What’s a native plant “community”?


Mon. Aug. 20, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  What’s a native plant “community”?

Gardeners are always talking plants, it’s what we do!  There’s also a lot of talk about planting native species, creating a native “community”.  What does that mean?

I interviewed Phyllis Root not too long ago, she wrote “Searching for Minnesota’s Native Wildflowers – a Guide for Beginners, Botanists and everyone in between”.

It’s a great read for anyone in the upper midwest.  She also explains what a native plant community DOES.

There are  … [Continue reading]

The magic of microbes


Fri. Aug. 17, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  The magic of microbes

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Microbes are everywhere!  In our soil, in our plants which means in our food and water and, of course our guts.   So why should we care?  Wellllll… without them life would cease to exist. We’re talking about the magic of microbial science.

Before you zone out – hear me out!

A little gram of soil that’s the size of the tip of your little finger has 10 million microbes!  Scientists are mapping

 … [Continue reading]

August vegetable garden tips


Thu. Aug. 16, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  August vegetable garden tips

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I love warm weather but I’m not a huge fan of humidity, so the next question is WHY would I live in Minnesota?  Well, the Upper Midwest offers some seriously beautiful country and I’ve got family here and friends and a job! Bringing it back to WHY I brought that up…

Watering tips for the August vegetable garden.  While I use rainwater, I, and many gardeners, also water with hoses. Some that  … [Continue reading]

Of basil and tomatoes


Wed. Aug. 15, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Of basil and tomatoes

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While I’ve been enjoying fresh basil on my salads, some gardeners are reporting their basil with yellowing leaves and dark spots.  

Some folks in the upper midwest have experienced significant rainfall and humid conditions.   First found in the U.S. in 2007, downy mildew is a devastating disease of basil, resulting in infection and complete loss of the plant.

Basil downy mildew is caused by (Peronospora belbahrii), a water mold that  … [Continue reading]

Mid-summer garden update 2018


Tue. Aug. 14, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Mid-summer garden update 2018

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The heat is on, lawns are a little crispy and we’re past harvesting of our cool season greens.  Locally, Grism’s sweet corn stand is a twice weekly stop for me as I wait for my ‘American Dream’ corn from All America Selections!  I planted a few seeds in a couple of containers. I’ve noticed the earwigs have been getting into the ears of corn. YUK. I do not like those squiggly things.   … [Continue reading]

Yellow Jacket trap


Mon. Aug. 13, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Yellow jacket trap

That little flyer you have hovering over your hot dog is most likely the Yellow Jacket wasp.

In late August yellow jackets are at peak numbers and they want a sip of your drink or a bite of your food just as much as you do!

My husband was just stung last week when he stuck his hand into a lockbox that happened to house a wasp nest.  Thankfully he’s not allergic but it certainly  … [Continue reading]

Got clay? Why that’s not a bad thing


Fri. Aug. 10, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min.  Garden Bite radio show:  Got clay?  Why that’s not a bad thing

There are many gardeners who have clay soil.  Most lament that fact but I have some good news for you…Proven Winners says you can learn to love it,  it just takes a bit of knowledge and a bit of elbow grease.  What IS clay soil? It’s sticky and absorbs water slowly, when it dries out it can be crusty, lumpy and hardpacked, oh and the top layer can be  … [Continue reading]

Drought tolerant flowers


Thu. Aug. 9, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Drought tolerant flowers

It’s hot, it’s humid, it’s dry, it’s summer in full bloom and we’re looking for a few good flowers!  Those that are pest resistant, drought resistant and bloom all summer long…. That’s a tall order, however, the Heliopsis is up to the challenge!  

This flower, also known as False Sunflower, sunflower heliopsis and smooth oxeye is also cold hardy to zone 3… Oh and did I mention it’s a native prairie plant?  There are also  … [Continue reading]

Lookin’ for love with native shrubs


Wed. Aug. 8, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Lookin’ for love with native shrubs

A long time ago in another life, I worked in a factory and listened to country music for 10 hours a day. The year was, uh, a long time ago!  The song was “Lookin’ for Love in all the wrong places” and highlighted in the movie Urban Cowboy!   No, you don’t have to click on it!!   Tee Hee

Anyway, I heard it the other day as I was looking at some shrubs.  … [Continue reading]

Edible weeds


Tue. Aug. 7, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min Garden Bite radio show:  Edible weeds

Last week I talked about noxious weeds and discussed living with clover and plantain and dandelions, but what if you could just EAT your yard?

The lazy gardener’s veggie garden!

Many parts are edible (in fact all of them)… Dandelions are well known edibles.  Every part of the dandelion is edible from spring to fall.  The leaves are best when picked in spring before they become bitter.  The flowers can be made into wine and the  … [Continue reading]