Hort Culture

Jessica and Alexis play 20 questions, plant style and discuss everything from what plants they always kill to what they'd do if they weren't horticulturists.  Questions/Comments/Feedback/Suggestions for Topics: hortculturepodcast@gmail.com Check us out on Instagram!

In this special episode, Jessica and Alexis talk about kid friendly horticulture activities with advice straight from the 5 year old source! Questions/Comments/Feedback/Suggestions for Topics: hortculturepodcast@gmail.com Check us out on Instagram!

In this episode of Hort Culture , join the hosts in a conversation  on garden and farm planning and calendars.  they begin this episode with a discussion about slowing down over the holidays and what gardeners actually look forward to during winter break—whether that’s comfort food traditions, couch time with cheese boards, or a quiet walk in the woods. The discussion naturally turns tow...

Brett reflects on his favorite episodes of 2025 and leafless trees in winter. 

In this episode, the Hort Culture crew dives into the joys and challenges of growing herbs indoors during the cold season . After swapping stories about Kentucky snow days, childhood folklore, and the chaos of cabin-fevered kids, the hosts transition smoothly into practical horticulture: how to bring fresh flavors and greenery into the home when outdoor gardens are asleep. The conversation covers...

In this episode of Hort Culture ,  we provide fun and practical advice on gifts for gardeners! We kick things off by chatting about the start of meteorological winter, the first snow, and our own fun holiday traditions—think pocket-sized cheese advent calendars and big batches of homemade pasta sauce. Then, we dive right into the main event: finding the perfect gifts for the plant people in y...

In this cozy winter episode of Hort Culture, the hosts chat about early sunsets, shifting routines, and the comforting hobbies that come with the season before diving into the real topic: helping houseplants adjust after being brought indoors. They explain why plants often decline a few weeks after the move—lower light, low humidity, and indoor heating all play a role—and note that some leaf drop...

In this episode, Ray and Jessica host a pre-holiday conversation mixing seasonal humor with practical horticulture guidance. After swapping Thanksgiving traditions—from deviled-egg weakness to parade-day nostalgia—they shift into a timely deep dive on planting deciduous trees in late fall . Jessica shares details about a local project planting 29 mixed native trees, highlighting why diversity in s...

In this cozy late-fall episode, the Hort Culture team (Alexis, Jessica, and Ray) talk all about lifting, curing, dividing, and storing tender bulbs and tubers —especially dahlias, begonias, caladiums, gladiolus, cannas, elephant ears, and more. The hosts begin by chatting about Kentucky’s unpredictable weather, winter chores, and even a tangent about hot chocolate “tea hacks,” before digging into...

In this festive episode, the Hort Culture team explores the challenges and charm of growing Christmas trees in Kentucky with guest farmer John Bednarski . John shares his journey from direct-marketing beef to cultivating thousands of Christmas trees at Sherwood Acres Farm, describing the steep learning curve and family teamwork that go into the business. Listeners get an inside look at what it tak...

This episode of the Hort Culture podcast kicks off with a spirited, lighthearted debate among the hosts about the definition of "peak fall" and where the line between autumn and winter truly lies. Following this seasonal discussion, the episode features guest Daniel Wilson , Director of the University of Kentucky's Robinson Center , a unique facility in Eastern Kentucky that integrates extension,...

In this fall-themed episode, hosts Alexis, Brett, Jessica, and Ray (the “Plant People”) celebrate the season with a mix of food talk, laughter, and horticultural insights. They kick things off sharing their favorite pumpkin-inspired treats — from homemade pumpkin bread to smoked butternut mac and cheese and even pumpkin tortilla chips. The conversation transitions into the episode’s main topic: fa...

In this lively and laughter-filled episode, the Hort Culture crew—Alexis, Brett, Jessica, and Ray—dive into the deep connections between horticulture, health, and community. The conversation kicks off with birthday cake energy and quickly blooms into a discussion about how plants and specialty crops shape lives—from personal stories about meeting spouses on farms to the way flowers boost mood and...

In this episode of Hort Culture, hosts Alexis, Brett, Jessica, and Ray welcome guest Chad Niman, Forest Product Specialist and Director at the Wood Utilization Center in Jackson, Kentucky. With cooler weather on the horizon, the crew kicks things off by sharing their favorite fall plants and fungi—before diving deep into the fascinating world of Kentucky’s hardwoods. Chad walks listeners through t...

As summer winds down and fall kicks into gear, the Hort Culture crew—Alexis, Brett, Jessica, and Ray—sit down to unpack the busy transition season for lawns, landscapes, and gardens in Kentucky. From wrapping up summer crops to preparing for fall planting, the team dives into the balancing act of deciding when to terminate tomatoes and peppers, the importance of cover crops, and how sustainability...

In this episode, the team welcomes John Duvall , horticulturalist at Eastern Kentucky University and president of the Kentucky Maple Syrup Association, for a deep dive into the sweet world of maple syrup. John shares the basics of syrup making —from tapping trees, collecting sap, boiling, filtering, and bottling—to the surprising challenges that come with the process. He highlights the heritage of...

In this episode of Hort Culture , Alexis, Brett, Jessica, and Ray dive into the art and heritage of seed saving . Together they explore the practical side of harvesting and storing seeds—from tomatoes and beans to peppers and flowers—while mixing in the deeper cultural roots behind the practice. They unpack the difference between heirlooms and hybrids , self- vs. cross-pollinated plants, and why c...

In this late-summer conversation, Brett, Jessica, and Ray reflect on the ups and downs of Kentucky’s growing season—from soggy spring fields to dry summer lawns. The team swaps stories of favorite seasonal treats (popsicles, cider donuts, and cheeseburgers), then dives into the real-world challenges growers and homeowners faced this year. Topics include: Weed wars in a wet spring – why mowing some...

This week on Hort Culture ,  we welcome two special guests—Zoey and Kallise, summer interns at the Mercer County Extension Office. Fresh off their last day on the job, they share the whirlwind of experiences that shaped their summer: from planning Cloverbud Camps, to assisting  with youth programs like international cooking classes and heritage day camps. The conversation highlights just...

In this late-summer conversation, Alexis, Brett, and Ray reflect on the nostalgia of print magazines, book fairs, and the “adult book fair” season of seed catalogs. The crew dives into the realities of August in the garden—plants looking tired, leaf spot showing up, and the challenge of keeping things alive through heat and humidity. They explore how August serves as a natural transition point: a...

In this episode of Hort Culture , the team is joined by Dr. Jonathan Larson, University of Kentucky Extension Entomologist, for a fascinating discussion on the complex and often surprising relationships between insects and plants. From pollinators that fuel our food supply to pests that challenge our landscapes, Dr. Larson shares insights on how these interactions shape both natural ecosystems and...

In this reflective episode, Brett and Ray take a deep dive into how Kentucky agriculture—and Extension work—has transformed over the past few decades. Starting with a lighthearted chat about summer, fall cravings, and the buzz (and hype) around AI, the conversation shifts into a second chapter of Ray’s career story, following the earlier “Hands in the Dirt, Head in the Clouds” episode. Ray shares...

In this episode of Hort Culture , the team welcomes Powell County Extension Agent Jason Vaughn to dive deep into the evolving culture of American lawns—from golf courses to backyards. Jason shares his journey from mowing lawns in Clark County to managing some of the most prestigious golf courses in the U.S. The conversation explores the “business in the front, party in the back” approach to lawn c...

In this flavorful and thoughtful episode, Alexis, Brett, and Ray kick things off with a nostalgic ode to summer fruits—watermelon, cantaloupe, and peaches—and the sensory memories they stir. The team shares light-hearted stories that transition seamlessly into a deeper conversation about branding, authenticity, and storytelling in agriculture. What does it mean to create a brand that feels both pe...

In this lively and laughter-filled midsummer episode of Hort Culture , the crew is joined by Emma Lee , UK Extension Agent from Estill County and the voice behind the popular UK Houseplant Education videos. The gang dives deep into the world of houseplants—dispelling myths, sharing war stories, and celebrating the trials and triumphs of indoor gardening. Emma shares the origin of her houseplant vi...