Christmas tree placement and care


Tue. Nov. 29, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Christmas tree placement and care

You learned all about the different types of Christmas trees on yesterdays Garden Bite. Today is about caring for your fresh tree.

FIRST know WHERE you’ll place your tree so you can measure the area.

You may think you’re good at eyeballing it, but once that baby’s in the house, you don’t want to cut it! Seriously, friends did this. Their tree was way too large for their home. Let’s just say that  … [Continue reading]

Fresh Christmas tree selection


Mon. Nov. 28, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min.  Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Fresh Christmas tree selection

Local nurseries are stocked with fabulous fresh greens and copious amounts of Christmas trees. The scent of a real tree has created many a lasting memory for most of us.

Of course we can’t forget the 60’s with the metal trees and rotating colored lights! They’ve made a comeback in the last few years and I’ve also spotted pink and champagne colored artificial trees! They can be fun too.

But TODAY is about choosing

 … [Continue reading]

Shopping madness 2022


Fri. Nov. 25, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden  Bite radio show/podcast: Shopping madness 2022

Yesterday we packed our bellies, today we’re packing shopping bags! 

For gardeners here is a list of my favorites, including my new favorite tool, the Hori Hori knife! Seriously, I can’t believe I went this long without one! I’m also a huge fan of garden forks. I use mine consistently. It’s so much easier on the plants and their roots and also on ME.

As for gloves, I have probably about 10 pair all over  … [Continue reading]

Happy Thanksgiving 2022


Thu. Nov. 24, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Happy Thanksgiving 2022

 Happy Thanksgiving, may your house and your belly be full today.

As you belly up to the table, think about the herbs in the stuffing you could grow! Parsley and sage are two easy ones!

I generally grow rosemary and use that in LOTS of dishes, in particular when I’ve thrown chicken, pork or beef in the crock pot.

Oh, and those little red potatoes would be easy to grow.

Maybe you could ask for  … [Continue reading]

New vegetables for 2023


Wed. Nov. 23, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: New vegetables for 2023

 I get all kinds of emails from plant companies including Johnny’s Selected Seeds with the headline “New for 2023 Vegetable Varieties”! Well I had to look!

Some new vegetables for 2023

First up, one of my favorite vegetables/fruits – a new cherry tomato! Mochi has a whole new texture. It’s kinda weird. Instead of bursting in your mouth, they say it’s like eating a gumdrop. I’m not quite sure what to think about that. … [Continue reading]

Dormant oils – what are they?


Tue. Nov. 22, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Dormant oils – what are they?

What are dormant oils and when and why would you apply them?  A listener had asked this question before and today, I thought I’d revisit it as it’s been a few years! 

Apples, crabapples, plums, quince and pears all benefit from dormant oil, as do gooseberry and currant bushes.

Other fruit-bearing trees and bushes don’t have any need for this type of oil as they don’t often harbor the same pests.

These

 … [Continue reading]

Spruce tips/tops 2022


Mon. Nov. 21, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Spruce tips/tops 2022

I know, it’s not Thanksgiving yet but already all the spruce top pots and decorations are being sold. Perhaps because it suddenly got REAL cold.

In fact, since I was sick when it was warm I didn’t get out to disconnect my hoses from the hose and empty them before they froze. UGH, I did get to them later but I’m just hoping they’ll be fine. Shout out to Dramm hoses! Oh, and another irritant,  … [Continue reading]

Planning perennial edibles for next year


Fri. Nov. 18, 2022

Click to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Planning perennial edibles for next year

When planting our edible gardens, most of us think of them as annuals. Here’s a look at 3 perennial edibles and 1 herb hardy to zone 4 climates. 

The first is one I’ve never been a huge fan of but almost everyone I know loves it. Asparagus. It takes commitment to grow this guy but once established, your asparagus bed will yield for years.

They prefer a neutral pH soil. Choose a  … [Continue reading]

Infused sugars – party gift


Thu. Nov. 17, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Infused sugars – party gift

Party season is upon us. Now that we are back to gathering a lot more in person, that means more parties, which means, as guests, we like to bring a little something for the one hosting the festivities.

In my department at work, we sometimes give each other a little something. Last year I gave small jars of infused sugar. 

I made the following videos back in 2018. I have additional info  … [Continue reading]

What holiday is your cactus blooming in?


Wed. Nov. 16, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: What holiday is your cactus blooming in?

I hate to disappoint you but your “Christmas” cactus is not an overachiever…

 I changed my cover photo on my personal Facebook page and got a lot of comments so I thought it was time to revisit this subject. 

Every year people are mixed up on what kind of flowering cactus they have. If yours is blooming now, like mine is, it’s a Thanksgiving cactus.

It’s not just because that’s the  … [Continue reading]