Recent storms and heavy rain


Mon. Jul. 22, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Recent storms and heavy rain

Many of us have been hit with storms and heavy rain.  Effects can be dramatic or subtle.  The first step is check your gardens.  Large storm damage can be pretty easy to spot but there can be subtle damage you might not see unless you’re looking.

Check for small branch and leaf damage too and remove them.  Stake or support newer plants and trees that need it.  If the soil’s been saturated (like  … [Continue reading]

The robin families saga


Fri. Jul. 19, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The robin families saga

As some of you know, I’ve hosted 2 robin families on my front porch so far this summer! When the first nest went up my husband wanted it taken down but mama robin was already sitting there. Those nests go up FAST!

She was pretty mouthy when we would come out on the porch to sit and to water plants but, I had a talk with her, my husband can attest to the fact  … [Continue reading]

Scarlet leather-flower


Thu. Jul. 18, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Scarlet leather-flower

So how does a Minnesotan see the state of Texas… oppressively hot? Yup! That made me think about this plant, clematis texensis also known as Scarlet Leather-flower , a native of Texas. Since our temps have been in the low 90’s…. this guy seemed appropriate to talk about!

So why do I bring it up?  Somewhat because I’m feeling like we’re in Texas lately, but the other reason is that this Texas native offers a possibility  … [Continue reading]

My clover lawn


Wed. Jul. 17, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: My clover lawn

I recently posted a picture of my clover-filled lawn with the hashtag #sorrynotsorry. What amazed me is the reaction! People loved it!

Granted, they’re not my neighbors but people understand that having pollinator friendly landscapes is a benefit to all of us. There’s also trying to be respectful to those you live around. That means my clover-filled lawn is kept mowed at a certain height. I, or my husband, mow the lawn to about 3  … [Continue reading]

Indoor plants outdoors and a free hibiscus


Tue. Jul. 16, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Indoor plants outdoors and a free hibiscus

I recently got a couple of hibiscus containers if I mentioned a certain radio station at a local garden center. Oh, they’re so pretty.

My point is that hibiscus are tropical plants so THEIR watering schedule is different than most of the other container plants I have outside, that I talked about yesterday. 

They can actually dry out and stay that way for a few days!  I’m going to move these  … [Continue reading]

Watering and caring for container plants


Mon. Jul. 15, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Watering and caring for container plants

It’s been hot, it’s been humid and our containers are looking a bit bedraggled. I’m not EVEN going to talk about what I look like in this tropical weather! It happens in midSummer.

 Don’t be afraid to pinch those petunias. Right about now they’re getting a bit leggy, you can pinch them back and watch for more growth. We should be fertilizing our annuals now as all the watering you we must  … [Continue reading]

My butterfly garden – year 3 and some other native plant choices


Fri. Jul. 12, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  My butterfly garden – year 3 and some other native plant choices

It got a late start this season, with that nasty winter/spring thing we had going on but it’s looking quite lovely with the butterfly weed, hairy beardtongue, early sunflower coming and vervain pushing through.

More blooms will take place later this year. I have noticed powdery mildew on my monarda – that’s typical, especially after such a soggy start.

I also wanted to share some other  … [Continue reading]

Wasp nests


Thu. Jul. 11, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Wasp nests

Now’s a good time to check for wasp nests around your home and buildings!

It’s easy to overlook nests when they’re small and there are only a few wasps hanging around. However, that’s the best time to treat them when you can find them. Some wasp nests are built out in the open, like under eaves, and are the easiest to find and control.

Jeffrey Hahn is a University Extension Entomologist, he says, if a small,  … [Continue reading]

ANTS!


Wed. Jul. 10, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  ANTS!

Ants, ants everywhere. I’ve never seen so many ants in my perennial beds and in my lawn!  Industrious little creatures that have, quite literally, lifted some of my plants right up out of the ground.

I tried knocking the nest down but then they just moved on…

I decided I should find out if they’re useful and what the heck for! Okay, so they’re tiny rototillers. Well that’s find and dandy if they weren’t digging up what  … [Continue reading]

Fireflies or lightening bugs?


Tue. Jul. 9, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Fireflies or lightening bugs?

Depending on what part of the country you come from, they’re either fireflies or lightning bugs.

In the upper midwest, we kinda like both names!  The western half prefers firefly while the southeaster mid section prefers lightning bugs. Whatever you call them, young and old are enchanted by these glowing fliers.

When I was little, a long time ago!, it seemed they were everywhere!  Then, there weren’t… but the last five years or so,  … [Continue reading]