Norfolk Pine – a tropical Christmas tree


Tue. Nov. 30, 2021

Click below to listen to my  2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Norfolk Pine – a tropical Christmas tree

 For those who have smaller homes or just don’t want the fuss of a big Christmas tree, check out the Norfolk Pine.

This houseplant, that’s in many nurseries right now, is not a pine at all! Native to Norfolk Island, a small island between New Zealand and New Caledonia, it can grow to nearly 200 ft.!

Here, in our northern climes, the Norfolk Pine has been a houseplant for decades.  … [Continue reading]

Christmas tree care


Mon. Nov. 29, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Christmas tree care

Local nurseries are filled with Fraser and Balsam Firs, Pine and other fresh cut Christmas trees… Fa la la la laaaah, la la la laaaah

You learned all about the different types of trees last week, which ones are the most fragrant, ones that can hold a lot of ornaments and ones that have those pretty soft needles. Now we need to talk about the CARE of those beauties you brought into your home.

How  … [Continue reading]

Christmas tree shopping


Fri. Nov. 26, 2021

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

Is it Black Friday? I saw ads for so many “early” black Fridays beginning a few weeks ago that I’m not sure it’s a thing! I DO hope you get a chance to shop your local businesses! 

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. Although there was that period in the 60’s with metal trees  … [Continue reading]

Happy Thanksgiving


Thu. Nov. 25, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Happy Thanksgiving

 It’s Thanksgiving. While things have been opening up, we’re still in a pandemic. Many of you may be gathering and for that, I wish you a full house and a full belly.

For those of you who may not be, I wish you a full heart of gratitude for the blessings you have and those to come. Perhaps you’re gathering once again, around Zoom or FaceTime or Google Duo, I pray you see those you love  … [Continue reading]

A peek at 2022 plants


Wed. Nov. 24, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: A peek at 2022 plants

As we move into our holiday season still dealing with pandemic issues, I wanted to look forward and share some plants that will be offered up in 2022! Wahoo!

A new Astilbe called ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ has bronzy leaves that carry purple flowers in shade. It grows to 16 inches tall with the scape, or flowers if you will, growing above to 24 inches and the spread of the plant about  … [Continue reading]

Worst trees! Says who?


Tue. Nov. 23, 2021

Click below to listen to my  2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Worst trees! Says Who?

 I discovered a list of trees that a site says are the WORST. After reading it I took issue with some of their “worst”. Frankly, one person’s “weed”, is another person’s “flower”. Take the dandelion.

That said, I’ll share some of their “worst” and my “not so”. There are a lot of reasons a tree isn’t fun to have around. They may be messy or weak and prone to damage… maybe they’re susceptible to  … [Continue reading]

Controlling ants in the garden


Mon. Nov. 22, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Controlling ants in the garden

 This past summer I had a terrible ant problem in my garden. Those little nasty biters even lifted some plants right out of the ground.

I tried diatomaceous earth, then just moved for a while. I tried traps like the Hotel California kind, they just reproduced. UGH.

While “technically” they’re not a garden pest, I know I’m not the only one that takes issue with them!

I found a few options to try  … [Continue reading]

Oriental Bittersweet


Fri. Nov. 19, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Oriental Bittersweet

As we approach the holidays, this is a perennial topic now. Oriental bittersweet is pretty obnoxious… see how I did that? Pretty, yes, obnoxious, most definitely!

Used so often in decorations, this lovely looking vine is deceitful as it’s invasive qualities haunt our  forests, grasslands, and parks!  Sounds a bit harsh for such a well used holiday decoration but it’s true.

This invasive has penetrated our native areas to the point that it’s at the top  … [Continue reading]

Festive Containers


Thu. Nov. 18, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Festive Containers

 I love creating my festive containers! I normally go to my local nursery and buy the “ingredients”, spruce tops, cedar branches and various other evergreens and fresh accents.

This year I am laying low due to some scheduled surgery. No worries, I’ll be kicking around like crazy in a few months. That said, I DID purchase some “starter” containers and added my own flair! The plastic container in the photo below broke (I dropped it), so  … [Continue reading]

Infused sugars


Wed. Nov. 17, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Infused sugars

Inching out of a pandemic, we’re gathering again. That means host/hostess gifts! Rather than last minute, consider something a little different that’s easy and just takes a couple of weeks.

Start with organic sugar, be it cane, beet or coconut;  and a dried herb or spice. Or a mix! Make sure your container remains dry.  Combine the sugar and herb or spice into an airtight container in a 4 to 1 ratio of sugar to spice.  … [Continue reading]