Earth Day 2021


Thu. Apr. 22, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Earth Day 2021

Happy Earth Day 2021

While many have sounded the alarm for years, more of us have seen, over the last year, what human industry has done to our beautiful planet as skies cleared over once smog-filled cities and wildlife returned as OUR lives slowed up and closed up in some places.

My friend, Hayes Scriven, and the man who is the Executive Director of Split Rock Lighthouse in Two Harbors, MN took this amazing photo  … [Continue reading]

Of pollinators and plants


Wed. Apr. 21, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Of pollinators and plants

Bees, honeybees in particular get the buzz as the premiere pollinators…

Honey bees in particular because they can be packed up and carted to commercial growers for pollinate, for instance, almond trees in California.

But nearly everything is a pollinator to a certain degree.  Butterflies are probably next on the list. Though inadvertent pollinators, they carry the pollen on their legs and bodies as they feed on the nectar of flowers.

Birds, beetles and  … [Continue reading]

Small space gardening


Tue. Apr. 20, 2021

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

Want to garden but have a small space? Not a problem. Gardening in small spaces requires you to maximize the space you have and keep potential problems under control.

The challenge is not planting too much.  Fewer plants, properly spaced, will actually give you a better yield than squeezing many plants in the same space. That means pumpkins and squash are pretty much out.

If you’re growing in containers, look for plants that are labeled  … [Continue reading]

Organic Matters


Mon. Apr. 19, 2021

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

I talked about soil and rain barrels and composting last week. But what about organic matters? What is it? Does it matter? How much organic matter matters? Can it be too much? According to the University of MN Extension, the answer is actually… YES. The link takes you to much more information on the U’s website.

But first, what is it? Soil organic matter (SOM) is the portion of soil that is composed of living  … [Continue reading]

Garden tool prep and pruning out damage


Fri. Apr. 16, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Garden prep and pruning out damage

If you’ve already been out in the yard, and let’s face it after some of that warmth we had, who wasn’t???

Still it’s a great time for garden tool prep. This is definitely a perennial topic!  I’ve been notorious for neglecting my tools but I’m making a concerted effort. You spend money for quality tools, they’re the backbone of our gardens… so spending some time giving them a good “going over”  … [Continue reading]

Rain barrels and compost bins


Thu. Apr. 15, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Rain barrels and compost bins

April Showers bring May flowers and an opportunity. Of course, the hope is that moisture isn’t in the solid form of snow!  Rainwater is the best kind of water for your lawn, trees, shrubs and flower gardens. Capturing it is a good thing for several reasons.  First, it’s free! 

It’s also a good stormwater management practice.  Corralling that precious water before it rushes down the storm drain and carries with it lawn chemicals  … [Continue reading]

Say yes to these easy perennials


Wed. Apr. 14, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Say yes to these easy perennials

There are plenty of perennials more amiable than others. Naturally,  the natives are… including a sedum from Prairie Moon called ‘Widows Cross’  

At just 6 inches tall, it’s an early bloomer that pollinators love! 

Sedum aka Stonecrop, is at the top of the list of forgiving plants.  And there are a lot of different varieties, nearly 500!  I have several myself, they’re great for groundcovers.

I also love how their color changes  … [Continue reading]

Seeding a new lawn


Tue. Apr. 13, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Seeding a new lawn

How do you start a new lawn? I talked with Gertens Lawn Guru, Tom Jameson, who has 30 years of experience perfecting seed combinations and protocols.

First up, it’s very important to start with the appropriate seed mix for YOUR situation. Check with your local garden centers.

You purchased the appropriate seed mix and have seeded as recommended on the package. Now it’s irrigating! Don’t create a swimming pool, but keep that seeded  … [Continue reading]

The “new normal” in Spring frost dates


Mon. Apr. 12, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The “new normal” in Spring frost dates

Just over a week ago we had 83 degrees in southern Minnesota. What? That’s crazy business right there!

Of course last year on this very date, we had 8 inches of snow where I live.

So what’s the deal?

Our “average” frost date has been May 15th in zone 4 for a long time, but according to Dr. Mark Seeley, University of Minnesota professor emeritus and meteorologist, we can expect new  … [Continue reading]

Planting and trellising raspberries


Fri. Apr. 9, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Planting and trellising raspberries

The University of Minnesota Lawn & Garden pages had this article on planting and trellising raspberries last week and I wanted  to share it with you!  I LOVE fresh raspberries, not bought in a store. Take a peek at some lovely choices below! Yes, I know the photo is strawberries, but you get the idea!! 😉

Raspberries are so tasty! My dog, Gigi, loved them! We had to get to them before she ate  … [Continue reading]