Second season planting


Mon. Jul. 20, 2020

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

I know it’s only mid July but you can start planting for the second season of greens and other cool season vegetables now. Midsummer is the time for zone 4 to 6 gardeners to begin planting crops like broccoli, lettuce, peas, spinach, kale, cilantro and arugula.

Planting now through early August will have you harvesting from September through November (maybe!). When planting in the heat of summer, it’s important to keep the soil surface  … [Continue reading]

Biochar – what’s the deal?


Fri. Jul. 17, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Biochar – what’s the deal?

On a tour of local gardens years ago, there was a standout. It was all about vegetable gardening. “John” has been gardening a long time and when I stepped into his backyard I was astounded at the size and beauty of his produce!

His secret is all in the soil, or will be. He makes his own biochar.  It’s NOT ASH.

Basically, it’s organic matter, he uses wood that is burned slowly,  … [Continue reading]

Drought tolerant plants


Thu. Jul. 16, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Drought tolerant plants

Are we in the tropics? It sure felt like it these last couple of weeks. Now, as we head into the driest part of summer when lawns begin to crackle and people melt, I thought we should review some drought tolerant plants. I know you folks in Wisconsin had a ton of rain… but you know it’s gonna get dry!

Hail to the ‘dog days’ of Summer. But not hail like in a hail storm!! … [Continue reading]

‘Iceberg Alley’ – a refreshing choice shrub for 2020


Wed. Jul. 15, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: ‘Iceberg Alley’ – a refreshing choice shrub for 2020

In this withering heat, I remembered a cool plant that was highlighted in my Northern Gardener magazine. Debbie Lonnee is the Product Development manager for Bailey Nurseries and introduces us to this wonderful small shrubs in the article.

 ‘Iceberg Alley’ sageleaf willow sounded as refreshing as sticking your head in the freezer when you’re having a hotflash! This is one cool stand-out shrub in your landscape. Growing to  … [Continue reading]

My clover lawn


Tue. Jul. 14, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: My clover lawn

#sorrynotsorry #cloverlawn #nitrogenfixingremedy #letclovertakeover #mylawn #beesloveit

My neighbors know I’m not into chemicals and I know they are. It’s okay! People understand that having pollinator friendly landscapes is a benefit to all of us. There’s also trying to be respectful to those you live around. That means my clover-filled lawn is kept mowed at a certain height.

During the heat of summer,  lawns should be a little higher, about  … [Continue reading]

Watering and caring for container plants


Mon. Jul. 13, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Watering and caring for container plants

 It’s been hot, it’s been humid and our containers are looking a bit bedraggled. Don’t be afraid to pinch those petunias. Right about now they’re getting a bit leggy, you can pinch them back and watch for more growth.

We should be fertilizing our annuals now as all the watering we’re doing leaches out any fertilizer they had when planted.

For overall health, use an all-purpose fertilizer. Soluble fertilizers are easy to  … [Continue reading]

Grab bag Friday – questions answered


Fri. Jul. 10, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Grab bag Friday – questions answered

I was recently answering questions on some of my radio station affiliates. It’s a grab bag for sure! You never know what questions you’ll be asked…

I admit, I don’t always have an immediate answer! That’s why I LOVE when you send me  an email tkgardenbite@gmail.com. 😉

When to transplant asparagus? While one person said they did it in the Fall, my research suggests the best time is in the Spring when  … [Continue reading]

Fireflies or Lightning bugs?


Thu. Jul. 9, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Fireflies or Lightning bugs

Depending on what part of the country you come from, they’re either fireflies or lightning bugs.

In the Upper Midwest, we kinda like both names!  The western half prefers firefly while the southeaster mid section prefers lightning bugs. Whatever you call them, young and old are enchanted by these glowing fliers. Here’s more on that…

Fireflies flash to find a partner.   The males will signal they’re available and the females then decide if they  … [Continue reading]

The beasts are back – Japanese beetles


Wed. Jul. 8, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The beasts are back – Japanese beetles

Japanese beetles have been all over my roses, my French lilac, my honeysuckle vine near the back door and on other plants I’ve never seen them on before.

Armed with my bucket of soapy water I try, but honestly, there are a lot more of them than me. Japanese beetles feed on the leaves, flowers or fruit of more than 350 species of plants.

Japanese beetles were first discovered in Minnesota  … [Continue reading]

Strawberry season


Tue. Jul. 7, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Strawberry season

 Ahhh,  the sweet smell of fresh strawberries on my desk! Strawberry season is in full swing. The typical strawberry season is two-three weeks long but the length of harvest varies from farm to farm depending on varieties planted, weather, and soil type. Mild temperatures in the 70s and 80s extend the season and allow berries to ripen at a steady pace, while excessive heat can cause berries to ripen more quickly and shorten the season.  … [Continue reading]