BEE the change


Tue. Dec. 3, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: BEE the change

In May of this year, the Minnesota Governor signed legislation that set aside $900,000 in financial assistance to individual home owners who are willing to install pollinator-friendly native plantings. Yowza. As a taxpayer, I’m not sure where that money is coming from but I am happy to have more pollinator plants. The program helps cover up to 75% of the cost of each conversion project, and up to 90% in areas with a “high potential”  … [Continue reading]

Christmas tree care


Mon. Dec. 2, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Christmas tree care

The local nurseries are filled with Frasier Firs, Balsams, Pine and Spruce. Ahh, that smell is awesome!

You learned all about the different types of trees last week, which ones are the most fragrant, ones that can hold a lot of ornaments and ones that have those pretty soft needles. Now we need to talk about the CARE of those beauties you brought into your home.

How to care for your tree!

  • Figure out WHERE
 … [Continue reading]

Shopping day!


Fri. Nov. 29, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Shopping day

Yesterday we packed our bellies, today we’re packing shopping bags, hopefully reusable bags!  Fueled up, we’re ready for the challenge of the hunt for the perfect gift at the perfect price.  Wahoo, let the season begin!

What do you get the gardener?  What do you, the gardener, ask for?  Oh the list is endless but here are some of my favorite things!

One of my favorite tools in the garden beside really good gloves is a  … [Continue reading]

Happy Thanksgiving – what’s on your plate?


Thu. Nov. 28, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Happy Thanksgiving – what’s on your plate?

As you congregate around the Thanksgiving Table, what are some of the dishes you might be able to grow in your own garden?  Maybe some herbs?  Potatoes?  Sweet potatoes? Green Beans?  Pumpkins?  And  the list goes on!

My friend grew red potatoes! I snagged some from her and used the rosemary I grew and dried and roasted them!

As for decorations, well, if you’ve grown ornamental grasses, then bring some into  … [Continue reading]

Fir? Pine? Spruce – Christmas tree selection


Wed. Nov. 27, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Fir? Pine? Spruce? Christmas tree selection

Thanksgiving is late this year and lots of folks have already been decorating for Christmas. I’ll admit, I’ve done some too, I just haven’t turned the lights on yet! (except for testing purposes!)

Remember the ’60’s? Well, maybe you’re too young! (like me… tee hee)

Ahhh, but today, we relish the real trees! Selection can be tricky depending on what you’re looking for.

There are lots of types of trees to choose  … [Continue reading]

The unwanted house guest – Mice


Tue. Nov. 26, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The unwanted house guest – Mice

 It’s the time of year when you may hear the pitter patter of small creatures about your house. If it were just the kids! Nope, it’s mice seeking shelter in your cozy home! 

Oh sure, he looks cute but the destruction and, egad!, waste left behind by these little creatures is NOT something you want in your home.  Here are some “fun” facts about mice you can use for trivia!

  • as cold
 … [Continue reading]

Gall Talk


Mon. Nov. 25, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Gall Talk

It’s time for the Gall Talk. As we face down the road to snowplows, we can still go out and look for them!  First up, what are they?

Galls are abnormal growths that occur on leaves, twigs, roots, or flowers of many plants. More gall dang information on Wayne’s Word….

Most galls are caused by irritation and/or stimulation of plant cells due to feeding or egg-laying by insects such as aphids, midges, wasps, or mites.  … [Continue reading]

Oriental bittersweet


Fri. Nov. 22, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Oriental bittersweet

As we approach the holidays, this is a perennial topic now. Oriental bittersweet. Used so often in decorations, this lovely looking vine is deceitful as it’s invasive qualities haunt our  forests, grasslands, and parks!  Sounds a bit harsh for such a well used holiday decoration but it’s true.

Used for YEARS in decorating, this invasive has penetrated our native areas to the point that it’s at the top of the list for ERADICATION! The vine is  … [Continue reading]

Cold weather wines turn Icy


Thu. Nov. 21, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Cold weather wines turn Icy!

Hardy grapes developed by the University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin-Madison have been instrumental in the explosion of wineries in the Upper Midwest. In just 8 years, Wisconsin went from 18 wineries to 120! In Minnesota there are 37 wineries. Among them is something very unique, Ice Wine. 

Owner and grower at Indian Island Winery, Ray Winter, explained, “You have to leave the grapes till they’re frozen solid in the vineyard.  … [Continue reading]

Christmas cactus or not


Wed. Nov. 20, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Christmas cactus or not

 Is your cactus flowering? There sure are a lot of them working overtime by the looks for the pictures on Facebook!  How long has it been in bloom? If you thought it was a Christmas cactus, I hate to burst your bubble but it’s likely a Thanksgiving cactus.   Yup, there’s a difference!

For years I had a Christmas cactus of my mom’s.  Or so I thought. Then one day I was looking at information  … [Continue reading]