What does “hard frost” mean?


Wed. Oct. 13, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: What does “hard frost” mean?

 It’s not Winter yet, but it’s on the way and some have already experienced some temperatures dipping into the 30’s. Some folks “Up North” have covered tomatoes or just given up!

We’ve traded out the summer annuals for mums…

We’ve brought the tropicals inside or bid them adieu into the compost pile and are working on getting those spring bulbs in the ground before our fingers freeze.

There’s also digging OUT bulbs such  … [Continue reading]

Protecting your Evergreens


Tue. Oct. 12, 2021

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

 As we head into the “Season of Shivers”, according to the Farmers Almanac for the winter of 21-22, protecting your evergreens is a subject we can get started on early!

Evergreen foliage is subject to winter burn. This happens when winter sun and wind trigger transpiration allowing water loss, also called desiccation.

First I want to remind you to water your evergreens up until the ground is frozen, that is into late November!  With the  … [Continue reading]

Protecting your woodies


Mon. Oct. 11, 2021

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

It’s not too early to start thinking about winter protection for your woodies! Before you get the wrong idea… I’m talking about your trees and shrubs!

 Woody plants are plants that have hard stems (thus the term, “woody“) and that have buds that survive above ground in winter. The best-known examples are trees and shrubs (bushes). These are commonly broken down further into the deciduous and evergreen categories. The opposite of “

 … [Continue reading]

Herbs for indoors


Fri. Oct. 8, 2021

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

Fresh herbs are a necessity in my garden…

…but you can also have them indoors. And there are local nurseries that are happy to supply you with some fabulous plants! Not all herbs enjoy the great indoors but plenty do and I’ll share them with you. 

Most herbs need six hours of direct sunlight.

  • Place them at or near a window with a southern exposure, or 6 to 12 inches under two 40 watt cool
 … [Continue reading]

Bird feeders, roosting houses and squirrels


Thu. Oct. 7, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Bird feeders, roosting houses and squirrels

 We’re gearing up for the migration of many birds. It’s time to clean out those bird feeders, get rid of the old bird seed and refresh them. I highly recommend Spike’s feed, seed and pet supply. Their bird feed is locally sourced and milled daily. 

I spoke with a bird expert who said does not recommend anything but vinegar water to clean them. Do not use bleach or soaps due to residue  … [Continue reading]

Planting before the ground freezes


Wed. Oct. 6, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Planting before the ground freezes

You can still plant healthy shrubs and trees into November! The ground in our zone 3 and 4 climates doesn’t “generally” freeze until late in November and December. That means you can take advantage of deals at your local nursery.

When shopping, don’t be afraid to take the plants out of their container, if you can do so without harming them, to see that the roots are in good shape. Root bound is  … [Continue reading]

Digging up bulbs for winter storage


Tue. Oct. 5, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Digging up bulbs for winter storage

Yesterday was about digging IN bulbs, today it’s about digging them OUT!

Gladiolas, dahlias, cannas, begonias and elephant ears to name a few, need to be dug up when the foliage is toast and then stored for the winter.

Clearly this canna is not finished! While it IS growing in a container, I will dig this up after it’s toast and store it. This will be a first with this ‘Cleopatra’ canna. … [Continue reading]

You dig in bulbs, squirrels dig them out


Mon. Oct. 4, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: You dig in bulbs, squirrels dig them out!

 Fall bulb planting is upon us, the garden centers are filled up with some amazing options. And many questions arise about keeping squirrels from digging them right back up and eating them!

People have discussed ideas about what to do for as long as we’ve planted bulbs. Some say the most effective method is to sink chicken wire into the ground around your bulb bed and then cover the area  … [Continue reading]

October perennial care


Fri. Oct. 1, 2021

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

Yowza, it’s October 1st and time for some October to-do’s in the garden.

The seeds of rudbeckia and coneflower are ready to be collected if they’re dried!

Cut the heads off in the afternoon when the plant is dry, open the flower head and collect the seeds. You can store them in a dry area in jars or envelopes.  Make sure you mark them or it really will be a surprise! 

Sometimes you’ll get the  … [Continue reading]

Hummingbirds heading out


Thu. Sep. 30, 2021

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

 I still see those little jewels at my Honeysuckle vine and red mandevilla! But they’ll be on the move very soon. 

Hummingbirds, their wings beating out the symbol for infinity, and a tattoo on the back of my shoulder!  All 350 (or so) species of hummingbirds are native to the Americas! Another great guide to all kinds of birds comes from Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 

As for the Upper Midwest, we are graced with 7  … [Continue reading]