Independence Day and ‘Fireworks’ plants


Wed. Jul. 4, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Independence Day and ‘Fireworks’ plants

Garden Bite Fireworks 7-4-18

Today we celebrate Independence Day, the day our Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence!  A new Nation!  Most of us will be celebrating with cookouts and fireworks, absorbing time with friends and family.  

In honor of this day, I looked up plants with names that evoke the celebrations. Starting with an annual ornamental grass.  ‘Fireworks’ fountain grass grows to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide.  It’s blades  … [Continue reading]

Fireflies or Lightning bugs?


Mon. Jul. 2, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Fireflies or Lightning bugs?

Depending on what part of the country you come from, they’re either fireflies or lightning bugs. In the upper midwest, we kinda like both names!  The western half prefers firefly while the southeaster mid section prefers lightning bugs. Whatever you call ‘em, I’m thrilled to see so many!

When I was little, a long time ago and in a land south of Minnesota, it seemed like the evening backyard was alive with the magical  … [Continue reading]

Of Poppies and Peonies


Fri. Jun. 29, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min Garden Bite radio show:  Of Poppies and Peonies

GBTK 6-29-18

Cruising my emails, one of the nurseries sent me tantalizing photos, tempting me with their oriental poppies!  I must say, these late Spring/early summer bloomers are gorgeous. Though the blooms don’t last long, they’re worth it.  

You can plant bareroot plants in the Fall. The bloom that caught my eye is a 2018 introduction called ‘Snow Goose’.  It’s a pristine white with a deep maroon center.

Pair with ‘Raspberry Queen’… … [Continue reading]

Dividing Iris


Thu. Jun. 28, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min Garden Bite radio show: Dividing Iris

GBTK 6-28-18

Are your irises rising out of the ground?  And I don’t mean floated out, as we talked rainfall yesterday, I mean they’ve been left alone for years and are now fighting for room!

Generally it’s a good idea to divide your iris every 3 to 4 years. Dividing iris should be done 4 to 6  weeks after blooming, so sometime between July and early August according to the University of Minnesota Extension.

First,  … [Continue reading]

Hummingbirds


Wed. Jun. 27, 2018

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

The little garden jewel, the hummingbird, the bestower of Joy…

Hummingbirds have long been a part of traditional western cultures.  They represent joy and tenacity.   The hummingbird’s wing movement, which uses the up stroke as well as the down stroke for power,  appears to be the sign for infinity.  They also symbolize eternity.   In Caribbean cultures, it is believed that hummingbirds represent those we love who have passed on.  So if you see a hummingbird, perhaps that’s  … [Continue reading]

The Monarch Highway and habitat


Tue. Jun. 26, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  The Monarch Highway and habitat

Last week was Pollinator week and the Minnesota Dept of Transportation, affectionately called, MNDot, shared information on their partnership with 6 other state transportation departments to restore Monarch habitat along the Interstate 35 corridor. The Monarch Highway.

Monarchhighway.org

It’s a 1500 mile stretch that State departments of transportation are increasing the use of native plants on roadsides and  expanding the agency’s prescribed fire program to further enhance existing native vegetation and habitats.  … [Continue reading]

Rain, rain go away….


Mon. Jun. 25, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Rain, rain, go away…

The rain did not let up for a week…  including the first day of Summer!  Okay, enough whining.  Many of us have experienced excess rain, but some have had a real issue with flooding….

Then there’s just really wet lawns…  check out this information from the University of MN Extension from 2010 on wet lawns

Some folks are seeing lots of mushrooms in their lawn… Inky Cap

Others are dealing with standing water (as  … [Continue reading]

Year of the Calibrachoa


Fri. Jun. 22, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Year of the Calibrachoa

Holy Calibrachoa!  I can’t think of a prettier little annual to add to every container, well, most every container, than the calibrachoa, the little sister of the Petunia.  

The National Garden Bureau has designated 2018, the Year of the Calibrachoa! Over the course of the last 20-30 years, Calibrachoa came from Brazil to Japan, to Europe and America, and then into your garden.  

It’s definitely the “new kid on the block” and breeders  … [Continue reading]

Summer solstice


Thu. Jun. 21, 2018

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

It is officially the first day of Summer!  The summer solstice took place at 5:07 this morning!   Of course it felt like we were in the tropics last week!  ARG….  Still, happy to celebrate!

This is the longest day of the year, for some it means the middle of summer, but I would say for most of us in colder climates, it’s more like the beginning of summer!  I’m cool with that!

Cultures have celebrated this  … [Continue reading]

Diagnosing plant decline


Wed. Jun. 20, 2018

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Diagnosing plant decline

I think the toughest part of gardening is trying to figure out why a plant isn’t thriving!

Is it an insect, is it a disease, are my plants getting the nutrients they need.  Enough water, too much water? Maybe this particular plant doesn’t like afternoon sun or one day you’re looking down on something that makes you go “eeewww, what’s that?”

Here are some questions that a Master Gardener might ask of you to find  … [Continue reading]