2021 AAS winners


Thu. Dec. 10, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: 2021 AAS winners

The 2021 AAS plants are being introduced and I’m going to share some beauties and a tasty fruit. Wow, wow, wow is how one judge describes a new zinnia Profusion red/yellow bicolor.

This gorgeous annual plant starts the season with a bold vibrant red center ring surrounded by golden-yellow outer petals. As the season progresses, the aging flowers morph into soft, beautiful shades of apricot, salmon, and dusty rose! Yowza! From late spring  … [Continue reading]

What is AAS and how did it begin?


Wed. Dec. 9, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: What is AAS and how did it begin?

With the huge increase in new gardeners this past year, I wanted to explain AAS. Their selections are a great resource for new gardeners!

All America Selections was started in 1932 by a man named Ray Hastings.  He encouraged all seed companies to set up trial grounds, cooperatively test new varieties and agree to develop marketing efforts for new vegetables and flowers. He recommended a national network of trial grounds  … [Continue reading]

Ironwood tree


Tue. Dec. 8, 2020

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

If you have a lot of shade but would love to have a tree in your landscape, consider the native Ironwood tree. Ironwood is a common understory tree throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin’s upland deciduous forests.

Highly shade tolerant, it is slow growing in understories where it rarely grows into the canopy. Its branches are often broadly horizontal and retained fairly close to the ground.

In open sunnier sites it will grow more quickly and could reach  … [Continue reading]

Gardener gifts for the “Littles”


Mon. Dec. 7, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Gardener gifts for the “Littles”

With so many staying home this past season, it IS 2020, the family really got into the gardening craze! What a perfect time to continue a love of gardening for the kids with garden tools to fit them! 

Since we’ve become more environmentally friendly, let’s skip the plastic tools and get our “Littles” some quality metal tools!

I’ve posted about getting the right fitting tools for your little gardeners  (in this link is  … [Continue reading]

2021 vegetables


Fri. Dec. 4, 2020

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

The gardening industry had a huge year as so many of us turned to the outdoors due to covid-19. It’s the healthiest thing we can do now and in the future and for so many reasons. I won’t list them all today, instead I wanted to share some 2021 vegetable introductions!

As always, you need to understand what will work in YOUR garden situation but let’s consider these tasty options! Johnny Seeds is introducing ‘Butterbaby’,  … [Continue reading]

Gardener gifts


Thu. Dec. 3, 2020

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

Gardening took on a whole new meaning this year and lots of you got a real “taste” for it! When loved ones ask what you want for Christmas, tell them tools! As an essential part of gardening, these are worth spending the extra dollars for quality.

One of the top tools, as I’ve mentioned before, is the Hori Hori Japanese gardening knife.  Hori means “digging” in Japanese. This knife has been called the MacGuyver of gardening  … [Continue reading]

The benefits of bats and other birds


Wed. Dec. 2, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The benefits of bats and other birds

While some may scoff, bats have benefits.  You may not feel that way as you battle one inside your bedroom, however, before killing it, capture it and set it free.  Then look for the place in the bats are coming in and seal it up!

A bat in the house? What to do by Wildlife Removal USA.

Let’s talk about what bats DO do… not what you’re thinking! This is  … [Continue reading]

Norfolk pine – a tropical tree


Tue. Dec. 1, 2020

Click on the link below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Norfolk pine – a tropical tree

This is a very different Christmas for me. While perhaps not quite as festive, I found the perfect tree for my home. It’s the Norfolk Pine.

I know many of you have seen this houseplant but maybe don’t know where it actually comes from and the fact that it’s not a pine at all! Native to Norfolk Island, a small island between New Zealand and New Caledonia,can grow  … [Continue reading]

Christmas tree care


Mon. Nov. 30, 2020

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

The local nurseries are filled with Frasier Firs, Balsams, Pine and Spruce. Ahh, that smell is awesome!

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 to care for your tree!

  • Figure out WHERE
 … [Continue reading]

Firs, Pine, Spruce – Christmas tree selection


Fri. Nov. 27, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Firs, Pine, Spruce – Christmas tree selection

While some are shopping online or safely in local small businesses, others are searching for their perfect Christmas tree.

Remember the ’60’s? Well, maybe you’re too young! (like me… tee hee)

Ahhh, but today, we relish the real trees! Selection can be tricky depending on what you’re looking for.

There are lots of types of trees to choose from depending on what you like and whether you have heavy ornaments.  The  … [Continue reading]