Native salt tolerant plants


Fri. Jan. 22, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Native salt tolerant plants

While our weather has been strange, pretty “warm” temperatures for most of us in the Midwest, we have had some snow… and that means salt trucks are out. Many municipalities are working on ways to reduce the use, still, we do need to keep folks safe on the roads.

That said, we know is that our plants are not fond of the seasoning.   Road salt can damage plants by interfering with their water uptake  … [Continue reading]

Orchid Care


Thu. Jan. 21, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Orchid Care

Did you receive an orchid as a gift this season?  Phalaenopsis orchids are the most popular indoor houseplant gift.  Catching your eye in the produce aisle of the grocery store or in local garden centers, they can often be an impulse buy.

The good news is they are relatively easy care. Light and watering, however, are always an issue with houseplants.

The American Orchid Society recommends using a pencil or wooden skewer to determine whether an  … [Continue reading]

Vegetable garden cost comparison


Wed. Jan. 20, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Vegetable garden cost comparison

I’ve talked about this many times before and continue to get the question…

Do you really save money planting your own vegetable garden?   That depends.  Things to consider:

  • how much effort will you put into creating your garden
  • how much you spend on seeds and/or plants
  • are you buying soil?  amendments?  fertilizer?
  • your time spent watering, weeding and harvesting
  • will you be building a raised bed
  • do you need to buy equipment

Your first  … [Continue reading]

Resolutions!


Tue. Jan. 19, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Resolutions!

We’re into the 3rd full  week of January and by now most of us have already recanted some of those silly resolutions we made in week one!  I broke my resolution when that Snickers Bar wouldn’t leave me alone till I ate it. They can be relentless. 

I shared earlier about resolving to start a garden journal.  I hope you’ll do that.

There are also a few plant resolutions that I would like to share with you.   … [Continue reading]

Pantone Color of the Year 2021


Mon. Jan. 18, 2021

Click  below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Pantone Color of the Year 2021

Each year, Pantone comes out with their choice of Color of the Year. For 2021 I couldn’t be happier at the color, or rather colors, they chose this year! A beautiful yellow called “Illuminating” and… “Ultimate Gray”.

You might wonder why they would choose a gray? I did too. But hear them out, the message these colors together send is of happiness supported by fortitude. They continue… the combination of Ultimate  … [Continue reading]

Annual of the Year 2021 by NGB


Fri. Jan. 15, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Annual of the Year 2021 by NGB

What better annual to start 2021 than the Sunflower. Named annual of the year for 2021 by the National Garden Bureau (NGB), there are so many bright, cheerful shades of yellow, orange and even burgundy. The flowers follow the sun. That’s my mantra for 2021, follow the sun, that bright, warming light!

Sunflowers originated in the Americas and domestic seeds dating back to 2100 BC have been found in Mexico.  … [Continue reading]

Perennial of the Year 2021 – Monarda


Thu. Jan. 14, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Perennial of the Year 2021 – Monarda

The national Garden Bureau has selected Monarda as the Plant of the Year for 2021. To be honest I thought, REALLY? It’s prone to powdery mildew and can get leggy. Well, I had another think coming.

Also known as BeeBalm, this plant has been used medically for centuries. It’s nickname is beebalm, and not just because it is a bee attractor but it’s also a balm for bee stings. How  … [Continue reading]

Vegetable of the Year for 2021


Wed. Jan. 13, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Vegetable of the Year for 2021

 Introducing the vegetable of the year for 2021, the green bean! There are many species of beans in cultivation around the world, yet it is the common green bean reaches celebrity status as National Garden Bureau’s vegetable focus for 2021.

One of the earliest cultivated plants, garden beans can trace their beginnings to Central and South America. Vining or climbing beans were an original member of the “Three-Sisters” – a companion planting  … [Continue reading]

National Garden Bureau and the Shrub of 2021


Tue. Jan. 12, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: National Garden Bureau and the Shrub of 2021

One of the good things the year 2020 brought, is a huge increase in gardeners. According to The Garden Center Group, garden center sales have been up 30.3% during COVID-19, creating an opportunity to capture interest in gardening for today and years to come. Many folks devoted their “down” time to this wonderful hobby, creating beauty, enjoying nature, spending time together with family in a healthy way.    

The National  … [Continue reading]

2021 Perennial of the Year


Mon. Jan. 11, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: 2021 Perennial of the Year

The Perennial Plant of the year for 2021 has been announced. One of the highlights of the plant has to do with pollinators. As we understand more on more the value of our pollinators, this seems appropriate.

The perennial plant program started in 1990. Perennials are chosen due to their ability to adapt to a wide range of growing climates, low maintenance, have multiple-season interest and are relatively pest/disease-free.

This year they’ve chosen  … [Continue reading]