Why you should bathe your leaves


Mon. Jan. 4, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Why you should bathe your leaves

Uh, you might want to give that plant a bath. I’m not saying that there’s an odor, but… no, seriously, that crusty layer of dust is pretty thick… Teri. Yes, speaking to myself!

Periodically cleaning the leaves of your houseplants is actually less work than letting it go until a year down the road the sun shines in at just the right angle and you think, oh man, the air-cleaning machine is  … [Continue reading]

Popping the bubbly


Thu. Dec. 31, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Popping the bubbly

Here’s to saying HELLO to 2021…………

No day is more associated with Champagne than today, New Years Eve. The bubbly’s start was dubious and it’s history riddled with lawsuits.

Dom Perignon, (the guy from the Champagne region of France!) tried many times to get the fizz out of his wine. When wine has bubbles, it’s a sign that it has continued to ferment inside the bottle.  The quintessential guide to Champagne – a little history  … [Continue reading]

Greening up with gardening


Wed. Dec. 30, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite: Greening up with gardening

I have a saying “The garden is no place to stress for success but to soak up some sun and renew your spirit”.  I really do feel this way.  Not only does gardening relieve stress but it gives us a wonderful opportunity for fresh air, some exercise and fresh produce.  I love the feel of soil in my hands, the thrill of harvesting that first juicy tomato.  I pop that in my mouth without even a  … [Continue reading]

Clearing the air


Tue. Dec. 29, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Clearing the air

We may not be traveling much but I know there a lot of folks who cooked up plenty of feasts to drop off to family and friends this year. So, the aromas of holiday cooking still linger in our minds and perhaps in the drapes too if we’ve burned anything! A good time to “clear the air” with plants. They’re not just pretty things, they have a serious job!

Decades ago NASA, yes THAT NASA, … [Continue reading]

New plant introductions for 2021


Mon. Dec. 28, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: New plant introductions for 2021

A new year is coming. I think we can all say we’re happy to say goodbye to 2020. So let’s talk about some new plants for 2021.

I found a canna from Growing Colors called ‘Angel Martin’. While I’m not sure how easy it will be to get, I just HAD to show you.

Showy peach flowers contrast beautifully against dark bronze foliage in summer. It prefers more shade than other Cannas  … [Continue reading]

Twas the Night Before Christmas – my Gardeners version


Thu. Dec. 24, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Twas the Night Before Christmas – my Gardeners version

It’s Christmas Eve so I’m sharing my gardeners version of an old classic. I wrote this over a decade ago but it still holds true for me. This year (do I have to say 2020?) we’ve all felt the sting of not being with loved ones, the unknowing of our lives, the disruption of our daily life, but there are some things that never change. I hope this poem  … [Continue reading]

Coleus crush


Wed. Dec. 23, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Coleus crush

I have a serious crush on coleus. This go-to annual is so easy to brighten shaded spots and there are now more and more varieties for sunny spots too!

New for 2021 is Red Flare and it’s just WOW. This TerraNova Nurseries introduction has bright foliage of deep red, lobed leaves with reddish-pink centers.

It has an upright, compact habit in addition to being slow to flower, making maintenance easy. Vigorous branching from the base makes  … [Continue reading]

Celestial gardening aka Biodynamics


Tue. Dec. 22, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Celestial gardening aka Biodynamics

Celestial gardening sounds a bit mystical.  It is.  It’s also working, according to some experts. Biodynamics, it’s more scientific name, uses the movements of the moon and stars to guide planting and cultivation.

Think that’s a stretch?  Consider how the moon creates ocean tides.  Suddenly it’s not so “out there”.  Well, celestially speaking it is!  ;-)

Biodynamic gardeners plant by the lunar calendar, they also use raised beds believing that this enlivens the soil.  Herbs  … [Continue reading]

Conservation Districts – why are they important?


Mon. Dec. 21, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Conservation Districts – why are they important?

The United States has 3,000 Conservation Districts.  Many are called Soil and Water Conservation Districts. They are an important part of working with climate change by working with millions of cooperating landowners and operators to help them manage and protect land and water resources on private and public lands in the United States.

The association was founded on the philosophy that conservation decisions should be made at the local level with  … [Continue reading]

Small scale hydroponics


Thu. Dec. 17, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Small scale hydroponics

The University of Minnesota has a great guide to growing greens indoors. Small scale hydroponics.  Click on that link for complete information on hydroponics through the UofMN Ext. Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil. The plants use less water than soil-based systems.

To grow them, you need the plants, of course, a container, water, a way to anchor the plants, nutrients and a light source. It’s even possible to grow vegetables  … [Continue reading]