Click below to listen to my Garden Bite radio show: Change is gonna come
The only constant in life is change! Change in the garden comes from the PLANTS, US or CRITTERS.
If a plant’s not working in a certain spot, then change it! Right Plant, Right Place.
- What are the sun/shade requirements
- What’s the soil type
- What’s the pH of your soil
Check out the University of Minnesota Extension for a comprehensive soil test. You can pick up a soil test at nurseries or big box stores too but the information that you receive from the U of MN will be much more informative. Check your LOCAL COUNTY SWCD for information. Soil and Water Conservation District.
I “renewed” my burning bush which was full of dead branches. While it looks better, at some point it will have to come out. [I still can’t bear to let go of it] It was planted WAY too close to the house to begin with, which hampers it’s growth and leads to an earlier death…
This is a picture of the front of my home when I bought it. As you can see the Burning Bush looks great there but, still too close to the house and it had a lot of dead branches. I ripped out all of the Siberian Iris and hosta.

I have a lot more sidewalk than I thought! All of those plants are now on the other side of my garage. Which is sort of a “catchall” and my compost pile.
Remember, your garden is an ever evolving process. Don’t be afraid of change. Me, well, I just start somewhere and go from there. With a limited budget I do one step at a time. I like putzing anyway!


Always a “work in progress”, which I love!