Save the bats? YES!


Tue. Apr. 30, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Save the bats?  YES!

Should we save the bats?  Yes! There are a few reasons why.  One that tops my list is the amount of mosquitoes they eat, along with leafhoppers, moths, flies, June bugs and cutworms!  Scientists have estimated that they are worth $3.7 billion in reduced crop damage and pesticide use!

The University of Minnesota Extension recommends some plants to keep the bats around and liven up your evening garden. Interestingly, they suggest a plant called  … [Continue reading]

Fairy rings and fungi


Mon. Apr. 29, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Fairy rings and fungi

Now that the snow is gone, the grass is greening up, the fairies are coming out too!    

No… not this kind.  It’s still a little too cold out here!  There’s a fairy ring in my lawn…

My husband didn’t believe me when I told him what I thought the ring was. He thought it was from a few years ago when a lawn company fertilized.  No, honey, that doesn’t last that long. Then I  … [Continue reading]

Looking for EAB


Fri. Apr. 26, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Looking for EAB

While this ridiculously cold Winter seems like it should have killed some bad bugs, I’ve heard from bug specialists, that’s not the case.  Bummer.

University of MN Ext. Entomologist, Jeffrey Hahn, DOES say, that now is a great time to examine your ash trees for evidence of emerald ash borer (EAB).

It may seem early, that maybe you need the leaves on the trees to check the canopy, but Hahn says that’s not a  … [Continue reading]

Dividing perennials


Thu. Apr. 25, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Dividing perennials

With our “new normal” frost date on the horizon, as I talked about on Monday, we’re looking at warmer temperatures.  Although you could argue about that after experiencing January and February of 2019!

The point being, soon you will be able to start dividing your overgrown perennials.  GENERALLY speaking, perennials can be divided every 3 years.  Hostas are one of these plants!

Divide perennials when they are peaking up about 3 to 6 inches or so.   … [Continue reading]

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]