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]

Soil testing


Tue. Apr. 9, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Soil testing

If you really want to get down and dirty, get a soil test. Well, as soon as the soil is warm and dry enough to grab samples!

 

I know you’ve heard me say this before, but as we begin our planting season, it’s one of the best things you can do for your plants and yourself.  

The University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin will give you a comprehensive report on what your soil  … [Continue reading]

Lawn spots – Fido, Fifi or Snow mold


Mon. Apr. 8, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Lawn spots – Fido, Fifi or Snow mold

After one wicked winter, we’re warming up, flood waters are hopefully receding for most folks and the frost is moving out!  As we lumber out into our lawns, carefully, we may find what’s left behind by our dogs…

Urine and your lawn don’t get along. You can buy a lawn repair kit at most garden centers or you can mix your own. The best grass seed is a mix of  … [Continue reading]

Frost dates, germination rates and the Year of the Pumpkin


Fri. Apr. 5, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Frost dates and the Year of the Pumpkin

Throwing seeds of lettuce and radishes on your soil right now is fine, they germinate in soil temps of about 35.  

Most cool season crops germinate when soil and air temperatures are at least 40 degrees and above. Those crops include carrots, beets and cole crops like broccoli and cauliflower.     Seed germination guide from the University of Nebraska. Please note the MINIMUM, OPTIMUM and MAXIMUM rates vary considerably.  Your best  … [Continue reading]

Best planting practices for trees and shrubs


Thu. Apr. 4, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Best planting practices for trees and shrubs

We used to tell you to plant trees and shrubs at the same level they came in in their container. The great part about horticulture is that we are continually learning!!  NOW, the best advice is to take a look at those plants.  Turns out that some of those plants come with too much soil on top of their graft of trunk flare.

So, what does that mean?  It means you  … [Continue reading]

Planting slopes


Wed. Apr. 3, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Planting slopes

If you’ve ever had to push a lawn mower up a hill you’ve probably thought, what can I plant to get out of this horrendous chore!  You’re not alone, folks are always asking about what they can plant on slopes.

That’s a tough one.  You’re looking for plants to prevent soil erosion and yet the site is usually difficult to work on for anything including maintenance.  Adding a mix of shrubs, grasses, perennials and hardscape items  … [Continue reading]

Raingardens


Tue. Apr. 2, 2019

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

I’m super excited… I live on a corner and both my streets are getting ripped up and redone!  Oh boy….  okay, so that part is a pain in the butt, what I found out was that I qualified to have a raingarden installed!  If you’re City is redoing your road, be sure to check with them to see if they have programs like that!  I’ll keep you posted on the adventure… it won’t happen till mid summer.   … [Continue reading]