Planting cover crops


Fri. Sep. 8, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Planting cover crops

Let’s talk green manure.  No, I’m not talking about an animal with a gastrointestinal issue but cover crops.  These are plants with a purpose.  They can help with soil erosion, weed control and even fix what’s ailing your soil.

This time of year, you can plant oats or annual ryegrass which will grow in cool weather and keep the weeds out, then die before winter.  You’ll be adding organic matter and beneficial microorganisms that will  … [Continue reading]

Mildew and other maladies


Tue. Sep. 5, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Mildew and other maladies

It’s been a bit damp in the Upper Midwest.  Still, we can’t complain as we think about the folks along the Gulf Coast.  But I have noticed a significant jump in Powdery mildew and other fungal maladies which have reared their spores on many of my plants.  My monarda now has powdery mildew, however, it’s past flowering, so I’m cutting it back.  Even my native, new butterfly garden, monarda has powdery mildew, which is  … [Continue reading]

Helpful hints and tips


Tue. Aug. 29, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Helpful hints and tips

Dad used to say “kid, I learned the hard way, that’s why I’m telling you now so you don’t have to”.  And yet….

I seem to learn the hard way too.  Maybe it’s genetic! Still, I’ll list some helpful hints so YOU don’t have to learn the hard way:

  • wear gloves when chopping hot peppers OR make sure you don’t rub ANY part of your body until you’ve washed your hands thoroughly!

chopping jalapenos

  • when harvesting,
 … [Continue reading]

Of woodchucks and hydrangeas


Tue. Aug. 8, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Of woodchucks and hydrangeas

No, they’re not related.  It’s just that the 2 subjects came up!

Or should I say Whistle Pigs?  I have a friend who insists on calling woodchucks, whistlepigs.  Yes, it’s a funny word.

Woodchucks run amok!  That was what it seemed like in a discussion on a gardener chat board.  Lots of folks discussing how to get rid of unwanted critters.

Many talked of catching nuisance animals live and then releasing them “in the  … [Continue reading]

Celebrate Farmers markets and some tips for shopping


Mon. Aug. 7, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Celebrate Farmers Markets and some tips for shopping

It’s National Farmers Market week!  What a wonderful opportunity for those who LOVE fresh produce but don’t have a vegetable garden, or room to plant all the veggies they want, or like me, have had their produce poached by Peter Rabbit and his pals!

 As you wander the rows of fresh produce, you can’t help but have a different sense of where your food comes from and a connection that  … [Continue reading]

Wandering through your gardens and the thing you discover!


Fri. Aug. 4, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Wandering through your gardens and the things you discover!

I do love touring my gardens, checking to see what’s going on.  Even though I know what’s supposed to happen, I always feel really delighted when it does!  Like seeing my lemon yellow lilies blooming outrageously or my new Hardy Hibiscus!

yellow lilies 2016

 

And then there’s usually some unwanted stuff hanging out in the garden! The picture below is of a Japanese beetle on my canna.  I took the shot  … [Continue reading]

What goes with who?


Wed. Aug. 2, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  What goes with who?

Recently I posted on Facebook that I’d like to hear from YOU on what topics you’d like me to cover.  I got some great suggestions including what plants get along and what plants might not…  First thing that comes to mind are invasive plants.   Monarda and Obedient Plant are at the top of the list, as is Lily of the Valley for shade.

IF you want don’t mind a plant creating your garden,  … [Continue reading]

Read the plant label


Tue. Aug. 1, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio feature:  Read the plant label

Sounds simple doesn’t it?  Well…..

Let’s take Viburnum for instance.  This group of shrubs consists of more than 150 species and cultivars.  Light preferences can vary from full sun to shade, heights vary from 2 feet to 30 feet and, some berries are edible while others are not!  You really need to know what cultivar will fit your needs.

The Viburnum called ‘Highbush Cranberry’ is known as Viburnum Trilobum in latin.  This bush will  … [Continue reading]

August to-do’s


Mon. Jul. 31, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show;  August to-do’s

There are still plenty of things to do in the garden as we wait for those mouthwatering tomatoes to really start producing and I can start roasting!  But that’s another Garden Bite.

Now’s a good time to deadhead those flowers.  I really went after my Blue Salvia.  It was flopped open…

When you deadhead, you’ll cut the flower off, generally speaking, at the first set of healthy leaves.  What happens is you stop the plant from  … [Continue reading]

Allergy “free” garden


Fri. Jul. 21, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Allergy “free” garden

AHCHOO! Runny nose, runny eyes don’t make for a fun day in the garden. If you’re a sufferer, there are some plants that are less problematic!

  • Lilacs
  • Dogwoods
  • Daisy
  • Hardy geranium
  • Hardy Hibiscus
  • Roses
  • Tulips
  • Irises
  • Cherry, Pear and Plum trees

Plants to nix for the nose due to their “Achoo” factor:

  • grasses
  • Maple
  • Oak
  • Birch
  • Juniper
  • Cedar
  • Cottonwood

Some tips to silence the sniffles are to wash your hands often and rinse your eyes  … [Continue reading]