Fall is a great time to seed your lawn and do a number of other chores. In Minnesota we've experienced severe drought which has led to dead grass and warnings on what you should and should not do for your lawn. While we received rain we are still not out of the woods, so to speak. Today's 'Bite is about how to reseed dead areas of your lawn (how to know it's really dead) and what NOT to do. 

Recently someone I know had a nasty run-in with poison ivy. It’s nothing to be trifled with! Not everyone has a major reaction but once you have, you will continue to have a bad reaction. If it’s in an area of your yard you want it GONE. First, make sure that's what it is. Then there are a lot of precautions you must take to ensure your safety along with pets and others. Please listen to my podcast then go to my website where I have MUCH more information on how to get rid of it. I don't normally advocate using chemicals, but, for this stuff I do!

Happy Labor day, a holiday to pay tribute to the contributions American workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. As for worker PLANTS, let me tell you who to salute and, possibly select, for your own gardens on today's Garden Bite!

We're headed toward Labor Day weekend but that means there's still plenty of time to enjoy your outdoor spaces. As more and more, we consider our impact on our planet, have you ever considered Eco-friendly furniture?  When I had my television show, Dig In Minnesota, I had the opportunity to find out more about polywood... plastic is used to create sturdy recycled furniture. They've come a long way! Check it and find the video on my website gardenbite.com. 

The fall planted bulbs are starting to show up at local nurseries. These are those spring bloomers like tulips and crocus. But there’s also garlic, which will be ready to harvest in early August. Learn how to select the best bulbs, how to plant and care for them into winter. 

Your petunias are pooped and it's time freshen up those annual containers with some fall color. Oh yes, there are mums, but there are also plenty of other plants to add the pop back into your planters. Check 'em out on my website too. Gardenbite.com 

Grasses are some of my all time favorite plants and with the introduction of Big bluestem 'Blackhawks', I have another favorite!. Last year I scored two of them. Oh my,  the foliage evolves throughout the growing season. You must see this beauty on my website gardenbite.com

Last year Lilac Blight hit HARD. The other hard part about it is that it doesn't just go away. While you pruned and cleaned up, the problem can persist plant debris for years. Learn more about this fungal issue and don't give up yet! 

There are a lot of you with clay soil. I’m included in this group. I talked just last week about the good parts of clay soil but today it’s about plants that enjoy it! Or at the very least, tolerate it! One of my favorites is Aster. See it on my website and learn more about different perennials that can handle soil on today's 'Bite!

Fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs. They love the warm soil and cooler air. They also still have plenty of time to scoot their roots down deep into the soil. There IS a caveat to those of us in drought locations. Water, water, water... learn more about the do's and don'ts of Fall tree planting on today's Garden Bite.