>> ANYTHING THAT I CAN DRILL A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM CAN BECOME A PLANTER.

>> THEY ARE GREAT FOR WILDLIFE, BUMBLEBEES, SWALLOWTAIL'S.

>> WHEN WE DID MOVE HERE, THIS WAS JUST A HAYFIELD.

>> IT GIVES YOU INTO PEACE -- AND INNER PEACE.

IF YOU HAD A BAD DAY, GET OUT IN THE GARDEN.

♪ SHARON: HELLO, AND WELCOME BACK "GREAT GARDENING."

I'M YOUR HOST, SHARON YUNG.

THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR OUR FIRST SHOW OF 2023!

SPRING HAS JUST STARTED, AND WE'RE EXCITED TO GROW AND SHARE WITH OUR AUDIENCE!

AS USUAL, WE HAVE OUR GARDEN EXPERTS WITH US.

THEY ARE HORTICULTURIST AND EDUCATOR BOB OLEN, AND GARDEN PROFESSIONAL DEB BYRNS ERICKSON.

AS ALWAYS, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM GARDENERS ACROSS THE REGION WHO HAVE QUESTIONS FOR OUR EXPERTS.

VOLUNTEERS FROM THE ST. LOUIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS PROGRAM ARE HERE TO ANSWER THE PHONES WHEN YOU CALL IN.

CALL LOCALLY OR TOLL FREE, 218-788-2847, OR 877-307-8762, FOR YOU CAN E-MAIL US AT OUR NEW E-MAIL, ASK@PBSNORTH.ORG.

LET'S TALK ABOUT OUR CURRENT CONDITIONS TODAY.

WE HAVE SOME VIDEO OF CHESTER PARK IN DULUTH.

NOT SURPRISINGLY, IT IS SNOWY.

DEB: IT IS NOT SNOW-ING, SO WE NEED TO BE HAPPY WITH THAT.

BOB: WHAT WE WANT EVERYBODY TO DO WHEN THEY SHOW IS OVER, GET OUT AND SIT IN THE SNOWBANKS SO YOU CAN REMEMBER HOW GLORIOUS THIS WINTER SEASON WAS.

SHARON: IT IS PRETTY.

DEB: AND WENDY.

THE WIND COULD STOP.

SHARON: LET'S TAKE A LOOK BACK AT WHAT THE 2022 GARDEN SEASON GAVE US AND WHAT THE WINTER WEATHER LOOKED LIKE.

BOB: BEFORE THE SNOW, LAST YEAR WE HAD A TREMENDOUS GROWING SEASON, A NICE MIX OF MODERATE TEMPERATURES, PLENTY OF MOISTURE.

THEN WE CAME INTO WINTER, A VERY INTERESTING YEAR.

A FEW STATISTICS, OUR MAXIMUM DAYTIME TEMPERATURES WERE ABOUT 3.5 DEGREES BELOW NORMAL.

THE AVERAGE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT ONE DEGREE ABOVE NORMAL.

THAT HAS BEEN KIND OF CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS CLIMATE CHANGE WE HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH.

EVENING TEMPERATURES HAVE BEEN WARMER.

OVERALL, OUR AVERAGE TEMPERATURES THROUGH THE WINTER, NOVEMBER THROUGH THE END OF MARCH, WERE JUST ABOUT AVERAGE, JUST A TAD ABOVE IN TERMS OF THE ACTUAL TEMPERATURES.

PRECIPITATION IS 1.93 INCHES ABOVE NORMAL.

SNOWFALL WAS 45.6 INCHES ABOVE NORMAL.

THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF SNOWFALL THROUGH THIS SEASON THROUGH THE END OF MARCH WAS ABOUT 125 INCHES, WHERE THE NORMAL WOULD BE ABOUT 77.5.

THE GREAT THING ABOUT THAT, AND THERE IT IS, AND WHAT ARE THESE IMPLICATIONS?

THE WONDERFUL THING IS WE GOT SNOW BEFORE WE GOT FROST ON THE GROUND.

WE HAVE ALREADY HAD SOME MELTING, AND THE SNOW WAS GOING TO BE ABSORBED.

WE PROBABLY HAVE A QUICK MELT COMING UP.

WE ARE GOING TO CHANGE SEASONS PRETTY FAST AFTER THIS WEEKEND.

HOPEFULLY MOST OF THAT GETS ABSORBED AND WE DO NOT HAVE MUCH RUNOFF AND FLOOD.

THIS SETS US UP FOR A VERY NICE SEASON.

ONE OF THE REMARKABLE THINGS ABOUT OUR WINTER WEATHER, I REMEMBER THESE TWO MONTHS, ALL THE REST OF THE MONTHS WERE AVERAGE, BUT DECEMBER, OUR TEMPERATURES WERE THREE DEGREES BELOW NORMAL AND 26.2 INCHES OF SNOW.

MARCH, VERY COLD TOWARD THE END OF MARCH, 45 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, BELOW, 28.1 INCHES OF SNOW.

THIS IS UNUSUAL, VERY COLD TEMPERATURES WITH A LOT OF SNOW.

THIS IS A FAMILIAR SIGHT, THE BEAUTY OF THE NORTHLAND.

EVERYTHING DRAPED AND VERY HEAVY AND VERY WET SNOW.

ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT, BECAUSE UNFORTUNATELY THERE WAS THIS KIND OF DAMAGE WITH A LOT OF TREE LIMBS DOWN, SO PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE CAREFUL GOING FORWARD, CAREFUL WITH THE CHAINSAWS, CAREFUL HOW YOU MAKE THESE CUTS.

IF YOU HAVE LOST LIMBS, YOU WANT THOSE TREES TO HEAL NATURALLY, SO YOU WANT TO BE CAREFUL AS YOU ARE CLEANING UP SOME OF THIS WINTER DAMAGE, AND THERE WAS A LOT OF IT EVERYWHERE.

SHARON: THANK YOU, BOB!

LAST SUMMER, WE STOPPED BY THE GARDENS OF MARY BIRD RACK.

HER BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS WILL INSPIRE YOU FOR WHEN THE SNOW MELTS!

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

MARY: WELCOME TO MY GARDEN.

I AM GOING TO STAB THAT WE HAVE MAYBE A HALF-ACRE OF PLANTINGS.

IT HAS TAKEN US A LITTLE OVER 20 YEARS TO DO THIS.

HALF OF OUR GARDEN IS SHADED, SO IT CONSISTS OF PASTAS, BURN AREA , ANYTHING THAT CAN GROW IN ITS OWN.

WE HAVE A LOT OF FOLIAGE IN THE BACK THAT IS ALL NATURAL, SO THE FIRMS, WE REALLY APPRECIATE THEM BECAUSE I LOVE FERNS.

THEY BLENDED PERFECTLY FOR A BACKDROP.

THIS IS A WEEPING NORWAY SPRUCE.

THIS ONE WAS TRAINED TO WEEP, SO THE HEIGHT HAS NOT REALLY CHANGED, BUT THE WEEPING CONTINUES TO GO ALL THE WAY DOWN .

BUT THIS IS PROBABLY AS TALL AS IT WAS WHEN WE BOUGHT IT YEARS AGO.

WHAT WE DOING THE WINTER TIME, MY HUSBAND WRAPS IT AND SAYS IT IS PROTECTED FROM THE ELEMENTS AND FROM ANY DEAR OR ANYTHING THAT WANTS TO TRY TO BROWSE ON IT.

MY HUSBAND BUILT THIS ARMOR PROBABLY 15 YEARS BACK.

SO WE HAVE SOME GROWTH ON IT.

THIS BLOOMS RIGHT ABOUT NOW, A LITTLE LATER BLUMER.

-- BLOOMER.

THAT SELF SEEDS AND IT GOES ALL OVER THE PLACE, AND I JUST LET IT.

BECAUSE OF THE CROWDING, I CAN'T REALLY GET IN AND SAVE YOU DON'T BELONG THERE.

I BELIEVE THAT IF NATURE WANTS IT THERE, IT IS PROBABLY A MUCH PRETTIER PICTURE.

BEHIND ME IS OUR PURPLE SMOKE BUSH.

IDEALLY, IT SHOULD BE IN A ZONE 5 REGION.

JUST GOT LUCKY THAT THERE IS A BIT OF A BACKSCREEN TO IT, SO IT DOES PROTECT IT IN THE WINTER.

THE SMOKE BUSH HAS BEEN HERE, I WOULD SAY, AT LEAST 12 YEARS.

THIS IS MY SMALL TOKEN OF A WATER FEATURE.

WE HAVE HAD THIS NOW FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS.

I LOVE IT, THE PLACEMENT OF IT, BECAUSE OUR BEDROOM WINDOW IS RIGHT ACROSS FROM IT, SO AT NIGHTTIME I HAVE THE WINDOWS OPEN AND YOU CAN HEAR THE LITTLE TRICKLING FLOW, WHICH IS SO COMFORTING.

NO MATTER HOW SMALL OF A FUTURE, I THINK EVERYBODY NEEDS IT, BECAUSE IT GIVES YOU A TRANQUIL FEELING.

I THINK IT IS VERY HEALTHY.

WE TRY TO MINIMIZE THE WORK WE HAVE TO DO, BUT IT IS STILL, I WILL BE HONEST, A LOT OF WORK TO MAINTAIN.

BUT IF YOU LOVE IT, YOU ENJOY IT , IT IS ACTUALLY RELAXING.

SHARON: LET'S GET TO SOME QUESTIONS!

MARY SITS IN THE MAIL AND IS ASKING, SHE STARTS SEEDS INDOORS -- MARY SENT AN EMAIL IT IS SAYING, SHE STARTS SEEDS INDOORS, BUT SHE IS SEEING SMALL INSECTS AND DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TO THINK.

FOR TRADING PESTS, DO YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS?

DEB: THAT SOUNDS LIKE FUNGUS GNATS.

THEY CAN COME IN YOUR SOIL.

IF IT IS WET, THEY CAN ALREADY HAVE THE EGGS IN THE SOIL, AND ALL IT TAKES IS WARMING UP, AND THEN THEY HATCH OUT.

WHEN YOU ARE SEEDING, YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR SEEDS MOIST UNTIL THEY GERMINATE.

YOU CAN GET FUNGUS GNATS THAT WAY.

THE EASIEST WAY TO TELL IS IF YOU HAVE A YELLOW STICKY CARD.

PUT IT NEAR THE TRAY.

SOMETIMES THAT IS ENOUGH TO MANAGE THEM IF IT IS NOT THAT BAD.

OTHER TIMES, YOU ARE GOING TO NEED TO LET YOUR TRAYS DRY OUT.

SOME LIKE TO TREAT THEIR TRAYS WITH SAND SO THEY CAN'T LAY EGGS, BUT THAT TAKES A LOT OF AND YOU ARE GOING TO MEET GERMINATION.

THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF PESTICIDES THAT ARE VERY EFFECTIVE.

BOB: MORE THAT CAN BE LABELED FOR USE INSIDE.

THEY ARE FACED WITH THAT, AND THERE CAN BE SEVERAL OTHERS.

IF YOU ARE PUTTING IN YOUR OWN MIX, THEY OFTEN PUT IT IN WITH A MINIMAL ROLE SOIL COMPONENT.

-- MINERAL SOIL COMPONENT.

IT HAS TO BE PASTEURIZED TO DESTROY DISEASE, AS WELL AS INSECTS.

INTO THE OVEN, 170 FIVE DEGREES FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES, NO WARMER THAN THAT.

WE PASTEURIZE.

WE DON'T STERILIZE.

SHARON: WHAT DO YOU DO WITH PLANTS THAT HAVE ORDERED BUT ARRIVED BEFORE YOU CAN PLANT THEM IN THE GROUND?

DEB: WE START HOURS IN CONTAINERS.

YOU CAN GET A JUMP ON THE SEASON.

PEOPLE ARE SAYING WE DON'T KNOW WHEN THE SNOW IS GOING TO MELT, YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PUT PLANTS IN THE GROUND , SO IT COULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO START YOUR BULBS A LITTLE EARLY.

TENDER ONES YOU WOULD WANT TO KEEP INSIDE, BUT A LOT OF THE PLANT MATERIAL THAT YOU GET, A HARDY PERENNIAL, YOU COULD PUT IT IN A SMALL CONTAINER, GET A JUMP ON IT, HAVE REALLY GOOD CONTROL BEFORE YOU HAVE A NICE WARM SPOT.

IF YOU LET YOUR SOIL WARM UP OUTSIDE, THAT COULD BE BETTER YOU COULD MANAGE IT INSIDE, BUT YOU ARE NOT GAINING MUCH.

BOB: GET ALL DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF PLANTS.

IF YOU'VE GOT SHRUBS, REFRIGERATORS, TRY TO HOLD THEM BACK UNTIL YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE THEM OUT.

PEOPLE GROWING SWEET POTATOES AS THE CLIMATE IS WARMING A BIT, SWEET POTATOES, YOU GET SLIPS.

THEY SHIP THEM EARLY TO US BECAUSE THEY CAN'T IMAGINE WE STILL HAVE SNOW ON THE GROUND.

THEY NEVER GO IN THE REFRIGERATOR.

THOSE KINDS OF SLIPS HAVE TO GO IN A PAN OF WATER.

JUST LET THEM SIT FOR THE NEXT SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS UNTIL YOU CAN MOVE THEM IN TEMPERATURES A LITTLE WARMER.

HOW ABOUT SOME OF THE SPRING FLOWERING BULBS?

DEB: YOU CAN POP THOSE UP AND GET THEM IN.

YOU COULD FORCE THEM AND CHILL THEM TO GET THEM TO START, AND YOU DEFINITELY WOULD WANT TO POT THOSE UP.

BOB: AND ENJOY THE DISPLAY.

SHARON: THANK YOU.

AMANDA IN BRIXTON IS WONDERING ABOUT SCALE AND HOUSEPLANT CHEF LAURA.

WHAT CAN I DO BESIDES SQUISHING THEM?

DEB: SHE'S GOT A PROBLEM.

BOB: THEY ARE REAL PESTS.

THE PROBLEM IS THEY'VE GOT A CAB ON THEM, ARMOR, THEY CALLED IT.

WE GOT SECTOR CYCLES -- WE'VE GOT PESTICIDES AND SALTS AND OTHER THINGS WE CAN TRY, BUT YOU HAVE TO GET THOSE EARLY, SO PICKING THEM OFF AND SQUISHING THE MIGHT BE HER ONLY OPTION AT THIS POINT.

DEB: BEFORE THEY CAN LAY MORE JUVENILES.

JUVENILES YOU CAN HIT WITH A SOAP AND THEY WILL BE MORE EFFECTIVE.

SHARON: JEFF IN DRUMMOND IS ASKING, WILL THERE BE A PROBLEM WITH THE SNOW MOLD WHEN THE SNOW FINALLY MELTS?

BOB: I CAN GUARANTEE THERE WILL BE SNOW MOLD.

WE HAVE TWO TYPES, PINK AND GRAY MOLD.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THE PAINT ONES ARE PINK AND THE GRAY ONES ARE GRAY.

THEY LOOK TERRIBLE WHEN THE SNOW MELTS, BUT THEY ARE NOT VERY AGGRESSIVE.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO MUCH.

WHEN THE SNOW MELTS, A LOT A LOT OF THE MOISTURE WILL STAY OFF THE LAWNS BECAUSE WE GET COMPACTION AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO COME BACK FROM THAT.

BY THE TIME EVERYTHING IS DRYING DOWN, THE HIDEOUS LOOKING MOLD WILL PROBABLY HAVE DISSIPATED.

IT IS NOT A REAL AGGRESSIVE FUNGI AND NOT A MAJOR PROBLEM, BUT WE ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO HAVE IT.

SHARON: DEB, YOU WANTED TO CHAT ABOUT THE BEST WAYS TO PERSONALIZE YOUR GARDEN SPACE.

DEB: WITH COVID, PEOPLE GOT INTO THEIR GARDENS, AND SOME PEOPLE STARTED GARDENS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

A LOT OF TIMES, IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOUR STYLE IS, WHAT YOU ARE SAYING ABOUT YOURSELF, ABOUT YOUR HOME, INVITING PEOPLE IN, AND REALLY MAKE YOUR HOUSE A SHOWPLACE AND SHARING IT AND MAKING IT A COMMUNITY WITH OTHER PEOPLE, OR WITH YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, YOU CAN DO A LOT WITH YOUR SPACE.

BUT CHOOSING A STYLE CAN BE DIFFICULT.

ONE STYLE IS -- THINK OF A MONET PAINTING, WHERE YOU JUST HAVE SWATS OF COLOR.

IT IS EXPENSIVE TO INSTALL, BUT ONCE IT IS INSTALLED, IT IS REALLY PACKED TIGHT, SO YOU DO NOT GET A WEED PRESSURE.

MAINTENANCE IS A LOT EASIER.

MAINTENANCE WILL COME DOWN THE ROAD WHEN YOU HAVE TO SPLIT IT AND TEND TO IT.

IT IS A NICE CHOICE.

YOU CAN ADD TEXTURE, VARIETY, SHAPES.

LIZ MACKEY REALLY DOES A NICE JOB OF KEEPING THINGS TIGHT.

ANOTHER STYLE WOULD BE SCANDINAVIAN MINIMALISM, WHICH IS COZY AND COMFORT.

IT IS A BIG TREND.

IT IS NICE AND TIDY.

BUT IT IS A GROWING AND LIVING PIECE OF ARTWORK.

IT IS NICE -- THE SCANDINAVIAN IS NICE AND AIRY.

SPRUCE, JUNIPER FOLIAGE.

YOU DON'T KNOW THAT IT IS DONE.

IT IS KINDA OF VERY SUBTLE, BUT VERY NICE.

ANOTHER ONE WOULD BE UPSCALE RELAXATION.

THIS IS MARTHA, MARTHA, MARTHA, MARTHA.

I WOULD LOVE TO BE MARTHA.

I WISH I COULD AFFORD TO BE MARTHA AND KEEP IT UP.

THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.

IT IS TRADITIONAL.

IT IS BALANCED.

IT IS EVERYTHING PERFECT.

SHE USES A LOT OF HYDRANGEAS, A LOT OF GRASSES, AND JUST A REALLY NICE BALANCE.

IT IS RELAXING TO LOOK AT BECAUSE YOU ARE -- YOUR EYE IS VERUY CALM.

MARTHA IS ALSO ALL ABOUT SETTING A FIRE PIT IN, BRINGING COMFY CHAIRS AND INVITING YOUR NEIGHBORS, INVITING YOUR FAMILY, AND JUST MAKING IT A COMMUNAL SPACE TO ENJOY TOGETHER.

ANOTHER ONE IS BEING WATER WISE.

THIS IS IMPORTANT NOW.

PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED WITH WATER CONSERVATION.

THAT IS A LOT OF, LIKE, ZERO SCAPES -- XEROSCAPES AND ROCKS.

YOU DO NOT GET A LOT OF COLOR AND FOLIAGE AND MOVEMENT, BUT IT IS STILL BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT.

IT IS A HARD SCAPE, BUT WHEN YOU KNOW SOMEONE IS EMPLOYING IT AND YOU ARE APPRECIATING THEY ARE EMPLOYING THAT STYLE, IT IS SOMETHING TO APPRECIATE.

YOU MUST HAVE SELF-CONTROL WITH THAT ONE.

IT IS NOT EASY TO DO IT, BECAUSE I ALWAYS WANT TO MAKE SOMETHING A BIT MORE FLORAL.

BUT PLANTS THAT ARE MORE APPROPRIATE WITH LOW WAER ARE A LOT OF GRASSES, DAISIES, PLANTS THAT ARE MORE NATIVE TO A MORE ARID CLIMATE.

ANOTHER ONE IS NURTURING NATURE, AND THAT IS CREATING A SPACE THAT ENCOURAGES LIFE IN NATURE.

IT IS KIND OF A FLOWER CHILD -- WHAT A FLOWER CHILD WOULD HAVE.

YOU USE EVERYTHING, IT IS BIRD FRIENDLY, THERE ARE POLLINATORS.

EVERYTHING WORKS TOGETHER FOR COMMUNITY.

THESE ARE THINGS YOU CAN CHOOSE AND THEN YOU CAN FIGURE OUT YOUR STYLE AND IT MAKES IT EASIER TO MAKE THESE CHOICES WHEN YOU ARE CHOOSING AND MATERIAL.

BOB: I THINK IT IS GREAT, THIS CONCEPT OF PERSONALIZING YOUR OWN SPACE.

IT IS KIND OF DISAPPOINTING TO ME TO SEE LANDSCAPES WHICH I CALL LOLLIPOP LANDSCAPING.

THERE IS A PLANT PURCHASED ON SALE AND ANOTHER ONE IN THE CORNER.

THAT IS ANOTHER GREAT THING ABOUT GARDENING.

YOU DEVELOP SKILLS AND GET STARTED.

I KNOW YOU HAVE A CONFERENCE COMING UP TO EXPLORE THESE MORE IN-DEPTH SO PEOPLE CAN LOOK AT SCANDINAVIAN STYLES AND SO FORTH.

THERE IS AN AWFUL LOT OF READING, GREAT CONTENT THAT PEOPLE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FOLLOW UP ON.

I LIKE THAT IDEA, MAKE IT FRIENDLY FOR YOURSELF, WHAT WORKS FOR YOU, YOUR FAMILY, PERSONALIZE EVERYTHING.

SHARON: THANKS FOR SHARING THOSE.

LET'S GET BACK TO OUR QUESTIONS!

DUANE FROM GRAND RAPIDS IS GROWING VEGETABLES.

THE SOIL HE IS USING IS HIGH IN PHOSPHORUS, AND HE IS WONDERING IF THAT SHOULD BE A CONCERN.

BOB: PHOSPHORUS ADHERES VERY TIGHTLY TO THE SOIL.

PLANTS HAVE TO PULL IT OFF.

WE RARELY SEE EXCESSIVE PHOSPHORUS LEVELS, BUT FOR PEOPLE ADDING A LOT OF SYNTHETIC FERTILIZERS, YOU CAN OVERDO IT.

THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT OFF HIS PLANT INTENSELY.

IN HIS SITUATION, I DON'T THINK HE NEEDS TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT PHOSPHORUS.

NITROGEN IS ANOTHER STORY.

BE CAREFUL WITH THAT AND WITH POTASSIUM.

OATH MOVE QUITE A BIT AND CAN BE DAMAGING IF YOU HAVE THEM IN EXCESS.

PHOSPHORUS I AM NOT WORRIED ABOUT.

SHARON: LINDA FROM GRAND RAPIDS IS ASKING, HOW DO YOU GET RID OF THE ROSE SCHEEPERS?

HE GETS THEM ON -- SHE HAS THEM ON HYPERION AND ANY FLOWERS.

BOB: EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, THERE IS A NEED FOR SYSTEMIC PESTICIDES, WHICH IF YOU ACCORDING TO LABELS, THERE ARE PRODUCTS.

THIS IS A DIFFICULT ONE TO CONTROL.

SHE CAN ALWAYS START WITH MORE MINIMAL APPROACHES.

SHE CAN TRY TO USE INSECTICIDAL SOAPS.

BUT IT CAN BE CHALLENGING.

SHE MAY HAVE TO REACH FOR ONE OF THE LABELED PESTICIDES.

IT MAY JUST BE ONE APPLICATION AND THEN SHE'S GOT IT UNDER CONTROL.

SHARON: SHE NEEDS CASH DEB: SHE NEEDS TO READ THE LABELS AND REALLY LOOK FOR THAT SPECIFIC TREATMENT.

BOB: AND SHE IS TALKING ABOUT ORNAMENTALS, TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM EDIBLES, SO YOU HAVE TO BE VERY COGNIZANT OF THE FACT THAT, PARTICULARLY WITH SYSTEMIC'S, WHICH ARE VERY EFFECTIVE, BUT THEY SHOULD NEVER BE USED ON EDIBLES.

SHARON: THANK YOU.

BOB, YOU WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE RISING TREND OF COTTAGE GARDENING.

BOB: HERE GOING TO HAVE A BIT OF FUN.

THIS CAME FROM THE NETFLIX SERIES "BRIDGERTON."

THAT STIMULATED A LOT OF INTEREST IN COTTAGE GARDENS.

THEY ORIGINATED IN ENGLAND IN THE EARLY PART OF THE 1800S AND HAVE BECOME VERY POPULAR AGAIN.

WHEN YOU'RE NOT WATCHING PBS, WE WILL GIVE YOU PERMISSION OCCASIONALLY TO WATCH NETFLIX, THE "BRIDGERTON" SERIES.

IT HAS STIMULATED A LOT OF INTEREST.

IN THE 1800S, THESE GARDENS SURROUNDED HOMESTEADS AND WERE INITIALLY ABOUT FOOD PRODUCTION, VEGETABLES, SMALL FRUITS.

THEN THEY KIND OF MORPHED INTO THESE STYLES THAT EMPHASIZE SOME OF THE LUMBER MAINTENANCE -- LOWER MAINTENANCE, PERENNIAL ORNAMENTAL MATERIALS.

IT IS INTERESTING HOW IT FITS WITH A LOT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL THEMES.

MOST OF THE MATERIALS WE ARE GOING TO BE PLANTING IN THESE LANDSCAPES SPREAD.

THEY ARE VERY HARDY.

WE USE THE TERM SUSTAINABLE, MEANING IT DOES NOT TAKE A LOT OF ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A MAINTENANCE FREE LANDSCAPE, BUT THEY FIT VERY NICELY.

THEY HAVE A FORMAL KIND OF STYLE AS OPPOSED TO SOMETHING WHERE THE DESIGN IS VERY RIGID.

THIS KIND OF DESIGN WOULD PROBABLY BOTHER MARTHA QUITE A LOT, BUT FOR THE REST OF US, IT IS NICE TO HAVE SOMETHING MORE INFORMAL, LIVER MAINTENANCE, AND PRODUCES FRESH HERBS AS WELL AS VEGETABLES.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT THAT CONCEPT IN THE SERIES WE'VE GOT COMING UP ON APRIL 15.

SHARON: THANK YOU BOTH FOR THE INSIGHTS.

ALTHOUGH THERE'S STILL SNOW ON THE GROUND, "GREAT GARDENING" IS STILL ACCEPTING PHOTOS FOR THE LOCAL DIRT!

IT'S OUR SERIES WHERE WE SHOW OFF YOUR GARDEN PHOTOS LIVE ON AIR.

YOU CAN SEND YOU GARDEN PHOTOS TO OUR NEW E-MAIL, GREATGARDENING@PBSNORTH.ORG.

OR YOU CAN MESSAGE YOUR PHOTOS TO OUR INSTAGRAM PAGE AT GREAT GARDENING PBS NORTH.

WE CAN'T WAIT TO SHARE WHAT YOU'VE GROWN!

MOVING ON, BOB, YOU WANTED TO SHARE AN UPCOMING EVENT FROM OUR COMMUNITY CALENDAR?

BOB: DAD IS GOING TO BE SPEAKING.

WE'VE GOT 14 PROFESSIONALS VOLUNTEERING THEIR TIME.

WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT DESIGNING THE NORTHERN COTTAGE GARDEN.

WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT INSTALLING PERENNIALS, FLOWERING SHRUBS, CERTAINLY ROSES.

JULIA, ON THE CHERRY FROST SUB ROSE, WILL BE A FEATURED SPEAKER.

ALL THESE PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONATED THEIR TIME.

MANY OF THEM ARE ALSO GOING TO BE AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION.

VERY GOOD PREREGISTRATION ON THAT, SATURDAY, APRIL 15.

YOU CAN GOOGLE IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION.

GOOGLE "SPRING GARDENING EXTRAVAGANZA."

TO OUR VIEWERS, IF YOU WANT TO GET IN, YOU WILL HAVE TO GET AN EARLY, BECAUSE I THINK WE WILL HAVE TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO CAN ATTEND.

GREAT PROGRAM, BUT MAY BE A RESPONSE TO THIS LOVELY WINTER WE HAVE HAD.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF GREEN IN A SHORT TIME.

SHARON: THANK YOU.

LET'S WRAP UP WITH A FEW MORE QUESTIONS!

MARY HAS A CRIMINAL BED INSTALLED 15 YEARS AGO, ADDING MORE VARIETIES EACH YEAR.

DO I NEED TO ADD MORE SOIL?

SEEMS THE FLOWERS ARE NOT AS VIBRANT AND DEVIL AS BEFORE.

DEB: IT COULD -- AND PLENTIFUL AS BEFORE.

DEB: IT COULD BE SOME OF THAT, BUT SHE MAY NEED TO EXPAND THEIR GARDEN.

BOB: PERENNIALS CAN SHOW THINGS OUT.

THIS IS THE MAINTENANCE ASPECT OF A PERENNIAL GARDEN.

PERENNIALS EVENTUALLY YOU WILL HAVE TO GET IN THERE, BUT WE'LL NEED MORE EXERCISE.

THE OTHER THING, LET'S GET NITROGEN ON IN THE SPRING.

IF YOU ARE NOT GETTING GOOD FOLIAGE, YOU ARE NOT GETTING GOOD FLOWERS, SO A COMBINATION OF THOSE THINGS.

DEB: BUT NOT TOO EARLY, BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO WASTE IT.

MAKE SURE THEY ARE GROWING VIGOROUSLY.

BOB: AND MAYBE THE SYNTHETICS GIVEN EARLY RELEASE ALONG WITH ORGANICS.

SHARON: OK. LEE EMAILED US AND IS TALKING ABOUT VEGETABLES.

HE GREW FOUR SQUASH PLANTS AND CUCUMBER AND ZUCCHINI LAST YEAR.

THEY HAD FLOWERS ON THEM BUT HE ONLY GOT ONE CUCUMBER AND ONE PUNY SQUASH.

HE IS ASKING, WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET THE FLOWERS ON, OR SHOULD I BE FERTILIZING?

BOB: GOOD QUESTION.

THE GENETICS ARE VERY INTERESTING IN THESE PLANTS.

IT WOULD NOT HURT TO HAVE A FEW MORE PLANTS, BECAUSE WE TYPICALLY WILL HAVE MALE AND FEMALE PLANTS.

WE GOT TO GET PLENTY OF POLLEN OUT.

WE TYPICALLY WILL HAVE MALE FLOWERS THAT EMERGE BEFORE THE FEMALE FLOWERS.

YOU HAVE TO BE PATIENT.

GENETICS ARE DIFFERENT.

PLANT A FEW MORE VARIETIES, PLANT MORE PLANTS, RATHER THAN ONE OR TWO.

AND EMPHASIZE THE POLLINATORS.

SO WE'VE GOT NATURAL POLLINATION OCCURRING.

I THINK IT IS A POLLINATION ISSUE.

SHARON: THANK YOU YOU, BOB.

THANK YOU ALL FOR TUNING IN TO "GREAT GARDENING" TONIGHT.

IF YOU WANT MORE OF OUR SHOW, YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM AT @GREATGARDENINGPBSNORTH, SUBSCRIBE TO US ON YOUTUBE AT YOUTUBE.COM/GREATGARDENING, AND LIKE PBS NORTH ON FACEBOOK.

IF YOU MISSED ANY PART OF THIS SHOW, IT WILL BE POSTED ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND THE PBS VIDEO APP TOMORROW.

THANKS BOB AND DEB, YOU WERE AWESOME TONIGHT.

BOB: SO WERE YOU, SHARON.

SHARON: THANKS.

ONCE AGAIN, I'D LIKE TO THANK OUR PHONE VOLUNTEERS, THE SAINT LOUIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS.

FROM ALL OF US HERE AT GREAT GARDENING, WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK, AND ENJOY THE GARDEN.

♪