Herbs for pollinators


Tue. May. 25, 2021

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

I talk a lot about pollinators and plants. An item in my Northern Gardener magazine caught my eye, planting HERBS for pollinators!  I’ve told you before that swallowtail caterpillars LOVE parsley and dill.

This is a great reminder to plant enough to help the pollinators!

I love dill in many dishes including fish. It’s not just for pickles, it’s also fab in sauces!  Parsley is another great herb for pollinators and people! Recipes for parsley … [Continue reading]

Plant this not that – take 2


Mon. May. 24, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Plant this not that – take 2

So often folks find a tree they like and then everyone plants it and then that’s all you see.  And then they get taken out by disease and our boulevards are naked.  Planting diverse species is the best way to protect them all.

This is plant this not that take 2…

To quote Faith Applequist of Treequality, “Japanese tree lilacs are a one-season wonder”.  Her laundry list of negatives includes  … [Continue reading]

Container planting


Fri. May. 21, 2021

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

It’s the Rite of Spring! Container planting…. Wahooooooo

We peruse our local garden centers giddy with anticipation of what we will find and create.

I created a video on Container plants with tips on root pruning, what the soil level (why does that matter?) should be and the three ‘illers!  Thrillers, fillers and spillers.

Your recipe for success:

Thriller – big, bold and beautiful.  This plant is the tallest and is your main accent.  Could be  … [Continue reading]

Tomato and pepper planting


Thu. May. 20, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Tomato and pepper planting

Once again we had a record cold and I know that many of you have already planted tomatoes and peppers. They do NOT like that. I hope you at least covered them.

The best time to plant tomatoes and peppers is when the soil is 60 degrees or more. It’s not that they will die (except for that record cold) but they won’t be happy.

There are plenty of soil temp gauges out there,  … [Continue reading]

Moisture conditions for plants


Wed. May. 19, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Moisture conditions for plants

We discussed watering newly planted trees and shrubs yesterday so today, I wanted to take it a step further and talk about the level of moisture for our plants.

We talk a lot about sun/shade conditions and soil types but often don’t pay much attentions to whether they like dry feet or wet feet.  Some really have a penchant for moist soil. Siberian Iris are graceful yet tough perennials that thrive in average to  … [Continue reading]

Watering newly planted trees and shrubs


Tue. May. 18, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Watering newly planted trees and shrubs

We selected the appropriate trees/shrubs for our site and planted them properly. NOW…. we need to pay attention to WATERING.

When first planted, these “investments” are establishing their root systems to  withstand what Mother Nature throws at them.  If you didn’t get a watering schedule from the nursery you bought your plants from, this guide will help you.  Watering newly planted trees and shrubs [U of MN extension]

Root systems of bare  … [Continue reading]

Trees – Plant this not that


Mon. May. 17, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Trees – Plant this not that

My favorite arborist, Faith Appelquist of Treequality, shared her thoughts on the worst trees for planting. Tree selection is a big deal, they’re an investment in dollars and time.

There are lots of considerations, one of those is the mature size of the tree you select. Oftentimes, homeowners don’t see the 4 ft. sapling they planted 4 feet from the foundation growing to 40 feet tall! That’s NOT a good thing. … [Continue reading]

Friendly fences 2021


Fri. May. 14, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Friendly fences 2021

 As more and more folks are interested in their outdoor spaces, privacy is an issue that’s come up. Aside from building a fence, which, at this time with lumber prices through the roof, may not be desirable, a friendly fence may be! One of the first options that comes to mind is the dogwood shrub. There are plenty of options, the red twigged dogwood.

It grows to 10 ft tall and is hardy to  … [Continue reading]

Tis the season for ticks


Thu. May. 13, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Tis the season for ticks

Tis tick season! Deer ticks and wood ticks aka American Dog ticks are the most common, both of which are annoying blood sucking pests, however, the deer tick , also known as the black legged tick, is a whole other issue as they’re a vector for Lyme Disease and other diseases. U of MN tick information. 

Both of these ticks are common in grassy fields and the underbrush. Risk of bites  … [Continue reading]

Fertilizing annuals and perennials


Wed. May. 12, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Fertilizing annuals and perennials

Many of us have made our way to our local Garden Centers!

Generally, I’ve not been one to add a lot of chemicals to my gardens which includes fertilizer.  However, to boost the bloom and get the foliage flashing –  fertilizing is the ticket.  There is a difference in how you fertilize annuals and perennials.

Since annuals live their entire life in one season, they will bloom bigger and better with more fertilizer treatments … [Continue reading]