Discovering more AAS seed gifts


Tue. Jan. 17, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Discovering more AAS seed gifts

As I’ve mentioned, I received seeds from AAS. I looked at one packet with no clue what the heck it was. Tropaeolum minus with the cultivar called ‘Baby Rose’. I had to look it up!

It’s a nasturtium! A 2019 AAS winner, ‘Baby Rose’ is a petite-flowered, mounding variety with healthy, dark foliage on compact plants making it ideal for containers and small space gardens. It also means that the flowers don’t flop!  … [Continue reading]

How does snowfall affect drought conditions?


Mon. Jan. 16, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: How does snowfall affect drought conditions?

I have been repeatedly asked the question, with record snowfall in many areas, does it mean our drought is over.

Oh how I would love to say absolutely! But I can’t. Not yet. Check out this Drought monitor map. 

While snowfall is a great insulator from our sub zero temperatures, the ground IS frozen. That means that, should there be melting of the snowfall it will run off and NOT soak into  … [Continue reading]

Lighting for plants


Fri. Jan. 13, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Lighting for plants

Yesterday I talked a little about the light spectrum for houseplants.  If you’re trying to get a houseplant to flower, ideally you’ll give it the full spectrum of light.

While you can achieve that with a combination of warm/soft bulbs and the cool/white bulbs you may consider LED lights. 

According to a 2016 study, NASA scientists, found that LED lights provide the best source of lighting for plants cultivated indoors.  Better for plants, better for

 … [Continue reading]

How to kill a houseplant


Thu. Jan. 12, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: How to kill a houseplant

Why would I tell you how to kill a houseplant? I’m supposed to love plants… I tell you so you don’t… kill them!

This time of year I get a lot of questions about houseplants.  Why are the leaves brown, yellow or limp?  Why is my plant crunchy?  I’ve decided to share with you a list of the 5 easiest ways to kill a houseplant!   

Number 1: poor light.  Either too little, too  … [Continue reading]

New hostas and a family drama


Wed. Jan. 11, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: New hostas and a family drama

 My niece wants me to help her landscape her place. Sadly she had a fire and her home was destroyed. It is being rebuilt but that’s quite a process. In the meantime she’s given me this information to work with: nothing that takes any time and no hosta. How is she even related to me!!

I’ll be breaking the news to her that EVERY landscape takes some effort, even the easy ones

 … [Continue reading]

PPA announces their Perennial of the Year 2023


Tue. Jan. 10, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: PPA announces their Perennial of the Year 2023

The Perennial Plant Association has named their choice for Perennial of the Year 2023. First, who IS PPA? They are a trade association composed of growers, retailers, landscape designers and contractors, educators, and other professionals in the perennial industry.

Their selection is a pollinator magnet. Rudbeckia ‘American Gold Rush’ is a compact black-eyed Susan.

Just 24 inches tall but with a width over 3 ft., it’s packed with a  … [Continue reading]

AAS tomato winners to try


Mon. Jan. 9, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: AAS tomato winners to try

Last week I mentioned receiving a lot of varied seeds from All America Selections. From years 2019 to 2022, they’re all AAS winners. This year I’m going to set up a space in my spare bedroom. It has little light but I’m looking at ways to start these seeds. When I figure it all out, I’ll share it here with you!

I’m really excited to test out the 5 tomato varieties AAS sent.  … [Continue reading]

Epiphany and what to do with your Christmas tree


Fri. Jan. 6, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Epiphany and what to do with your Christmas tree

Today is the official last day of the twelve days of Christmas. It’s the Epiphany, the time when Christians around the world remember the three Wise Men.

There are various celebrations around the world including Mexico where they bake a baby Jesus inside a cake and whoever gets that piece is the godparent of Jesus for the year.

In Spain it’s more elaborate with the “Three Kings” delivering  … [Continue reading]

Three things NOT to do in your garden


Thu. Jan. 5, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Three things NOT to do in your garden

Three more ways to ruin your garden!  Today I share Time and Teri tested methods in an effort to stop you! 

Last week I shared that not doing soil prep is the number one mistake gardeners make.

Today, as we ponder our plant lists after perusing the catalogs, you may want to think twice about plants that say ‘fills in rapidly’ when considering a plant to buy. 

The plant is  … [Continue reading]

Giving your leaves a bath


Wed. Jan. 4, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Giving your leaves a bath

I’ve talked about this topic before but it does bear repeating, especially in winter. Our leaves get really dusty over time. That layer of “gunk”, be it dust or even airborne grease from cooking, creates a layer that inhibits plants from doing what we want them to do. Especially in Winter. Clear the air.

Periodically cleaning the leaves of your houseplants is actually less work than letting it go until a year down  … [Continue reading]