Oriental Bittersweet: Pretty obnoxious


Fri. Nov. 20, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Oriental Bittersweet – Pretty obnoxious

As we approach the holidays, this is a perennial topic now. Oriental bittersweet is pretty obnoxious… see how I did that? Pretty, yes, obnoxious, most definitely!

Used so often in decorations, this lovely looking vine is deceitful as it’s invasive qualities haunt our  forests, grasslands, and parks!  Sounds a bit harsh for such a well used holiday decoration but it’s true.

This invasive has penetrated our native areas to the point that it’s  … [Continue reading]

Festive container creations


Thu. Nov. 19, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Festive container creations

I love creating my festive containers! While we had some stupid cold weather, we were also blessed with beautiful warm weather after, that meant I could put the spruce tops in because the soil was not frozen! SCORE!

I went to my local nursery and bought the “accents”, cedar and pine boughs and new this year for me… dyed magnolia leaves!

I really love using natural elements. There are so many gorgeous options.

  • The twisty
 … [Continue reading]

Planning for perennial edibles next year


Wed. Nov. 18, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Planning for perennial edibles next year

When planning our vegetable gardens, most of us think of them as annuals.  Here’s a look at 3 perennial edibles  and 1 herb for zone 4 climates. 

This first one I’ve never been a fan of but almost everyone I know loves it.  Asparagus.  

It takes commitment to grow this guy but once established, your asparagus bed will yield for years. A main requirement for growing asparagus is a neutral pH, which  … [Continue reading]

Gall darn it!


Tue. Nov. 17, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Gall darn it!

Gall darn it but those things are funny lookin’!  What ARE those things?

More information on Pine Oak gall from the University of MN Ext.

Galls are abnormal growths that occur on leaves, twigs, roots, or flowers of many plants. More gall dang information on Wayne’s Word….

Most galls are caused by irritation and/or stimulation of plant cells due to feeding or egg-laying by insects such as aphids, midges, wasps, or mites. Some info  … [Continue reading]

The Minnesota Tip Method for roses


Mon. Nov. 16, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The Minnesota Tip Method for roses

Developed here in the north for those gardeners who just love fussy roses!  (I’ll stick to shrub roses, carpet roses and generally those that don’t require protection!)

There are a number of gorgeous roses, however, including grandifloras, floribundas and tea roses that we’d love to keep.  It’s a proven record for the best results at winter protection.  It does require some time and effort. Here’s more information from the Minnesota Rose Society.   … [Continue reading]

Types of bird feeders


Fri. Nov. 13, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Types of bird feeders

Yesterday was about the food, today is about the feeder!

There are numerous feeders out there.  Which ones work?  Well, they all do but which ones keep the squirrels at bay?  Ha!  None of them forever, unless you have them rigged for an electric shock when they touch it.

Someone I know actually did that!  He had fashioned a shocker that he could operate by remote control from the kitchen when the blackbirds would  … [Continue reading]

Foods for the Birds


Thu. Nov. 12, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Foods for the Birds

There’s nothing like calming your spirit after a slushy, bumper to bumper ride home than watching the brilliant Red Cardinal feasting on bird food out your window.   Bird Notes from Cornell U’s Ornithology lab is a great read on feeding birds.

For your enjoyment, make sure you locate the bird feeders where you can see them keeping in mind that birds want to feel safe.  So an area that will provide quick cover should  … [Continue reading]

Veterans Day and Healing through Nature


Wed. Nov. 11, 2020

Click on the link below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Veterans Day and Healing through Nature

Today is Veterans Day and I want to honor all those who have served our Country, those gave their lives and for those who have come back from war with injuries that include PTSD, I use that term simply because most folks understand it.  I will say, however, that there are many that disagree with the Disorder piece of it, and would prefer to call it simply Post Traumatic  … [Continue reading]

Apps for the Curious Gardener


Tue. Nov. 10, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Apps for the Curious Gardener

I have a plant app, Pl@ntNet on my phone that I’ve used for a couple of years and I love it. There are plenty of plants I don’t know about! I’ll be honest, it doesn’t always get the plant exactly right but it points you in the right direction. Take a photo of the plant in question and then choose from your gallery, you then pick whether to have the search for the  … [Continue reading]

Warm temps, garden chores and some super 2020 annuals


Mon. Nov. 9, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Warm temps, garden chores and some super 2020 annuals

Wow, a whole week of great temperatures! I hope you were able to wrap up those last garden chores. The leaves raked or mowed, the vegetable garden put to bed, the on-sale perennials you bought are in the ground and you’ve emptied your rain barrel! I was able to get that all done, oh and the tools put away too! Wahoo! With those hoses put away, the last of  … [Continue reading]