Garden Bite with Teri Knight

So what does THAT mean? The "well-gardened mind". I interviewed the author of this book. While it's her grandfather's story of being a POW during WWII and his journey back to life, the echoes of his story can reach all of us. Collectively we've been through a lot over the last year and a half. Our gardens have become more than a "showcase" of plants. That's today's Garden Bite. ENJOY your time spe...

A shoreline planting does so much more than provide physical stabilization of a lakeshore or river bank. The extensive root systems of native plants embrace the soil and hold it in place which also benefits the water ecosystem by filtering-out pollutants from water runoff, creating healthy shoreline habitat. And there's more! That's on today's Garden Bite. And also more info on my website, gardenb...

Midsummer is the time for zone 4 to 6 gardeners to begin planting crops like broccoli, lettuce, peas, spinach, kale, cilantro and arugula. Planting now through early August will have you harvesting from September through November. Learn tips and tricks for 2nd season plantings on today's episode of Garden Bite and also on my website, gardenbite.com. 

Perennial grasses are one of my favorite plants. There are tall grasses, small grasses, green grasses, blue grasses! Grasses for the prairie, grasses for the shoreline, grasses for sun, grasses for part shade and then the grasses that make you just say WOW! Take a listen to today's Garden Bite and find more info on my website, gardenbite.com. 

My tomatoes are looking fabulous… well, most of them are. I’ve been eating my ‘Super Sweet 100’s” And also the ‘Grape Juliet’. The Cherokee Purple are also producing although I’ve noticed cracking on top. But my romas, which are crazy growing, also have some with blossom end rot. What is that? It's all explained on today's Garden Bite and find pictures and more on my website, gardenbite.com. 

Many areas within the Garden Bite audience are suffering drought conditions. Some more than others. What plants can handle dry shade? I have some suggestions. Check them out on today's episode and find out more on my website, gardenbite.com. 

Everyone loves having birds come to their landscapes, but some may find they don’t get much action even if they put out birdseed. So what’s going on? There can be multiple factors. Learn about them on today's Garden Bite. And check out my website too.

Since it has felt like we’re living in Texas, I thought I’d bring up clematis texensis, also  called Scarlet Leatherflower. While a Texas native, it offers a possibility for those of us in zone 4b. This beauty is different in that it prefers full sun. Learn more about this flower on today's Garden Bite and find more on my website. 

While we finally got some glorious rain and relief from the very hot weather, my area and so many others, remain in a drought. How do we fertilize plants, trees, shrubs and the lawn in these conditions? August is also, typically, hot and dry. How does that affect our plants? Learn when to fertilize, how much to fertilize and when to just say no to fertilizing on today's Garden Bite. 

Strawberry season is all but over for most home gardeners. The heat wave we had speeds up the fruiting. So what do you do now for an even better crop next year? Strawberry patch renovation! I share tips on how to do that on today's episode of Garden Bite. Be sure to check out my website too. 

Lupines always make me think of the North Shore. Riding motorcycles Bayfield, Wisconsin, I was thrilled to see all the fantastic lupines blooming! There are native lupines and also some invasives, however, they're still being sold and you can manage them. Find them on today's Garden Bite. 

Succulents have found increasing popularity. It’s easy to see why. There are numerous options, some really beautiful. There are a large number of succulents. Create some beautiful containers indoors and out. Or plant them in the ground, as many are also perennials too! Find them on today's Garden Bite. 

There are good bugs, the kind that help keep down pests and disease, and then there are bad ass bugs! These are miniature assassins. In fact, one is called just that. Learn about these awesome insects on today's Garden Bite. 

I found my first Japanese beetles on my native Leadplant. Grabbed him, squished him. Then I wandered over to my roses and found 2 more. Two days later, there were 10 of them munching on the last of the roses on my ‘Music Box’ rose. Soapy water does the trick especially when you catch them in the afternoon when they're slower. However, there's good news on the horizon due to an insect that lays egg...

Last week I talked about how allergy season is growing. Climate change, with it’s warming temperatures earlier in the season has meant that trees are triggered into flowering earlier. Today I want to talk about trees that are less likely to cause the ah-choos. As mentioned, trees are the biggest contributors to allergy season. Learn about them on today's episode. 

Sunday we celebrate Independence Day. But this year, again, is different for Americans. The pandemic is slowed but the scars remain and the call 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...

While my area has been suffering drought, I have a number of hardy perennials that can handle the heat. Likely better than we can! I feel like wilted lettuce. Anyway, hear it all on today's Garden Bite and find pictures and more on my website, gardenbite.com. 

Are your irises rising out of the ground?  They’ve been left alone for years and are now fighting for room!  Generally it's a good idea to divide your iris every 3 to 4 years. Learn the ins and outs of dividing iris, when is the best time to do it, how to do it and find some outstanding bearded iris on my website, gardenbite.com. 

If you have allergies, it’s probably felt like a long season… and it is. Yup, another issue you can associate with climate change. So what's the deal? I explain why our allergies are worse and what plant gets a bad rap for causing the ah-choos! 

Lawns are looking rough and we haven’t even made it to JULY! Kentucky bluegrass, which is what most lawns are, can start turning brown after about 7 days without water. On today's show I have lots of tips to tend to that crunchy lawn. Find more on gardenbite.com too! 

It's a never ending process that I love. And it's work too! Garden bed renewal is something that happens when you purchase a home new to you or you've developed your interest in gardening or you're looking at those overgrown hostas and daylilies and realize you need to divide and conquer. Actually there are a bazillion reasons. Take a peek at my website and see the continuing process and get some...

A large part of gardening is welcoming the wildlife.  The ruby throated Hummingbird is a little garden jewel that flies about 1500 miles just to land in your backyard. Learn what plants they love best and how to care for those feeders and, please, don't use red dye when making sugar water! It's all on today's Garden Bite

There are two types of weeds for this episode, annuals and perennials. The annual weeds are pretty easy to get rid of, sort of. The perennial weeds are a bit trickier. Find out how to deal with perennial weeds around your precious vegetables on today's Garden Bite!

The toughest 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 (this year in particular), or maybe too much water because we’re overcompensating for drought conditions? Find out what an errant weed whacker can do and some great diagnostic tools on today's Garden Bite. 

When the flowers fade, the foliage flashes! A gardener can hardly help themselves to love flowers but foliage really lends color and texture that is capable of showing off flowers then becoming the show itself. There are so many options, check them out on gardenbite.com.