It’s not too early to think about dealing with Buckthorn, one of Minnesota’s most damaging invasive plants. Wisconsin’s not real happy with it either!! Nor are several other states. This invasive is nasty. Learn more about why it's so bad, how to identify it and how to get rid of it or at least "manage" it on today's Garden Bite.

While listeners in Wisconsin are faring far better this Summer of Drought, Minnesota is in tough shape. Only far southeastern Minnesota is okay. Most of the rest of the state is in severe to extreme drought. You’ve likely seen your stress on your trees and shrubs. The University of MN Extension is cautioning homeowners not to prune trees... Learn more about HOW our trees/shrubs are being affected and what the ONE reason is that would be okay to prune. 

Gardening can cost money but there are many ways to save. I’m sharing some of those with you today. Tree trimming companies often pay to dump their chips at a city-owned facility. If you’re willing to give up driveway space, they will dump it in your driveway for free! They may not be the colored mulch you wanted but that fades anyway! Learn more ways to save on garden supplies on today's episode!

I love my hanging baskets. I have had some very unique ones and decided I wanted to try my hand at creating my own. Sorta. It's not fancy weaving but a fun burlap basket. Learn how on gardenbite.com and today's episode!

A deal is only a deal if it works out. A neighbor's ill-fated blueberry bushes and another who wanted rock. UGH, learn why rock mulch is NOT a good idea in most garden beds and where it does work. 

I love the sound of birds singing in the morning. I talk often about pollinator gardens but what about planting an “audible” garden? Birds sing for 2 reasons, for territory and for mating. Native plants attract native insects which native birds eat. Seed eaters tend to go for native grasses and flower heads. Learn more layering your garden and the songs of birds on today's Bite!

Nothing says fall like mums! Annuals or perennials, they are the prettiest flowers come the cooler season. On today's Garden Bite, I talk about the differences between the annual and the perennial, the University of Minnesota introduction of Mammoth Mums and more! 

Sometimes I’ll just wander past my spearmint and rub some leaves to catch that wonderful scent. I do that with the rosemary, oregano, tarragon, well, you get my point!  I also like to preserve those wonderful herbs for winter use!  The easiest way to do that is by drying. Learn how to dry and/or freeze your herbs. And which ones you shouldn't bother trying to dry... 

Microbes are everywhere!  In our soil, in our plants which means in our food and water and, of course our guts. So why should we care?  Wellllll… without them life would cease to exist. We’re talking about the magic of microbial science on today’s Garden Bite. Before you hit the snooze button, let’s dish on dirt.

That little flyer you have hovering over your hot dog is most likely the Yellow Jacket wasp. In August yellow jackets are at peak numbers and they want a sip of your drink or a bite of your food just as much as you do! On today's Bite, I share how to make a trap that doesn't involve chemicals!