Garden Bite with Teri Knight

Oh how I love to see the wildlife in my gardens. Monarchs, of course, are a real treat but don't forget about the other butterflies that come visit. Painted Ladies are amazing, learn their story on today's Garden Bite . Red Admirals may not travel as far but they are some awesome creatures too. Fly with me on today's episode! 

With the really cold winter and spring, I was so hoping not to deal with as many Japanese Beetles. I also put down some grub control last year. So what are the results? Find out on today's Garden Bite and learn more about these invasive pests. 

I had plans! But some wicked roots go in my way. Time for Plan B. This is the story of what gardening is about! Adapt and pivot. Today's Garden Bite is a lesson for all gardeners, the new Green Thumbs, the Brown Thumbs and all of us in between! 

My neighbor is moving and he had nowhere to keep his Jade plant! Lucky me, thanks, Earl. Since I haven't had one before I did some research on repotting and care of jade plants. Follow my journey on today's Garden Bite ! 

Lupines always make me think of the North Shore. Riding motorcycles through Bayfield, Wisconsin, I was thrilled to see all the fantastic lupines blooming! There are 2 kinds of lupines. The wild lupine aka sundial lupine and an invasive. Find out what butterfly is endangered and why wild lupines are so important to this butterfly. Check out today's Garden Bite ! 

There are some good bugs and then there are some bad ass bugs! Find out who's who and how to identify them. There's good reason to keep these bugs around and not use chemicals until you KNOW who you're dealing with. Go to my website for identification and more info. 

There was a whole lot of grilling going on in my neighborhood over the holiday weekend! My suspicion is that it was mostly meat, however, grilling your vegetables is mighty tasty. Including lettuce! I have tips to grilling those vegetables and some recipes too on today's Garden Bite ! 

Lots of sneezing going on! Allergy sufferers are feeling the affects of flowering trees. On today's Garden Bite I offer up some trees that are easier on those who have the AH-Choos. And WHY they are better... Listen up and take a look at my website gardenbite.com . 

Monday we celebrate Independence Day. Admittedly it’s been a rough few years for a variety of reasons but it’s time to remind ourselves of our Declaration of Independence: paraphrased, 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. &n...

Have you ever thought of growing a cutting garden? Yes? Then this ‘Bite is for you! I share easy plants to grow including annuals and perennials. I've also included a small sketch of a cutting garden design. Take a look on Garden Bite . 

The season in my area has been a bit later and a bit stunted but, nonetheless, those who have iris will need to consider dividing them. It's best to do this every 3 to 5 years. Learn about digging them up, checking them over and whether to mulch or not on today's Garden Bite . I also share some new beauties on my website! 

Perennials are really the workhorses of the garden and today I talk about those that are more tolerant of drought. With climate change, this is an evermore increasing need for home gardeners! As you listen to the podcast, check out options on my website too, gardenbite.com . 

Lawns are, once again, looking rough in some parts of the country! What types of grasses are planted as lawns, which ones are more tolerant of drought and much more on today's Garden Bite . 

Although I find weeding occasionally cathartic... I would prefer not to HAVE to do it! I just mentioned some great groundcovers that help to deter weeds . Today I'm adding to the list with several taller plants and one short one! These plants work because their leaves block sunlight and deter weed seeds from germinating. Check them out on today's Garden Bite . 

I have coveted the buddleia or Butterfly bush for years. I’ve been tempted many times to buy one and see what happens. One of the experts I work with just hates them! It’s a zone 5 plant! I live in zone 4b and that’s pushing it. But what if we COULD do it???? Ha! Today's Garden Bite is about pushing the zone boundaries and how we might be able to do that! 

There are slight differences on building compost piles for the home garden, however there are certain elements that MUST happen. I explain what those are, what you cannot compost and how to create the layers to produce the best results - black gold! Go to my website, GardenBite.com and find much more detailed information that a 2 minute podcast can give you! 

The Summer Solstice happened at 4:13 this morning, central time! The astrological first day of Summer and the longest day of the year. What are some of the traditions? Learn more on today's Garden Bite . 

Peonies are the harbingers of Summer in our cold climates. They bloom with amazing flowers and there are plenty of breeders in our climate that have created some stunning options. Learn more about how to grow peonies to their utmost on today's Garden Bite and find some beauties on my website. 

We all get busy or, hopefully, go on vacation. Or maybe we have lousy soil or a myriad of other things that keep us from thriving gardens. On today's Garden Bite I share some gadgets that help with weeding, watering and even growing. The National Garden Bureau members, including me, voted on products that offer options. 

As you know, I’ve been an advocate of not using chemicals on my lawn, which means dandelions. Lots of gardeners, including me, have touted the benefits of those cheery yellow flowers. I just read an article from a man who really LIVES native plantings, Benjamin Vogt. Guess what? That dandelion is NOT native. It's a European invasive. Vogt shares what our native is and why that cheery dandelion we'...

The hardest part of gardening is trying to figure out why a plant isn't thriving. Is it an insect, is it a disease, are my plants getting the nutrients they need. Enough water, too much water? Maybe this particular plant doesn’t like afternoon sun or one day you’re looking down on something that makes you go “eeewww, what’s that?” I have some tips, some examples and links to diagnostic tools on to...

Weeds a problem? Likely.. They are in my landscape. But ground covers come to the rescue! Be it plants of various types or mulch or some other type of material. Learn much more and find some awesome plant ground covers on today's Garden Bite . 

Heading into the heat of summer, it's time to train your lawn to be water wise! Huh? What's that? I tell you on today's Garden Bite . Watering tips to keep your lawn healthy while not wasting so much water. 

Phlox are o ne of the classic American perennials and one of the earliest North American natives to enter cultivation. The National Garden Bureau has named 2022 the Year of the Phlox and with good reason. An easy perennial, I have a lot of information on today's Garden Bite and plenty of pictures on my website too! Check out the podcast AND my website! And please, send me your comments, questions...

2022 has been quite the year so far for climate conditions for those of us in the Upper Midwest and elsewhere throughout the United States. While my area has seen a 90 degree day, we've also had an overnight below 38 degrees! And the wind, holy cow! So, how are we doing for June and WHAT can we do in our Vegetable gardens? That's on today's Garden Bite !