Avoid pruning trees in drought


Mon. Aug. 23, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Avoid pruning trees in drought

 While listeners in Wisconsin are faring far better this Summer of Drought, Minnesota is in tough shape. Only far southeastern Minnesota is okay. Most of the rest of the state is in severe to extreme drought.  A map from Aug. 19, 2021

You’ve likely seen your stress on your trees and shrubs. My hydrangeas are unhappy, leaves have started to drop on trees too early. Other signs include leaf curling, wilting and discoloration.  … [Continue reading]

Garden supplies on the cheap


Fri. Aug. 20, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Garden supplies on the cheap

Gardening can cost money but there are many ways to save.

Years ago I lived on a 5 acre lot with a lovely wooded area. I wanted a wide path of mulch through it to enjoy.

Tree trimming companies often pay to dump their chips at a city-owned facility. If you’re willing to give up driveway space, they will dump it in your driveway for free! We got 4 loads worth. It would  … [Continue reading]

Making a burlap hanging basket


Thu. Aug. 19, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Making a burlap hanging basket

I love my hanging baskets. I have some unique baskets that I’ve reused…

But a few years ago I decided to make my own “unique” basket. After so many years of cocoa bean shell liners, they were shot so I found some cheap burlap bags.

First, cut a circle just about twice the diameter of your basket.  I cut mine to 24 inches across.

You can trim after you get it all set.   … [Continue reading]

Of cheap shrubs and rock mulch


Wed. Aug. 18, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Of cheap shrubs and rock mulch

While talking with a neighbor a few years back, I couldn’t help but notice another neighbor on the other side of the fence planting shrubs. She was working very hard, clearing a ton of weeds and junk and placing her purchases. I asked what she was planting. The woman said they were blueberry bushes, she got a deal through work.

My first thought was uh oh, she’s planting in too much shade  … [Continue reading]

Audible garden


Tue. Aug. 17, 2021

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

 I love the sound of birds singing in the morning. I talk often about pollinator gardens but what about planting an “audible” garden?

Follow this LINK for the bigger picture from the UofMN. And more on a native plant list HERE. These lists also work for much of the Upper Midwest. And Native Plants for Native Birds from the Audubon Society.

Birds sing for 2 reasons, for territory and for mating.   Native plants attract native  … [Continue reading]

MUM is the word for Fall


Mon. Aug. 16, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: MUM is the word for Fall

Fall mums are showing up at local garden centers.

If they’re blooming now, those are early and were forced to bloom to look good in the garden centers. But don’t worry, they will continue to bloom well into the first frost.

There are two kinds of mums. Annuals and perennials. The Latin name for the perennial, fall-flowering form is Chrysanthemum x morifolium.

The perennial, fall-flowering form is Chrysanthemum x morifolium and the  … [Continue reading]

Drying/preserving herbs


Fri. Aug. 13, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Drying/preserving herbs

Sometimes I’ll just wander past my spearmint and rub some leaves to catch that wonderful scent. I do that with the rosemary, oregano, tarragon, well, you get my point!  I also like to preserve those wonderful herbs for winter use!

The easiest way to do that is by drying. I use a dehydrator (I talked about that last week when drying tomatoes) it takes much less time but if you don’t have one, no need to  … [Continue reading]

The magic of microbes


Thu. Aug. 12, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The magic of microbes

Microbes are everywhere!  In our soil, in our plants which means in our food and water and, of course our guts. So why should we care?  Well… without them life would cease to exist.

Here’s the definition from Merriam-Webster: Microbes, or microorganisms, include bacteria, protozoa, fungi, algae, amoebas, and slime molds. Many people think of microbes as simply the causes of disease, but every human is actually the host to billions of microbes,  … [Continue reading]

Yellow jacket trap


Wed. Aug. 11, 2021

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

That little flyer you have hovering over your hot dog is most likely the Yellow Jacket wasp.

In late August yellow jackets are at peak numbers and they want a sip of your drink or a bite of your food just as much as you do!  I have a huge nest of them in my Welcome sign. 

Gratefully no stings but you can bet they won’t be welcome next year! To handle a potential stinging  … [Continue reading]

A grass for butterflies


Tue. Aug. 10, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: A grass for butterflies

 Did you know I love grasses!? Today’s Bite is about attracting butterflies with grasses.  ‘Eyelash’ grass is a perfect example.

‘Eyelash’ grass won’t replace a manicured lawn but it sure attracts butterflies! That’s what the University of Minnesota Extension says. Blue Grama grass, which sounds funny itself, is a native grass that goes by a few other names including ‘eyelash’, ‘mosquito’ and ‘caterpillar’ grass because of its golden sails at the tip of  … [Continue reading]