Big Bluestem ‘Blackhawks’


Tue. Sep. 1, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Big Bluestem ‘Blackhawks’

I was devouring my new Northern Gardener magazine sitting on my front porch with a cool beverage when I came on an article by Debbie Lonnee, who works in the horticulture industry, about a new cultivar for Big Bluestem.

 Let me tell you, this one is a beauty! Called ‘Blackhawks’, the foliage evolves throughout the growing season.

Emerging green in the Spring, the long strappy leaves take on purple hues by June. Throughout the  … [Continue reading]

Blight blues on lilacs


Mon. Aug. 31, 2020

Click on the link below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Blight blues on lilacs

There’s been a lot of the blues this last few weeks with lots of reports of blight on lilacs. I have plenty myself. They look awful.

Some of my listeners have sent me pictures of their towering lilacs now can’t down to a few feet tall to try and rid the plants from this nasty fungal enemy.

So why THIS year? As if 2020 hasn’t been challenging enough? A cool, wet,  … [Continue reading]

Garden to-do’s for September


Fri. Aug. 28, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Garden to-do’s for September

September is just a few days away! While this year has some vast changes due to a pandemic, our garden to-do’s heading into Fall remain the same! (that feels kinda good right now!)

Harvest, of course is ongoing. 

My Red Grape tomatoes have been outstanding! I’ve been putting them in salads and stir fry and have been dehydrating them too.

Because of the crazy year I’ve had with road construction on both streets of  … [Continue reading]

Pretty poppies and peonies for Fall planting


Thu. Aug. 27, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Pretty poppies and peonies for Fall planting

We’ve talked about Fall planting of trees, shrubs and daylilies. There are plenty more perennials including pretty poppies and peonies that dig Fall planting! Poppies explode in June.

Their ruffled, shimmering petals pack a colorful punch. Plant in groups in a sunny, well-drained position and match them with summer bloomers or annuals that spread out and will conceal their early dormancy. They grow to about 2.5 ft.  Although the foliage can  … [Continue reading]

Clethra – it’s for part sun/part shade


Wed. Aug. 26, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Clethra – it’s for part sun/part shade

So I’ve been looking to replace the hostas I quickly planted near my new Crabapple tree. I had these in my nursery on the side of the garage. That’s where I put all the “extras” I have of plants like daylilies, hostas and whatnot that I’ve divided.

Sometimes it’s hard for me to just toss a plant! Sometimes not!  They were chewed up pretty bad by slugs and I really  … [Continue reading]

Fall is great for planting trees and shrubs


Tue. Aug. 25, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Fall is great for planting trees and shrubs

Fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs.  They love the warm soil and cooler air. They also still have plenty of time to scoot their roots down deep into the soil.

For easy growing, Rugosa roses are a good choice. These are also salt tolerant! This one was at a home I lived in in Burnsville, Mn.

Be sure to water new plantings up until the ground  … [Continue reading]

Wild cucumber takes over


Mon. Aug. 24, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Wild cucumber takes over

While not QUITE as “over the top” this year, wild cucumber is making it’s appearance known. Since 2020 has, so far, been a year of “over the top”, I’m grateful for ONE thing that’s not quite as bad…. however, let’s examine this annual vine that loves to be “over the top”.

This vine loves to climb and drape itself over fields, trees, shrubs, grasses, flowers throughout much of the country!   It’s Latin name is  … [Continue reading]

Planting cover crops


Fri. Aug. 21, 2020

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

 Let’s talk green manure. No, I’m not talking about an animal with a gastrointestinal issue but cover crops. These are plants with a purpose.

They can help with soil erosion, weed control and even fix what’s ailing your soil. The University of MN Ext. says living roots help maintain nutrients, support a diversity of soil microorganisms, and help the soil retain water.

As the weather cools into September, you can plant oats, peas, buckwheat  … [Continue reading]

Resurrection lily – the Rising!


Thu. Aug. 20, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Resurrection lily – the Rising!

I’ve told this story before but it bears repeating as we all go through this pandemic together. I’m calling today’s episode, Resurrection Lily – the rising! Hey 2020, TAKE THAT! Their latin name is Lycoris squamigera and they have a number of other common names, Magic Lily, Surprise lily, Naked Ladies to name a few

I came by this plant in July of 2012 when I moved into my current home. The previous  … [Continue reading]

Glory in the grasses


Wed. Aug. 19, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Glory in the grasses

As we head toward Fall, one of my favorite seasons, the native grasses really start to show off!  There IS Glory in the Grasses!

‘Big Bluestem’ is a grass and a true prairie plant.  It’s long stems are nearly 7 feet tall and sway beautifully in the wind.

Several flower spike at the tops of the stem are covered with pairs of tiny flower clusters.  If you separate the stalks out, you can see  … [Continue reading]