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322-Back to the Roots Brings Organic Gardening to the Masses

| Grow, Podcast

Even as more and more gardeners adopt the practices of organic, sustainable and regenerative horticulture, retailers still treat organic gardening products as a niche thing. My guests this week, Back to the Roots co-founders and co-CEOs Nikhil Arora and Alejandro “Alex” Vélez, are working to change that by making organic gardening easy and affordable. The […]

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313-Get to Know Cucumber-Melons, an Alternative to Bitter Cucumbers

| Grow, Podcast

Cucumber-melons aren’t hybrids of cucumbers and melons but rather immature melons that are intended to be enjoyed just as you would eat a cucumber. To explain the origin of cucumber-melons and what sets them apart from standard cucumbers, my guest this week is Jay Tracy, a cucumber-melon expert and seed seller. Jay grew up in […]

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311-Gardening Science: How Your Garden Really Grows

| Grow, Podcast

Among gardeners, there is a lot of advice out there that sounds clever and wise, but when you begin to look into it, you learn there is no concrete evidence to back it up. My guest this week, Dr. Stuart Farrimond, has authored a book on gardening science to explain what the research says about […]

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309-Carex: A Problem-Solving Native Perennial for Any Home Landscape

| Grow, Podcast

Carex is a grass alternative that is a problem-solving native perennial for any home landscape. But with so many Carex species and cultivars to choose from, it’s hard to know what the best fit will be for your garden. To determine the most adaptable, resilient, attractive and ecologically valuable Carex species, Mt. Cuba Center spent […]

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307-Breeding Dahlias for Home Gardeners-Encore Presentation

| Grow, Podcast

Breeding dahlias can result in surprising, desirable and unique dahlia varieties, and it’s an activity any home gardener can do. To explain the basics of raising dahlias and her advanced techniques for hybridizing dahlias, joining me on the podcast is Kristine Albrecht, a dahlia expert and the founder of Santa Cruz Dahlias. Kristine is the […]

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306-Plant Breeding for Home Gardeners-Encore Presentation

| Grow, Podcast

Plant breeding may appear on the surface to be too complicated for the average home gardener to do, but anyone can breed hybrid and open-pollinated vegetables and flowers if they have the knowledge and patience for it and put in the effort. Joseph Tychonievich, a garden writer and plant breeder, joins me on the podcast […]

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302-How to Grow Epic Potatoes-Encore Presentation

| Grow, Podcast

If you want to grow epic potatoes, there is no one better to learn from than Jim Gerritsen, the founder of Wood Prairie Family Farm in Bridgewater, Maine. Jim has more than 45 years of experience growing potatoes organically, and he came on the podcast to share everything you need to know to have a […]

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285-Growing Indoors Hydroponically 

| Grow, Podcast

Building an indoor hydroponic gardening system from scratch is a tall feat for newcomers to hydroponics, but these days there are a number of compact hydroponic systems on the market that are easy to assemble and operate. To discuss the advantages of ready-made hydroponic gardens, my guest this week is Tina Edwards, a marketing manager […]

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Why I Leave Some Tomato Plants in the Garden After Summer

| Grow, Video

Tomatoes are thought of as a summer crop, and rightly so, but in my fall garden, I have a few tomato plants that are still going strong. I encourage you to leave a few tomato plants in the ground when you transition to a fall garden because they just might surprise you.      […]

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279-Ten Tomatoes that Changed the World, with William Alexander

| Grow, Podcast

Tomatoes are one of the most well-traveled vegetables — or fruits — that there is and one of the most popular crops in home gardens, but after they were introduced to Europe, centuries went by when they were grown and admired — but not eaten. To dig into the fascinating history of tomatoes, from their […]

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How Do I Grow Carrots?

| Grow

A grocery store carrot can never compare to the taste of a fresh-picked carrot from the garden, but growing carrots can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to avoid the obstacles and have a successful carrot crop. If you want to grow carrots in your garden, here’s everything you need to know. […]

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271-Small Space Vegetable Gardening, with Mark Ridsdill Smith

| Grow, Podcast

A lack of space is one of the top reasons people give for not having a garden, but with a little knowledge and ingenuity, it’s possible to grow flowers, herbs and even vegetables in urban environments. Mark Ridsdill Smith has become a trusted authority on container gardening in small spaces, and he’s my guest this […]

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How Do I Grow Asparagus?

| Grow

Though I have been a gardener for decades, I did not always grow asparagus because I was hesitant to commit a garden bed to a long-lived perennial crop, but in time I realized I was missing out on one of nature’s greatest gifts. Home-grown asparagus is unsurpassed in flavor and sweetness, and it’s downright beautiful […]

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253-A Primer on Plant Breeding for Home Gardeners

| Grow, Podcast

Plant breeding isn’t just for commercial growers. With some knowledge, a bit of effort and a fair amount of patience, any home gardener can breed new crosses of flowers or vegetables. To discuss how to create hybrid and open-pollinated plant varieties, my guest this week is garden writer and plant breeder Joseph Tychonievich. Joseph is […]

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249-Growing Epic Tomatoes Course: A Look back on Year One and New Changes Ahead, With Craig LeHoullier and Joe Lamp’l

| Grow, Podcast

Best-selling author and tomato expert Craig LeHoullier and I are gearing up for our second year co-instructing Growing Epic Tomatoes, our joegardener Online Gardening Academy course. In this episode, we look back on year one and talk about new changes ahead for the current growing season, and we’re excited to tell you about what we […]

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246-Growing Figs Anywhere, Even in Cold Climates, with Lee Reich

| Grow, Podcast

Figs are the perfect plants for beginner fruit growers, and even the most experienced among us love growing figs for their sweet flavor and jammy flesh. Growing figs nearly anywhere is possible, but in cold climates, it poses some challenges, but none of that challenges are insurmountable. To explain what you need to know to […]

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How Do I Grow Corn?

| Grow

Corn — or maize, as it’s known in much of the world — is the most planted crop in the United States. In agriculture, corn is grown for human consumption, spirits, animal feed and even fuel and disposable containers. In the home garden, this warm-season crop is usually grown for one reason: to enjoy the […]

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How Do I Grow Turnips?

| Grow

Turnips are root vegetables in the cabbage family that are spicy and crunchy when raw, and sweet and earthy when cooked. Turnips that mature in cool weather are the sweetest of all, but this crop can be grown for both spring and fall harvest. If you want to grow turnips in your garden, here is […]

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How Do I Grow Parsnips?

| Grow

Parsnips are cool-season root vegetables that are similar in appearance to carrots but with their own unique growing requirements and distinct taste. Parsnips that have experienced a few touches of frost prior to harvest are the sweetest, with a nutty or earthy flavor. If you want to grow parsnips in your garden, here is everything […]

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How Do I Grow Radishes?

| Grow

Radishes are an easy-to-grow root crop that is suited to both a spring and fall harvest. They are quick to mature, which makes them ideal for succession planting. If you want to grow radishes in your garden, here is everything you need to know. You can also download my How Do I Grow Radishes? one-sheet […]

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236-Gardening in Grow Bags: Answers to All Your Questions

| Grow, Podcast

Grow bags are a convenient solution for gardeners who are short on space, but every gardener can enjoy the benefits of grow bags. In this week’s episode, I answer all your questions on gardening in grow bags, including all the advantages as well as the challenges and how to overcome them. We polled our social […]

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How Do I Grow Cauliflower?

| Grow

Cauliflower is a nutritious, versatile vegetable that offers so many possibilities in the kitchen and is satisfying to grow. If you want to grow cauliflower in your garden, here’s everything you need to know to keep it thriving from planting to harvest. You can also download my How Do I Grow Cauliflower? one-sheet and keep […]

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234-Converting Lawn into Meadow

| Grow, Podcast

The more we learn about the importance of biodiversity and the harms of monoculture, pesticides and synthetic fertilizer, the more we realize that sprawling lawns should be phased out. Here to explain the simple steps to converting lawn into an ecologically fundamental meadow is Owen Wormser, an expert in regenerative landscape design. Owen was born […]

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How Do I Grow Beets?

| Grow

Beets are a cold-weather crop that I look forward to growing in both spring and fall. Not only are beets a hearty root vegetable, but the tops are edible as well. They also grow quite fast, so you can enjoy beets before many other crops. If you want to grow beets in your garden, here’s […]

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231-Vegetables Love Flowers (and Why You Should Grow More)

| Grow, Podcast

Adding a cutting garden to your landscape will mean fresh-cut flowers for you to enjoy and also an abundance of pollinators and other beneficial insects in your vegetable garden. To explain why vegetables love flowers and how to start a cutting garden, my guest this week is flower farmer and author Lisa Mason Ziegler. With […]

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How Do I Grow Broccoli?

| Grow

Broccoli is one of my favorite plants to grow and eat, and it’s one of the most nutritious crops there is. If you want to grow broccoli in your garden, here’s everything you need to know to keep it thriving from planting to harvest. You can also download my How Do I Grow Broccoli? one-sheet […]

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How Do I Grow Swiss Chard?

| Grow

Swiss chard is a leafy green vegetable that’s renowned for its nutritional value, and it’s popular with gardeners because it is so easy to grow. It is a cut-and-come-again crop that produces for quite some time and is cold hardy too. If you want to grow Swiss chard in your garden, here’s everything you need […]

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228-Growing Great Garlic, With Alley Swiss of Filaree Farm

| Grow, Podcast

Growing garlic in the home garden opens up the opportunity to experience an array of flavors that you will never find with store-bought garlic. Growing garlic is easy, but there are a few important things to know to have success. To share his expert advice on growing great garlic, my guest this week is Alley […]

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226-The Magical World of Moss Gardening

| Grow, Podcast

That special feeling that comes when you walk through a moss-covered forest can be recreated right in your own backyard. My guest this week, moss expert Annie Martin, aka Mossin’ Annie, takes us into the magical world of moss gardening and explains the simple steps to creating your own homegrown moss garden. Annie is the […]

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225-Growing Roses Sustainably

| Grow, Podcast

Roses can be intimidating, so much so that many gardeners don’t bother, but my guest this week, rosarian Paul Zimmerman, wants you to know that that reputation is not deserved. Paul is an expert on growing roses sustainably,  free of chemicals and with little intervention on your part. Paul was a founding member and president […]

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How Do I Grow Summer Squash?

| Grow

Pattypan, crookneck, straightneck and zucchini — these are the summer squashes, all highly productive, a pleasure to grow and better to eat. What sets summer squash apart from winter squash is that the fruit are soft-skinned, tender and intended for eating right away. They are picked while immature and lack the tough skin that makes […]

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How Do I Grow Winter Squash?

| Grow

Winter squash is so-named because unlike summer squash, which has a soft skin and should be enjoyed right away, the hard-skinned fruit of winter squash can be cured and then stored for several months. Butternut, spaghetti and acorn squash are classic examples, and pumpkins too are a cultivar of winter squash. If you want to […]

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How Do I Grow Basil?

| Grow

I love to grow basil — there’s nothing better than walking outside to snip a few stems for whatever you’re cooking at the moment. Basil is a great plant for gardeners from beginners to experts because it’s easy to care for and doesn’t require lots of space. It can easily be grown in a container […]

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How Do I Grow Melons?

| Grow

Few things say summer quite like biting into a sweet, juicy melon. Cantaloupes, honeydew and watermelons are all a delight to grow when they have the sun, heat and fertility that they need. Their spreading and climbing vines make the garden visually appealing too. If you want to grow melons in your garden, here’s what […]

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215-Roots Demystified: The Amazing Unseen Things Roots Do

| Grow, Podcast

Most people know that roots are how plants take up nutrients and water, but there are so many other amazing, unseen things that roots do that are exciting to learn about. To share his enthusiasm for roots and the other organisms beneath the soil’s surface, my guest this week is landscape designer and author Robert […]

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214-The National Gardening Association’s 2021 Survey Findings: What Gardeners Think

| Grow, Podcast

Each year since 1973, the Texas-based National Gardening Association works with professional pollsters to conduct the National Gardening Survey, which offers valuable insights into the mindset of gardeners across the United States. To help break the data down to better understand what gardeners think, my guest this week is National Gardening Association Executive Director Dave […]

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How Do I Grow Tomatoes?

| Grow

Tomatoes are by far the most popular home garden crop in America, and it’s clear why. You’ll never eat a tomato that tastes better than one you picked from your own garden. If you want to grow tomatoes for the first time or are looking to up your tomato-growing game, here’s what you need to […]

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How Do I Grow Green Beans?

| Grow

Green beans, string beans, snap beans or haricot vert — no matter what you call these legumes, they are easy to grow and a delight to eat fresh from the garden. If you want to grow green beans in your garden, here’s everything you need to know. You can also download my How Do I […]

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How Do I Grow Cucumbers?

| Grow

Cucumbers are a fast-growing summer crop and make a great addition to any vegetable garden. They’re known for their desire to roam, with vines that climb everywhere, but these days, there are also bush-style varieties available that make cucumbers a good option no matter how little space you have. If you want to grow cucumbers […]

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How Do I Grow Okra?

| Grow

I love to eat okra, but it’s not a love we all share — and that’s okay. Okra is a vegetable you either like or you don’t, though we can all agree it provides great ornamental value to any landscape. In flower, the plant is striking as an attractive backdrop. And if the flower looks […]

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How Do I Grow Eggplant?

| Grow

Eggplant is a warm-season crop that you’ll love eating, and as a bonus, it adds a lot of visual interest in the garden with its purple flowers and gorgeous fruit. Eggplant is related to tomatoes and peppers, so if you’ve ever grown either of those, you’re already off to a good start — but no […]

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206-Our Most Essential Trees: The Nature of Oaks, with Doug Tallamy

| Grow, Podcast

It’s always a pleasure speaking with Dr. Doug Tallamy, a renowned entomologist and advocate for native gardening. Based on the feedback his past appearances on the podcast have received, I know listeners will be just as excited as I am that he is back this week discussing North America’s most important native tree: the oak. […]

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How Do I Grow Spinach?

| Grow

Spinach is a cool-season plant that’s one of the first crops of spring and a great fall crop as well. You’ll enjoy growing this undemanding plant and will enjoy eating it even more. Harvest spinach any time to enjoy raw in salads or cook it up in seconds for a delicious side dish that’s loaded […]

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How Do I Grow Peppers?

| Grow

Peppers are one of the most rewarding plants grown in an edible garden. They are very productive — giving gardeners all the fruit they can eat, and then some — and the fruit look gorgeous as they develop. If you want to grow peppers in your garden, here’s what you need to know. You can […]

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200-Monty Don: Behind the Scenes of Gardeners’ World, and More

| Grow, Podcast

Monty Don is the biggest name in gardening in the United Kingdom, and this week he’s my guest for the very special 200th episode of “The joe gardener Show.” In our conversation, he shares his behind-the-scenes experience as Lead Presenter of the No. 1 British gardening show, Gardeners’ World during a pandemic and discusses the […]

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How Do I Grow Brussels Sprouts?

| Grow

Brussels sprouts are cool-season brassicas that taste even better after they have been kissed by frost. Nothing complements a main course in fall quite like fresh Brussels sprouts that came straight to the kitchen from the garden. They have a delicious, slightly crunchy, nutty flavor and can be served roasted, sautéed, steamed and even raw. […]

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How Do I Grow Herbs?

| Grow

Growing culinary herbs is the easiest way to start a kitchen garden, as herbs are undemanding and produce continuous harvests throughout the season. Even if you have no room for a garden — as long as you have sun — you can grow herbs in containers. If you want to grow herbs, here’s what you […]

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How Do I Grow Lettuce?

| Grow

Lettuce is a fast-growing cool-season crop for spring and fall that is attractive in both vegetable and ornamental gardens and is suited to container gardening as well. If you want to grow lettuce in your garden, here’s what you need to know. You can also download my How Do I Grow Lettuce? one-sheet and keep […]

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How Do I Grow Artichokes?

| Grow

Artichokes are delicious to eat roasted, grilled, fried or steamed, and in the garden they provide incredible ornamental value with their structural form, silver-green foliage and blazing neon purple color when allowed to bloom. If you want to grow artichokes in your garden, here’s what you need to know. You can also download my How […]

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How Do I Grow Cabbage?

| Grow

Cabbage is a brassica crop — related to broccoli, cauliflower, kale and Brussels sprouts — that thrives in cold. Because of its frost tolerance, cabbage is perfect for starting your gardening season early in spring or for extending it into the fall. If you want to grow cabbage in your garden, here’s what you need […]

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How Do I Grow Strawberries?

| Grow

Strawberry plants are cold hardy and easy to grow, and they thrive in containers and raised beds. Best of all, home-grown strawberries taste a thousand times better than any store-bought variety. If you want to grow strawberries in your garden, here’s what you need to know. You can also download my How Do I Grow […]

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183-Your Gardening Successes in 2020

| Grow, Podcast

As we approach Thanksgiving, a time for taking stock of all the things we are grateful for, it feels like a good time to reflect on our gardening successes this year. I’ll admit I’m guilty of talking about how challenging this summer was in the garden for many of us while failing to highlight the […]

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179-Plant Partners: The Science-based Benefits of Companion Planting, with Jessica Walliser

| Grow, Podcast

Companion planting has been practiced for centuries, but it’s not always clear why some plants perform better when paired with others. To separate conjecture from facts, my guest this week, horticulturist and author Jessica Walliser, has penned a new book on companion planting strategies supported by science.  Jessica holds a degree in ornamental horticulture from […]

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The Complete Guide to Growing Garlic (Everything You Need to Know)

| Grow

Garlic is an easy-to-grow crop that requires little to no care, and if you set aside a head or two from each harvest for planting the next season, you’ll never have to buy garlic again. Garlic is in the Allium genus, which also includes onions, shallots, leeks, scallions, chives and ornamental Alliums.  Because garlic grows […]

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173-Starting a New Tomato Garden: Lessons Learned, with Craig LeHoullier

| Grow, Podcast

Starting a new tomato garden in an unfamiliar location poses a number of challenges and can be intimidating, even for experienced gardeners, but it also provides a clean slate and new opportunities for lessons learned. Tomato growing expert Craig LeHoullier moved in January to Hendersonville, North Carolina, and he has much to share about experimenting […]

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How to Save Tomato Seeds

| Grow, Video

Saving seeds from tomatoes is simpler than you think. Once you learn how to save tomato seeds, you can continue growing your favorite heirloom varieties for seasons to come. If you love eating and growing a certain variety of tomato and you wish to grow the same tomato next gardening season, check whether your tomato […]

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167-Managing Plant Diseases Organically, with Jeff Gillman

| Grow, Podcast

Plant diseases pose one of the biggest challenges that gardeners face, and while it can be tempting to reach for a chemical control, managing plant diseases organically is possible. To speak to that fact, I invited Dr. Jeff Gillman on the podcast a couple of years back, and I am revisiting that conversion this week […]

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152-The Native Plant Trust: Why Plant Choices Matter

| Grow, Podcast

Another spring brings the excitement of a new garden season. For most of us, that means adding more plants to our landscape. Well, today’s episode is a reminder that your plant choices matter, especially when it comes to supporting biodiversity and wildlife. Guest Uli Lorimer is the Director of Horticulture at the Native Plant Trust. […]

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125-Saving Seeds: The Basics, the Benefits and Beyond

| Grow, Podcast

Do you save seeds? These days, more and more gardeners are interested in keeping seeds from the plants in their garden, but it’s a process that can be intimidating. For this week’s episode, I invited Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance and master seed saver, Bill McDorman, to share his expertise for anyone […]

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108-Easy Ways to Make More Houseplants, Vegetables and Flowers

| Grow, Podcast

One thing that fascinates just about every plant lover is the process of propagation, and finding easy ways to make more houseplants, vegetables, and flowers from those plants you already have and love. If you’ve ever tried to propagate a plant, did you know your success rate was just as dependent on the type of […]

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Busted – Top Five Tomato Growing Myths

| Grow

When it comes to growing tomatoes, there’s no shortage of advice, and some of it has been handed down for generations. Fortunately for us, there are researchers who put these time-honored tips to the test. So, which recommendations have been proven as nothing more than garden myth? Let’s take a look at the most common […]

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098-Uncommon Fruits for Every Garden with Lee Reich

| Grow, Podcast

Many gardeners shy away from growing the typical fruit trees and shrubs because of the amount of care and upkeep needed to maintain them, especially when it comes to pest and disease control. Yet some of the more uncommon fruits can be ideal for many gardens because they are so carefree while offering delicious and […]

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079-Foodscaping: How to Create an Edible Landscape, With Brie Arthur

| Grow, Podcast

Have you ever thought about how to grow food without a garden? I’m not talking about tearing out those flowers and shrubs to convert the bed to a vegetable garden. I’m talking about incorporating vegetables in with those aesthetic plants to create an edible landscape. It’s called foodscaping, and my guest this week, Brie Arthur, […]

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069-The Fascinating Facts Behind the Plants We Eat, with Jeff Gillman

| Grow, Podcast

Today’s episode dives into some of the interesting facts of the foods we all eat. My guest, Dr. Jeff Gillman, is Director of the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, and he recently began his own podcast show “The Plants We Eat” which features the unique aspects and history of common garden edibles. We rarely consider, or […]

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