Native Plants, Healthy Planet

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Andrew Bunting (Vice President of Horticulture) from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Topics include how gardening has changed over the years as well as the view on native plants, PHS and the wonderful work and programs they offer, how they incorporate native plants into urban gardens as well as the internationally renowned Philadelphia Flower...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  “That’s Hot” is an oldie but a goodie.  “This or That” leads to some difficult discussions.  “Take it of Leaf it” has Tom and Fran on opposite ends.  Did we give you a shoutout this week?  Grow Read a Book is a surprise!  Listen to the end of the episode for a secret.  Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Be...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick welcome back Sam Hoadley (Horticultural Research Manager) from the Mt. Cuba Center about the results of their newly published Vernonia trials.  It's time to get excited about Vernonia!  They discuss which Vernonia performed well and which ones performed better, surprise value of many of the Vernonia species, How species rated in the trials as well as the buzz gen...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  We've been exhibiting and speaking.  Find out how it's been going.  “That’s Hot” takes to the trees.  “This or That” deals with fire and rain.  “Take it of Leaf it” leaves Tom and Fran collecting their thoughts.  Did we give you a shoutout this week?  Listen to the end of the episode for a follow up to Tom’s secret....

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Mike McGraw from Princeton Hydro to discuss all things ecology speaking. Topics include the journey from a big city to wildlife biologist, the impact of deer, the documentary "Roots so Deep" and regenerative farming, and making your own ecological impact. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow Princeton Hydro H...

Happy New Year!  Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  “That’s Hot” ironically, looks good in the snow.  “This or That” talks about raking and preserving.  “Take it of Leaf it” is a little general.  Tom and Fran break down our Top 10 of All-Time and our Top Ten of 2024.  Did we give you a shoutout this week?  Listen to the end of the episode for a follo...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick share one of their favorite episodes of The Native Plants Healthy Planet Podcast. Tom and Fran spoke with Oliver Milman (Environment Correspondent at the Guardian ) to talk about his new book The Insect Crisis. Topics include the state of our insect friends, the factors contributing to their decline, the obstacles we face in reversing the trend, and what you can...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a sneak peek of Season 3 of A Native Plant Every Day.  Season 3 will be a four week season debuting in 2025.  Listen to hear about the exciting changes moving forward.  Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow A Native Plant Every Day Here . Have a question or a comment?  Call (215) 346-6189 Have a comment?  Email info@nativeplan...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  “That’s Hot” is festive for the season.  “This or That” talks about urban meadows and host plants.  “Take it of Leaf it” takes Tom and Fran on a long journey.  Did we give you a shoutout this week?  Listen to the end of the episode for a secret.  Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. That’s Hot –  Fr...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Claudio Vazquez and Amanda McClean from Izel Native Plants to discuss supplying native plants to the retail market. Topics include the history of Izel Native Plants, how the market and their company has changed since their inception, challenges in making wholesale native plant material available to the public and what the next ten years look like. Mu...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  We have two winners!!!  Are you one of them?  It is the most leaf blower time of the year.  Let's talk about two stroke engine bans.  “That’s Hot” survives the cold.  “This or That” talks soil and radiation.  “Take it of Leaf it” has a lot of stipulations.  Did we give you a shoutout this week?  Listen to the end of...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Uli Lorimer and Michael Piantedosi of Native Plant Trust to tackle all of the hard questions that we encounter in the environmental realm. Topics include What is a native plant, should we be planting for climate change, is it possible to over produce a rare native plant, and are our views of restoration flawed. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  There is a lot of follow up this week!  “That’s Hot” leads to a tasty treat.  “This or That” sows seeds and keeps the leaves.  “Take it of Leaf it” has Tom and Fran on the same page...we think.  Did we give you a shoutout this week?  Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. That’s Hot –  Fran’s Plant  /...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Toshi Yano of Perfect Earth Project to talk about promoting nature-based, toxic-free land care practices for the health of people, their pets, and the planet. Topics include a brief history of Perfect Earth Project, How awareness has changed over the last ten years, key strategies for education, and what the next ten years may look like. Music by Ego...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  Tom and his wife had a baby!!!  A little birdy told me that there was a new book giveaway!  “That’s Hot” gets a little nutty.  “This or That” restores and connects. Tom gets Petty this week.  “Take it of Leaf it” leaves us ankle deep and "Grow Read a Book" makes a triumphant return.  Intro music by RJ Come...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick share one of their favorite episodes of The Native Plants Healthy Planet Podcast.  Tune in to find out about the special occasion. Tom and Fran spoke with Sam Droege (Wildlife Biologist, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center) from The Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab back in episode 7 to discuss the decline of native bees, the importance of native flora a...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Bob Williams of Pine Creek Forestry to talk about Atlantic White Cedar habitat and the NJ Pine Barrens. Topics include a brief history and cultural uses of the Pine Barrens, the importance of stewardship and old growth forests, what makes Atlantic White Cedar habitat unique and restoration efforts in NJ to preserve it. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz and reflect on a wonderful ASLA National Conference.  We pick a winner for an autographed copy of From Wasteland to Wonder by Basil Camu.  “That’s Hot” could be your yard.  “This or That” sounds like restoration. Tom gets Petty this week.  “Take it of Leaf it” is a long process.  Are you listening until the end for ou...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with David Hoffman (Chief Operating Officer) and Stephen Gillis (Sales and Customer Service Manager) from Hoffman Nursery live from the floor of the ASLA 2024 Conference in Washington D.C.. Topics include the history of Hoffman Nursery, the intricacies of transitioning a family business to the next generation, managing growth both internally and externall...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  Are you going to the ASLA Conference in Washington D.C.?  Visit Tom and Fran in their booth and hear Fran talk!  Remember to enter for a chance to win an autographed copy of 'From Wasteland to Wonder' by Basil Camu. “That’s Hot” is for the generalists.  “This or That” listens and compromises. “Take it of Leaf it” ne...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Deborah Rosenthal, (Listener and Owner of Best Hope Farm) to discuss her journey into native plants. Topics include the change from city to country, going down the restoration rabbit hole, mistakes and lessons learned along the way, the importance of help and collaboration, and how native plants can inspire change in your community.  The episode ends...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz and reflect on a wonderful Eastern Native Grasslands Symposium.  Have you listened to see if you have won our Native Spice Contest?  Tom and Fran give away not one, not two, but THREE copies of Heather Holm's books. “That’s Hot” is a rarity this week.  “This or That” deals with datasets and whistleblowers. “Take it of...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Dwayne Estes of the Southeastern Grasslands Initiative and Kyle Lybarger of The Native Habitat Project live at the Eastern Native Grasslands Symposium at Live! Casino and hotel in Philadelphia, PA. Topics include what had happened since their last visit to the show, the importance of collaboration, relationships in the industry and industry events, t...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  Have you listened to see if you have won our Native Spice Contest?  You still have time to enter to win a book by Heather Holm. “That’s Hot” is very yellow this episode.  “This or That” deals with Hell Strips and Weeds.  We got a phone call!!!  Can you spot our “Take it of Leaf it”.  Are you listening until the end...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Basil Camu, (Chief Vision Officer & Wizard of Things at Leaf and Limb, Author of 'From Wasteland to Wonder') to discuss everything tree related. Topics include what inspired Basil to change his business from cutting down trees to saving them, common myths associated with trees and soil, the benefits of arborist chips, inspiration for writing a bo...