Indoor compost stuff


Wed. Nov. 10, 2021

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

Compost happens, even in winter. I was leery about putting a kitchen compost bucket on my countertop.

I thought, it’s gonna stink and attract fruit flies, ugh those things are annoying!  The fact is, they do, BUT there are some things I’ve learned.

For one, clean it every time you empty it. That includes taking the filter out and scrubbing in the nooks and crannies of the lid. I found stuff there I did NOT  … [Continue reading]

Amaryllis bulbs


Tue. Nov. 9, 2021

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

Where I work, the amaryllis bulbs have been out for a while, and there’s a NEW type I’d never seen before. It’s covered in decorative wax with no watering necessary. PS, those waxed bulbs do not rebloom.

Amaryllis are synonymous with the holidays as we watch their growth and those incredible blooms!

Bulbs take 4 to 6 weeks from planting to bloom, depending on how much sun and warmth they get in their location, writes Eric  … [Continue reading]

Perennial seed picking and the plea to leave those perennials standing


Mon. Nov. 8, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Perennial seed picking and the plea to leave those perennials standing

 I leave my perennials up for winter for a couple of reasons, winter interest for me and food and shelter for the birds.

I had a goldfinch munching early on the seeds of my coneflowers and blackeyed susans.

The chickadees are picking away at them too. I still have berries on my honeysuckle vines that, last year, the cedar waxwings went wild for. They devoured all the  … [Continue reading]

Alas, Burning Bush


Fri. Nov. 5, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Alas, Burning Bush

 I love burning bush.

And I’m so disappointed that it is invasive. But, there it is, the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture has deemed it a noxious weed due to how it has overtaken as an understory plant in our forests, knocking out our natives.

It’s “legal status” at the moment is Specially Regulated with a 3 year production phase-out which will then be moved to Restricted beginning January 1, 2023.

That means nurseries will not  … [Continue reading]

Remove those annual vines


Thu. Nov. 4, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Remove those annual vines

Vines are wonderful to soften fences. Annual vines are fun because you can change them out every year.

Leave your perennial vines alone right now, but it’s time to pull out those annual vines like Scarlet Runner bean, Morning Glories and Black-eyed Susan vines.

The University of Minnesota extension says it’s easier to remove these vines now as the stem is firmer.

Start by using your pruner or hedge shears to cut the  … [Continue reading]

Wood betony – an overlooked native


Wed. Nov. 3, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Wood betony – an overlooked native

Always a favorite, my Northern Gardener magazine, did not disappoint.

As you know I have a butterfly garden and also a rain garden, I plant “mostly” native plants.

And wouldn’t you know, there’s one I hadn’t scoped out before. Wood betony aka Pedicularis canadensis.

It’s a bit of a parasitic plant with a taproot and lateral roots that attach to the roots of grasses, asters and a few other plants, making  … [Continue reading]

Dormant seeding your lawn


Tue. Nov. 2, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Dormant seeding your lawn

 It’s the first week of November already and you didn’t get to seeding those dead spots in your lawn. That’s okay, dormant seeding is doable.

This practice involves seeding when temperatures are too low for the seed to germinate prior to winter. The trick is to find the time when soils are unfrozen so that seed can be worked in slightly, yet air temperatures must be cold enough so the seed won’t germinate.

With  … [Continue reading]

Toxic flowers


Mon. Nov. 1, 2021

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

 As you peruse garden catalogs and local garden center websites, there are some flowers you might think twice about planting if you have a pet that likes to gnaw on everything.

One plant that’s controversial is ‘Lily of the Valley’, which is NOT a lily, has an attractive smell. I hate how it takes over wherever it’s planted.

But wait, there’s more. All parts of the plant are toxic to humans, cats and dogs if ingested.  … [Continue reading]

The Tradition of Halloween


Fri. Oct. 29, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The Tradition of Halloween

Halloween 2020 had its own creep factor and in 2021 folks are being cautious but there will be costumed parties and trick or treating.

 

There are differing opinions as to the origin of the celebration of Halloween. 

I’m going with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced Sow in). These people celebrated the new year on November 1st as the end of summer and harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold  … [Continue reading]

Mischief night and nature’s nocturnal creatures


Thu. Oct. 28, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Mischief night and nature’s nocturnal creatures

On the east coast the night before Halloween was called “Mischief Night” when the “other” kids pulled pranks on their neighbors.

But what mischief might lurk in the garden at night?  The top prankster would have to be the raccoon! 

They’re really cute and really naughty! From tossing our garbage to making their home in our uncapped chimneys, they are a nuisance to say the least.   The MN DNR on Raccoons.  … [Continue reading]