Garden trends 2022


Wed. Mar. 2, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Garden trends 2022

Some trends for the garden in 2022 include Gardening For Climate Change.  If you live in an area prone to wildfires, there are some plants that you really may want to consider. First up are drought tolerant plants, they’re less likely to ignite immediately. Firewise in Minnesota (DNR) has more information that works for any of us.  Click on the 50 things you can do to protect your home. Here’s a short list: … [Continue reading]

Perennials for shade


Tue. Mar. 1, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Perennials for shade

All I have is shade, is there any other plant beside Hosta? I’ve heard that so many times. And the answer is still the same. YES! Let’s first evaluate shade. First note that the amount of sunlight does NOT have to be all at one time and the vast majority of us have SOME sun at points throughout the day.

  • Part shade is 3 to 4 hours of sunlight 
  • Full shade is less than 4
 … [Continue reading]

Bare-root plants


Mon. Feb. 28, 2022

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

Bare-root plants are typically one to perhaps even 3 years old when dug out of the ground where they’ve been growing. They’re shipped to you with no soil, just moist peat moss around the roots. 

Bareroot plants are dormant and prefer to be planted in the cold! You just need to be able to dig a hole in the soil. These plants need to be planted right away. If not, you need to keep them refrigerated  … [Continue reading]

More to a salad than lettuce


Fri. Feb. 25, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: More to a salad than lettuce

 An article on more to salads than lettuce from the National Garden Bureau really caught my eye. As someone who brings salad to work for lunch nearly every day, I can attest to the fact that there are plenty of greens to spice up your salad and add even more nutritional value.

Arugula is a favorite of mine, it has a great bite and is easy to grow. Plant seed as soon  … [Continue reading]

Long-lived perennials


Thu. Feb. 24, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Long-lived perennials

 If you’re looking to plant and be done with it, consider some long-lived plants. That said, no plant lives that long without some care which may include division. Peonies, which are perennials, come to my mind first.

They will likely far out last you! It takes them 2 to 3 years to produce blooms but they can live over 100 years. Hardy to zone 3 there are various varieties for bloom time and flower shape.  … [Continue reading]

GMO’s vs Hybrids


Wed. Feb. 23, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: GMO’s vs Hybrids

What’s the difference between hybrid plants and genetically modified plants? First, modifications or genetic mutations, if you will, take place in every living thing naturally. When 2 people (or birds) have a baby, there’s some mutation going on.

Hybridizers have been modifying plants since agriculture began, it used to take 6 to 10 generations to change characteristics. Modern hybridization speeds up that process considerably. Using a method of controlled crossing devised by Charles Darwin and  … [Continue reading]

Pussy Willows for early Pollinators


Tue. Feb. 22, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Pussy Willows for early Pollinators

 I talked last week about some new 2022 Spring bloomers. Today I’m focusing on our native Pussy willows! This native shrub provides some of the earliest flowers which means pollen for our native bees! The foliage is also host to native butterfly caterpillars.

Pussy willows are fast growing, up to 15 to 20 feet tall and prefer wet sites but will tolerate a wide variety of soils. These shrubs are either  … [Continue reading]

Winter seed sowing and indoor planting


Mon. Feb. 21, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Winter seed sowing and indoor planting

Frigid temps have still been lingering and in colder climates, you still have a week to get outside and plant native seed. Winter Seed Sowing. 

Many folks have already purchased seed they intend on starting indoors. Right now would be the time for some flowers. Here’s a great visual for you on WHEN to plant:

What you need:

  • a place to put your seedlings! Sunny window? Basement with artificial light?
  • sterile
 … [Continue reading]

2022 Spring bloomers


Fri. Feb. 18, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: 2022 Spring bloomers

It’s fun Friday and I’m going to share some fab NEW Spring bloomers for 2022 from Proven Winners. A sweet alyssum named for me? Probably not but it’s called ‘Moonlight Knight’, with a K!

This annual has masses of fragrant soft yellow blooms from planting to frost. It’s 8 to 10 inches tall but trails to 2 ft! Lovely in landscapes and containers. It’s heat tolerant too.

You’ve heard the term, Baffle ‘em  … [Continue reading]

Soil vs soil-less mixes


Thu. Feb. 17, 2022

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Soil vs soil-less mixes

Yesterday we talked about repotting your pot-bound plants and I mentioned soil.  There are so many types of soils and soil-less mixtures on the market, which do you choose? 

Let’s first talk about the functions of soil or potting media:

  • The first function of a potting media is to anchor the roots.
  • The next is to feed the plant, provide it with minerals and nutrients. 
  • And finally, to allow air to reach the roots.  
 … [Continue reading]