November to-do’s


Tue. Nov. 3, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: November to-do’s

Garden cleanup… what to do and other tips for November!

Debris removal is important particularly if you’ve had any disease. Lilac blight was HUGE this year. Getting rid of the debris and removing affected branches is key to prevent more next year.

Another area of concern is the fallen leaves and rotten fruit at the base of your fruit trees.  Oftentimes, that debris is a hiding spot for disease that overwinters and then presents itself next  … [Continue reading]

Turn back the clock and bring in some fragrance


Mon. Nov. 2, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Turn back the clock and bring in some fragrance

We likely all enjoyed that extra hour of sleep! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…….

However, covid or not, we’re coming indoors due to changing weather.  I brought in my rosemary and lavender too. What about YOU?

My suggestion is to choose ‘French’ lavender.  Among the different varieties, it’s the most tolerant of indoor conditions in our cold dark winters and is smaller. ‘English’ lavender is more fragrant.

If you buy it already potted,  … [Continue reading]

Tradition of Halloween


Fri. Oct. 30, 2020

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

Halloween 2020 has its own creep factor.  Hopefully there won’t be another like it. In lieu of costumed parties and merrymaking many are hunkering at home with a bowlful of reeses peanut butter cups. Or maybe that’s just me! Or cookies! 

Halloween has been, most recently, a huge BOON for retailers with $9 billion in sales… but it’s 2020, so I wouldn’t expect that much this year.

Through the years, traditions were brought to America  … [Continue reading]

Natures nocturnal creatures


Thu. Oct. 29, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Natures nocturnal creatures

When I lived out east, the night before Halloween was called “Mischief Night”, the night the older kids went out and soaped windows, tee peed trees and got into trouble!  Halloween lore from 1970 to 2000….. (this link tells the story… but also has swear words!)

What creatures create nighttime mischief in our backyards?

The top prankster has got to be that cute little bandit, the Raccoon!  From tossing our garbage to making their  … [Continue reading]

Orchid love indoors and out


Wed. Oct. 28, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Orchid love indoors and out

While there are plenty of “grocery store” orchids (mostly phalaenopsis)  there are also a number of native orchids for our Upper Midwest area.

Yes, natives in Wisconsin and Minnesota.  In fact, the Showy Lady’s Slipper is Minnesota’s State Flower. Found living in open fens, bogs, swamps, and damp woods where there is an abundance of natural light, there are 17 orchid species that grow in Minnesota. The feminine-looking ‘Lady Slipper’ orchid grows slowly,  … [Continue reading]

Storing chemicals


Tue. Oct. 27, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Storing chemicals

So many of us had record snowfall. It IS 2020, so why not! However, that means we may not have finished putting away those chemicals.

While there’s a big movement against the use of chemicals for our landscapes (gardens, etc.), there are still plenty of folks who use them.    Proper storage also INCLUDES your organic products.

If you’ve got chemicals in dispensers, it’s best to use them up according to directions, then rinse out your sprayers  … [Continue reading]

Garden chores left undone? Snow and cold alter plans


Mon. Oct. 26, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Garden chores left undone? Snow and cold alter plans

So my area had 8.5 inches of snow last week.

I was caught with my tools out! And with the wagon out and with several more garden chores to do! I know I wasn’t the only one. Many of you have asked what will happen to your yard, is it doomed because we didn’t get to those fallen leaves or cut off the hosta foliage or properly prepare our  … [Continue reading]

Pumpkin seeds


Fri. Oct. 23, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Pumpkin seeds

Carving pumpkins is a tradition for nearly everyone I know.  When I was little, my mom would save the seeds, rinse them, soak them in a salt-laden bowl of water overnight and then bake them.  They were a treat then, but my taste is a bit more sophisticated now!

My taste is a bit more sophisticated now and I don’t soak them in salt water!

I lightly salt mine then spread them on a baking sheet,  … [Continue reading]

The season of Pumpkin Spice and pumpkin pickin’


Thu. Oct. 22, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Season of Pumpkin Spice and pumpkin pickin’

Love it or hate, it’s pumpkin spice everything season.  I have a friend who grinds her teeth every time the pumpkin spice comes out at her favorite coffee shop, another who can’t wait for the pumpkin spice creamer and sends her husband to buy as many as a husband is willing to do!  About 3 bottles worth.  In case you’re interested here’s a recipe for Pumpkin Spice Latte!

I happen  … [Continue reading]

Tool attention


Wed. Oct. 21, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Tool attention

One of the last tasks of the gardening season is tool attention. You’ve been abusing your trowels, shovels, pruners and hoes all season, leaving them scattered about your yard and gardens to let mother nature do what she will to them.

Maybe you haven’t cleaned them off properly or sharpened your pruners.  Regardless of who’s been naughty or nice to their tools, it’s soon time to clean them up and get them ready for storage.

  • Consider
 … [Continue reading]