Bird feeders, roosting houses and squirrels


Thu. Oct. 7, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Bird feeders, roosting houses and squirrels

 We’re gearing up for the migration of many birds. It’s time to clean out those bird feeders, get rid of the old bird seed and refresh them. I highly recommend Spike’s feed, seed and pet supply. Their bird feed is locally sourced and milled daily. 

I spoke with a bird expert who said does not recommend anything but vinegar water to clean them. Do not use bleach or soaps due to residue  … [Continue reading]

Planting before the ground freezes


Wed. Oct. 6, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Planting before the ground freezes

You can still plant healthy shrubs and trees into November! 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 container, if you can do so without harming them, to see that the roots are in good shape. Root bound is  … [Continue reading]

Digging up bulbs for winter storage


Tue. Oct. 5, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Digging up bulbs for winter storage

Yesterday was about digging IN bulbs, today it’s about digging them OUT!

Gladiolas, dahlias, cannas, begonias and elephant ears to name a few, need to be dug up when the foliage is toast and then stored for the winter.

Clearly this canna is not finished! While it IS growing in a container, I will dig this up after it’s toast and store it. This will be a first with this ‘Cleopatra’ canna. … [Continue reading]

You dig in bulbs, squirrels dig them out


Mon. Oct. 4, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: You dig in bulbs, squirrels dig them out!

 Fall bulb planting is upon us, the garden centers are filled up with some amazing options. And many questions arise about keeping squirrels from digging them right back up and eating them!

People have discussed ideas about what to do for as long as we’ve planted bulbs. Some say the most effective method is to sink chicken wire into the ground around your bulb bed and then cover the area  … [Continue reading]

October perennial care


Fri. Oct. 1, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: October perennial care

Yowza, it’s October 1st and time for some October to-do’s in the garden.

The seeds of rudbeckia and coneflower are ready to be collected if they’re dried!

Cut the heads off in the afternoon when the plant is dry, open the flower head and collect the seeds. You can store them in a dry area in jars or envelopes.  Make sure you mark them or it really will be a surprise! 

Sometimes you’ll get the  … [Continue reading]

Hummingbirds heading out


Thu. Sep. 30, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Hummingbirds heading out

 I still see those little jewels at my Honeysuckle vine and red mandevilla! But they’ll be on the move very soon. 

Hummingbirds, their wings beating out the symbol for infinity, and a tattoo on the back of my shoulder!  All 350 (or so) species of hummingbirds are native to the Americas! Another great guide to all kinds of birds comes from Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 

As for the Upper Midwest, we are graced with 7  … [Continue reading]

Best time to fertilize your lawn


Wed. Sep. 29, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Best time to fertilize your lawn

Although most plants are shutting down right now, your lawn continues to actively grow, if it’s had water!

Fall is the time when lawn grasses use their energy to spread and develop deeper root systems instead of above ground blades. The best time to fertilize your lawn is, generally, now to late October. 

I will share how to do this now, but remind you that many of us are still in a  … [Continue reading]

Apple trees for northern climates


Tue. Sep. 28, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min Garden Bite radio show: Apple trees for northern climates

Apple season is in full swing with local orchards now open.

For those of us in cold climates, growing apples wasn’t always easy but with a lot of research by places like the University of Minnesota, which started breeding apples in 1888, we can grow some delicious apples! 

I remember the first ‘Honeycrisp’ apple I ever ate  … [Continue reading]

Oak wilt


Mon. Sep. 27, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Oak wilt

Last year, a friend of mine had, what used to be, a gorgeous old oak tree. Sadly it developed Oak wilt. It won’t survive. Oak Wilt is caused by a non-native, invasive fungus  Ceratocystis fagacearum. (now you know why I didn’t even try to pronounce it on my radio show!)

And now, Oak will has traveled further north, for the first time showing up in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. Wisconsin also has the disease.

Oak  … [Continue reading]

Dogs and their amazing noses


Fri. Sep. 24, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Dogs and their amazing noses

You might wonder what dogs and their noses have to do with a gardening show… I’ve talked before about how dogs are being used to sniff out the invasive insect Emerald Ash Borer.

It’s amazing as forestry services and universities are delving even further into what dogs are capable of. They can detect the insect well before humans know it’s there. That means treatment can happen much more quickly. It also means  … [Continue reading]