Spring Equinox


Wed. Mar. 20, 2019

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 freshness of it, the hope it brings as we shake off winter. The first time we get our hands in the soil again and smell the Earth!   

This year, 2019, has started out with some wild weather all over and that means we’re going  … [Continue reading]

Rhododendrons for the North


Tue. Mar. 19, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Rhododendrons for the North

In my latest Northern Gardener magazine is an article on rhododendrons!  AKA Rhodis. First question are rhodis the same as azaleas? Kinda. From the American Rhododendron Society comes this: All azaleas are rhododendrons but not all rhododendrons are azaleas. Azaleas have been reclassified and are now in the genus Rhododendron.

The University of MN has created the Northern Lights series of azaleas (which are also called rhodis!)

There are no clear cut lines for  … [Continue reading]

A soggy Spring and so-so seedlings


Mon. Mar. 18, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  A soggy Spring and so-so seedlings

The Spring Equinox is scheduled for Wednesday.  I sure hope it makes it! So far it’s been one weird Winter, so let’s see what Spring brings!   

Likely soggy soil if it’s not flooded. Dealing with flood issues is a real problem in my area.

As I’ve said many times before, don’t work a wet soil. Don’t even step on it if you don’t have to. As I write this, which will be  … [Continue reading]

More tempting 2019 plant introductions


Fri. Mar. 15, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min Garden Bite radio show:  More tempting 2019 plant introductions

Since it’s Friday, let’s end the week the way we started it!  With some wonderful brand spankin’ new plant introductions coming to a nursery near you!  

These plants are perfect for our Upper Midwest climate!  This new plant, the first of it’s kind developed by plant breeder Proven Winners, really is smokin’!!!

It’s called ‘Winecraft Black’ and it’s a smokebush that made everyone in the audience gasp!  In spring, round leaves  … [Continue reading]

A how-to on Vegetable crop rotation


Thu. Mar. 14, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. 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 simple terms,   … [Continue reading]

Disease resistant vegetables


Wed. Mar. 13, 2019

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

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 on GMO vs Hybrids

In your catalogs you’ll find codes listed for some vegetables.  Here’s a comprehensive list from Johnny’s Seeds.

One of their new 2019 introductions  … [Continue reading]

Winter sowing since winter’s not given up


Tue. Mar. 12, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Winter sowing since winter’s not given up

One of my go-to nurseries for native plants, Prairie Moon, sent me an email talking about, what they call, “snow-sowing”.  Since winter’s not giving up many are talking about winter sowing. That is sowing seeds over the snow. What?

It’s called dormant seeding and is a technique used in hand sowing larger areas, say a wildflower or grassy area.  Well, it takes care of what’s called “stratifying”. Cold-moist stratification occurs  … [Continue reading]

New shrubs and perennials coming to a nursery near you!


Mon. Mar. 11, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  New shrubs and perennials coming to a nursery near you!

I had the opportunity to go to the Dakota County Master Gardener’s “Let’s Get Growing” expo on March 2nd!  It was about 4 degrees outside but inside, I sat in rapt wonder as Debbie Longee from Bailey Nurseries presented some choice 2019 plant introductions that they are growing.  

I teased you last week with a peek at a new sedum on my gardenbite facebook page. It’s from the  … [Continue reading]

A little heat in the cold…


Fri. Mar. 8, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min Garden Bite radio show:  A little heat in the cold!

There’s nothing like trudging through snow and cold to get to those Home & Garden shows! 

From local Chambers of Commerce to County Master Gardeners to huge City Expos, the annual ritual has begun!  I went to one last weekend! However, I’m writing this before I go, so I’ll share what I learn from THAT next week.

In the spirit of putting a little heat to our cold – let’s flood the  … [Continue reading]

Challenging vegetables


Thu. Mar. 7, 2019

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

This is not a throw done between vegetables ….

As we talk planting, there are a few vegetables that can be a tad challenging, shall we say.  

  • Carrots. I love carrots but they really love loose soil, the seeds don’t like busting through hard soil.  One trick I heard from The Spruce is to plant radishes right next to the carrots, they come up first and have no problem breaking up the soil. Of course you’ll
 … [Continue reading]