August to-do’s in the Garden


Thu. Aug. 1, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: August to-do’s in the Garden

There are still plenty of things to do in the garden as we wait for those mouthwatering tomatoes to really start producing and I can start roasting!  But that’s another Garden Bite.

Now’s a good time to deadhead those flowers. Blue Salvia tends to flop open…

When you deadhead, you’ll cut the flower off, generally speaking, at the first set of healthy leaves.  What happens is you stop the plant from putting its  … [Continue reading]

Wandering through your gardens – the things you discover!


Wed. Jul. 31, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Wandering through your gardens – the things you discover!

I do love touring my gardens, checking to see what’s going on.  Even though I know what’s supposed to happen, I always feel really delighted when it does!  Like seeing my carpet roses blooming outrageously!

Or watching the progress of my veggie garden. 

And then there’s usually some unwanted stuff hanging out in the garden! Japanese beetles instantly come to mind!

And some cool, interesting, odd things!

Years ago  … [Continue reading]

What goes with Who…


Tue. Jul. 30, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  What goes with Who…

 I love getting questions from listeners, suggestions for Garden Bite topics. Today I’ll address the question of what plants get along and what plants might not…  First thing that comes to mind are invasive plants.

IF you don’t mind a plant creating your garden, then buy that invasive or “easy spreader” as they are referred to in plant catalogs. 

Monarda and Obedient Plant are at the top of the list, as is Lily  … [Continue reading]

Read the plant label!


Mon. Jul. 29, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Read the plant label!

I’ve had several people ask about replacement plants for plants that have moved on to the garden in the sky.  I’ve advised them about the differing cultural requirements including sun and shade, soil and watering, the usual stuff.  But another thing that must be mentioned when talking about buying plants is to make sure you know what you’re getting. Read the label carefully.  

Take, for instance, these plant labels. This two plants are the  … [Continue reading]

Pinching, is it rude?


Fri. Jul. 26, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Pinching, is it rude?

Only if you’re pinching someONE you ought not to!  Oh, this is Garden Bite and we talk plants!

Pinching, pruning, deadheading are all a good things FOR THE MOST PART.  I would caution you to quit pinching your Mums right now.  If you don’t you won’t have any flowers coming.

Pinching your herbs is a great way to keep them growing bushier.  You want the leaves more than the flowers.  So pinch, prune or  … [Continue reading]

Lake shoreline planting


Thu. Jul. 25, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Lake shoreline planting

We were just at some friends place on a lake in southern Minnesota. Many of the properties had lawns, some had trees and shrubs, in particular where there was no home or cabin, and still others used boulders.

Others where there were homes, planted natives for their shoreline.

Why bother? Well… let me count the ways besides being beautiful.

  1. Shoreline planting provides physical stabilization of a lakeshore or river bank. The extensive root systems of
 … [Continue reading]

Drying herbs


Wed. Jul. 24, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Drying herbs

I love having fresh herbs!  The aromas are awesome.

I also love having them for the Winter. So, I dry them or freeze them. The dehydrator is my favorite method.

I use it to dry all kinds of herbs including tarragon, parsley and rosemary.  I also dry tomatoes and flowers too.

To prevent mold, don’t pack it too full, you want plenty of air movement, this also helps them dry quicker.

For the best results, cut  … [Continue reading]

Hogweed vs Wild Parsnip


Tue. Jul. 23, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Hogweed vs Wild Parsnip

Is it Wild Parsnip?  Is it Giant Hogweed?  Is it toxic?  Yes, Yes and yes…  in the last couple of years there’s been a concerted effort to eradicate the toxic Wild Parsnip which is now growing with abandon in many a ditch around Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.  But now there’s another contender for the top toxic title.  Giant Hogweed.   I first reported on this weed in 2014, it hadn’t quite made it  … [Continue reading]

Recent storms and heavy rain


Mon. Jul. 22, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Recent storms and heavy rain

Many of us have been hit with storms and heavy rain.  Effects can be dramatic or subtle.  The first step is check your gardens.  Large storm damage can be pretty easy to spot but there can be subtle damage you might not see unless you’re looking.

Check for small branch and leaf damage too and remove them.  Stake or support newer plants and trees that need it.  If the soil’s been saturated (like  … [Continue reading]

The robin families saga


Fri. Jul. 19, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The robin families saga

As some of you know, I’ve hosted 2 robin families on my front porch so far this summer! When the first nest went up my husband wanted it taken down but mama robin was already sitting there. Those nests go up FAST!

She was pretty mouthy when we would come out on the porch to sit and to water plants but, I had a talk with her, my husband can attest to the fact  … [Continue reading]