The beasts are back – Japanese beetles


Wed. Jul. 8, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The beasts are back – Japanese beetles

Japanese beetles have been all over my roses, my French lilac, my honeysuckle vine near the back door and on other plants I’ve never seen them on before.

Armed with my bucket of soapy water I try, but honestly, there are a lot more of them than me. Japanese beetles feed on the leaves, flowers or fruit of more than 350 species of plants.

Japanese beetles were first discovered in Minnesota  … [Continue reading]

Strawberry season


Tue. Jul. 7, 2020

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

 Ahhh,  the sweet smell of fresh strawberries on my desk! Strawberry season is in full swing. The typical strawberry season is two-three weeks long but the length of harvest varies from farm to farm depending on varieties planted, weather, and soil type. Mild temperatures in the 70s and 80s extend the season and allow berries to ripen at a steady pace, while excessive heat can cause berries to ripen more quickly and shorten the season.  … [Continue reading]

Apples and issues


Mon. Jul. 6, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Apples and issues

It’s apple season growing time and with that come some issues! Apples that grow in our colder climates are new, relatively speaking, in the plant world. The University of MN has done a lot of breeding to create some AMAZING cultivars. I’ll never forget back in the early 1990’s having my first Honeycrisp apple at the MN Landscape Arboretum. It was huge, red and the absolute best apple I’d ever eaten. We could only buy  … [Continue reading]

Pursuing Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness in the garden


Fri. Jul. 3, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Pursuing Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness in the garden

Tomorrow we celebrate Independence Day. But this year is different. Amid the pandemic and the call to end racism, this year, let’s remember that Declaration: paraphrased for 2020, We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all people are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

As you all know,  … [Continue reading]

Canada thistle and more garden tips


Thu. Jul. 2, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Canada thistle and more garden tips

No, it’s not really from Canada!  We can’t blame it on them.  It’s other “handles” are ‘Lettuce from Hell thistle’ and ‘Cursed thistle’.  I don’t really get the ” lettuce” part, but I concur on the “from hell” part.

If you try to till this beast under, you’ll only multiply it!  Plants can start from broken off roots.  Digging it out is okay if there’s not much but will take a couple  … [Continue reading]

July tips and care for annuals


Wed. Jul. 1, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: July care for annuals

Summer’s here and the livin’s best outdoors!! If you haven’t mulched yet, now is a good time.

Mulch truly is a garden’s superhero. It will keep weeds out, moisture in and soil temperatures stabilized.

This is important for some of our more tender plants. Applying a thin layer, about an inch, right now will keep the soil temp a bit cooler and moisture in.

  • You should water well and deeply but less frequently this
 … [Continue reading]

Garden garbage or someone’s treasure?


Tue. Jun. 30, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Garden garbage or someone’s treasure?

I had a listener ask me why someone would put glass in their garden thinking that there must be a reason other than a garbage dump….

Well, turns out many people find all kinds of things in their yards as they dig to plant gardens.  Years ago I moved into a home on 5 acres that had been an old farmstead.  The house was gone and replaced in a different location but the  … [Continue reading]

Rain chains


Mon. Jun. 29, 2020

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

As we all try to think of ways to beautify our homes, rain gutter downspouts probably don’t come up first. I mean, really, what are there? 3 choice colors in corrugated aluminum or plastic at the local big box store!  Could there be another option? Oh yes, they’re called Rain Chains.

From the very simple to, well, Infinity and Beyond……

They look and SOUND wonderful as the rainwater follows the chain into a rain barrel or  … [Continue reading]

When the flowers fade – the foliage flashes


Fri. Jun. 26, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: When the flowers fade – the foliage flashes

A gardener can hardly help themselves to love flowers but foliage really lends color and texture that is capable of showing off flowers then becoming the show itself. And sometimes, in the case of coleus in a container, clearly it’s kickin’ it from the get-go.

Other amazing foliage plants include caladiums, perfect for part shade. They are annuals for us, but worth every penny. 

There are 20 new Heart to  … [Continue reading]

“Murder” hornets


Thu. Jun. 25, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: “Murder” hornets

If this weren’t a crazy enough year, we’ve also heard of something called “murder hornets”. That is NOT a technical term and the University of Minnesota thinks it’s a no-no to say it!

Vespa mandarinia is the world’s largest hornet, measuring between 1½ to 2 inches in length.

 It was found in Washington State in December of 2019. Aside from size, they eat honey bees. Sure, they’ll take other tasty insects but they prefer to eat  … [Continue reading]