Eggshells and Epsom Salts


Wed. May. 29, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Eggshells and Epsom Salts

Last week I talked about coffee grounds and what they may or may NOT do in your garden. Today, I’m taking a page from the University of Minnesota to talk to you about eggshells and Epsom salts.

So here I am to burst your bubble… and I found the perfect photo… from a Master Gardener in Canada named Robert Pavlis on his site Garden Myths

Eggshells have been touted as the preventive measure tomato  … [Continue reading]

Trees – plant this not that part 2


Tue. May. 28, 2019

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

So often folks find a tree they like and then everyone plants it and then that’s all you see.  And then they get taken out by disease and our boulevards are naked.  Planting diverse species is the best way to protect them all.  That said, here’s a look at more of the dirty dozen trees my favorite arborist, Faith Appelquist of Treequality warns against.

To quote Faith, “Japanese tree lilacs  … [Continue reading]

Memorial Day – in memory – the poppy


Mon. May. 27, 2019

Click on the link below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Memorial Day – in memory – the poppy

Garden Bite would like to thank all those who serve in the United States Military and their families.  We honor those who gave everything.

Today is the day we reflect and remember our Soldiers.  Memorial Day, which is celebrated every year on the final Monday of May was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union andConfederate … [Continue reading]

The ‘illers of container planting


Fri. May. 24, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  The ‘illers of container planting

It’s Memorial weekend… and I’m still hoping (I’m writing this a week before) that I can start really planting without having to worry about covering my plants!

One thing I DO know is that I will be out plant shopping for my containers!  With that come the 3 ‘illers…  Thrillers, Fillers and Spillers for easy plant combos.  This helps avoid plant love overload!

Thriller – big, bold and beautiful.  This plant is the  … [Continue reading]

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]