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]

Apples and issues


Mon. Jul. 6, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Apples and issues

It’s apple season growing time and with that come some issues! Apples that grow in our colder climates are new, relatively speaking, in the plant world. The University of MN has done a lot of breeding to create some AMAZING cultivars. I’ll never forget back in the early 1990’s having my first Honeycrisp apple at the MN Landscape Arboretum. It was huge, red and the absolute best apple I’d ever eaten. We could only buy  … [Continue reading]

Pursuing Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness in the garden


Fri. Jul. 3, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Pursuing Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness in the garden

Tomorrow we celebrate Independence Day. But this year is different. Amid the pandemic and the call to end racism, this year, let’s remember that Declaration: paraphrased for 2020, We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all people are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

As you all know,  … [Continue reading]

Canada thistle and more garden tips


Thu. Jul. 2, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Canada thistle and more garden tips

No, it’s not really from Canada!  We can’t blame it on them.  It’s other “handles” are ‘Lettuce from Hell thistle’ and ‘Cursed thistle’.  I don’t really get the ” lettuce” part, but I concur on the “from hell” part.

If you try to till this beast under, you’ll only multiply it!  Plants can start from broken off roots.  Digging it out is okay if there’s not much but will take a couple  … [Continue reading]

July tips and care for annuals


Wed. Jul. 1, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: July care for annuals

Summer’s here and the livin’s best outdoors!! If you haven’t mulched yet, now is a good time.

Mulch truly is a garden’s superhero. It will keep weeds out, moisture in and soil temperatures stabilized.

This is important for some of our more tender plants. Applying a thin layer, about an inch, right now will keep the soil temp a bit cooler and moisture in.

  • You should water well and deeply but less frequently this
 … [Continue reading]

Garden garbage or someone’s treasure?


Tue. Jun. 30, 2020

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Garden garbage or someone’s treasure?

I had a listener ask me why someone would put glass in their garden thinking that there must be a reason other than a garbage dump….

Well, turns out many people find all kinds of things in their yards as they dig to plant gardens.  Years ago I moved into a home on 5 acres that had been an old farmstead.  The house was gone and replaced in a different location but the  … [Continue reading]