Adaptive gardening


Wed. Dec. 8, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Adaptive Gardening

There’s no better healer than being out in Nature. I’m talking physically and mentally. But, as I recently experienced, age can catch up and you may not be as “bendable” (ha) as you used to be. (I had hip surgery 2 months ago).

The point is, we can all use some help sometimes. Adaptive gardening is a way to help everyone enjoy gardening.

The National Garden Bureau had an article by Toni Gattone who has written  … [Continue reading]

2022 AAS Winners


Tue. Dec. 7, 2021

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

The 2022 AAS plant winners have been selected! The first I’ll talk about is a new eggplant. Don’t roll your eyes yet (that’s what I did). ‘Icicle’ is a white oblong cultivar.

The large, durable, and vigorous plants hold up to insect damage and the environment. The pure white skin doesn’t yellow and kids even liked it! The plant grows to 4 ft. It’s best growing on a trellis.

This next plant I had to  … [Continue reading]

The what and why of AAS


Mon. Dec. 6, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The what and why of AAS

The All America Selections for 2022 have been released. 

 A little history on AAS, in 1932, Ray Hastings (who owned a seed company) encouraged all seed companies to set up trial grounds, cooperatively test new varieties and agree to develop marketing efforts for new vegetables and flowers.

He recommended a national network of trial grounds throughout North American climates where flower and vegetable varieties would be grown and assessed by skilled  … [Continue reading]

Gardener gift ideas


Fri. Dec. 3, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Gardener gift ideas

Black Friday may be over but we’re seeing plenty of holiday shopping ads! As the gardener or one of them in your family, there’s nothing wrong with leaving hints about what you want! 

Tools are a gardener’s biggest friend. Good garden gloves and shovels are great.

But a good Garden Fork… well that’s the best.

The garden fork allows you to dig up plants, shrubs and trees with minimal damage to the roots.  It’s easier  … [Continue reading]

The benefits of bats and birds


Thu. Dec. 2, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The benefits of bats and birds

While some may scoff, bats have benefits.  You may not feel that way as you battle one inside your bedroom, however, before killing it, capture it and set it free.  Then look for the place in the bats are coming in and seal it up!

A bat in the house? What to do by Wildlife Removal USA.

Let’s talk about what bats DO do… not what you’re thinking! This is the  … [Continue reading]

The unwanted houseguest – mice


Wed. Dec. 1, 2021

Click below to listen to my  2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The unwanted houseguest – mice

Oh sure, he looks cute but the destruction and, egad!, waste left behind by these little creatures is NOT something you want in your home.  Here are some “fun” facts about mice you can use for trivia!

  • As cold seeps in, so do mice
  • Gestation period is just 19 days
  • They can have 6 or more babies per litter
  • They can have 13 litters a year
  • That’s a minimum of 78 mice
  • Where
 … [Continue reading]

Norfolk Pine – a tropical Christmas tree


Tue. Nov. 30, 2021

Click below to listen to my  2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Norfolk Pine – a tropical Christmas tree

 For those who have smaller homes or just don’t want the fuss of a big Christmas tree, check out the Norfolk Pine.

This houseplant, that’s in many nurseries right now, is not a pine at all! Native to Norfolk Island, a small island between New Zealand and New Caledonia, it can grow to nearly 200 ft.!

Here, in our northern climes, the Norfolk Pine has been a houseplant for decades.  … [Continue reading]

Christmas tree care


Mon. Nov. 29, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Christmas tree care

Local nurseries are filled with Fraser and Balsam Firs, Pine and other fresh cut Christmas trees… Fa la la la laaaah, la la la laaaah

You learned all about the different types of trees last week, which ones are the most fragrant, ones that can hold a lot of ornaments and ones that have those pretty soft needles. Now we need to talk about the CARE of those beauties you brought into your home.

How  … [Continue reading]

Christmas tree shopping


Fri. Nov. 26, 2021

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

Is it Black Friday? I saw ads for so many “early” black Fridays beginning a few weeks ago that I’m not sure it’s a thing! I DO hope you get a chance to shop your local businesses! 

Local nurseries are stocked with fabulous fresh greens and copious amounts of Christmas trees. 

The scent of a real tree has created many a lasting memory for most of us. Although there was that period in the 60’s with metal trees  … [Continue reading]

Happy Thanksgiving


Thu. Nov. 25, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Happy Thanksgiving

 It’s Thanksgiving. While things have been opening up, we’re still in a pandemic. Many of you may be gathering and for that, I wish you a full house and a full belly.

For those of you who may not be, I wish you a full heart of gratitude for the blessings you have and those to come. Perhaps you’re gathering once again, around Zoom or FaceTime or Google Duo, I pray you see those you love  … [Continue reading]