Today's story begins on the sweeping grasslands of North America. Brilliant purple blooms with spiky orange cones that almost seem to glow in the summer sunshine. Today, these flowers are sold in pharmacies, planted in gardens around the world, and brewed into teas believed to help fight off colds. This is the story of Echinacea. You know what's funny? Every garden center in May is screaming buy me, buy me. Meanwhile, the plants that actually steal the show in August are quietly sitting in the corner looking like they just rolled out of bed. Turns out gardening is a lot like high school. The popular kids in May weren't always the ones everyone remembers in August.
Today we're talking about one of the world's most recognizable herbs. Many gardeners even spend part of the summer trying to keep it from taking over their garden. But this humble plant has accompanied humanity for thousands of years, crossing continents, inspiring artists, and earning a place in kitchens and medicine cabinets around the world. Welcome to July Gardening, where your plants are either thriving, struggling, or dramatically pretending they need water every 15 minutes. Your petunias are exhausted, your weeds are winning, and your tomato plants have officially taken over the neighborhood. Today, we're figuring out what to cut, what to feed, and what plants we should just politely ignore.
When strawberries may still be green and blueberries and fruit cheese are just beginning to set their crops, hidden among the leaves of an unassuming shrub, clusters of deep blueberries are already ripening. Join me as we travel from the forests of Siberia and the mountains of Japan to the backyard gardens of Minnesota and beyond. This is the story of honey berries. Plants have a funny way of communicating. Too much water, they droop. Too little water, they droop. Today we're helping you decode the mystery of watering so your garden can thrive all summer long.
The elderflowers are blooming as we explore the culinary delights and medicinal properties of elderflowers and elderberries, as well as the folklore behind them and ways we can use the elder shrub to dye textiles and make musical instruments. Want a healthier garden with fewer pests and more blooms? Discover companion planting secrets that help plants thrive together.
Step back with us into the cool shade of Minnesota's forests and wetlands in search of one of the state's most beloved wildflowers, Lady Slippers, a flower so enchanting that it inspired legends, became Minnesota's state flower, and remains protected by law. Got bug problems in your garden? This week we go over how to identify insect damage, natural methods to save your plants, and how to invite beneficial insects into your garden to fight that fight for you.
The breathtaking cottage garden flower with a deadly secret, discover the folklore and medicinal properties of foxgloves, as well as growing tips to get your blooms to come back every year. And stop deer and rabbits from turning your garden into a buffet, this week learn the best plant choices, proven repellents, and wildlife-proof landscaping tips.
Azaleas are known for their stunning color, but also have quite the interesting past, one that is millions of years old. Azaleas have left soldiers lying paralyzed in ditches, inspired poetry and folklore, and become the center of some massive celebrations. Have you ever tried the Chelsea Chop on plants in your garden? Tune in for all the how-to details and this might just become your new favorite garden trick.
Follow along with us as we journey through the history of the crabapple from prehistoric times to the modern sweet apple. Crabapples have been prized by gardeners for their stunning colorful petals as well as the way they can perfume a garden. Ever feel lost trying to pick out the right fertilizer? What do those 3 numbers mean? Today we tackle everything you need to know about how to pick the right fertilizer for the right plants.
When the lilacs are blooming here, the morels are popping up. Did you know that fungi are more closely related to animals than plants? Which begs the question- can vegans eat mushrooms? Find our more, plus some helpful lilac tips are thrown in too. Have ever been overwhelmed by picking plants at the garden store? Today we dive into some helpful things to think about when making plant decisions that help your garden thrive.
Plant it once and harvest for years, discover the low-effort, high-reward edible garden that keeps giving season after season. And stop guessing at the garden center, learn the PLOT method that turns random plants into stunning designer-worthy containers every time.
Join us as we explore the origins of all the different names for service berries along with the rich history of this important native shrub and the deep ties that culture has tied to it's names. Mulch comes in many forms, picking the right mulch and using in the right way can sometimes make or break gardening success, tune in for mulch tips.
There was a time when single tulip bulb once was once worth the cost of a luxurious home and also a time when eating tulip bulbs saved people from famine during war, tune in to hear more tulip lore. Want a successful garden? Creating the right soil for the right plants can make all the difference, tune in for tips on how to understand and modify the soil in your garden.
Did you know you can knit with Milkweed seed fluff? Come discover why it is considered the 'cashmere of the prairie' and how it connects crafting to conservation. Are you thinking about dividing your perennials this spring? Tune in for tips and tricks for how, when, why to take care of them and expand your garden for free.
Dive into ephemerals with us, plants that come up and flower briefly and then disappear, from folklore to medicinal uses to how to grow them yourself and all the scientific wonder behind the scenes. Interested in planting for pollinators? This week we explore ways build a habitat for pollinators in your garden in addition to planting plants that pollinators love.
From the pyramids to art work at holiday markets, radishes have been celebrated in some pretty interesting ways, hear their story and more about how easy they are to grow. Speaking of, this week we are talking about succession planting with vegetables in your garden for more food and perennials in your yard for more bloom times color.
Why have some incredibly beautiful plants, like burning bush, been banned in Minnesota? We explore why and discuss native alternatives to plant instead. This week we are also doing a deep dive into how to plan your garden around color palettes and texture variety.
The humble carrot has a wild past, ancient Afghan roots, poisonous look-alikes, and a World War 11 propaganda myth that still survives today. Not sure which vegetables to start inside and which are better off being directly sewn into you garden? This week we are talking about the best ways to start vegetable seeds.
It's time to tap our Maple trees here in Minnesota so this week we're exploring the history and science behind making Maple Syrup, something everyone can do, even if you only have a tree or two. And we are doing a deep dive into how to clean, care for, and revive your garden tools to get ready for spring gardening to keep them lasting and in good shape for years to come.
From wild Mexican grasslands to blooming aboard the International Space Station, the week we are talking about Zinnias, including their shared history with the elusive color blue. Have you started getting your seeds ready for this season? This episode breaks down how to start annual flowers so that they look garden-center worthy by planting time.
This week we uncover the the shared anatomy of Strawberries and Roses, the wild truth about what a strawberry really is, and the deep history that links these two iconic plants to Valentine's Day. Thinking of planning a new garden or redoing your garden this year? We are walking through how to plan a garden in phases and plan for a future garden that grows into the perfect garden for your space.
How did the fields of lavender, that once only grew around the Mediterranean, make there way to farms in Minnesota? Tune in to follow their fragrant trail. This week we are also talking about choosing a garden style- based on your site, your preferences, and how to make a garden design that caters to both.
Have you ever wondered what the biggest seed on earth is? How about the smallest? This week we tell you the adventurous true tales of coconuts and orchids. And we're going on a deep dive into best practices for how to plant perennials from seed and what to expect throughout the process
This week we bring you the history of the humble hosta and dig into garden designing in the winter- no blooms, no pressure, just structure, ideas, and big garden dreams.
Did you know that there is a small native lupine, different from the tall lupines we see on the side of the road, that exclusively supports a rare blue butterfly? This week we are talking all about lupines and winter sowing. Have you ever sown seeds in the winter? Tune in as we explore all our winter sowing options here in Minnesota.
This week we are exploring the healing power of Birch Trees and the relationships they've had with the people who live in the boreal hemisphere; and we begin our garden planning conversations for the 2026 season with Seed Catalogs.
This week we are talking about incense: what it is, what it’s made from, and why humanity has burned it for as long as we’ve recorded history. As well as what gardening looks like when we bring it indoors for the winter and the plants we can bring inside to fill our homes with gorgeous scents.
This week we bring you the origin stories of cinnamon & sugar and go over winter garden prep tips to keep your plants, trees, and shrubs well cared for over the winter.
Ever wondered where hot cocoa and marshmallows come from? Are you wondering if now is the right time to prune your shrubs? This week we uncover the plant origin stories behind cocoa and marshmallows and dig into when the best time of year to prune your shrubs, and ornamental grasses.