Bad tasting bulbs are a good thing


Thu. Aug. 29, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Bad tasting bulbs are a good thing

Why would bad tasting bulbs be a good thing?  Because deer, squirrels and other rodents list them as last choice on the buffet called your garden!  Colorblends President Tim Schipper is a 3rd generation bulbsman out of Connecticut and he shared a list of bulbs that are a feast for our eyes but not on the squirrels menu.

  • daffodils
  • snow drops
  • snow flakes

All three of these bulbs contain lycorine, a  … [Continue reading]

Fall is great for planting trees and shrubs and perennials too!


Wed. Aug. 28, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Fall is great for planting trees and shrubs and perennials too!

Fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs.  They love the warm soil and cooler air. They also still have plenty of time to scoot their roots down deep into the soil.

 For easy growing, Rugosa roses are a good choice. These are also salt tolerant! This one was at a home I lived in in Burnsville, Mn.

I have some incredibly easy and beautiful  … [Continue reading]

Wild cucumber, again, drapes over everything


Tue. Aug. 27, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Wild cucumber, again, drapes over everything!

It’s baaaacckk…..

This is the vine many of us are seeing covering fields, trees, shrubs, grasses, flowers along nearly every rural road through Minnesota, Wisconsin and parts east,west and south!   It’s Latin name is Echinocystis lobata. It has a spiny fruit.

It’s a vining native annual in the cucumber or gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). Wild cucumber is generally overlooked until it has overtaken the  plants it is growing on.  Reputable nurseries sell  … [Continue reading]

Resurrection lilies


Mon. Aug. 26, 2019

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

Looking as though they appear from nothing, Resurrection lilies rise from the soil in all their glory this time of year.

I remember moving into my “new-to-me” home in 2012 and scoping out what the previous owner chose to plant,  and deciding what l would do with those gifts.

When the Resurrection Lily suddenly appeared I was so taken by it. I’d never seen one before.  A native of South Africa, the lily gets its name  … [Continue reading]

Harvesting our produce


Fri. Aug. 23, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Harvesting our produce

We’re finally seeing the fruits of our vegetable garden labor with fresh tomatoes, peppers and corn.

The zucchini has been delivering like crazy. I’ve made multiple batches of my Chinese 5-spice zucchini bread, tried my hand at parmesan zucchini chips and have zoodles in the freezer. I have recipes on my RECIPES tab above.

My neighbors have also been treated to zucchini. Although they may not consider it that since I have to put it  … [Continue reading]

State Fairs – festivals of food on a stick and Ag and Hort, oh my!


Thu. Aug. 22, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: State Fairs – festivals of food on a stick and Ag and Hort, oh my!

With the MN state fair starting today, I thought I’d better mention all the awesome state fairs and their new Food offerings! I missed Iowa and Wisconsin Fairs but I hope you had a chance to enjoy! 

Wisconsin’s was HOT! Blazin’ Jalapeno Deep Fried Olives. Queen green olives stuffed with fresh jalapenos and cream cheese nestled in a seasoned crunchy batter, served  … [Continue reading]

Annual Fall mums and how we got hardy mums


Wed. Aug. 21, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Annual Fall mums and how we got hardy mums

Can you believe we’re just a week and a half way from Labor Day? Wow!  The Minnesota State Fair starts tomorrow! OH my… Fall is upon us.

I love cooler temperatures but I don’t want the summer to be over yet! We’re seeing all kinds of mums appearing now at our local nurseries, big box stores and some are even showing up at gas stations! 

Proven Winners has some  … [Continue reading]

The gall of some trees!


Tue. Aug. 20, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The gall of some trees!

Oh the gall of some trees! There’s a lot of it! Galls come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. They generally cause plenty of questions among those strolling their landscapes and wondering what in the world that growth. 

Galls on tree leaves and branches are a common sight in the summer but are rarely cause for concern.

They develop as a result of abnormal plant tissue growth, typically caused by insects laying eggs  … [Continue reading]

Japanese Hops


Mon. Aug. 19, 2019

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

Japanese hops don’t produce the brew many folks love. And they’re invasive, and they’ve been found along the Root River in Minnesota. Wisconsin has them too. This isn’t new information…. unfortunately it’s MORE information on the fact that they’re spreading…

Japanese hops are herbaceous, annual vines native to eastern Asia that can grow up to 35 feet in a single growing season. With this explosive growth, the vines smother native vegetation and even grow into  … [Continue reading]

Glad for gladiolas


Fri. Aug. 16, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Glad for gladiolas

The gladiolas are blooming and I’m thrilled.

I bought mine at a big box store after walking by and seeing this gorgeous purple and white beauty staring at me! Yes, it was an impulse buy and I’m so GLAD I did!!

My dad loved gladiolas, they have such an old-world, cottage charm. While they are in the Iris family, their multiple flowers blooming on what looks like a sword, differ in look at height.

For  … [Continue reading]