Watering tips for your lawn or go rogue!


Thu. Jun. 20, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Watering tips for your lawn or go rogue!

As we march into our Summer, with the solstice tomorrow, let’s talk about watering. The University of MN Extension has some great ideas to train lawn to be water-wise.

They say, water lawns deeply and infrequently to encourage deep rooting. Shallow watering results in root growth in only the top few inches of the soil which means plants will be unable to survive hot dry conditions in mid-summer.

Sounds  … [Continue reading]

Weed-blocking superheroes


Wed. Jun. 19, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Weed-blocking superheroes

Weeding not your bag?  Me either!  Although occasionally I find it cathartic, I prefer not to HAVE to do it.  How about some weed-blocking plants!  They pack a punch to knock out weeds, but they are likely invasive.

The samurai of weed blockers do so by shading weed seeds and not allowing them to germinate.  Here are just a few to get you started:

Lady’s Mantle is also known as Alchemilla Mollis and grows to 18  … [Continue reading]

Digging a square hole and mulching to prevent girdling


Tue. Jun. 18, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Digging a square hole and mulching to prevent girdling

Mulching helps newly planted trees create stable root growth, which means longevity. I’ve told you this multiple times but I’ll say it again, when you mulch, think DONUT, not Volcano.

 

The idea is to mulch out to the dripline of the tree, away from the trunk. The point is that the roots will follow the mulch, so if you mulch at the trunk, there’s more chance of girdled  … [Continue reading]

Coveting a zone 5 plant – the Butterfly Bush ‘Pugster’


Mon. Jun. 17, 2019

Click on the link below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Coveting a zone 5 plant – the Butterfly bush ‘Pugster’

I have coveted the buddleia or Butterfly bush, for years. I’ve been tempted many times to buy one and see what happens. It’s a zone 5 plant, I’m in zone 4b.

Then we survived the winter/spring of 2019 while some of our hardy shrubs did not. Dang it. THEN I get teased by Proven Winners with ‘Pugster’.  Who wouldn’t love that name!?!

This is a  … [Continue reading]

Perennial planting tips


Fri. Jun. 14, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Perennial planting tips

Yes, there is a pun in the title…

Sometimes we forget that not everyone knows how to do things we’ve done for years.  In that spirit, today is about perennial planting tips.

When planting containers:

  • Right Plant, Right Place (I know we talked about this but always a good thing to reinforce)
  • In container planting, mix perlite with your potting soil to lighten it and allow better drainage
  • plant your purchase at the level it
 … [Continue reading]

One gardener’s nope-nope is another’s yup-yup!


Thu. Jun. 13, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: One gardener’s nope-nope is another’s yup-yup!

So I just talked with you about eggshells and epsom salts and then I run across an article from one of the other websites that I admire and find them telling folks the exact opposite of what I told you.

So, rather than go into THOSE details, let me just say this… trust University based information but also your gut AND, if it doesn’t hurt you, your plants or your soil, then  … [Continue reading]

The climate is changing


Wed. Jun. 12, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The climate is changing

Those of us who have gardened for some time and those who spend a lot of time in nature have noticed the changes in our climate. There’s really no mistaking it. Science tells this and so do our plants. I talked with you before about the Nerstrand Big Woods, a state park very close to where I live.

They have seen many old growth trees die out due to the amount of unusual moisture  … [Continue reading]

Getting a late start to warm season veggies


Tue. Jun. 11, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Getting a late start to warm season veggies

Farmers and gardeners have been in a frenzy trying to get their crops sowed. While farmers have a much bigger challenge, considering their fields have been flooded, home gardeners have had to deal with rain and the cold temperatures we had, which meant a late start to our peppers and tomatoes. I just received tomato plants I ordered online, last week. It was a joy to be able to plant  … [Continue reading]

A tough winter into a nearly non-existent Spring meant plant die-off


Mon. Jun. 10, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden  Bite radio show: A tough winter into a nearly non-existent Spring meant plant die-off

There’s no doubt that 2019 gave us brutally cold weather and a nearly non-existent Spring. That’s translated to plenty of plant die-off. In my own yard, I’ve lost 2 burning bushes that had been there for at least a couple of decades.

They sporadically sported leaves but were mostly naked except for the shoots coming up from the ground. Turns out mine weren’t the only burning bushes  … [Continue reading]

Kids and gardening


Fri. Jun. 7, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Kids and gardening

Kids and dirt are a natural and now that the school year is nearly over, it’s a great time to think about introducing them to gardening.

Whether you’re an old hand at gardening or a beginner, doesn’t matter, gardening with your kids is a chance to share time and talk!  Keep the kids garden small, about 6 x 10 feet or less, and in a sunny location.  Start with just a few seeds and plants.   … [Continue reading]