Best Farmer Fred Podcasts (2024)

1
349 Stressed? Your Garden Can Help. 33:24

2h ago33:24

33:24

Gardening and being in nature can help reduce stress and anxiety. Forest bathing, or simply spending time in a natural environment, has been shown to have calming effects. Having a garden or indoor plants can also provide stress relief. Aromatic plants, such as jasmine, lavender, and mint, can have a soothing effect on the mind and body. Taking the…

1
Climate Science Meets Gardening 30:54

4h ago30:54

30:54

Welcome green thumbs! This week Kevin meets local meteorologist Tamara Berg from KCRA 3 Weather. Tamara shares the science of local weather phenomena like the Delta breeze, atmospheric rivers, Tule fog, and how gardeners can stay up to date with the latest weather data. Follow Tamara on Instagram Get updated on the latest weather reports at KCRA.co…

1
The Killing of Sheriff Noland 25:21

3h ago25:21

25:21

The killing of Sheriff Noland in Haywood County in 1862. A notable event. Historically, county sheriffs had numerous duties and responsibilities. During the Civil War in North Carolina, one such duty was to locate outliers and deserters. It was in the course of such an investigation that Sheriff John Noland tragically lost his life on a mountain pa…

1
348 The Tastiest Peaches and Plums. Improving Sandy Soil. Raised Bed Drainage Tips. 38:12

1d ago38:12

38:12

Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Audio, transcripts, and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout. Pictured: Garden Gold Peach in Bloom Links: Subscribe to the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter https://gardenbasics.substack.com Sm…

1
Advice for Summer Heat 26:02

5d ago26:02

26:02

Hey green thumbs! This week Kevin and Austin meet in the studio to explore ways to keep your plants thriving even in extreme heat. Learn about sun scald, how to harvest your tomatoes at the breaker stage, water responsibly, and control fruit trees with summer pruning. Learn more about agriculture in the classroom with these links: California Founda…

1
347 Travelers' Garden Basics Playlist. All About Berries. Slugs in Compost. 41:08

8d ago41:08

41:08

It’s a holiday weekend and you might be traveling. What about a Garden Basics playlist for that long car ride or for listening to while lounging around someplace cool? We have suggestions for that playlist - the five most listened-to Garden Basics episodes. Also: wherever you live, you can probably grow some kind of berries. Today, we revisit our c…

1
Permaculture at Neanderthal Farms 31:57

9d ago31:57

31:57

Welcome green thumbs! This week Kevin meets with the "Pickle King" Justin Davis from Neanderthal Farms. Justin explains how he uses sustainable practices to produce crops for his family, business, and community. Topics include: permaculture, shade protection, cover cropping, three sisters companion planting, straw mulch, and growing the best tomato…

1
1928 Murder in Madison NC 26:15

17d ago26:15

26:15

In 1928, a murder shook Madison, NC. A son discovered his father dead in the living room while his grandfather lay unconscious on the path leading from the house. Nearby, a pistol was found. Was it the father who killed his son? John Frisby faced murder charges. Despite three trials in Mountain County involving two different defendants, no one was …

1
346 All About Soil Thermometers, pH Testing, Cardboard Mulch 29:08

18d ago29:08

29:08

How do use and adjust a soil thermometer? Why is my soil pH so variable at different soil depths? How do you use cardboard to replace a lawn and start a garden? Those are some of the questions, along with scenic bypasses - of course - that we’ll be tackling today. And there’s a lot of great garden tips in those scenic bypasses today. It’s all in Ep…

1
Grow A Pollinator Buffet 26:56

16d ago26:56

26:56

Welcome green thumbs! This week Kevin and Austin sit down in the studio to talk about the fascinating world of pollinators including everything from beautiful bees, birds, and butterflies to more unusual pollinators like ants, bats, beetles, moths, and more. Find out what plants you can use to attract these special creatures with this article: Grow…

1
11-1 Rum Runners and the Black Duck 33:10

17d ago33:10

33:10

11-1 Rum Runners and the Black Duck The Nobel Experiment or Probation created a new type of criminal. The mountain back roads had the Moon Shiners and Bootleggers. The Coastal Communities had alcohol made legally in another country and smuggled into the states by the run-runners. These are just a few of their stories. https://podcasters.spotify.com…

1
345 The Heart Healthy Garden, Live! 40:48

23d ago40:48

40:48

Did you know rose petals are edible, and contain lots of healthy fiber? That's part of today’s podcast, recorded live, in February 2024, at the Sacramento Rose Society's monthly meeting. The main topic is growing the Heart Healthy Garden! And roses can be an edible part of that healthy landscape. This podcast episode features foods to grow that can…

1
How to Create a Beautiful Landscape 30:43

23d ago30:43

30:43

Welcome green thumbs! This week Kevin meets with renowned landscape designer Roberta Walker to learn about transforming yards into works of art. Become your own designer by using flowing pathways, mounds of topographical interest, lighting and plants that dazzle throughout the year. Check out Roberta's list of favorite plants and more. Green Acres …

1
344 Q&A - Tomato Seed Saving? Seeding Mulched Area? 15:19

26d ago15:19

15:19

In this episode of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, Fred Hoffman and Master Gardener Gail Pothour discuss saving tomato seeds. They address the question of whether saved tomato seeds will produce the same tomato variety and provide tips for ensuring seed purity. The conversation covers topics such as flower structure, pollination, isolat…

1
343 A Tour of Debbie Flower's Garden 53:00

29d ago53:00

53:00

We pay a visit to the garden of America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower. It’s a living classroom on thriving low water use plants. Debbie talks in detail about the plants, many of which are California natives, and discusses the strategies of hydrozoning (grouping plants together based on their watering needs), desig…

1
Preparing For Summer Heat 31:43

1M ago31:43

31:43

Hey green thumbs! This week Kevin and Austin review garden tasks you should consider now to prepare your garden for the upcoming heat of summer. It's also not too late to plant if you want to sneak in a second wave of crops. Keep you and your plants hydrated and never stop growing! Green Acres Nursery & Supply Green Acres Garden Podcast Group In th…

1
342 Q&A Grow Carrots in Summer? Weed Cloth - Good or Bad? 18:31

1M ago18:31

18:31

Master Gardener Fred Hoffman and his guests answers garden questions from listeners on the Tuesday edition of the Garden Basics podcast. The first question is about weed cloth and its impact on soil improvement and fertilization. Fred and Debbie Flower advise removing the weed cloth and using just mulch instead. The second question is about plantin…

1
341 Fred's Garden Tour with Debbie 47:33

1M ago47:33

47:33

Something a little different today. America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower and myself take a stroll through the Farmer Fred backyard garden, talking about the plants, and discussing the strategies to make them successful plants, with, of course, all sorts of garden tips thrown in. It’s the ultimate scenic bypass ep…

1
The Bee Whisperer 32:47

2M ago32:47

32:47

Hey green thumbs! This week Kevin meets beekeeper Tim Dick to learn about the complex lives of honey bees, how to provide for them and other pollinators with a variety of flowering plants, and how to start your very own apiary at home. Looking for even more plants to attract pollinators? Check out this blog post: Plants For Pollinators. Never stop …

1
340 Q&A Cross-Pollination Concerns, Best Cities and States for Gardening 20:05

1M ago20:05

20:05

Farmer Fred and Debbie Flower discuss: •The impact of climate and weather on gardening success. •Understanding cross-pollination and its implications for seed saving and plant breeding. •The importance of local conditions and location-specific knowledge in gardening. •Different perspectives on the best US cities for gardening, highlighting the infl…

1
339 How To Water Clay Soil (and more clay gardening tips!) 34:15

1M ago34:15

34:15

In this episode of Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, the focus is on how to water clay soil and other tips for gardening in clay. Debbie Flower, America's Favorite retired college horticultural professor, shares valuable insights on the topic. The episode covers the characteristics of clay soil, the importance of organic matter, watering techniques, …

1
The Fragrant Flower Garden 30:11

2M ago30:11

30:11

Welcome green thumbs! This week Kevin meets with landscape designer and author Stefani Bittner to learn how to create a beautiful, edible, and fragrant landscape. Looking for inspiration? Check out the stunning garden spaces Stefani has created on her website at the Homestead Design Collective. Get Stefani's book for even more inspiration: The Frag…

1
338 Q&A Squash Flowers? Fertilizer Application? Tart Cherries? 25:14

2M ago25:14

25:14

In this episode of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, Fred and his expert guests answer questions about: • Squash pollination woes with Master Gardener and vegetable expert Gail Pothour. • The timing and application of plant fertilizer, with America's Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower. • Choosing tart/sour cher…

1
337 How To Choose Nursery Plants. Tips for Starting a School Garden. 52:49

2M ago52:49

52:49

If you’re the type of gardener that buys flowering plants at a nursery that are covered in blooms, America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower, will explain why you shouldn’t do that, and a lot more nursery plant shopping tips! Also, we have tips for starting an elementary school garden. And you don’t have to be a schoo…

1
Grow Your Own Citrus 31:28

2M ago31:28

31:28

Welcome green thumbs! This week Kevin meets with Aaron Dillon from Four Winds Growers. Aaron shares his experience and knowledge of growing citrus and gives easy to follow guidance for a successful backyard orchard. Learn how to grow citrus in containers, water correctly, prune for size, and fertilize for amazing fruit. Green Acres Nursery & Supply…

1
336 Q&A Kitchen Scraps in the Garden? When to Plant a Magnolia Tree? 18:09

2M ago18:09

18:09

In this episode, Farmer Fred answers a listener's question about burying kitchen scraps in the garden. He discusses the potential problems with this method, including attracting scavengers and affecting the quality of the soil microbiology. He suggests composting the kitchen scraps first or using alternative methods like African keyhole gardens. De…

1
Looking for Candidates for that "Special" Place in Hell 39:54

2M ago39:54

39:54

Looking for Candidates for that "Special" Place in Hell Episode 10-11 "Abusing or taking advantage of children, It said if you do you're going to burn in a very special level of Hell. One reserved for Child Molesters and People who talk at the theater." (modified quote by Shepard D. Book)

1
335 Roof Rat Controls, Asparagus-Lemon Recipes 35:01

2M ago35:01

35:01

The first chat today involves roof rats (and is an encore presentation while construction is ongoing here at Barking Dog). It will be particularly useful for those of you with large yards, or acreage, or even a small farm, in which you have a large orchard. And for those of you suburban dwellers who might have a few citrus trees, or, for that matte…

1
Make Your Yard Summer Strong 29:31

2M ago29:31

29:31

Hey green thumbs! This week Kevin meets with Amy Talbot from the Regional Water Authority to learn how we can be more efficient with our water use and still have a beautiful and lush landscape. Enter the contest: Make a Star of Your Summer Strong Yard Join our Facebook group the Green Acres Garden Podcast Group Green Acres Nursery & Supply Green Ac…

1
GB 334 Q&A Rhubarb for Hot Climates? Lights for Seedlings? 21:20

2M ago21:20

21:20

The first question on the Tuesday Q&A edition of the Garden Basics podcast is about growing rhubarb in hot weather. Fred and his guests, Master Gardeners Kathy Morrison and Ruth Ostroff, discuss their experiences with growing rhubarb in Sacramento. They also share a rhubarb recipe. The second question is about grow lights for starting tomato and pe…

1
333 Controlling Snails & Slugs, Feed Your Soil, Grow Your Own Protein 42:12

2M ago42:12

42:12

We are in the midst of spring construction here, so we are taking the opportunity to not shout over the whine of power saws and the banging hammers. Instead, we will be revisiting some of the most popular segments ever aired on our podcast. In Episode 83, we explained why feeding your soil yields better results than feeding your plants. Sound confu…

1
Grow Like a Pro with Joe Gardener 39:11

2M ago39:11

39:11

Welcome green thumbs! This week Kevin meets with garden legend Joe Lamp'l AKA Joe Gardener. Joe shares his garden wisdom he has cultivated from a lifetime of working with plants and educating the public through his podcast, TV series, books, and online courses. Find out more at his website and links below. JoeGardener.com The Joe Gardener Show Grow…

1
332 Q&A Whiteflies? 1st Tomato? Planting Citrus? 19:59

2M ago19:59

19:59

Farmer Fred and Don Shor from Redwood Barn Nursery answer a garden question from a listener about whiteflies on grapes. But are they really whiteflies? They discuss how to control whiteflies and leaf hoppers on grapevines, the use of organic sprays, and the importance of correct pest identification. Also, Debbie Flower answers a question about remo…

1
1937 The Murder Year in NC? 28:17

3M ago28:17

28:17

1937 The Murder Year in NC? Episode 10-23.

1
331 Cucumber Starting and Training Tips 37:00

2M ago37:00

37:00

Mid to late spring is cucumber planting time in most of North America, and we have more cucumber growing tips for you today. We covered a lot of cucumber growing basics back in episode 266 last May, but today, cucumber cheerleader and America's favorite retired college horticultural professor, Debbie Flower, has more cucumber planting advice for yo…

1
Growing Native Seeds with Hedgerow Farms 32:38

3M ago32:38

32:38

Hello green thumbs! This week the team travels to Hedgerow Farms to meet with Julia Michaels Ph.D. Julia shares her passion for native plants and teaches the benefits of planting native wild flowers and grasses. Hedgerow Farms seed packets will be available in stores soon. Learn more at: Hedgerow Farms CA Native Plant Society Bloom! California Gree…

1
330 Q&A Bermudagrass Control? Black Plastic for the Garden? 23:47

3M ago23:47

23:47

In Episode 330, Q&A - Gail from Orangevale, CA wants to start a vegetable and flower garden in her backyard, which is currently covered in Bermuda grass. Debbie Flower, America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture professor, and I suggest waiting a year and using soil solarization to kill off the Bermudagrass. We also recommend starting small wi…

1
329 How to Water 39:37

3M ago39:37

39:37

This episode is entitled, How to Water Your Garden. “What!?!” you’re probably thinking. “Of course I know how to water my garden, lawn, and indoor plants, I’m a gardener!” As Farmer Fred Garden Rule #8 says: “If it works for you, fine. But keep an open mind.” Join us as America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower, has a…

1
Kevin's May Garden Tasks 35:40

3M ago35:40

35:40

Hey green thumbs! This week Kevin shares his advice, tips and timely garden tasks for success in the garden this season. Do these tasks now before it gets hot and you'll be growing like a pro. Green Acres Nursery & Supply Green Acres Garden Podcast Group In the greater Sacramento area? Learn how to make your yard Summer Strong and discover water-sa…

1
328 Q&A Add Fertilizer to Compost Pile? Can Later Ripening Peach Trees Survive Peach Leaf Curl? 15:25

3M ago15:25

15:25

In this episode of the Garden Basics Podcast, Farmer Fred and Master Gardener Susan Muckey discuss composting and answer a listener's question about adding nitrogen to a compost pile. They explain that adding nitrogen is not necessary for most compost piles and discuss the ideal carbon-nitrogen ratio. They also provide tips for turning a compost pi…

1
Unfortunate incident or Murder? 29:18

3M ago29:18

29:18

Felon File episode # 10-22 Unfortunate incident or Murder? A Courtroom disturbance leads to several subjects' deaths and many more injuries. Was it murder in the courtroom or something else? On line 4-20-2024 @ 7:00 pm. https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/felonfile/episodes/Unfortunate-incident-or-Murder-e2aob6b…

1
327 The Heart Healthy Garden 57:01

3M ago57:01

57:01

The healthiest food you can eat, is the food you grow yourself. Where have you heard THAT before? Today, let’s grow a heart-healthy garden! What are the foods you can plant that are best suited, chemically, to help reverse what might be going on around your ticker, including high cholesterol, elevated blood sugar, and stress? We talk with Dr. Laura…

1
Spring Recipes From The Garden 31:13

3M ago31:13

31:13

Hey green thumbs! This week Kevin meets with writer and master rosarian Debbie Arrington to learn how to cook amazing dishes with food from the garden. Check out Debbie's collections of seasonal recipes: Taste Spring Taste Summer Green Acres Nursery & Supply Green Acres Garden Podcast Group In the greater Sacramento area? Learn how to make your yar…

1
326 Q&A Working with Coir vs Peat Moss, Reuse Old Potting Soil. Runaway Plum Tree! 18:44

3M ago18:44

18:44

Q&A - Working with Coir, Peat Moss, Perlite, etc. Reusing Old Potting Soil. 00:24 Q&A - Runaway Plum Tree! 16:10 Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout. Pictured: Wheelbarrow with H…

1
325 Peach Leaf Curl Control Tips. All the Presidents' Gardens. 31:58

3M ago31:58

31:58

Appearing now (or soon) on a peach or nectarine tree near you: Peach Leaf Curl? What is this fungus that causes the leaves on these trees to redden, pucker, and curl? And how can you control it? (Please note, I did not say, “eradicate”). America’s favorite retired college horticultural professor, Debbie Flower has some tips. Also, we go back about …

1
Gardening with Beneficial Insects 32:58

3M ago32:58

32:58

Hey green thumbs! This week Kevin meets with Steve Hazzard from Organic Control to learn all about utilizing predators, parasites, and other beneficial insects at home. Find out how beneficial nematodes, praying mantids, lady bugs, worms and other organisms can make your garden thrive. Green Acres Nursery & Supply Green Acres Garden Podcast Group I…

1
GB 324 Q&A - Nitrogen Sources. Soil for a Raised Bed. 28:38

3M ago28:38

28:38

Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout. Pictured: Pizza Pie Crop Rotation Garden Links: Subscribe to the free, Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter https://gardenbasics.substack.com …

1
England's Killers, Fred and Rosemary West 28:36

3M ago28:36

28:36

Episode 10-21-. England's Killers, Fred and Rosemary West Fred West and his future wife, Rose, become two ofthe most evil serial killers in U.K. History. Responsiblefor the dismemberment and murder of women and young girls, including two members of their own family. Evil? Listen and decide for yourself.…

1
323 Gold Medal Plant Winners. Thin Your Fruit Trees Now! 39:03

3M ago39:03

39:03

Each year the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society puts out its list of Gold Medal winning Plants. Usually these plants are chosen for their adaptability to the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. This year, the chosen plants have a much wider range of possible success, including USDA Zone 9 and possibly up to Zone 10, and down to Zone 3. Also:…

1
Grow Your Own Grapes 31:28

4M ago31:28

31:28

Hey green thumbs! This week Kevin meets with the Lady Farmer, Jennifer Thomson of Thomson Vineyards to talk all about growing grapes. Jennifer shares how commercial farmers cultivate success and how you can grow table grapes at home and even make your own wine. Thomson Vineyards Felco Pruning Shears Green Acres Nursery & Supply Green Acres Garden P…

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