Green Acres Garden Podcast

This week, Kevin speaks with Cricket Riley, author of Designing the Lush Dry Garden: Create a Climate-Resilient, Low-Water Paradise. Cricket shares what she's learned from working at the Ruth Bancroft Garden where natives and climate adaptive plants create beautiful spaces with year-round blooms. Get inspired and see what's in bloom now at the Ruth Bancroft Garden here: What's in Bl...

This week, the team welcomes Chief Meteorologist Adam Epstein from Fox40 to discuss the Super El Niño developing now and the wetter-than-normal winter it could bring to Northern California. Adam breaks down the science behind weather forecasting, explores what previous El Niño years have looked like, and shares why this season could present a unique opportunity for gardeners. Along the way, he ins...

This week, Kevin sits down with Brad and Lacy from the Orangevale Fair Oaks Food Bank Farm to hear how a gravel field was transformed into a thriving source of fresh produce for the community. From the power of volunteers to smart growing practices gardeners can apply at home, this inspiring conversation will leave you motivated to grow more, try something new, and get involved. Green Acres Garden...

Fall gardening starts now. Kevin shares what to plant, how to prepare your garden beds, tips for healthier lawns, and why cilantro grows better in fall than spring. Plus, learn about the eye-catching Flamethrower Redbud tree and how to set your garden up for success this season. Green Acres Garden Podcast Green Acres Nursery & Supply Green Acres Garden Podcast Group In the greater Sacramento a...

Welcome back green thumbs! This week, Kevin sits down with Brigid from Dave Wilson Nursery , one of the world's leading fruit tree growers and innovators. Brigid shares expert advice on selecting the right tree, explains why new fruit trees should often be cut back to knee height after planting, discusses the benefits of summer pruning, and highlights some of the tasting events that help gard...

Summer temperatures are pushing gardens to their limits. In this episode, Kevin and Austin share practical strategies to help your plants survive extreme heat, intense sun, and long stretches of hot weather. Learn when and how to water effectively, why mulch is one of your best defenses against heat stress, and when shade cloth can make all the difference. The conversation also covers tree wrap, W...

Welcome green thumbs! This week Kevin visits Justin Davis at Neanderthal Farms in Fair Oaks, California. Justin shares what's new on his thriving micro farm and explains how he builds healthy soil with living mulch. Topics include growing vertically, protecting crops with shade cloth, maximizing production in small spaces, and an exclusive first look at Justin's upcoming tomato variety d...

Figs are one of the easiest and most rewarding fruit trees you can grow! In this episode, Austin visits local fig expert Roman Ambroselli for a tour of his remarkable backyard collection. From rare wild varieties he discovered to potted fig trees growing on his rooftop, Roman shares the passion that turned his garden into a fig paradise. Green Acres Garden Podcast Green Acres Nursery & Supply...

Hey green thumbs! This week, Tim Dick the Beekeeper returns to the podcast to share his passion for bees and the vital role they play in our gardens and ecosystems. Tim shares how this past spring’s swarm season played out, simple ways to attract bees and other pollinators to your yard, and what to do if you get stung. Green Acres Garden Podcast Green Acres Nursery & Supply Green Acres Garden...

This week, Kevin covers his 3 keys to success in the garden: building up healthy soil, laying down thick layers of mulch, and smart irrigation. Did you know you can easily test your soil with the jar test? Ever wonder what Kevin's watering schedule is? Tune in to learn all of this and more. See Kevin's school garden in this tour video: The Most Inspiring School Garden Green Acres Garden...

This week Kevin meets with Dave Faoro from Veneto Gardens to hear about his recent adventures in the Galapagos hunting for endemic tomatoes, how he grows sweet corn and popcorn, as well as growing tips for other warm season vegetables. Watch Dave's video:  Square Foot Gardening Green Acres Garden Podcast Green Acres Nursery & Supply Green Acres Garden Podcast Group In the greater Sacramen...

This week, Kevin and Julie explore the surprisingly powerful world of groundcovers. Whether you’re filling gaps between pavers, softening borders, replacing thirsty turf, or creating a fragrant carpet of blooms, there’s a groundcover for every corner of the garden. Julie walks through her go‑to selections and the practical techniques she uses to help them spread, thrive, and support pollinators. ...

This week, Kevin meets with Julie from Our Water Our World to learn about the insects showing up in the garden as the days get warmer. Julie breaks down how to manage the pests, which insects are good and how to keep your plants strong and resilient to bug pressure through the season. For more information about IPM read this article: Integrated Pest Management Green Acres Garden Podcast Green Acre...

This week Kevin meets with Roger Steele from the American Bonsai Association Sacramento to learn all about the art of Bonsai. Roger brings his years of wisdom and shares his top tips for beginners so that you can shape up any nursery tree into a vision of ancientness. Check out their website for meetings and more information: American Bonsai Association, Sacramento Watch demonstration videos on th...

Hey green thumbs, this week Kevin and Austin discuss the best companion plants for your warm season vegetable garden, and explore the various flowers you can plant now by seed or direct planting to bring beauty and attract beneficial insects. As a special bonus, Kevin shares his latest favorite tool of the week. Green Acres Garden Podcast Green Acres Nursery & Supply Green Acres Garden Podcast...

Spring has arrived and it's the best time to start your summer vegetable garden. Kevin shares his tips to successfully start your dream garden including prepping the soil, starting seeds and how to use his new favorite garden tool, the broadfork. Follow along with Kevin and learn how to start your seeds with this YouTube video: Starting Seeds with Kevin Use this planting calendar so you plant...

Thinking about planting a tree but not sure where to start? This week, Kevin meets with Carole Gan from RUFF the Roseville Urban Forest Foundation to learn how to select the perfect tree. Whether you’re staring at a blank backyard, dreaming of future shade, or just want to make a smart long‑term choice for your landscape, this episode will help you plant with confidence. Check out RUFF's fant...

Welcome back green thumbs! This week, Kevin talks with Dr. Dotty Woodson who has grown orchids since 1973 and has registered many orchid hybrids. Dr. Woodson shares her passion and her best growing tips for Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Oncidium, Cymbidium and more. Check out this blog post for tips with reblooming: Living in Opulence with Orchids Green Acres Garden Podcast Green Acres Nursery & Sup...

Welcome green thumbs! This week Kevin breaks down backyard orchard culture and shares his tips for growing fruit all year long. Learn how to pick the right varieties, plant densely, and prune properly to maximize any space. Check out this calendar from Dave Wilson Nursery to find your next fruit tree: Fruit & Nut Harvest Dates Green Acres Garden Podcast Green Acres Nursery & Supply Green A...

In this Texas Edition the podcast team meets with Consulting Rosarian Andy Black from the Dallas Rose Society . Andy shares his passion for roses as well as growing tips, when to prune, advice on pest control, and recommends the best rose varieties for DFW. Learn more about selecting the right rose for your garden from: American Garden Rose Selections™ Check out this collection of beautiful roses...

This week, Kevin sits down with longtime nursery consultant and passionate birder Ian Baldwin to learn simple ways to make your yard more bird-friendly, from creating shelter and safe nesting areas to choosing plants that provide natural food sources throughout the seasons. See what birds you can find with Merlin Bird ID Want to attract hummingbirds? Check out this blog: Attract Hummingbirds to Yo...

What should Sacramento gardeners be doing right now? Kevin is joined by Debbie Arrington from Sacramento Digs Gardening to cover timely topics like harvesting and cooking with citrus, caring for and competing camellias, and pruning roses to set them up for beautiful summer blooms. Check out Sac Digs Gardening for daily articles, recipes, and more at: SacDigsGardening.com Green Acres Garden Podcast...

This week, Kevin sits down with houseplant buyer Rocky to explore the incredible diversity of the Begonia genus. From striking foliage and unique forms to colorful blooms, these ancient plants have a lot to offer. Whether you're growing tuberous begonias outdoors or collecting indoor houseplant varieties, there truly is a Begonia for everyone. Connect with the Begonia Society of Sacramento :...

Hey green thumbs! It’s one of the most exciting times of the year, when garden dreams start with a single seed. In this episode, Kevin shares his pro tips for starting spring and summer vegetables early indoors. Learn why the right soil mix matters, what conditions seeds need to germinate, and what to look for along the way to ensure healthy seedlings. Check out this collection and planting calend...

Welcome green thumbs! This week, Kevin and Austin celebrate the new year with  garden updates and a few games to test your horticultural knowledge. Kevin recommends pruning and spraying dormant fruit trees, planting bareroots, and smothering out weeds. Play along with garden trivia and start setting your sights on what you want to grow in the new year. Green Acres Garden Podcast Green Acres Nurser...