2023 AAS winners – Annuals


Mon. Dec. 5, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: 2023 AAS winners – Annuals

 It’s that time of year! Sharing AAS winners for 2023. All America Selections are truly the best of the best having been trialed by numerous horticulture professionals in blind trials.

Today I’m sharing some spectacular new annuals that will be available next year. First up may be my favorite. It’s a colocasia in the Royal Hawaiian series. This one is named ‘Waikiki’.

This gorgeous elephant ear’s leaves are deep, glossy green with  … [Continue reading]

Taking out the lawn


Fri. Dec. 2, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Taking out the lawn

 A number of years ago I interviewed Benjamin Vogt on his book “A New Garden Ethic”. I’ve mentioned him before. Earlier this year, in fact, on the dandelion debate. 

As owner of Monarch Gardens he designs prairie landscapes specifically to remove expanses of lawns. In his new book, “Prairie Up – An Introduction to Natural Garden Design” Vogt shares his expertise with prairie plants aimed at gardeners and homeowners, making big ideas about  … [Continue reading]

2023 bulb of the year – Amaryllis


Thu. Dec. 1, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: 2023 bulb of the year – Amaryllis

Each year the National Garden Bureau selects a bulb, annual, vegetable, perennial, shrub and houseplant of the year. For 2023 they’ve selected the Amaryllis as bulb of the Year. The focus is on the Hippeastrum plants.

Amaryllis is a bulb native to South Africa. I talked about amaryllis a couple of weeks ago and shared some new offerings, check out them out here. 

Today I’m sharing some of the

 … [Continue reading]

Norfolk Pine – the tropical Christmas tree


Wed. Nov. 30, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Norfolk Pine – the tropical Christmas tree

I’ve talked about evergreens and fresh Christmas trees so far this week, how about a Tropical Tree!

Perfect for small places, in fact I had one in my own home a couple of years ago, this little darling fits well in apartments or any space you have light. It’s the Norfolk Pine.

I know many of you have seen this houseplant but maybe don’t know where it actually comes from

 … [Continue reading]

Christmas tree placement and care


Tue. Nov. 29, 2022

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

You learned all about the different types of Christmas trees on yesterdays Garden Bite. Today is about caring for your fresh tree.

FIRST know WHERE you’ll place your tree so you can measure the area.

You may think you’re good at eyeballing it, but once that baby’s in the house, you don’t want to cut it! Seriously, friends did this. Their tree was way too large for their home. Let’s just say that  … [Continue reading]

Fresh Christmas tree selection


Mon. Nov. 28, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min.  Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Fresh Christmas tree selection

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.

Of course we can’t forget the 60’s with the metal trees and rotating colored lights! They’ve made a comeback in the last few years and I’ve also spotted pink and champagne colored artificial trees! They can be fun too.

But TODAY is about choosing

 … [Continue reading]

Shopping madness 2022


Fri. Nov. 25, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden  Bite radio show/podcast: Shopping madness 2022

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

For gardeners here is a list of my favorites, including my new favorite tool, the Hori Hori knife! Seriously, I can’t believe I went this long without one! I’m also a huge fan of garden forks. I use mine consistently. It’s so much easier on the plants and their roots and also on ME.

As for gloves, I have probably about 10 pair all over  … [Continue reading]

Happy Thanksgiving 2022


Thu. Nov. 24, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Happy Thanksgiving 2022

 Happy Thanksgiving, may your house and your belly be full today.

As you belly up to the table, think about the herbs in the stuffing you could grow! Parsley and sage are two easy ones!

I generally grow rosemary and use that in LOTS of dishes, in particular when I’ve thrown chicken, pork or beef in the crock pot.

Oh, and those little red potatoes would be easy to grow.

Maybe you could ask for  … [Continue reading]

New vegetables for 2023


Wed. Nov. 23, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: New vegetables for 2023

 I get all kinds of emails from plant companies including Johnny’s Selected Seeds with the headline “New for 2023 Vegetable Varieties”! Well I had to look!

Some new vegetables for 2023

First up, one of my favorite vegetables/fruits – a new cherry tomato! Mochi has a whole new texture. It’s kinda weird. Instead of bursting in your mouth, they say it’s like eating a gumdrop. I’m not quite sure what to think about that. … [Continue reading]

Dormant oils – what are they?


Tue. Nov. 22, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Dormant oils – what are they?

What are dormant oils and when and why would you apply them?  A listener had asked this question before and today, I thought I’d revisit it as it’s been a few years! 

Apples, crabapples, plums, quince and pears all benefit from dormant oil, as do gooseberry and currant bushes.

Other fruit-bearing trees and bushes don’t have any need for this type of oil as they don’t often harbor the same pests.

These

 … [Continue reading]