, annual, vegetable, perennial, shrub and houseplant of the year. For 2023 they’ve selected the Amaryllis as bulb of the Year. The focus is on the Hippeastrum plants.
Amaryllis is a bulb native to South Africa. I talked about amaryllis a couple of weeks ago and shared some new offerings, check out them out here.
Today I’m sharing some of the … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Norfolk Pine – the tropical Christmas tree
I’ve talked about evergreens and fresh Christmas trees so far this week, how about a Tropical Tree!
Perfect for small places, in fact I had one in my own home a couple of years ago, this little darling fits well in apartments or any space you have light. It’s the Norfolk Pine.
I know many of you have seen this houseplant but maybe don’t know where it actually comes from … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Christmas tree placement and care
You learned all about the different types of Christmas trees on yesterdays Garden Bite. Today is about caring for your fresh tree.
FIRST know WHERE you’ll place your tree so you can measure the area. You may think you’re good at eyeballing it, but once that baby’s in the house, you don’t want to cut it! Seriously, friends did this. Their tree was way too large for their home. Let’s just say that … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Fresh Christmas tree selection
Local nurseries are stocked with fabulous fresh greens and copious amounts of Christmas trees. The scent of a real tree has created many a lasting memory for most of us.
Of course we can’t forget the 60’s with the metal trees and rotating colored lights! They’ve made a comeback in the last few years and I’ve also spotted pink and champagne colored artificial trees! They can be fun too.
But TODAY is about choosing … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Shopping madness 2022
Yesterday we packed our bellies, today we’re packing shopping bags!
For gardeners here is a list of my favorites, including my new favorite tool, the Hori Hori knife! Seriously, I can’t believe I went this long without one! I’m also a huge fan of garden forks. I use mine consistently. It’s so much easier on the plants and their roots and also on ME.
As for gloves, I have probably about 10 pair all over … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Happy Thanksgiving 2022
Happy Thanksgiving, may your house and your belly be full today.
As you belly up to the table, think about the herbs in the stuffing you could grow! Parsley and sage are two easy ones!
I generally grow rosemary and use that in LOTS of dishes, in particular when I’ve thrown chicken, pork or beef in the crock pot.
Oh, and those little red potatoes would be easy to grow.
Maybe you could ask for … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: New vegetables for 2023
I get all kinds of emails from plant companies including Johnny’s Selected Seeds with the headline “New for 2023 Vegetable Varieties”! Well I had to look!
Some new vegetables for 2023 First up, one of my favorite vegetables/fruits – a new cherry tomato! Mochi has a whole new texture. It’s kinda weird. Instead of bursting in your mouth, they say it’s like eating a gumdrop. I’m not quite sure what to think about that. … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Dormant oils – what are they?
What are dormant oils and when and why would you apply them? A listener had asked this question before and today, I thought I’d revisit it as it’s been a few years!
Apples, crabapples, plums, quince and pears all benefit from dormant oil, as do gooseberry and currant bushes. Other fruit-bearing trees and bushes don’t have any need for this type of oil as they don’t often harbor the same pests.
These … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Spruce tips/tops 2022
I know, it’s not Thanksgiving yet but already all the spruce top pots and decorations are being sold. Perhaps because it suddenly got REAL cold.
In fact, since I was sick when it was warm I didn’t get out to disconnect my hoses from the hose and empty them before they froze. UGH, I did get to them later but I’m just hoping they’ll be fine. Shout out to Dramm hoses! Oh, and another irritant, … [Continue reading]
Click to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Planning perennial edibles for next year
When planting our edible gardens, most of us think of them as annuals. Here’s a look at 3 perennial edibles and 1 herb hardy to zone 4 climates. The first is one I’ve never been a huge fan of but almost everyone I know loves it. Asparagus. It takes commitment to grow this guy but once established, your asparagus bed will yield for years.
They prefer a neutral pH soil. Choose a … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Infused sugars – party gift
Party season is upon us. Now that we are back to gathering a lot more in person, that means more parties, which means, as guests, we like to bring a little something for the one hosting the festivities.
In my department at work, we sometimes give each other a little something. Last year I gave small jars of infused sugar.
I made the following videos back in 2018. I have additional info … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: What holiday is your cactus blooming in?
I hate to disappoint you but your “Christmas” cactus is not an overachiever…
I changed my cover photo on my personal Facebook page and got a lot of comments so I thought it was time to revisit this subject.
Every year people are mixed up on what kind of flowering cactus they have. If yours is blooming now, like mine is, it’s a Thanksgiving cactus. It’s not just because that’s the … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: UMN 2022 annual flower trial results
Yesterday was about AAS Landscape Design winners, today I’m sharing the results of the University of Minnesota Extensions Annual flower trials!
With November being the “cloudiest” month, I wanted to brighten it up with pretty flowers. The U’s Horticulture Display Garden is in Morris, Mn. which is located in Zone 4. Each year, the Top Ten Performing Annuals are selected from the hundreds of cultivars trialed.
Annual flowers are evaluated on … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: AAS Landscape Design winners 2022
I have often talked about All-America Selections. They are an independent non-profit organization that tests new, never-before-sold varieties of edibles, annuals and perennials for the home gardener.
AAS also has a landscape design challenge each year for their Display Gardens around the country. This year’s theme was Games in the Garden.
For the challenge, AAS provides the gardens with recent AAS Winner seeds and plants. The gardens have the option to … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Veterans Day & the healing properties of nature
Today is Veterans Day aka Armistice Day. World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Amaryllis – the Art & Soul of winter
Amaryllis, the “art and soul of winter”. I just came across that line from a company out of Connecticut and thought it was pretty appropriate!
Amaryllis bulbs are usually in garden centers in early October and online even earlier. Some varieties are already sold out, but there’s still time!
Amaryllis are synonymous with the holidays as we watch their growth and those incredible blooms! Bulbs take 4 to 6 weeks … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Quit bugging me! Boxelders and Asian lady beetles
The swarming of Boxelder bugs on our homes and garages means they’re still looking for a cozy place to spend the winter.
Annoying, most definitely. Harmful, nope. Then again, who wants to walk into a swarm of bugs?
While some bugs bury themselves in leaf debris, which is much more preferable than our homes, these two annoyances seek out any opportunity to come indoors.
You can bet there are plenty … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Moving indoors and thinking houseplants
Winter approaches as daylight savings time just ended Sunday. So we get dark an hour earlier. To me that just means I have one less hour of getting things done since it feels like it’s time to go to bed an hour earlier also! It also means that many of us are putting more focus on our indoor plants.
Greenery during winter is proven to lift spirits. And that’s not all, studies have … [Continue reading]
Click below to lsiten to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: The Dropmore Scarlet Saga
Last weekend I culled my out of control honeysuckle vine ‘Dropmore Scarlet’.
Planted in 2014, this vine was a haven to hummingbirds but hid my view after all these years. Gorgeous but overgrown and the plant looked to be weakening.
Ideally Honeysuckle vine ‘Dropmore Scarlet’ will live up to 20 years but underneath, even after trimming it back multiple times, it just got to be more than what I want for that space. I … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Brighten up the winter landscape
If your winter landscape just feels brown and bleak, you might consider adding some color. While it’s too late to plant for many of those in my listening area, keep these options on your wish list this winter.
Evergreens certainly come to mind but I’m thinking more broadly.
Red-twigged dogwood comes to mind right away.
I saw a winterberry holly from Proven Winners that would definitely put a smile on your face! ‘Berry … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Preparing your trees and evergreens for winter
The blend of winter sun, wind, temperature fluctuations, snow and ice can make for a deadly combo for some of our trees and shrubs.
And there’s critter crunching too. Wildlife needing sustenance during winter may gnaw on your nannyberry and other woody plants, especially young plantings under 3 years old. Tree wraps and guards can help substantially with that AND are a pretty decent guarantee against sunscald.
Sunscald happens when the … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Dormant seeding your lawn
While the best time to seed your lawn is mid August to mid September, we had some drought conditions going on that didn’t make that easy. Now’s the time for an easy option, dormant seeding.
This practice involves seeding when temperatures are too low for the seed to germinate prior to winter. Cool-season grass seed germinates best when soil temperatures are 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Daytime air temperatures are generally in the … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: November to-do’s 2022
It’s November 1st! Weather at this time of year is a crapshoot. Some days still light jacket worthy (for some) other days get out the parka! I actually rode my motorcycle on October 29th… I didn’t even have to wear chaps!
An important part of the clean-up process is debris removal. I just took my spent annuals to our City waste site along with downed Black walnut branches and my massive sunflower stalks! The two … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Halloween – American style
Happy Halloween! Last Friday I shared the traditions of Samhain, today it’s a little more history on how the American tradition of Halloween started and how it’s evolved.
When early settlers arrived on our Eastern Seaboard they brought with them certain traditions. All Hallows Eve was one of them. People originally carved out turnips and placed candles inside to ward off evil spirits, but Americans switched from turnips to pumpkins. In 1820, Washington … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Happy Samhain – it’s Tradition 2022
Monday is Halloween or is it Samhain?
According to the National Retail Foundation, Americans will spend an estimated $10.6 billion on Halloween festivities. Gen Z is reportedly going to spend the most this year post (sort-of) pandemic. The TOP celebration includes handing out candy!
The origin of the celebration began as a mark of the end of “light” and the beginning of the “dark”. The ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: The Poweshiek Skipperling – the Endangered
The Star Tribune has been doing a series on endangered native species. I was shocked to read this line from their latest article on the Poweshiek skipperling, “This prairie butterfly suffered one of the most sudden and complete population collapses of any species in North American history”. Let THAT sink in.
According to the U.S. Fish and wildlife service, these small butterflies were once found in native prairie in Manitoba, North … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Radio show/podcast: Lawnmower care 2022
My area has had a couple of hard frosts and then 79 degrees… wacky. This is the time in cold climates to mow for the last time (if needed).
During the growing season your lawn should stay at about 3 inches but this last mow should be shorter, more like 2 to 2.5 inches. The reason is to help prevent mold over the winter months. You could also start the process of getting your mower ready … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Pumpkin seeds and pie for 2022
I have always loved pumpkin seeds.
But, “back in the day”, my mom would leave the pumpkin seeds soaking overnight in water so full of salt you’d think it was the Dead Sea. She’d drain them and roast them for what seemed like hours. My taste is a tad more sophisticated now and I don’t soak them in salt water at all!
The seeds are packed with nutrients and make a great … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Trees for Urban Gardens
While the planting season is pretty much over, you can start dreaming and scheming for next year! Just last week I touched on the importance of trees in our landscape, their value for shade, food and carbon sequestration and keeping them healthy.
This week I bring you trees to place in your urban garden that offer those things as well as ornamental value in your smaller space. Serviceberry is a small deciduous clumping … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Pumpkins and spice and all things lumpy
Love it or hate, it’s pumpkin (ps, pumpkins are squash) spice everything season.
I make pumpkin dessert, pumpkin pie, roast pumpkin seeds.
I don’t carve pumpkins anymore but if you do, get the smooth kind or it can get pretty gnarly with a knife. Speaking of gnarly, the lumpy bumpy curcurbita are my favorite. That’s the genus for all those “fruits”. No, they are technically NOT vegetables. ‘Carnival’ and ‘Turban’ are … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Putting the tools away
One of the last tasks of the gardening season is tool attention. Every year I swear I’m going to be better at it NOT losing my tools. 2022 isn’t much different, except that my Hori Hori knife I guard with my life! Have I told you I LOVE that tool?
My bench under the eve of my garage gets filled with tools, which is better than leaving them around the yard!
Do YOU clean … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Keep on watering and mulch!
In my area we have experienced a persistent drought that has really affected our plant life. My red maple finally turned but it looked rough. While rain has been predicted it’s been sprinkles. As mentioned on Monday’s Garden Bite, I believe my Hackberry has sent out even more surface roots in search of water, which affected my raised garden bed. This found in Treehugger: Trees in a forest develop roots that … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: When a nut’s not a nut and a berry’s not a berry
I subscribe to a newsletter from my friend and favorite arborist, Faith Appelquist of Treequality. She never disappoints and this month I asked if I could share it with you all!
When is a nut not a nut and a berry not really a berry? She writes: Many of the edible plant products which we call nuts are, in botanical terms, fruit. Fruits … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Planting garlic – 2022
This is the week to plant garlic if you live in zone 3 to 5. Generally you plant 1 to 2 weeks AFTER a killing frost. Homegrown garlic is better than store bought just as every other vegetable/fruit is better! Last year I planted Elephant Ear, Duganski and Deerfield Purple. My favorite was the Elephant Ear.
THIS year, 2022, I planted ‘Music’, a robust variety, it’s flavor is described as rich, garlicky, strong, … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Tips for pollinator planting
The National Garden Bureau, of which I’m a member, offered up some fabulous tips for pollinator plantings that I want to share with you today.
While the point is to attract pollinators, the plants need to be nurtured. With their futures so intertwined, if we help one, we need to help both. Tip number one… be kind to soil. Something like one tablespoon of soil holds more living forms than people currently populating … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Tips to protecting and feeding birds as winter approaches
Last week I talked about bird feeders and squirrels. Today it’s about WHAT to feed those birds as winter comes roaring in… at some point.
To offset the white of winter, or the bleak brown, it’s the BIRDS that help us through. And this is OUR time to help THEM through with plenty of nutrition! Contrary to what I’ve heard some people say, feeding the birds in winter … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. radio show/podcast: The finale for the Winged Wahoo
This is the last year you can purchase a Winged Wahoo in my state, Minnesota. I had never heard that name for the shrub more commonly know as Burning Bush. However, it is FUN to say “winged wahoo”. Maybe since ‘Wahoo’ is a favorite word of mine!
In 2020, the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture named the Euonymus alatus (Burning Bush) their October Weed of the Month. Here’s a very quick video from the … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Winter protection for outdoor containers
We all know it’s coming, the s-word. And I ain’t talkin’ stew and sweatshirts! As I noted yesterday, it can happen early! HA!
It’s time to start thinking about winter prep/storage of those ceramic/glazed containers that held your lovely plant arrangements all season. I do leave out my large, heavy ceramic container to plant for the Christmas season.
I also have two other glazed pots, which handle the least amount of wet conditions … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: What those “frosty” terms mean to our plants
It’s not Winter yet, but it’s on the way and some have already experienced some temperatures dipping into the 20’s. I was on a recent motorcycle trip and 50 is a bit cool! Other friends were going this week where highs are in the low 40’s! Tomatoes and peppers have already been covered or lost.
We’ve traded out the summer annuals for mums and kale, brought the tropicals inside or … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Planting before the ground freezes
You can still plant healthy shrubs and trees into November! This does NOT mean evergreens. You need to wait till next spring for them. While our temperatures can get pretty cold, the ground in our zone 3 and 4 climates doesn’t “generally” freeze until late in November and December. That means you can take advantage of deals at your local nursery.
When shopping, don’t be afraid to take the plants out of their … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Overwintering geraniums
In the last couple of years I’ve heard more and more people overwintering geraniums. So, today, after seeing the University of Minnesota Extension jump into it, I thought I would share their information.
Full disclosure, I have not attempted this but my sister did and had some success.
Geraniums can be overwintered indoors by taking cuttings, potting up individual plants or storing bare-root plants in a cool, dry location. Make sure to do one or … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Planting on a septic system
Many years ago I lived on 5 acres that had a septic mound. It was hard to mow and the rider was not to be used on top. My clever idea was to plant native seed. Well, this way a LONG time ago when I was very new at the gardening game and I didn’t research it the way I should have.
There are rules to planting on septic systems and Prairie Moon … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Digging up bulbs for winter storage
Last week we were planting bulbs for Spring bloom, today is about digging up bulbs for winter storage! Gladiolas, dahlias, cannas, begonias and elephant ears to name some!
It’s important to wait until the flowers are gone and the foliage of these plants is browning or completely toast. For the 2022-23 Winter, the Farmers Almanac is calling it “A Tale of Two Winters”. Their forecasted weather map splits the country in … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Ins and Outs of planting bulbs in Fall
As I teased you with tantalizing tulips and other Fall planted bulbs yesterday, I wanted to share the ins and outs of planting the various types of bulbs. First, remember to check to see what your local nurseries have to offer before you place an order.
Online sites, however, DO offer a wider variety than some of our local shops so if you don’t see what you want, that is … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Spring bulbs for Fall planting 2022
If you want spring to midseason bulbs to plant this Fall, you best get to finding some. At the nursery where I work, customers were asking weeks ago when our bulbs would arrive. They have arrived and already many have been sold! 2022 is another booming year for bulbs.
Daffodils and tulips, crocus and fritillaria. Snowdrops and squill, hyacinth and allium. Whew, and so many cultivars in between!!
We plant these bulbs … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Planting native seeds in late Fall
My favorite native seed nursery had a sale and I scored 3 types of flowers I’ve admired. My plan is to sow them outdoors late this Fall.
These specific seeds need cold stratification to germinate. Sowing these in late fall allows the seeds to germinate in their own natural timeframe and it’s easy!
Generally, it’s best to plant on a weed-free site that’s clear of other vegetation. For my purposes I will … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Neonics and deer
A couple of weeks ago an article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper caught my eye with the headline “Majority of deer exposed to toxin”. State biologists tested the spleens of road kill deer and those sent in by hunters. 94% had concentrations of neonicotinoids. More from MPRNews.org.
But it gets worse, nearly two-thirds of those deer had higher concentrations than a threshold found to potentially lower fawn survival and cause deformities.
Neonics started … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Ghost Plant – fungus or flower
Prairie Moon Nursery in Minnesota is my go-to place for native plants and seeds that I can’t find at my local garden center. They just highlighted a very unique plant on their Facebook page that I am sharing with you today.
Ghost Pipe, Ghost Flower or Indian Pipe looks like a fungus but it’s actually a native flower. It’s Latin name is Monotropa uniflora, is a wildflower that is actually a member … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Handling too much harvest safely
This year MY harvests have not been impressive, however, my neighbor across the street has a HUGE supply of tomatoes, which I’ve benefitted from.
I’ve been the recipient of zucchini and fresh corn too. Which I’ve shared with other neighbors! I love my ‘hood.
You don’t want to lose that harvest. So what do you do to safely pick and preserve your bounty for future use? When harvesting vegetables remember these tips:
- Be
… [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Autumnal Equinox 2022
The Autumnal Equinox happens at 8:30 tonight central time. Or maybe 9:04pm. Oddly, this is the first time I’ve found 2 times in the same time zone.
Bottom line is, the equinox, equal day/equal night will happen at the exact same moment all over the world. The sun crosses the celestial equator moving south, signifying the start of the colder months of the year for the Northern Hemisphere. (And the warmer months of the … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Creating a new garden bed
At my former home I started a garden plot for cut flowers. I left an old carpet and tarps over the soil from Spring to Fall to kill the existing weeds. I do not have photos of them, they’ve been lost through the many iterations of my life! You can use cardboard too.
Tip: the best way to use old carpet for weed killing is to put it down on the area … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Honeyberry bushes 2022
Back in January of 2020 I briefly talked about a berry I’d never heard of called Honeyberry. It was in a plant catalog and I was very intrigued as it’s rated zone 2 and supposed to taste wonderful.
Honeyberries seem to be all the rage now in 2022. The University of Saskatchewan began breeding honeyberries(haskap) in 2002. Using lines from Russia, Japan and the Kuril Islands north of Japan, this program is producing fruit that … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Saving seeds
Generally we start saving seeds of our perennials about mid-October.
Native plant seeds will reproduce true to the original. Hybrids of plants will not. There could be faded versions or a complete surprise of a new color! Then again, they may not reproduce at all.
Seeds should be collected about 2 months after flowering. This could be seedpods, , nuts, catkins, berries, etc. but be sure you collect seeds from healthy plants. This is about genetics. … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Allium for the win!
Allium are members of the onion family and as such, they are not a preferred snack for deer and rabbits!
Their flowers are mostly in the round pom-pom form, but they can be star-shaped, cup-shaped, semi-circular, or pendulous. Their color can be white, yellow, pink, purple or blue. Heights vary as do bloom times.
Best grown in full sun, they will tolerate some light shade. They are also drought tolerant, something MY area could … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Adaptive gardening 2022
I had hip replacement surgery in October of 2021. I highly recommend it! The gardening season last year was quite painful. But I’m back, only in a slightly different way. I use some of the Adaptive gardening methods I point out today.
Gardeners don’t retire, we adapt! I’ve talked before on enabling gardens, today is about adapting our way of gardening to match our abilities as we get older, since what we could do … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Annuals for Fall
Flowering kale, grass, millet and mums! A perennial for good measure
Fall flowers thrive in cooler temperatures with blooms that sometimes last well after the first frost. There are two kinds of mums for those of us in cold climates. Annuals and perennials hardy to zone 4. The University of Minnesota came out with the Mammoth mum series. They’re lovely. There is also a zone 5 hardy mum, that series is named Igloo. Be … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Planting garlic – time to order
If you want to plant garlic, you’d better start ordering your bulbs or finding them at local nursery centers now to get what you want.
For those of us in cold climates, we plant our garlic in October… and look forward to our harvesting in late July/early August. That does NOT mean we eat it then. The cloves need to be cured.
I planted garlic for the first time in 2020 and … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Fall is for planting trees/shrubs
Fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs. The air is cooler but the soil is still warm and there’s plenty of time for roots to establish themselves before the bitter cold comes in.
When choosing your trees, don’t focus on planting bigger trees unless you really want that height immediately. It’s easier on the plants (and your back) to purchase smaller ones. Think about what you want from that tree … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Porcelain Berry – August weed of the month
It’s really quite pretty, as many weeds are. August Weed of the Month from the MN Dept. of Agriculture. Another vine, this one is named Porcelain Berry.
A member of the grape family, porcelain berry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata) is a fast-growing, deciduous, woody vine growing upwards of 25 feet long. In Minnesota, it is listed as a Restricted Noxious Weed meaning it cannot be sold, propagated, transported, or … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Wild cucumber is back – 2022 style
Wild Cucumber is back… although not as abundantly as last year. Which seems to be the case for many of our plants.
This vine is usually covering fields, trees, shrubs, grasses, flowers along nearly every rural road through Minnesota, Wisconsin and parts east, west and south!
Wild cucumber is generally overlooked until it has overtaken the plants it is growing on. This vining annual in the cucumber or gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Trees and shrubs for pollinators
We generally think of annual and perennial flowers when we consider pollinators.
Trees and shrubs are a huge component of pollinator habitat. The University of Minnesota Extension notes their seasonal interest as well as providing food AND shelter.
Shrubs can be planted in groups or alone, with fruit or without. I have 3 carpet roses or pavement roses that are loaded each year with bees. They’re easy care and provide pollen abundantly earlier … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Lamenting my Resurrection lilies – the non-rising 2022
Two years ago I talked about my Resurrection Lilies, calling the episode “The Rising”.
I came by this plant in July of 2012 when I moved into my current home.
The previous owner told me that I wouldn’t see this flower coming and I didn’t. It has lush foliage early in the season, then the whole thing dies back.
BUT then, all of a sudden these stalks holding these … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Pollinators and mowing roadways
There was great discussion a couple of weeks ago on my Garden Bite Facebook page regarding pollinators and mowing along roadways. It was in the comment section of my August 8th Garden Bite on how the heat affected our vegetable garden.
The questions are how much footage beyond the roadway to mow and then how often. I never really found that question fully answered but I did find that a lot of organizations … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Fall vegetable garden
Planning a Fall vegetable garden. Those vegetables we grew in spring can be repeated and add brussels sprouts and beets too!
I eat salads nearly every day for lunch. Planting lettuce, kale and other “leafies” sounds like a good idea!
There are some pretty cool reasons for planting as our temperatures begin to cool off. * Pests are fewer, those that irritate our plants and those that irritate us. Mosquitoes are first to come to mind.
… [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Why a raised garden bed?
My community puts on a Garden Tour each year. This year there was a place with only raised beds. It was beautiful.
I asked her why and she simply said she doesn’t want to bend down any more. That was the best answer I could think of! More reasons to love raised beds:
- You control the soil type
- Better drainage
- Soil heats up faster in spring allowing you to plant earlier
- Weeds are
… [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Hardy hibiscus are Summerific – 2022
Hardy hibiscus take those of us in cold climates to the tropics.
Blooming from July to September, some cultivars have flowers that can reach up to 9 inches across. While blooms only last one to two days, there are MANY buds that continue to show off their colors.
It’s important to note that this zone 4 plant takes time to emerge in spring. Don’t get nervous if you don’t see any growth … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Aster yellows
Have you seen Aster Yellows? While that sounds like it would be a pretty flower, it’s anything but. I’ve heard from listeners that it’s in their area.
Aster yellows causes bizarre symptoms on plants. Typical symptoms include veins that turn pale, yellowing of new leaves, abnormally bushy growth, deformed flowers, and stunting. Some look like they’re growing another plant in a flower itself. It can look like witches broom. Or sometimes you don’t even know something’s … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: August vegetable garden tips 2022
It’s August garden tips 2022 version. This has to be my most disappointing year for vegetable gardening.
The Mandevilla flowers look better than any of the other plants. The tomatoes had nice growth, then petered out. The peppers aren’t much and even the herbs have been so-so. I just talked last week about how our hot weather is affecting our vegetable garden.
Tips for mid-August * Before watering your plants with the hose,
… [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: The gladiolas are late – 2022
I love gladiolas. But they’re late this year. The heat, and perhaps, the fact I planted them in a container, has affected their growth. Below is a photo from last year. July 26th, 2021
August 2nd, 2022
Gladiolas are part of the Iris family but have a very different look! The sword like foliage is really awesome planted with the delicate look of some native grasses.
For those of us in cold … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Diatomaceous Earth
UGH, those ants just won’t stop. The little biters are still hanging out in my gardens. I weed and wind up with the little ankle biters.
I’ve tried diatomaceous earth multiple times. It looks like a white cloud and then IF there were rain, it just turns kinda gooey and loses any effectiveness it might have had.
What IS Diatomaceous Earth anyway? Very basically it’s tiny water organisms that have fossilized. Their skeletons are made of … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Plant wilt and why buy local
I purchased some new plants about a month ago. Heliopsis and Dwarf Joe Pye Weed. And they wilt. I water and they wilt.
There is a reason that some of your plants are wilting even with water. They are trying to protect themselves. Plants wilt to reduce leaf surface exposed to the sunlight to save water loss. By evening they should perk up. My plants on the west side, where my Heliopsis … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Clay soil in drought 2022
I’ve often talked about clay soil but with this year’s drought conditions adding to last year, I felt like we should revisit the subject and what it means for us right now.
Clay soil IS nutrient rich. It’s packed with pockets that hold water. Sandy soil just drains that delicious liquid away quickly. I can vouch for that as the City built my rain garden with a LOT of sand But we’re not … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Hot weather affects your vegetable garden
Whew… this heat is really affecting our vegetable gardens. The University of Minnesota Extension notes that some home gardeners are seeing beautiful bushy cucumber plants with no fruit, tomatoes not ripening and beans with few flowers.
In my own garden I’ve noticed small yields on tomatoes and peppers while my sunflowers are stunted. My Grape ‘Juliet’ tomatoes were doing wonderful but now, they are tiny.
The high temps are affecting our gardens … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Celebrating National Farmers Market week 2022
National Farmers Market week starts on Sunday! I LOVE Farmers Markets. There’s one every Saturday in my hometown along the River. Directory to US Farmers Markets
Fresh produce, flowers, handmade goodies and so much more!!! Artists and musicians and delightful treats of the edible and non-edible abound.
There’s also a farmers market a couple of blocks over taking place during the week. I bought beets and apple bread last week!
And zucchini … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Wild parsnip 2022
From Minnesota to Pennsylvania, wild parsnip is on the obnoxious noxious weed list.
Wild parsnip is highly invasive and if ignored can spread rapidly, developing into large monocultures that replace native animal and plant habitat.
It reduces the quality of agricultural forage crops and can also impact livestock if eaten… and NOT in a good way. The plant sap contains toxic chemicals that are activated by sunlight and can cause serious burns and blisters … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Drought tolerant perennials 2022 update
Once again, many of us are living with drought conditions. Our climate is changing, that’s a fact and we really need to start considering more drought tolerant plants if we don’t want to water constantly.
My rain barrel FINALLY got filled up but it doesn’t take long for 55 gallons to be drank up by thirsty container plants and houseplants.
Finding perennials that are pest resistant, drought resistant and bloom all summer long! … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio/podcast show: Tomatoes 2022 – dehydrating and roasting
This year I planted just 2 tomato plants. A grape variety called ‘Juliet’, who’s been producing beautifully.
And ‘Super Fantastic’ which just allowed me to have my first BST! Bacon, Spinach, Tomato sandwich. I highly recommend both of these varieties.
While it was a late start this year due to a cold spring, all those who planted tomatoes are now starting to harvest.
Likely they’re being eaten right away, however, I DO … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Lawn mower damage
I have a neighbor. My neighbor has a large lot with rentals on it and uses a big riding lawn mower. My neighbor has repeatedly wounded my Ancestry Oak tree in the last 2 years.
So what’s the damage? My neighbor is a nice person but with the property a rental he mows as low as possible to save him coming back often.
The Oak is also, technically, on his property. And just so you … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Daddy-longlegs: spider or not?
Happy Friday! Let’s talk bugs. I’m revisiting the question as to whether Daddy-longlegs are spiders since a co-worker had an encounter with one and thought it best to kill it. Hmmm, here are some cool facts I found out when a listener told me to check out Daddy-longlegs.
For those who are spider squeamish, don’t worry, daddy-longlegs aren’t spiders!
- They don’t have venom
- They can’t spin a web
- They are generally beneficial – they
… [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Rock and plants
I was recently asked by a homeowner if she could plant hydrangeas in the river rock that borders her home. The quick answer is no. But I did ask her want sun/shade conditions she had. Okay… she said sun. That leaves more questions. Is it morning or afternoon? She said from 1pm to 7pm. Yikes, that’s a LOT of heat. Most plants will fry in those conditions because that rock heats up and holds the … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Coral Bells aka Heuchera
Sun or shade, there’s a heuchera for you. Also known as Coral Bells, there are SO many different varieties now it really can blow your mind.
These perennials are grown for their amazing foliage. From deep purples to peach. Fire engine red to hues of nearly every color but blue (although the one in the photo below LOOKS blue) ! Where I work we grow and sell over 40 varieties, and there are more! … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Ground plum and Partridge Pea – 2022
Ground Plum is not a plum… Partridge Pea is not a pea… but they are both wonderful native plants.
Ground Plum’s Latin name is not quite as pretty, Astragalus crassicarpus…sounds like I’m gargling! It IS, however, fabulous for bee lawns.
It’s a low-growing, spreading legume that prefers full sun and well-drained soils. It works as a ground cover, and in rock gardens due to its short height and preference for … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Plants that play nice and those that don’t
A listener asked about what plants get along with each other and what plants might not… Invasive plants really don’t play well with others.
IF you don’t mind a plant creating your garden, then buy that invasive or “easy spreader” as they are referred to in plant catalogs. If you want creative control, then be careful.
Now, who are the lovely plants that get along? You know my LOVE for … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Indian Paintbrush
On today’s show I’m spotlighting a native plant I would love to have! Indian Paintbrush.
It blooms in part to full sun and prefers a medium wet to medium dry soil. Prairie Moon Nursery describes the plant this way: An annual or biennial, its vivid scarlet bracts nearly hide small, greenish flowers and appear to have been dipped in paint. The vivid red color is clustered at the top of the plants and looks really pretty … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Herbicide drift
Herbicide drift, it’s not a dance move but that would sure be more fun!
Herbicide drift could be coming from you or from your neighbors who are trying to kill broadleaf weeds. Either way it can affect your fruits, vegetables and other plants. University of Minnesota Extension Educator, Annie Klodd, says she sees symptoms of herbicide damage on her peppers, grapevines and tomatoes nearly every year in late June.
The leaves grow in strange shapes, curl … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: The benefits of bats and birds
While some may scoff, bats have benefits. You may not feel that way as you battle one inside your bedroom, however, before killing it, capture it and set it free. Then look for the place in the bats are coming in and seal it up!
A bat in the house? What to do by Wildlife Removal USA.
Let’s talk about what bats DO do… not what you’re thinking! This is the … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Watering and caring for container plants
It’s been hot, it’s been humid and our containers are looking a bit bedraggled.
It’s mid-Summer and, in my area, we are entering a week in the 90’s. I’m in zone 4. We don’t particularly care for weather this hot. It’s also going to be mostly dry.
I just bought a couple new containers and found some bargains on annuals.
Right about now your petunias are likely getting a bit leggy, you … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: More on JB and the beetle trap
I know I just talked about this last week but I have been asked multiple times about those traps. PLEASE, do NOT use them. They only attract more beetles. The ONLY time they may be worth it is if you are on a good size piece of land and you place the trap FAR away from the plants you want to protect and NOT near a neighbor’s place.
The University of … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio/podcast show: What’s keeping birds from your landscape?
I have been so fortunate to get quite a show from the variety of birds in my landscape. From Downy woodpeckers to Blue Jays to Chickadees, Catbirds, several Cardinal couples, finches and more.
This spot is excellent for bird watching. the french lilac gives birds a place to sit, honeysuckle vine has been planted to attract more hummingbirds. My neighbor’s Oak tree is great cover, there’s my crabapple to the left not … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min Garden Bite radio/podcast: Painted Ladies and Red Admirals
I love seeing the butterflies flitting about. Monarchs have been given lots of attention but there are a couple of other types of butterflies that deserve some love.
My Northern Gardener magazine highlights 2 of them. I love Painted Lady.
They are more fascinating as they are found everywhere but Australia and Antarctica. Their migrations are big enough to be spotted on radar! Rhonda Fleming Hayes explains in the article that this is … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: JB is back – darn it
Last year I spread grub control on my lawn to help with Japanese Beetles. I was feeling really good about it having not seen any Japanese beetles until I found them on my native leadplant.
Dang… while I DO believe, at least so far, that the grub control applied last year in late August. There have been none on the ‘Music Box’ rose which was loaded with them last year.
I found … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Rearranging your garden – Plan B
Last weekend I had plans for a lot of yardwork. I DID have a LOT of fun… pouring sweat and filthy. However, I also needed a Plan B.
This is the story of what gardening is about! Adapt and pivot. I’ve had 3 rose bushes in a place where there had been a really lousy looking Russian olive tree. It was removed in 2012. There is one rose, ‘Music Box’, that is … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The Jade plant
A friend of mine is moving and had a jade plant he couldn’t take with him, so he gave it to me! Thanks, Earl.
Having always wanted one, I was eager to learn more about caring for it.
Jade plants, also known as Lucky plant, are succulents. They prefer about 4 hours of sunlight, that means a south facing window. The afternoon sun of a west window may burn them.
Plant Jade in well-draining soil, … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Dividing iris
If your iris rhizomes are rising out of the ground, it’s time to divide them!
Maybe they’ve been left alone for years and are now fighting for room, maybe this is a “new to you home” and you’ve noticed that those roots look like they’re squeezing each other.
Generally it’s a good idea to divide your iris every 3 to 4 years. In my area the season has been late, so you might need to wait … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Drought tolerant perennials
With climate change, we’ve all experienced changes in our “normal” weather patterns. That means drought in some areas and flooding in others.
Today I share some hardy, tolerant perennials. Let’s begin with yarrow. One of my favorites for dry times and long lasting flowers.
It thrives in sunshine. Butterflies are drawn to the flowers flat surface and love to perch on it. From ‘Moonshine’, with it’s silvery foliage and yellow flowers to red and pastels, … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Lawns and drought – again
Lawns are, once again, looking rough in some parts of the country! Kentucky bluegrass, the least tolerant of drought, which is what most lawns are, can start turning brown after about 7 days without water. This browning appearance is the grass going into dormancy in order to survive the drought. Some leaf tissue will die, but the base and roots of the grass are still alive and will green up when water … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Weed blocking superheroes
Although I find weeding occasionally cathartic… I would prefer not to HAVE to do it!
I just mentioned some great groundcovers that help to deter weeds. Today I’m adding to the list with several taller plants and one short one!
The samurai of weed blockers do so by shading weed seeds and not allowing them to germinate. Note: all of these plants are fast spreaders aka invasive to some folks!
‘Emerald Blue’ moss phlox … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Coveting a zone 5 plant
I have coveted the buddleia or Butterfly bush, for years. I’ve been tempted many times to buy one and see what happens. One of the experts I work with just hates them! It’s a zone 5 plant! I live in zone 4b and that’s pushing it.
So he generally encourages people not to buy them or be prepared to lose them when we get a wicked winter. But here I go, sharing a … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: How to build a compost pile
My compost pile could use some help. Actually it needs to be completely revamped! But that’s another ‘Bite! Today it’s about the materials to use.
Again, I dip into my favorite magazine for inspiration, Northern Gardener.
- Your compost pile needs to be at least 3 ft. x 3 ft. x 3 ft. to provide enough heat to decompose the materials.
- You need to provide air circulation on the bottom, so pile twigs
… [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Summer Solstice 2022
The Summer Solstice happened at 4:13 this morning, central time! The astrological first day of Summer and the longest day of the year.
The timing of the June solstice is not based on a specific calendar date or time; it all depends on when the Sun reaches its northernmost point from the celestial equator. That’s usually the 20th, 21st or 22nd. This is generally a time when many are eating the first strawberries of the … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Peony tips
The peonies are really poppin’! The garden center I work at recently featured ‘Buckeye Belle’. The flowers are a deep, dark red!
But today’s Bite is really about tips for taking care of these lovely perennials. Northern Gardener magazine continues to feature tips that they’ve shared over their 150 year history. And today I share with you their tips on peonies. Brand Peonies, Minnesota’s first peony breeding operation, opened in Faribault, MN, in … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Time saving garden products
We’re all busy but we also love to garden! Sometimes our garden chores get away from us. In come some time-saving garden products approved by members of the National Garden Bureau, including ME!
Do you have poor soil? Maybe NO soil? Consider Garden Soxx, a mesh containment system that’s similar to container growing—but without the container.
You place GardenSoxx® where you want to grow, fill the mesh with your own compost or potting … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Dandelions – the great debate
As you know, I’ve been an advocate of not using chemicals on my lawn, which means dandelions. Lots of gardeners, including me, have touted the benefits of those cheery yellow flowers. Bees enjoy them. However…
I just read an article from a man who really LIVES native plantings. Benjamin Vogt is an author I’ve interviewed a few times and he has just given me food for thought that I wanted to share with … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Plant diagnostics
What’s wrong with my plant? OH, such a loaded question. UGH, I think the toughest part of gardening is trying to figure out why a plant isn’t thriving! Sometimes it’s easy, like the photo below:
Much happier this year. PS, others know this plant by it’s more common name Coral Bells.
Sometimes, it’s not easy at all and could be a number of ailments at one time. Is it an insect, is it a disease, are … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Keep weeds away with ground cover
Weeds a problem? Likely.. They are in my landscape. But ground covers come to the rescue!
Ground covers can mean several things, plants, mulch or something else, which perform in other ways.
Ground covers can also enhance soil health, provide food and habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects, and reduce soil erosion.
Check out these plant options from the University of Minnesota Extension. It’s a great variety of plants that … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Watering tips for your lawn
We’re expecting the heat to really kick in this week. It’s a good time to look over some watering tips for your lawn!
The University of MN Extension has some great ideas to train your lawn to be water-wise. Water lawns deeply and infrequently to encourage deep rooting. Shallow watering results in root growth in only the top few inches of the soil which means plants will be unable to survive hot dry … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: 2022 – The Year of the Phlox
The National Garden Bureau chose Phlox as the 2022 perennial of the Year! I have creeping phlox and I just planted a pink garden phlox late last year.
I’m excited to watch it this year!
Phlox are one of the classic American perennials and one of the earliest North American natives to enter cultivation. Colors range from white to pink to magenta, purple and blue.
There are roughly 2 … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Vegetable garden tips for June
June is an exciting month for vegetable gardeners! We’ve got our warm season plants in the ground and we’ve already been munching on salad greens!
I have two tomatoes, two peppers, some garlic growing from 2021, thai basil, regular basil, oregano and parsley… the sunflowers are starting to grow. Will show this in another post when they’re really showing off!
You can start successive plantings of beets, peas and shorter season crops. Also … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Shrubs, shade and dogs
Want shrubs? Got shade? Got dogs? Hmmm, could be an issue. One shrub that won’t work is the Yew…
It’s toxic to nearly everything. The seed inside the berries is toxic to pets and people. This from Science Direct: The taxine alkaloids contained in yew berries, needles or bark are poisonous. The lethal dose for an adult is reported to be 50 g of yew needles. Patients who ingest a lethal dose frequently die … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Ants – again
If there’s one creature I really wish would social distance it’s ANTS. They were bad last year and are back in abundance this year.
They’ve lifted some sedums and hollowed out some of my Karl Forester grasses.
I tried the non-toxic diatomaceous earth, a fine white powder that sticks to their bodies and dries them out. It killed some and sent the rest of them fleeing. No suitcases necessary, they just scurried down a … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Audible gardens – for the birds
With the exception of hummingbirds, most of us plant gardens for beauty, fragrance and taste, not thinking too much about songbirds.
Birds sing for 2 reasons, for territory and for mating. Native plants attract native insects which native birds eat. Seed eaters tend to go for native grasses and flower heads.
Follow this LINK for the bigger picture from the UofMN. And more on a native plant list HERE. These lists … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Ode to Creeping Charlie
Creeping Charlie ever present in our lawns will be, blooming purple flowers, oh so pretty to me.
Ode to the weed that creepingly reseeds with stem and rhizome. Not content to stay in place, Creeping Charlie, sets a pace to cross your lawn, it’s a race.
Embrace the creeper or let loose on the leaper?
Creeping Charlie really doesn’t spread as quickly as, say the dandelion, but it is annoying to those with lovely … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Perennial supports
We may have gotten a late start but we gardeners are up to the challenge! And so are our perennials. Most of them are a hardy bunch, however some do need support from time to time, especially in windy locations. Today’s ‘Bite is about options. PS, these work for annuals too!
Stakes are good for tall perennials like Hollyhock, Foxglove and delphiniums. I’ve used bamboo stakes and artwork too!
Place your supports in the ground at … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Gooseberries and Currants
Amid the world of raspberries and strawberries come a couple of tarts worth a go!
Gooseberries and Currants are closely related, they’re also prevalent in Minnesota. They’re tolerant of most types of soil, some shade tolerance but fruit best in sun. Don’t plant under the shade of a tree as they’ll compete too much for moisture.
The gooseberries you mostly see are green but the University of Minnesota came up with this cultivar in 1957. … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Planting (and eating) rhubarb
My dad LOVED rhubarb. And my mom made a LOT of pies and froze a lot of cut-up rhubarb for winter. This perennial is well worth growing.
Rhubarb needs full sun, well drained soil and a nice layer of rich compost each year. It’s best to plant rhubarb in the spring. Some cultivars recommended by the University of Wisconsin Extension include ‘Canada Red’, ‘Cherry Red’, ‘Crimson Red’, ‘MacDonald’, ‘Valentine’ and ‘Victoria’.
It’s best to … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Memorial Day and the Poppy
Garden Bite would like to thank all those who serve in the United States Military and their families. We remember those who gave everything.
Today is the day we reflect and remember our Soldiers. Memorial Day, which is celebrated every year on the final Monday of May was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union andConfederate soldiers who died. By the 20th … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The 3 ‘illers of container planting
We’re headed into Memorial Weekend, the traditional time when cold climate gardeners really start planting.
I started with something simple:
With climate change, many have already indulged (and then we had 38 degree nights…). Of course, there’s always room for more!
Plant love overload is REAL, people! To help with ideas, use the tried and true three ‘illers: Thrillers, Fillers and Spillers for easy plant combos.
Thriller – big, bold and beautiful. … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Feeding your shrubs
Yesterday we established that it’s a good idea to feed your container plantings and other herbaceous plants.
Shrubs and trees could use some food too. Keeping plants healthy helps lower opportunities for disease and insects to do damage.
A caveat to fertilizer response is the environment your shrubs are grown in. For instance, according to Proven Winners, soil fertility, aeration, drainage, exposure to sun and wind, temperature of the site, and proximity to buildings, walks … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The 411 on fertilizing
Did you go plant shopping?
I’m notoriously bad at feeding my plants once I’ve planted them. I add an organic fertilizer when first planted…
So, in that vein, I’m going to help you AND me! Proven Winners, one of the top plant breeders, says it’s really important to feed your container plants. That makes sense, they’re roots can only go so far and get so much!
Since annuals live their entire life in one … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Cutting back perennials to control height
I have a butterfly garden on my corner. And I was told by the city a few years ago that some of my plants were too tall. While I AM on the corner, only one street really gets much traffic. So, don’t tell anyone but my plants will be tall again.
However, I can cut them back, and you can too. For instance, you may not like the flopover that can happen … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Herbs for pollinators
Last week I shared a lot of plants that attract pollinators, including perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs. I’ve also shared with you that swallowtail caterpillars LOVE parsley and dill.
While I admit to breaking down and mowing my lawn last week, I DO have herbs out there for pollinators. And, of course, for me too! Beside dill (recipes) and parsley, there are other herbs that pique the interest of pollinators including fennel … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Tomato and pepper planting
Okay, so we had 90 degrees where I live… and sometime this week (I think today) it’s supposed to be a low of 39… UGH. Anyway, I DID plant my tomatoes and pepper.
Many of you have already planted tomatoes too. In fact some nurseries have already run out! Soil temperatures should be at least 60 degrees for tomatoes and even warmer for peppers. There are plenty of soil temp gauges out there, it’s … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Watering newly planted trees and shrubs
We selected the appropriate trees/shrubs for our site and planted them properly. NOW…. we need to pay attention to WATERING.
When first planted, these “investments” are establishing their root systems to withstand what Mother Nature throws at them. If you didn’t get a watering schedule from the nursery you bought your plants from, this guide will help you. Watering newly planted trees and shrubs [U of MN extension]
Root systems of bare … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The dirt on plant shopping
Tis better to bloom in the garden than in the garden center! When plant shopping bigger is not always better.
If you see a little wilting it could be a sign of a root problem. Look for plants with good color on the leaves. Look under the leaves for any possible insects. If you have a plant loupe, bring it with you! You’ll look ultra cool, I promise.
Seriously, in some of the … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Mixing in annuals with your perennials
Finally, most of you are into full-on gardening! It’s been a long wait but we’re exploring all our local garden centers and finding so many plants to purchase! Or is that just me? No, I doubt it, especially based on the number of people I see!
I’ve always been one to plant annuals exclusively in containers but this year I’m changing it up. I bought a few packs of sunflowers this … [Continue reading]
Click on the link below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Nasturtium – the hat trick of annuals
While I’m not a hockey player, living in Minnesota, a person comes to know a few terms anyway. What’s that got to do with gardening, you ask, well, this plant I’m highlighting today would be the Hat Trick of Annuals. Nasturtiums.
They are beautiful, edible and pollinators love them. Oh and they’re super easy to grow. They come in shades of yellow, orange, red and pink.
There is … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Summer blooming bulbs
We are finally feeling warmer temperatures and seeing more sunshine! It’s been a long haul this spring.
Now is the time to plant gladiola, dahlia and canna bulbs for summer bloom! Alliums, oriental lilies, begonias and bulbs I can’t pronounce are also on that list.
Glads need to be dug up after the first hard frost in the Fall when the plants are done! Cannas are the same way. But they’re so lovely. Their large … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Tips to grow veggies in containers
Growing vegetables and herbs in containers is a great way to garden if you have less space or if your sunny area is smaller.
The TYPE of container you use is important. For instance, tomatoes are super popular and grow well in containers but they need size! University based information says use AT LEAST a 12 inch diameter container, but honestly, bigger is better. The larger pots provide more soil and hold … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Worms that eat plastic?!
Yesterday, jumping worms. Today, worms that eat plastic. Talking with friends about how complicated it can seem to recycle plastics, they brought up how there were worms that eat plastic.
I had to investigate! Wax worms have been found to munch on plastic.
According to Earth.org, Polyethylene (PE) is a plastic derived from petroleum. It’s the most common plastic used for grocery bags to children’s toys and food packaging. PE satisfies approximately 40% … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Jumping Worms
Jumping worms continue to be a big topic. It’s an Asian earthworm that turns your soil into something like coffee grounds while destroying your plants and lawn.
It’s been in the Twin Cities since 2006 and has been confirmed in over a dozen states in the Midwest. Wisconsin started seeing it in 2013. They’re called “jumping worms” because they wiggle intensely when disturbed and sometimes appear to be jumping. The video below is from … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Dividing perennials
Now’s the time to divide your perennials. (Divide spring bloomers in Fall) GENERALLY speaking, perennials can be divided every 3 years. Hostas are one of these plants! The plants below were too large for division. Divide when the plants are peaking up about 4 inches or so.
I divided these hosta multiple times when I lived there and moved some out to wooded gardens. A garden fork is your best friend for digging up plants. You … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Who is in that cocoon?
Discovered on April 19th, 2022 hanging on my ‘Candy Corn’ spirea… WHO is this?
Since the season is so late there were no leaves on the shrubs so the cocoon was very visible. I reached out to my listeners and found that it is, hopefully, the Hyalophlora Cecropia moth. In fact, I had several share their OWN stories of these moths.
This moth grows to 6 INCHES! It comes from a family of … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: May Day and it’s origins
Happy May Day! Okay so it was yesterday but why not get a little history about May Day anyway!
There are multiple iterations of celebrations that include industrial workers, witches, flowers and more. In France, the King was given a Lily-of-the-valley as a lucky charm. He decided to offer one each year to the Ladies of the Court.
The Druids celebrated Beltane, the beginning of pastoral summer when livestock was led out to … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Arbor Day, diversity and the Musclewood tree
Arbor Day celebrates 150 years today! Planting, nurturing and celebrating TREES!
As we celebrate, we also should remember the demise of the American Elm tree due to disease and decades later we remain in the midst of the end of the Ash tree due to Emerald Ash Borer.
So, on this day, let’s also remember, the best defense is diversity. More and more cities are offering multiple choices for planting … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The best time to fertilize your lawn
So most of you know I’m not a big lawn fan, however, I know many who are. So, this one’s for you… should you fertilize your lawn now? NO.
The BEST times to fertilize your lawn are late summer and fall. This is contrary to the traditional springtime application.
Early spring applications of nitrogen cause a surge of top growth in the plants, which makes the lawn look nice in … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Lawn care – weed killing
The forsythia is said to foretell the coming of crabgrass. Where I live we’re not seeing the blooms yet. We’re late!
Soil temperature is the real way to tell when crabgrass will germinate… I learned this from Jenny at Gertens and I share her video below. In the meantime, she talked about the GDD Tracker from Michigan State University. Plug in your zipcode and what you’re looking for and you get results!
Based … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Mycelium – the Information Superhighway
It’s an information superhighway that speeds up interactions between a large, diverse population of individuals. It allows individuals to communicate and help each other out. But it also allows them to commit new forms of crime. You thought I was talking about the internet, not so, I’m talking about mycelium!
No, it’s not a disease although it can spread disease. Mycelium are the thin threads of fungi (or mushrooms) that link roots of … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: More 2022 plant introductions
Oh what a wait we’ve had this year to get out in our gardens, to see the early spring flowers show themselves…
However, with hopefulness, I’m sharing some fun 2022 plant introductions.
There’s a new panicle hydrangea out this year called Little Lime Punch. It’s like Lime Punch but the flowers progress from lime to white, light pink, and rich Hawaiian Punch red!
It reblooms throughout the summer so you’ll see these four … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Earth Day 2022
Today is Earth day. Northern Gardener magazine had an insert last month with the 7 ways to Garden Greener. Today seemed a PERFECT day to share some of those ideas.
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Nourish your soil with what’s on your property. Don’t haul those leaves, spread them on your garden beds for mulch. Compost your other plant debris!
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Pick Perennials. Once established they use less water and fertilizer than annuals.
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Put your plants where they want to be.
… [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Organic matters
I talked about soil and rain barrels and composting last week. But what about organic matters? What is it? Does it matter? How much organic matter matters? Can it be too much? According to the University of MN Extension, the answer is actually… YES.
Soil organic matter (SOM) is the portion of soil that is composed of living and dead things in various states of decomposition, such as plant roots and microbes.
Organic (carbon-based) materials that … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Tips to keep your indoor seedlings thriving
If you planted seeds indoors, you’re seeing sprouts now. Now is the time to give them some extra attention.
The University of Minnesota Extension says one of the most common problems affecting seedlings is Damping off. The link also has information on hard water.
This problem is caused by a number of pathogens that I can’t pronounce, but results in seedlings collapsing at the base of the stem, and you can … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: April is a fickle month
April is fickle in the Upper Midwest. From sandals to Sorels, ya never know what we’re gonna get.
So what’s a gardener to do? Check the weather! I’m optimistic that this is the week we turn the corner! The projected forecast for my area is finally looking at lows above freezing and highs closer to 60!
Your perennials and hardy spring bulbs that are peeking out don’t need extra protection—they can take whatever … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Caring for your Easter Lily and planting it
Did you receive an Easter Lily this past weekend?
These plants are forced to bloom out of their normal flowering time to be ready for the Christian Holy Day as it is marked by many traditions including the beautiful trumpet-shaped white flowers of lilium longiflorum. They symbolize purity, hope and life.
Caring for your Easter lily:
- Lilies prefer it a little cool, around 60 to 65 degrees
- They also prefer
… [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Rain barrels and compost bins
Yes, it’s a perennial topic but with 18 million new gardeners recently, I want to share about these awesome garden tools!
April Showers bring May flowers and an opportunity. Of course, the hope is that moisture isn’t in the solid form of snow! Rainwater is the best kind of water for your lawn, trees, shrubs and flower gardens. Capturing it is a good thing for several reasons. First, it’s free!
It’s also a … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Mole or vole?
Moles or voles, neither is great in the landscape. Voles are common in yards. They eat grasses and roots and leave trails. We usually see their small surface tunnels winding through lawns right after snow melt. Voles love munching on small trees and shrubs, they can be a problem with newly planted plants that don’t have protection in winter.
Large vole populations can most effectively be reduced using toxic baits. There are some available … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Fun plants for pollinators & people
Eighteen million new gardeners all want pollinators too! I’m sharing some pretty plants for them and you…
This annual is hot pink prolific bloomer. Gomphrena ‘Truffula Pink’ grows to 2 ft tall and wide, has no problem thriving in a drought and delivers blooms from planting to hard frost!
Give it full sun and watch the pollinators stop by. Oh, and you don’t need to deadhead it either.
The Suncredible Yellow sunflower … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Epsom salts in your landscape – Yay or Nay
A listener recently asked me about using Epsom salts. Thank you, Dawn, for a great idea for a Garden bite! There are varying opinions as to the wisdom of using them.
First, I need to explain that Epsom salts contain magnesium. So I will debunk the notion that Epsom salts will prevent blossom end rot on tomatoes. Can’t do that because blossom end rot is a lack of calcium. … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Lawn spots from Fido or snow mold
We love our dogs but not so much what they do to our lawns over the winter. Spot may have left some dead spots around the yard.
You can buy a lawn repair kit at most garden centers or you can mix your own. After the soil has warmed up and isn’t wet, you can lift out the dead grass, loosen the soil and mix a handful of seed with a … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Rhodos & Azaleas for the North
A listener recently asked me if Rhododendrons were the same as Azaleas. Well, kinda.
If you have a chance, visit the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and be prepared to be amazed.
Botanically, azaleas and rhododendrons belong to the genus Rhododendron. This genus is one of the largest genera of woody plants, containing over 800 species. We can’t grow them all in our cold climate.
Basically, azaleas are deciduous (losing their leaves in winter) … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Spring woodland wildflowers
I was snowshoeing with friends in the Big Woods state park in Nerstrand, Minnesota. There are signs up to stay on the trail as there are endangered dwarf trout lilies in the area.
This is one of the very rare places they grow. The flowers are tiny! This from Minnesota Seasons: When not flowering, the Dwarf is not easily distinguished from other trout lilies, though the leaves are slightly smaller than those of the average** … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: More 2022 AAS Winners
I wanted to set the tone for this week with some 2022 All America Selection winners. Verbena Beats is an incredible new series of verbena that performs all summer long. The AAS Judges raved about how early ‘Purple+White’ flowers, making it a pollinator magnet from Spring to frost.
The 2 inch purple and white blooms maintain an attention-getting pattern and this 6 to 8 inch plant thrives even during severe heat stress. And bonus, … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Cool tools for the garden
Once again I dip into my fav magazine and find a perfect Garden Bite as spring approaches.
I’ve talked many times about buying quality tools and how much I love my garden fork. That’s on the list of ‘Most Valuable Tools’ for the gardener.
Also called Digging Fork, this tool is perfect for digging up tubers and other plants where you do NOT want to damage roots. It really helps in loosening … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Spring tips from Northern Gardener archives
One hundred fifty years! That’s how long Northern Gardener has been publishing gardening advice to those of us living in cold climates. Or as I call us, Extreme Gardeners.
They will be sharing tips from the past over the course of this year. Grab a subscription, check out their online blog. I don’t get paid to say this, it’s simply one of the very best resources for “extreme gardeners”.
Today’s archived tips … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Japanese beetle and the deep freeze
The University of Minnesota Extension noted that we had the coldest January we’ve had in 8 years. So how did the Japanese Beetle fare? After all, the little grubs live in the soil all winter. I’m hoping they froze their you-know-whats off…
As temperatures cool off in the fall, the grubs burrow into the soil, about 2 to 6 inches. They’ll tunnel even deeper if the soil gets too cold during the … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The Year of the Lilac
The National Garden Bureau has chosen 2022 to be the Year of the Lilac. You may ask why? Lilacs are among the most carefree spring-flowering, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrubs (or small trees).
They are well-loved for their toughness, reliability, and fragrance. My area has battled some with lilac blight. And another Garden Bite on blight.
That said, lilacs are some amazing shrubs/small trees. There are about 30 species of lilacs, Latin … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Change is gonna come, weather we like it or not!
The only constant thing in life is change and that really follows us into the garden. Whether it’s change WE choose, the PLANT chooses, a hungry critter chooses or the weather!
And this Winter has been all over the place! With drought last year and sustained cold this winter along with mini stretches of really warm temps, we’ll have to see how it plays out in the garden. … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Sod busting – turning lawn into landscape
More and more, a trend is to break up your lawn and fill it with native plants. There are a ton of reasons and I’ve discussed many of them on Garden Bite!
But how should you tackle getting rid of that lawn? The most brutal method is a shovel and your back!
It’s also the best way in terms of cutting up that sod and removing all offending lawn grass. However, … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Getting a jump on summer bulb planting
Got a garden itch you just can’t scratch? Here’s a helper that doesn’t involve rubbing your back up against a hard surface! Get a jump start by planting your tender bulbs indoors from now until April.
You can purchase bulbs from local garden centers or maybe you dug up your gladiolus, cannas, your dahlias or your tuberous begonias last Fall and want to get started. PS, as Karen says, if you … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Vegetables for part shade/part sun
You can still grow a vegetable garden if you don’t have full sun, that means 6 to 8 hours! That, according to former University of Minnesota Hort professor, Jeff Gillman in his book “Decoding Gardening Advice”. A great read.
Gillman says these vegetables/herbs need as little as 2 hours of direct sunlight:
- Arugula
- Brussel sprouts
- Cabbage
- Endive
- Kale
- Leaf lettuce
- Mustard greens
- Spinach
- Swiss Chard – if you want the leaves only.
… [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: There’s more than one Milkweed
Milkweed. THE plant for monarch butterflies.
But it’s not just the common milkweed. There are, in fact, several options. Karen Oberhauser, Director of the University of Wisconsin- Madison Arboretum, says part of the massive decline of the monarch is weather related. Early, warm springs tend to be associated with low monarch numbers. She says that may be due to the mismatch in the timing of milkweed availability. Habitat loss is the number one … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min Garden Bite radio show: A change of climate for gardening
As we continue to deal with climate change, record temps high and low, increased drought and floods, there’s a change of climate in the gardening world in several ways including how we view trees and the planting of them.
We’re well past simply beautification and are planting for their natural functions. The Minnesota DNR has proposed $13.3 million to replant seedlings lost in the drought. Read more about that from the link … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Sowing seeds in winter – vernalization
Plant some seeds in a container that forms a greenhouse effect and set them outside. Cheap, easy and allows for the seeds to be ready to plant in your garden when the soil warms up!
What happens with this method is vernalization, a process in which frigid temperatures stimulate seed germination.
This can work for perennials such as delphinium and thyme for example (plants hardy to your climate zone which is … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Very Peri – Pantone color and plants
I mentioned a few weeks ago that Pantone picked their color of the year for 2022. ‘Very Peri’ as described by Pantone, “displays a spritely, joyous attitude and dynamic presence that encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expression”. I really do love that.
Moving on to Very Peri and plants. Incorporate some joy with an allium called ‘Globemaster’.
Hardy to zone 2, this flowering onion has silvery purple globe flowers … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Cankers/Galls and late winter pruning
With all the leaves gone on our trees and shrubs, it’s a good time to take a careful look at their branches for galls or cankers. Now through early March is a good time to prune out these problems. The wound is exposed for a shorter amount of time (a good thing) before the new growth starts to seal the wound.
As explained by the University of MN Hort Dept. : A … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Groundhog Day “weather” you believe it or not!
February 2nd each year brings the most-watched weather forecast of the year—and the only one led by a rodent.
Legend has it that on this morning if a groundhog, specifically Punxsutawney Phil, can see its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If it cannot see its shadow, spring is on the way. I wrote this last week, so I’m not going to say I know what … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Sprouting seeds
It has been a cold winter so far. Temps well below zero… brr. We’re missing our greens but we don’t have to. Where I work, one of our employees did a video on Sprouting seeds indoors. Watch the full video below.
What’s so cool is how EASY it is! Growing sprouts doesn’t require any soil, just water, air, and a little sunshine on the last day or two to develop chlorophyll. (Turns them green)
Sprouts are … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Dead trees for life!
I was snowshoeing with friends when one of them pointed out a ‘snag’ and said, “you should write a garden bite about that”. So, Lisa, I did!!
You may wonder what the heck is a snag? It’s a dead tree left upright to decompose naturally and it’s a fantastic cover for wildlife while also providing food.
According to the National Wildlife Federation, Dead trees provide vital habitat for more than 1,000 species of … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Bird & Butterfly garden
Who loves seeing songbirds, hummingbirds and butterflies in their garden? I think it’s safe to say that most every gardener does!
Some basics they need include food, water and shelter. Supplying a bird feeder, houses and birdbaths is a great start but food is a priority.
A natural food source will bring them to your landscape while enhancing the beauty for you!
As you ponder those plants in the catalogs on a snowy day, … [Continue reading]