Drought tolerant flowers


Thu. Aug. 8, 2019

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

It’s hot, it’s humid, it’s summer in full bloom and we’re looking for a few good flowers!  Those that are pest resistant, drought resistant and bloom all summer long…. That’s a tall order, however, the Heliopsis is up to the challenge!

This flower, also known as False Sunflower, sunflower heliopsis and smooth oxeye is also cold hardy to zone 3… Oh and did I mention it’s a native prairie plant?  There are also many cultivars. … [Continue reading]

A new invasive bug on the loose


Wed. Aug. 7, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: A new invasive bug on the loose

I was just talking about the Viburnum shrub last week and all the various species and cultivars. And, unfortunately today, I’m talking about an invasive beetle that attacks viburnum plants.

It’s been confirmed in Minnesota for the first time. The Minnesota DNR says the viburnum leaf beetle somehow “hitched a ride from outside Minnesota” and found its way to the Twin Cities.

It’s hard to nail down exactly how it got  … [Continue reading]

Edible weeds


Tue. Aug. 6, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Edible weeds

From Farmers Markets to Edible weeds!  The lazy gardeners vegetable garden!

Plantain is edible and, according to Edible Wild Food, has many health benefits! Clover makes a great tea!

Dandelions are well known edibles.  Every part of the dandelion is edible from spring to fall.  The leaves are best when picked in spring before they become bitter.  The flowers can be made into wine and the taproot can be eaten like a root vegetable.

Purslane  … [Continue reading]

Celebrating Farmers Markets and tips for shopping


Mon. Aug. 5, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Celebrating Farmers Markets and tips for shopping

Once again, it’s National Farmers Market week!  What a wonderful opportunity for those who LOVE fresh produce but don’t have a vegetable garden, or room to plant all the veggies they want or  have had their produce poached by Peter Rabbit and his pals!

As you wander the rows of fresh produce, you can’t help but have a different sense of where your food comes from and a connection that we  … [Continue reading]

Garden Bite this and that


Sat. Aug. 3, 2019

Hey Garden Bite peeps!  I have a couple of new videos for you…  Thanks to Gracie Svien, my intern!

In part one of “This and That”, Teri takes you through the process of renewing your bougainvillea in zone 4 and why you shouldn’t give up on a plant you thought was toast! Gardening with containers can be rewarding in our cold climates.

Part 2:   In this episode, we explore sculpture in the garden, the importance of taking photographs and what the heck is fish emulsion and should you use it  … [Continue reading]

Surface root conundrum


Fri. Aug. 2, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Surface root conundrum

Surface roots of trees can be a real pain in the patoot when trying to mow!  I know…  but there are some real DON’TS when it comes to making your mowing life easier.  While I’m  lucky with the yard I have now, I still have a Hackberry that’s not easy to mow around but those roots are actually a GOOD SIGN for your tree.

In a previous residence, I had Silver Maples, they are notorious  … [Continue reading]

August to-do’s in the Garden


Thu. Aug. 1, 2019

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

There are still plenty of things to do in the garden as we wait for those mouthwatering tomatoes to really start producing and I can start roasting!  But that’s another Garden Bite.

Now’s a good time to deadhead those flowers. Blue Salvia tends to flop open…

When you deadhead, you’ll cut the flower off, generally speaking, at the first set of healthy leaves.  What happens is you stop the plant from putting its  … [Continue reading]

Wandering through your gardens – the things you discover!


Wed. Jul. 31, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  Wandering through your gardens – the things you discover!

I do love touring my gardens, checking to see what’s going on.  Even though I know what’s supposed to happen, I always feel really delighted when it does!  Like seeing my carpet roses blooming outrageously!

Or watching the progress of my veggie garden. 

And then there’s usually some unwanted stuff hanging out in the garden! Japanese beetles instantly come to mind!

And some cool, interesting, odd things!

Years ago  … [Continue reading]

What goes with Who…


Tue. Jul. 30, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show:  What goes with Who…

 I love getting questions from listeners, suggestions for Garden Bite topics. Today I’ll address the question of what plants get along and what plants might not…  First thing that comes to mind are invasive plants.

IF you don’t mind a plant creating your garden, then buy that invasive or “easy spreader” as they are referred to in plant catalogs. 

Monarda and Obedient Plant are at the top of the list, as is Lily  … [Continue reading]

Read the plant label!


Mon. Jul. 29, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Read the plant label!

I’ve had several people ask about replacement plants for plants that have moved on to the garden in the sky.  I’ve advised them about the differing cultural requirements including sun and shade, soil and watering, the usual stuff.  But another thing that must be mentioned when talking about buying plants is to make sure you know what you’re getting. Read the label carefully.  

Take, for instance, these plant labels. This two plants are the  … [Continue reading]