Recycling greywater


Thu. Nov. 16, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Recycling greywater?

It’s pretty clear that our world is changing in many ways.  One of the great changes is in the way we’re teaching our kids about recycling, reusing and reducing.  We’re also moving ever closer to taking better care of our natural resources.  One idea that I find interesting is something called recycling greywater.

First let’s define it, greywater is your homes waste water… no, not THAT waste water.  Toilet water and food preparation water (your kitchen  … [Continue reading]

Stressed plants create aspirin


Wed. Oct. 18, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Stressed plants create aspirin

Let’s talk about aspirin.  Seems like a rather odd choice for a garden show, however, I’m not talking about Bayer.  I’m talking about plants that produce their own aspirin like chemical. Researchers at the National Center for Atmospheric Research stumbled upon this in 2008.  They  were surprised to discover that stressed plants produce an aspirin-like chemical that can be detected in the air above the plants. The scientists speculate that the chemical may be  … [Continue reading]

Peaches in zone 4 and more


Fri. Oct. 6, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Peaches in zone 4 and more

There you are eating a ripe juicy peach you plucked from your backyard!  Or front yard.  Say it can’t be done?  Well, it can!  Peaches in Minnesota.  Peaches in Wisconsin.

I’m going to tell you a little story.  I was bragging to some folks years back  about the wonderful Honeycrisp apples I had from a property I lived on years ago when this woman says, Oh, Alice has peaches!  Really?   … [Continue reading]

Peony division


Wed. Oct. 4, 2017

Click below to listen to my Garden Bite radio show:  Peony division

Whatever your peony pronunciation proclivity, soon will be the time to dig and divide them!  Wait for the tops to be killed by frost, cut the stems to near ground level then, using a spading fork, dig out the rhizomes.

peony rhizomes

peony rhizomes

Peony root!

Peony rhizomes from old plant.

Make sure you dig a hole wider than the plant to avoid damaging the root system.  Take out the entire clump with as much of the root system as possible, cut  … [Continue reading]

It’s a nutty year


Wed. Sep. 27, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  It’s a nutty year

This has been one nutty year.  I have 2 black walnut trees at the edge of my property. I have cleaned up a ton of them this year, seriously about 100 pounds worth so far.

My neighbor across the street is complaining that the squirrels are coming over to eat nuts on her porch!  So what can you do with all those nuts.  Well, some say, the black walnuts are delicious.  I found a  … [Continue reading]

Downed trees – was it wind? Or did it start long ago?


Thu. Sep. 21, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Downed trees – was it wind?  Or did it start long ago?

We’ve been lucky in the upper midwest, while other parts of the country have suffered unimaginable destruction due to storms, we’ve seen (mostly) downed trees.  But perhaps the wind didn’t seem like it should be so strong as to knock that 20 year old maple tree down.

The problem could really have started a long time ago.  Indeed, in the tree’s infancy.  When plants, in particular  … [Continue reading]

Last chance to plant


Fri. Sep. 15, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Last chance to plant

As the summer fades into fall, it’s our last hoorah for planting.  You still have time to get trees, shrubs and perennials in the ground, taking advantage of the sales.  However, be sure to add in organic matter into your planting hole and water well right up until the ground has frozen.  That’s usually in December.

Never plant too deep.  Place your plant in it’s new home at the same depth in was in  … [Continue reading]

Planting cover crops


Fri. Sep. 8, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Planting cover crops

Let’s talk green manure.  No, I’m not talking about an animal with a gastrointestinal issue but cover crops.  These are plants with a purpose.  They can help with soil erosion, weed control and even fix what’s ailing your soil.

This time of year, you can plant oats or annual ryegrass which will grow in cool weather and keep the weeds out, then die before winter.  You’ll be adding organic matter and beneficial microorganisms that will  … [Continue reading]

Mildew and other maladies


Tue. Sep. 5, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Mildew and other maladies

It’s been a bit damp in the Upper Midwest.  Still, we can’t complain as we think about the folks along the Gulf Coast.  But I have noticed a significant jump in Powdery mildew and other fungal maladies which have reared their spores on many of my plants.  My monarda now has powdery mildew, however, it’s past flowering, so I’m cutting it back.  Even my native, new butterfly garden, monarda has powdery mildew, which is  … [Continue reading]

Helpful hints and tips


Tue. Aug. 29, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Helpful hints and tips

Dad used to say “kid, I learned the hard way, that’s why I’m telling you now so you don’t have to”.  And yet….

I seem to learn the hard way too.  Maybe it’s genetic! Still, I’ll list some helpful hints so YOU don’t have to learn the hard way:

  • wear gloves when chopping hot peppers OR make sure you don’t rub ANY part of your body until you’ve washed your hands thoroughly!

chopping jalapenos

  • when harvesting,
 … [Continue reading]