Read the plant label


Thu. Jul. 30, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Read the plant label

Read the directions, read the label… blah blah blah!  It’s a good idea! 😉

There are plenty of plants that have the same “first” name but are completely different! Case in point:

The first name is the genus, the second is the species. While the both had the same cultural requirements, they behaved very differently…

Let’s take Viburnum for instance.  This group of shrubs consists of more than 150 species and cultivars.  Light  … [Continue reading]

Surface root conundrum


Wed. Jul. 29, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Surface root conundrum

Surface roots of trees can be a real pain in the patoot when trying to mow!  I know…  but there are some real DON’TS when it comes to making your mowing life easier.  While I’m  lucky with the yard I have now, I still have a Hackberry that’s not easy to mow around.

But I found a way around it!

In a previous residence, I had Silver Maples, they are notorious for large surface roots  … [Continue reading]

Daddy longlegs – spider or not?


Tue. Jul. 28, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Daddy longlegs – spider or not?

 A listener and Facebook follower of Garden Bite gave me a great suggestion. Tom said check out Daddy Longlegs… hmm, okay. Found out some interesting facts.

For those who are spider squeamish, don’t worry, daddy longlegs aren’t spiders! Yes, I was surprised too!

  • They don’t have venom
  • They can’t spin a web
  • They are generally beneficial – they eat real spiders and insects, including plant pests such as aphids
  • They’ve been
 … [Continue reading]

Ground plum and the constant desire for more plants!


Mon. Jul. 27, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Ground plum and the constant desire for more plants!

I can’t help it, I’m always looking for new plants. If something pops up that catches my eye, I have to ponder where I would put it. Last week, Prairie Moon Nursery sent out a note on this darling little native called Ground Plum. Latin name not quite as pretty, Astragalus crassicarpus…  is fabulous for bee lawns.

 I looked in my yard and found the perfect spots! I  … [Continue reading]

The Well-gardened Mind


Fri. Jul. 24, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min Garden Bite radio show: The Well-gardened Mind

This week I interviewed a woman on her book, The Well Gardened Mind – the Restorative Power of Nature. Here’s the link to the interview

In it, Sue Stuart-Smith, discusses how her grandfather, a WWI British veteran, had nearly died as a POW in Turkey, made it back a shell of a man and how his gardens restored not just his physical health but his mental health.

It’s been well documented how being out in  … [Continue reading]

Allergy “free” garden


Thu. Jul. 23, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Allergy “free” garden

I put the quotes around “free” simply because there’s going to be someone allergic to just about anything!

ACHOO! Runny nose, runny eyes don’t make for a fun day in the garden. If you’re a sufferer, there are some plants that are less problematic!

  • Lilacs
  • Dogwoods
  • Daisy
  • Hardy geranium
  • Hardy Hibiscus
  • Roses
  • Tulips
  • Irises
  • Cherry, Pear and Plum trees

Plants to nix for the nose due to their “Achoo” factor:

  • grasses
  • Maple
  • Oak
  • Birch
  • Juniper
 … [Continue reading]

Drying herbs


Wed. Jul. 22, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Drying herbs

I touched on mint yesterday as a deer deterrent. I have been harvesting the leaves and drying them.

It’s herb mania right now. I also have some ‘Hot & Spicy’ oregano, regular oregano, and plenty of dill. (The dill I dry on a paper towel)

Drying your own herbs is not only a great way to preserve your harvest but to get the best quality for a cheap price. There are several drying methods. The one  … [Continue reading]

Deer resistant plants


Tue. Jul. 21, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Deer resistant plants

First, take note, I said deer RESISTANT!

According to social media, deer have seemingly decided that the Hosta Cafe is open to them. No social distancing required.

Those graceful marauders are lovely to watch in winter but once you feed them, they expect the buffet to stay open.

What WON’T a deer eat? A hungry one will eat whatever, but there are deer resistant plants. 

Some plants that come immediately to mind include coneflowers and  … [Continue reading]

Second season planting


Mon. Jul. 20, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Second season planting

I know it’s only mid July but you can start planting for the second season of greens and other cool season vegetables now. Midsummer is the time for zone 4 to 6 gardeners to begin planting crops like broccoli, lettuce, peas, spinach, kale, cilantro and arugula.

Planting now through early August will have you harvesting from September through November (maybe!). When planting in the heat of summer, it’s important to keep the soil surface  … [Continue reading]

Biochar – what’s the deal?


Fri. Jul. 17, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Biochar – what’s the deal?

On a tour of local gardens years ago, there was a standout. It was all about vegetable gardening. “John” has been gardening a long time and when I stepped into his backyard I was astounded at the size and beauty of his produce!

His secret is all in the soil, or will be. He makes his own biochar.  It’s NOT ASH.

Basically, it’s organic matter, he uses wood that is burned slowly,  … [Continue reading]