Lawn care and weed killing


Mon. Apr. 27, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Lawn care and weed killing

Does forsythia bloom foretell the coming of crabgrass?  Actually… sorta.

Mother Nature is fickle, as I said last week about the month of April!  Sometimes we get above average temperatures, sometimes we get two feet of snow. While there are still plenty of folks that want that pristine lawn, I’ll talk about Preemergent herbicides today.

Preemergent herbicides affect germinating seeds. That means, to be effective, the herbicide should be applied two to three  … [Continue reading]

The poop on manure


Fri. Apr. 24, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The poop on manure

Manure happens… abundantly. But that doesn’t mean all kinds can go on the vegetable garden! It’s best to buy composted manure

Temperatures in a compost pile should reach 130 to 140 degrees to kill weed seeds and pathogens.  It should stay at that temp for at least 5 days.  Most folks stay away from pig manure.  It’s best to stick with dairy, sheep, horse or poultry manure.

Never use dog or cat manure.  It’s  … [Continue reading]

Ground cherries


Thu. Apr. 23, 2020

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

A friend of mine was reminiscing about his grandma’s garden and the abundant ground cherries which she made into jam.  Don’t let the name fool you—ground cherries have very little in common with those juicy red treats we all know.

In fact Ground Cherries [aka husk tomatoes] are part of the nightshade family and are related to tomatillos and Chinese lanterns.

The marble-sized, orangey fruits have a unique flavor, which is sometimes described as tasting similar  … [Continue reading]

Earth Day


Wed. Apr. 22, 2020

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

Today is Earth day. 

And maybe now more than ever, we see what human industry has done to our beautiful planet as we see skies clear over once smog-filled cities and wildlife return [albeit a little TOO much in some areas!] as we Shelter In Place.

I don’t want to start a fight here, I just want to point out that, perhaps we could do better at taking care of the things we love. 

It would  … [Continue reading]

Mycelium – the Information Superhighway


Tue. Apr. 21, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Mycelium – the Information Superhighway

While that may sound like I’m talking about the internet… I’m not. This is a garden show! So…. what the heck is mycelium and how does it become a Superhighway

Mycelium are the thin threads of fungi that link roots of different plants.  According to the BBC, plants aren’t just sitting there quietly growing. By linking to the fungal network they can help out their neighbors by sharing nutrients and information – or  … [Continue reading]

April is fickle


Mon. Apr. 20, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: April is fickle

April is fickle in the Upper Midwest. From nearly 60 degree days (70 coming up this week!) to 19 degrees and 8 inches of snow. Yup, pretty darn fickle!

So what’s a gardener to do? Check the weather! Your perennials and hardy spring bulbs that are peeking out, don’t need extra protection—they can take whatever nature hands out—but any early annuals will need a cover or a quick trip inside if the temps drop.

The  … [Continue reading]

Garden Tool prep and pruning out damage


Fri. Apr. 17, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Garden tool prep and pruning out damage

We’ve talked a lot about plants this week but, of course, if your soil is just too soggy, consider garden tool prep.  At least lovingly tending to the tools gets us closer to the garden!

Take some steel wool to those trowels, a file to your pruners and examine tools for any repair or, perhaps replacement!

You can prune out dead or damaged branches any time…

My lilac always suffers damage  … [Continue reading]

Cool coleus and 2020 introductions


Thu. Apr. 16, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Cool coleus and 2020 introductions

Coleus are such cool plants! I love them in my containers, in the garden and in areas to fill spots where the spring beauties have already expired! From green to yellow to pink to orange to nearly any combination you can think of you, you’ll find an amazing array!

 Main Street ‘Beale Street’ Coleus is a 2020 All-American Selections Winner and the first-ever coleus to be named an AAS Winner!

Fully sun tolerant,  … [Continue reading]

More 2020 vegetables to try


Wed. Apr. 15, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: More 2020 vegetables to try

 Hybridizers are always workin’. As we continue to shelter in place, getting our hands in the dirt, or at least being outdoors and pondering what we’ll plant can lift our spirits. (currently it’s snowing like crazy in southeast Minnesota but yesterday was fabulous!) Welcome to the Upper Midwest where the weather changes on a whim!

How about a new summer squash? It’s called ‘Lemon Drop’.

According to Burpee, Lemon Drop makes for  … [Continue reading]

Of pollinators and plants


Tue. Apr. 14, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Of pollinators and plants

Bees get the buzz as the most efficient pollinators, as they should…

Honey bees in particular because they can be packed up and carted to commercial growers for pollinate, for instance, almond trees in California.

But nearly everything is a pollinator to a certain degree.  Butterflies are probably next on the list. Though inadvertent pollinators, they carry the pollen on their legs and bodies as they feed on the nectar of flowers.

Birds, beetles  … [Continue reading]