Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley

Olana, located in Hudson, New York, is the greatest masterwork of Frederic Edwin Church (1826-1900), the most famous American landscape artist of the mid-19th century and the most important artist’s home, studio, and designed landscape in the United States. Church designed Olana as a holistic environment integrating his ideas about art, architecture, landscape design, and environmental conservatio...

Weeds are a constant fact of a gardener’s life. As our guest, Toni DiTommaso, says we can count on three things in life: death, taxes, and weeds. But if it weren’t for weeds, the world would have less topsoil than it has now, and humanity might have suffered mass starvation by now. Why? Because the plants we call weeds do a vital job in ecosystems: they quickly establish in, protect, and restore s...

Jackie Hayden and Dede Terns-Thorpe are back with part 3 of our retrospective series about Pests and Pathogens. In this episode of Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley, you’ll hear about some common issues New York gardeners face such as rust fungus, squash vine borer, fruit flies and the emerald ash borer (EAB). We’ll start with a category of blisters, galls, and spots on leaves and...

In Part 2 of this Pests and Pathogens Retrospective episode, common issues such as houseplant problems, anthracnose and powdery mildew are discussed. These are three short segments that were previously aired, but we’ve repackage them to easier listening. Dede Terns-Thorpe and Jackie Hayden, Master Gardener Volunteers from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties, are back on N...

Welcome to another of our retrospective series which are compilations of shorter segments on related topics that were previously aired and that we’ve now packaged into an episode for easier access. This is the first of a three episodes focused on Pests and Pathogens. This one contains segments on diagnosing plant problems, beetles and spongy moths. These are three short segments that were previous...

An herb is defined as a plant or plant part valued for its medicinal, savory, or aromatic qualities. Many can be used fresh from the garden during the growing season or dried for use during cooler months. Popular herbs include basil, oregano, rosemary, parsley, dill, sage, thyme, mint, chives and cilantro. But there are so many others. Briana Davis, co-owner of Greene Bee Greenhouse ltd. located i...

Master Gardener Volunteer, Shelley Haefner, from Old Chatham (Columbia County) is passionate about gardening, nature photography and the great outdoors. She joins the Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley podcast for an informative discussion about Microgreens. We all know that vegetables are a rich source of many healthy nutrients, including dietary fiber, vitamins (A, C, K, E, and B...

Do you know that New York State is among the top five wine producing regions in the USA? The Hudson Valley is actually one of four main wine growing regions, or American Viticultural Areas (AVA) in New York, along with Lake Erie, the Finger Lakes, and the east end of Long Island. The Hudson River region has a strong agricultural heritage and provides good soils and climate for grape production. Wi...

Weed management is the bane of existence for many gardeners and one of the most critical aspects of farming and land management. Finding safe, effective, and culturally appropriate weed management solutions is a challenge but can be addressed by betting understand the life cycle of the specific weed that is causing a problem. Dr. Bryan Brown is a Senior Extension Associate, NYS Integrated Pest Man...

John Bartram (1699–1777) was an American-born botanist, horticulturalist, naturalist, and explorer. He has been lauded as the “father of American botany” and the "greatest natural botanist in the world." He made significant contributions to the collection, study, and international introduction of North American flowering trees and shrubs and was a pioneer in the importation and cultivation of non-...

Paul Curtis re-joins the Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley podcast in Part 2 of an informative discussion about living with wildlife in New York State. He is a Professor and Department Extension Leader focused on Natural Resources and the Environment at Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Paul’s focus is on reducing negative impacts associated with wildl...

Reducing negative impacts associated with wildlife is a common concern of many residents of New York’s Hudson Valley. In this first part of an informative discussion, we explore how to peacefully coexist with black bears, white-tailed deer, and coyotes. White tail deer are becoming a more common issue in rural and suburban communities with deer/vehicle collisions and their over-abundance is often...

Robert Layton Beyfuss (1950-2023) was known as the ‘poet of gardening’ but he wore many hats. A longtime educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties (retiring in 2009), Bob was also a well-known columnist, widely sharing his knowledge and love of gardening. In addition to being an Internationally Certified Arborist, he is perhaps best remembered as having been a pas...

Part 3 of the Veggie Patch Retrospective wraps up with 4 more short segments about gardening for edible food crops. Master Gardener Volunteer, Teresa Golden, continues to provide advice to the beginner and experienced gardener about how to tend a successful vegetable garden. The first segment focuses on root crops including beets, carrots, radishes, onions, turnips, parsnips, potatoes, among other...

Welcome back to part 2 of the Veggie Patch Retrospective where we compiled together three previously aired short segments on various aspects of vegetable gardening. Instead of searching for the content in previous episodes, we’ve put these shorter segments together in a single episode for your listening convenience. Especially as winter drags on, it’s helpful to be able to dream of warmer weather...

It’s that time of year to start dreaming about and planning for your vegetable garden. Whether you are a novice gardener or an experienced one, there is always something new to learn. So we’ve pulled together a treat for you! Listen to this compilation of five already aired short segments specific to vegetable gardening. In this Veggie Patch Retrospective (part 1), you’ll learn from Master Gardene...

Forest rangers are the wilderness’ police department. Think of them as ‘guardians of nature’ who protect and conserve natural resources in forests and parks. Their jurisdiction usually encompasses terrain filled with wildlife and treacherous landscapes. Forest rangers are often unsung heroes who work long hours in extreme conditions. Many people associate forest rangers with "Smokey Bear', the lov...

Are you a nature lover? Are you interested in conservation or habitat restoration? Do you have a passion for our natural environment or want to learn more about the ecosystems, habitats, plants, and animals of New York State? Then this program might be for you! The Master Naturalist Program is a science-based training program designed to teach adults about New York’s natural resources, empowering...

If you like birds, you will love this episode! Birds spark a deep wonder and help us to understand the living world. When birds disappear, they’re signaling that we’ve stressed our landscapes and oceans. When we make changes and they rebound, it signals hope that we can find ways to flourish and protect the natural world. Becca Rodomsky-Bish, Project Leader from Cornell University's Lab of Ornitho...

The podcast team recently took a road trip to Cornell University in Ithaca, NY to meet with Ashley Helmholdt, Extension Associate, Cornell Garden-Based Learning, School of Integrative Plant Science Horticulture. With a passionate interest in garden-based learning, Ashley manages the New York State Master Gardener Volunteer and Seed to Supper programs as well as professional development for Cornell...

The Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a nationwide educational program, and in New York State, consists of a corps of volunteers who are trained by Cornell Cooperative Extension in the science and art of gardening. Master Gardener Volunteers are volunteers from the community who enjoy gardening and use their horticultural skills and expertise to educate others. In return for their training, Mas...

In Part 2 of the Hum of the Hive retrospective, we’ve once again combined multiple (4) short segments together. So, make sure to listen to the end to hear them all! Hum of the Hive, featuring Linda Aydlett, follows the honeybee through the four seasons. In the first segment, field bees are the focus of attention. Linda describes the various resources required by a hive to survive. To gather these...

With this episode, we are introducing the first of our retrospective series. These periodic episodes compile previously aired short segments on a specific topic. This one, features Master Beekeeper and podcast co-founder, Linda Aydlett and is all about honeybees. This episode starts with some fascinating insights into how honeybees survive in winter. Their secret? They form winter clusters and shi...

William Bryant Logan re-joins the Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley podcast in a fascinating discussion about pollarding, a pruning practice. Bill is the author of Sprout Lands, Oak, Air, and Dirt, the last of which was made into an award-winning documentary. In addition to being the executive director of Landis Arboretum, he is on the faculty of the New York Botanical Garden. He...

William Bryant Logan joins the Nature Calls: Conversations for the Hudson Valley podcast to talk about Oak Trees in New York State. Having spent the last three decades working in trees as a certified arborist, Bill is the author of  Sprout Lands ,  Oak ,  Air  and  Dirt , the last of which was made into an award-winning documentary. He is on the faculty of the New York Botanical Garden.  He joins...