with Teri Knight
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!
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.
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]