Thank you for sending in your gardening questions.  I'll focus this podcast on getting some of them answered. Should I plant basil in the sun or shade? When to cut my mums? Can I plant a snowberry bush in the same place that I cut down a tree? Suggestions for weed control? Grass seed for shade areas? Italian parsley has mutated. Geranium has foliage but no flower buds. I'll finish with a mention of a great reference book, Garden Insects of North America by Whitney Cranshaw; Princeton University Press. ISBN: 0=691-09560-4

In this podcast I thought I'd focus on a few award winning plants as well as a few new introductions.  I'll talk blue false indigo, the Perennial Plant Association's Perennial Plant of the Year for 2010.  I'll also discuss the 2010 Hosta of the Year, 'First Frost' and also the 2010 Herb of the Year, dill. I'll answer a gardeners' question on caring for poinsettia through the year and spider mites on hibiscus.

I discuss harvesting fresh blooms and preserving flowers from your summer garden to enjoy year round. I answer gardener questions concerning mushrooms in the lawn and how to transplant Russian sage. Next I talk about problems & solutions regarding the golden tortoise beetle destroying leaves of morning glory and sweet potato vine. I conclude with a visit to PreservedGardens.com, a site that offers resources, ideas, helpful tips and links to artists.

Caring for your garden in the heat of the summer is this episode’s focus. Then I answer gardeners’ questions on managing powdery mildew on perennial sweet peas and killing lawn thistles. Then Kristin Gies joins me for tips on identifying and managing galls. I finish off with tips on making your own slow watering device.

I'll discuss tips and strategies for coping with drought in this podcast. Then I'll answer gardeners' questions on dividing iris, pruning bridal wreath spirea and heat and drought tolerant shrubs for the South - Native Shrubs for Mississippi Landscapes. I'll finish by offering tips on dealing with powdery mildew.

In this podcast I expand on edible landscaping by incorporating ornamental vegetables and flowers. Then I answer gardeners’ questions on why a new lilac shrub has no blooms and dealing with spider mites on plumeria. Next Kristin Gies joins me for information on emerald ash borer (EAB). For more information on this pest visit the Michigan Dept. of Agriculture website or Wisconsin's Emerald Ash Borer Information Source. To find a certified arborist in your area visit treesaregood.org. I finish by recommending a great book, The Complete Book of Edible Landscaping by Rosalind Creasy (ISBN# 0871562499).

Learn how leaves turn fall color and capture the magical moments of autumn - the cool crisp air, vibrant colored leaves, and a bountiful harvest. I answer gardeners' questions on mushrooms in the lawn and potentilla buds. I'll discuss seasonal needle drop of conifers. I'll finish with a fascinating plant, lion's ear or Leonotis leonurus. It looks like “beebalm on steroids”.

Proper harvesting will help insure the best flavor, quality and maximum productivity.  I'll share tips on harvesting squash, peppers, and potatoes as well as many other popular crops.  Also, what to do with green tomatoes. I answer gardeners' questions on tomato troubles and clematis with yellow leaves.  I'll discuss how these pepper plants (pictured) received help from Purple Cow in the garden. I'll finish with a mention of a great harvesting tool, the garden hod.

In this podcast I'll be doing something a little different. I'll offer you a guided tour of my May 19th walking tour of Boerner Botanical Gardens. Follow along with me by clicking on the virtural tour. I'll discuss spring flowering trees, shrubs and perennials and I'll talk groundcovers, attractive plant combinations and overlooked gems in the garden.

Virtual Garden Tour

I discuss proper harvesting of your garden vegetables in this podcast. Then I answer gardeners’ questions on field bindweed and resources on harvesting seeds. Then Kristin Gies joins me for tips on identifying and managing gypsy moths in your yard and community. I finish off with a favorite product, Pike’s Original Maine Garden Hod, a functional and sturdy harvesting basket.

Over the past year I have tried to incorporate ideas for family fun.  In this podcast I'll remind you of a few of these and other ideas for homemade holiday gifts.  Then I'll answer gardeners' questions on moving Black Hills spruce and rust on Pricilla hollyhocks.  I then offer tips on Christmas tree care.  I'll finish by discussing self watering systems for you Christmas tree.

Planting trees in your landscape is this podcast’s focus. Then I answer gardeners’ questions on moving poinsettias indoors from the garden. Next Kristin Gies joins me for tips on identifying and managing fall webworm. I finish off with a favorite plant, Washington hawthorn, (Crataegus phaenopyrum.)

It's time to reap what you sow! I'll give you some tips on harvesting those delicious raspberries.  I'll discuss their pest problems and how to prune. Then I answer gardeners' questions on eliminating an invading shrub, removing overgrown yews and troubles with black-eyed Susan's. I'll end with ideas on creating a homemade harvest basket.