Corn smut and roasting tomatoes


Tue. Sep. 3, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Corn smut and roasting tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes, green beans, beets, cucumbers and corn oh my! I just roasted some co-op bought plum tomatoes with  jalapenos, garlic, coarse salt, some with my oregano and some with my basil. A friend has been supplying me with fresh corn from her farm. It’s THE sweetest EVER! (Thanks, Mary!)

 I grew corn twice but had so much corn smut that I gave up.  I’m not talking about some creepy thing you might  … [Continue reading]

Labor Day…. and laboring plants that outperform!


Mon. Sep. 2, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Labor Day and laboring plants that outperform!

Happy Labor day, a holiday to pay tribute to the contributions American workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.  That, according to the Dept. of Labor.

As for worker plants, well, let me tell you who to salute and, possibly select, for your own gardens.  Topping the list is echinacea aka coneflower.  I have a few varieties that deliver over and over in heat, in cool  … [Continue reading]

Helpful hints and tips


Fri. Aug. 30, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Helpful hints and tips

Dad used to say “kid, I learned the hard way, that’s why I’m telling you now so you don’t have to”.  And yet….

I seem to learn the hard way too.  Maybe it’s genetic! Still, I’ll list some helpful hints so YOU don’t have to learn the hard way:

  • wear gloves when chopping hot peppers OR make sure you don’t rub ANY part of your body until you’ve washed your hands thoroughly!

  • when harvesting,
 … [Continue reading]

Bad tasting bulbs are a good thing


Thu. Aug. 29, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Bad tasting bulbs are a good thing

Why would bad tasting bulbs be a good thing?  Because deer, squirrels and other rodents list them as last choice on the buffet called your garden!  Colorblends President Tim Schipper is a 3rd generation bulbsman out of Connecticut and he shared a list of bulbs that are a feast for our eyes but not on the squirrels menu.

  • daffodils
  • snow drops
  • snow flakes

All three of these bulbs contain lycorine, a  … [Continue reading]

Fall is great for planting trees and shrubs and perennials too!


Wed. Aug. 28, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Fall is great for planting trees and shrubs and perennials too!

Fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs.  They love the warm soil and cooler air. They also still have plenty of time to scoot their roots down deep into the soil.

 For easy growing, Rugosa roses are a good choice. These are also salt tolerant! This one was at a home I lived in in Burnsville, Mn.

I have some incredibly easy and beautiful  … [Continue reading]

Wild cucumber, again, drapes over everything


Tue. Aug. 27, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Wild cucumber, again, drapes over everything!

It’s baaaacckk…..

This is the vine many of us are seeing covering fields, trees, shrubs, grasses, flowers along nearly every rural road through Minnesota, Wisconsin and parts east,west and south!   It’s Latin name is Echinocystis lobata. It has a spiny fruit.

It’s a vining native annual in the cucumber or gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). Wild cucumber is generally overlooked until it has overtaken the  plants it is growing on.  Reputable nurseries sell  … [Continue reading]

Resurrection lilies


Mon. Aug. 26, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Resurrection lilies

Looking as though they appear from nothing, Resurrection lilies rise from the soil in all their glory this time of year.

I remember moving into my “new-to-me” home in 2012 and scoping out what the previous owner chose to plant,  and deciding what l would do with those gifts.

When the Resurrection Lily suddenly appeared I was so taken by it. I’d never seen one before.  A native of South Africa, the lily gets its name  … [Continue reading]

Harvesting our produce


Fri. Aug. 23, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Harvesting our produce

We’re finally seeing the fruits of our vegetable garden labor with fresh tomatoes, peppers and corn.

The zucchini has been delivering like crazy. I’ve made multiple batches of my Chinese 5-spice zucchini bread, tried my hand at parmesan zucchini chips and have zoodles in the freezer. I have recipes on my RECIPES tab above.

My neighbors have also been treated to zucchini. Although they may not consider it that since I have to put it  … [Continue reading]

State Fairs – festivals of food on a stick and Ag and Hort, oh my!


Thu. Aug. 22, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: State Fairs – festivals of food on a stick and Ag and Hort, oh my!

With the MN state fair starting today, I thought I’d better mention all the awesome state fairs and their new Food offerings! I missed Iowa and Wisconsin Fairs but I hope you had a chance to enjoy! 

Wisconsin’s was HOT! Blazin’ Jalapeno Deep Fried Olives. Queen green olives stuffed with fresh jalapenos and cream cheese nestled in a seasoned crunchy batter, served  … [Continue reading]

Annual Fall mums and how we got hardy mums


Wed. Aug. 21, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Annual Fall mums and how we got hardy mums

Can you believe we’re just a week and a half way from Labor Day? Wow!  The Minnesota State Fair starts tomorrow! OH my… Fall is upon us.

I love cooler temperatures but I don’t want the summer to be over yet! We’re seeing all kinds of mums appearing now at our local nurseries, big box stores and some are even showing up at gas stations! 

Proven Winners has some  … [Continue reading]