Garden Bite with Teri Knight

My community puts on a Garden Tour each year. This year there was a place with only raised beds. It was beautiful. I talked with the owner about why she only planted raised beds and share information, as well as photos, on today's Garden Bite . There are so many ideas. Those to build yourself and those to purchase! 

Hardy hibiscus take those of us in cold climates to the tropics. Blooming from July to September, some cultivars have flowers that can reach up to 9 inches across. I share some beauties from Proven Winners. Their Summerific series has 3 new offerings too! There is a caveat to growing these beauties. Learn more on today's Garden Bite . 

Today's Garden Bite is about Aster Yellows. While it sounds like a pretty flower, it's not. This disease will kill your plants and it's been spotted within my listenership. Hear about it and be sure to check my website to see the bizarre characteristics it displays on your plant and what you need to do about it! 

Caring for our vegetable gardens in mid-summer including watering (water gets hot sitting in a garden hose), weeding and more on today's Garden Bite . 

I love gladiolas. They are old-fashioned and charming. They remind me of a different era. They are reliable bloomers beginning in mid to late July and lasting at least through August, usually. This year they've been late. What's going on? That's on today's Garden Bite . 

What is diatomaceous earth? How is it used and is it any good for pest control? Find out those answers on today's Garden Bite ! 

Today I share the reason(s) why some of your plants look wilted ever after you've watered them. Hint: the heat has something to do with it. I'm also talking about the importance of buying your plant materials locally when possible. I explain something called "Scan for Pay" that big box stores do. Check it out on today's 'Bite and be sure to go to my website too. 

Drought conditions affect soils differently. Today's Garden Bite is focused on clay soil. What's good about it and what's not so good. Yes, there can actually be some good stuff about clay soil. I also talk about how to amend it when needed. As always, I urge you to go to my website for links and more information as well as pictures!

"Most" of the U.S.A has suffered either drought or flooding. In either case your garden is affected. Today I talk about how the hotter than "normal" temperatures are affecting our vegetable gardens. What is happening with pollination and more. Check it all out today on Garden Bite . 

I love Farmers Markets. From fresh produce to jellies, pickles, artists of every sort; there is something for everyone. Starting this Sunday, August 7th, it's National Farmers Market week!!! This line from the University of Minnesota Extension really sums it up: When you shop at a farmers market, you help stimulate local economies; preserve farm or urban growing land and associated livelihoods; in...

From Minnesota to Pennsylvania to Ontario, Wild Parsnip has invaded. This toxic weed is nasty. I rarely recommend using chemicals but this is one weed that is deserving of that treatment as it is a threat to humans and livestock. It will burn your skin and does damage to crops and livestock that ingest it. Learn much more and how to identify it on today's Garden Bite . 

Climate change impacts are creating some very dry conditions all over the country. More home gardeners have been asking me about drought tolerant perennials. I have added to past posts about some really good options, including perennials I've added into my own garden. Check out the podcast and my website ! 

You cannot get better tomatoes than homegrown (or a farmers market). I'm roasting and dehydrating tomatoes on today's Garden Bite . My own methods and those of others too. Take a peek at some delectable treats and find recipes too on my website. 

I have a neighbor. My neighbor has a large lot with rentals on it and uses a big riding lawn mower. My neighbor has repeatedly wounded my Ancestry Oak tree in the last 2 years. But there are extenuating circumstances. So, who is at fault? And then what is the solution for both parties? That's on today's Garden Bite. Pictures are on my website ! 

I revisit the question as to whether Daddy-longlegs are spiders after a co-worker freaked out and killed one. She's afraid of spiders. A listener had sent me some interesting facts about Daddy-longlegs. What they are and what they aren't. Check out more details on Gardenbite.com . 

A listener had asked me if she could plant hydrangeas in river rock. Oh, don't get me started on planting plants in rock! Yes, it's all about what rock is actually useful for and why it's not great for plants. Check out my website for examples!

Sun or shade there's a Coral Bell for you! With well over 40 varieties these foliage plants offer something in every color but blue (and that's debatable as you'll see on my website ). They are perennials with pop that pollinators love too. 

On today's Garden Bite I share two of my favorite native plants. While one is a perennial, the other is an annual that self-sows. In spite of their names, Ground plum and Partridge pea, they are not a type of plum or a type of pea! Learn more about these very cool natives!! I know you'll want them too. 

Some plants are friendly, they get along with most every other plants. Some are invasive and do not play well with others. On today's Garden Bite , I highlight those that play nice and some that don't! 

I wanted to highlight this native plant, Indian Paintbrush, for several reasons. Of course, it's beauty and also it's attractiveness to pollinators. Where is it native to, where it's rare and where it's beauty shines a deep scarlet! Also where to purchase it! That's on today's Garden Bite . 

It's not a new dance but that would sure be a lot more fun! Herbicide drift can be deadly to your edibles and other plants. Learn which herbicides do the most damage, how long it takes to show up on your plants, when not to use it and how to talk to your neighbor about what their spraying does and a lot more on today's Garden Bite. 

Oh let me count the ways that bats are a good thing! I know, maybe not in your bedroom flying around at 1 o'clock in the morning, but they eat a LOT of mosquitoes! About a thousand an hour! And other birds have benefits too. Learn about bats, why they need to be protected and other fabulous flying insect eaters on today's Garden Bite . 

It’s been hot, it’s been humid and our containers are looking a bit bedraggled. And where I live, this week is going to be worse. So, that means we need to be very attentive to our container plants. I'm talking about watering, fertilizing and mulching too on today's Garden Bite . 

Just say no. Those beetle bags are not for the vast majority of landscapes. Learn why and what to do instead. Japanese beetles feast on more than 300 types of plants and they are spreading. It's taken a while as they landed in the U.S. in 1916 but they are an invasive. I have some great information and a video to on my  website, gardenbite.com . 

I'm fortunate to have a lot of different types of birds come to my landscape. The front yard, the backyard and the sides too! I had a listener ask why wouldn't they come to her house... That's what today's Garden Bite is all about. The do's and don'ts of attracting birds.