Flower Power Garden Hour

Award winning landscape designer Jan Johnsen has been creating magical landscapes for years. She has taken her vast knowledge/eye for design and has written an educational book entitled 'Floratopia'. I talk to Jan about which flowers are fail-proof in containers, how to use texture/color and her years of designing all around the world. Check out her new book as well as others she has written -- 'F...

Spring has sprung…well at least in zone 9 of California. Here is my garden list of tasks to be done or continued in March -- including planting potatoes, summer blooming bulbs and sunflower seeds (along with other annuals). I discus which veggies can be planted and which ones to hold off for a bit. Additionally some pruning tips are provided…which plants must be pruned this time of year and a disc...

Houseplants are very "in" right now and Logee's knows houseplants. They have been around since the first houseplant craze of the Victorian Era! But in addition to houseplants, they have a marvelous diverse selection of all sorts of plants…edibles, ornamentals and unique varieties of all kinds. I talk to third generation owner Byron Martin about the history of Logee's and of course all the plants t...

For over 125 years, Placer County in California has been producing delicious mandarins that are shipped all over the country. Nine years ago, Kelly Krause got a crash course in growing these tasty fruits when her family bought an established orchard. I sit down and talk with Kelly all about growing Mandarins including when and how to prune, pests and diseases and how they have to harvest to preven...

This continues my series of what garden tasks should be on your to-do list for each month. Here I cover the cold and wet February.  Tasks include: Pruning roses Pruning fruit trees Spraying fruit trees/roses Clean up Plant more winter veggies Start veggie seeds inside   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com   Find Marle...

There are numerous reasons to plant bare-root fruit trees… greater selection, price and ease of planting. I discuss with Fred Hoffman, host of Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, on all you need to know about selecting, planting and steps to get your tree on its way to producing bumper crops. What are chill hours vs chill units? Why do you paint the tree trunks? How do you keep your fruit tree to a ma...

Grab bag listener Q&A episode – some very detailed questions this time, so take notes and put your thinking hat on.  Azaleas – not doing so well, how to make grow better? Blueberry bushes – having difficult time growing, need to move them, water issues Seeds – require air circulation for storage? Miracle berry – leaves turning brown Redwoods – foliage turning brown/orange   To ask questions for fu...

Focus on your soil and your garden will thank you. I talk to ' Stay Grounded: Soil Building for Sustainable Gardens' author Melinda Cordell about the steps to a healthy soil. How exactly do earthworms help your soil? Can you really compost drywall and levi jeans? These are just some of the topics we touch upon.   To find Marlene on social media or ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Fa...

This continues my series of what garden tasks should be on your to-do list for each month. Here I cover the chilly and (sometimes) wet month of January. Pruning – fruit trees (except citrus), ornamentals, roses Plant bareroot Spray liquid copper Vegetables – radishes, loose leaf lettuce, fava beans Weed control Buy seeds for spring To find Marlene on social media or ask questions for future shows,...

Listener Q&A episode -- Marlene answers listener submitted questions this week. Topics include: Roses: Propagate from cut flowers? Egg shells in soil? Christmas cactus: Care and transplanting Boston fern: How best to thin out foliage Crickets/Frogs: How to promote them staying in your garden Staghorn fern: Able to thrive in Northern California?   To find Marlene on social media or ask questions fo...

Dahlias can be one of the most stunning and rewarding flowers to grow… AND they are not as mysterious and difficult as a lot of gardeners believe they are. I talk to author and expert Dahlia grower Kristine Albrecht of Santa Cruz Dahlias, and we dive into how to grow Dahlias successfully in your garden. We touch on propagation and her passion for breeding them, which she discusses in her new book...

This continues my series of what garden tasks should be on your to-do list for each month. Here I cover the cold and blustery month of December. Spray peaches/nectarines with liquid copper Apply horticultural oil for overwintering pests Plant frost resistance perennials Chard. Kale, fava beans, radishes – all can still be planted Clean up plant debris, especially under diseased or pest infected pl...

Epsom salts, hydrogen peroxide, calcium sprays… these are just some of the topics I cover with Robert Pavlis, author of the popular book series Garden Myths 1 and 2 . Robert has made it his mission to bust these myths and help gardeners decipher the science behind each one. We talk about the most common myths and the ones that drive him the craziest. Listen in, and check out his amazing gardenmyth...

Listener Q&A episode -- Marlene answers listener submitted questions this week. Topics include: Holly bush: How can I propagate it? Succulents: Need to move indoors for the winter? Tuberose: When to stop watering and move inside? Nectarine: Liquid copper for peach leaf curl – what to ask for at the nursery? Rust: Has had rust problem for 5 years – annually attacks dahlias & peonies. How to combat?...

Eight foot tall peppers? Yep -- this is how Jeremy from Farouche Peppers grows his amazingly beautiful peppers. Not only does he breed gorgeous, tasty peppers -- but he knows how to grow for production. Learn how his sustainable, organic approach arose from his need to feed the soil on a budget. I talk to Jeremy about what it takes to breed peppers, what his ultimate pepper goal is and what his ti...

Every month has certain things that need to be done to keep your garden vibrant and prepare it for future seasons. I love lists – on this episode I cover my list for what to do in November, including: Plant vegetables -- fava beans, bok choy, swiss chard, garlic, lettuce, onion sets, radish, spinach Cover crops -- fava beans, vetch, clover Clean up plant debris Mulch Spray Liquid Copper for Peach...

Something that is always confusing is the massive number of soil amendment options found at nurseries. They have a multitude of similar names, and it is very hard to know which is appropriate for what you are doing. This episode is a deep dive on how to take the confusion out of the marketing language behind these products, and guide you what to look for. I categorize the amendments in these bucke...

Ever wonder how the heck a 2,000 pound pumpkin is grown? Even if you don't want to grow a 2,000 pounder -- but one slightly smaller -- Brian Myers from California Pumpkin Growers goes through the steps to get you the Jack O' Lantern of your dreams. Our conversation starts with the history of pumpkin weigh offs and the heaviest pumpkin ever recorded. We then go into growing techniques focusing in f...

A single scent of a blossom may evoke past experiences, as plants have been present in pivotal moments in many people's lives. I sit down with illustrator and writer Katie Vaz and talk about her book My Life in Plants: Flowers I've Loved, Herbs I've Grown and Houseplants I've Killed on The Way to Finding Myself . This funny, poignant, feel good book details all the plants that have been there in K...

Listener Q&A episode, with a big focus on winter vegetable gardens. If you are planning your winter planting, this is a great primer episode for you. Vegetables discussed range from broccoli, kale, lettuce, beans, carrots, radishes, onions, peas, beets and more. Topics include: What winter vegetables can I plant now? Is there anything different I can do to the soil for winter planting? Why are my...

Fascinated by Fungus? Then you will love Dr. Gordon Walker… the "Fun-Guy" behind the popular Instagram feed "Fascinated by Fungi". Gordon and I talk about the amazing world of fungi including stinkhorns, dog vomit fungus and the complexity of fungi in general. He also gives helpful tips on how to eradicate fungi in your yard and reasons why you just might not want to do so. Gordon can be found on...

Listener Q&A episode -- Marlene answers listener submitted questions this week. Topics include: Peppers: Have erratic lines on the leaves….what are they, how to treat Nutsedge and crab grass: How to fight these weeds Venus Fly Trap: Not growing well – recommendations? Peach tree: Limbs are breaking due to fruit overload PVC shade structure for garden Mexican Heather: When should it be pruned Hydra...

Tara Beaver-Coronado grew up on a farm -- but never thought she would become a farmer. After years of living away, the pull of the soil soon took over and she began Beaver Vineyards. I sit down with Tara to discuss her journey on starting her farm, trials and tribulations, the stresses and the anticipation of her very first harvest. Little did I know when we were talking that she was scheduled for...

Listener Q&A episode -- Marlene answers listener submitted questions this week. Topics include: Dahlia -- mite infestation Corn – multiple shoots coming off each stalk….bad? Artichoke – weed whacker mishap Blueberry – decreasing crop over last season, and seem to be dying Apricot – not producing mature fruit   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at m...

I sit down with THE Brad Gates of Wild Boar Farms and talk all things tomatoes. We cover common issues like Blossom End Rot, delayed fruit set and ripening….plus other strange anomalies like cat facing and zippering. I ask Brad how Covid-19 has affected his business and what beautiful, tasty new varieties he has on the horizon. If you want a primer on Brad's history, the story of Wild Boar Farms,...