Drought tolerant perennials


Tue. Jun. 28, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Drought tolerant perennials

With climate change, we’ve all experienced changes in our “normal” weather patterns. That means drought in some areas and flooding in others.

Today I share some hardy, tolerant perennials. Let’s begin with yarrow. One of my favorites for dry times and long lasting flowers.

It thrives in sunshine. Butterflies are drawn to the flowers flat surface and love to perch on it. From ‘Moonshine’, with it’s silvery foliage and yellow flowers to red and pastels,  … [Continue reading]

Lawns and drought


Mon. Jun. 27, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Lawns and drought – again

Lawns are, once again, looking rough in some parts of the country! Kentucky bluegrass, the least tolerant of drought, which is what most lawns are, can start turning brown after about 7 days without water. This browning appearance is the grass going into dormancy in order to survive the drought. Some leaf tissue will die, but the base and roots of the grass are still alive and will green up when water  … [Continue reading]

Weed blocking superheroes


Fri. Jun. 24, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Weed blocking superheroes

Although I find weeding occasionally cathartic… I would prefer not to HAVE to do it!

I just mentioned some great groundcovers that help to deter weeds. Today I’m adding to the list with several taller plants and one short one!

The samurai of weed blockers do so by shading weed seeds and not allowing them to germinate.  Note: all of these plants are fast spreaders aka invasive to some folks!

‘Emerald Blue’ moss phlox … [Continue reading]

Coveting a zone 5 plant


Thu. Jun. 23, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Coveting a zone 5 plant

I have coveted the buddleia or Butterfly bush, for years. I’ve been tempted many times to buy one and see what happens. One of the experts I work with just hates them! It’s a zone 5 plant! I live in zone 4b and that’s pushing it. 

So he generally encourages people not to buy them or be prepared to lose them when we get a wicked winter. But here I go, sharing a  … [Continue reading]

How to build a compost pile


Wed. Jun. 22, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: How to build a compost pile

My compost pile could use some help. Actually it needs to be completely revamped! But that’s another ‘Bite! Today it’s about the materials to use.

Again, I dip into my favorite magazine for inspiration, Northern Gardener.

  • Your compost pile needs to be at least 3 ft. x 3 ft. x 3 ft. to provide enough heat to decompose the materials.
  • You need to provide air circulation on the bottom, so pile twigs
 … [Continue reading]

Summer Solstice 2022


Tue. Jun. 21, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Summer Solstice 2022

The Summer Solstice happened at 4:13 this morning, central time! The astrological first day of Summer and the longest day of the year.

The timing of the June solstice is not based on a specific calendar date or time; it all depends on when the Sun reaches its northernmost point from the celestial equator. That’s usually the 20th, 21st or 22nd. This is generally a time when many are eating the first strawberries of the  … [Continue reading]

Peony tips


Mon. Jun. 20, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Peony tips

The peonies are really poppin’! The garden center I work at recently featured ‘Buckeye Belle’. The flowers are a deep, dark red!

But today’s Bite is really  about tips for taking care of these lovely perennials. Northern Gardener magazine continues to feature tips that they’ve shared over their 150 year history. And today I share with you their tips on peonies. Brand Peonies, Minnesota’s first peony breeding operation, opened in Faribault, MN, in  … [Continue reading]

Time saving garden products


Fri. Jun. 17, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Time saving garden products

We’re all busy but we also love to garden! Sometimes our garden chores get away from us. In come some time-saving garden products approved by members of the National Garden Bureau, including ME!

Do you have poor soil? Maybe NO soil? Consider Garden Soxx, a mesh containment system that’s similar to container growing—but without the container.

You place GardenSoxx® where you want to grow, fill the mesh with your own compost or potting  … [Continue reading]

Dandelions – the great debate


Thu. Jun. 16, 2022

Click below to listen to my  2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Dandelions – the great debate

 As you know, I’ve been an advocate of not using chemicals on my lawn, which means dandelions. Lots of gardeners, including me, have touted the benefits of those cheery yellow flowers. Bees enjoy them. However…

I just read an article from a man who really LIVES native plantings. Benjamin Vogt is an author I’ve interviewed a few times and he has just given me food for thought that I wanted to share with  … [Continue reading]

Plant diagnositcs


Wed. Jun. 15, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Plant diagnostics

What’s wrong with my plant? OH, such a loaded question.  UGH, I think the toughest part of gardening is trying to figure out why a plant isn’t thriving!  Sometimes it’s easy, like the photo below:

Much happier this year. PS, others know this plant by it’s more common name Coral Bells.

Sometimes, it’s not easy at all and could be a number of ailments at one time. Is it an insect, is it a disease, are  … [Continue reading]