Native Plants, Healthy Planet

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. “That’s Hot” highlights some favorites that we don't give enough love to.  “This or That” dives deep into some heavy topics.  "Tom's Petty" rises up to defend our friends.  Fran and Tom zoom out and see a larger picture.  Did we give you a shoutout this week? Listen to the end of the episode for a secret. ...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Kelly Norris (Author and Founder/Curator of The Public Horticulture Company , to talk about ecological ethics. Topics include the ecological gardening movement, inspirations for his books New Naturalism and Your Natural Garden, Kelly's favorite gardening trends, and finding your love for native plants.  Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There is fire abound!  “That’s Hot” highlights what was found in a cemetery and a hunting field.  “This or That” focuses on what is not there and what could be there.  “Take it of Leaf it” might not contribute.  A listener shares a great website resource.  Did we give you a shoutout this week? Listen to the end of th...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Patrick Cullina (Owner, Patrick Cullina Horticultural Design and Consulting) to talk about ecological gardening in public spaces. Topics include finding horticulture as a career, incorporating function and systems in urban and public spaces, the beginnings of the High Line in NYC, and Pat's favorite underused native tree.  Music by Egocentric Plastic...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Why are Tom and Fran NOT in the same room?  “That’s Hot” recalls a harmless prank.  “This or That” builds roadways to new worlds.  “Take it of Leaf it” has a funny take.  Did we give you a shoutout this week? Listen to the end of the episode for a secret.  Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. That’s...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Kelly Wilson (Horticulturalist) and Greg Huse (Urban Forester) of Arlington National Cemetery to discuss the heritage of horticulture at the cemetery. Topics include honoring those who gave their lives for this country through horticulture, the challenges of maintaining excellence, implementing ecological strategies into current and future projects,...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  “That’s Hot” picks a page.  “This or That” is a little more uplifting this week.  “Take it of Leaf it” leads to a very interesting discussion about university funding.  Did we give you a shoutout this week? Listen to the end of the episode for a secret.  Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. That’s H...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Dr. Jared Barnes (Associate Professor of Horticulture at Stephen F. Austin State University) to talk about inspiring people to garden. Topics include the power of knowledge and education, the rise of ecological gardening, current gardening trends, and Jared's journey into horticulture.  Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Fo...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  “That’s Hot” picks an edible and a botanical.  “This or That” has Tom and Fran realizing how much they do not know.  “Take it of Leaf it” puts a round object in a square hole..  Did we give you a shoutout this week?  There are secrets galore this episode as well as some pettiness!  Listen to the end of the episode f...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Ken Parker (Owner – Native Plant Guy Consulting) to talk about human interaction with native plants. Topics include reconnecting Indigenous Tribes with traditional foods and healthier eating, interesting medicinal uses for native plants, and inspirations in ecology. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow Ken Parker Here...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  “That’s Hot” picks a number and takes and interesting turn.  “This or That” has Tom and Fran trying not to press the panic button and find some good and make some sense.  “Take it of Leaf it” asks what kind of steward you are.  Did we give you a shoutout this week?  Grow Read a Book takes to the mountains!  Listen t...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Ethan Tapper (Owner - Bear Island Consulting and Author of How to Love a Forest ) to talk about his book How to Love a Forest . Topics include Ethan's journey into forestry, the challenges of stewardship, signs of a healthy forest, being a steward of wildlife, and learning to write a book. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett....

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back to celebrate five years, 250 episodes, and over a half a million downloads of The Native Plants Healthy Planet Podcast.  That celebration does not come without technical difficulties.  Thank you to all of our listeners who have made the journey with us and took the time to call in to our show.  “That’s Hot” asks, "What is your favorite native plant?...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Andrew Bunting (Vice President of Horticulture) from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Topics include how gardening has changed over the years as well as the view on native plants, PHS and the wonderful work and programs they offer, how they incorporate native plants into urban gardens as well as the internationally renowned Philadelphia Flower...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  “That’s Hot” is an oldie but a goodie.  “This or That” leads to some difficult discussions.  “Take it of Leaf it” has Tom and Fran on opposite ends.  Did we give you a shoutout this week?  Grow Read a Book is a surprise!  Listen to the end of the episode for a secret.  Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Be...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick welcome back Sam Hoadley (Horticultural Research Manager) from the Mt. Cuba Center about the results of their newly published Vernonia trials.  It's time to get excited about Vernonia!  They discuss which Vernonia performed well and which ones performed better, surprise value of many of the Vernonia species, How species rated in the trials as well as the buzz gen...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  We've been exhibiting and speaking.  Find out how it's been going.  “That’s Hot” takes to the trees.  “This or That” deals with fire and rain.  “Take it of Leaf it” leaves Tom and Fran collecting their thoughts.  Did we give you a shoutout this week?  Listen to the end of the episode for a follow up to Tom’s secret....

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Mike McGraw from Princeton Hydro to discuss all things ecology speaking. Topics include the journey from a big city to wildlife biologist, the impact of deer, the documentary "Roots so Deep" and regenerative farming, and making your own ecological impact. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow Princeton Hydro H...

Happy New Year!  Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  “That’s Hot” ironically, looks good in the snow.  “This or That” talks about raking and preserving.  “Take it of Leaf it” is a little general.  Tom and Fran break down our Top 10 of All-Time and our Top Ten of 2024.  Did we give you a shoutout this week?  Listen to the end of the episode for a follo...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick share one of their favorite episodes of The Native Plants Healthy Planet Podcast. Tom and Fran spoke with Oliver Milman (Environment Correspondent at the Guardian ) to talk about his new book The Insect Crisis. Topics include the state of our insect friends, the factors contributing to their decline, the obstacles we face in reversing the trend, and what you can...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a sneak peek of Season 3 of A Native Plant Every Day.  Season 3 will be a four week season debuting in 2025.  Listen to hear about the exciting changes moving forward.  Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow A Native Plant Every Day Here . Have a question or a comment?  Call (215) 346-6189 Have a comment?  Email info@nativeplan...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  “That’s Hot” is festive for the season.  “This or That” talks about urban meadows and host plants.  “Take it of Leaf it” takes Tom and Fran on a long journey.  Did we give you a shoutout this week?  Listen to the end of the episode for a secret.  Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. That’s Hot –  Fr...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Claudio Vazquez and Amanda McClean from Izel Native Plants to discuss supplying native plants to the retail market. Topics include the history of Izel Native Plants, how the market and their company has changed since their inception, challenges in making wholesale native plant material available to the public and what the next ten years look like. Mu...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  We have two winners!!!  Are you one of them?  It is the most leaf blower time of the year.  Let's talk about two stroke engine bans.  “That’s Hot” survives the cold.  “This or That” talks soil and radiation.  “Take it of Leaf it” has a lot of stipulations.  Did we give you a shoutout this week?  Listen to the end of...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Uli Lorimer and Michael Piantedosi of Native Plant Trust to tackle all of the hard questions that we encounter in the environmental realm. Topics include What is a native plant, should we be planting for climate change, is it possible to over produce a rare native plant, and are our views of restoration flawed. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro...