The perennial argument over the annual Dandelion


Wed. Apr. 24, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  The perennial argument over the annual Dandelion

After this Winter, I’ll bet SOME of you are happy to see the cheery yellow flowers of the Dandelions.  I had some sweet siberian squill starting and then freezing their little blue buds off last week.  Ahh, but they survived and there are further signs of Spring, including my latest addition from last year, a Spirea called ‘Candy Corn’.  It has an array of colors from Spring (red) and Fall (candy  … [Continue reading]

Seed starting mixes


Tue. Apr. 23, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Seed starting mixes

About a month back, I started some seeds for kicks using a wooden dowel and newspaper.  For the starter mix, I used a product I’d not used before but it was from Burpee and said Organic seed starting mix and it had coir in it, a renewable source coming from coconut husks.

I had posted the picture here and on Facebook.  A Master Gardener friend of mine alerted me to an issue that many MGs  … [Continue reading]

Unofficial new frost date on the horizon


Mon. Apr. 22, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Unofficial new frost date on the horizon

According to Dr. Mark Seeley, University of Minnesota professor emeritus and meteorologist, we can expect new normals in the last spring frost date for Minnesota and the Upper Midwest.  

Hmmm, I’m not feelin’ it, but, Seeley, a smart guy who I happen to know, says in the last 20 years the last frost date has been April 20th.  

Since 1999, we have only had two last spring frosts in May, the  … [Continue reading]

Earth Day!


Fri. Apr. 19, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Earth Day

Happy Earth Day!  Of all the things we celebrate… Earth Day belongs!

Van Gogh said “if you truly love nature you’ll see beauty everywhere”.  It’s true, even the weeds can be pretty amazing, growing out of pavement. You can’t see an ounce of soil but those weeds don’t give up, life doesn’t give up!

Think of all the bounty!

The trees that offer us shelter, warmth and some really tasty maple syrup, as well as a  … [Continue reading]

Small space vegetables


Thu. Apr. 18, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min.  Garden Bite radio show:  Small space vegetables

Rejoice!  There are lots of vegetables for growing in small spaces!  Tomatoes and peppers are some of the most widely grown vegetables and there are some dandy choices for those small growing spaces.

‘Sungold’, ‘Sweet Million’, ‘Power Pops’…. are just a few of the tasty cherry tomatoes.  Be sure to plant them in containers that are a MINIMUM 8 inches deep.  Plastic pots are are fine, just be sure there are holes in the bottom  … [Continue reading]

Say Yes to the Sedum and a few other easy care perennials


Wed. Apr. 17, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Say Yes to the Sedum!

Easy care perennials, ya sure you betcha!  Actually there are plenty of perennials more amiable than others. Of course, there are the natives.

 A new, not new, Sedum from Prairie Moon is in stock this year after being out for several. They’ve brought it back.  It’s called ‘Widows Cross’  At just 6 inches tall, it’s an early bloomer that pollinators love!

 Sedum aka Stonecrop, is at the top of the list of forgiving  … [Continue reading]

Garden tool prep and pruning out damage


Tue. Apr. 16, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min Garden Bite radio show:  Garden tool prep and pruning out damage

If you’re soil is just too soggy (or still snow-covered), consider garden tool prep.  At least lovingly tending to the tools gets us closer to the garden!  Take some steel wool to those trowels, a file to your pruners and examine tools for any repair or, perhaps replacement!

Speaking of pruners, you can prune out dead or damaged branches.  With the winter we’ve experienced you may find plenty of that in  … [Continue reading]

Of Pollinators and Plants


Mon. Apr. 15, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Of Pollinators and Plants

I just recently spoke about pollinators and plants at a Home & Garden Show.  Of course, bees get the buzz, as well they should as they are the most efficient pollinators.  

Honey bees in particular because they can be packed up and carted to commercial growers for pollinate, for instance, almond trees in California.

But nearly everything is a pollinator to a certain degree.  Butterflies are probably next on the list. Though inadvertent pollinators,  … [Continue reading]

Melons for cold climates


Thu. Apr. 11, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Melons for cold climates

Melons are warm season plants to the extreme. Raise your hand if you’ve tried growing melons and got nowhere!  

Days to harvest is REAL important here along with full sun and space. When I say full sun I’m talking a minimum of 8 hours of direct sunlight.

Recommended cultivars for watermelon include ‘Sugar Baby’ at 79 days to harvest and ‘Blacktail Mountain’ at 70 days to harvest.  

As for cantelope, try ‘Minnesota Midget’.    … [Continue reading]

Soil – the Foundation of Life


Wed. Apr. 10, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Soil – the Foundation of Life

I know, I know, I’m talking about soil again!  I do, because it IS the foundation of life!  From dust to dust!

Soil  holds the keys to a plant’s ability to take up nutrients, water and oxygen.  Soil also acts as a filter for rainwater, cleaning it as it makes it’s way into our aquifers.   If you prepare your garden beds, you give your plants the best chance to, not only survive,  … [Continue reading]