Tomato/pepper planting


Thu. May. 23, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Tomato/pepper planting

While “normally” this coming weekend, Memorial Day holiday, would be the time to plant tomatoes and peppers, the warm season vegetables, I want to make sure that you know that, for the best results, your soil should be at least 60 degrees.  Check the forecast for the next 10 days.  If the temperatures are going to drop below 55 for a high during the day and/or nighttime temps drop below 45.  Don’t bother to plant. Last  … [Continue reading]

Watering newly planted trees and shrubs


Wed. May. 22, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Watering newly planted trees and shrubs

While the weather hasn’t really been all that delightful, I know there have been plenty of folks out purchasing trees and shrubs… including me! (my False spirea planted last week)

One important aspect of planting new trees and shrubs is, of course, the WAY they’re planted, the other is WATERING.  When they’re new, we really want them to establish roots to withstand what Mother Nature throws at them.  If you didn’t get  … [Continue reading]

Trees – Plant this not that


Tue. May. 21, 2019

Click below to listen to my  2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Trees – Plant this not that

My favorite arborist, Faith Appelquist of Treequality, shared her thoughts on the worst trees for planting. Tree selection is a big deal, they’re an investment in dollars and time.  

There are lots of considerations, one of those is the mature size of the tree you select. Oftentimes, homeowners don’t see the 4 ft. sapling they planted 4 feet from the foundation growing to 40 feet tall! That’s NOT a good thing. … [Continue reading]

A little trouble here, a little solution there


Mon. May. 20, 2019

Click below to listen to my  2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  A little trouble here, a little solution there

I had one of those weeks last week where you’re dealing with little this and that’s.  A little trouble here, a little solution there.

I’ve had rabbits enjoy living under my back porch which has a lattice fencing around it, a great place for bunnies to hop on under.

After getting pricked by a rose branch or eight last week I decided, aside from the Plantskydd that I use around  … [Continue reading]

Blueberry the antioxidant Super Hero


Fri. May. 17, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Blueberry the antioxidant Super Hero

I’ve talked about blueberries before, in fact, a long time before as you’ll see from this video I did, maybe 10 or 11 YEARS ago! It was probably the 3rd video I’d done on gardening!   Cut me some slack!  ?

The Blueberry is a tasty  antioxidant  superhero and a lovely shrub with rockin’ fall foliage.

It does offer gardeners in the upper midwest a bit of a unique challenge as they like a  … [Continue reading]

Hardening off


Thu. May. 16, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Hardening off

While the weather’s been kinda iffy and my seedlings haven’t done much of anything.  In fact, I’m beginning to think that the Burpee Organic seed starting I used really isn’t good.  I have a GB about this. 

Anyway… some folks are curious as to hardening off those homegrown seedlings and greenhouse plants.  Mine will not be going anywhere unless/until they get bigger!

Hardening off is the process of acclimating your precious, babied plants into the wild  … [Continue reading]

Friendly fences and hedges


Wed. May. 15, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Friendly fences and hedges

I gave a shout out to all those who follow my Garden Bite facebook page and asked folks what topic they’d like more information on. A friend asked what would make a great hedge for a fence.  Friendly fences are awesome!

Years ago I planted a friendly fence of Alpine Currant.  It’s a hardy mounded shrub that can be kept at about 3 feet or, do like I did and let it grow  … [Continue reading]

Planting vegetables in containers


Mon. May. 13, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Planting vegetables in containers

Lots of folks will be growing vegetables and herbs in containers.  What size container should you use?  What TYPE of container?   Certain containers create issues for your plants.

Tomatoes are super popular and grow well in containers but they need size! University based information says use AT LEAST a 12 inch diameter container, but honestly, bigger is better.  The larger pots provide more soil and hold more water which minimizes wilting and stress as  … [Continue reading]

Mother’s Day and flowers


Fri. May. 10, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Mother’s Day and flowers

Mother’s Day and flowers

Mother’s Day is one of those traditions that is all American.  A woman named Anna Jarvis trademarked the phrases “second Sunday in May” and “Mother’s Day” in 1912 being very specific that the apostrophe for mothers day was in there so that people would celebrate their own mother not just all moms.

Two years after her own mom died Anna embarked on a campaign to get people to celebrate their  … [Continue reading]

Fertilizing annuals and perennials


Thu. May. 9, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Fertilizing annuals and perennials

Fertilizing annuals and perennials

Yes, there’s a difference.  Because annuals live their entire life cycle in one season, they do well with more fertilizer treatments.  Also, if they’re in containers, the fertilizer runs out much quicker.  Perennials have the advantage of establishing their roots deeper in the soil and the fertilizer lingers longer.

Always follow package directions OR use less!  Never use more.  For great blooms, use a 10-20-10 fertilizer.  The middle number is  … [Continue reading]