The magic of microbes


Thu. Aug. 12, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The magic of microbes

Microbes are everywhere!  In our soil, in our plants which means in our food and water and, of course our guts. So why should we care?  Well… without them life would cease to exist.

Here’s the definition from Merriam-Webster: Microbes, or microorganisms, include bacteria, protozoa, fungi, algae, amoebas, and slime molds. Many people think of microbes as simply the causes of disease, but every human is actually the host to billions of microbes,  … [Continue reading]

Yellow jacket trap


Wed. Aug. 11, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Yellow jacket trap

That little flyer you have hovering over your hot dog is most likely the Yellow Jacket wasp.

In late August yellow jackets are at peak numbers and they want a sip of your drink or a bite of your food just as much as you do!  I have a huge nest of them in my Welcome sign. 

Gratefully no stings but you can bet they won’t be welcome next year! To handle a potential stinging  … [Continue reading]

A grass for butterflies


Tue. Aug. 10, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: A grass for butterflies

 Did you know I love grasses!? Today’s Bite is about attracting butterflies with grasses.  ‘Eyelash’ grass is a perfect example.

‘Eyelash’ grass won’t replace a manicured lawn but it sure attracts butterflies! That’s what the University of Minnesota Extension says. Blue Grama grass, which sounds funny itself, is a native grass that goes by a few other names including ‘eyelash’, ‘mosquito’ and ‘caterpillar’ grass because of its golden sails at the tip of  … [Continue reading]

Gladiolas are blooming


Mon. Aug. 9, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Gladiolas are blooming

The gladiolas are blooming and I’m thrilled as they always remind me of my dad. They were blooming when he passed away.

That may sound sad but, honestly, it makes me feel like he gives me flowers every year from Heaven! They are old-fashioned and charming!  They’re part of the Iris family.

The sword like foliage is really awesome planted with the delicate look of some native grasses. For those of us in cold climates,  … [Continue reading]

Butterfly garden renovation


Fri. Aug. 6, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Butterfly garden renovation

 Last year my street was redone. That meant digging out all the plants in my butterfly garden and overwintering them in my vegetable garden.

I replanted them this year and found that I needed to purchase additional plants due to transplant shock and other factors. 

I did some other rearranging as well. Moving prairie dropseed to the area, planting seeds of an annual, Partridge Pea, that reseeds each season and finding some other shorter plants  … [Continue reading]

Right plant, right place


Thu. Aug. 5, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Right plant, right place

Master Gardeners are available all over the country.  Despite our shorter growing season in the Upper Midwest, we love our gardens. Maybe because of it!  As a result we field a lot of questions about why a plant isn’t thriving. 

One of the first things we try to determine is whether the plant in question is in the right place. That’s the MG motto, Right plant, Right place! 

In a different home I lived  … [Continue reading]

Got clay? Why that’s not a bad thing


Wed. Aug. 4, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Got clay? Why that’s not a bad thing

There are many gardeners who have clay soil.  Most lament that fact but Proven Winners says you can learn to love it,  it just takes a bit of knowledge and a bit of elbow grease.  What IS clay soil?  It’s sticky and absorbs water slowly, when it dries out it can be crusty, lumpy and hardpacked. So far not lovin’ it.

HOWEVER, Clay soils are more fertile than many other  … [Continue reading]

Tomato dehydrating and roasting


Tue. Aug. 3, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Tomato dehydrating and roasting

My tomatoes have been producing like crazy. There’s one thing good about this heat.

I have started dehydrating my ‘Grape Juliet’ grape tomatoes and my ‘Supersweet 100’s’. They are fantastic this way.

The heating process intensifies the already delicious flavor. I then freeze them. I use them on my salads, in egg dishes, on pizza, in sauces and just about anything else! I just slice them in half. Spray some olive oil cooking spray  … [Continue reading]

Edible weeds


Mon. Aug. 2, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Edible weeds

 With this drought,  what if you could just EAT your yard? I’ve noticed PLENTY of weeds.

Plantain for one. You can use the young leaves like spinach or lightly stir fry the old ones. Some people blanch them, freeze them and use them in soups and stews.

Purslane is prevalent too. Disclaimer, make sure you KNOW what weeds you’re eating. 

Purslane leaves and stems are a nice addition to salads, you can also steam them or  … [Continue reading]

Landscaping mythbusters


Fri. Jul. 30, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Landscaping mythbusters

Landscaping is what YOU make it. Form, function, color, site conditions and your imagination are all factors. Weather plays a role too…

Today, though, I’m going to bust a few myths I’ve been hearing over the garden fence.

I’ve addressed this one recently but am now seeing people shaving their lawns with the mower. This doesn’t mean you’ll have to mow less frequently, it means you’re killing your lawn!

Another one, there are no straight lines  … [Continue reading]