Garden Bite with Teri Knight

Last year Lilac Blight hit HARD. The other hard part about it is that it doesn't just go away. While you pruned and cleaned up, the problem can persist plant debris for years. Learn more about this fungal issue and don't give up yet! 

There are a lot of you with clay soil. I’m included in this group. I talked just last week about the good parts of clay soil but today it’s about plants that enjoy it! Or at the very least, tolerate it! One of my favorites is Aster. See it on my website and learn more about different perennials that can handle soil on today's 'Bite!

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. There IS a caveat to those of us in drought locations. Water, water, water... learn more about the do's and don'ts of Fall tree planting on today's Garden Bite. 

It’s not too early to think about dealing with Buckthorn, one of Minnesota’s most damaging invasive plants. Wisconsin’s not real happy with it either!! Nor are several other states. This invasive is nasty. Learn more about why it's so bad, how to identify it and how to get rid of it or at least "manage" it on today's Garden Bite.

While listeners in Wisconsin are faring far better this Summer of Drought, Minnesota is in tough shape. Only far southeastern Minnesota is okay. Most of the rest of the state is in severe to extreme drought. You’ve likely seen your stress on your trees and shrubs. The University of MN Extension is cautioning homeowners not to prune trees... Learn more about HOW our trees/shrubs are being affected...

Gardening can cost money but there are many ways to save. I’m sharing some of those with you today. Tree trimming companies often pay to dump their chips at a city-owned facility. If you’re willing to give up driveway space, they will dump it in your driveway for free! They may not be the colored mulch you wanted but that fades anyway! Learn more ways to save on garden supplies on today's episode!

I love my hanging baskets. I have had some very unique ones and decided I wanted to try my hand at creating my own. Sorta. It's not fancy weaving but a fun burlap basket. Learn how on gardenbite.com and today's episode!

A deal is only a deal if it works out. A neighbor's ill-fated blueberry bushes and another who wanted rock. UGH, learn why rock mulch is NOT a good idea in most garden beds and where it does work. 

I love the sound of birds singing in the morning. I talk often about pollinator gardens but what about planting an “audible” garden? Birds sing for 2 reasons, for territory and for mating. Native plants attract native insects which native birds eat. Seed eaters tend to go for native grasses and flower heads. Learn more layering your garden and the songs of birds on today's Bite!

Nothing says fall like mums! Annuals or perennials, they are the prettiest flowers come the cooler season. On today's Garden Bite, I talk about the differences between the annual and the perennial, the University of Minnesota introduction of Mammoth Mums and more! 

Sometimes I’ll just wander past my spearmint and rub some leaves to catch that wonderful scent. I do that with the rosemary, oregano, tarragon, well, you get my point!  I also like to preserve those wonderful herbs for winter use!  The easiest way to do that is by drying. Learn how to dry and/or freeze your herbs. And which ones you shouldn't bother trying to dry... 

Microbes are everywhere!  In our soil, in our plants which means in our food and water and, of course our guts. So why should we care?  Wellllll… without them life would cease to exist. We’re talking about the magic of microbial science on today’s Garden Bite. Before you hit the snooze button, let’s dish on dirt.

That little flyer you have hovering over your hot dog is most likely the Yellow Jacket wasp. In August yellow jackets are at peak numbers and they want a sip of your drink or a bite of your food just as much as you do! On today's Bite, I share how to make a trap that doesn't involve chemicals! 

I love ornamental grasses! Today's Bite covers grasses that butterflies love too, including 'Eyelash' grass. It's actual name is Blue Grama, but that sounds kinda funny. There are other names for it including 'Mosquito' and 'Caterpillar'. When you see it, you'll understand... check out my website. The flowers look like golden sails at the tip of the stems. It's a low grower that attracts at least...

The gladiolas are blooming and I’m thrilled as they always remind me of my dad. They were blooming when he passed away. That may sound sad but, honestly, it makes me feel like he gives me flowers every year from Heaven! They are old-fashioned and charming! Learn about planting and storing these bulbs over winter. And find some beauties on my website, gardenbite.com. 

Last year my street was redone. That meant digging out all the plants in my butterfly garden and overwintering them in my vegetable garden. I replanted them this year and found that I needed to purchase additional plants due to transplant shock and other factors. So what did I get? Find out on today's Garden Bite and check out pictures on gardenbite.com. 

So often I get asked "what's wrong with my plant?"  Sometimes it's as easy as being planted in the wrong spot. Sun conditions might be wrong, soil conditions, too close to a building and so on... Right Plant, Right Place is the Master Gardeners mantra! Before you toss that plant or add fertilizer, find out exactly what conditions that plant needs and whether that's what it's getting. You can...

There are many gardeners who have clay soil.  Most lament that fact but 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. So far not lovin’ it. HOWEVER... learn WHY clay soil can be a good thing, especially...

My tomatoes have been producing like crazy. There’s one thing good about this heat. I have started dehydrating my ‘Grape Juliet’ grape tomatoes. They are fantastic this way. The heating process intensifies the already delicious flavor. Roasted tomatoes are a delicious appetizer! It's a how to on today's Garden Bite! 

With this drought,  what if you could just EAT your yard? I’ve noticed PLENTY of weeds. Plantain for one. You can use the young leaves like spinach or lightly stir fry the old ones. Some people blanch them, freeze them and use them in soups and stews. Much more on today's Garden Bite including recipes. 

Landscaping is what YOU make it. Form, function, color, site conditions and your imagination are all factors. Today, though, I’m going to bust a few myths I’ve been hearing over the garden fence. Be sure to check out my website gardenbite.com for more information

Pinching back, deadheading. Sometimes these terms can make new gardeners nervous. They're not exactly sure what it means. Where do you "pinch" or prune back to? What's the point? It's all on today's Garden Bite! The what, the where and the how.

A native groundcover, ground plum is super cool. But it's not a plum. Learn more about this wonderful cold climate groundcover and what you do with when you just can't help yourself buying more plants! 

A listener asked about what plants get along with each other and what plants don't... Well, invasives don't get along with any other plants. So, there's that. However, there are some very friendly plants for sun and for shade. Learn all about them on today's episode and find more information on my website gardenbite.com. 

Have you ever thought of growing kiwi? Me either. I mean, come on, we live in zones 3 and 4! BUT, Hardy kiwi ( Actinidia arguta and Actinidia kolomikta) is the cold-hardy cousin of the vine that produces the familiar kiwi fruit sold at grocery stores. Learn more about this hardy kiwi and what cultivar is best for our cold zones.