Shrubs for containers 2023


Wed. Apr. 12, 2023

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

Container gardening is a trend that continues. Proven Winners, a major plant breeding company, shares some perfect shrubs for your containers. First up is a native plant! Aronia melanocarpa aka Black Chokeberry.

Specifically Low Scape Mound (a nativar) is hardy to zone 3 and offers three-season appeal with masses of white spring flowers, black summer fruit and fabulous red fall color. Low Scape is under half the size of the native species growing  … [Continue reading]

Rain barrels and compost bins


Tue. Apr. 11, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Rain barrels and compost bins

 April Showers bring May flowers.  At least that’s the hope and that moisture isn’t in the solid form of snow! 

Rainwater is the best kind of water for your landscapes and gardens and capturing it is a good thing for several reasons.

First, it’s free!  It’s also a good stormwater management practice.  Corralling that precious water before it rushes down the storm drain and carries with it phosphorous that is a major contributor

 … [Continue reading]

New book review: A Northern Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants and Pollinators


Mon. Apr. 10, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: A Northern Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants and Pollinators

I am so excited to share this new book with you. I received a copy from the publisher to review and, I have to say, I am more than happy to report “A Northern Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants and Pollinators, creating habitat in the Northeast, Great Lakes and Upper Midwest” by Lorraine Johnson and Sheila Colla, is even better than I anticipated.

Sharing knowledge on ALL things in  … [Continue reading]

Choosing your Easter lily


Fri. Apr. 7, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Choosing your Easter lily

This Sunday is Easter. It changes every year as Easter always falls on the first Sunday after a full moon between March 22nd and April 25th, approximately. This Christian Holy Day is marked by cherished traditions that bring joy, comfort, warmth and a continuity between generations.

The beautiful trumpet-shaped white flowers of the Easter Lily, or lilium longiflorum symbolize purity, hope and life – the spiritual essence of Easter – a time of renewal.  … [Continue reading]

Mulch and a tragic misstep IMHO


Thu. Apr. 6, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Mulch and a tragic misstep IMHO

I just read a statement from a website that is thought to be very reputable. It’s used by a LOT of lay people to get, what they believe, is the best information. That’s why I had to do this Garden Bite.

I won’t name the website but it clearly stated that plastic and landscape materials (fabric) are great mulch for foundation areas. NO, please do NOT use either of those. Ever.

The  … [Continue reading]

Assessing wildlife damage on plants


Wed. Apr. 5, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Assessing wildlife damage on plants

The weather was warm enough to start shoveling out the 4 ft. pile next to my back door to melt!

I’m now wearing a brace on my elbow. BOY that stuff was frozen! And then…

I’ve been continuing to tread lightly in my gardens but I DID see life! 

Have you been assessing wildlife damage? I have damage on nearly all my shrubs and even some perennials. 

Rabbits, voles and squirrels can all  … [Continue reading]

Tomato and pepper seed start time 2023


Tue. Apr. 4, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Tomato and pepper seed start time 2023

The last official frost date for Zone 4 is May 15th while zone 3 is looking at about May 25th.  That date is completely subject to the current weather!

I’m in zone 4b and we have yet to reach our first 50 degree day. (It was predicted but didn’t quite get there).  The average first 50 degree day in my area is March 9th. At this point, let’s  … [Continue reading]

Climate zones plus!


Mon. Apr. 3, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Climate zones plus!

I’ve seen the buzz lately in trade magazines and websites discussing the fact that our climate zones are NOT absolute. This isn’t really NEW news but it IS news that backyard weed warriors or weekend gardeners don’t really think about.

First a little info on how climate zones are determined; Data is collected for a 30-year period from nearly 8,000 temperature stations around the country to create the hardiness zone map. The data is reviewed  … [Continue reading]

Understory native plants


Fri. Mar. 31, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Understory native plants

 Looking for plants that do well in those shaded areas under your trees aka understory plants? I’m sharing some fabulous native perennials today from Prairie Moon Nursery.

Instead of surrounding your trees with rocks, which we know is a no-no, plant some companions that will help ward off weeds and add some flare!

Wild geraniums are a favorite of mine. They are hardy to zone 3, grow to about a foot tall and fill  … [Continue reading]

Maple Syruping 2023


Thu. Mar. 30, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Maple Syruping 2023

 I’ve spotted tapped trees!

It’s not too late to get some golden goodness out of your trees. Although it’s not really gold flowing, it looks more like water!

Weather plays a big role in sap flow. Maple sap runs best when daytime temperatures are in the high 30s to mid-40s and overnight temperatures are below freezing.

This cycle of above-freezing days and below-freezing nights needs to continue for several days, although nature occasionally has been  … [Continue reading]