Choosing plants NOT for cost but for longevity – the case for local garden centers


Fri. Sep. 18, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Choosing plants NOT for cost but for longevity – the case for local garden centers

Admission, I am guilty of this. Looking at the garden catalogs and seeing a spectacular looking plant and the price knocked down by 50%… because it’s Fall and falling in love. I nearly did that with a stunning hibiscus called ‘Midnight Marvel’.

This baby’s got some serious YOWZA goin’ on! But I stopped myself from ordering it! I chose to read  … [Continue reading]

Too early to prepare your plants for Winter? Nope


Thu. Sep. 17, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Too early to prepare your plants for Winter? Nope

I know… we haven’t even had the Autumnal Equinox, so what the heck am I doing asking you THAT question? Well… we just felt that nip of Fall last week and covered our plants!

The best thing you can do to prepare your evergreens, newly planted shrubs and trees and any borderline zone-friendly plants is to water them consistently from now until the ground freezes.

Trees can use 10  … [Continue reading]

Planting garlic


Wed. Sep. 16, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Planting garlic

I am a garlic lover!  I could ward off vampires… and, perhaps, a loved one…

For zone 4 folks, the beginning of October is a good time to plant garlic.  If you live in Zone 3 then a couple of weeks earlier is sufficient.

First choose hardneck varieties to plant! What’s the difference between hardneck and softneck varieties? It’s all about their physical characteristics. Hardneck garlic has a hard stalk at its center, and softneck garlic  … [Continue reading]

Planting asparagus


Tue. Sep. 15, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Planting asparagus

Gardeners have been growing asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) for more than 2,000 years.  A well-maintained asparagus bed will start bearing one year after planting and will stay productive for 10 to 15 years. The University of MN has a lot of great information on planting asparagus.

While many sites I visited recommended optimal planting in the Spring, Fall is just fine as temperatures cool off.  In fact you can purchase 2 year crowns from  … [Continue reading]

That cold snap!


Mon. Sep. 14, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: That cold snap!

Yowza, it was cold last week! With temperatures dropping to the point of freeze warnings for those tender plants, it certainly felt more like October. I hope you didn’t lose any tender tomatoes or peppers. I picked plenty and started dehydrating them, adding to my storage for Winter!

 If you did lose some of your produce, don’t forget those local farmers markets. I have two very close to me and will be headed there this  … [Continue reading]

Fall plant picks for perennials and trees


Fri. Sep. 11, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Fall plant picks for perennials and trees

 As we work our way into Fall there are some plants that we all associate with that time of year.  I talked about some annual Fall picks last week, in particular, mums – the annual kind and the hardy mums! 

But what about other perennials. Sky Blue Aster is a true native plant with a sturdy growth habit of around 3 feet tall.

There’s also Smooth Blue Aster, another similar  … [Continue reading]

Lawn renovation and Fall lawn care


Thu. Sep. 10, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Lawn renovation and Fall lawn care

Our lawns are in prime growth period right now, the cooler temps and, usually, more frequent rainfall create this growth spurt.

It’s a good time to dethatch and aerate your lawn. Thatch is that brownish looking layer of dead tissue between the green grass and the soil. If left alone, thatch can eventually kill your lawn.

Renting a mechanical dethatcher is the best and easiest way to rid your lawn of thatch. … [Continue reading]

Make the switch! To Switchgrass Panicum virgatum


Wed. Sep. 9, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Make the switch! To Switchgrass Panicum virgatum

Every season is great for native grasses, oh but Fall is when they really start rockin’. They are one of my all time favorite staple plants, they add height (at least in some) movement, an ethereal beauty and are host plants for many caterpillars. Catch my Labor Day installment on the variety of grasses!

I talked about the new Big bluestem ‘Blackhawks’ last week, today, I’m making the switch for a  … [Continue reading]

Jumping worm warning Update!


Tue. Sep. 8, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Jumping worm warning!

 Seriously… that’s the headline from the MN DNR. They’re cautioning gardeners and anglers to be on the lookout for invasive jumping worms. Who had THAT for 2020? Actually I have a Garden Bite from 2013 on these invasives. They’re more prevalent now 

These destructive worms can quickly degrade soils and damage garden plants and lawns. Jumping worms are a relatively new species to our area, they turn good soil into what looks like coffee  … [Continue reading]

Labor Day and hard working plants


Mon. Sep. 7, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Labor Day and hard working plants

 Happy Labor day, a holiday to pay tribute to the contributions American workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. That, according to the Dept. of Labor.

As for worker plants, well, let me tell you who to salute and, possibly select, for your own gardens.

Topping MY list are native grasses. They fit in any landscape and there are so many to choose from! Here are a  … [Continue reading]