Lawn alternatives


Wed. Aug. 14, 2019

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? height with a creeping habit.

Prairie Nursery in Wisconsin says it’s good in dry soils in  … [Continue reading]

Types of grass seed for your lawn


Tue. Aug. 13, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Types of grass seed for your lawn

We talked about overseeding your lawn but what’s the best mix for you?  Depends!

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, for lawns that have differing sun/shade conditions and climate zone.  The best recommendation is to figure out what you’ve got and then go to your local … [Continue reading]

Overseeding your lawn


Mon. Aug. 12, 2019

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]

Got clay? Why it’s not a bad thing


Fri. Aug. 9, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Got clay? Why it’s not a bad thing

There are many gardeners who have clay soil.  Most lament that fact but I have some good news for you…Proven Winners says you can learn to love it,  it just takes a bit of knowledge and a bit of elbow grease.  What IS clay soil? It’s sticky and absorbs water slowly, when it dries out it can be crusty, lumpy and hardpacked, oh and the top layer can be  … [Continue reading]

Drought tolerant flowers


Thu. Aug. 8, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Drought tolerant flowers

It’s hot, it’s humid, it’s summer in full bloom and we’re looking for a few good flowers!  Those that are pest resistant, drought resistant and bloom all summer long…. That’s a tall order, however, the Heliopsis is up to the challenge!

This flower, also known as False Sunflower, sunflower heliopsis and smooth oxeye is also cold hardy to zone 3… Oh and did I mention it’s a native prairie plant?  There are also many cultivars. … [Continue reading]

A new invasive bug on the loose


Wed. Aug. 7, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: A new invasive bug on the loose

I was just talking about the Viburnum shrub last week and all the various species and cultivars. And, unfortunately today, I’m talking about an invasive beetle that attacks viburnum plants.

It’s been confirmed in Minnesota for the first time. The Minnesota DNR says the viburnum leaf beetle somehow “hitched a ride from outside Minnesota” and found its way to the Twin Cities.

It’s hard to nail down exactly how it got  … [Continue reading]

Edible weeds


Tue. Aug. 6, 2019

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

From Farmers Markets to Edible weeds!  The lazy gardeners vegetable 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 spring to fall.  The leaves are best when picked in spring before they become bitter.  The flowers can be made into wine and the taproot can be eaten like a root vegetable.

Purslane  … [Continue reading]

Celebrating Farmers Markets and tips for shopping


Mon. Aug. 5, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Celebrating Farmers Markets and tips for shopping

Once again, it’s National Farmers Market week!  What a wonderful opportunity for those who LOVE fresh produce but don’t have a vegetable garden, or room to plant all the veggies they want or  have had their produce poached by Peter Rabbit and his pals!

As you wander the rows of fresh produce, you can’t help but have a different sense of where your food comes from and a connection that we  … [Continue reading]

Garden Bite this and that


Sat. Aug. 3, 2019

Hey Garden Bite peeps!  I have a couple of new videos for you…  Thanks to Gracie Svien, my intern!

In part one of “This and That”, Teri takes you through the process of renewing your bougainvillea in zone 4 and why you shouldn’t give up on a plant you thought was toast! Gardening with containers can be rewarding in our cold climates.

Part 2:   In this episode, we explore sculpture in the garden, the importance of taking photographs and what the heck is fish emulsion and should you use it  … [Continue reading]

Surface root conundrum


Fri. Aug. 2, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Surface root conundrum

Surface roots of trees can be a real pain in the patoot when trying to mow!  I know…  but there are some real DON’TS when it comes to making your mowing life easier.  While I’m  lucky with the yard I have now, I still have a Hackberry that’s not easy to mow around but those roots are actually a GOOD SIGN for your tree.

In a previous residence, I had Silver Maples, they are notorious  … [Continue reading]