Feeding your shrubs


Thu. May. 26, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Feeding your shrubs

Yesterday we established that it’s a good idea to feed your container plantings and other herbaceous plants. 

Shrubs and trees could use some food too. Keeping plants healthy helps lower opportunities for disease and insects to do damage. 

A caveat to fertilizer response is the environment your shrubs are grown in.  For instance, according to Proven Winners, soil fertility, aeration, drainage, exposure to sun and wind, temperature of the site, and proximity to buildings, walks  … [Continue reading]

The 411 on fertilizing


Wed. May. 25, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The 411 on fertilizing

Did you go plant shopping?

I’m notoriously bad at feeding my plants once I’ve planted them. I add an organic fertilizer when first planted…

So, in that vein, I’m going to help you AND me!  Proven Winners, one of the top plant breeders, says it’s really important to feed your container plants.  That makes sense, they’re roots can only go so far and get so much! 

Since annuals live their entire life in one  … [Continue reading]

Cutting back perennials to control height


Tue. May. 24, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Cutting back perennials to control height

 I have a butterfly garden on my corner. And I was told by the city a few years ago that some of my plants were too tall. While I AM on the corner, only one street really gets much traffic. So, don’t tell anyone but my plants will be tall again.

However, I can cut them back, and you can too. For instance, you may not like the flopover that can happen  … [Continue reading]

Herbs for pollinators


Mon. May. 23, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Herbs for pollinators

Last week I shared a lot of plants that attract pollinators, including perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs. I’ve also shared with you that swallowtail caterpillars LOVE parsley and dill.

While I admit to breaking down and mowing my lawn last week, I DO have herbs out there for pollinators. And, of course, for me too! Beside dill (recipes) and parsley, there are other herbs that pique the interest of pollinators including fennel  … [Continue reading]

Tomato and pepper planting


Fri. May. 20, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Tomato and pepper planting

Okay, so we had 90 degrees where I live… and sometime this week (I think today) it’s supposed to be a low of 39… UGH. Anyway, I DID plant my tomatoes and pepper.

Many of you have already planted tomatoes too. In fact some nurseries have already run out! Soil temperatures should be at least 60 degrees for tomatoes and even warmer for peppers. There are plenty of soil temp gauges out there, it’s  … [Continue reading]

Watering newly planted trees and shrubs


Thu. May. 19, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Watering newly planted trees and shrubs

We selected the appropriate trees/shrubs for our site and planted them properly. NOW…. we need to pay attention to WATERING.

When first planted, these “investments” are establishing their root systems to  withstand what Mother Nature throws at them.  If you didn’t get a watering schedule from the nursery you bought your plants from, this guide will help you.  Watering newly planted trees and shrubs [U of MN extension]

Root systems of bare  … [Continue reading]

Trees: plant this, not that


Wed. May. 18, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Trees: plant this, not that

My favorite arborist, Faith Appelquist of Treequality, shared her thoughts on the worst trees for planting. Tree selection is a big deal, they’re an investment in dollars and time. 

There are lots of considerations, one of those is the mature size of the tree you select.  Oftentimes, homeowners don’t see the 4 ft. sapling they planted 4 feet from the foundation growing to 40 feet tall! That’s NOT a good thing.

So,  … [Continue reading]

Blueberry – the antioxidant superhero


Tue. May. 17, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Blueberry – the antioxidant superhero

I’ve talked about blueberries before, in fact, a long time before as you’ll see from this video I did, maybe 15 YEARS ago! It was probably the 3rd video I’d done on gardening!   Cut me some slack!  ?

The Blueberry is a tasty  antioxidant  superhero and a lovely shrub with rockin’ fall foliage.

It does offer gardeners in the upper midwest a bit of a unique challenge as they like a more acidic  … [Continue reading]

Pollinator plants and hummingbird attractors


Mon. May. 16, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Pollinator plants and hummingbird attractors

Planting to attract all kinds of pollinators and hummingbirds too!  I have native plants scattered all over my landscape, in particular my butterfly garden and rain garden.

But –  I also enjoy  new cultivars, so don’t be afraid to plant them. The one thing we have to understand is that there is almost always a trade-off of some sort.  Maybe that rose color is spectacular, but it has lost some of its fragrance.  … [Continue reading]

The dirt on plant shopping


Fri. May. 13, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The dirt on plant shopping

Tis better to bloom in the garden than in the garden center! When plant shopping bigger is not always better.

If you see a little wilting it could be a sign of a root problem.  Look for plants with good color on the leaves.  Look under the leaves for any possible insects.  If you have a plant loupe, bring it with you!  You’ll look ultra cool, I promise.  ;-)

Plant loupe

Seriously, in some of the  … [Continue reading]