Trees: plant this, not that


Wed. May. 18, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Trees: plant this, not that

My favorite arborist, Faith Appelquist of Treequality, shared her thoughts on the worst trees for planting. Tree selection is a big deal, they’re an investment in dollars and time. 

There are lots of considerations, one of those is the mature size of the tree you select.  Oftentimes, homeowners don’t see the 4 ft. sapling they planted 4 feet from the foundation growing to 40 feet tall! That’s NOT a good thing.

So,  … [Continue reading]

Blueberry – the antioxidant superhero


Tue. May. 17, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Blueberry – the antioxidant superhero

I’ve talked about blueberries before, in fact, a long time before as you’ll see from this video I did, maybe 15 YEARS ago! It was probably the 3rd video I’d done on gardening!   Cut me some slack!  ?

The Blueberry is a tasty  antioxidant  superhero and a lovely shrub with rockin’ fall foliage.

It does offer gardeners in the upper midwest a bit of a unique challenge as they like a more acidic  … [Continue reading]

Pollinator plants and hummingbird attractors


Mon. May. 16, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Pollinator plants and hummingbird attractors

Planting to attract all kinds of pollinators and hummingbirds too!  I have native plants scattered all over my landscape, in particular my butterfly garden and rain garden.

But –  I also enjoy  new cultivars, so don’t be afraid to plant them. The one thing we have to understand is that there is almost always a trade-off of some sort.  Maybe that rose color is spectacular, but it has lost some of its fragrance.  … [Continue reading]

The dirt on plant shopping


Fri. May. 13, 2022

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.  ;-)

Plant loupe

Seriously, in some of the  … [Continue reading]

Mixing in annuals with your perennials


Thu. May. 12, 2022

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]

Nasturtium – the hat trick of annuals


Wed. May. 11, 2022

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]

Summer blooming bulbs


Tue. May. 10, 2022

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]

Tips to grow veggies in containers


Mon. May. 9, 2022

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]

Worms that eat plastic?!


Fri. May. 6, 2022

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]

Jumping Worms


Thu. May. 5, 2022

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]