Battling buckthorn


Tue. Nov. 13, 2018

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

It’s that time of year…  although the cold and snow are early, the Buckthorn shrub/small tree still holds it’s leaves.  Which makes it a great target!  This terribly invasive shrub is easily visible this time of year as it holds it’s leaves and berries longer than most.

Buckthorn takes over our native plants and shrubs and is NOT good for birds. It’s not poisonous, it just doesn’t give them any nutrition as they don’t absorb it.  … [Continue reading]

Nature: Good for the body, Good for the mind


Sun. Nov. 11, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Nature:  Good for the Body, Good for the Mind

Today we officially celebrate Veterans Day.  Originally called Armistice Day, commemorating the signing of the agreement that ended World War I at 11:00 A.M., November 11, 1918, this federal holiday was changed to Veterans Day in 1954. At that time, it became a day to honor all the men and women who have served in the armed forces of the United States.

Garden Bite honors those who have  … [Continue reading]

Saving your Woodies this Winter


Fri. Nov. 9, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Saving your Woodies this Winter

Before you start giggling… Tom, I know you are…. listen up, this is good advice!  😉

Winter sun, wind, temperature fluctuations, snow and ice can make for a deadly combo for your trees and shrubs.  Sunscald happens on bright winter days when the sun heats up the cambium layer on the south and/or west side of your trees.  The cambium layer moves water and nutrients through the tree, if it heats up, it  … [Continue reading]

Seeding your lawn in winter? yup


Thu. Nov. 8, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Seeding your lawn in Winter?  yup

You thought the season was over, and, yes, the best time to seed your lawn is mid August to mid September.  However, there’s another option.  Dormant Seeding.    The University of MN Ext. offers some information HERE.   Some other interesting info below…

This practice involves seeding when temperatures are too low for the seed to germinate prior to winter. Germination prior to winter is bad and seedlings will generally die if they  … [Continue reading]

Glazed pots and winter storage


Wed. Nov. 7, 2018

Click below to listen to  my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Glazed pots and winter storage

We’ve already seen cold rain, sleet and snow and the forecast doesn’t look like there’s going to be any “Dog Days” of Autumn coming…  My husband even got ahead of the game and put the bicycles away and started moving the porch furniture!

Another winter consideration are my glazed pots!

I’ve had the pot pictured below (actually have 2) for at least 10 years.  They’ve never been stored inside.  I noticed a small  … [Continue reading]

Too much TLC can kill


Tue. Nov. 6, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Too much TLC can kill

Your tropicals you had outside all summer should be safely indoors now.   As we start turning indoors, we’re paying more attention to all of our houseplants.  Mostly that’s a good idea but too much T-L-C can kill a houseplant!

Overwatering is the number one killer of houseplants.  Almost none of your houseplants like wet feet.  We often think water’s the cure-all for what MAY ail your plant.  The reality is, MOST of your  … [Continue reading]

Turn back the clock and bring in some fragrance


Mon. Nov. 5, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Turn back the clock and bring in some fragrance

We turned back the clock this weekend.  Hope you enjoyed that extra hour of sleep!  I sure did. I get up real early in the morning and have enjoyed the starry skies for the past month. I also enjoy the crisp fall air and the smells of Fall, especially bonfires.  

But, we’re also moving more indoors and, as we clean for the holidays, perhaps you want to bring in  … [Continue reading]

Storing chemicals for winter


Fri. Nov. 2, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Storing chemicals for winter

While there’s a big movement against the use of chemicals for our landscapes (gardens, etc.), there are still plenty of folks who use them.    Proper storage also INCLUDES your organic products.

Organic
Nope, not organic

If you’ve got chemicals in dispensers, it’s best to use them up according to directions, then rinse out your sprayers and allow them to drip dry.

Be sure you know what’s in your containers.  Don’t mix chemicals, even if  … [Continue reading]

November to-do’s


Thu. Nov. 1, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  November to-do’s

Got fruit trees?  Got rotten fruit debris?  Might want to clean that up!

Oftentimes, that debris is a hiding spot for disease that overwinters and then presents itself next season.  I also cut back any perennials with slimy foliage like hosta and heuchera, for instance.

Again, those leaves can harbor spores of fungi that can be rejuvenated in the Spring and start a disease cycle all over again.

If you have a paniculata hydrangea such as  … [Continue reading]

Halloween and tradition


Wed. Oct. 31, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show;  Halloween and tradition

There are differing opinions as to the origin of the celebration of Halloween.  For my purpose, I’m going with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced Sow in).  These people celebrated the new year on November 1st as the end of summer and harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter.

Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred.  … [Continue reading]