The foundation of life: Soil


Wed. Apr. 7, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The foundation of life: Soil

Yesterday I talked about getting a soil test.  And not just the kind from the big box store but through soil laboratories at University Extensions. Today, let’s talk soil.  It truly is the foundation of life!

Soil  holds the keys to a plant’s ability to take up nutrients, water and oxygen.  Soil also acts as a filter for rainwater, cleaning it as it makes it’s way into our aquifers.   If you prepare your  … [Continue reading]

Soil testing – is it important?


Tue. Apr. 6, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Soil testing – is it important?

If you really want to get down and dirty, get a soil test. Why?  I’ll tell you!

As we begin our planting season, the soil may still be wet, so keep that in mind… a soil test is one of the best things you do can for your plants and yourself!

The University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin will give you a comprehensive report on what your soil consists of.   … [Continue reading]

When to prune hydrangea


Mon. Apr. 5, 2021

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

 Hydrangeas are one of the most popular flowering shrubs.

A big question is when to prune them. Hydrangea paniculata is one of them. Prune back stems to just above a fat bud — called a heading cut — in fall, late winter or spring. These plants have conical-shaped flower heads. 

The above diagram is from the University of MN Ext. Read more here. 

Macrophylla, or Big leaf hydrangea produce buds in late summer  … [Continue reading]

Dreaming of 2021 plants


Fri. Apr. 2, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Dreaming of 2021 plants

Happy Friday! And happy 2021 plants. I’m excited to share some new introductions from Proven Winners to take you into your weekend of garden plotting!

First up is a bigleaf hydrangea that DOES stretch the limit a bit. It’s a zone 5 plant but ‘Wee Bit Giddy’ is worth it! She might be little but she’s tough.

Growing to 2 ft tall and about 30 inches wide the deep red blooms in alkaline soil  … [Continue reading]

Best planting practices for trees and shrubs


Thu. Apr. 1, 2021

Click below to listen below to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Best planting practices for trees and shrubs

We used to tell you to plant trees and shrubs at the same level they came in in their container. The great part about horticulture is that we are continually learning!!  NOW, the best advice is to take a look at those plants.  Turns out that some of those plants come with too much soil on top of their graft of trunk flare.

So, what does that mean?  It means  … [Continue reading]

Rain gardens


Wed. Mar. 31, 2021

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

Some folks asked what plants work well in raingardens. From marshes to savannas to dry prairies, there are some wonderful choices. You need to know what your sun/shade conditions will be and your climate zone. Follow this link for a list of many plants for various sites: University of Minnesota Extension

As a primer, native plants work best, lots of grasses are good choices too including Big and Little Bluestem, tall manna grass for lakeside and  … [Continue reading]

Tomato and pepper seed starting time


Tue. Mar. 30, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Tomato and pepper seed starting time

The AVERAGE last official frost date for Zone 3 and 4 is May 15th while zone 5 and 6 is looking at about April 15th. But that’s changing. Minnesota state Climatologist Mark Seeley says it’s getting warmer.

Warm season crops such as tomatoes and peppers, like soil temperatures to be at least 60 degrees. Now is a good time to start seeding tomatoes and peppers indoors.

These veggies are  … [Continue reading]

Easter lilies – choosing and caring for your lily


Mon. Mar. 29, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Easter lilies – choosing and caring for your lily

Easter is early this year arriving in just 7 days. This Christian Holy Day is marked by cherished traditions including the Easter Lily. The beautiful trumpet-shaped white flowers of lilium longiflorum symbolize purity, hope and life – the spiritual essence of Easter – a time of renewal. 

They’re often given as gifts and have adorned every home I’ve lived in.  When choosing an Easter lily, look for one in  … [Continue reading]

Garden magic


Fri. Mar. 26, 2021

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

Just over a year later, we continue to deal with the COVID pandemic, our desire to get outside continues too.

Remembering how much beauty we have in nature, the joy in getting our hands in the soil, seeding our gardens, gives us relief from our thoughts and struggles.

Gardens feed our bodies but, for me, they also deeply feed my soul. So now more than ever, the magic of our gardens continues to lift our Spirits. … [Continue reading]

Lawn spots from Fido, Fifi or snow mold


Thu. Mar. 25, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Lawn spots from Fido or Fifi

We love our dogs but not so much what they do to our lawns over the winter.  Spot may have left some dead spots around the yard. 

You can buy a lawn repair kit at most garden centers or you can mix your own.  After the soil has warmed up and isn’t wet, you can lift out the dead grass, loosen the soil and mix a handful of seed with a bucket  … [Continue reading]