Read the plant label


Tue. Aug. 1, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio feature:  Read the plant label

Sounds simple doesn’t it?  Well…..

Let’s take Viburnum for instance.  This group of shrubs consists of more than 150 species and cultivars.  Light preferences can vary from full sun to shade, heights vary from 2 feet to 30 feet and, some berries are edible while others are not!  You really need to know what cultivar will fit your needs.

The Viburnum called ‘Highbush Cranberry’ is known as Viburnum Trilobum in latin.  This bush will  … [Continue reading]

August to-do’s


Mon. Jul. 31, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show;  August to-do’s

There are still plenty of things to do in the garden as we wait for those mouthwatering tomatoes to really start producing and I can start roasting!  But that’s another Garden Bite.

Now’s a good time to deadhead those flowers.  I really went after my Blue Salvia.  It was flopped open…

When you deadhead, you’ll cut the flower off, generally speaking, at the first set of healthy leaves.  What happens is you stop the plant from  … [Continue reading]

Allergy “free” garden


Fri. Jul. 21, 2017

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Allergy “free” garden

AHCHOO! Runny nose, runny eyes don’t make for a fun day in the garden. If you’re a sufferer, there are some plants that are less problematic!

  • Lilacs
  • Dogwoods
  • Daisy
  • Hardy geranium
  • Hardy Hibiscus
  • Roses
  • Tulips
  • Irises
  • Cherry, Pear and Plum trees

Plants to nix for the nose due to their “Achoo” factor:

  • grasses
  • Maple
  • Oak
  • Birch
  • Juniper
  • Cedar
  • Cottonwood

Some tips to silence the sniffles are to wash your hands often and rinse your eyes  … [Continue reading]

My butterfly garden and other natives


Fri. Jul. 14, 2017

Click below to listen to my Garden Bite radio show:  My butterfly garden and other natives

I planted a butterfly garden earlier this year.  The rabbits got some of that too.  They’re prolific enough this year that I’ve contemplated severe measures, but I don’t think it’s legal in my neighborhood!  Anyway, there are some species growing as you can see!  I bought 48 plants from my County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Here’s a LINK to my May Garden Bite on the above garden with cost and exactly what plants  … [Continue reading]

Drought tolerant plants


Tue. Jul. 11, 2017

Click below to listen to my Garden Bite radio show:  Drought tolerant plants

It’s coming…  the “dog days” of summer.  90 some degrees will brings on crackling lawns and drooping flowers

Characterisitics of a drought tolerant plant:

  • fuzzy leaves – fine little hairs capture water
  • gray leaves – their light color reflects sunlight
  • large fleshy roots – below ground storage units
  • succulent leaves – above ground storage units

And one of my favorites!  Sea Holly

Sea Holly

While large fleshy roots hold water underground, succulent leaves like those on Sedums, hold their  … [Continue reading]

Host plants for butterfly larvae


Thu. Jul. 6, 2017

Click below to listen to my Garden Bite radio show:  Host plants for butterfly larvae

When I first saw the red long-horned beetles all over my milkweed plants, I freaked out and went on a mass killing spree.  And they’re back.  The jury is out on whether to kill them, they’re pretty easy to squish this time of year while they’re trying to procreate.   8e4d322d187aa233064841a784ea852f

As Milkweed are host to the Monarch butterfly larvae, I don’t want to use any chemical to rid the plant of those bugs!

If you like  … [Continue reading]

Mosquito Eaters


Wed. Jul. 5, 2017

Click below to listen to my Garden Bite radio show:  Mosquito Eaters

I get up very early and am on my way to work at about 4:45 in the morning.  It’s about the same time the bats are flying back to their homes after a grand night of feeding.  Let me introduce you to the Little Brown Bat.

Little Brown Bat

Little Brown Bat

This little fella can munch down 1200 mosquitoes in an hour and when you live in Wisconsin or Minnesota, you gotta give props to ‘em. They may not be  … [Continue reading]

Vines to shade


Fri. Jun. 30, 2017

Click below to listen to my Garden Bite radio show:  Vines to shade

The caveat to “vines for shade”, is that they all need SOME sun.  That said, here are some lovely options.

Honeysuckle vine is just lovely!  I have quite a bit of it.  It gets morning sun and afternoon shade.

It blooms repeatedly all summer and the hummingbirds LOVE it!

I’ll be cutting it back in late winter!

Virgin’s Bower is a native clematis that’s been growing in another Master Gardeners garden quite nicely.  It flowers from July  … [Continue reading]

Garden bed renewal – choosing plants and elements


Thu. Jun. 29, 2017

Click below to listen to my Garden Bite radio show:  Garden bed renewal – choosing plants and elements

Selecting the plants for your new bed is the fun part!  Keep in mind your sun/shade conditions.  The type of soil you have (amend if necessary).  As I said yesterday, I added 2 inches of compost into the top 8 inches of soil.  This added nitrogen and helps fluff the soil for better drainage.

Grass Sticks to coreopsis

Grass Sticks

Adding garden sculptures “pauses” your eye, as Jennifer Wolcott describes.  She’s the creator of these grass sticks that  … [Continue reading]

Garden bed renewal


Wed. Jun. 28, 2017

Click below to listen to my Garden Bite radio show:  Garden bed renewal

Sometimes you just have to start over.  I know, it can be painful but pulling out plants that have become overgrown and loaded with weeds is sometimes easier than trying to pick through it.  That’s what I did at my new home in July of 2012.  [tomorrow you’ll see what it looks like in 2017!]

perennial before with thistles and more

Thistles and phlox and trees oh my

First I hand pulled as much as I could.  I never did use a total vegetation killer , although I pondered it!   … [Continue reading]