The gall of some trees!


Tue. Aug. 20, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The gall of some trees!

Oh the gall of some trees! There’s a lot of it! Galls come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. They generally cause plenty of questions among those strolling their landscapes and wondering what in the world that growth. 

Galls on tree leaves and branches are a common sight in the summer but are rarely cause for concern.

They develop as a result of abnormal plant tissue growth, typically caused by insects laying eggs  … [Continue reading]

Japanese Hops


Mon. Aug. 19, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Japanese Hops

Japanese hops don’t produce the brew many folks love. And they’re invasive, and they’ve been found along the Root River in Minnesota. Wisconsin has them too. This isn’t new information…. unfortunately it’s MORE information on the fact that they’re spreading…

Japanese hops are herbaceous, annual vines native to eastern Asia that can grow up to 35 feet in a single growing season. With this explosive growth, the vines smother native vegetation and even grow into  … [Continue reading]

Glad for gladiolas


Fri. Aug. 16, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Glad for gladiolas

The gladiolas are blooming and I’m thrilled.

I bought mine at a big box store after walking by and seeing this gorgeous purple and white beauty staring at me! Yes, it was an impulse buy and I’m so GLAD I did!!

My dad loved gladiolas, they have such an old-world, cottage charm. While they are in the Iris family, their multiple flowers blooming on what looks like a sword, differ in look at height.

For  … [Continue reading]

A grass for butterflies


Thu. Aug. 15, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: A grass for butterflies

I’m on a grass kick this week! ‘Eyelash’ grass won’t replace a manicured lawn but it sure attracts butterflies! That’s what the University of Minnesota Extension says. Blue Grama grass, which sounds funny itself, is a native grass that goes by a few other names including ‘eyelash’, ‘mosquito’ and ‘caterpillar’ grass because of its golden sails at the tip of its stems.

Extension Horticulturist, Mary Meyer, says this is one tough short grass.  … [Continue reading]

Lawn alternatives


Wed. Aug. 14, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Lawn alternatives

I talked about overseeding your lawn and what types of grass seed there is. Today, let’s talk about alternatives to lawns. You know about my mostly clover lawn…

…but there are other options out there that can provide that grassy look without the chemicals and water consumption of the typical American lawn.

Pennsylvania sedge has fine textured leaves, a 6? height with a creeping habit.

Prairie Nursery in Wisconsin says it’s good in dry soils in  … [Continue reading]

Types of grass seed for your lawn


Tue. Aug. 13, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Types of grass seed for your lawn

We talked about overseeding your lawn but what’s the best mix for you?  Depends!

There are blends and there are mixtures. A blend is the same type of grass but different cultivars.  A mix has 2 maybe 3 different varieties of grasses for cultural diversity, for lawns that have differing sun/shade conditions and climate zone.  The best recommendation is to figure out what you’ve got and then go to your local … [Continue reading]

Overseeding your lawn


Mon. Aug. 12, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Overseeding your lawn

While I advocate diversity in my yard, including the sweet smelling clover, there are plenty of people that want a lawn. So, for you folks, the best defense against weeds is a lush lawn.

Mid August to mid-September is the BEST time to overseed your lawn. The soil is warm, so seeds germinate quickly, The temps, in theory, should be starting to cool and getting perfect for growing grass.  Notice in the photo below the  … [Continue reading]

Got clay? Why it’s not a bad thing


Fri. Aug. 9, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Got clay? Why it’s not a bad thing

There are many gardeners who have clay soil.  Most lament that fact but I have some good news for you…Proven Winners says you can learn to love it,  it just takes a bit of knowledge and a bit of elbow grease.  What IS clay soil? It’s sticky and absorbs water slowly, when it dries out it can be crusty, lumpy and hardpacked, oh and the top layer can be  … [Continue reading]