Garden Bite with Teri Knight

The Poweshiek Skipperling is a prairie butterfly which has suffered one of the most sudden and complete population collapses of any species in North American history. This butterfly was extremely prolific in Minnesota and now there are people trying to raise them and take them to Michigan to mate with wild ones. Read the story on today's Garden Bite with excerpts from the Star Tribune. 

In cold climates it's the end of the mowing season! How tall should you mow your lawn for the last time and how to prepare the mower for winter on today's Garden Bite . Oh, and what I do with those leaves... Leave the leaves.

Pumpkin seeds are packed with nutrients and make a great crunchy snack that’s gluten-free, great for those on a paleo diet and vegans too! The seeds are also loaded with fiber, the good fat and protein. My taste is a tad more sophisticated now then when my mom would soak pumpkin seeds in salt water and then add more salt to roast them! Today's Garden Bite is about picking the right pumpkin, separa...

It seems odd to plant garlic in October but it IS a bulb... Garlic planted now will be harvested in about July for those of us in cold climates. Learn best tips to plant garlic, what varieties I chose this year and my battle with roots on today's Garden Bite . 

Last week I talked about the importance of trees in our landscapes. It's never more important than now with drought and urban pollutions that trees are planted in urban landscapes. Check out today's Garden Bite for trees that fit those landscapes well and handles the other pressures of urban life! 

Pumpkin spice, pumpkin pie, pumpkin everything season is here. Some love it, some hate it but mostly pumpkins are actually squash... HA, I know it seems like they're their own category but technically squash, pumpkins and gourds are all curcurbita. And we end up back at botanical language to wrap the week on Garden Bite! I have a video and tasty recipes on GardenBite.com . 

Those of us in cold climates are starting to put our gardens to bed and closing up shop, so to speak. That means caring for our tools before they go into storage for next season. On today's Garden Bite , I have some good practices to keep your tools in good shape. 

My area continues to experience drought and it's important that we continue watering up until the ground freezes. What happens when we lose a tree to drought? Why is mulch so important? That's on today's Garden Bite . 

Botanically speaking - when IS a nut not a nut? When IS a berry not a berry? Does it matter? Truly it's a whole other language but I find it fascinating. Does it matter to the average gardener? YOU decide on today's Garden Bite ! 

We know planting plants to attract pollinators but there's more to it. We also need to care for our soil, don't kill every insect and catch rain water. Learn why those things are important and more on today's Garden Bite . 

Last week I talked about bird feeders and squirrels. Today’s it’s about WHAT to feed those birds as winter comes roaring in… at some point. Where to place feeders and what to feed which kind of birds on today's Garden Bite . 

What? I never knew this shrub was called Winged Wahoo, but I happen to love that name. It makes sense too. The Burning Bush is beautiful and invasive and is restricted in many states now. Learn why and what it means from here forward in many states. Check out gardenbite.com for alternatives. 

If you want to keep your expensive ceramic containers for years, then you will want to listen to today's Garden Bite. I have tips to overwinter them and on my website, what can happen when moisture gets in. Take a listen and peek on gardenbite.com . 

As we head into cooler weather (or downright brutal), what do the terms "hard frost", "freeze warning" and more mean to our plants? The vegetables and perennials, the annuals and shrubs? That's on today's Garden Bite . 

The monarchs are the birds are on the move. Birds are starting their journey to warm weather and on today's Garden Bite , I share tips on making your home a way stop for them. 

Fall is a great time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials. On today's Garden Bite I have a few tips on planting that you wouldn't necessarily do in the spring. Plus how long you keep on watering! 

There are many varieties of geraniums and they are fantastic in our annual containers and gardens. Lots of folks are overwintering them now. On today's Garden Bite I share how to do that and save some dollars while you're at it! 

Today's Garden Bite is all about the doo's and don'ts of planting on a septic system. Learn from me! I did it the wrong way many years ago but have discovered some great information as well as a native seed mix specifically for those areas. 

Last week we were planting bulbs for Spring bloom, today is about digging up bulbs for winter storage! Gladiolas, dahlias, cannas, begonias and elephant ears to name some! How to dig them up and how to store them on today's Garden Bite . 

Learn what to look for when purchasing bulbs of any type and how to plant them. It's important to also deter squirrels from digging them up before they even have a chance! Of course there's also some great photos on today's Garden Bite too. 

Planting those bulbs that will bring us flowers from spring to early summer! Check out today's Garden Bite for planting depths and some lovely new choices from tulips to hyacinth and crocus for 2022. 

I'm excited, I ordered some native seed and will be planting them late in the month. Today's Garden Bite is about why and how you plant native seeds at this time of year. Which ones it works with and what I will be planting. See what I will be planting on my website! 

I saw a recent article wherein the Dept. of Natural Resources has been testing the spleens of road kill deer and deer spleens from hunters who sent them in wherein there were noenicitinoids found in all of them. This insecticide was found in deer that were in corn fields and deer in northern Minnesota away from any treated fields. Learn more and understand there is a lot more research to do. Check...

This plant is SO cool looking and it's not amenable to propagation. You likely won't see this plant except in the deep dark forest but if you do, wow! Is it a fungus or is it a wildflower. It has a few different names and is an extremely unique plant. Take a look and learn more on my GardenBite website!  

This time of year there's an abundance of zucchini, sweet corn and so much more! At least for many, my garden hasn't produced as well but my neighbor, who started a new bed this year, has reaped LOTS of tomatoes. Lucky me! On today's Garden Bite I share ways to harvest your produce and preserve it safely.