with Teri Knight
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Downed trees – was it a strong wind or did it start long ago?
The above photo was taken a couple of blocks from my house this week. It was blown up by lightning. A show that I was enjoying with amazement, until I found out this happened! Then I was supremely grateful that no one was injured, her home is fine, her car not so much!
With all the high winds recently from storms, there have been … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Spicebush
Fall is here with the celebration of the autumnal equinox coming on Saturday! I love this time of year for many reasons including the fact that it’s a good time to plant trees and shrubs. If you’d like to try something with a bit of splash and spice, think Spicebush.
This is a multi-season interest plant that flowers before the leaves show up. The citrus yellow blooms are aromatic and reminiscent of forsythia. Both the male and … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Monarch butterflies and migration
The annual Monarch migration is beginning. And for much of the summer I saw plenty of posts on social media of folks raising Monarchs at home. It’s amazing! (Special thanks to my neighbor, Connie Erickson, for her devotion to these beautiful little masterpieces)
Nearby, a college arboretum released hundreds of Monarchs.
While their numbers are still well below what we’d like to see, it would appear that folks are making some good choices and … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Salt tolerant plants
I’m sorry but we’re going to talk about winter. I’m not trying to rush you, just prepare you! Prepare you for all that gunk the salt trunks will heave onto your landscape and to tell you there’s help!
Of course, it’s not just the salt trucks but the passing cars that season your yard. In fact, fast moving cars can throw road spray up to 60 feet! Holy cow, slower cars can throw it to … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Mighty tiny evergreens
Yesterday I talked planting practices this time of year, today let’s talk mighty tiny evergreens!
My new Northern Gardener magazine came with an article by Susannah Shmurak, who happens to live in the same town I do! She also blogs at healthygreensavvy.com. Her article is titled “Small but Mighty evergreens” and includes some darling little beauties for smaller landscapes.
While there’s been much talk, and with good reason, about the winter damage of many … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Last chance to plant
The kids are back in school, the sweatshirts are out of storage and we’re gearing up for Fall.
I love this time of year. The crisp air, great sleeping weather, the color changes of leaves… and the last opportunity to plant some trees, shrubs and perennials!
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Stone fruits for cooler climates
The plums in zone 4b have been abundant this year! A friend of mine was handing out bagfuls last weekend to any takers…. including the dogs!
Plums are one of the hardiest stone fruits for cooler climates but that doesn’t mean we can’t grow apricots and peaches in zone 4, you just have to plant the appropriate cultivar! The University of MN Extension has a ton of information on Growing Stone Fruits in … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Fall foliage 2018
Weather plays a large role in what our Fall colors look like. In particular, we get more vibrant reds when we have warm, sunny autumn days and cool nights. Yellows and oranges tend to stay pretty consistent from year to year but all colors will be duller if we have a warm wet period during the Fall.
For the best color we need a warm wet Spring, a drought free summer and a Fall with … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Fall plant picks – Assorted varieties
As we work our way into Fall there are some plants that we all associate with that time of year. I talked about some Fall picks last week, but there are more! From nurseries to grocery stores, you’ll find annual mums. I’ve even see GAS stations selling them. Hmmm, best bet is your local nursery!
But what about perennials. Smooth Blue Aster is a true native plant with sturdy growth habit of … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Sedum aka Uncle Charlie plant
My sister and I called Sedum, “Uncle Charlie plant” for years. Years ago, and I’m talking DECADES ago, he gave my mom a few slices of his ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum, who gave my sister some, who gave me some and to this day, some of them still survive in other peoples landscapes. Remnants of “Uncle Charlie Plant” are scattered from northern Illinois to northern Minnesota!
When I moved into my home in 2012, … [Continue reading]