Garden Bite with Teri Knight

It's the bout of the century! No, just kidding. I get asked what the difference is between these two beautiful shrubs, Rhododendrons and Azaleas. There are answers on today's Garden Bite along with some beautiful photos on my website. One thing they both need is a more acidic soil. 

Instead of a carpet of snow, how about a 2023 introduction of an AAS winner called 'Carpet Angel'? This is a new Shasta Daisy that would make a fabulous groundcover. I share it on today's Garden Bite along with one of my favorite annuals. A new African Daisy in the Bright Lights series. Take a listen and a look and let me know what you think! 

There's a growing movement to end the use of peat moss in gardening. There are a lot of articles on the matter and like any resource, humans tend to overuse it. Is it renewable? Are there alternatives? Take a listen and a look on my website for today's Garden Bite and the "possible" answers to those questions. 

This old fashioned plant is not native. At least the "common" bleeding heart, however, there are natives to North America and you likely have seen them. Learn all about Bleeding Hearts, this wonderful plant for shadier areas. Also check out a cultivar introduced just last year , 2022, on today's Garden Bite . 

Change is gonna come into the garden. Whether is weather (like the winter of 2022/23) or something we've done or a hungry critter has changed; our landscapes are always changing. Plants growing or not growing. Check out today's Garden Bite for pointers on those times when change happens. 

March is here but for those of us in cold climates, and this winter in particular!, our weather just isn’t suitable for outside growing yet! In come microgreens! They are really popular and super easy indoors. Check out today's Garden Bite for all the dirt on growing microgreens. 

From now to about mid-April you can start planting seeds indoors. Be sure to adjust for YOUR climate zone. I am focusing on zone 4 mostly but that can translate to areas of 3 and 5 also. Find a list of dates of when to plant what along with detailed instructions and a video too on today's Garden Bite . 

Admittedly I was not much of a fan of spirea but, wow, have they come a long way. National Garden Bureau has named their shrub of the year for 2023, it’s Spirea! With nearly 100 unique species, NGB reports that this hardy group of plants boasts a wide range of colorful foliage ranging from blue to yellow, red, to orange, and everything in between. Check out some beauties and get more info on today...

Prairie Moon is a native seed company that I utilize a lot! There recent catalog shares many host plants for butterflies and moths. I share some of them with you today. It's amazing the colors of these insects that we often pay no attention to or simply don't see. I would LOVE to hear from you! Contact me at tkgardenbite@gmail.com and take a look on today's Garden Bite ! 

While I don't enjoy the "news" much, I do enjoy reading the Sunday newspaper (crossword a fav) spread across the kitchen table and a cup of coffee within reach. Recycling your newspaper is, of course a good idea, but there are other ways to repurpose it. Learn more on today's Garden Bite . 

Bareroot plants are a great way to get more bang for your buck. Learn more about bareroot planting on today's Garden Bite . They do have some special requirements but they also tolerate being planted as soon as the soil is thawed. No waiting for warmer temperatures! Now is the time to start ordering them. 

Winter will end... you can get a jump on those summer blooming bulbs. On today's Garden Bite I share the how-to's and also include a video from another expert! Listen up and take a look at my website for more including the 2023 Caladium of the Year! It's a stunner. 

After huge snowfalls, ice, cold and more, Garden Bite is anxious to talk about some new shrubs for 2023. Let's put a bow on February with some fun new shrubs. Listen up and take a peek on my website too! 

Did you love "catching" fireflies as a kid? Maybe you call them Lightning bugs. On today's Garden Bite I talk about the loss of fireflies, what's happening and the plants that attract them. Did you know there are over 150 species of fireflies in the U.S? Learn more on my website too. 

Genetically modified organisms, hybridizing, genetically engineered. Ag science is huge and growing, no pun intended. On today's Garden Bite I offer more information on the topic. But it's a large topic. Keep in mind that genetic modification takes place all the time in nature, including humans! 

It's all about small space gardening on today's Garden Bite . What vegetables to grow in containers and what sizes are best for the plants needs. A chart is included on my website. And don't forget a lovely shrub for your container too! 

Tis the season of seeds! A perennial topic this time of year as we really start the gears rolling on early seed starting. I have some definitions to terms that can come in handy on today's Garden Bite . What's a cultivar? What is the meaning of GMO and GE? 

Proven Winners is a major plant breeder. They have put out a list of the most popular annuals for 2023 based on what their customers, greenhouses and nurseries, are looking to purchase. Take a listen and take a peek on today's Garden Bite ! 

As you know, Garden Bite was in Mexico a couple of weeks ago. I managed to take a few pictures! HA. Trying to identify plant life is quite the adventure in itself. Take a look and tell me if YOU know what some of those plants are. Find Garden Bite on the web , on Facebook, Instagram and also Twitter. Although Twitter isn't my favorite platform! You can email me at tkgardenbite@gmail.com and please...

We have many invasive plants and insects that affect our ecosystems. It’s hard to imagine NOT having them based on the fact that humans are a traveling invasive species ! But they're not all from other countries and some are deliberately brought here. Learn much more on today's Garden Bite . 

Is planting trees enough to reverse climate change? Short answer: no. We put a LOT of emphasis on planting more trees, there are incentives and such. While that's great, it's not enough. My friend and arborist shares some great information which I share with you on today's Garden Bite . Planting forests and not destroying what we have makes even more sense. 

Years ago, I lived on 5 acres in Lakeville, MN.  While wandering through the woods, I discovered smurf blue stains in the snow! It was quite the research project to find what in the heck it was! Learn all about it on today's Garden Bite . This 2022/23 winter has brought the mystery of the blue stains in the snow back to the forefront! 

Be with someone you love, do something you love, eat something you love, grow something you love! And find Valentines Day traditions around the world on today's Garden Bite . Germany, France, Japan and more! Who do YOU think is the most romantic?

Tomorrow's Valentines Day! What do the colors of flowers symbolize? You might want to know before you give them flowers as your receiver might know and you don't want to give the wrong message! That's on today's Garden Bite . 

Now through early spring is the best time to prune MOST trees and shrubs. On today's Garden Bite I share why now, how to and what NOT to prune now! PS, see you all here next week when I return from vacation!