What’s a native plant community?


Tue. Aug. 18, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: What’s a native plant community?

Gardeners are always talking plants, it’s what we do!  There’s also a lot of talk about planting native species, creating a native “community”.  What does that mean?

I interviewed Phyllis Root not too long ago, she wrote “Searching for Minnesota’s Native Wildflowers – a Guide for Beginners, Botanists and everyone in between”.

It’s a great read for anyone in the upper midwest.  She also explains what a native plant community DOES.

  • stores carbon
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Ugh, another bug whose grub is the rub


Mon. Aug. 17, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Ugh, another bug whose grub is the rub

So the big news last week, the MN Dept. of Agriculture announced another bug whose grub is the rub! Well, they didn’t put it THAT way, but the European Chafer is a very serious grub pest of turf and can cause more turf damage than the Japanese beetle.

Part of this difference may occur because the European chafer spends a longer portion of the summer feeding on turf. However, adult … [Continue reading]

Glad for gladiolas


Fri. Aug. 14, 2020

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

The gladiolas are blooming and I’m thrilled.

Notice the bamboo sticks holding them up… works great except in a rainstorm!

Glads always remind me of my dad. They were blooming when he passed away. That may sound sad but, honestly, it makes me feel like he gives me flowers every year from Heaven! They are old-fashioned and charming!

They’re part of the Iris family but have a very different look! The sword like foliage is  … [Continue reading]

A grass for butterflies


Thu. Aug. 13, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: A grass for butterflies

I’m on a grass kick this week! ‘Eyelash’ grass won’t replace a manicured lawn but it sure attracts butterflies! That’s what the University of Minnesota Extension says. Blue Grama grass, which sounds funny itself, is a native grass that goes by a few other names including ‘eyelash’, ‘mosquito’ and ‘caterpillar’ grass because of its golden sails at the tip of its stems.

Extension Horticulturist, Mary Meyer, says this is one tough short grass.  … [Continue reading]

Lawn alternatives


Wed. Aug. 12, 2020

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

I talked about overseeding your lawn and what types of grass seed there is. Today, let’s talk about alternatives to lawns. You know about my mostly clover lawn…

…but there are other options out there that can provide that grassy look without the chemicals and water consumption of the typical American lawn.

Pennsylvania sedge has fine textured leaves, a 6 to 10 inch height with a creeping habit. I bought mine from Prairie Moon Nursery

More  … [Continue reading]

What seed to use for your lawn


Tue. Aug. 11, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: What seed to use for your lawn

Depending on where you live this question is answered differently.  We talked about overseeding your lawn but what’s the best mix for you?  There are blends and there are mixtures.  A blend is the same type of grass but different cultivars.  A mix has 2 maybe 3 different varieties of grasses for cultural diversity.  In other words, for lawns that have differing sun/shade conditions.  The best recommendation is to figure out  … [Continue reading]

Overseeding your lawn


Mon. Aug. 10, 2020

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

While I advocate diversity in my yard, including the sweet smelling clover, there are plenty of people that want a lawn. So, for you folks, the best defense against weeds is a lush lawn.

Mid August to mid-September is the BEST time to overseed your lawn. The soil is warm, so seeds germinate quickly, The temps, in theory, should be starting to cool and getting perfect for growing grass.  Notice in the photo below the  … [Continue reading]

Edible weeds


Fri. Aug. 7, 2020

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

The last couple of days I’ve teased you with some gorgeous plants to think about. Today, it’s about eating your yard! While I have called some of my gardening peeps, Weekend Weed Warriors, perhaps a better moniker might be, the lazy gardeners veggie garden!  

Plantain is edible and, according to Edible Wild Food, has many health benefits! Clover makes a great tea!

Dandelions are well known edibles.  Every part of the dandelion is edible from  … [Continue reading]

Companion plants to Summerific hibiscus


Thu. Aug. 6, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Companion plants to Summerific hibiscus

Yesterday I talked about the new Summerific hibiscus. Yowza!

Today I’ve got plants suggested to go with your new hibiscus from Proven Winners. One idea they have is to plant sweet potato vine as a groundcover! It’s really pretty. ‘Sweet Caroline Kiwi’ has the perfect chartreuse color to really show off those hibiscus.

 Sweet Caroline will trail to 30 inches and would look gorgeous with ‘Evening Rose’ hibiscus.

‘Snow Princess’ sweet alyssum, another  … [Continue reading]

Summerific hibiscus


Wed. Aug. 5, 2020

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

Ahhh, Summer. Road construction, dust and flowers abloom! Today I introduce you to the Summerfic line of Hibiscus from Proven Winners! There’s a new one for 2020 and THREE more coming in 2021! Oh, yes, pictures are on gardenbite dot com! ‘Candy Crush’ has 8 inch bubblegum pink blooms with a deep red, nearly black, center.

It grows to 4 to 4 ½ ft. tall and is attractive to bees and butterflies. The foliage is bright  … [Continue reading]