Flower Power Garden Hour

California is a big state with many different climates, so it can be a bit daunting when you hear "plant California natives".  Yes, it's a great idea to plant natives for native pollinators, birds, insects etc… but how do you know you are doing it correct?  Luckily, Patricia Carpenter and Pat Dressendorfer have all the answers. These two lifelong gardeners have just finished a 5 season--  yes, 5 s...

Every gardener can tell when earthworms have "worked" their soil. The soil is more pliable and everything grows so much better. Why is this the case?  Earthworm castings are full of nutrients and microbes which are beneficial for a healthy soil and garden. I talk with Luke Arthur -- founder and CEO of Simple Grow, an organic producer of earthworm castings -- about how beneficial earthworm castings...

This episode is the garden To Do list for the month of May.  It has been unseasonably cool, but nights are not getting TOO cold.  Lot's of planting and garden prep this month. Vegetables to plant: Tomatoes Eggplant Peppers Zucchini Corn Beans Cucumbers Melons Okra Pumpkins Watermelon Swiss Chard   Flowers to plant: Zinnias Cosmos Sunflowers Dahlias   Garden tasks: Mulch Stake tomatoes Cut flowers...

Don Shor, owner of Redwood Barn Nursery and overall plant expert, is back again! This time we go through your favorite summer veggies and he gives his tips and tricks. When you should plant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants… his favorite go-to varieties… how you should work your soil and do you really need to prune your tomatoes? Don can be found at: Website: com Instagram: redwoodbarnnursery & shor Fa...

This episode is the garden To Do list for the month of April.  The time change has come and gone, so there is plenty of light to work later into the evening.  Days are definitely getting warmer, although there are some sporadic cold nights.  Planting: Tomatoes – April 15th at the earliest Direct sow corn At the end of April -- Squash, cucumbers, eggplant, beets, radish, carrots, potatoes, sweet po...

A wide range of topics addressing questions submitted by listeners.  Including: How to care for a Dracontium polyphyllum Lantana – pruning advice Tomato seeds – recommendations about growing in small containers Safe edging options for vegetable gardens – metal, bender board, pressure treated, composite Jade – how to help a drooping plant Lime tree – how and what to transplant into To ask questions...

As a lifelong gardener and active person, Madeline de Vries Hooper was surprised when she started to experience aches and pains while gardening.  Jeff Hughes, a fitness trainer, was recommended to help. Not only did his training and technique alleviate her aches, but they taught her better gardening habits. Inspired by Jeff's methods – and her success – the duo decided to take the show on the road...

This episode is the garden To Do list for the month of March – still some cold (and hopefully wet) weather left.  Days are getting longer and warmer. Summer vegetables – start them inside or greenhouse or direct sow. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplant Direct sow sunflowers & other summer annuals (such as zinnias) Plant: Beets, broccoli, carrots, celery, swiss chard, kale, loose leaf lettuce, r...

Wanting to ensure their children were eating safe, healthy vegetables, Dale and Carrie Spoonemore began to garden back in 2015. Frustrated with having to pick through the internet's web of information, Dale had an idea to create a one stop garden app… From Seed to Spoon. Fast forward to 2022 and Park Seed, a company that has been on the pulse of gardening since 1868, knew they could take this app...

A wide range of topics addressing questions submitted by listeners.  Including: Best time to add fish emulsion to outdoor plants Artichoke issues Soil preparation for tomato planting Using fall leaves and grass clippings as weed cover.  Should it be composted into the soil?  To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Ma...

Houseplants can be very rewarding to grow. But like any plant, they require a range of different growing situations -- including light and soil. Tylor Rogers, owner of Arium Botanicals, was nice enough to join me on this latest episode to share his vast knowledge of houseplants. We go over his favorite go-to soil blends for Aroids, Hoyas and more. We discuss how he ensures plants have humidity, wh...

This episode is the garden To Do list for the month of February – actually quite a busy month. Fruit trees – spray liquid copper for peach leaf curl before they bloom. Also time to spray dormant oil if you have insects overwintering Prune fruit trees, roses (except one time blooming), grapes, blackberries – ensure you have a few days of dry weather following. Hold off on pruning frost sensitive pl...

Biochar. You may have heard of it or it may be a new term for some of you. I was doubtful of its claims until I had the pleasure of listening to USDA Senior Soil Scientist Dr. Deborah Page-Dumroese present a talk. She was kind enough to join me on this episode and discuss everything biochar. She discusses her years long research on the use of it for improving forest and farm soils. She then dives...

A wide range of topics addressing questions submitted by listeners.  Including: Broccoli clusters – why are mine loose as opposed to tightly packed Citrus – can they be pruned in winter Asparagus – how to trim Succulents – should they be brought inside during winter Broken limb on a tree – can a damaged tree be pruned during the winter, or is it best to wait until spring Fireplace ash – is there a...

Here in northern California, it has been a cold and thankfully wet winter.  As we are at the season midpoint, here is January's to do list. Prune roses Spray fruit trees – liquid copper, dormant oil Clean up old fruit Plant bare-root fruit trees, grapes, blueberries, asparagus Hold off on pruning fruit trees Plant: Bok choy, broccoli rabe, loose leaf lettuce, radishes, mustards Order summer vegeta...

Have you ever wondered why during the holidays we bring mistletoe inside?  What were some of the plants brought inside during Victorian times?  In this episode, I talk to horticulturist Matt Mattus about the history of holiday plants and how to care for them.  Matt has been gardening since the age of 9 on his family's historic 1910 Worchester, MA home.  An expert in most aspects of gardening, he s...

This is a listener Q&A episode.  Questions cover topics including: Cactus – how to remove new growth Fuyu persimmons --  this year's crop has seeds in the fruit, and in years past has not.  Ideas why? Plumeria – should it stay outside or bring inside during the cold weather Poinsettias – they are not turning red, even though they are being kept in relative dark.  Is there anything that can help th...

In this episode, I discuss December garden To-Do tasks.  Winter is in full swing, and lots to do. Pest mitigation – aphids, cabbage looper, nematodes Plant bulbs Plant vegetables -- asparagus, bok choy, kale, loose leaf lettuce, mustard, radishes Move succulents out of potential rain Smother weeds Plant bareroots   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene...

Orchid grower Shawn Shumaker breaks down all the do's and dont's to successfully grow orchids inside your home… including the number one tip to get yours to rebloom. Plus -- is the ice cube watering method good or bad, what planting media should you use and what should be done to control pests. If you are looking to expand your collection, Shawn discusses other species that can be grown inside jus...

Listener Q&A episode.  Topics include: New growth on cactus – should it be removed, and if so…how? Hydrangeas – when to cut and how Lemons – why are they cracking? Musa basjoo – recommendations for transitioning into fall/winter Maple tree – recommendations to improve growing conditions To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail...

In this episode, I discuss November garden To-Do tasks.  There is actually quite a lot as we transition fully into the colder and wetter months of the year. Continue clean up – pull out dead plants; remove lead, vegetable and fruit debris Plant bulbs – chill tulips or buy Darwin varieties Divide grasses, agapanthus, etc Plant vegetables:  Fava beans, bok choy, broccoli, celery, swiss chard, garlic...

Want to grow your succulents to perfection? Want to venture into growing more difficult ones? Or how about just not wanting to kill them? Then this episode is for you. Gianluca Bacci -- expert succulent grower -- joins me to discuss soils, watering, Lithops, Welwitschia and more. Gianluca can be followed at: Instagram: @marinsect_gianluca To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook...

Want to grow your succulents to perfection? Want to venture into growing more difficult ones? Or how about just not wanting to kill them? Then this episode is for you. Gianluca Bacci -- expert succulent grower -- joins me to discuss soils, watering, Lithops, Welwitschia and more. Gianluca can be followed at: Instagram: @marinsect_gianluca To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook...

Dr. Cassandra Quave is a botanist extraordinaire. I was fortunate to chat about her early life, career path, and her new book " The Plant Hunter: A Scientist's Quest for Nature's Next Medicines ." Book Description: In  The Plant Hunter , Dr. Quave weaves together science, botany, and memoir to tell us the extraordinary story of her own journey. Traveling by canoe, ATV, mule, airboat, and on foot,...

In this episode, I discuss October garden To-Do tasks.  There is a big variety with a lot on the list, including: Continue clean up – pull out dead plants; remove lead, vegetable and fruit debris Use soil sulfur to drop pH Prune non-frost sensitive plants Cover succulents if chance of rain Add beneficial nematodes Plant perennials Buy bulbs…chill tulips 8-12 weeks Plant vegetables – fava beans, be...