Celebrating calibrachoa


Mon. Mar. 1, 2021

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

Today we’re celebrating one of the most popular annuals for containers and hanging baskets. Calibrachoa is closely related to petunias, as noted in their flowers! In an article in Northern Gardener magazine, they note that calibrachoa was only introduced in the early 90’s, making it just 30 years old. In the grand scheme of things, that’s really new!

These stunning plants grow to maybe 9 inches but trail up to 24 inches and the colors, oh  … [Continue reading]

Wildlife comes to town


Fri. Feb. 26, 2021

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

Garden Media Group contends that, with the era of covid and cities around the world having been essentially “shut-down”, plants and animals started reclaiming human space, from coyotes on the streets of San Francisco to a resurgence of bees and rare wildflowers in the UK.

Gardens are not only human spaces but richly woven ecologically functional spaces. Claudia West, co-author of “Planting in a Post Wild World” explains that, “Nature doesn’t live ‘out there’  … [Continue reading]

Winter seed sowing and indoor planting


Thu. Feb. 25, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Winter seed sowing and indoor planting

Frigid temps are but a memory, as I write this Garden Bite.  In colder climates, you still have a week to get outside and plant native seed.  Yes, I said plant!  According to Prairie Moon Nursery, from late October thru the month of February is a good time to broadcast native seed for a prairie. 

Planting now gives Mother Nature time to stratify seeds and work them into the ground through freeze-thaw  … [Continue reading]

Easing out of a big lawn


Wed. Feb. 24, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Easing out of a big lawn

A recent survey by the National Garden Bureau showed that 67% of those 35 and under are interested in reducing their lawn and planting a wider variety of plants. Wahoo.

I have a lot of clover in my lawn which is great for bees. It’s also a nitrogen fixer.

While not everyone is interested in a clover lawn, there are plenty of alternatives. Pennsylvania sedge grass has fine textured leaves, a 6?  … [Continue reading]

The dilemma of decision making when choosing trees/shrubs


Tue. Feb. 23, 2021

Click on the link below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The dilemma of decision making when choosing trees/shrubs

 I had a corner of my house where, last year, I got rid of a very large and impressive yew. One of my friends thought I was crazy but the darn thing was at least 7 feet in diameter and about 3 ½ ft tall. I took my time researching other options to replace it.

I wanted a Witch Hazel shrub but it just wasn’t right for  … [Continue reading]

The ridiculous cold, trees and EAB


Mon. Feb. 22, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  The ridiculous cold, trees and EAB

So we all experienced record low temperatures for nearly two weeks. Pipes froze, heaters couldn’t keep up and we worried about our plants.

Some may suffer while others may thrive. A recent article by MinnPost reporter Greta Kaul reports that Matt Russell, an associate professor and extension specialist at the University of Minnesota’s Department of Forest Resources said they have adaptations that allow them to survive the winter and some even  … [Continue reading]

Fragrant/colorful plants for spring


Fri. Feb. 19, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Fragrant/colorful plants for spring

Headed into the weekend after a frigid week, (sniff) Ahhh, I’m smelling spring! Well, maybe just in my imagination but I had some inspiration.

The National Annual Plant for 2021 is Supertunia Mini Vista Pink Star petunia. This darling is no spring fling either, the pink & white star shaped blooms continue from spring to early fall.

Supertunias grow about 12 inches tall with a 2 ft. spread. Fabulous in hanging baskets and no  … [Continue reading]

Our backyard ecosystem


Thu. Feb. 18, 2021

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

Our gardens support so much more than the plants and our bellies!  They support wildlife we don’t even see, including some we really don’t want to see and some we wish weren’t there!

However, it’s an ecosystem that relies on each other. Let’s consider that term, ecosystem. What’s the definition?

The “sort of” simple explanation is a system, or a group of interconnected elements, formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their  … [Continue reading]

Houseplants 101


Wed. Feb. 17, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Houseplants 101

BRRRR… baby it’s cold outside! We’re hunkering down indoors with our houseplants and noticing some things.

Like dull color, browning tips, yellowing or leaf drop. What could be going on? A few things. Our homes aren’t getting as much light and humidity at this time of year and that has an affect.

My Norfolk Pine is not pleased… and frankly, I’m embarrassed. BUT, my home is very dry and I didn’t check the moisture as well  … [Continue reading]

Small space vegetables


Tue. Feb. 16, 2021

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Small space garden plants

 Today it’s about small space gardening and tiny vegetables. It’s a thing, especially with so many new gardeners growing vegetables in pots. I have a small raised bed so I sometimes grow vegetables in containers.

A great cuke option is ‘Patio Snacker’ it’s the perfect size to plant in a 15 inch pot with a trellis for the 3 to 5 foot vines to grow on.

It’s fruits are 6 to 8 inches with  … [Continue reading]