with Teri Knight
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: What those “frosty” terms mean to our plants
It’s not Winter yet, but it’s on the way and some have already experienced some temperatures dipping into the 20’s. I was on a recent motorcycle trip and 50 is a bit cool! Other friends were going this week where highs are in the low 40’s! Tomatoes and peppers have already been covered or lost.
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Preparing for migratory birds
The monarch and the birds are beginning their migration very soon if they haven’t already. I’ve had plenty of finches at my rain garden and munching on the seeds of the sunflowers I grew this year.
Now’s the time to clean out those bird feeders, get rid of the old bird seed and refresh them. Bonni, the bird expert, does not recommend anything but vinegar water to clean them. Do not use bleach or … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Planting before the ground freezes
While our temperatures can get pretty cold, the ground in our zone 3 and 4 climates doesn’t “generally” freeze until late in November and December. That means you can take advantage of deals at your local nursery.
When shopping, don’t be afraid to take the plants out of their … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Overwintering geraniums
In the last couple of years I’ve heard more and more people overwintering geraniums. So, today, after seeing the University of Minnesota Extension jump into it, I thought I would share their information.
Full disclosure, I have not attempted this but my sister did and had some success.
Geraniums can be overwintered indoors by taking cuttings, potting up individual plants or storing bare-root plants in a cool, dry location. Make sure to do one or … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Planting on a septic system
Many years ago I lived on 5 acres that had a septic mound. It was hard to mow and the rider was not to be used on top. My clever idea was to plant native seed. Well, this way a LONG time ago when I was very new at the gardening game and I didn’t research it the way I should have.
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Digging up bulbs for winter storage
Last week we were planting bulbs for Spring bloom, today is about digging up bulbs for winter storage! Gladiolas, dahlias, cannas, begonias and elephant ears to name some!
For the 2022-23 Winter, the Farmers Almanac is calling it “A Tale of Two Winters”. Their forecasted weather map splits the country in … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Ins and Outs of planting bulbs in Fall
As I teased you with tantalizing tulips and other Fall planted bulbs yesterday, I wanted to share the ins and outs of planting the various types of bulbs. First, remember to check to see what your local nurseries have to offer before you place an order.
Online sites, however, DO offer a wider variety than some of our local shops so if you don’t see what you want, that is … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Spring bulbs for Fall planting 2022
If you want spring to midseason bulbs to plant this Fall, you best get to finding some. At the nursery where I work, customers were asking weeks ago when our bulbs would arrive. They have arrived and already many have been sold! 2022 is another booming year for bulbs.
Daffodils and tulips, crocus and fritillaria. Snowdrops and squill, hyacinth and allium. Whew, and so many cultivars in between!!
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Planting native seeds in late Fall
My favorite native seed nursery had a sale and I scored 3 types of flowers I’ve admired. My plan is to sow them outdoors late this Fall.
Sowing these in late fall allows the seeds to germinate in their own natural timeframe and it’s easy!
Generally, it’s best to plant on a weed-free site that’s clear of other vegetation. For my purposes I will … [Continue reading]
Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Neonics and deer
A couple of weeks ago an article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper caught my eye with the headline “Majority of deer exposed to toxin”. State biologists tested the spleens of road kill deer and those sent in by hunters. 94% had concentrations of neonicotinoids. More from MPRNews.org.
But it gets worse, nearly two-thirds of those deer had higher concentrations than a threshold found to potentially lower fawn survival and cause deformities.