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.

So much to do and so little time to do it.  In this podcast I'll offer tips on how to reduce winter damage and lighten the work load for next spring.  I'll touch on storing pesticides and fertilizers, animal protection, winter rose protection, storing tools, winter mulch and fall landscape chores.  I then answer a gardener's question on overwintering geraniums. I'll then discuss yellow leaves on plants that have been moved indoors for the winter.  I wrap things up with the sweet stevia plant.

Fall is a great time for planting and in this podcast I'll discuss getting your trees, shrubs, perennials and spring bulbs planted before winter. I'll discuss fall lawn care from fertilizing to leaving leaf and grass clippings on the ground. I then focus on plant protection and using repellents and fencing to keep the animals at bay. I'll tackle gardeners' questions on creeping Charlie, Joseph's coat and quackgrass vs. crabgrass.

I once again offer you a guided tour of Boerner Botanical Gardens. This podcasts focuses on my June 23rd walk highlighting ground covers and vines. This season's warm temperatures have also allowed many perennials to put on their display a little early than the norm. We have a number covered here that are sure to give you ideas on how to fill your landscape with color.

I'm going to give you detailed steps on how to move your house plants back indoors for the winter. I'll answer gardeners' questions on hostas and sedum. I'll discuss watering trees & shrubs with softened water. I'll talk about a favorite tool, Ups-A-Daisy.

This week I focus on Plant Health Care. This is a method of managing plant problems in a proactive and more environmentally friendly manner. It starts with selecting the most pest resistant plant that is best suited to the growing conditions. This along with proper care can eliminate many problems. I continue with tips on proper diagnosis and assessment of a plant health. We start looking at a variety of management strategies that can help reduce the damage of problem insects and diseases.

Melinda Myers at Wisconsin State Fair...
Gardens are ever changing. I'll offer a few tips for helping you transform a landscape or maximizing the growing space in your existing gardens. I'll talk soil preparation, fertilization, maintenance, spacing plants, shade, hardiness and edibles too.

Summer's heat can take its toll on both you and your garden. Take a walk through Boerner to find out what annuals, perennials and summer blooming shrubs sparkle in the summer heat. I offer a guided tour that you can take along with you while viewing the virtual tour online!

Many households are going to begin growing vegetables for the first time this year. I'll give you some basics to get started. Then I'll answer gardeners' questions on installing an arbor for trumpet vine and growing onions in the north. This week's pest tip will focus on clubroot of cabbage and other crucifiers. I'll finish with a recommendation of a great vegetable to grow, Eggplant F1 'Hansel' , an All-America Selections winner.

Follow along with me as I narrate the Winter Wonderland Virtual Tour! Get ideas for incorporating winter interest into your yard. Take a look at winter beauty provided by the bark, form and fruit of trees and shrubs as well as seed heads of perennials and ornamental grasses. You’ll come away with creative ideas and design solutions to add interest to your winter landscape.