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]

Of woodchucks and hydrangeas


Tue. Aug. 8, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Of woodchucks and hydrangeas

No, they’re not related.  It’s just that the 2 subjects came up!

Or should I say Whistle Pigs?  I have a friend who insists on calling woodchucks, whistlepigs.  Yes, it’s a funny word.

Woodchucks run amok!  That was what it seemed like in a discussion on a gardener chat board.  Lots of folks discussing how to get rid of unwanted critters.

Many talked of catching nuisance animals live and then releasing them “in the  … [Continue reading]

Celebrate Farmers markets and some tips for shopping


Mon. Aug. 7, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Celebrate Farmers Markets and some tips for shopping

It’s National Farmers Market week!  What a wonderful opportunity for those who LOVE fresh produce but don’t have a vegetable garden, or room to plant all the veggies they want, or like me, have had their produce poached by Peter Rabbit and his pals!

 As you wander the rows of fresh produce, you can’t help but have a different sense of where your food comes from and a connection that  … [Continue reading]

Wandering through your gardens and the thing you discover!


Fri. Aug. 4, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Wandering through your gardens and the things you discover!

I do love touring my gardens, checking to see what’s going on.  Even though I know what’s supposed to happen, I always feel really delighted when it does!  Like seeing my lemon yellow lilies blooming outrageously or my new Hardy Hibiscus!

yellow lilies 2016

 

And then there’s usually some unwanted stuff hanging out in the garden! The picture below is of a Japanese beetle on my canna.  I took the shot  … [Continue reading]