Plant resolutions


Fri. Jan. 20, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Plant resolutions

We’re into the 3rd full  week of January and by now most of us have already recanted some of those silly resolutions we made in week one!  I broke my resolution when that Snickers Bar wouldn’t leave me alone till I ate it. They can be relentless. 

I’ve shared many times about resolving to start a garden journal.  I hope you’ll do that.

There are also a few plant resolutions that I would like to share  … [Continue reading]

Succulents vs Cacti


Thu. Jan. 19, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Succulents vs Cacti

 Yesterday I talked about the popularity of the succulent, Strings of plants. Cactus are also very popular as they are excellent home or office plants.

What’s the difference between a succulent and a cactus?

There is a saying, “all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti”. Cacti are simply a subcategory within a group of plants, which are known collectively as succulents. I’ll explain…  I checked out an article from Planetdesert for a  … [Continue reading]

Strings of plants


Wed. Jan. 18, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Strings of plants

 In the world of succulents, strings of them have gained significant popularity both among plant aficionados and home decorators!

I just saw a String of Bananas. I have to admit, they look like tiny green bananas, full and hanging down. So what ARE they?

String Plants are adorable smallish plants that grow very well in hanging baskets or in a container on a pedestal or sitting on a shelf where they can trail down. They’re  … [Continue reading]

Discovering more AAS seed gifts


Tue. Jan. 17, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Discovering more AAS seed gifts

As I’ve mentioned, I received seeds from AAS. I looked at one packet with no clue what the heck it was. Tropaeolum minus with the cultivar called ‘Baby Rose’. I had to look it up!

It’s a nasturtium! A 2019 AAS winner, ‘Baby Rose’ is a petite-flowered, mounding variety with healthy, dark foliage on compact plants making it ideal for containers and small space gardens. It also means that the flowers don’t flop!  … [Continue reading]

How does snowfall affect drought conditions?


Mon. Jan. 16, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: How does snowfall affect drought conditions?

I have been repeatedly asked the question, with record snowfall in many areas, does it mean our drought is over.

Oh how I would love to say absolutely! But I can’t. Not yet. Check out this Drought monitor map. 

While snowfall is a great insulator from our sub zero temperatures, the ground IS frozen. That means that, should there be melting of the snowfall it will run off and NOT soak into  … [Continue reading]

Lighting for plants


Fri. Jan. 13, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Lighting for plants

Yesterday I talked a little about the light spectrum for houseplants.  If you’re trying to get a houseplant to flower, ideally you’ll give it the full spectrum of light.

While you can achieve that with a combination of warm/soft bulbs and the cool/white bulbs you may consider LED lights. 

According to a 2016 study, NASA scientists, found that LED lights provide the best source of lighting for plants cultivated indoors.  Better for plants, better for

 … [Continue reading]

How to kill a houseplant


Thu. Jan. 12, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: How to kill a houseplant

Why would I tell you how to kill a houseplant? I’m supposed to love plants… I tell you so you don’t… kill them!

This time of year I get a lot of questions about houseplants.  Why are the leaves brown, yellow or limp?  Why is my plant crunchy?  I’ve decided to share with you a list of the 5 easiest ways to kill a houseplant!   

Number 1: poor light.  Either too little, too  … [Continue reading]

New hostas and a family drama


Wed. Jan. 11, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: New hostas and a family drama

 My niece wants me to help her landscape her place. Sadly she had a fire and her home was destroyed. It is being rebuilt but that’s quite a process. In the meantime she’s given me this information to work with: nothing that takes any time and no hosta. How is she even related to me!!

I’ll be breaking the news to her that EVERY landscape takes some effort, even the easy ones

 … [Continue reading]

PPA announces their Perennial of the Year 2023


Tue. Jan. 10, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: PPA announces their Perennial of the Year 2023

The Perennial Plant Association has named their choice for Perennial of the Year 2023. First, who IS PPA? They are a trade association composed of growers, retailers, landscape designers and contractors, educators, and other professionals in the perennial industry.

Their selection is a pollinator magnet. Rudbeckia ‘American Gold Rush’ is a compact black-eyed Susan.

Just 24 inches tall but with a width over 3 ft., it’s packed with a  … [Continue reading]

AAS tomato winners to try


Mon. Jan. 9, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: AAS tomato winners to try

Last week I mentioned receiving a lot of varied seeds from All America Selections. From years 2019 to 2022, they’re all AAS winners. This year I’m going to set up a space in my spare bedroom. It has little light but I’m looking at ways to start these seeds. When I figure it all out, I’ll share it here with you!

I’m really excited to test out the 5 tomato varieties AAS sent.  … [Continue reading]