Joel Sheridan
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The Garden Mix


Nationally renowned garden expert Melinda Myers helps everyday gardeners find success and ease in the garden through her Melinda’s Garden Moments radio segments. Melinda shares “must have” tips that hold the key to gardening success, learned through her more than 30 years of horticulture experience. Listeners from across the country find her gardener friendly, practical approach to gardening both refreshing and informative! On this page, Melinda shares some more extensive garden tips, which expand on the information provided in her one-minute radio segments.

New tips will be added throughout the growing season, providing timely step-by-step tips on what you need to do next in your garden! Visit Melinda’s website www.melindamyers.com for more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and answers to your questions.

New Year's Resolution Garden - The Garden Mix
The holidays are filled with lots of delicious foods and sweets. But now is the time to resolve to grow your own vegetables and eat healthier in the New Year.
 
Gather everyone you cook and eat with for a planning session – all ages are invited. Get out your recipes, garden catalogues, crayons, paper, and scissors.  Make a list of all your favorite fruits and...

Selecting Artificial Lights for Indoor Gardens - The Garden Mix
Whether you are trying to start plants from seeds, get your African violets to bloom, or keeping your indoor plants alive, a bit of extra light can help.
 
Plants need a variety of light (color/wavelength) for proper growth and flowering. Blue light promotes leaf and stem growth while red combined with blue promotes flowering and bud development. In the past gardeners would buy...

Green and Easy Landscape Care - The Garden Mix
Being kind to the environment does not have to be difficult. In fact, it can save you time and money.
 
Recycle your Christmas tree. Use it as a bird shelter or windbreak in the winter.  Then stand and support it in the garden to use as a trellis for vining vegetables or flowers.  Leave fallen cones and evergreens in place as an attractive mulch. They do no...

Caring for Your Indoor Plants - The Garden Mix
Don’t let your indoor plants become victims of the busy holiday season. Instead, take a few minutes to give them a bit of TLC. 
 
Wipe off any dust-covered leaves with a damp cloth. Use a cosmetic brush to clean up fuzzy leafed plants like African violets.  Trim off any brown leaf edges on spider plants, Ti, dracaenas and other indoor plants susceptible to...

Holly - The Garden Mix
The beautiful evergreen foliage and bright red berries make holly a popular plant in holiday arrangements and our winter landscape. 
 
Besides its beauty this plant has been a popular part of folklore and myths for centuries. The early Romans sent boughs of holly to friends and families during their celebrations of the winter solstice.  Many families planted holly around...

Jack Frost Brunnera: Perennial Plant of the Year - The Garden Mix
Add a bit of color to the shady corners of your landscape with the 2012 Perennial Plant of the Year.
 
Jack Frost Brunnera commonly known as Siberian Bugloss was introduced in 2000. It’s unique foliage and forget-me-not like flowers make it a winner. The dark green leaves are frosted with a metallic silver and the baby blue flowers appear in mid to late spring.

Last Minute Gifts for Gardeners - The Garden Mix
Looking for the perfect gift for your favorite gardener? Don’t worry, you still have time and lots of choices. 
 
Tools are always a welcome gift. Most gardeners are reluctant to invest in that cool new hand trowel, shovel, or rake. And that’s what makes them a great gift.   Create a garden basket with gloves, a hat, and sunscreen. Help your...

2012 All American Selections Winners - The Garden Mix
As the year winds down, it’s time to start thinking about next year’s garden. Consider adding a few of the All American Selections Winners to your garden.  These new never-before-sold varieties are tested nationally and proven locally.   Summer Jewel Pink is an early blooming compact salvia. It is a favorite for hummingbirds and will soon be one...

Grow a Succulent Wreath - The Garden Mix
Change up your winter décor with a colorful succulent wreath. 

Start by taking 2 to 3 inch long cuttings from your favorite succulents. Use a variety of colors and texture for added interest.  Set the cuttings aside and allow them to callous over for several days.

Norfolk Island Pine Holiday Tree - The Garden Mix
Add a living evergreen to your indoor garden and holiday celebrations.
 
The Norfolk Island pine has long been a favorite of indoor gardeners. Plus their pine-like appearance makes them a great living Christmas tree. Add a bit of garland and a few small ornaments for a festive effect.  Grow this plant in a cool well-lit location avoiding...

Growing Rosemary Indoors - The Garden Mix
Rosemary is a favorite herb of cooks, crafters, and gardeners. It is often grown indoors as topiaries and miniature trees for holiday celebrations. But, keeping it looking its best throughout the winter can be challenging.
 
Grow your Rosemary in the sunniest location possible. Supplement the lower light conditions of the indoors with artificial lights to increase your...

Reduce Holiday Stress with Plants - The Garden Mix
The holidays are upon us and our already full schedules are being overloaded with shopping, baking, decorating, and parties. Consider adding a few plants or indoor gardening activities to brighten your spirits, reduce stress and maybe even result in a homemade gift or two.
 
Let’s start with those left over unplanted bulbs. Plant several bulbs in a container filled with...

Grow a Topiary Wreath for the Holidays - The Garden Mix
Grow your own holiday decorations using the ancient art of topiary.
 
All you need are a couple small trailing plants, a metal frame, potting mix, and a container with drainage holes. Wreaths are a traditional favorite form and small leaved English ivies are the most commonly used plants for indoor topiaries. But wire vine, Asian star jasmine, and other trailing indoor plants...

Grow a few Christmas Gifts - The Garden Mix
Help small children handle the anticipation and adults deal with the stress of the holidays while creating a few homegrown gifts.
 
Scour your basement, shed or garage and locate small containers or items that can be used as flowerpots. Make sure they have drainage holes or add them if needed. Otherwise, you’ll need to double pot the plants.
 
Clean the used

Living Christmas Tree - The Garden Mix
This may be the year you decide to enjoy the holidays and expand your landscape with a living Christmas tree.
 
Locate a nursery or Christmas tree farm that sells living trees.   Select a tree suited to your holiday celebration, landscape design, and growing conditions.   You’ll also need a large container for balled in burlap trees.  Dig a hole, if you...

Grow Your Own Pineapple - The Garden Mix
Don’t compost the top of your pineapple. Instead, use it to start an indoor garden with your favorite young or seasoned gardeners.

You will use the leafy top of the pineapple to start your new plant. Put on some gloves as the leaves are sharp and then grab hold of the leaves and...

Homegrown Garnishes for Holiday Meals - The Garden Mix
Make your holiday meals just a bit more special, decorative, fun, and nutritional with homegrown garnishes.
 
Parsley is a traditional garnish that is often left behind on the plate. But the dark green leaves should not be ignored. This garnish is high in Vitamin C and A, has...

Transporting and Care of Holiday Gift Plants - The Garden Mix
Potted plants make the perfect hostess or holiday gift. Make sure this present arrives safely so it can be enjoyed throughout the season.
 
Wrap your plants in paper or plastic to protect them from the often harsh outdoor conditions and jostling that occurs during transport. Remove the wrap as soon as...

Dress up Your Indoor Plants for the Holidays - The Garden mix
Dress up your indoor plants with a bit of seasonal color and decorations.
 
Stop by your favorite florist or garden center and purchase a few water picks and cut flowers. Place the cut flowers in the picks and sink them into the...

African Violet and Jade Leaf Cuttings - The Garden Mix
Start some new houseplants from just a leaf of your jade or African violet. 
 
Let’s start with African violets. Use a small plastic container with drainage holes for rooting. Fill it with a well-drained potting or African violet mix. Remove a leaf with ...

Fall Flowers on Forsythia and Other Spring Bloomers - The Garden Mix
A forsythia bloom in fall? It’s not as unusual as you think.
 
Many spring flowering plants like lilac, forsythia, dogwood, apple, and pear will produce a few if not many flowers in fall. I once saw a Callery Pear in full bloom in late October. This usually occurs when ...

Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter Cactus - The Garden Mix
The holidays are quickly approaching and that means the holiday plants, including the Christmas cactus are making their appearance.  I am often asked “What is the difference between the Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter cactus?” As you have noticed there is... 

Golden Canker on Pagoda Dogwood - The Garden Mix
Don’t let hot dry summers damage or even kill your Pagoda dogwood. Proper care and a bit of pruning can keep them healthy.  Pagoda dogwoods suffering from heat and drought stress can often succumb to golden canker disease. This fungus causes...

Cleaning and Storing Plant Pots - The Garden Mix
Piles of plastic pots fill the sheds and garages of gardeners across the country. Don’t throw these in the trash. Rather look for ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle plant pots.  I reuse many of these containers in my own gardening efforts. I start by...

Clear Sticky Substance (Honeydew) on Houseplants - The Garden Mix
 Clear sticky droplets on houseplant leaves, nearby furnishings and the floor mean something is feeding on your houseplants. This clear sticky substance is honeydew. It is often the first thing gardeners notice when aphids, mites, white fly, mealy bugs, or scale are feeding....

Eliminate Floppy Perennials - The Garden Mix
Flopping perennials can ruin the beauty and enjoyment of your garden. Take note and prevent future problems with a bit of proactive care. Make sure the plants are receiving the growing conditions they prefer. Insufficient sunlight, excess water, and too much nitrogen fertilization can cause plants to flop. Move plants to the right growing location and adjust care as...

Inviting Spiders in the Garden and Managing Them in Your Home - The Garden Mix
 Halloween, scary movies, and myths have given spiders a bad reputation. Don’t let this bad press scare you into destroying these garden helpers. Spiders eat insects, other spiders, and other members of the spider family.   Based on research out of Europe it is estimated that all the spiders around the world consume about 1 billion 870 million pounds of bugs each...

Fall Fertilization of Lawns - The Garden Mix
Hot dry summers take their toll on lawns. Give your lawn a nutrient boost and get them ready for future outdoor activities. 
 
Start with a soil test whenever possible. It will tell you how much and what type of fertilizer is needed. 
 
For cool season grasses like bluegrass, fescue, and rye, Apply a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer sometime between late...

Fall Soil Preparation - The Garden Mix
As the summer growing season winds down, it’s a great time to prepare your landscape for next season. Start with a soil test. The results can save you money and the environment.
 
Contact your local University Extension Office or State Certified soil testing lab for details on taking and submitting a sample to find out what your soil has and what it needs. The results will tell...

Winter Care for Cacti and Succulents - The Garden Mix
Cacti and succulents are great low maintenance plants for busy, experienced, and new gardeners. Keep your plants healthy year-round by adjusting your indoor care to the changing seasons.
 
Move cacti and succulents to a draft-free cooler location for winter. A sunny window in an unused room or basement with artificial lights may be the perfect wintering spot for these plants. The...

Prevent Future Insect and Disease Problems - The Garden Mix
Take some time now to reduce insect and disease problems in next year’s garden.
 
Remove any insect and disease-infested plants and fruit from the garden. These serve as overwintering sites for disease organisms and insects that can re-infest next year’s planting. 
 
Those battling late blight on tomatoes and potatoes must remove infested plants and fruits to...

Needles Yellowing and Dropping on Evergreens - The Garden Mix
Don't worry if your evergreen has yellow or brown needles all along the trunk. This is a common occurrence called seasonal needle drop.
 
Evergreens shed some of their older needles every year. They lose a larger number of needles in the late summer or fall following a summer drought or other environmental stress. Some species like white pine lose their needles after two...

Fall & Winter Care for Groundcovers - The Garden Mix
Falling leaves make a great mulch in the woods, but can spell death for groundcovers and the lawn. Make clean up easy for you and good for the environment. 
 
Large fallen leaves block sunlight, hold moisture, and suffocate the lawn, groundcovers, and perennials they cover. Put away the rake and shred the fallen leaves on your lawn with the mower. As long as you can see...

Weeping Fig Dropping Leaves - The Garden Mix
Fall seems to have arrived, indoors that is.  Your weeping fig is dropping leaves on the floor and has you a bit concerned.  Don’t worry. 
 
These plants are sensitive to any change in their environment.  And this includes the shorter days and less intense light of fall and winter.  As light conditions change outdoors, so do those inside. Fortunately these

Fall Care for Perennials - Let Them Stand - The Garden Mix
Let ‘em stand for winter - perennials that is - for a healthier more floriferous garden next year. 
 
If you like things neat and tidy you’ve probably been cutting your perennial garden to the ground each fall. Consider leaving them stand to provide a bit of winter interest, food for the birds, and habitat for our good bugs.
 
Always remove diseased and insect...

Reseeding Annuals - The Garden Mix
Tight budgets or just a sense of wonder may have you looking for annuals that readily reseed in the garden.
 
Seedlings of cosmos, sweet alyssum, flowering tobacco, pansies and more can be found popping up in unexpected places in your garden. 
 
Keep in mind hybrids that set seed will produce off spring that may be taller, shorter or a different color or flower form than their

Preserving Roses for Winter Enjoyment - The Garden Mix
Harvest a few roses to enjoy indoors throughout the winter.
 
This unconventional method may just be the answer for fresh from the garden roses in January. Select a plastic bin large enough to hold your roses. Move the box to the basement, crawl space, or other cool location that remains above 40 degree Fahrenheit or 5 degrees Celsius.
 
Fill the box with wet sand once it...

Harvest and Care of Fall Raspberries - The Garden Mix
Sweeten those fall days with a handful of fresh raspberries. And maximize the flavor and bounty with proper harvesting and care. 
 
Pick raspberries when they are fully colored, taste sweet and juicy, and easily pull off the core. Pick often to prevent overripe berries collecting on the bushes. These attract picnic beetles that move in and start feeding on the fresh as well...

Reblooming Your Christmas Cactus and Poinsettia - The Garden Mix
Whether you’re a novice or seasoned gardener, the sense of accomplishment when reblooming a poinsettia or Christmas cactus is something the cost of a new plant can’t replace.
 
These plants need 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness each night to set flowers for Christmas. Starting around October 1st cover or move your plants into a dark location each night. Just keep in

Don’t Move Firewood - The Garden Mix
Cooler air and the crackle of burning wood mean fall for many. But don’t destroy the forest by moving firewood. Instead use wood from local sources. 
 
Emerald ash borer, Asian long horn beetle, thousand cankers disease and other pests can be spread on infested firewood. Always use wood from within the neighborhood, county and preferably within 10 miles from where...

Harvesting and Storing Grapes - The Garden Mix
Growing your own grapes for jam, jelly, and of course wine can be fun. Get the most flavor and productivity with proper harvesting and a bit of bird protection. 
 
Use your taste buds to determine ripeness. Pick a grape from the tip of a bunch that is fully colored and looks ripe. Harvest grapes when they are sweet and tasty.
 
In the meantime you may need to...

Landscaping with Evergreens - The Garden Mix
Evergreens provide more than year round greenery. Find new and interesting ways to include them in your landscape. 
Use taller evergreens for screening bad views, buffering traffic and other noises, or creating privacy.  Combine them with perennials and flowering shrubs for added seasonal interest. 
Many evergreens have interesting form and texture.  Use these to...

Saving Heirloom Tomato Seeds - The Garden Mix
Be a part of history and save money when planting next year’s garden. Collect and save the seeds from your favorite heirloom tomatoes this fall. 
           
Start by scooping out the gelatinous center of a ripe tomato. Place this in a container of water and let it ferment in a warm location for a week or...

Fall Color: How Leaves Change Color in Fall - The Garden Mix
The brilliant fall color in our landscapes is a magical transformation that happens each year.   And the science behind it all is just as intriguing.
 
Each Fall as the days shorten our deciduous trees and shrubs begin this transformation. The plants produce less of the chlorophyll that gives leaves their normal green color. In fact, the chlorophyll starts breaking...

Camouflage Your Air Conditioner - The Garden Mix
Don’t let your air conditioner break the family budget or be an eye sore in your backyard. Try one of these affordable solutions to improve the view and keep your air conditioner running smoothly.
 
Structures, trellises with vines or plantings can help improve the view and shade your air conditioner so it runs efficiently, reducing energy consumption by as much as...

Transplanting Shrubs - The Garden Mix
Moving trees and shrubs can be tricky and heavy work. Make the move in spring before growth begins or in fall as the plants go dormant for greatest success.
 
Loosely tie the branches of the shrubs to prevent damage and keep them out of your way. Dig a trench around the shrub slightly larger and deeper than the desired rootball.
 
Undercut the rootball with the...

Moving Houseplants Indoors - The Garden Mix
Help your houseplants make a smooth transition from outdoors to inside. 
 
Isolate these plants from your indoor houseplant collection. Unwanted insects often hitch a ride indoors as you move the plants inside. Watch for insects and control any found with an eco-friendly product, such as insecticidal soap, as needed.
 
Help the plants adjust to the lower light...

Growing New Plants from Kitchen Scraps - The Garden Mix
Don’t throw those peach pits, avocado and grapefruits seeds into the compost pile. Have a little family fun and try growing these into a memory.
 
Start the fun by taking a look at nature. If the plants normally grow in a cold climate, like apples, they will need a cold treatment. Those from tropical regions will not.
 
Remove the fleshy husk of nuts...

Core Aerating Lawns -The Garden Mix
Late summer and fall is a good time to reinvigorate heat and drought stressed lawns.
 
Core aeration can help reduce thatch and soil compaction by creating openings in the lawn so air, water, and nutrients can reach the grass roots.
 
Thatch is a layer of partially decomposed grass plants that prevent water and nutrients from reaching the grass roots. One half inch or thicker...

Planting Mums for Fall Beauty - The Garden Mix
Add some fresh color to your landscape with mums and asters. 
 
Set them in a decorative pot and place them on your front steps to welcome visitors. Or use them on your patio, deck or balcony for a bit of color to enjoy all fall. Combine with other fall favorites like ornamental grasses, cabbage, kale, mustard and pansies for greater impact.
 
Or use them to replace...

Transplanting Iris - The Garden Mix
Give overgrown and poor flowering iris a helping hand for a beautiful spring garden. 
 
You can start transplanting bearded iris about 8 weeks after they finish flowering. Cut the leaves back in a fan shape to about 6 to 8 inches above the ground. Lift the rhizomes and check for borers. These white worm-like insects feed inside of the rhizome causing plants to wilt...

Renovate Lawns - The Garden Mix
Fall is a great time to renovate thin or poor quality lawns. 
 
Renovation is the last step before replacement. Use this method for lawns that are thin, have lots of bare spots or are full of weeds.
 
Start by removing the thatch layer if it is greater than ½ inch thick. Use a vertical mower, known as a dethatching machine, on actively growing lawns to cut...

Monitor and Adjust Tree Care - The Garden Mix
Improve the health and longevity of your trees and shrubs with a bit of preventative care.
 
Take a few minutes to walk through your landscape to uncover any maintenance practices that may be harming your plants.
  Pull mulch away from the trunks of trees and off the crowns of shrubs. Check new plantings and remove any labels, twine, wire, or other material that can eventually...

Harvesting Onions and Potatoes - The Garden Mix
Break out the garden fork and get ready to start harvesting onions and potatoes.
 
Dig onions when the tops fall over and begin to dry. Wait for this to happen naturally for the best quality and largest onion bulbs. Use damaged, bruised and those onions started from sets first as they do not store well as those started from seeds or plants.
 
Cure firm, blemish-free onion...

Eco-friendly Perennial Garden Weed Control - The Garden Mix
 So it seems your perennial garden is filled with more weeds than flowers. Now is a great time to reclaim your garden by getting the weeds under control. 
 
Ground ivy, bindweed, and quackgrass are a few perennial weeds that can quickly take over your garden. Continually pulling or cutting the weeds off at ground level may eventually kill the weeds. But you need to...

Harvesting Pickles and Cucumbers - The Garden Mix
 Dills, sweet or slicers all start as cucumbers. It’s the timing at harvest that makes the difference.
 
Harvest cucumbers based on their use. Pick the fruit when its 1 ½ to 2 ½ inches long if you plan on making sweet pickles. Allow the cucumbers to grow a bit bigger, 3 to 4 inches, if dill pickles are on the menu. 
 
You can wait a bit ...

Create Planting Beds to Save Time and Your Trees - The Garden Mix
Reduce maintenance and improve your plants’ health by creating large planting beds around trees and shrubs.
 
The larger bed eliminates competition from the grass and damage caused by weed whips and mowers that get a little too close to the plants. And you’ll save time by eliminating the need to hand trim around individual plants.
 
Start by outlining the bed with...

Dealing with Surface Roots - The Garden Mix
Avoid dulling your mower blades and more importantly damaging your trees by creatively dealing with the surface roots.
 
Don’t cut, dig, or shave off these important roots. Damaging the roots creates openings for insects and diseases to enter and damage or kill your tree. 
 
Mulch is a simple solution. Use a 2 to 3 inch layer of woodchips or shredded bark on

Create a Bit of Curb Appeal - The Garden Mix
 The best of our landscapes are often hidden behind our homes for only our family and friends to enjoy. But consider sharing a bit of your green thumb talents with passersby. 
 
You can have your privacy and delight your neighbors at the same time. Create a privacy screen with a mix of evergreen, flowering shrubs and perennials. Make sure both sides provide year

Grow a Container Garden filled with Evergreens - The Garden Mix
Whether gardening on a balcony or an acre lot – there is always room for an evergreen. The many new dwarf varieties available make it easy for everyone, even balcony gardeners, to include evergreens in their landscape.
Start small with several trough gardens, though any weather resistant container with drainage holes will work. These planters can be placed in the garden, set on the

Moss Gardens - The Garden Mix
Tired of fighting moss in your lawn and garden? It may be time to embrace it and grow a moss garden.
 
The easiest way to get started is to allow existing moss to spread and cover a larger area. Simply keep it free from debris and keep other plants out of its way.
 
Or you could speed up the process by digging, dividing and moving moss in from other areas of the landscape...

Sitting Areas in the Garden - The Garden Mix
Stop and take a moment to sit, relax, and enjoy your garden. And while you do so, look for new areas to create more such spaces.
 
Patios and decks situated right next to the house make it easy to stop and take a break. Look for areas where you can enjoy the morning sun or find shelter from the afternoon’s heat. And consider adding a water feature for added

Green Roof Birdfeeder - The Garden Mix
Invite the birds into your landscape for added color, motion, and interest while creating a focal point in one of your gardens.   Plant a green roof birdfeeder.
 
Green roofs on buildings are designed to reduce heating and cooling costs and storm water runoff. Now you may not be able to turn in your roof’s shingles for a green roof, but you can create a charming

Gather Ideas and Fresh Produce from the Farmers Market - The Garden Mix
Didn’t get that garden planted this year? Or maybe you didn’t plant enough for your families
needs. Don’t worry, you can still have fresh from the garden flavor and be kind to the environment.
 
Support local agriculture, reduce energy consumption, save money, and improve your diet by shopping at your local farmer’s market. Did you know that much of the

Managing Weeds in the Garden - The Garden Mix
Invest a bit of time now to prevent thousands of weeds and save yourself hours weeding next year.
 
Simply pulling one weed before it sets seed can prevent hundreds of weeds in next year’s landscape. So if the weeds are starting to take over tackle those flowering or setting seed first. Do not compost these. Most of our compost piles don’t heat up enough to kill the

Poor Fruiting on Cucumber, Squash and other Vine Crops - The Garden Mix
Your plants look great, loaded with healthy leaves and flowers, but there is still no fruit. This is a common complaint I hear from gardeners growing squash, cucumbers, and other vine crops.
 
Start by taking a closer look at the flowers. The first set of flowers produced is all male flowers. The next set of flowers is a mix of male and female. Look for the miniature fruit

Five Minute Garden Maintenance - The Garden Mix
Improve your garden’s beauty, increase your enjoyment, and reduce stress five minutes at a time.
 
Gardeners know and research proves that gardening is good for your mind, body, and spirit. But busy schedules often lead to neglected projects, weedy gardens, and long “To Do” lists.
 
Fight the overwhelming desire to give up. Look for small tasks that can

Watering Tips for New Trees - The Garden Mix
Save time, energy, and conserve water while caring for your new trees.
 
Proper watering and mulching is the best way to grow healthy and long lived trees. But droughts and busy schedules can make it difficult to keep our plants properly watered.
 
Using a soaker hose in the mulched area around the tree can reduce time spent hauling and applying water. Or you could invest

Trench Compost Kitchen Scraps - The Garden Mix
Summer means lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and that means lots of kitchen scraps to manage. Don’t send them down the garbage disposer or throw them away. Instead, recycle them into your gardens. 
 
Worm and pile composting are great ways to manage these scraps. But if these methods aren’t for you, try trench composting. 
 
Cut the kitchen

Purple Leaf Shrubs - The Garden Mix
Add a bit of season long color to your landscape with purple leafed shrubs. 
 
The purple leaf sand cherry has long been a favorite of gardeners. The leaves hold their purple color all season but pest problems can shorten its life. Regular pruning will help combat these problems. 
 
But now there are many more possibilities.
 
The purple leaf ninebarks

Recycling Coffee Grounds in Your Garden - THe Garden Mix
Put coffee grounds and filters to work improving your garden’s beauty and productivity. 
 
Recycle these morning discards in your compost pile or worm bin. Or occasionally sprinkle the grounds on the soil surface of your indoor and outdoor container and in-ground gardens. In addition, you’ll have fewer slugs since caffeine is reported to repel and even kill

Great Foliage Plants for the Garden - The Garden Mix
It’s not just about the flowers when it comes to selecting perennials for the landscape.
 
The purple leaves of Brunette or James Compton bugbane add color to the shade garden until the white flowers appear in fall. Combine with hakone (Hakonechloa) grass, hosta, or another contrasting plant to help the dark foliage stand out in the shade.
 
The bronze leaves of

Shrubs Made for the Shade - The Garden Mix
Add structure and a year round framework to your shady landscape with shrubs. 
Smooth hydrangeas’ white snowball flowers generate fond memories for many, while blending nicely with hostas and ferns.
The large native Witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) shrub can be grown in full sun or shade. The fragrant yellow flowers are revealed in fall after the yellow fall leaves

Eco-friendly Earwig Control - The Garden Mix
UGH! Oh gross! Commonly heard right after an earwig is spotted.
This long slender beetle does look pretty ferocious with its pinchers.   It will pinch if cornered, but usually runs away from us faster than we can run away from it.
Before attempting to eradicate them, make sure the earwigs are causing enough damage to warrant control. These pests are also beneficial in our

Attract Hummingbirds to Garden - The Garden Mix
Bring in the hummingbirds and brighten your landscape with colorful plants.
 
Hedges of weigela provide shelter for birds and the funnel-form flowers are filled with nectar for both hummingbirds and butterflies to enjoy.
 
Allow honeysuckle vines to climb over rocks and structures or train them onto a trellis. The season long flowers of this honeysuckle will help attract

Harvesting, Using and Preserving Herbs - The Garden Mix
Spice up your cooking with fresh-from-the-garden herbs.  
 
You can harvest herbs whenever you need them for cooking or garnishing a favorite dish. But you will get the most intense flavor from herbs harvested just prior to flowering. 
 
Adjust the quantity of herbs used to allow for variations in flavor intensity and your family’s preference. 
 
In

Tired of watering? Save time, money and water with a few simple changes. - The
Mulch your garden beds with shredded leaves, evergreen needles, or other organic matter. It conserves moisture while suppressing weeds and improving the soil.
 
Always water plants thoroughly and less frequently to encourage deep more drought tolerant roots. 
 
And select heat and drought tolerant flowers suited to your climate. Keep the soil slightly moist while

Eco-friendly Control of Apple Scab - The Garden Mix
Leafless crabapple trees are a common sight in summers following a cool wet spring. Start now to eliminate the problem next season. 
 
Apple scab, a fungal disease, causes olive green to black spots on leaves and fruits. These spots can grow together and severely infected leaves will drop prematurely.
 
Rake and destroy the fallen leaves and fruit. This

Plant a Patriotic Red, White, and Blue Garden or Container - The Garden Mix
Celebrate the Fourth of July with a little red, white and blue in the garden.
 
Many garden centers sell large size annuals this time. Add these to a vacant garden in the landscape or create a few patriotic containers to enjoy as you celebrate this holiday.
 
Red geraniums skirted with white alyssum or dusty miller and Laguna or another heat tolerant lobelia is a traditional

Attracting Beneficial Insects to Your Garden - The Garden Mix
Join forces with nature and keep garden pests under control this season. 
 
Predatory insects like lady beetles, green lace wings, praying mantis and predacious wasps are a few of nature’s pest controllers.
 
Grow a few plants to attract these beneficial insects to your landscape. Add annuals like sweet alyssum and herbs like dill, fennel, thyme and lavender to

Eco-friendly Control of Botrytis and Phytophtora Blights on Peonies - The Garden
Keep your peonies looking good and healthy with a bit of grooming. 
 
Brown or purplish black spots on the leaves and stems of peonies are symptoms of Botrytis and Phytophthora blights. Both attack the leaves and stems though Botrytis can also infect flower buds causing them to turn brown and fail to open.
 
Several other fungal leaf and stem spots can cause similar

Yellow, Brown, and Wilted Leaves on Houseplants - The Garden Mix
Yellow, brown, and wilted leaves on houseplants can mean too much or not enough water. So what’s a gardener to do?
 
Gather basic care information on your plants and their preferred growing conditions. Some plants, like peace lily, must have evenly moist soils while others like jade plants prefer drier soil for best results.
 
Evaluate your current watering

Preventing & Overcoming Disease Problems - The Garden Mix
Keep your plants looking good and be kind to the environment despite the risk of disease problems. 
 
Prevent problems by matching the plants to the growing conditions, providing proper care and giving them plenty of room to grow. And select the most disease resistant varieties whenever possible. 
 
Consider using a drip irrigation system to apply the water directly

Trumpet Vines - The Garden Mix
Trumpet vines are a favorite plant for attracting hummingbirds to the garden. But lots of leaves and no flowers are a common problem for gardeners. Don’t give up; you can get this vine blooming for you and the hummingbirds to enjoy.
 
Be patient. Trumpet vines need to reach maturity to flower. This can take up to five or seven years.
 
Make sure the plant

Plant a Gift for Dad this Father's Day - The Garden Mix
Plant a gift for dad this Father’s Day and give a gift he can enjoy all season.
 
If the father in your life likes to grill, consider growing a pot or two of his favorite herbs. He can keep them near the grill and harvest what he needs for seasoning his favorite recipe.
 
Or maybe he is a big ice tea drinker. Grow a container of mint. He can pluck a leaf or two

Removing Faded Flowers - The Garden Mix
Removing faded flowers can promote repeat bloom and more compact, healthier growth.
 
Remove the fading flowers of begonia and ageratum during wet weather to reduce disease problems.
 
Deadhead heavy seeders like columbine and valerian that you want to keep contained. Or allow some seeds to develop if you have space to fill or want lots of seedlings to transplant and share

June is National Rose Month - The Garden Mix
June is National Rose Month. Be sure to celebrate by enjoying a few cut roses fresh from your garden.
 
Take a bucket of water into the garden when harvesting cut flowers to keep them fresh.  Cut roses early in the morning just as the top bud is starting to open. Make the cut on a slight angle just above an outward facing 5-leaflet leaf. This will leave the plant

Grow Parsley for You and the Butterflies to Enjoy - The Garden Mix
Parsley is not just a garnish for your meals. This Vitamin rich herb is a great addition to your garden and recipes.
 
Use fresh parsley in your recipes and increase Vitamins C and A in your diet. Herbalists have long believed and recent scientific research supports its benefits in lowering blood pressure.
 
The texture and color of parsley make it a great addition to the

Dealing with Surface Tree Roots - The Garden Mix
Tired of mowing over tree roots? I have a solution to make your life easier and keep your trees healthier. 
 
Surface roots are important to the health and stability of your tree. Here are some things you should not do.
 
Never bury the roots. As little as an inch of topsoil over the root system can kill some trees. Your tree may look fine the first few years,

Strawberries for Any Landscape - The Garden Mix
Anyone can grow fresh strawberries for their cereal in the morning or to enjoy with a glass of wine at night. 
 
Consider using strawberries as a groundcover in sunny locations. Their leaves, flowers, and fruit add seasonal interest to the landscape and fresh fruit to your meals. 
 
Select disease resistant varieties suited to your climate and your gardening

Hot Peppers - The GardenvMix
Heat up your meals and improve your health by adding a few hot peppers to your garden and meal plan. 

Recent medical research found that Capsaicin in hot peppers has real health benefits. Though the hot peppers and spicy food can add to the pain and irritation of ulcers they do not cause them. In fact, these hot and spicy vegetables have been found to provide gastric relief, kill...

Containing Aggressive Plants - The Garden Mix
 Mint, beebalm, and purple coneflower are garden favorites that often get out of hand. Tame these and other garden bullies with a few planting and maintenance strategies. 
 
Grow mint in containers on your patio and deck where it can flourish without taking over your landscape. Some gardeners sink the pot in the ground. Just make sure the lip of the container is...

Edible Flowers Add Color and Flavor to Meals - The Garden Mix
Pluck a few flower petals and add flavor and color to your favorite salad, beverage, jam, jelly or meal.
 
Flowers have long been used in cooking by many cultures. Nasturtium leaves and flowers can be used in salads, while daylily blooms are great lightly fried or served fresh and stuffed with cream cheese. Chive flowers will brighten a salad or add color and flavor to your...

Double Up for a Bigger Harvest - The Garden Mix
Double your harvest without increasing your garden space. Try planting short season vegetables like lettuce, radishes and beets between long season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, okra, cabbage, and broccoli. When the short season veggies are ready to...

Cleaner Air Mowing - The Garden Mix
The grass is up and growing and the roar of lawn mowers can be heard throughout the neighborhood. Minimize the negative impact of your gas mower on the environment with a few easy tricks.
 
Whether gas or electric, keep the bottom of the mowing deck clean and free of debris buildup. And sharpen the blades for a cleaner cut that closes faster, reducing moisture loss, risk...

Give 'em a Pinch - Pruning Flowers - The Garden Mix
Replace your plant stakes with pruners to keep some of your floppy flowers full of blooms and standing tall.
 
Pinch back new transplants of salvia, snapdragons and other annuals that tend to get leggy. You will delay flowering a bit, but end up with more blooms and better looking plants throughout the season.  Leggy mums, asters, and other late season flowers can be kep...

Water Trees for their Health and Longevity - The Garden Mix
Save energy, care for new trees, and conserve water in one easy step. Proper watering is one of the most important things you can do for the health and longevity of your trees.  Water new plantings thoroughly and often enough to keep the root ball and soil beyond moist.  Check newly planted trees growing...

Sweep Your Way to Cleaner Water - The Garden Mix
Break out the broom and sweep your way to cleaner drinking water. Gardening creates beautiful landscapes and productive gardens, but it can get a bit messy. Grass clippings, chemicals, soil, and fertilizer often spill onto walks, driveways, and other hard surfaces.
 
Save a few minutes at the end of each garden session for a bit of cleanup. Move large plant debris into...

Give 'em Room to Grow - Thinning Vegetables - The Garden Mix
A tangle of carrots, ill-formed beets, and non-existent radish roots mean it’s time to add thinning to your gardening list.
 
I think thinning, removing the excess flowers and vegetable seedlings to their proper spacing, is one of the hardest jobs. Gardeners hate wasting plants or worse yet moving them to their next phase of life – the compost pile.  So let’s...

Creating a Better View: Fences, Hedges and Other Screening Strategies - The Gard
A fence is just one way to create a sense of intimacy in a large landscape or privacy in any size yard. Perhaps your budget, landscape design or available space won’t allow this solution. Don’t worry you have other options. 

Consider screening just the bad views instead of building a fence or planting a hedge the full length of your lot line. An attractive...

Growing Apples - The Garden Mix
Apples are the perfect fat-free fruit for your diet and garden. Plant just a couple trees or a small orchard so you can harvest an apple-a-day right from your own backyard.  You’ll need a sunny location and at least two plants when growing apples. Like many fruit, apples need pollen from another tree to develop the fruit. And if your neighbor or a nearby park has ...

Moss - The Garden Mix
Tired of fighting moss in your lawn and garden? It may be time to embrace it and grow a moss garden.
 
Moss grows in shaded locations with damp, poorly drained, compacted and acidic soils. Correct these growing conditions if you want to eliminate this plant. But you may find...

Homemade Gifts for Mother's Day - The Garden Mix
Looking for a last minute gift for mom? Don’t worry there is plenty of time to create the perfect gift she will enjoy all season long.
 
Pack up the family and head to your favorite garden center. Have each child select a plant or combination of plants for mom. Check the tags and make sure they will grow in the...

Low Light Houseplants - The Garden Mix
Add a few houseplants to brighten those low light locations in your home. Selecting the right plants and providing proper care will reduce work for you and keep your plants looking good.
 
Pothos, philodendron, snake plant and ZZ (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) plant are a few of the most low light tolerant plants. Start with these...

Add Color and Seasonal Beauty to Shrub Beds and Berms - The Garden Mix
Mix things up and add a bit of sparkle to your landscape this season.  A large garden bed or berm filled with shrubs and mulch can get a bit boring. Brighten up these plantings with flowering bulbs and perennials.
 
Add a bit of spring surprise with early bloomers. A mix of small scale bulbs like grape hyacinths, crocus and squills creates a colorful tapestry at the base...

Space Saving Vegetable Gardening Tips - The Garden Mix
Don’t panic if your garden plans are bigger than the available planting space. I have some space saving techniques that can help you get the most out of your landscape.  Try planting short season crops like radishes and beets between long season crops like...

Brown Tips on Houseplant Leaves - The Garden Mix
With just a bit of effort you can eliminate brown leaf tips and keep your indoor plants looking their best. Dry soil may be the problem. Make sure you water the soil thoroughly whenever it is barely moist. Use your finger as a moisture meter. Push your finger through the top few...

Kids Gardens - The Garden Mix
Put your creativity to work and get your favorite youngster excited about gardening. Include some kid-friendly features in this season’s garden to get your children, grandchildren, or neighborhood kids to share your gardening passion.

Create a teepee of stakes covered with pole beans. Use the teepee to shade leaf lettuce planted below or better yet let the kids use the space for...

Easter Lily and Spring Holiday Plants - The Garden Mix
Lilies are always a favorite of the Easter season but there are many other choices for this and other spring holidays.

Consider adding hardy lilies to your spring holiday season.  Many florists are forcing garden lilies for your spring indoor enjoyment. These can be moved into the garden and enjoyed for years to come. Just be aware that many florists use growth regulators...

Non-Blooming Roses - The Garden Mix
If your hybrid tea rose has stopped blooming or changed colors, a dead graft union may be the problem.
Hybrid tea and some other roses have traditionally been grafted. A bud of a beautiful rose cultivar, like Peace, Tropicana, or Lincoln, is grafted onto a hardy rootstock. This delicate union joins two different roses together. Extremely harsh weather, improper planting, or...

Pruning Evergreens - The Garden Mix
You can tame overgrown evergreens blocking your views or creeping over walks with a bit of pruning. And get the best results for your effort with proper timing and the right pruning strategies. Pines are terminal growers sending new growth from branch tips. As the buds expand they look like candles before the needles expand. Control their size by removing 1/2 to 2/3rd the...

Grow Your Own Healthy Snack - The Garden Mix
Grow a few healthy snacks for you and your family to enjoy. Carrots have the crunch of chips and crackers without the fat and calories. 

Carrots are not only nutritious, but fun for the family to grow and suitable for most gardens. The new shapes and colors make this a fun and colorful addition to the garden and snack tray. You’ll find...

Sterilizing Soil - The Garden Mix
Save money and your plants from disease by growing in pathogen-free potting mix. Purchase and use a pasteurized potting mix to avoid introducing disease, weeds, and insect problems to houseplant and outdoor container gardens.
 
Some gardeners like to make their own mix and pasteurize the soil themselves.   This can be fun, but...

Garden Math - Ordering Mulch and Topsoil - The Garden Mix
Don’t end up with a driveway full of excess topsoil and mulch waiting for friends and family to haul away the surplus for their gardens. Do a bit of math in advance and order just the amount needed. 
Keep in mind a cubic yard covers 300 square feet of ground at a depth of...

Rhubarb - The Garden Mix
Grow the main ingredient for a classic, delicious, and family favorite – rhubarb pie. 
Start by preparing the soil as soon as it is workable. Add several inches of organic matter to the soil to improve drainage in heavy clay soil and increase the ...

Growing Grass in Shade - The Garden Mix
Love your shade trees but tired of the sparse lawn and bare spots? Make this the season you eliminate the frustration of trying to grow grass in the shade and go for a permanent fix.  The lack of sunlight and competition for water makes it difficult if not impossible to grow grass under some trees. Try growing shade tolerant grass seed mixes in...

Hardening Off Transplants - The Garden Mix
Give garden transplants a helping hand as they move from the warm humid greenhouse or inside your home to the harsh outdoors. 
 
The transition to the outdoors can be hard on our garden transplants. You can make that transition easier and recovery quicker with...

Caring for Bare Root Plants - The Garden Mix
You decided to save money or perhaps try something new and ordered bare root plants from a catalog or through the internet. Now you are wondering what to do with them once they arrive.
 
Most growers ship bare root plants just prior to the recommended planting time for our area. Dormant plants can be planted directly outside in...

Black Walnut Toxicity - The Garden Mix
Part of the fun or for some the frustration of gardening is overcoming challenges and one big challenge for many gardeners is planting under a black walnut tree.
 
All parts of the black walnut tree contain a toxic substance called juglone that can cause ...

Pruning Currants and Gooseberries - The Garden Mix
Many gardeners are growing their own fruits and vegetables, including some traditional favorites like currants and gooseberries. Proper pruning will keep these plants looking good and productive.
 
Late winter or early spring before growth begins is the...

Grow Calcium Rich Vegetables - The Garden Mix
Keep a fresh supply of bone-building calcium growing in your garden all season long.
 
Grow calcium rich greens like mustard, turnips and kale during the cooler months. These vegetables not only tolerate cooler air and soil temperatures, but taste better when...

Preparing the Lawn Mower for the Season - The Garden Mix
Prepare your lawn mower now for the grass cutting season ahead. You will minimize breakdowns, frustration, and improve the health and beauty of your lawn.
 
Start by disconnecting the spark plug. It is the smart and safe thing to do when cleaning, repairing or working with the mower. And this is the perfect time to clean or replace the...

Damping Off Disease - The Garden Mix
Don’t let past problems starting plants from seeds prevent you from partaking in this fun and budget-wise garden activity. A clean start and proper care can be the difference between success and failure.
 
Damping off disease may be the culprit. It is caused by several different fungal diseases and can prevent seeds from sprouting or cause young seedlings to suddenl...

Flower Garden Design Basics - The Garden Mix
Creating a beautiful flower garden can be overwhelming, but understanding a few key concepts can make it much easier. Use warm colors of orange, red and yellow to create a focal point in the garden, make large areas appear smaller and feel warmer and more energized.

Eco-friendly Mealy Bug Control - The Garden Mix
If your indoor plants have cottony masses on the leaves and stems, it is time to break out the rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs. Beneath this fuzzy mass are soft body scale insects known as mealybugs. These pests suck plant juices causing leaves...

Expanding Garden Beds, Chemical-Free - The Garden Mix
If each year you find yourself trying to squeeze more plants into less space, it may just be time to expand one or more of your planting beds. Start with a sketch of your garden and include the existing beds. Look at how you currently use the space and where there is room to expand.

Selecting Rain Barrels - The Garden Mix
Save money and be kind to your garden and the environment by capturing rainwater and putting it to work in your landscape. You can make your own rain barrel or purchase one. In either case there are some features to consider when adding a rain barrel to your landscape...

Low Maintenance Roses - The Garden Mix
So you want to grow roses, but don’t want to fuss? Don’t worry - you can have beautiful roses with minimal care. I love the beauty of roses, but for years had to tell gardeners their plants are diseased, insect infested or had died. Fortunately advances in breeding have changed this, making growing roses something any gardener can enjoy...

Windowsill Herb Garden - The Garden Mix
Add fresh-from-the-garden-flavor to your meals year round. Grow a windowsill herb garden. All you need for this garden is a container with drainage holes, a saucer or shallow tray to capture excess water and protect your woodwork, a well-drained potting mix and some...

Shrubs That Attract Birds - The Garden Mix
Birds can add color and motion to your landscape year round. Planting shrubs that provide food and shelter is an easy and affordable way to bring birds into your backyard. 
 
Include evergreens like arborvitae and yews to provide shelter for the birds. The prickly heat and drought tolerant juniper is another evergreen that provides a safe haven...

Pruning Grapes - The Garden Mix
Tame overgrown grape plants down to a manageable and more productive size. Late winter or early spring before growth begins is the best time to prune grapes. Select a training system that fits your landscape and gardening style.
 
The four-cane kniffen method is the most common. You will train the...

Pet Friendly Indoor Gardening - The Garden Mix
You can have pets and still grow an indoor garden.  As a cat owner I have struggled with this issue for years. We love our pets and they love to eat or dig in our plants. Start by selecting plants that are...

Pruning Young Trees
Winter is often the time we break out the pruners and start shaping trees and shrubs. Before making that first cut, be sure you are pruning with a purpose in mind.  Strive to...

Tips for Growing Healthy Houseplants
Start or expand your indoor garden and keep plants growing their best with a few simple tips. Select indoor plants that match the growing conditions such as light and humidity as well as your schedule. Cacti and succulents are good choices for busy people with lots of light...

Growing Onions
Make homegrown onions part of your diet. Their flavor is guaranteed to add zest to your meals and their health benefits include lowering the risk of many cancers.
 
Onions can be started by seed, sets or plants. Grow your own onions from seed by starting indoors for easier sprouting or to compensate for short growing seasons.

Eco-friendly Lawn Weed Control - The Garden Mix
A healthy lawn is your best defense against weeds. So if you want to reduce the problem - long term- you need to learn a bit more about the weeds.

Weeds become a problem when the growing conditions or climate are...

Controlling Earwigs - Naturally
UGH! Oh gross! Both commonly heard right after an earwig is spotted. 

This long slender beetle does look pretty ferocious with its pinchers.   It will pinch if cornered, but usually runs away from us faster than...

Preserving and Sharing Your Harvest - The Garden Mix
Are you like me and always squeeze in that extra tomato plant, another row of beans or that one left over pepper plant?   It seemed like a good idea at the time. But now you have more produce than you need. 

Preserve some of that extra harvest to enjoy throughout the year. Select healthy, pest-free produce...

Selecting Grass Seed - The Garden Mix
We walk on it, play sports on it and expect it to look great all year long – our lawns. But harsh weather, animals and less than ideal growing conditions take its toll, resulting in dead patches and thin lawns. 

Late August through mid-September is the best time to seed a lawn and repair...

Fall Containers - The Garden Mix
Add a little extra color and beauty to your fall landscape.  

Consider purchasing a few fall blooming annuals and perennials to brighten your landscape. A  pot of mums or asters can add color to your front steps. Try mixing...

Controlling Quack Grass - The Garden Mix
It seems to be everywhere – your garden, lawn and cracks in the sidewalk. 

You may have guessed I am talking about quack grass. This aggressive perennial grass spreads by a long white root-like rhizome. Control is difficult since any little piece...

Harvesting Squash and Melons - The Garden Mix
All your hard work and effort is paying off with a bountiful harvest. Get the most production and best flavor from your garden by harvesting your squash and melons at their peak.
 
Pick vegetables regularly for a bigger harvest and better flavor.   Pick zucchini when the fruit is 6-8 inches long, not the size of a baseball bat. They taste better and...

Planting Shrubs - The Garden Mix
Use shrubs in the landscape for extra color, a bit of privacy and year round beauty.
 
Select a shrub suited to the growing conditions and your landscape design. Then insure its health, beauty and longevity with proper planting.
 
Start with a call to 811 a free utility locating service, three business days before you start digging. Then dig the hole the same depth as the

Galls - The Garden Mix
Lumps on leaves and bumps on stems have your landscape plants looking like something from a horror movie. 
 
No need to worry about these bizarre growths, they are just the plants’ response to insect feeding. As leaves and twigs expand in spring, mites, adelgids...

Mulching - The Garden Mix
Save time and energy and keep your landscape looking its best with mulch. 
 
Mulching is one gardening technique that provides many benefits for several seasons. Organic mulches such as evergreen needles, shredded leaves, and woodchips conserve soil moisture....

Harvesting Flowers for Drying
Enjoy your garden’s beauty year round. Harvest and dry a few flowers to use in flower arrangements, craft project or as gifts for friends and family.
 
Pick the flowers when they are at peak bloom. I like to harvest flowers for drying mid day since they will have less moisture and are on their....

Dog Vomit Fungus - The Garden Mix
It’s foamy, slimy and rather disgusting to look at. And nothing describes it better than its common name – Dog vomit fungus. 
 
This slime mold often appears on woodchip and cocoa bean shell mulches during rainy weather. It starts out bright yellow and eventually turns tan, dries and disappears. It feeds on dead organic matter, such as mulch, and is no...

Harvesting and Preserving Root Crops - The Garden Mix
It’s time to start reaping the benefits of your spring plantings. So break out the garden fork and get busy harvesting...

Eco-friendly Powdery Mildew Control - The Garden Mix
Don’t panic when you find your zinnias, lilac, bee balm or phlox leaves are covered with a white powdery substance. This fungal disease, known as powdery mildew, is often a yearly problem on a variety of plants...

Lettuce, Kale and Collards - Harvest Tips - The Garden Mix
Get the most flavor and nutritional value from your garden-fresh vegetables with proper harvesting, storage and preparation...

Eco-friendly Slug and Snail Control - The Garden Mix
They’re gray, they’re slimy, they feed at night leaving holes in the leaves of your favorite hostas, tomatoes and other garden plants. Yes, you guessed it – slugs and snails...

Late Additions to the Garden - the Garden Mix
Don’t let the calendar stop you from gardening. There is still time to plant vegetables for you and your family to enjoy...

Eco-Friendly Mosquito Control
Don’t let mosquitoes prevent you from enjoying your garden this summer. A fan and a bit of outdoor housekeeping will help you manage these pests...

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Win tickets to Ghost Rider Spirit Of Vengeance.
99.1 The Mix gets YOU into the best new movies FIRST! Listen to Van McNeil (Weekdays Noon-4pm) for your cue to call in and win tickets to The Mix Sneak Peek of Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance starring Nicholas Cage. Good luck! (414.799.1099) Nicolas Cage reprises his role as Johnny Blaze in Ghost Rider™ Spirit of Vengeance. In this gritty new vision for the character, directed by Neveldine/Taylor (Crank), Johnny is still struggling with his curse as the devil’s bounty hunter – but he may risk everything as he teams up with the leader of a group of rebel monks (Idris Elba) to save a young boy from the devil… and possibly rid himself of his curse forever. http://www.thespiritofvengeance.com/
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Stop and read before you order
A new online article talks about what bartenders are really thinking when it comes to what you order and how your act at a bar. For example, if you order a margarita. Bartenders say they're a pain to make (some even say the blender is broken) and you're either an amatuer or underage. On the other hand, if you order a Gin & Tonic that means you have money. Vodka drinks are respectable and Cosmos mean you're stuck back in time watching Sex & The City. For the full article, click here. Photo credit Anders Ljungberg via Flickr
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All things OSCAR...Behind the scenes, nominees and more.
Billy Crystal will serve as host for the 84th Academy Awards. “I’m thrilled to welcome Billy back to the Oscar® stage,” said Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Tom Sherak. “He’s a comic legend and Oscar icon, and it feels good to have him back where he belongs.” Producer Brian Grazer commented, “Like so many others, I’ve been eager to see Billy host again. It’s very gratifying that he agreed to do it with Don Mischer and me at the helm.” Said Mischer, "With Billy, we're moving forward with one of the greatest hosts in Oscar history. His return to the Oscars® is, in a sense, a celebration." This will mark Crystal’s ninth time as host. Only Bob Hope has hosted more Academy Awards presentations, with 19 ceremonies between 1940 and 1978. Crystal last hosted the Academy Awards in 2004. “Some of the best moments of my career have happened on the Oscar stage. I am thrilled to be back there. Actually, I am doing this so that the young woman in my pharmacy will stop asking me my name when I pick up my prescriptions,” said Crystal. Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar® presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide. 84th Academy Awards Nominees. Click on nominee for more infomation. Best Picture "The Artist" "The Descendants" "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" "Hugo" "Midnight in Paris" "The Help" "Moneyball" "War Horse" "The Tree of Life" Best Actor Demian Bichir, "A Better Life" George Clooney, "The Descendants" Jean Dujardin, "The Artist" Gary Oldman, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" Brad Pitt, "Moneyball" Best Actress Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs" Viola Davis, "The Help" Rooney Mara, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady" Michelle Williams, "My Week With Marilyn" Best Supporting Actor Kenneth Branagh, "My Week With Marilyn" Jonah Hill, "Moneyball" Nick Nolte, "Warrior" Christopher Plummer, "Beginners" Max Von Sydow, "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" Best Supporting Actress Berenice Bejo, "The Artist" Jessica Chastain, "The Help" Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids" Janet McTeer, "Albert Nobbs" Octavia Spencer, "The Help" Best Director Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris" Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist" Terrence Malick, "The Tree of Life" Alexander Payne, "The Descendants" Martin Scorsese, "Hugo" Best Animated Feature "A Cat In Paris" "Chico & Rita" "Kung Fu Panda 2" "Puss in Boots" "Rango" Best Original Song "Man or Muppet," The Muppets; Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie "Real in Rio," Rio; Music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown, Lyric by Siedah Garrett For more visit...www.Oscar.com
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American Idol Sneak Peek February 2nd.
In an American Idol exclusive, Madonna will world premiere the video for her new single, “Give Me All Your Luvin,” featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. Plus, more auditions – this time from St. Louis, MO – as the judges resume their search to find the next singing superstar. Take a sneak peek at tonight's episode and check out American Idol Wednesday and Thrusday nights on FOX! www.AmericanIdol.com 
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All things GRAMMY...Performers, nominees and more.
54th Annual GRAMMY® Nominees. Click on artist to view music video. Album of the Year Adele - 21 Foo Fighters - Wasting Light Lady Gaga - Born This Way Bruno Mars - Doo-Wops & Hooligans Rihanna - Loud Record of the Year Adele - "Rolling In The Deep" Bon Iver - "Holocene" Bruno Mars - "Grenade" Mumford & Sons - "The Cave" Katy Perry - "Firework" Best New Artist The Band Perry Bon Iver J. Cole Nicki Minaj Skrillex Song of the Year Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Fergie - "All of the Lights" Mumford & Sons - "The Cave" Bruno Mars - "Grenade" Bon Iver - "Holocene" Adele - "Rolling In The Deep" Best Pop Solo Performance Adele - "Someone Like You" Lady Gaga - "Yoü and I" Bruno Mars - "Grenade" Katy Perry - "Firework" Pink - "F***in' Perfect" Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse - "Body and Soul" The Black Keys - "Dearest" Coldplay - "Paradise" Foster The People - "Pumped Up Kicks" Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera - "Moves Like Jagger" Best Dance Recording deadmau5 and Greta Svabo Bech - "Raise Your Weapon" Duck Sauce - "Barbra Streisand" David Guetta and Avicii - "Sunshine" Robyn - "Call Your Girlfriend" Skrillex - "Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites" Swedish House Mafia - "Save The World" Best Rock Performance Coldplay - "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" The Decemberists - "Down By the Water" Foo Fighters - "Walk" Mumford & Sons - "The Cave" Radiohead - "Lotus Flower" Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Dream Theater - "On The Backs of Angels" Foo Fighters - "White Limo" Mastodon - "Curl of the Burl" Megadeth - "Public Enemy No. 1" Sum 41 - "Blood In My Eyes" Best Rock Album Jeff Beck - Rock 'N' Roll Party Honoring Les Paul Foo Fighters - Wasting Light Kings Of Leon - Come Around Sundown Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You Wilco - The Whole Love Best Alternative Music Album Bon Iver - Bon Iver Death Cab for Cutie - Codes and Keys Foster the People - Torches My Morning Jacket - Circuital Radiohead - The King Of Limbs Best Traditional R&B Performance Eric Benet - "Sometimes I Cry" Cee Lo Green and Melanie Fiona - "Fool for You" R. Kelly - "Radio Message" Raphael Saadiq - "Good Man" Betty Wright and the Roots - "Surrender" Best R&B Album Chris Brown - F.A.M.E. El DeBarge - Second Chance R. Kelly - Love Letter Ledisi - Pieces of Me Kelly Price - Kelly Best Rap Album Jay-Z and Kanye West - Watch the Throne Lil Wayne - Tha Carter IV Lupe Fiasco - Lasers Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Beyoncé and Andre 3000 - "Party" DJ Khaled, Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne - "I'm On One" Dr. Dre, Eminem and Skylar Grey - "I Need a Doctor" Rihanna and Drake - "What's My Name?" Kelly Rowland and Lil Wayne - "Motivation" Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Fergie - "All Of The Lights" Best Rap Performance Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes - "Look at Me Now" Jay-Z and Kanye West - "Otis" Lupe Fiasco - "The Show Goes On" Nicki Minaj and Drake - "Moment 4 Life" Wiz Khalifa - "Black And Yellow" Best Country Solo Performance Jason Aldean - "Dirt Road Anthem" Martina McBride - "I'm Gonna Love You Through It" Blake Shelton - "Honey Bee" Taylor Swift - "Mean" Carrie Underwood - "Mama's Song" Best Country Song Thompson Square - "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not" Blake Shelton - "God Gave Me You" Trace Adkins - "Just Fishin' " Taylor Swift - "Mean" Vince Gill - "Threaten Me With Heaven" Kenny Chesney (featuring Grace Potter) - "You and Tequila" Best Americana Album Linda Chorney - Emotional Jukebox Ry Cooder - Pull Up Some Dust And Sit Down Emmylou Harris - Hard Bargain Levon Helm - Ramble At The Ryman Lucinda Williams - Blessed Best Blues Album Gregg Allman - Low Country Blues Marcia Ball - Roadside Attractions Warren Haynes - Man In Motion Keb' Mo' - The Reflection Tedeschi Trucks Band - Revelator Best Folk Album The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow Steve Earle - I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues Eddie Vedder - Ukulele Songs Gillian Welch - The Harrow & The Harvest 54tn Annual GRAMMY® performers and presenters. Twenty-time GRAMMY® winner Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band have been added to the stellar lineup for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards® (www.grammy.com). Actor/recording artist Jack Black, six-time GRAMMY winner and current three-time nominee Fergie, three-time GRAMMY winner and current nominee Amir "?uestlove" Thompson (The Roots), and nine-time GRAMMY winner Ringo Starr will appear as presenters. Music's Biggest Night® — hosted by two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J — takes place live on Sunday, Feb. 12 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Networkfrom 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio worldwide via Dial Global, and covered online at GRAMMY.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/thegrammys. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. For GRAMMY coverage, updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy®'s social networks on Twitter and Facebook: www.twitter.com/thegrammys, www.facebook.com/thegrammys. Previously announced performers for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards include Adele (in her first live performance since undergoing vocal cord surgery last fall); Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson; Glen Campbell with The Band Perry and Blake Shelton; Coldplay and Rihanna; Foo Fighters; Bruno Mars; Paul McCartney; Nicki Minaj; Katy Perry; and Taylor Swift. Aldean, The Band Perry, Minaj, and Shelton will perform on the GRAMMY telecast for the first time. Previously announced presenters are Dierks Bentley, Drake, Miranda Lambert, and Gwyneth Paltrow. LL COOL J has hosted "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night" since its inception in December 2008, and this is his first time hosting the annual GRAMMY Awards telecast. www.grammy.com
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Don't hug the groundhog
Today is Groundhog Day! I think groundhogs are so cute! Except, I read this about groundhogs and it kind of changed my idea of whether or not I should hug one. By nature, groundhogs are aggressive creatures. They can be socialized if raised with lots of human contact in captivity, but still retain their full wild memories. Doug Schwartz, a zookeeper and groundhog trainer at the Staten Island Zoo, had this to say to the New York Times about groundhogs "They're known for their aggression, so you're starting from a hard place. Their natural impulse is to kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out. You have to work to produce the sweet and cuddly."  Photo - Wynter, the groundhog at the Milwaukee County Zoo http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/news/
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Don't hug the groundhog
Today is Groundhog Day! I think groundhogs are so cute! Except, I read this about groundhogs and it kind of changed my idea of whether or not I should hug one. By nature, groundhogs are aggressive creatures. They can be socialized if raised with lots of human contact in captivity, but still retain their full wild memories. Doug Schwartz, a zookeeper and groundhog trainer at the Staten Island Zoo, had this to say to the New York Times about groundhogs "They're known for their aggression, so you're starting from a hard place. Their natural impulse is to kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out. You have to work to produce the sweet and cuddly."  Photo - Wynter, the groundhog at the Milwaukee County Zoo http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/news/
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The Voice Season 2 Sneak Peek.
 "The Voice" returns (The Voice Mondays on NBC (8-10 p.m. ET / 7-9pm CT) beginning February 6; Season premiere: Sunday, February 5 (10-11 p.m. ET / 9-10 p.m.) - time approximate following Super Bowl) with the strongest vocalists from across the country invited to compete in the blockbuster vocal competition show's second season. Celebrity musician coaches Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton return along with Carson Daly as host. Christina Milian joins as Social Media Correspondent. The show’s innovative format features three stages of competition: the first begins with the blind audition, then the competition enters into a battle phase, and finally, the live performance shows. During the blind auditions, the decisions from the musician coaches are based solely on voice and not on looks. The coaches hear the artists perform, but they don't get to see them -- thanks to rotating chairs. If a coach is impressed by the artist’s voice, he/she pushes a button to select the artist for his/her team. At this point, the coach’s chair will swivel so that he/she can face the artist he/she has selected. Once the teams are set, the battle is on. Coaches will dedicate themselves to developing their singers, giving them advice, and sharing the secrets of their success. During the battle rounds the coaches will pit two of their own team members against each other to sing the same song together in front of a studio audience. After the vocal face-off, the coach must choose which of his/her singers will advance. At the end of the battle episodes, only the strongest members of each coach's roster remain and proceed to the live stage shows. In this final performance phase of the competition, the top artists from each team will compete against each other during a live broadcast. The television audience will vote to save their favorite talent, leaving the coach to decide live who they want to save and who will not move on. In the end, each coach will have one star artist left ready to compete against the other teams’ finalists to be named “The Voice” – the winner will receive the grand prize of a recording contract.
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Don?t Top that Tree
Stop – don’t top that tree. Instead, make sure it is properly pruned for years of health, beauty, and enjoyment in your landscape. Many gardeners top trees to drastically reduce their size. They worry that trees are too big for their property, are a hazard, or just too big to support themselves. Topping, indiscriminately removes large branches and as much as 50 to 100% of the leaves, making it the most harmful tree pruning practice. Instead of fixing the problem it actually creates hazardous, ugly trees and increases your tree care costs.   A certified arborist can help you reduce large trees and eliminate hazards when needed. They’ll remove diseased, damaged and dead branches to reduce hazards. Then they can reduce the tree size by removing larger branches to an adjoining shorter branch.   This improves the tree’s health and preserves its natural form and structure.    A bit more information: Hazardous trees and those that have greatly outgrown their location may need to be removed. Be sure to replace it with a tree suited to the available space and growing conditions. For more information on tree care and to find a certified arborist visit Trees are Good   For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
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Have you had an oops baby?
Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer announced a recall of a million packs of birth control pills in the U.S. on Thursday after discovering that they might not prevent pregnancy. The company recalled three different generic brands (Lo/Ovral-28, Norgestrel, and Ethinyl Estradiol) after an investigation found some packs might contain incorrect daily dosages. While the pills pose no health risks to women,Pfizer issued a statement urging consumers to “begin using a non-hormonal form of contraception immediately.” For the full story, click here.
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Does It Get Worse?
Check out this video...you will have to watch it at least 3 times, not because it is hard to see what happened..but because it is hard BELIEVE what happened.   I sure hope that lady decided to hand the shirt over to the girl.  What would you have done?  You can check out the full story here.
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Adele to make much-anticapted return at 54th Grammy Awards
Current GRAMMY® nominee Adele will make her much-anticipated return to live performances on THE 54th ANNUAL GRAMMY® AWARDS. This will be her first time performing live anywhere in nearly five months since being forced to cancel a sold-out U.S. tour to undergo surgery on her vocal cords. Music's Biggest Night,® hosted by two-time GRAMMY® Award winner and NCIS:  LOS ANGELES star LL COOL J, takes place live from the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 (8:00-11:30 PM, live ET/ 7:00-10:30PM CT/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. "I'm immensely proud to have been asked to perform at this year's GRAMMY Awards," said Adele. "It's an absolute honor to be included in such a night and for it to be my first performance in months is very exciting and of course nerve-racking, but what a way to get back into it all." Two-time GRAMMY winner Adele has six nominations: Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Best Short Form Music Video for "Rolling In The Deep"; Album Of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for 21; and Best Pop Solo Performance for “Someone Like You.” Previously announced performers for THE 54th ANNUAL GRAMMY® AWARDS include Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, Glen Campbell with The Band Perry and Blake Shelton, Coldplay and Rihanna, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Paul McCartney, Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift. Aldean, The Band Perry, Minaj and Shelton will perform on the GRAMMY broadcast for the first time, while Adele, Campbell, Clarkson, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Mars, McCartney, Rihanna and Swift are returning to the GRAMMY stage. LL COOL J has hosted THE GRAMMY NOMINATIONS CONCERT LIVE! — COUNTDOWN TO MUSIC'S BIGGEST NIGHT® since its inception in December 2008.  This is his first time hosting the annual GRAMMY Awards broadcast.  Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. 
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Glee Michael Jackson Sneak Peek.
In a special episode celebrating the music of Michael Jackson, the rivalry between New Directions and the Warblers intensifies en route to Regionals. Meanwhile, Kurt and Rachel receive news regarding their admissions process at NYADA, and things continue to heat up between Sam and Mercedes in the all-new “Michael” episode of GLEE airing Tuesday, Jan. 31 (8:00pm ET / 7pm CT) on FOX. http://www.fox.com/glee
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Kitchen Scrap Gardening
  Have a bit of fun and stretch your gardening muscles with kitchen scrap gardening.    Take a look in the pantry for a bit of inspiration and free resources. Those baking potatoes and sweet potatoes starting to sprout are a good source of gardening fun. The irish potatoes are tubers and the sprouts or eyes are the beginning of new plants. Cut the potato into several pieces with one or two eyes per section. Plant the potato in a well-drained potting mix.   Sweet potatoes are tuberous roots with the new growth coming from buds (eyes) at the top of the fleshy root. Plant the whole tuberous root or just the top few inches with the growing point intact in a well-drained potting mix.   Keep the potting mix moist for both baking and sweet potatoes. Once rooted, grow in a sunny window and water thoroughly and often enough to keep the soil slightly moist. Then wait for the leaves to appear.   A bit more information: Once your sweet potato starts to grow you can take cuttings and start new plants. Remove 3 to 4 inch pieces of the stem. Remove the lowest leaf and stick the cut end in a well-drained potting mix. Place cuttings in a warm bright location and keep the potting mix moist. Once rooted, move to a sunny window and water thoroughly and often enough to keep the soil slightly moist.   For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
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Caring for and Blooming Potted Clivia
  Add a bit of color to your garden with potted Clivia (Clivia miniata). These South African natives are easier to grow and flower than you may think.  Grow these in a shaded location outdoors and in bright indirect light indoors. Hardy in zones 9 to 11 you can move these plants indoors and out as needed.   Grow in a well-drained organic potting mix. Avoid waterlogged soil that can lead to root rot. Water thoroughly and often enough to keep the soil just slightly moist during the summer season.   Consider using distilled or rainwater as these plants prefer acid soil.   Give the plant a rest for about three months over winter. Keep the plant in a cool, light location. Only water it if the plant begins to wilt. In 6 to 12 weeks you will be rewarded with beautiful blooms.   Water more frequently when the plant is flowering and starting to grow. Fertilize with a dilute solution of flowering plant fertilizer after the flowers fade.   A bit more information: Clivia came into popularity in the 1800’s when the first plant was sent to England from southern Africa. It was popular as an indoor plant in England and Europe during the Victorian era.   For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
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Win every game!
I was talking this morning about how I'm addicted to the app "Words with Friends." My husband clearly has a bigger vocabulary than I do and I keep losing to him. Until now! A Facebook friend sent me a link to wineverygame.com and it's true, you really will win. Yes, it's cheating, but I swear I only used this strategy one time and it felt great to beat him. Try it, you'll love it! Photo credit radiosophie.radio.com
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Win every game!
I was talking this morning about how I'm addicted to the app "Words with Friends." My husband clearly has a bigger vocabulary than I do and I keep losing to him. Until now! A Facebook friend sent me a link to wineverygame.com and it's true, you really will win. Yes, it's cheating, but I swear I only used this strategy one time and it felt great to beat him. Try it, you'll love it! Photo credit radiosophie.radio.com
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Ladies, you should be wearing this...
Redbook magazine recently released a list of the top 5 things men wish women would wear more. Do you wear any of these? 1. Jeans and a tank top 2. The "librarian" look 3. Cocktail dresses 4. Sports jerseys 5. Yoga outfits For the full description, click here. Photo credit Elizabeth Kay in her Charles Woodson jersey - is this what men are looking for?
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Ladies, you should be wearing this...
Redbook magazine recently released a list of the top 5 things men wish women would wear more. Do you wear any of these? 1. Jeans and a tank top 2. The "librarian" look 3. Cocktail dresses 4. Sports jerseys 5. Yoga outfits For the full description, click here. Photo credit Elizabeth Kay in her Charles Woodson jersey - is this what men are looking for?
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Undercover Boss Interview Kendall Jackson Wine Estates President Rick Tigner.
  Rick Tigner serves as the President of Jackson Family Enterprises, the parent company of Kendall-Jackson Winery and joins Van McNeil for a chat about his Undercover Boss experience. Undercover Boss | Sundays | 8p ET / 7p CT | CBS
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Facebook Changes
Get the latest by clicking here
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Cady Groves Interview and Performance.
RCA Recording Artist Cady Groves stopped by The MIx Studios for a chat w Van McNeil about her soon to be released debut record, how life is on the road and what is Cady obsessed with? You 'll find out in this interview... When Cady Groves was four years old, she woke up on Christmas morning to discover a blue drum set draped with candy canes sitting by the tree. “My step-dad got it for me,” she says. “He was a drummer in a band and had this really cool mullet and used to cut off all the sleeves on his shirts, which not only started my fascination with bands, mullets, and people who don’t wear sleeves, but he also t...aught me how to play. From that minute on, I wanted to be a badass musician. I remember being five years old and asking my mom for leather pants.” She never did get the leathers, but the love of music instilled in her from a young age set Groves on a trajectory that has landed the 21-year-old singer and songwriter a deal with RCA Records, which will release her major-label debut album later this year. www.CadyGroves.com
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Ordering New and Inventorying Saved Seeds
As you thumb through catalogues or peruse online seed sources your wish list may be growing. Check your seed inventory before placing your final order.  Left over seeds will last for several seasons if stored in a cool dark location. Leave them in their original packet that has all the needed planting information. And for best results store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator.   Longevity varies with variety, but you may be surprised to find you can get years of planting from that packet of seeds. Onions, parsley, verbena, and salvia usually last about a year. Whereas properly stored Brussels sprouts, cabbage, calendula, and zinnia can last for five years.   Trade your extra seeds with gardening friends. Or donate them to schools, community gardens, master gardeners, or other groups that may lack the resources to buy their own seeds.   And put the old seeds to use in seed art and other projects you and your family can create.   A bit more information: Test your saved seed for viability. Place 10 seeds in a damp paper towel. Fold the towel and place in a plastic bag for several days. Check in a week to see if the seeds have sprouted. For more details, listen to my audio tip on Checking Stored Seeds for Viability.   For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
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Wisconsin Humane Society Visit
Look who I met yesterday at The Wisconsin Humane Society visit WIHUMANE.ORG
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NEW MUSIC: Beyonce
I love this song...it totally reminds me of a 60/70's R&B song.   You have to listen to the entire song because it just keeps getting better.   
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Caring for Tender Annuals Wintering Indoors
Turn your attention indoors and give those tender annuals overwintering a bit of TLC.    The low light and humidity indoors stresses plants, resulting in pale leggy growth. Don’t reach for the fertilizer – instead do a bit of rearranging and grooming. Move leggy plants to a sunnier location or add an artificial light. Consider growing overwintering annuals in a cool location, free of drafts, in your home. The humidity will be higher and the cool temperatures slow growth, helping plants to better adapt.   Water thoroughly and only as needed. Plants growing in warm homes will need more frequent watering than those in cooler locations.   Pinch back leggy stems to encourage growth. Use scissors or pruners for a cleaner cut. Prune just above a set of leaves and consider starting new plants from these cuttings to enlarge your collection.   A bit more information: Wait until plants are actively growing to fertilize with a dilute solution of any flowering houseplant fertilizer. Fertilizing stressed plants can damage roots, discolor leaves, and in severe cases kill plants.   For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
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What does it mean to have a naughty dream?
Have you ever had a naughty dream with a celebrity? Last night I had one with George Clooney. And I'm not even a big George Clooney fan. The dream started off kind of funny. He was sleeping on an air mattress in our guest bedroom LOL! So what does this mean? I looked it up on dreammoods.com and here's what it said: To dream that you are having sex with a celebrity indicates your drive to be successful. You are striving for recognition. Consider what movies you associate this celebrity with for clues as to where and what you want to achieve success in. Photo credit Ed Van-West via Flickr
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What does it mean to have a naughty dream?
Have you ever had a naughty dream with a celebrity? Last night I had one with George Clooney. And I'm not even a big George Clooney fan. The dream started off kind of funny. He was sleeping on an air mattress in our guest bedroom LOL! So what does this mean? I looked it up on dreammoods.com and here's what it said: To dream that you are having sex with a celebrity indicates your drive to be successful. You are striving for recognition. Consider what movies you associate this celebrity with for clues as to where and what you want to achieve success in. Photo credit Ed Van-West via Flickr
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Post Christmas ? Post Holiday Care for your Poinsettia
Fading poinsettias are often a lingering and not-so-pretty memory of the holidays. It’s ok to give them a second life in the compost pile and eventually your garden as a soil amendment. But if you want to keep them growing and looking good - it’s easier than you think.  Remove the poinsettia from its foil wrapper, if you haven’t done so. Set it on a saucer or tray filled with pebbles.   Move your poinsettia to a bright location free of hot and cold drafts. Water thoroughly and whenever the top few inches of soil are slightly moist. Allow the excess water to collect in the pebbles below the pot. As it evaporates it increases the humidity around your plant.   Fertilize your poinsettia with a dilute solution of flowering houseplant food.   Pinch out the growing tip to encourage branching and fuller growth. Then mark October 1st on your calendar if you want to try to rebloom it for next Christmas.   A bit more information: Get your poinsettia to bloom for next Christmas by changing its environment. Starting October 1st give your poinsettia 14 hours of total darkness each night. Cooler night temperatures and slightly drier soil will increase your chance of success.  For more details, listen here.     For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
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Visit Mexico FOR FREE!
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Undercover Boss Interview The Dwyer Group CEO Dina Dwyer-Owens
Dina Dwyer-Owens, Chairman and CEO of the Dwyer Group, the parent company for Mr. Rooter and other national repair brands, joins Van McNeil for a chat about her company, what they do and what did she really learn on this undercover experience? Find out all that and more in the interview below. Undercover Boss | Sundays | 8p ET / 7p CT | CBS
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30 Rock Sneak Peek - Idiots Are People Two.
Our friends at NBC have sent over another sneak peek of one of my favorite shows 30 Rock! This week... Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) tries to keep her boyfriend's identity a secret from Jack Donagy (Alec Baldwin) while scrambling to fix a publicity mess. Drama erupts at TGS when a cell phone video leaks onto the web with Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) on an offensive rant. Liz tries to do damage control. Meanwhile, Jack’s refusal to approve of Liz’s new boyfriend causes her to question the validity of her relationship. Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) and Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski) call on Kelsey Grammer when a problem arises that only the Best Friends Gang can handle. www.nbc.com/30-rock
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Jojo in Cancun, Mexico
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American Idol Season 11 Sneak Peek.
 Television’s No. 1 series returns for its highly anticipated 11th season with brand new contestants, a superstar judging panel and the best and worst of auditions. Host Ryan Seacrest and judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler traveled across the country to Savannah, Aspen, Galveston, Pittsburgh, Portland, San Diego and St. Louis where the good, the bad and the outrageous auditioned for their shot at stardom. This season promises to deliver the most talented group of singers yet and as always, it’s up to the viewers to root and vote for their favorite contestants, ultimately crowning the next AMERICAN IDOL. Enjoy a sneak peek below. www.AmericanIdol.com
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Green Walls - Vertical/ Wall Gardens
  Vertical Wall gardens are all the rage. They green up otherwise unplantable spaces and can even help conserve energy.   You can make your own or buy one of the vertical planting systems now on the market.   Flexible hanging containers like wooly pockets are designed to mount on walls. Some are designed specifically for indoor use and have built in water barriers to prevent damage to furnishings.   Simply fill the bottom of the pocket with a well-drained potting mix. Place transplants inside the planter with roots touching the watering wick. Cover the roots with potting mix and water.   Or create a true green wall with a vertical or wall container. Some like grovert wall planters have a watering mat to insure every section is evenly watered. I like to use a variety of drought tolerant, low growing hens and chicks and other succulents for low maintenance. Plus, the variety of color and textures makes a great display.   A bit more information: You can make your own vertical planter. Use 2 x 4’s for the frame. Back the planting areas with plywood if it will be placed against a wall. Use landscape fabric under lattice or chicken wire to hold soil and plants in place.   For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
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VIDEO: Hilarious, sad Packers fan
Check out super Packer fan Casey, who cleary had too much to drink during the Packers game. She's a little superstitious and is blaming her sister for the Packers loss to the Giants.
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VIDEO: Hilarious, sad Packers fan
Check out super Packer fan Casey, who cleary had too much to drink during the Packers game. She's a little superstitious and is blaming her sister for the Packers loss to the Giants.
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Highlights from 28th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration.
The 28th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, coordinated by the MLK Steering Committee, was held on Sunday, January 15th, 2012 at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. The program began at 1pm in Uihlein Hall and highlighted our youth who interpreted Dr. Kings's works through art, speech and writing. The theme for this year's program was "Maintain Faith in the Future" which was selected from many of Dr. King's speeches and writings, but most notably from a collection of his works in A testament of Hope, The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Jojo on a Funjet Vacation in Mexico
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Edible Ornamental Garden
A beautiful landscape can feed your body as well as your mind and spirit, when you include some edible ornamental plants. Keep a few strawberries within reach of your meals by growing them in hanging baskets or containers. Or find a patch of sunny ground and use them as a groundcover. The flowers, fruit, and fall color provide seasons of beauty.   Hops will quickly cover a fence or trellis and provide hops for the home brewer. Keep the pruners handy to keep this vigorous grower in check.   Or grow your favorite beans and peas or those with colorful flowers and fruit on a fence or trellis.   Use raspberries to make an impenetrable hedge and provide screening. Regular pruning will keep these spreaders under control, producing lots of fruit, and usually pest free.   Add a bit of edible living art to your landscape with espaliered apples, pears, plums, or cherries. These beauties provide flowers, fruit, and fall color for you to enjoy.   A bit more information: Many ornamental plants also provide edible fruits. Serviceberry, elderberry, roses, crabapples, plums, cherries, and mulberries are just a few. Cornelian cherry dogwoods, quince, and chokeberry produce edible fruit that might need a bit, or a lot of sugar to make them edible   For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
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A vacation is waiting for YOU!
Just got back from a warm weather  vacation in Cancun Mexico from Funjet Vacations! I stayed at the Iberostar Cancun with all inclusive accommodations... so, you know lots of drinks were consumed! I will be posting lots of videos and pictures coming soon...
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Gardening with your Neighbor ? Shared Gardens
  Get rid of the fence dividing you and your neighbors’ yard. Instead create a beautiful garden you both can enjoy. Work with your neighbor to create an attractive garden that spans both landscapes. You can join forces to design, plant and maintain the garden giving both of you more time to enjoy the view.   A large bed spanning two properties also makes both yards appear larger. Create a sense of unity by repeating textures and colors throughout. This allows you to blend your styles and preferences, while maintaining your personality through plant selection, arrangements, and design.   And make it a green garden by including a compost bin within the bed. Use a simple wire bin tucked amongst the plants, keeping it out of sight but easy to use.   Or maintain your boundaries, but position fruit and vegetable gardens nearby. This keeps the functional parts of your landscapes convenient yet in an appropriate space for both of you.   A bit more information: And if you lack space for all your gardening desires team up with a friend or neighbor that has too much space and not enough time or physical energy to plant and maintain their landscape. You’ll both benefit while creating fun memories.   For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
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This still gives me goosebumps
I'll never forget watching this in school and even then I knew it was something special. Watching it today I'm still moved by these words. What surprised me though, is that this video is only at 444,000 views. Why do we watch such random videos and they hit 1 million views in 1 day? Shouldn't this have more views?! Just an interesting observation.
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This still gives me goosebumps
I'll never forget watching this in school and even then I knew it was something special. Watching it today I'm still moved by these words. What surprised me though, is that this video is only at 444,000 views. Why do we watch such random videos and they hit 1 million views in 1 day? Shouldn't this have more views?! Just an interesting observation.
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NEW MUSIC: 1,000 Ships
Every once in a while I come across a song I just can't get enough of and listen to on repeat....this is one of those songs.  I have loved it from the first time I heard it!  Take a listen and let me know what you think.   This is Rachel Platten with "1,000 Ships".  
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What your child's name says about you
So many of my friends are having babies and naturally going through the baby name dilemma. Picking a name for a baby really is a big responsibility. Afterall, that little person will have the name their whole life. And I came across an article explaining that a baby's name says more about the parents than it does about the baby. Are you someone that craves attention? Do you want to be different? Or are you conservative? Find out what list you fall under, by clicking here. Photo credit M Glasgow via Flickr
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What your child's name says about you
So many of my friends are having babies and naturally going through the baby name dilemma. Picking a name for a baby really is a big responsibility. Afterall, that little person will have the name their whole life. And I came across an article explaining that a baby's name says more about the parents than it does about the baby. Are you someone that craves attention? Do you want to be different? Or are you conservative? Find out what list you fall under, by clicking here. Photo credit M Glasgow via Flickr
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Young Adult Interview w Patton Oswalt.
Actor/Comedian Patton Oswalt joins Van McNeil to chat about, 'Young Adult', in theaters now. In this interview Patton talks about the movie, working with Charlize Theron and all the Academy Awards buzz! Take a listen... www.YoungAdultMovie.com
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Racine County Crowned 2012 Fairest of the Fairs.
 The 2012 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs was selected during the 89th Annual Wisconsin Association of Fairs Convention taking place this week in the Wisconsin Dells. A field of 35 County Fairest of the Fair contestants competed for the coveted Fairest of the Fairs crown. The Fairest of the Fairs was announced on Wednesday evening and provided an exciting conclusion to the annual convention. The Fairest of the Fairs will represent the 76 Wisconsin county, district, and state fairs in 2012. The duties of her one-year term begin immediately with the conclusion of her duties at the end of the Wisconsin Association of Fairs Convention in January 2013. Fairest’ s responsibilities include traveling to the county, district and state fairs throughout the state as the spokesperson for the Wisconsin Association of Fairs, and she will as serve as the official hostess of the 2012 Wisconsin State Fair, presented by U.S. Cellular, August 2 through August 12. Throughout her term, the Fairest of the Fairs will make appearances, conduct promotions, work with media and travel to fairs to promote the educational, social and economic importance of Wisconsin’s Fair Industry. Richelle Kastenson, 21, representing the Racine County Fair, was crowned 2012 Fairest of the Fairs. The excitement and pride were clear on her face. Daughter of Rick and Julie Kastenson of Union Grove, Richelle attends the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where she is a senior. She is studying elementary education with a minor in special education. Following graduation, she hopes to complete half of her student teaching in Sweden with the goal of it making her a more diverse and well-rounded teacher. She also plans to earn her master’s degree in the future. She has been a member of the Racine County 4-H for 14 years, and during her time as a 4-H intern created a 4-H Roadshow, which was a program teaching different urban youth organizations about 4-H. Her leadership has also been exhibited as the Racine County 4-H Ambassador Advisor through which she mentors a group of 15 youth through monthly meetings, participation in community activities, assisting with a multitude of 4-H programs and hosting a leadership conference for four different counties. Richelle is also familiar with the Wisconsin State Fair where she was an intern for the agriculture department in the summer of 2011. Kastenson was selected as Fairest of the Fairs from a field of impressive young women, and replaces the 2011 Fairest of the Fairs, Alexis Nickelotti of Vernon County. The Fairest of the Fairs was chosen by a panel of three judges representing the fair, media/communications, and agriculture industries. The panel included Ron Oleheiser of Minnesota, a newspaper veteran of 35 years, 25 of which he served as the publisher of the Grand Rapids Herald Review. Oleheiser is also active in the fair industry having served as the Commercial Exhibit Superintendent of the Itasca County Fair, as a board member of the Minnesota Federation of County Fairs, as a Zone 4 Director of the International Association of Fairs for three years and currently serves on the Board of Managers for the Minnesota State Fair. Laura Mihm, the Corporate Communications Manager of Foremost Farms USA, of Baraboo also judged the competition. Mihm got her start in the fair industry at the age of 8 when she joined 4-H. She has a degree in Political Science and Broadcast Journalism and worked in broadcasting and publishing for 12 years as a news anchor, reporter and editor. The final judge on the panel, Michelle Radcliffe, has had a lifelong involvement with 4-H and also operates her own farm. She is a former Miss Wisconsin Co-ed Pageant, and has participated in several other pageants. She has also chaired local rodeo queen contests and aided in queen training seminars. “The dedication and passion for the fair industry was evident among the talented young women who competed, which is important as they are the future of the fair and agriculture industries,” stated Fairest of the Fairs Judge Laura Mihm. “All of the young women were well-spoken, represented diverse talents and interests. Each of their respective counties should be quite proud of their Fairest.” Bethany Rieth, 21, representing Oconto County Fair was named first runner-up. Bethany is the daughter of Jim and Sandy Reith of Oconto Falls. Bethany attends the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she is a sophomore. Jerianne Blau, 20, representing Columbia County Fair was announced as the second runner-up. She is a sophomore at University of Winona State. Blau’s parents, Mary and Randy Blau, reside in Merrimac. Kayla Oberstadt, 21, representing Waupaca County Fair was named as third runner-up and received an additional honor being selected as Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants. Kayla is the daughter of Russ and Marcia Oberstadt of New London and is a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Erica Spiegelberg, 19, representing the Waukesha County Fair was named fourth runner-up. The daughter of James and Karen Spiegelberg of New Berlin, Erica attends the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she is a sophomore. “Each year, the Wisconsin State Fair staff is impressed by the quality of the young women participating in the Fairest of the Fairs competition,” stated Patrice Harris, communications manager of the Wisconsin State Fair. “Fairgoers, exhibitors and the staff are always excited about the opportunity to meet and work with Fairest. The newly crowned Fairest, Richelle Kastenson, interned with the Fair’s agriculture department this past summer, so many of the staff know her and will be very excited to continue contributing to her personal and professional development in her role as Fairest of the Fairs.” Individuals interested in competing in the Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs contest may contact their county or district fair board for more information or visit www.wifairs.com. The 161st Wisconsin State Fair, presented by U.S. Cellular, will take place Thursday, August 2 through Sunday, August 12, 2012. The Wisconsin State Fair offers an original experience to all that attend and is a phenomenal value with 30 FREE entertainment stages, thousands of animals, endless family activities, events, contests, vendors and culinary delights. For the most up-to-date information, please visit WiStateFair.com
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Grammy Awards Performers Announced.
 Current GRAMMY® nominees Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift are the first performers announced for the THE 54th ANNUAL GRAMMY® AWARDS. Jason Aldean and Nicki Minaj will perform on the GRAMMY broadcast for the first time, while Kelly Clarkson, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars and Taylor Swift are returning to the GRAMMY stage. The music industry's premier event will take place live from the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 (8:00-11:30 PM, ET/ 7:00-10:30PM, CT/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars each have six nominations. Six-time GRAMMY-winning Foo Fighters are nominated for Album of the Year and Best Rock Album for Wasting Light, Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song for “Walk,” Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance for “White Limo” and Best Long Form Music Video for Foo Fighters: Back And Forth. GRAMMY winner Bruno Mars is up for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for “Grenade,” Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for Doo-Wops & Hooligans and Producer of the Year (as a member of The Smeezingtons, along with Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine). Nicki Minaj has four nods: Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance for “Moment 4 Life” (with Drake), Best Rap Album for Pink Friday and Album of the Year (as a featured artist on Rihanna's Loud). Jason Aldean and Taylor Swift each are up for three awards. Jason Aldean has nominations in Best Country Solo Performance for “Dirt Road Anthem,” Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Don't You Wanna Stay” (with Kelly Clarkson) and Best Country Album for My Kinda Party. Four-time GRAMMY winner Taylor Swift has nods in Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song for “Mean” and Best Country Album for Speak Now. Two-time GRAMMY winner Kelly Clarkson is nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Don't You Wanna Stay” (with Jason Aldean). THE 54th ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS air Sunday, February 12th, 2012 on CBS...click here for more.
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Bridesmaids 2 Trailer
Well not really...but it seems like the entire cast of Bridesmaids is in the new movie "Friends with Kids" ... If you loved Bridesmaids as much as I did, you will for sure LOVE this trailer.  Can't wait for the movie! 
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Bridesmaids 2 Trailer
Well not really...but it seems like the entire cast of Bridesmaids is in the new movie "Friends with Kids" ... If you loved Bridesmaids as much as I did, you will for sure LOVE this trailer.  Can't wait for the movie! 
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Nickelback to rock Milwaukee.
Nickelback, one of the biggest rock bands of the past decade known for their extraordinary live performances, have announced their first North American arena tour in two years. The Live Nation-produced tour begins on April 10th in Moline, Illinois at the i wireless Center, making a 39-date trek throughout North America, with dates confirmed through June 26th at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada. Special guests Bush, Seether and My Darkest Days, join Nickelback on all tour dates. Tickets go on sale beginning January 20th at Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com. Fan Club members will be able to purchase tickets beginning on January 13th. Fan Club details can be found at Nickelback.com. Citi® cardmembers will also have access to presale tickets beginning Monday, January 16th at 10:00 am local time through Citi's Private Pass® Program. For complete presale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com. Nickelback last toured in 2009 with the extremely successful, “Dark Horse World Tour” where the band performed for nearly 2 million fans with more than 120 shows around the world including stops in Japan, New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom and North America. With the new tour, Nickelback will perform songs from the recently released seventh studio album, Here And Now, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 following its November 21, 2011 release on Roadrunner Records. Propelling Here and Now into the #2 spot were the two hit singles “When We Stand Together” and "Bottoms Up.” Here and Now is also the biggest international release in Nickelback’s history, including a #1 debut in Canada on Universal Music Canada., Nickelback has achieved a prestigious place in music history having sold nearly 45 million worldwide. Since their 2001 breakthrough hit song “How You Remind Me,” Nickelback has sent 20 singles rocketing onto various Billboard charts. In 2009, Billboard Magazine also named Nickelback “Top Group of the Decade.” Their now classic album All the Right Reasons insured Nickelback an indelible place in rock history, having spent a staggering 112 consecutive weeks in the Top 30 of the Billboard Top 200, certified eight-times platinum in the U.S. and having sold more than 11 million copies worldwide, topping charts in four countries. All the Right Reasons spun off seven multi-format singles and made Nickelback the first band in Nielsen BDS history to send five singles onto the CHR charts. VIP Packages will also be available through VIP Nation, including premium seats, exclusive merchandise and more. For more information please visit: www.VIPNation.com. NICKELBACK 2012 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES: Date City Venue On Sale Date April 10, 2012 Moline, IL i wireless Center January 21 April 12, 2012 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena January 21 April 14, 2012 Detroit, MI Joe Louis Arena January 21 April 15, 2012 Columbus, OH Schottenstein Center January 28 April 19, 2012 New York, NY Madison Square Garden January 21 April 21, 2012 Montreal, PQ Bell Centre January 21 April 22, 2012 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre January 21 April 24, 2012 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center January 21 April 25, 2012 Pittsburgh, PA Consol Energy Center January 21 April 27, 2012 Hartford, Ct XL Center January 20 April 28, 2012 Worcester, MA DCU Center January 21 April 30, 2012 Washington, DC Verizon Center January 20 May 2, 2012 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena January 21 May 4, 2012 Orlando, FL Amway Center January 28 May 5, 2012 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Bank Atlantic Center January 21 May 15, 2012 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place January 21 May 16, 2012 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome January 21 May 18, 2012 Saskatoon, SK Credit Union Centre January 21 May 20, 2012 Fargo, ND Fargodome January 28 May 22, 2012 Omaha, NE CenturyLink Center Omaha January 21 May 23, 2012 Minneapolis, MN Target Center January 21 May 25, 2012 Milwaukee, WI Bradley Center January 21 May 26, 2012 Louisville, KY KFC Yum! Center January 21 May 29, 2012 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center January 21 May 30, 2012 Chicago, IL Allstate Arena January 21 June 1, 2012 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center January 21 June 2, 2012 Houston, TX Toyota Center January 21 June 5, 2012 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center January 21 June 7, 2012 Tulsa, OK BOK Center January 21 June 8, 2012 Wichita, KS Intrust Bank Arena January 21 June 10, 2012 Denver, CO Pepsi Center January 21 June 12, 2012 Salt Lake City UT Energy Solutions Arena January 21 June 15, 2012 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center January 21 June 18, 2012 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion January 20 June 20, 2012 Nampa, ID Idaho Center January 21 June 21, 2012 Portland, OR Rose Garden January 21 June 23, 2012 Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome January 21 June 24, 2012 Spokane, WA Spokane Arena January 21 June 26, 2012 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena January 21 For more complete ticket and tour information, please visit: Nickelback.com, Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com.
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Grow Your Own Fat-free and Flavorful Apples
Apples are the perfect fat free fruit for your diet and garden. Plant just a couple trees or a small orchard so you can harvest an apple-a-day right from your own backyard. You’ll need a sunny location and at least two plants when growing apples. Like many fruit, apples need pollen from another tree to develop fruit. And if your neighbor or a nearby park has a crabapple or apple that blooms at the same time as yours, you can plant just one tree.   Select an apple with the desired flavor, adapted to your growing conditions, and the right size for the available space. Use dwarf apple trees to save space and reduce the time between planting and fruit production.   Save even more space by espaliering apples flat against a wall, fence, or trellis. With regular pruning you can create living art that adds flowers and fruit to your landscape.    Or grow a couple of apples in containers. This is the perfect solution for small spaces.   A bit more information: Espalier is a pruning technique used to control plant growth. Plants are pruned flat against a wall, fence, or other support. This saves space while creating a focal point, living fence or art in the garden.   For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
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My Visit to The Wisconsin Humane Society
    I post a video every week of my visits to The Wisconsin Humane Society...you have to meet these puppies.
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Attracting Hummingbirds to your Landscapes
Bring in the hummingbirds and brighten your landscape with colorful plants. Hedges of weigela, azalea, and flowering quince provide shelter for birds and the nectar filled flowers will attract both hummingbirds and butterflies to your landscape.   Use perennial vines like honeysuckle and trumpet for years of hummingbird appeal. Or try annuals like cypress vine and scarlet runner beans for quicker cover. Train them on a trellis to improve the view in narrow spaces.    Consider combining annual and perennial vines to quickly cover the support until the perennial vine gets established and starts to bloom. Or plant several equally assertive perennial vines with different bloom times together on the same support to extend your flower display.   Annual and perennial phlox and salvia, lantana and Cuphea such as cigar and tiny mice varieties add color to the summer garden with their flowers and hummingbird appeal.    A bit more information: Include early bloomers like columbine, bleeding heart, and lungwort (Pulmonaria) to extend the hummingbird season in your landscape.   Fall bloomers like bee balm, Rose of Sharon and late blooming hostas will help keep them around in fall.   For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
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What is Clean Eating?
Over the weekend I got to hangout with Sarah from Cafe One24 which is a new restaurant in Brookfield dedicated to "clean" eating.  What is "clean" eating? Clean eating pretty much means you are eating food straight from nature.   You would be surprised how great food tastes when nothing artificial is being added to it.  Check out the menu here.
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Elizabeth's Mexican Photo Album Part 2
You could be headed somewhere warm too with Funjet Vacations. Just listen to us, Kidd & Elizabeth on 99.1 The Mix when we reveal our next Funjet Vacations Fun Sound of the Day this January weekday mornings at 7:55am!
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Elizabeth's Mexican Photo Album Part 2
You could be headed somewhere warm too with Funjet Vacations. Just listen to us, Kidd & Elizabeth on 99.1 The Mix when we reveal our next Funjet Vacations Fun Sound of the Day this January weekday mornings at 7:55am!
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Elizabeth's Mexican Photo Album
You could be headed somewhere warm too with Funjet Vacations. Just listen to us, Kidd & Elizabeth on 99.1 The Mix when we reveal our next Funjet Vacations Fun Sound of the Day this January weekday mornings at 7:55am!
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Elizabeth's Mexican Photo Album
You could be headed somewhere warm too with Funjet Vacations. Just listen to us, Kidd & Elizabeth on 99.1 The Mix when we reveal our next Funjet Vacations Fun Sound of the Day this January weekday mornings at 7:55am!
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Elizabeth's massage in Mexico
Do you want a massage on the beach? You could be headed somewhere warm too with Funjet Vacations. Just listen to us, Kidd & Elizabeth on 99.1 The Mix when we reveal our next Funjet Vacations Fun Sound of the Day this January weekday mornings at 7:55am!
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Elizabeth's massage in Mexico
Do you want a massage on the beach? You could be headed somewhere warm too with Funjet Vacations. Just listen to us, Kidd & Elizabeth on 99.1 The Mix when we reveal our next Funjet Vacations Fun Sound of the Day this January weekday mornings at 7:55am!
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Elizabeth's margarita in Mexico
Wouldn't you like to try a authentic margarita in Mexico? You could be headed somewhere warm too with Funjet Vacations. Just listen to us, Kidd & Elizabeth on 99.1 The Mix when we reveal our next Funjet Vacations Fun Sound of the Day this January weekday mornings at 7:55am!
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Elizabeth's margarita in Mexico
Wouldn't you like to try a authentic margarita in Mexico? You could be headed somewhere warm too with Funjet Vacations. Just listen to us, Kidd & Elizabeth on 99.1 The Mix when we reveal our next Funjet Vacations Fun Sound of the Day this January weekday mornings at 7:55am!
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Elizabeth on the Mexican beach
How would you like to do something fun in the sun? You could be headed somewhere warm too with Funjet Vacations. Just listen to us, Kidd & Elizabeth on 99.1 The Mix when we reveal our next Funjet Vacations Fun Sound of the Day this January weekday mornings at 7:55am!
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Elizabeth on the Mexican beach
How would you like to do something fun in the sun? You could be headed somewhere warm too with Funjet Vacations. Just listen to us, Kidd & Elizabeth on 99.1 The Mix when we reveal our next Funjet Vacations Fun Sound of the Day this January weekday mornings at 7:55am!
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Elizabeth's in Mexico
Want to head on a vacation, like me? You could be headed somewhere warm too with Funjet Vacations. Just listen to us, Kidd & Elizabeth on 99.1 The Mix when we reveal our next Funjet Vacations Fun Sound of the Day this January weekday mornings at 7:55am!
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Elizabeth's in Mexico
Want to head on a vacation, like me? You could be headed somewhere warm too with Funjet Vacations. Just listen to us, Kidd & Elizabeth on 99.1 The Mix when we reveal our next Funjet Vacations Fun Sound of the Day this January weekday mornings at 7:55am!
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Strawberries for Every Space Garden
Add a bit of nutrition and beauty to your patio, deck, or balcony with a pot of strawberries. It’s a great way to keep a nutritional snack close at hand. The runners, flowers, and fruit on June - also called spring bearing- and the day-neutral strawberries make for an attractive hanging basket. Set the plastic pot inside a decorative container for added beauty.   Or use a traditional strawberry pot. Consider growing ever bearing plants that produce several harvests and no runners.   Start your traditional strawberry pot by setting a tube or two of perforated PVC down the center of the strawberry pot. As you water, the water travels through the pipe and out the holes providing moisture to all plants from top to bottom.   Then place a bit of soil on the bottom of the container. Slide the plants through the hole from the inside of the pot. Fill the remaining space with soil. Gently tamp and water thoroughly to eliminate air pockets.   A bit more information: Or use strawberries as a groundcover. All you need is a little space in a sunny location. Plant in spring, train runners as they develop and enjoy the harvest.   For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
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What's in Elizabeth Kay's Mexican hotel room?
    It's always exciting to visit a new place on vacation and to see what surprises will be in your hotel room. When Aaron and I showed up at El Dorado Royale in Riviera Maya, Mexico were surprised to see this in our room! Remember, you could be headed somewhere warm too with Funjet Vacations. Just listen to us, Kidd & Elizabeth on 99.1 The Mix when we reveal our next Funjet Vacations Fun Sound of the Day this January weekday mornings at 7:55am!
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What's in Elizabeth Kay's Mexican hotel room?
    It's always exciting to visit a new place on vacation and to see what surprises will be in your hotel room. When Aaron and I showed up at El Dorado Royale in Riviera Maya, Mexico were surprised to see this in our room! Remember, you could be headed somewhere warm too with Funjet Vacations. Just listen to us, Kidd & Elizabeth on 99.1 The Mix when we reveal our next Funjet Vacations Fun Sound of the Day this January weekday mornings at 7:55am!
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What NOT to name your baby
Now that we know the name of Beyonce's baby name, Blue Ivy. The reviews are mixed when it comes to how people feel about her name. We found a list of the rules when it comes to what NOT to call your baby.   Where the baby was conceived Spell that again Silly sounds Pet names Pick a color Movie/TV trends Cutesy-poo Give me a K For the full list and the explanation of why to NOT name your baby these names, click here. Photo credit The Jordan Collective via Flickr
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What NOT to name your baby
Now that we know the name of Beyonce's baby name, Blue Ivy. The reviews are mixed when it comes to how people feel about her name. We found a list of the rules when it comes to what NOT to call your baby.   Where the baby was conceived Spell that again Silly sounds Pet names Pick a color Movie/TV trends Cutesy-poo Give me a K For the full list and the explanation of why to NOT name your baby these names, click here. Photo credit The Jordan Collective via Flickr
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New Discount Double Check Commercial features Aaron Rodgers and BJ Raji.
The good people at State Farm continue to make me laugh with their, "State Of Imitation" campaign featuring Green Bay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Odds are that you've seen the first commercial during a game. If you haven't...click here to check it out. This new "Discount Double Check" not only features Aaron Rodgers but also Green Bay Packers Nose Tackle B.J. Raji shaking his booty! :) Check out the commercial and get ready to laugh! GO PACK GO!
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January 15th Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Interview.
The MLK Steering Committee will host the 28th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts on January 15, 2012. Bridgett Gonzalez from the Marcus Center For The Performing Arts joins Leigh McNabb for an interview about the event. Click on the player to listen.   Local performing arts groups will also appear in Uihlein Hall as part of the 1:00 p.m. program. Programming in Uihlein Hall will honor those students who will interpret this year's theme "Maintaining Faith in the Future." This year's theme came from many of Dr. King's speeches and writings, but most notably from a collection of his works in A Testament of Hope, The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. Check out the Dec. 14th press conference announcing the 28th annual celebration with Mayor Barrett, Marcus Center President/CEO Paul Matthews and 11th Grade writing Contest Winner Cheyenne Hankins! MILWAUKEE'S Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Maintain Faith in the Future Sunday, January 15, 2012 Presented in Cooperation with the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts Click here for more information.
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Kids From Wisconsin Auditions.
Applications are now being accepted for positions in the 2012 KIDS FROM WISCONSIN. Completed forms must be received by January 20th to be eligible for live auditions scheduled for February 24th, 25th and 26th, 2012. KIDS FROM WISCONSIN is a summer musical performing troupe that travels throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest. The KIDS program is an excellent learning experience for anyone interested in professional performance in the fields of dance, instrumental and vocal music. Approximately 33 positions are open for dancers, vocalists and band members. Qualified males and females between the ages of 15 and 20, regardless of race, color, handicap or national origin are eligible to apply. Each June, a new and exciting stage performance created by a professional artistic staff is taught during an intense 17-day camp. During the following ten weeks, KIDS FROM WISCONSIN tours the State and Midwest performing nearly 70 fully staged performances to enthusiastic audiences at 45-50 events, including daily appearances at Wisconsin State Fair. The KIDS FROM WISCONSIN was founded in 1969 with the mission to provide a unique performing arts experience for musically talented young people and promote a positive image of Wisconsin’s youth. The KIDS FROM WISCONSIN is the state’s Official Musical Ambassadors of Goodwill. Applications are available from all public and private high school music directors, on the KIDS web site at www.kidsfromwisconsin.org or may be requested by contacting the KIDS office at 414-266-7067.
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Cure Your Cold
  I have been sick all week with "THE GREAT COLD OF 2012" and I am looking for anything to make me feel better.   I came across this video about "curing" the cold in ONE DAY.   Do you think this would really work?
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The Devil Inside Interview.
If you like scary movies, 'The Devil Inside' may be right up your alley! Brent Bell (Writer/Director) and Matthew Peterman (Writer) join Van McNeil for a chat about the film, what went into making of it and what people can expect! In Italy, a woman becomes involved in a series of unauthorized exorcisms during her mission to discover what happened to her mother, who allegedly murdered three people during her own exorcism. www.DevilInsideMovie.com
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30 Rock Season 6 Sneak Peek.
One of my favorite shows returns to television NEXT WEEK! The multiple Emmy Award winning, '30 Rock' is back, Thursday, January 12th for a 6th season on NBC! I'm honored to get you ready for season 6 with little sneak peek of things to come. Enjoy! 30 Rock Season 6 Premiere Thursday, January 12th 8pm ET / 7pm CT NBC.
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Blue Man Group Interview.
Kirk Massey and Jerry Kops from Blue Man Group visit Van McNeil in The Mix Studio for a chat about the show. The group will be performing at the Marcus Performing Arts Center on January 3-8, 2012. http://wwwMarcusCenter.org
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JOIN ME AS WE KICK OFF "DISCOVER HIDDEN TREASURES" GARDEN SERIES AT BOERNER
Back by popular demand, I'll be partnering for a third year with the Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens to present a brand news series of garden walks in 2012. The “Discover Hidden Treasures” series will consist of six in-depth garden walks – four geared toward adults and two to families – and will take place January - October.   I look forward to taking you an exploration through the gardens to discover both new and old areas & plantings where we’ll unveil hidden treasures and provide creative ideas and concepts that you can apply right to your own landscapes. The two family walks will offer an equal amount of exploration plus fun activities to stimulate the kids! I'll be sharing the things I've learned and answer your questions along the way!   The proceeds from the garden walks support Children’s Plant Science and Environmental Education at Boerner Botanical Gardens. Complete details here. Hope you can join me!
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Why you should change your hair color for 2012?
There's a new study out that shows men are starting to prefer brunettes over blondes. Yes, blondes were popular and preferred in the seventies and especially in the eighties. But according to the new study, men are defining brunettes as more attractive and more intelligent than blondes. What do you think? Click here to see the full study. Photo credit: Elizabeth Kay with Miley Cyrus
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VIDEO: Packer fan tackled!
  Holy cow! Check out this insane fan at the Packers/LionsNew Year's Day game.
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How to get your man shopping?
If you want to know the secret to get your man shopping - it's called Playboy magazine! Yes, I enjoy antiquing every now and then. Over the holiday break my husband Aaron and I were up north and we visited this huge antique store. To no surprise, Aaron was less than thrilled with the idea, but he perked up when he saw these. Boxes and boxes of Playboy magazines that date back to the 1950's! And that's where all the men who were dragged antiquing were hanging out.
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Easy Tips for Indoor Gardening Success
  Increase your indoor gardening success with these simple tips.    Select indoor plants that match the growing conditions and your schedule. Cacti and succulents are good choices for busy people with lots of light while pothos and snake plant are perfect for low light situations and people who like to provide minimal care   Water thoroughly and as needed for the plants you are growing. Most tropical plants should be watered thoroughly whenever the top few inches of the potting mix is slightly damp.   Set plants on pebbles, elevating them above the excess water that collects in the saucer. This helps avoid root rot, increase humidity, and decrease your workload.   Group plants together for easier maintenance and increased humidity. As one plant transpires (loses moisture from its leaves) its neighbors will benefit from the increase in humidity.   Match the plant with its preferred light conditions. Keep in mind trees, awnings, and sheers decrease the light your plants receive.     A bit more information: Consider moving struggling plants to a sunny southern window during the short gray days of winter. Or give your plants a boost by adding a few artificial lights to your indoor garden.    For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
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Dealing with Small Seeds
Carrots, lettuce, begonia and other small seeds can be difficult to plant at the proper spacing. Reduce wasting seeds and time spent thinning seedlings.   Mix seeds with sand, vermiculite, or other fine material to separate the seeds for proper spacing. Sprinkle the sand and seed mix in a shallow furrow, cover with soil, gently tamp, and water. Or try seed tapes available from garden centers and catalogues. The seeds are glued to a tape that you roll out and plant.     Make your own with strips of paper towels and seed glue made of 1 cup of flour or cornstarch and ¼ cup of water. Dab this seed-glue on the paper at the proper spacing for the seeds you select. Place the seeds on the flour glue and allow to dry.   Once planted, the glue will dissolve, the paper will decompose and the seeds will sprout at the proper spacing.   A bit more information: Or purchase pelletized seeds. The seed company coats the smaller seeds, making them larger and easier to handle. Some companies have started combining several small seeds within the pellet for attractive and tasty garden combinations.   For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
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Homegrown Vegetables add Flavor to Gluten Free Diets
Don’t let going gluten-free get you down. Include some fresh-from-the-garden vegetables to add flavor to your gluten-free meals.   Start by identifying those vegetables you use most and are best suited to your climate. Greens like lettuce, spinach, mustard and kale perform and taste best when grown in cool temperatures. Plus these vegetables are also more tolerant of shade.   Root crops like radishes, beets, and carrots can tolerate half a day of shade, but need well-drained soils for best results. Try growing these in raised beds or containers if your soil is heavy or poorly drained.   Tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, and any plant that you eat the flowers or fruits require the most sunlight. And most of these prefer warm soil and air to grow, flourish, and produce. Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are the exception. These vegetables have the best flavor when harvested in cooler temperatures.  They even tolerate a light frost that can improve their flavor.   A bit more information: And once the harvest begins, try eating them as fresh from the garden as possible. You’ll get the best flavor and nutritional value for all your gardening efforts. And avoid breading and sauces with gluten-containing grains.   For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
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