Native Plants, Healthy Planet

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  It's been a while.  How is everyone doing?  Tom and Fran follow up on an old contest, pick the winner of a current contest, and announce their next contest. “That’s Hot” deals with recent finds for Tom and Fran.  “This or That” shines the light on the native plant community.  Tom shares his experience at the most re...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Joe Lamp'l, (TV Host, Author, Podcast Host and more) to discuss who is Joe Gardener. Topics include Joe's beginnings, how ecology has changed his personal beliefs and his projects over time, the rising awareness of native plants, influences that have helped shape the landscape, negatives in the native plant movement, and view on 'Nativars'.  Music by...

Tom and Fran travel to Ohio to attend the green industry event Cultivate but take a detour on the way to visit three Ohio pocket along the way with former guest Austin Miller of Birdsong Landscapes. Learn of their history and listen in on our conversations with this special Secret Tapes edition of The Native Plants Healthy Planet Podcast. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men.  Outro music by Dave Benne...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick share one of their favorite episodes of The Native Plants Healthy Planet Podcast to help bring you into the Summer Season. Tom and Fran spoke with Dr. Stanley Temple (Senior Fellow and Science Advisor) of The Aldo Leopold Foundation back in episode 100 to discuss the topic of Land Ethics. Topics include understanding the fundamentals of Land Ethic as proposed by...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  We have two winners!!! Tom and Fran announce their next contest. "Tom's Petty" makes its triumphant return.  “That’s Hot” explores the Ohio prairies.  “This or That” will shine a light on a few issues.  Tom and Fran discuss the Eastern Native Grassland Symposium and also Cultivate.  "Take it of Leaf i...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Brandon Hough, Executive Director of Homegrown National Park, to discuss what's new at HNP. Topics include Brandon's journey to HNP, how HNP has changed over the years, what the future of HNP looks like and how you can help get them there.  Brandon also shares some of his favorite success stories and heroes. Did someone say New Contest!?!  Music by E...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  Let's talk about future contests!  What does nursery need to do to get their Nursery Certificate?  Listen in to find out.  “That’s Hot” explores a plant that neither Tom or Fran picked.  “This or That” will cool your jets on and get you thinking about habitat.  “Listener Shout Outs” fixes a problem while “Grow Read...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with author Tama Matsuoka Wong to discuss how to garden like a forager. Topics include what foraging looks like in different countries and cultures, discovering your middle ground, finding value in what many consider weeds, understanding uses for native plants and not just edibility, and toasting with a native plant mocktail.  Music by Egocentric Plastic...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  Who wound Fran up?  Have you entered our contest!  We have Prickly Pear updates!  “That’s Hot” explores some new mentions on the podcast.  “This or That” will leave you speeding through the tall grass.  There are a ton of “Listener Shout Outs"!  "Grow Read a Book" makes a triumphant return.  Are you l...

Happy Pollinator Week!  Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with author Heather Holm to celebrate our native bees and wasps. Topics include debunking popular myths about native bees and wasps, diving deep into specialist bees and parasitoid wasps, exploring soft landings and native plants, and how you can do your part helping native bees.  Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dav...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  Let's toast Tom's Birthday!  Tom has other news as well!  Have you entered our new contest!  “That’s Hot” involves one plant that will keep mosquitos away and one plant that will keep you away.  “This or That” exposes some of the risks from native plant awareness and green growth.  There are a ton of “Listener Shout...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Shubber Ali (CEO - Garden for Wildlife) to discuss helping homeowners create wildlife habitats. Topics include the history of Garden for Wildlife and how their mission has changed over the years, making it easier for homeowners to find native plants, programs for non-profit organizations, ways that Garden for Wildlife give back, and Shubber's unique...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  Were you talking about us?  Tom and Fran discuss the current state of the podcast.  There's also a new contest!  “That’s Hot” involves two plants you may not have in your yard.  “This or That” cuts to the waste.  There are a ton of "Listener Shout Outs!"  What are the most controversial episodes of Native...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Joey Santore (Crime Pays but Botany Doesn't and Kill Your Lawn) and Al Scorch (Kill Your Lawn) to talk about killing your lawn. Rants include vacuum cleaners, common names, college students, turf, and you will learn a lot about native plants and ecology.  Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow Kill Your Lawn / Crime Pays...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  We have great news!  Listen up for our disclaimer.  Tom spoils Fran with more gifts.  "That's Hot" involves cordial and foam.  "This or That" gives you the short and the long of it.  Are you listening until the end for our secrets? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Read  Fran'...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Bob Blew (Vice President - Centerton Nurseries) to discuss TrueBlew Natives. Topics include the history of Centerton Nurseries, the inspiration for TrueBlew Natives, the role of native plants in ornamental nurseries, how nurseries factor into to agriculture in the state of NJ, and the future of native plants in the retail market place.  Music by Egoc...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  We love when listeners send us native plant based alcoholic drinks!  "That's Hot" involves some follow up this episode.  "This or That" involves government and things across the pond.  Fran comes prepared with a "Grow Read A Book".  How do Tom and Fran feel about No Mow May?  Wait until the end to find out. Intro mu...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick reconnect with Dr. Michael Curran (Owner - Abnova Ecological Solutions) to talk about what has happened in his life since his last visit to the podcast a year ago. Topics include work in the NJ Meadowlands, being an expert witness, pipeline work in PA, Exciting work by Dr. Douglas Tallamy, as well as cool new studies coming our of Wyoming.  Music by Egocentric Pl...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  Did the winners claim their books?  "That's Hot" has two great plants this week.  "This or That" highlights a familiar name.  We have a listener question!  Tom and Fran reinforce the concept of kindness and patience. Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Read  Fran's Article  / Read  Tom's Article Le...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick welcome Austin Miller of Birdsong Landscapes to talk about meadows at home.  Discussions include what the Ohio Valley looked like before colonization, the popularity of lawn conversions, difficulties with prairie seedings, and how to forage in your own backyard. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men. Follow Birdsong Landscapes - TikTok / Instagram / Facebook View Ernst...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  We announce  two winners of autographed copies of Leah Rampy's "Earth and Soul"!  After that we "cut" into "That's Hot".  "This or That" has Tom and Fran going to the same well.  Listener questions lead to Fran and Tom having questions.  Will Tom and Fran EVER answer a "Take it or leaf it"? Intro music by RJ Comer,...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick welcome Taylor Collins (Land Steward/Co-founder) of Roam Ranch and Force of Nature Meats to talk about regenerative agriculture.  Discussions include the beginnings of Roam Ranch, what regenerative agriculture looks like on Roam Ranch, what does the regenerative agriculture movement look like in general, the benefits of a healthy ecosystem, and finding a higher p...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  Did you remember that we are giving away autographed books?  We practiced recycling with "That's Hot".  "This or That" has Tom and Fran minds in the invasive sewer.  Will Tom and Fran EVER answer a "Take it or leaf it"?  Are you listening to the end for our secret? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennet...

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 Amsonia trials.  It's time to get excited about Amsonia!  They discuss which Amsonia performed well and which ones performed better, surprise value of many of the Amsonia species, How species rated in the trials as well as the buzz generat...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  Happy Four Years and 200 Episodes!  Did you remember that we are giving away autographed books?  "That's Hot" is a teaser for our next guest.  "This or That" has Tom and Fran questioning EVERYTHING.  Are you listening to the end for our secret? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Read  Fran's Artic...