More tempting 2019 plant introductions


Fri. Mar. 15, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min Garden Bite radio show:  More tempting 2019 plant introductions

Since it’s Friday, let’s end the week the way we started it!  With some wonderful brand spankin’ new plant introductions coming to a nursery near you!  

These plants are perfect for our Upper Midwest climate!  This new plant, the first of it’s kind developed by plant breeder Proven Winners, really is smokin’!!!

It’s called ‘Winecraft Black’ and it’s a smokebush that made everyone in the audience gasp!  In spring, round leaves  … [Continue reading]

A how-to on Vegetable crop rotation


Thu. Mar. 14, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. radio show:  A how-to on Vegetable crop rotation

Some are takers and some are givers.  Plants that is.

Crop rotation is one of the simplest ways to discourage disease and keep your soil in good condition.

Ideally you could rotate your crops each year, but even if you do it every few years, you’re making an impact.  Certain plants take certain nutrients out of the soil, while others actually put it back!

But what crops do you rotate with?

In simple terms,   … [Continue reading]

Disease resistant vegetables


Wed. Mar. 13, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Disease resistant vegetables

If you’re new to gardening or just tired of fighting diseased plants, you may consider planting disease resistant varieties of vegetables.  These are plants that have been bred with plants that are naturally more disease resistant.  These are not genetically engineered with certain herbicides or pesticides.  For more on GMO vs Hybrids

In your catalogs you’ll find codes listed for some vegetables.  Here’s a comprehensive list from Johnny’s Seeds.

One of their new 2019 introductions  … [Continue reading]

Winter sowing since winter’s not given up


Tue. Mar. 12, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Winter sowing since winter’s not given up

One of my go-to nurseries for native plants, Prairie Moon, sent me an email talking about, what they call, “snow-sowing”.  Since winter’s not giving up many are talking about winter sowing. That is sowing seeds over the snow. What?

It’s called dormant seeding and is a technique used in hand sowing larger areas, say a wildflower or grassy area.  Well, it takes care of what’s called “stratifying”. Cold-moist stratification occurs  … [Continue reading]

New shrubs and perennials coming to a nursery near you!


Mon. Mar. 11, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  New shrubs and perennials coming to a nursery near you!

I had the opportunity to go to the Dakota County Master Gardener’s “Let’s Get Growing” expo on March 2nd!  It was about 4 degrees outside but inside, I sat in rapt wonder as Debbie Longee from Bailey Nurseries presented some choice 2019 plant introductions that they are growing.  

I teased you last week with a peek at a new sedum on my gardenbite facebook page. It’s from the  … [Continue reading]

A little heat in the cold…


Fri. Mar. 8, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min Garden Bite radio show:  A little heat in the cold!

There’s nothing like trudging through snow and cold to get to those Home & Garden shows! 

From local Chambers of Commerce to County Master Gardeners to huge City Expos, the annual ritual has begun!  I went to one last weekend! However, I’m writing this before I go, so I’ll share what I learn from THAT next week.

In the spirit of putting a little heat to our cold – let’s flood the  … [Continue reading]

Challenging vegetables


Thu. Mar. 7, 2019

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

This is not a throw done between vegetables ….

As we talk planting, there are a few vegetables that can be a tad challenging, shall we say.  

  • Carrots. I love carrots but they really love loose soil, the seeds don’t like busting through hard soil.  One trick I heard from The Spruce is to plant radishes right next to the carrots, they come up first and have no problem breaking up the soil. Of course you’ll
 … [Continue reading]

General seed starting


Wed. Mar. 6, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  General seed starting

We entered meteorological Spring but we ain’t feelin’ it!  Woke up this morning (March 3rd) at -15 degrees…. WHAT?!?  

Soon (we hope) we’ll be planting seeds indoors for an early start.  What do you need:

  • a place to put your seedlings!
  • sterile containers or peat pots or those peat pellets
  • soil-less seed starting mix
  • light (I use an old shop light on a pulley system)
  • heating mat
  • fan
  • seeds!
  • Check out this comprehensive article about 
 … [Continue reading]

Change is gonna come, weather we like it or not (not a typo)


Tue. Mar. 5, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Change is gonna come, weather we like it or not

The only constant thing in life is change and that really follows us into the garden. Whether it’s change WE choose, the PLANT chooses, a hungry critter chooses or the weather!

And this Winter has been a doozy!  Between record cold, record snowfall and the potential of flooding in the Spring, it’s going to be interesting to see how our landscapes come out of this.

Blizzard conditions rendered  … [Continue reading]

Rambling thoughts in a snowfall


Mon. Mar. 4, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Rambling thoughts in a snowfall

As I write this, the snow is falling and the birds are feeding like crazy at the feeders.  What a beautiful sight. The snow offering that wonderful protective cover for our plants, the moisture it will provide after the thaw.  

Oh, I know, it’s been a really harsh year for commuters and shovelers and school superintendents and parents. But still, if you’re still, it’s lovely.

This is a respite time for gardeners, the  … [Continue reading]