Hort Culture

When perennials start getting crowded, blooming less, or simply outgrowing their space, it may be time to divide and conquer! In this episode of Hort Culture , the crew digs into the why, when, and how of dividing and transplanting perennial plants. From irises, peonies, daylilies, asters, and coneflowers to bulbs like daffodils and crocuses, we talk about which plants are good candidates for divi...

October is officially here, and the Hort-Culture team is embracing all things spooky season! In this episode, Alexis, Jessica, and Ray explore the weird, eerie, and fascinating world of spooky plants—from botanical tricksters to true atmospheric creepy crawlers. The crew kicks off with a quick psychological dive into why morning darkness feels oddly safe compared to the evening, before jumping str...

In this episode of Hort Culture , Brett, Alexis, and Ray  are joined by guest Gabe Cassone , agricultural economist at the University of Kentucky's Center for Crop Diversification (CCD), to dive into the numbers behind growing and selling local produce and dairy. Tune in as we break down everything from digital farmers market price reporting and USDA shipping point data to the surprising pric...

In this episode hosts Ray, Alexis, and Brett discuss the enduring appeal and sheer spectacle of state fair giant produce competitions. They explore the mix of agricultural science, elite genetics, and environmental conditions—such as Alaska's long daylight hours and cool nights—that drive these extreme growths. The hosts highlight notable Kentucky records, including a state-record 1,882.4-pound pu...

In this episode of Hort Culture , hosts Alexis, Ray, Brett, and Jessica sit down with Brandi Button Johnson, the Western Kentucky Value Chain Coordinator at The Food Connection (University of Kentucky). The conversation kicks off with a humorous and comforting debate over favorite bean recipes, local comfort foods, and nostalgic kitchen memories. From there, Brandi shares her inspiring journey fro...

Thinking government programs are only for large-scale corn and soybean farmers? Think again! In this episode, we sit down with David Wayne, the State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) for Kentucky, to bust the myth that federal agricultural programs leave out specialty crop and horticulture producers. From navigating the essential first step of getting a farm number and fili...

Thinking about turning that awkward patch of lawn or open field into a native wildflower meadow? You aren’t alone. In this episode, the team breaks down everything you need to know about transitioning away from turfgrass and building a successful, biodiverse pollinator habitat. From navigating the crucial first steps of site prep to choosing the right seed mixes and managing your expectations for...

Winter may still feel a long way off, but the first frost will arrive before we know it! In this episode of Hort Culture, Alexis, Jessica, and Brett discuss preparing gardens, houseplants, equipment, and supplies for the coming cold weather. From bringing houseplants indoors and protecting tender crops to storing bulbs and tubers, managing hoses and irrigation equipment, and organizing frost-prote...

In this episode of Hort Culture , the hosts are joined by Savannah and summer fellow Eliana from the University of Kentucky’s Center for Crop Distribution (CCD) to discuss Eliana's research on farm-to-table markets and local agriculture. Throughout the summer, Eliana worked on price reporting, managed data for produce auctions and farmers' markets, and collaborated on updating a restaurant publica...

What does crop insurance look like for specialty crop growers, micro farms, and small-scale producers? In this episode of Hort Culture , the team welcomes Eston Williams, Navigator Project Specialist with the Southern Risk Management Education Center at the University of Arkansas, for a conversation about an often-overlooked side of horticulture: managing risk. Eston shares stories from his upbrin...

On this episode of Hort Culture , Ray, Alexis, Jessica, and Brett chat with Bryan Brady, Senior Extension Associate for Cultivate Kentucky, about everything from summertime Kentucky heat to the less-than-glamorous world of food safety and produce outbreaks. They dive deep into the biology of resilient microscopic parasites like Cyclospora , why standard wash water sanitizers can accidentally sprea...

In this episode of the Hort Culture podcast, hosts Alexis, Brett, Jessica, and Ray chat with Dr. Qinglu Ying from the University of Kentucky all about controlled environment agriculture (CEA). They dive into how greenhouse growing is booming across Kentucky, share a few laughs about dealing with classic Kentucky humidity, and break down practical grower challenges. The crew also explores the shift...

We are joined by Dr. Greg Davis to talk about how plants affect our daily lives and health. Greg is a long time listener and radio show host of Dr. Greg on Medicine!  Questions/Comments/Feedback/Suggestions for Topics: hortculturepodcast@gmail.com Check us out on Instagram!

Summer gardens are in full production, but extreme heat and changing weather patterns can create challenges for even the most experienced gardeners. In this episode of Hort Culture , Ray and Jessica discuss what they're seeing across Kentucky gardens as temperatures climb and crops begin producing. The conversation covers how prolonged heat affects common garden vegetables, including tomatoes, cuc...

Join Brett and Alexis to hear about how the CCD thinks about grant opportunities and their recent SERME project and its potential impacts for farmers of KY. Questions/Comments/Feedback/Suggestions for Topics: hortculturepodcast@l.uky.edu Check us out on Instagram!

In this episode of Hort Culture , Brett and Ray are joined by Dr. Cindy Finneseth from the University of Kentucky to discuss community horticulture, urban agriculture, and supporting new growers across Kentucky. Dr. Finneseth shares how her role focuses on helping beginning and small-scale producers navigate production, marketing, and business planning while connecting them with Extension resource...

In this episode of Hort Culture, the hosts dive into practical botany vocabulary that gardeners, plant enthusiasts, and curious learners can use to better understand the plants around them. Through a lively and humorous discussion, they explain key botanical terms such as petiole, midrib, leaf margin, simple versus compound leaves, deciduous plants, allelopathy, monoecious and dioecious reproducti...

Join the Hort Culture crew as they dive into the importance of mid-season scouting and monitoring for gardeners and growers as summer production ramps up. Blending their usual humor with practical advice, they discuss how regularly observing plants can help identify issues with insects, diseases, water management, nutrient deficiencies, and environmental stress before they become major problems. T...

In this episode of Hort Culture, the hosts sit down with Dr. Eli Sagor, Extension Forestry Specialist and Program Leader for Natural Resources at the University of Minnesota, to discuss forestry, forest management, and the evolving role of Extension education. Dr. Sagor shares how he works with forestry professionals across Minnesota to address real-world challenges through collaborative learning...

In this entertaining and informative episode of Hort Culture Podcast, Alexis and Jessica explore “Nature Danger,” discussing the poisonous plants, venomous insects, spiders, ticks, and other outdoor hazards commonly encountered during Kentucky’s warmer months. Blending humor, personal stories, and practical advice, the hosts explain the difference between poisonous and venomous organisms while cov...

In this episode of Hort Culture , the hosts chat with Kayla Preston from Grow Appalachia about the growth of high tunnels and sustainable farming in Appalachia. Kayla shares how Grow Appalachia evolved from a community gardening program into a major resource for farmers through education, technical assistance, and conservation support. The conversation explores the early days of building high tunn...

In this episode of Hort Culture, the crew dives into the surprisingly emotional side of farming and horticulture: imposter syndrome. What starts as a conversation about finally getting much-needed rain turns into a thoughtful discussion about identity, experience, and the pressure growers place on themselves. From first-generation farmers to seasoned producers, the hosts explore why so many people...

In this episode of the Hort Culture Podcast , hosts Brett, Alexis, Jessica, and Ray are joined by returning guest Savannah Columbia to discuss her master's thesis research on specialty cut flower workshops, consumer behavior, and the rising "experience economy" within agritourism. Savannah framing her study around the concepts of search, experience, and credence goods, explains that hands-on agrit...

This episode of Hort Culture features special guest Sarah Geurkink from the Organic Association of Kentucky and focuses on practical, budget-friendly strategies for growers, with discussions centered around weed management, irrigation, production efficiency, and marketing. The conversation begins with a lighthearted discussion about favorite spring blooming trees before shifting into grower advice...

In this episode of Hort Culture , Brett, Jessica, and Ray explore the exciting question of how much food you can really grow at home. While social media often shows impressive gardens producing huge harvests from small spaces, the hosts remind listeners that success looks different for everyone. Growing your own tomatoes, onions, peppers, squash, and other favorites can be incredibly rewarding, ev...