Soothing bath salts


Wed. Dec. 5, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Soothing bath salts

Tis the season of gifting!  Yesterday I talked about infused sugars for a unique, personal gift.  

Today we’ll create soothing bath salts! Historically baths were a way of treating ailments..  

Holistic practitioners use salt and herbs for a number of maladies. There are different types of salts as well.  Epsom is probably the most popular and the one we’ll focus on. It’s actually magnesium and sulfate, minerals known for their medicinal value as well as  … [Continue reading]

Infused sugars


Tue. Dec. 4, 2018

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

This time of year our calendars are filled with party dates.  Hostess gifts are sometimes one of those last minute thoughts.  One super fun and easy idea, that’s also popular is Infused Sugar.  A small sweet token of appreciation in a cool looking jar.

Start with organic sugar, be it cane, beet or coconut;  and a dried herb or spice. Or a mix! Make sure your container remains dry.  Combine the sugar and herb or spice  … [Continue reading]

Time to mulch


Mon. Dec. 3, 2018

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

Last year record warmth… this year not so much!  Baby it’s been cold outside for those of us in the Upper Midwest.  And plenty of snow already too.  That’s a great insulator but it’s not a bad time to throw down some additional organic mulch for your newly planted plants!

It’s important to let the ground freeze first, then place your mulch.  We are looking to stabilize the soil temperature for our plants so that  … [Continue reading]

The Benefits of Bats and other Birds


Fri. Nov. 30, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  The Benefits of Bats and other Birds

While some may scoff, bats have benefits.  You may not feel that way as you battle one inside your bedroom, however, before killing it, capture it and set it free.  Then look for the place in the bats are coming in and seal it up!

Take a look at this site, eXtension, to find great information on finding the bat in your house and how to release them.

Bats won’t  … [Continue reading]

Amaryllis – THE holiday plant


Thu. Nov. 29, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Amaryllis – THE holiday plant

Amaryllis truly are THE holiday plant!  What great hostess gifts they make too.  How to choose them and then care for them:

  • Choose large, firm bulbs – grapefruit size will give you the most blooms for your buck
  • Before bloom, keep your Amaryllis in a sunny window away from cold drafts.
  • when the flower buds start to show color, move your plant OUT of direct sunlight to a bright, indirect sunlit area
  • water
 … [Continue reading]

Christmas tree care


Wed. Nov. 28, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Christmas tree care

Oh the wonderful scent of a real tree!  Before you go out to cut your tree, make sure you measure the area where you plan to place it.  You may think you’re good at eyeballing it, but really, who wants to have to cut the tree to fit the space once it’s in your home!?!

How to care for your tree!

  • Figure out WHERE you’re going to place your tree and…
  • Keep your tree away
 … [Continue reading]

Firs, pine, spruce? Christmas Tree selection


Tue. Nov. 27, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Firs, pine, spruce?  Christmas tree selection

Oh the weather outside is frightful,  but the Christmas tree is so delightful!  Wait a minute, that’s not right…. But it will be after you select the perfect one!

Local nurseries are stocked with fabulous fresh greens and copious amounts of Christmas trees.  

The scent of a real tree has created many a lasting memory for most of us. Although there was that period in the 60’s with metal trees and colored  … [Continue reading]

Dormant oils


Mon. Nov. 26, 2018

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

What are dormant oils and when would you apply them?  That is my mission today as a listener made the suggestion!  I did some research on this topic as it’s not been on my radar.

A true dormant oil originally referred to heavier weight, less well-refined oils that were unsafe to use on plants after they broke dormancy (started to bud out in Spring) because they would burn and kill plant foliage.

Dormant oil is an  … [Continue reading]

Shopping madness! Gardener gifts galore


Fri. Nov. 23, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min Garden Bite radio show:  Shopping madness! Gardener gifts galore

Yesterday we packed our bellies, today we’re packing shopping bags!

What do you get the gardener?  What do you, the gardener, ask for?  Oh the list is endless but here are some of my favorite things!

  • Gardener gloves – nearly every kind!  You can never have too many
  • Garden Fork – a must for digging up plants with as little injury as possible (although I’ve stabbed a few canna bulbs in my time)   
 … [Continue reading]

Thanksgiving… gathering around the table


Thu. Nov. 22, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min Garden Bite radio show:  Thanksgiving… gathering around the table

As you congregate around the Thanksgiving Table, what are some of the dishes you might be able to grow in your own garden?  Maybe some herbs?  Potatoes?  Sweet potatoes? Green Beans?  Pumpkins?  And  the list goes on!

My friend grew red potatoes! I snagged some from her and used the rosemary I grew and dried and roasted them!

As for decorations, well, if you’ve grown ornamental grasses, then bring some into the house,  … [Continue reading]