This episode is sponsored by bewatersmart.info. In this episode, I discuss 10 of my favorite drought tolerant plants. Even if you think you don’t have a green thumb, these plants will thrive in your garden with minimal water requirements. Plus, I include pollinator information. To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: · Facebook · Instagr…

In this episode, I have a great conversation with the Chocolate Botanist, Derek Haynes. Hear about his journey becoming a plant biologist as well about his mission to debunk misinformation on the internet. We discuss his “favorite” myths and how he handles the backlash he receives on social media. Derek is a plethora of educational and entertaining…

Soil science can be a bit confusing. How long does it take for materials to be broken down, is it good practice to add microbes and what exactly are microbes? Robert Pavlis addresses these questions and more. Check out his new podcast Garden Fundamentals plus his impressive list of books including Soil Science for Gardeners and Compost Science for …

If I was picked up and dropped into a gardening zone relatively different than mine, it would be a huge steep learning curve. I love talking to gardeners from zones different than my zone 9b and it doesn’t get much different than zone 3. I have a fun and educational chat with Theri Vasina LHirondelle who grows amazing flowers and veggies in Montana…

Dieffenbachia, ‘pothos’, Monstera… a great majority of houseplants are in the Araceae family which most people shorten to just say Aroids. I discuss this broad family with UC Davis Botanical Conservatory volunteer extraordinaire Bruce Ritter. He has revamped our collection and he shares all his tips and tricks with us. Help support feral cat rescue…

Believe it or not, spring is around the corner. Here in NorCal, it is still wet with periods of cold, so one does have to be careful with working soil and protecting from potentially freezes. LOTS of prep to do for the upcoming season. It is time to plant: · Broccoli · Cabbage · Carrots · Cauliflower · Collards, swiss chard · Kale · Leeks · Loose l…

It’s here – the last To Do list of the year. So far it has been a mild winter, with regards to both temperature and moisture. It is the time to plant another round of winter vegetables, work on pest management, and start planning for your spring garden. We are at the apex of short days, so time to work is limited. Episode includes Listener Q&A, wit…

How do we ensure the next generations become stewards of the land? Of course exposing them to nature and getting them outdoors but also having conversations and reading with them. I talk with author, Collin Pine, about his children’s book ‘The Garden Next Door’ and how its message is more important than ever. Collin’s latest book is called “The Gar…

Gardening can be murder... that is what a lot of people who claim to have a brown thumb think. But in this case, I’m discussing murder mystery books and their links to gardening. Author, Marta McDowell, joins me to discuss her new book “Gardening Can Be Murder: How poisonous Poppies, Sinister Shovels and Grim Gardens Have Inspired Mystery Writers’.…

Trees -- we all know how important they are. But what are the best trees for zone 9? How exactly do you properly plant, stake and water a new tree? Pamela Sanchez -- Certified Arborist and Education Programs Manager for the Sacramento Tree Foundation -- joins me to discuss these topics and more. Pamela and the Sacramento Tree can be found at: · Web…

It is the October To Do List, and that means it is a very busy time in the garden. Clean up from summer vegetables and prepping for fall and winter. The days are cooler, but shorter – which means you have to work efficiently and hard. Episode includes Listener Q&A, with topics listed below. It is time to plant: · Fava beans · Beets · Bok choy · Car…

Seeds. As gardeners we sow them, order them, harvest them, and sometime try to prevent them. Author and gardener Jennifer Jewell delves even deeper into the science and importance of seeds in her new book ‘What We Sow’. We discuss her inspiration for the book and talk about why seeds are so important in our ecosystem, cultures and overall survival …

As a plant person with minimal design skills, I’m in awe of people with both skill sets. In this episode I talk to Soleil Tranquilli about how she combines her artistic design ability with her wealth of plant knowledge to create firesafe, water wise and tranquil gardens. She is the owner of Tranquill Gardens as well as being a Certified watershed W…

It is the September To Do List – believe it or not, we are in full Fall prep time. Lots of cool weather vegetables to start planting, and tons of clean up and pruning. Summer may have been easy in the garden, but it’s time to get the gloves on and get to work. Episode includes Listener Q&A and a discussion around current published articles in the h…

You can say that my guest, Justin Hancock, is passionate about passion vines! But he is also passionate about anything that grows. As a horticulturalist for one of the top nurseries, Costa Farms, he gets to surround himself with all types of plants. We discuss, of course, passion vines as well as houseplant care. Justin and Costa Farms can be found…

It is the August To Do List, and we are having a gorgeous summer that is offering up IDEAL garden conditions. Vegetable and fruit harvests are bountiful, but there is prep work for fall piling up. It is time to: Plant seeds in ground, including: beets, cabbage, carrots, turnips, potatoes Prep garden beds for Fall planting in September: Weed, compos…

Want to replace your lawn with a cacti/succulent garden? Here’s how. My coworker and succulent grower extraordinaire, Gianluca Bacci, joins me to discuss succulent growing tips. We talk about major do’s and don’ts of succulent care plus why the saguaro cacti of Arizona are dying. Gianluca can be found at: · Instagram: marinsect_gianluca To ask ques…

Many of us walk around with ideas/inventions in our head but don’t follow through with them for numerous reasons. In this episode, I talk with inventor/founder of PlantTraps, Deborah Holtschlag, about how she came up with an idea and ran with it. We discuss her products that turn balconies into amazing gardens as well as her journey from idea to ma…

It is the July To Do List, and we are in the HEAT of summer. Garden work is relegated to morning and (maybe) late afternoon given the blistering temperatures. Luckily, it is not the busiest time of the year garden wise – hopefully most of your time is spent harvesting vegetables. Plenty to do still from a maintenance perspective, and believe it or …

By Marlene Simon

It is the June To Do List, and here in Zone 9 it seems that summer has arrived. Hot weather is becoming the daily norm, and everything is quickly drying up from a very wet winter. At this point in the garden a lot of the hard prep work has been done and we now begin summer maintenance mode. It is time to plant: · Perennials, roses, herbs, veggies… …

For centuries people have been harvesting and obtaining oils from plants. From lavender to Frankincense, researchers know that oils are important compounds in plants for many reasons. In this episode I talk to aromatherapy expert, Amy Anthony of NYC Aromatica, all about essential oils and how you can utilize them in your life. We touch upon distill…

It is the May To Do List, and the here in Zone 9 the winter weather seems to have finally broken. Warm days have been persistent, but there is still some cool and wet weather. Lots to do in the garden as we catch up from a long winter and prepare for spring/summer. It is time to plant: · Vegetables: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, swiss chard, …

April is Kid’s Gardening Month! Joining me to talk about resources to help teachers and parents with activities, grants and lesson plants is Em Shipman, Executive Director of KidsGardening.org . And FYI- a lot of these lessons are great for grownups! If folks want to contribute to our work, donations are 100% tax deductible. We are able to reach 8 …

It is the April To Do List, and the persistent wet and cold weather is still here in the west. Nevertheless, we are getting warmer, longer days and spring will soon be in full effect. We also spend some time reviewing asparagus growing tips, as it is a popular question amongst listeners. It is time to plant: Vegetables: Eggplant, squash, corn, cucu…

Begonias are like potato chips, you can’t stop at one. In this episode I’m talking with Glenn Dickerson, Begonia collections curator at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, about all his tips and tricks to keep their massive collection healthy and thriving. We discuss soil, fertilizer, types of Begonias, problematic Rex varieties and more. Glenn and some…

Peach leaf curl, fire blight, citrus issues, and more. Don Shor, owner of Redwood Barn Nursery and horticulturist extraordinaire, joins me to discuss issues that may arise on your fruit trees this spring and summer. Don and Redwood Barn Nursery can be found at: Website: redwoodbarn.com Instagram: redwoodbarnnursery & don.shor Facebook: Redwood Barn…

It is the March To Do List, and we are still in the heart of winter with lots of cold and wet days. Not just cold and wet – we have had very low elevation snow throughout California…crazy. Spring looms though, and preparation is paramount. It is time to plant: · Vegetables: Broccoli, beets, cabbage, cauliflower, chive, collards, swiss chard, kale, …

It is the February To Do List, and we are still in the heart of winter with plenty of cold days. Spring is around the corner though, and preparation has to get started. It is time to plant: · Vegetables: Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, swiss chard, collards, kale, lettuce, peas, radish · Plant bare-root roses, fruit trees Chores include: · Prune ro…

It is the January To Do List, and we are in the rainiest season out wet in a very long time. Temperatures have moderated a bit, however. Tough to get out in the garden with this much rain, but there are things that need to be done during the dry periods. It is time to plant: Bareroot trees, roses, shrubs Radishes Lettuce Onions Bok choy Fava beans …

We are all familiar with the iconic southern magnolia and possibly even the show stopping saucer magnolia…but there are many more beauties in this genus. I had the pleasure of talking with Andrew Bunting -- the Vice President of Horticulture at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and author of “The Plant Lover’s Guide to Magnolias”. We discuss e…

By Marlene Simon

It is the December To Do List, and we are in the middle of winter garden season. Weather is COLD, and so far it has been relatively wet. It is time to plant: Asparagus Fava beans Bok choy Broccoli rabe Garlic Kale Loose leaf lettuce Mustard Onion sets Radish Do not plant yet: Bareroot trees Roses Berries Chores include: Protect succulents from wate…

What is it like to work in the oldest greenhouse conservatory in the US? I talk to the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers Kristen Natoli (Collections Manager) and Sarah Sawtelle (Engagement Manager) about the ins and outs of this historic collection and building. With such an amazing collection of plants – where do they source them from? How do …

Compost…this is music to most gardener’s ears. FREE compost is even better. Many people think that expensive compost makers, tons of space, and ample time is required – this is NOT the case. In this episode I welcome back master composter Kevin Marini to discuss everything compost. Do you know the difference between hot and cold compost, the optima…

Every gardener – no matter how long you have been gardening – gets excited for the first shoots of spring emerging bulbs. Bulbs are incredibly easy to grow, and for many they naturalize and multiply year after year, creating a no-fuss flower show. I talk to bulb expert Peggy Anne Montgomery about growing bulbs and how to incorporate them into your …

It is the November To Do List, and we are in the throes of winter garden prep. Weather is starting to cool rapidly, and (hopefully) out west we start seeing moisture soon. It is time to plant: Fava beans Bok choy Celery Swiss chard Garlic Kale Kohlrabi Lettuce Mustard Onions Peas Radish Shallots Spinach Perennials (except frost sensitive) Spring bl…

Watching birds go about their lives in your garden is one of the many benefits of gardening. Besides the joy of watching them, they are also busy eating pests and helping to keep a balanced ecosystem. I talk to bird expert Tammy Poppie about ways to create a healthy, safe and inviting environment for birds. Tammy and additional information about bi…

Fall is THE time to prep for a wonderful spring/summer garden. I talk to Andrew Bunting -- Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Vice President of Horticulture -- all about planting bulbs, soil prep, what to plant, what to watch out for and how to create habitats for beneficial insects, bees and birds. Andrew and resources from the Pennsylvania Hort…

As California and the west continue to suffer the effects of drought, it is more important than ever to be water-wise in the garden. I talk to Greg Bundesen – Sacramento Water Conservation Supervisor – about what you can do as a homeowner and gardener to use less water but still maintain a green space. We discuss grey water, mulch, converting sprin…

Joe Lamp’l – from “Joe Gardener” fame – is America’s gardener. Given that his public television show Growing a Greener World is shown in 38 countries, Joe is more appropriately the WORLD’s gardener. He has an illustrious, long career spanning television, print, podcasting, and video content. Above all, Joe is an educator – his gardening passion is …

Water-wise gardening is more important than ever in the west, and part of this includes irrigating properly. Don Smith, Water Management Coordinator for the City of Folsom, joins me to discuss everything irrigation. He covers which sprinklers are best if you do have a lawn, how to lay out your drip irrigation for optimal coverage, and are “smart” c…

Brad Gates, owner of Wild Boar Farms, joins me again to discuss problems gardeners may be encountering with their tomatoes. We also discuss the process that goes into him finding the next new variety… some are by chance, others are by purposeful breeding. Plus, he let’s us in on the new varieties to be released in the near future. Brad and Wild Boa…

Sadly fire is becoming a way of life in California and the greater west. It’s important to maintain a healthy landscape for wildlife habitat, but there are key tasks homeowners can do to mitigate fire danger. I talk to Master Gardener education specialist, Kevin Marini, all about fire-wise landscaping. Learn about the different zones around your ho…

Over 80% of plants need pollinators to reproduce -- this includes a majority of crops humans eat. To say that pollinators are important is an understatement. The founder and CEO of the non-profit Pollinator Posse, Tora Rocha, joins me to discuss what we can do on our part. She gives tips on how to create a pollinator friendly garden, plants that ar…

5 foot tall pepper plants? Yes, your peppers can get this large. Chad Iman, owner of Sky High Scoville Pepper Farm breaks down step by step how to grow the best most productive peppers possible. He shares his secret recipe for seed starting mix, transplant techniques and how to overwinter your plants. Plus we talk about the beautiful hot peppers he…

Producing your own honey and having your own bees can be a fun and rewarding backyard hobby. But how do you go about starting -- do you need to buy bees or can you catch your own swarm? I talk to professional beekeeper, Blake Dacy and backyard hobbyist/host of Good Day Sacramento Tina Macuha all about bees. We discuss how bees go about building a h…

Lots of tasks during the hot summer season, including: Plant cabbage, carrots, beets, celery, kale, onion seeds, potatoes, mustards, chard, collards, leeks Deadhead flowers Hose off whiteflies, sticky traps Clean up old fruit on trees, ground Still time to summer prune fruit trees Order fall bulbs Support melons on the ground or on vines Continue t…

Who doesn’t love flowers, and they are even better when you can pick and make a bouquet out of them. I talk with the Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden’s horticulturalist, Wyatt Emig, about his process of growing flowers. He shares his must have seed trays, soil conditioning tips and favorite flowers to grow. Wyatt can found at: Website: gardenbythes…

Every great garden starts with healthy soil. But what exactly is “healthy” soil, how do you achieve this and what is soil really. Robert Pavlis, author of “Soil Science for Gardeners” and of “Garden Myths” fame joins me once again to talk everything soil. We discuss micronutrients versus macronutrients, can you add sand to clay soils, how to test y…