Clearing the air


Thu. Jan. 2, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Clearing the Air

The aromas of holiday cooking still linger in our minds and perhaps in the drapes too if we’ve burned anything!  Not that I would know about that! But in case I did, I know a way to “clear the air”.

Plants!  Decades ago NASA, yes the THAT NASA, proved plants could remove volatile chemicals from the air Including formaldehyde which is found in, or used to produce, a multitude of everyday products, from fabrics and  … [Continue reading]

Popping the bubbly


Tue. Dec. 31, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Popping the bubbly

No day is more associated with Champagne than today, New Years Eve. The bubbly’s start was dubious and it’s history riddled with lawsuits.

 Dom Perignon, (the guy from the Champagne region of France!) tried many times to get the fizz out of his wine. When wine has bubbles, it’s a sign that it has continued to ferment inside the bottle.  The quintessential guide to Champagne – a little history and a slightly different version than  … [Continue reading]

More AAS winners for 2020


Mon. Dec. 30, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: More AAS winners for 2020

 Last week I shared about how All America Selections was started back in 1932. They do the trials and we get the benefits! Each year they select perennials, annuals and edibles. As you start planning your gardens for next year, think about one or more of these 2020 winners!

An edible is a mini cucumber called ‘Green Light’ F1. This little beauty is an excellent mini cucumber, said many of the AAS  … [Continue reading]

Celestial gardening


Fri. Dec. 27, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Celestial gardening

Celestial gardening sounds a bit mystical.  It is.  It’s also working, according to some experts. Biodynamics, it’s more scientific name, uses the movements of the moon and stars to guide planting and cultivation.

Think that’s a stretch?  Consider how the moon creates ocean tides.  Suddenly it’s not so “out there”.  Well, celestially speaking it is!  ;-)

Biodynamic gardeners plant by the lunar calendar, they also use raised beds believing that this enlivens the soil.  Herbs such as  … [Continue reading]

Conservation Districts


Thu. Dec. 26, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Conservation Districts

The United States has 3,000 Conservation Districts.  Many are called Soil and Water Conservation Districts.  They work with millions of cooperating landowners and operators to help them manage and protect land and water resources on private and public lands in the United States.

The association was founded on the philosophy that conservation decisions should be made at the local level with technical and funding assistance from federal, state, and local governments and the private sector.  While  … [Continue reading]

Merry Christmas


Wed. Dec. 25, 2019

I don’t know how you celebrate or exactly what you celebrate but I hope this day brings you joy and a sense of renewal.

For me, it’s Merry Christmas.

Thank you all for being a part of Garden Bite!

Tagged:
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Twas the Night before Christmas – my Gardener’s version


Tue. Dec. 24, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Twas the Night before Christmas – my Gardener’s version

It’s the time of year when nostalgia is embraced!  Over a decade ago, I wrote my own gardeners version of Twas the Night Before Christmas.  I share each Christmas Eve with my listeners and hope you enjoy it!

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,

not a plant was stirring not even a sprout.

The seedlings were hung by the glow of a grow light

in  … [Continue reading]

AAS – what is it?


Mon. Dec. 23, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: AAS – what is it?

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 throughout North American climates where flower and vegetable varieties would be grown and assessed by skilled impartial judges.  Today, home gardeners can feel confident when selecting these  … [Continue reading]

Holiday cacti


Fri. Dec. 20, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Holiday cacti

There’s been a lot of chatter on Thanksgiving vs Christmas vs Easter flowering cactus. I think the main thing we can all agree on is how lovely they are and it gets even better. There are some of these plants that have lived over 100 years! Say WHAT? Say uh huh!

 Although true cacti, these plants are native to rainforests. Think jungle not desert! The need for high humidity, bright but filtered light, and soil  … [Continue reading]

Desperate to save the bats!


Thu. Dec. 19, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Desperate to save the bats

I just recently talked about how awesome bats are in terms of eating those nasty mosquitoes. That’s not all they do, munching on our backyard bloodsuckers.

Their impact has far reaching implications including crops and environment. There is a recent article in the StarTribune paper on the plight of four native species in the Upper Midwest. (Sorry if you don’t have a subscription, you won’t be able to read the article) In fact,  … [Continue reading]