In The Garden with Ron Wilson

Here in the Garden with Ron Wilson, we're talking about what's new and what's next in gardening. This week, we're joined by Rita Hikenfeld, a CCPCMH Award-winning syndicated journalist and Appalachian herbal scholar. We're discussing the latest trends in gardening, from fusion plants to functional foods. Rita shares her insights on the resurgence of old-fashioned plants like comfrey, perilla, and...

In this hour of the show, Ron Wilson chats with Katie Stagliano, the founder of Katie's Crops, a national youth-based nonprofit empowering kids to grow fresh produce for their communities. Katie shares her incredible journey from growing a single cabbage as a 9-year-old to building a movement that's donated over 900,000 pounds of produce to those in need. They discuss the impact of gardening on ki...

Ron chats with Gary Sullivan about home improvement and holiday prep. They dive into the world of snow blowers, with Ron sharing his excitement about his new purchase and the benefits of a two-stage model. They also discuss deck maintenance, with a focus on using wet and forget and oxygenated bleach for a quick and easy clean. The conversation is filled with humor and helpful tips, making it a mus...

Ron Wilson chats with Katie Stagliano, the founder of Katie's Crops, a nonprofit empowering kids to grow fresh produce for their communities. From humble beginnings with a 9-year-old's cabbage seedling to a national movement, Katie shares her remarkable journey. She talks about the impact of her organization, which has donated over 900,000 pounds of fresh produce and served over 130,000 meals to t...

Ron chats with Rita Hikenfeld about the latest trends in gardening and cooking. They dive into the world of functional foods, discussing the resurgence of old favorites like comfrey, turmeric, and tallow. Rita shares her expertise on using these ingredients in cooking and their benefits for health. They also explore the growing popularity of fusion plants, edible flowers, and herbs like anise hyss...

Ron Wilson chats with EM Shipman, the executive director of Kids Gardening, a national organization that's been helping kids connect with nature for over a decade. They discuss the growing demand for gardening with kids, and how Kids Gardening is meeting that need with resources, grants, and community support. From creating lesson plans to connecting educators, EM shares the impact of their work a...

Ron Wilson chats with the Arbor Doc as he shares his expertise as a certified arborist and amateur meteorologist. He discusses the upcoming winter season, predicting a roller coaster of temperatures with warm weather expected around Christmas, followed by a return to cold and snowy conditions in January and February. Ron also touches on the importance of watering evergreens, noting that the ground...

In this hour of In the Garden with Ron Wilson, Ron chats with Joe Strecker about snowblowers and the upcoming winter season. They discuss the importance of being prepared for snow and the benefits of using a gas-powered snowblower. Ron shares his experience with a handheld snowblower and the satisfaction of clearing his driveway. The conversation also touches on the topic of gardening catalogs, in...

In this hour of "in the Garden with Ron Wilson", Ron chats with Pete Richmond, co-owner of Rich Life Farm, about the fascinating world of mushroom farming. From Pete's early days of growing oyster mushrooms in his laundry room to the success of his farm, they dive into the process of cultivating these delicious and nutritious fungi. They discuss the unique conditions required for mushroom growth,...

In this hour of In the Garden with Ron Wilson, Ron chats with Anthony Need of Flowering Lawn dot com about transforming your yard into a flowering lawn. They discuss the benefits of reducing maintenance, helping pollinators, and creating a beautiful and sustainable space. Anthony shares tips on how to get started, including dormant seeding and using bird feeders that also distribute flower seeds....

Ron chats with Gary Sullivan about winter prep and gardening tips. They discuss the importance of pampering worms during the cold months and the challenges of finding snow blowers in stock. Ron shares a funny story about his friend Joe's experience with a gas-powered snow blower and introduces the concept of snow mats, which can help keep walkways clear. They also talk about gardening history, inc...

Ron chats with Anthony Need, founder of Flawn Seed Kits, about transforming your lawn into a flowering haven. They discuss the benefits of ditching traditional grass and embracing a low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly alternative. Anthony shares how his company's unique seed mixes can help you create a beautiful and sustainable yard, complete with a bird feeder that disperses seeds for a lush, fl...

Ron Wilson chats with Pete Richmond, co-owner of Rich Life Farm. Pete shares his journey from a hobbyist to a successful mushroom farmer, growing a variety of gourmet mushrooms on an oak sawdust substrate. He talks about the process of mimicking natural conditions to create the perfect environment for his mushrooms to thrive. From trial and error to refining their production, Pete opens up about t...

In this hour of In the Garden with Ron Wilson, Ron shares tips on how to care for your yard during the winter months. He discusses the benefits of snow as a natural insulator and how it can help protect plants from extreme temperatures. Ron also talks about the importance of planting spring-flowering bulbs, such as tulips and daffodils, and offers advice on how to store them if you can't plant the...

In this hour of the Garden with Ron Wilson, Ron chats with Laura Konkle, the executive director of America in Bloom, a program celebrating 25 years of helping communities become their best selves. They discuss how America in Bloom connects communities with horticulture professionals to create vibrant and sustainable spaces. Laura shares the program's new initiative, Gardens Across America, which a...

In this hour of "In the Garden with Ron Wilson", Ron shares his expertise on gardening gifts for the holiday season. He discusses the importance of getting kids involved in gardening and highlights some great gift ideas, including books like "Raised Bed Revolution" and "The Year Round Vegetable Gardener". Ron also talks about the benefits of using a soil knife, a versatile tool that's perfect for...

Ron Wilson is joined by the one and only Gary Sullivan, the most listened to home improvement show host in the Solar system. They dive into the latest Pantone Color of the Year, Cloud Dancer, and share their thoughts on why it's not as exciting as expected. They discuss how the color trend is shifting towards lighter, cooler tones, and how it reflects the current design aesthetic. With a mix of hu...

Ron chats with Monica Brubaker from Wild Birds Unlimited about winter bird care. They discuss how birds are preparing for the cold weather and what we can do to help them. Monica shares tips on choosing the right bird feeders and seed, including her top pick for a high-protein food that's perfect for the winter months. They also talk about the importance of providing water for birds, even in freez...

Ron Wilson chats with Laura Conkle, the executive director of America in Bloom, about their mission to help communities become their best selves. Laura shares the organization's 25-year journey, from its humble beginnings to its current impact on communities across the country. They discuss the benefits of community beautification, the importance of economic development, and the role of horticultu...

# From Greens to Garden Catalogs: Your Winter Gardening Guide Ever wondered how to extend your gardening season into the winter months? In this episode, we explore the surprising cold-hardiness of greens like collards and kale, which can thrive well into the holiday season with minimal protection. Host Ron Wilson shares nostalgic memories of his grandmother's open-hearth fireplace cooking that mad...

# The Botanical Banter Podcast: Gardening Insights with Rita and Ron Step into the world of gardening wisdom as Rita Heikenfeld, an Appalachian herbal scholar and media personality, joins host Ron Wilson for a delightful conversation about seasonal gardening and cooking. From transforming holiday leftovers into gourmet salads to discovering the surprising year-round benefits of holiday spices like...

# The Yard Boy's Winter Garden Wisdom Settle in for an insightful journey through winter garden preparation with Ron Wilson, your personal "yard boy." In this episode, Ron tackles essential seasonal tasks from protecting trees against winter damage to deterring hungry wildlife from your prized plants. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just looking to keep your landscape thriving through the co...

# The Gardening and Home Improvement Show with Ron Wilson and Gary Sullivan Step into the world of gardening and home improvement with Ron Wilson and special guest Gary Sullivan. In this engaging episode, Ron reveals the plant pick of the week - the Poinsettia, once America's #1 potted plant with a rich history as both a holiday decoration and landscape specimen. Gary Sullivan joins to share exper...

# A Weather-Watching Arborist Shares Tree Wisdom and Winter Forecasts In this engaging episode, renowned arborist Ron Rothhaas brings his expertise to the garden, discussing everything from the fate of recovering ash trees to the best choices for street tree plantings. With his unique combination of tree knowledge and meteorological insight, Ron offers practical advice for homeowners while sharing...

# Dive into the Garden: A Seasonal Chat with Herbal Expert Rita Nader Hikenfeld Are you ready for a cozy, informative chat about seasonal herbs, holiday spices, and post-Thanksgiving culinary delights? Join host Ron Wilson and special guest Rita Nader Hikenfeld, an award-winning Appalachian herbal scholar and media personality, as they explore everything from collard greens to holiday spices with...