Variegated leaves reverting (turning green)


Wed. Jul. 25, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Variegated leaves reverting (turning green)

A friend of mine, Faith Appelquist, is a fabulous local arborist with her company Treequality.  She puts out a monthly newsletter where she shares great information on trees, quotes from cool people and yummy recipes! Sign up for her newsletter, it’s really worth it!

Anyway, the reason I brought her up is she had just shared about variegated shrubs reverting back to their old ways.  And I was amazed by that,  … [Continue reading]

Hogweed vs Wild Parsnip


Tue. Jul. 24, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Hogweed vs Wild Parsnip

Is it Wild Parsnip?  Is it Giant Hogweed?  Is it toxic?  Yes, Yes and yes…  in the last couple of years there’s been a concerted effort to eradicate the toxic Wild Parsnip which is now growing with abandon in many a ditch around Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.  But now there’s another contender for the top toxic title.  Giant Hogweed.   I first reported on this weed in 2014, it hadn’t quite made it  … [Continue reading]

DVSM – Dog Vomit Slime Mold


Mon. Jul. 23, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  DVSM – Dog Vomit Slime Mold

Nope, the dog didn’t do it…  neither did the cat!

While I’ve never like EATING mushrooms, it’s a texture thing, I do find some of the fascinating!  DVSM changes almost daily…

DVSM seeks out wood chips.  We just happen to clean up the weeds, throw down some thick black plastic and a whole pile of wood chips from the local yard waste site and DVSM got very active!  It starts out a  … [Continue reading]

Biochar


Fri. Jul. 20, 2018

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

I was on a tour of local gardens.  That’s so fun to see what others have done with their landscapes.  I love the diversity!  They were all lovely but there was one in particular that really intrigued as it was not the “usual” garden tour fair.  It was strictly about vegetables and this man’s quest for the best.

John’s been gardening a long time and when I stepped into his back yard I was astounded at the  … [Continue reading]

Wasp nests


Thu. Jul. 19, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Wasp nests

Now’s a good time to inspect your home for wasp nests that are being constructed.

It’s easy to overlook nests when they’re small and there are only a few wasps hanging around. However, that’s the best time to treat them when you can find them. Some wasp nests are built out in the open, like under eaves, and are the easiest to find and control.

Jeffrey Hahn is a University Extension Entomologist, he says, if a  … [Continue reading]

Organic “Muscle” mulch


Wed. Jul. 18, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Organic “Muscle” mulch

I believe I made myself clear yesterday about my feelings on rock mulch!  So what would I use?

In a former home, I used colored mulch.  This was 11 years ago, then I used landscape fabric.  I don’t do that anymore!

If I had to do it again, I would just cultivate and lay down the wood chips right on the ground.  The weeds find a way no matter what.  The landscape fabric ends up  … [Continue reading]

Inorganic “Trophy” mulch


Tue. Jul. 17, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Inorganic “Trophy” mulch

We know it’s a good idea but what KIND of mulch should you get.  Organic vs Inorganic.  The first question to ask yourself is what do I want my mulch to do?  Do I want it to just sit and look pretty or do I want it to work for the money I put into it?   There are good reasons for both options.  Today we’ll focus on inorganic mulch or Trophy mulch as I call  … [Continue reading]

Water conservation tips


Mon. Jul. 16, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Water conservation tips

My area just had another inch and a half of rain, the rain barrel is full and my grass/weed lawn is actually still mostly green!

However, we are headed into the time of year where our yards and gardens can get crispy…  So here are some tips from the University of Minnesota on water conservation:

  • Water your garden in the morning, before temperatures rise
  • However, water your containers in the afternoon…  yup.  Research shows that
 … [Continue reading]

Attracting butterflies includes larval hosts


Fri. Jul. 13, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Attracting butterflies includes larval hosts

As Milkweed are host to the Monarch butterfly larvae, I don’t want to use any chemical to rid the plant of those bugs!

Milkweed – our garden

If you like having butterflies of any sort in your landscape, then consider other larval host plants.  Rhonda Fleming Hayes writes a great article in Northern Gardener magazine.  I’ll share some of her thoughts and link you to her new book, “Pollinator Friendly Gardens”.

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Rhonda says  … [Continue reading]

My Butterfly Garden (year 2)


Thu. Jul. 12, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  My Butterfly Garden (year 2)

I planted a butterfly garden last year (2017).  It really started coming up but had some issues with rabbits and disease.  I lost a few plants due to our wickedly cold and long winter, however, it’s looking quite lovely.  

And more blooms will take place later this year.

I also wanted to share some other amazing native options for the Upper Midwest.  First up, Purple Lovegrass.  This darling offers up rosy-purple little  … [Continue reading]