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My neighbor and I frequently walk in the woods along our nearby river. We like to go “off roading” and skip pavement, generally there are some bicycle trails we can find … or not… Basically we wander…

We were noticing a number of trees with small multiple bumps growing up from the trunk and continuing up the tree almost like steps.

I’ve seen singular large bumps called burls and LOVE the look of them. What I didn’t realize was many could  … [Continue reading]

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I posted on Instagram recently about the role of algae and I promised to explain further on my next garden bite. Let me set this up first. My neighbor, Corliss and I go walking nearly every day that is above 45 degrees. I’m very fortunate to live about a quarter mile from the entry to 2 lovely trails along each side of a river. Corliss doesn’t like the “ugly” algae that is growing right now.

Granted it doesn’t necessarily look pretty  … [Continue reading]

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For most of the country this winter has been erratic to say the least. Temperatures all over the place, storms that caused chaos. While we seem to be over the worst of it, now is a time you can get out and do some damage control and some light pruning on summer/fall blooming shrubs.

From temps dipping down to 30 below zero in December to 55 degrees in March, no snow to heavy snow… the Winter of 2025/26 has been one  … [Continue reading]

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 From temps dipping down to 30 below zero in December to 55 degrees in March, no snow to heavy snow… the Winter of 2025/26 has been one for the books. Mother Nature makes her own rules. It was a rough season for my newly planted Butterfly bushes as my “pet” wild rabbit, Eve, chose to PRUNE them by chowing down. While the Diervillas are supposed to be rabbit resistant, hunger and opportunity changes that.

Speaking of pruning, now is NOT the time to  … [Continue reading]

Click below to listen to my review: A Year Full of Pots by Sarah Raven

As we plan and prepare planting our seasonal containers, I was given the opportunity to review Sarah Raven’s book “A Year Full of Pots”. It is a tome of information and amazing photos for each season of the year.

From her Sussex property, she starts with spring and takes us through winter. Calling her containers the “bubbles in champagne, the cherries on the cake” on a property .

After decades of perfecting her container  … [Continue reading]

Click below to listen to today’s Garden Bite: Don’t scratch that Garden Itch Yet:

I KNOW you’re itching to get out and start Spring Cleanup. Please, DON’T. I’ve been cringing as I watch people out raking and cutting back perennials. UGH…

This affects the insects and critters that have been sheltering in your “debris”. I know, a 74 degree day seems like it should mean “Go Time”. If this were May or even late April it would be, but this is early March 2024 and that means we can still  … [Continue reading]

Click on the link below to listen to today’s Garden Bite: Debunking NASA study on air-cleaning plants

Over 30 years ago, in 1989, NASA scientist Bill Wolverton claimed that household plants could provide a “promising” solution to indoor air pollution.

Including the American Lung Association. In part they said that This NASA study showed that plants did clean the air in a closed, limited environment or  … [Continue reading]

Click below to listen to my Garden Bite podcast: Prepping the landscape for winter

To rake or not or not to rake? Another question I get all the time is what to do with your perennials?  What are the advantages/disadvantages to leaving them be?  

To assist wildlife, the answer is simple. Leave the leaves. They provide shelter for local wildlife including bees, beetles, butterflies, moths and more. This from the Xerces Society: At the end of summer, mated queen bumble bees burrow only an inch or two into the  … [Continue reading]

Click below to listen to my show/podcast: Aster yellows or mites? A special Garden Bite

What is that weird growth? The fear that creeps in when you see some weird growth on an otherwise beautiful coneflower is real!

My first thought was Aster Yellows, a dreaded disease spread by aster leafhoppers. The disease severely deforms plants and is incurable. It mostly affects plants in the aster family, but all plants are susceptible. When I became a Master Gardener (a while ago) it was drilled into us that you  … [Continue reading]

Click below to listen to my  2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Garden Bite closes a chapter

In March of 2007 I started this 2 minute radio program after being approached by a local media distribution company. My background in radio and television along with becoming a Master Gardener in 2003 cemented my desire to create this show.

I have loved producing a space for home gardeners who yearn to learn without feeling judged. Providing a fun, inclusive atmosphere and sharing my “nibbles of knowledge on all things in the  … [Continue reading]