Largest public garden in Upper Midwest celebrates 60 years, vies to stay the reigning champion


Wed. Apr. 18, 2018

I don’t generally post things like this, but the MN Landscape Arboretum is an absolute gem.  I have been visiting these gardens since 1990 and have been a member off and on since that time.  I’ve traipsed through nearly every part and discover new things all the time.  Their plant sale was a must for me when I lived closer…  If you ever have the opportunity to go, please don’t hesitate!  It’s beautiful at every season.  You’ll also be able to view mature trees/shrubs/perennials/natives and some wonderful annuals!  Teri

Vote  … [Continue reading]

Easy care perennials (mostly easy)


Wed. Apr. 18, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Easy care perennials

Easy care perennials, ya sure you betcha!  Actually there are plenty of perennials more amiable than others.  Sedum aka Stonecrop, is at the top of the list of forgiving plants.

And there are a lot of different varieties, nearly 500!  I have several myself, they’re great for groundcovers all the way to the large ‘Autumn Joy’, which you, pretty much, can’t kill, you can sure give a lot away though!  Mine were loaded with Painted  … [Continue reading]

Garden tool prep and pruning out damage


Tue. Apr. 17, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Garden tool prep and pruning out damage

If you’re soil is just too soggy, consider garden tool prep.  At least lovingly tending to the tools gets us closer to the garden!  Take some steel wool to those trowels, a file to your pruners and examine tools for any repair or, perhaps replacement!

Speaking of pruners, you can prune out dead or damaged branches.  With the winter we’ve experienced you may find plenty of that in your landscape.

Panicle  … [Continue reading]

Itching to garden but shoveling snow not soil


Mon. Apr. 16, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Itching to Garden but shoveling not soil

I’ve never seen so many people so ready for Spring to actually get here!  The itch is real and it’s not from mosquitoes!  So, I guess we got that going for us!  Then we had one warm day and I was attacked by these…

Our highs for most of the Upper Midwest are supposed to be in the Upper 50’s.  Hello, Mother Nature, we’re still waiting to shovel soil NOT snow!   … [Continue reading]

Annual plant wishing list


Fri. Apr. 13, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Annual plant wishing list

It’s Friday!  It’s been warmer!  I’ve been yakking about soil all week, let’s talk about what we can PLANT in that soil!

There’s a new Baby’s Breath out there.  I mentioned it earlier but this one bares repeating!  AND, I promise, it’s not the one on the noxious weed list, that’s Gypsophila paniculata!

Gypsophila muralis ‘Gypsy White Improved’ does best under cool and bright conditions (sound familiar for our weather!) but will tolerate warmer  … [Continue reading]

Soil – the Foundation of Life


Thu. Apr. 12, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Soil – the Foundation of Life

I know, I know, I’m talking about soil again!  I do, because it IS the foundation of life!  From dust to dust!

Soil  holds the keys to a plant’s ability to take up nutrients, water and oxygen.  Soil also acts as a filter for rainwater, cleaning it as it makes it’s way into our aquifers.   If you prepare your garden beds, you give your plants the best chance to, not only survive,  … [Continue reading]

Soil testing


Wed. Apr. 11, 2018

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

If you really want to get down and dirty, get a soil test.

Well, as soon as the soil is warm and dry enough to grab samples!   It is one of the best thing you can do for your plants and yourself.  The University of Minnesota , the University of Wisconsin  and NDSU will give you a comprehensive report on what your soil consists of.

Here’s an example of the form from the U of MN: … [Continue reading]

Early Spring lawn chores


Tue. Apr. 10, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Early Spring lawn chores

It will warm up, it will warm up, it will warm up!  I feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, only I have on GREEN shoes to click!  You checked your frost depths yesterday, right?

Today, let’s talk about what we WILL see if we have dogs.  Urine and your lawn don’t get along.

You can buy a lawn repair kit at most garden centers or you can mix your own.  After the  … [Continue reading]

Dear Spring, we miss you…


Mon. Apr. 9, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Dear Spring, we miss you…

So the air temperature got down to 6 degrees last week (I’m in the southeastern portion of Minnesota)…  that’s a record by the way.  (Ya think!)

I was talking with a local nursery owner who said they’re opening today but “not really”.  The day they really think they’ll be able to take care of their customers needs won’t happen until April 21st!  (The latest he’s opened in his 50 years there).  They still  … [Continue reading]

Tomato and pepper seed start time


Fri. Apr. 6, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Tomato and pepper seed start time

Nothing’s better than a homegrown tomato.  You can make that experience even better by starting your own from seed.  The best barometer for planting tomatoes and peppers outside is when the soil temperature is 60 to 70 degrees.  Usually that’s Memorial weekend in zone 4 and a week or so later in zone 3.   Planting early usually means stunted growth.  I’m going to start some seeds within the next week or so.   … [Continue reading]