Soil structure and drainage


Wed. Mar. 25, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Soil structure and drainage

While not a sexy subject… soil structure and drainage is a big deal!

 If you peruse descriptions of a particular plants needs, they almost all say, prefers “well-drained soil”.  What is that? It’s soil that contains enough pores, the gaps between soil particles, to allow air and water to flow freely.  Ideally, the sand, silt and clay particles are arranged so they occupy only half of the space, leaving the other half as pore  … [Continue reading]

Tiptoe into Spring garden clean-up


Tue. Mar. 24, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Tiptoe into Spring garden clean-up

As we tiptoe into Spring, we’re gingerly getting into our gardens, cutting back the leftovers from winter.   I do say tip toe for a couple of reasons…  soggy, muddy soil, which compacts!

 Step lightly and start pruning.  I cut back my ornamental grasses to about 3 inches from the ground. You can compost those grasses or save them as mulch in your vegetable garden.

If you had issues with fungal disease on any  … [Continue reading]

Garden magic


Mon. Mar. 23, 2020

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

 I struggled with how to start this Garden Bite in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. But all I kept thinking about was how much beauty we have in nature, the joy in getting our hands in the soil, seeding our gardens.

Gardens feed our bodies but, for me, they also deeply feed my soul.

 

And so, now more than ever, the magic of our gardens can lift our Spirits.

Whether our climate allows us to  … [Continue reading]

Bare rootin’


Fri. Mar. 20, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Bare rootin’

Bare root plants are awesome… partly because they’re less expensive!

When the soil isn’t soggy, you can start sticking these bad boys in the soil, cool temps do not bother them!

A bare root tree has no soil at all around its roots.  It’s been removed from the soil while still dormant.  These trees are generally kept dormant by refrigeration until sold.

Bare root trees, shrubs and roses are often quite a bit less expensive than  … [Continue reading]

Spring Equinox


Thu. Mar. 19, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Spring Equinox

Happy Vernal Equinox!  That’s a funny word, vernal.  The word means ‘fresh’ or ‘new’ and related to Spring.  Many gardeners on my Facebook page commented that their favorite season is Spring.

 The first time we get our hands in the soil again and smell the Earth!  Equinox means equal night. The Equinox doesn’t “officially” until 10:50 tonight, central time. That’s still TODAY, so the celebrations can start early! I’m thinking happy dance… my neighbors are used  … [Continue reading]

A how-to on vegetable crop rotation


Wed. Mar. 18, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: A how-to on vegetable crop rotation

Some are takers and some are givers.  Plants that is.

Crop rotation is one of the simplest ways to discourage disease and keep your soil in good condition.

Ideally you could rotate your crops each year, but even if you do it every few years, you’re making an impact.  Certain plants take certain nutrients out of the soil, while others actually put it back!

But what crops do you rotate with?

In  … [Continue reading]

Shamrock or not?


Tue. Mar. 17, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Shamrock or not?

 “Top of the mornin’ to ya!”  and “By gosh and be gora” have a wonderful St. Patty’s Day!  I may be part Irish but I am all American, as those phrases really are! But it IS St. Patricks day and that makes me think of Shamrocks and all things green.

Shamrock is a kind of slurred pronunciation of the Irish word seamrog, meaning little clover.  It’s really White Clover also known as trifolium repens. 

 It  … [Continue reading]

Disease resistant vegetables


Mon. Mar. 16, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Disease resistant vegetables

Between concerns over produce contamination, viruses, our desire to lower our carbon footprint and eat healthier; vegetable gardening has increased in popularity by the handfuls (of soil!)

If you’re new to gardening or just tired of fighting diseased plants, you may consider planting disease resistant varieties of vegetables.  These are plants that have been bred with plants that are naturally more disease resistant.  These are not genetically engineered with certain herbicides or pesticides.  For more  … [Continue reading]

Should dog doo be composted?


Fri. Mar. 13, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Should dog doo be composted?

There were so many folks out walking last weekend! Such a beautiful weekend with temperatures nearing 50 and 60 degrees!!! They were out with their dogs and their little baggies for pickup. At least most of them had a way to pick it up!

There’s not much you can do about the discolored grass right now, we’ll talk about that in less than a month, but there’s poop detail. Those odd jobs not  … [Continue reading]

Garden friend or foe


Thu. Mar. 12, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Friend or foe

To squish or not to squish, that is the question when confronted by insects in the garden, or more recently in my house! I posted to Facebook about an insect I wasn’t sure was good or bad. Turns out bad but I couldn’t find the little fella again. You’ll learn more on him in a moment!

To squish or not to squish, that is the question…

The Lacewing larvae is like a little aphid-eating lion!   … [Continue reading]