Growing Together: A Gardening Podcast

Many of us get out into our gardens as a way to escape the hustle and bustle of a busy life, like it's our own little retreat. In fact, it's shaping up to be a key trend in the coming year. In this episode, Don and John look at this and a few more trends that 2025 might have in store, like finding a way to bring music into the garden and focusing more on growing things we can eat.

Sure, your green thumbs have been busy the last few weeks thumbing through seed catalogs, but if anything, that's just making you more excited to get your hands dirty working on actual plants. In this episode, Don and John talk about repotting your houseplants as a way to ease your cabin fever, with plenty of tips on keeping your beloved plant homies healthy.  

It's the holidays, a time when we all could use a little bit of joy along with a reminder that there's always more we can do to spread that joy even further. In this episode, Don and John talk with Kelly Krenzel, founder of the nonprofit organization Hope Blooms, whose mission it is to repurpose flowers into arrangements that are then distributed throughout the community to those who need it most....

Unlike, say, fashion or music, gardening doesn't change quickly or go through rapid trend shifts. But that doesn't mean that there aren't exciting new ways for it to captivate us. In this episode, Don and John review the year's top trends in gardening as identified by the guru herself: Martha Stewart. Sensory gardens and food forests top the list, and there's plenty of local examples for you to se...

The Christmas season might be twinkly and bright, with electric lights and shiny wrapping paper, but there's still nothing quite as showy as a healthy poinsettia. In this episode, Don and John talk about the lovely poinsettia plant and how to keep it healthy through the holidays. They also talk about other plants, like Christmas cactus and amaryllis, that can make a festive home.

If you have a gardener on your Christmas gift list, rest easy. Like the plants they grow, they're always thirsty for new information and techniques. That's where a good gardening book comes in. In this episode, Don and John talk about giving the gift of gardening, especially through resources like "The Prairie Garden," a book series based in western Canada that is packed with knowledge useful for...

(Don and John are taking a little break for the Thanksgiving holiday, so please enjoy this republished 2023 episode.) In this episode, Don and John go over some basic tips for houseplant care, like optimal watering practices and intentional care. Plus, they discuss the importance of giving your houseplants something of a social life. Plants need friends, too.

The season may be winding down, but Don's inbox is still blooming bright with yard and garden successes from around the region. In this episode, Don and John open up the mailbag to admire your gardening wins and answer a few questions about lawn seeding, late-season pests and more.

While our yards and gardens can be a fulfilling source of delicious products, we can't forget that there's plenty to be found out in our parks and in the wild. In this episode, Don and John are joined by Candace Stock, a chef whose Indigenous cuisine has been enjoyed throughout the region, for a crash course on foraging for exciting flavors. Stock will also discuss an upcoming event for those inte...

Shambling horrors! Grasping tendrils! Creeping terror!  In this episode, the call is coming from inside the shed as Don and John root out the spooky side of gardening, like the things that won't die, the things that choke out the light and flowers fit for the Bride of Frankenstein. Listen to this episode of GROANING Together... if you dare!

How did a wet spring and a dry fall impact our growing season, and what can we look forward to during our upcoming La Niña winter? In this episode, Don and John are joined by regular guest John Wheeler, chief meteorologist at WDAY TV, to recap this year's garden and share some wisdom on every gardener's second favorite topic: the weather.

As we pick the last of the zuccini and mow just one more time, it's a good time to take stock of the growing season. What worked, and what didn't? In this episode, Don and John share their observations from the 2024 growing season, with plenty of insights on how you can plan your garden better and react to shifting conditions. If you have your own insights or questions, be sure to share them with...

It's been a mild, dry fall in the upper Midwest, and your garden is still likely producing some goods for harvest...but, just in case you need reminding, winter is coming. In this episode, Don and John talk about getting your yard and garden put to bed for the winter and the essential tasks to get done so you're not scrambling when temperatures plunge.

We've had a warm start to the fall, but make no mistake: Harvest time is coming fast. In this episode, Don and John discuss how to store your hard-earned harvest, specifically carrots, potatoes and other root vegetables.

It's not too early to think about setting your yard and garden up for success next spring, even as we're not quite done with this year's harvest. In this episode, Don and John go over a few of the pruning, seeding and fertilizing tasks that can be done in early autumn to give you a head start on next year.

There are ample opportunities for fall color displays all over our region—and they're absolutely worth the drive, of course—but what if you want fall colors in your own yard? In this episode, Don and John discuss some of the best options for trees and shrubs that bring the delight of fall color right to you.

You can almost feel the snap of fall in the air, and that means it's the best time of year for one crucial task: dividing some of your yard's most beautiful plants. In this episode, Don and John go over the processes for digging and dividing your peonies, irises and day lilies, a critical task if you want a luscious yard teeming with these dramatic perennials.

Summer sings its last sweet refrain during the Labor Day holiday weekend, and that comes with a few items for your lawn and garden checklist. In this episode, Don and John mark the last big summer weekend with a variety of annual chores that will set you up for success in the year ahead, including stamping out some weeds and giving your lawn a little extra attention.

There's nothing quite as show-stopping as a healthy, blooming hydrangea bursting with color in your yard. But where to start? In this episode, Don and John go over the basics of hydrangeas: How to choose the right variety, where to plant them and how to give them the best care.

While we associate planting with the rush and excitement of spring, you still have lots of options later in the season, including shrubs and some spring bloomers. In this epsiode, Don and John take a look at fall planting and give you some reasons to hit up the garden centers for late-season delights.

If you love the idea of canning but are hesitant to make the leap, this show's for you.   In this episode, Don and John are joined by Rita Ussatis, Family and Community Wellness Extension Agent at NDSU. Rita has been canning, and teaching about canning, for years and she has plenty of wisdom to get you started.

Once you start your own garden, it's easy to see how natural it is to save money and time by saving your own seeds.   In this episode, Don and John discuss some of the benefits of keeping your seeds and give you some things to consider along the way.  

July is ending and we're well into the dog days of summer. Don Kinzler and John Lamb discuss the things to look for and what to do to keep your plants and flowers healthy in the hot weather. In this episode, Don also tells the story of his recent absence from the podcast.

A fulfilling part of growing your own garden is sharing it with those you love, and better photos make that easier. In this episode, John sits down with Britta Trygstad, aka Britta The Photographer, to talk about some simple tactics you can use to get better photos of your garden to document it and share it with the world. Learn more about Trygstad on her website: https://brittathephotographer.com...

Spoiler: The most common culprit with trees that die unexpectedly is improper care.   In this episode, Don and John explore the Mystery of the Murdered Tree and teach us all a basic lesson in tree care that might prevent the unthinkable from happening to your trees and shrubs.