Tips for pollinator planting


Fri. Oct. 14, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Tips for pollinator planting

The National Garden Bureau, of which I’m a member, offered up some fabulous tips for pollinator plantings that I want to share with you today.

While the point is to attract pollinators, the plants need to be nurtured. With their futures so intertwined, if we help one, we need to help both.

Tip number one… be kind to soil. Something like one tablespoon of soil holds more living forms than people currently populating  … [Continue reading]

Tips to protecting and feeding birds as winter approaches


Thu. Oct. 13, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Tips to protecting and feeding birds as winter approaches

Last week I talked about bird feeders and squirrels. Today it’s about WHAT to feed those birds as winter comes roaring in… at some point.

To offset the white of winter, or the bleak brown, it’s the BIRDS that help us through. And this is OUR time to help THEM through with plenty of nutrition!

Contrary to what I’ve heard some people say, feeding the birds in winter  … [Continue reading]

The finale for the Winged Wahoo


Wed. Oct. 12, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. radio show/podcast: The finale for the Winged Wahoo

This is the last year you can purchase a Winged Wahoo in my state, Minnesota. I had never heard that name for the shrub more commonly know as Burning Bush. However, it is FUN to say “winged wahoo”. Maybe since ‘Wahoo’ is a favorite word of mine!

In 2020, the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture named the Euonymus alatus (Burning Bush) their October Weed of the Month.

Here’s a very quick video from the  … [Continue reading]

Winter protection for outdoor containers


Tue. Oct. 11, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Winter protection for outdoor containers

We all know it’s coming, the s-word. And I ain’t talkin’ stew and sweatshirts! As I noted yesterday, it can happen early! HA! 

It’s time to start thinking about winter prep/storage of those ceramic/glazed containers that held your lovely plant arrangements all season.

I do leave out my large, heavy ceramic container to plant for the Christmas season.

I also have two other glazed pots, which handle the least amount of wet conditions  … [Continue reading]

What those “frosty” terms mean to our plants


Mon. Oct. 10, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: What those “frosty” terms mean to our plants

It’s not Winter yet, but it’s on the way and some have already experienced some temperatures dipping into the 20’s. I was on a recent motorcycle trip and 50 is a bit cool! Other friends were going this week where highs are in the low 40’s! Tomatoes and peppers have already been covered or lost.

We’ve traded out the summer annuals for mums and kale, brought the tropicals inside or

 … [Continue reading]

Preparing for migratory birds


Fri. Oct. 7, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Preparing for migratory birds

The monarch and the birds are beginning their migration very soon if they haven’t already.  I’ve had plenty of finches at my rain garden and munching on the seeds of the sunflowers I grew this year.

Now’s the time to clean out those bird feeders, get rid of the old bird seed and refresh them. Bonni, the bird expert, does not recommend anything but vinegar water to clean them. Do not use bleach or  … [Continue reading]

Planting before the ground freezes


Thu. Oct. 6, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Planting before the ground freezes

You can still plant healthy shrubs and trees into November! This does NOT mean evergreens. You need to wait till next spring for them.

While our temperatures can get pretty cold, the ground in our zone 3 and 4 climates doesn’t “generally” freeze until late in November and December. That means you can take advantage of deals at your local nursery.

When shopping, don’t be afraid to take the plants out of their  … [Continue reading]

Overwintering geraniums


Wed. Oct. 5, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Overwintering geraniums

In the last couple of years I’ve heard more and more people overwintering geraniums. So, today, after seeing the University of Minnesota Extension jump into it, I thought I would share their information.

Full disclosure, I have not attempted this but my sister did and had some success.

Geraniums can be overwintered indoors by taking cuttings, potting up individual plants or storing bare-root plants in a cool, dry location. Make sure to do one or  … [Continue reading]

Planting on a septic system


Tue. Oct. 4, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Planting on a septic system

Many years ago I lived on 5 acres that had a septic mound. It was hard to mow and the rider was not to be used on top. My clever idea was to plant native seed. Well, this way a LONG time ago when I was very new at the gardening game and I didn’t research it the way I should have.

There are rules to planting on septic systems and Prairie Moon

 … [Continue reading]

Digging up bulbs for winter storage


Mon. Oct. 3, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Digging up bulbs for winter storage

Last week we were planting bulbs for Spring bloom, today is about digging up bulbs for winter storage! Gladiolas, dahlias, cannas, begonias and elephant ears to name some!

It’s important to wait until the flowers are gone and the foliage of these plants is browning or completely  toast.

For the 2022-23 Winter, the Farmers Almanac is calling it “A Tale of Two Winters”. Their forecasted weather map splits the country in  … [Continue reading]