Oriental Bittersweet – Pretty but obnoxious


Mon. Nov. 19, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Oriental bittersweet – Pretty but obnoxious

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.  

It’s all good cheer as we use it for decorating, for YEARS, then the darn thing went wild and is now at the top of the hit list for many U.S. States.  The vine is heavily affecting the northeastern U.S. and is  … [Continue reading]

Types of bird feeders


Fri. Nov. 16, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Types of bird feeders

Yesterday we were all about the food, today it’s about the feeder…

There are numerous feeders out there.  Which ones work?  Well, they all do but which ones keep the squirrels at bay?  Ha!  None of them forever, unless you have them rigged for an electric shock when they touch it.

Someone I know actually did that!  He had fashioned a shocker that he could operate by remote control when the blackbirds would flock  … [Continue reading]

Foods for the Birds


Thu. Nov. 15, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min Garden Bite radio show:  Foods for the Birds

There’s nothing like calming your spirit after a slushy, bumper to bumper ride home than watching the brilliant Red Cardinal feasting on bird food out your window.   Bird Notes from Cornell U’s Ornithology lab is a great read on feeding birds.

For your enjoyment, make sure you locate the bird feeders where you can see them keeping in mind that birds want to feel safe.  So an area that will provide quick cover should  … [Continue reading]

Houseplant heat and humidity


Wed. Nov. 14, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min Garden Bite radio show:  Houseplant heat and humidity

There’s already below zero windchills!  Seriously not liking no Autumn this year, but Mother Nature is cranky sometimes…

So, our houseplants are in and the heat is on, which also means the air is already getting dry.

Houseplants, as a rule of thumb, require night temperatures about 10 to 15 degrees cooler than daytime.  For average homeowners, the daytime temps usually hang somewhere between 65 to 70 while night time temps are set around  … [Continue reading]

Battling buckthorn


Tue. Nov. 13, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Battling buckthorn

It’s that time of year…  although the cold and snow are early, the Buckthorn shrub/small tree still holds it’s leaves.  Which makes it a great target!  This terribly invasive shrub is easily visible this time of year as it holds it’s leaves and berries longer than most.

Buckthorn takes over our native plants and shrubs and is NOT good for birds. It’s not poisonous, it just doesn’t give them any nutrition as they don’t absorb it.  … [Continue reading]

Nature: Good for the body, Good for the mind


Sun. Nov. 11, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Nature:  Good for the Body, Good for the Mind

Today we officially celebrate Veterans Day.  Originally called Armistice Day, commemorating the signing of the agreement that ended World War I at 11:00 A.M., November 11, 1918, this federal holiday was changed to Veterans Day in 1954. At that time, it became a day to honor all the men and women who have served in the armed forces of the United States.

Garden Bite honors those who have  … [Continue reading]

Saving your Woodies this Winter


Fri. Nov. 9, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Saving your Woodies this Winter

Before you start giggling… Tom, I know you are…. listen up, this is good advice!  😉

Winter sun, wind, temperature fluctuations, snow and ice can make for a deadly combo for your trees and shrubs.  Sunscald happens on bright winter days when the sun heats up the cambium layer on the south and/or west side of your trees.  The cambium layer moves water and nutrients through the tree, if it heats up, it  … [Continue reading]

Seeding your lawn in winter? yup


Thu. Nov. 8, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Seeding your lawn in Winter?  yup

You thought the season was over, and, yes, the best time to seed your lawn is mid August to mid September.  However, there’s another option.  Dormant Seeding.    The University of MN Ext. offers some information HERE.   Some other interesting info below…

This practice involves seeding when temperatures are too low for the seed to germinate prior to winter. Germination prior to winter is bad and seedlings will generally die if they  … [Continue reading]

Glazed pots and winter storage


Wed. Nov. 7, 2018

Click below to listen to  my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Glazed pots and winter storage

We’ve already seen cold rain, sleet and snow and the forecast doesn’t look like there’s going to be any “Dog Days” of Autumn coming…  My husband even got ahead of the game and put the bicycles away and started moving the porch furniture!

Another winter consideration are my glazed pots!

I’ve had the pot pictured below (actually have 2) for at least 10 years.  They’ve never been stored inside.  I noticed a small  … [Continue reading]

Too much TLC can kill


Tue. Nov. 6, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Too much TLC can kill

Your tropicals you had outside all summer should be safely indoors now.   As we start turning indoors, we’re paying more attention to all of our houseplants.  Mostly that’s a good idea but too much T-L-C can kill a houseplant!

Overwatering is the number one killer of houseplants.  Almost none of your houseplants like wet feet.  We often think water’s the cure-all for what MAY ail your plant.  The reality is, MOST of your  … [Continue reading]