Audible gardens – for the birds


Mon. Jun. 6, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Audible gardens – for the birds

With the exception of hummingbirds, most of us plant gardens for beauty, fragrance and taste, not thinking too much about songbirds.

Birds sing for 2 reasons, for territory and for mating.   Native plants attract native insects which native birds eat. Seed eaters tend to go for native grasses and flower heads.

Follow this LINK for the bigger picture from the UofMN. And more on a native plant list HERE. These lists  … [Continue reading]

Ode to Creeping Charlie


Fri. Jun. 3, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Ode to Creeping Charlie

Creeping Charlie ever present in our lawns will be, blooming purple flowers, oh so pretty to me.

Ode to the weed that creepingly reseeds with stem and rhizome. Not content to stay in place, Creeping Charlie, sets a pace to cross your lawn, it’s a race.

Embrace the creeper or let loose on the leaper?

Creeping Charlie really doesn’t spread as quickly as, say the dandelion, but it is annoying to those with lovely  … [Continue reading]

Perennial supports


Thu. Jun. 2, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Perennial supports

We may have gotten a late start but we gardeners are up to the challenge!  And so are our perennials. Most of them are a hardy bunch, however some do need support from time to time, especially in windy locations. Today’s ‘Bite is about options.  PS, these work for annuals too!

Stakes are good for tall perennials like Hollyhock, Foxglove and delphiniums.  I’ve used bamboo stakes and artwork too!

Place your supports in the ground at  … [Continue reading]

Gooseberries and Currants


Wed. Jun. 1, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Gooseberries and Currants

Amid the world of raspberries and strawberries come a couple of tarts worth a go!

Gooseberries and Currants are closely related, they’re also prevalent in Minnesota.  They’re tolerant of most types of soil, some shade tolerance but fruit best in sun.  Don’t plant under the shade of a tree as they’ll compete too much for moisture.

The gooseberries you mostly see are green but the University of Minnesota came up with this cultivar in 1957.   … [Continue reading]

Planting (and eating) rhubarb


Tue. May. 31, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Planting (and eating) rhubarb

My dad LOVED rhubarb. And my mom made a LOT of pies and froze a lot of cut-up rhubarb for winter. This perennial is well worth growing.

Rhubarb needs full sun, well drained soil and a nice layer of rich compost each year. It’s best to plant rhubarb in the spring. Some cultivars recommended by the University of Wisconsin Extension include ‘Canada Red’, ‘Cherry Red’, ‘Crimson Red’, ‘MacDonald’, ‘Valentine’ and ‘Victoria’.

It’s best to  … [Continue reading]

Memorial Day and the Poppy


Mon. May. 30, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Memorial Day and the Poppy

Garden Bite would like to thank all those who serve in the United States Military and their families.  We remember those who gave everything.

Today is the day we reflect and remember our Soldiers.  Memorial Day, which is celebrated every year on the final Monday of May was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union andConfederate soldiers who died.  By the 20th  … [Continue reading]

The 3 ‘illers of container planting


Fri. May. 27, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The 3 ‘illers of container planting

We’re headed into Memorial Weekend, the traditional time when cold climate gardeners really start planting.

I started with something simple:

With climate change, many have already indulged (and then we had 38 degree nights…). Of course, there’s always room for more!

Plant love overload is REAL, people! To help with ideas, use the tried and true three ‘illers:  Thrillers, Fillers and Spillers for easy plant combos.

Thriller – big, bold and beautiful.   … [Continue reading]

Feeding your shrubs


Thu. May. 26, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Feeding your shrubs

Yesterday we established that it’s a good idea to feed your container plantings and other herbaceous plants. 

Shrubs and trees could use some food too. Keeping plants healthy helps lower opportunities for disease and insects to do damage. 

A caveat to fertilizer response is the environment your shrubs are grown in.  For instance, according to Proven Winners, soil fertility, aeration, drainage, exposure to sun and wind, temperature of the site, and proximity to buildings, walks  … [Continue reading]

The 411 on fertilizing


Wed. May. 25, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The 411 on fertilizing

Did you go plant shopping?

I’m notoriously bad at feeding my plants once I’ve planted them. I add an organic fertilizer when first planted…

So, in that vein, I’m going to help you AND me!  Proven Winners, one of the top plant breeders, says it’s really important to feed your container plants.  That makes sense, they’re roots can only go so far and get so much! 

Since annuals live their entire life in one  … [Continue reading]

Cutting back perennials to control height


Tue. May. 24, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Cutting back perennials to control height

 I have a butterfly garden on my corner. And I was told by the city a few years ago that some of my plants were too tall. While I AM on the corner, only one street really gets much traffic. So, don’t tell anyone but my plants will be tall again.

However, I can cut them back, and you can too. For instance, you may not like the flopover that can happen  … [Continue reading]