Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley

David Newman from Arthur’s Point Farm in Ghent, NY, joins the podcast, Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley to talk about ecological restoration and soil health using agroforestry and biochar. Agroforestry is a land management approach that combines with agriculture and trees. Planting trees, shrubs and hedges on farms can give Hudson Valley farmers healthier soil and higher yields –...

Goats are amazing animals. They are tough, versatile and have many uses. Related to sheep, goats are lighter in build and have horns that arch backward, shorter tails, and straighter hair. Goats can survive and thrive just about anywhere. They are browsers and valued for eating inexpensive nutrient sources, such as woody plant and weeds that other livestock typically won’t consume. Goats have been...

This episode of the podcast, Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley, contains a potpourri of interesting topics. Jean Thomas (It’s All Greek to Me) returns with a discussion of the Dutch influence on the Hudson Valley, including the wide variety of terms we use today that find their origins to the Netherlands. We all know that bulbs come from Holland, but are you aware of other common...

Hydrangeas are a very popular landscape shrub and the topic of this podcast episode on Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley.  What’s the difference between a lace cap and a mophead hydrangea? Why isn’t my hydrangea flowering? Where should a hydrangea be planted? How do I figure out what kind of hydrangea I have in my yard? When should hydrangeas be pruned? How do I get my white hydra...

Barbara Bravo, Master Gardener Volunteer from CCE of Ulster County, joins this Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley podcast episode to enlighten us about a variety of things to consider with shady landscapes. Understanding different levels of shade, setting appropriate plant expectations, and focusing on foliage, are just a few topics covered. Once established, shade gardens require...

This podcast episode of Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley is perfect for the autumnal season. Extending the growing season, mums, asters, sedums and annual vines are all topics of conversation during the fall in New York. The Veggie Patch with Teresa Golden covers a wide range of options to help extend the gardening season, including cloches, row covers and hoop houses. These tips...

Learn about the Hortus Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Located in Stone Ridge (Ulster County, NY), the gardens are run as a non-profit organization whose mission is to sustain the native, unusual and historic plant life of our area and serve as a vital educational resource for the public. Join Scott Serrano and Allyson Levy, co-founders and executive directors, in a podcast that provides insights i...

Ginseng plants are perennial herbs that are harvested for their taproot which is used for cooking and medicinal purposes. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) grows in cooler climates in North America, including New York State. Ginseng has been associated with some of the world’s most ancient healing traditions. Wild ginseng grows naturally in mountains where a plant can take years to reach matu...

This week’s podcast episode contains a little bit of everything for residents of the Hudson Valley. Teresa Golden (The Veggie Patch) starts it off with a segment about how to put a vegetable garden ‘to bed’ for the winter. Sanitation and composting are covered as key elements to successfully preparing a garden to survive the winter and be ready to get off to a fast start in the spring. Then Tim Ke...

Hunger remains a persistent reality for many New Yorkers.  The USDA defines hunger as a physiological condition that many result from food insecurity.  Food insecurity is an economic and social condition reflecting a household's inability to provide enough food for every person to live an active, healthy live.   Rebecca Polmateer, Program Director from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and...

Dr. Rebecca Pinder, a science professor at Columbia-Greene Community College, joins the podcast, Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley in an informative discussion about salamanders, earth worms and other creatures that can be found in the soil. There are nineteen species of salamanders found in New York State. Did you know that salamanders rarely have more than four toes on their fro...

This episode of Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley covers a lot o territory.  It starts with Jean Thomas, Master Gardener Volunteer, discussing two popular perennials, phlox and rudbeckia.  The phlox name is derived from the Greek word meaning ‘flame’.  The genus includes 67 species including phlox paniculata, subulata, and divaricate. Rudbeckia, more commonly known as black-eyed-s...

Join Marc Wolf, Executive Director, from the Mountaintop Arboretum as he describes this uniquely beautiful and memorable place. Featuring trees, trails, rocks, meadows and marshes, it exemplifies the diverse beauty of New York’s Hudson Valley. The Arboretum encompasses 178 acres of forest and meadow at an elevation of nearly 2,400 feet with temperatures that drop as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit....

What do ragwort, climbing hydrangea, cucurbits and myths about ticks have in common? Another episode of Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley, of course! On this week's podcast episode, Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas have another segment about groundcovers and vines (The Cover Up) with Tim talking about ragwort, a native groundcover, and Jean describing a beautiful vine, climbing hydran...

Tim Kennelty, a Master Gardener, Master Forester and Master Naturalist Volunteer, shares his passion for native trees and shrubs on this episode of Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley. He covers a wide range of topics regarding native trees and shrubs in the New York landscape including a definition, their role in supporting birds and pollinators, considerations when selecting a nat...

Tomatoes seem to be the favorite crop for home gardeners to grow. Get some useful tips from Teresa Golden (The Veggie Patch) on how to start them from seed, what to look for when buying plants for transplanting, when to plant, and tips to manage the various pests and diseases that may attack one of our favorite summer fruits. Then hear from Linda Aydlett on Hum of the Hive. This episode, Linda tal...

Are you a new homeowner in the Hudson Valley?  Do you have questions about where to start when making an existing garden your own?  This podcast episode of Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley might just be a great place to start. Realtor and Master Gardener Volunteer Candidate, Eileen Goble, provides lots of good suggestions. Assessing what is already planted, meeting your wildlife...

This weekly podcast episode for Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley answers some of the most frequently asked questions we, as Master Gardener Volunteers, receive from gardeners in New York State.  “Why should I mulch my garden?” “What kind of mulch should I use?” and “How deep should the mulch be spread?” Devon Russ, Master Gardener Volunteer from Cornell Cooperative Extension of C...

Kristopher Williams from the Center for Invasive Species Management rejoins the podcast with an informative discussion of the many invasive pests that can be found in the Hudson Valley including the emerald ash borer, hemlock wooly adelgid, spongy moth, spotted lantern fly, feral pigs, as well as what individuals can do to minimize the spread of invasives. Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas Guest...

This episode is filled with all types of flowering plants including annuals (marigolds, zinnias and cosmos), Perennials (cranesbill geranium, wisteria, milkweed) and Invasives (multiflora rose).There is something of interest for all types of gardeners and gardens. Listen and learn! Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas Photo by: Tim Kennelty Production Support: Linda Aydlett and Teresa Golden Resour...

Larry Federman, a musician, birder, and former education coordinator for Audubon NY, is our guest today taking us on a virtual tour of the RamsHorn-Livingston Sanctuary in Catskill, NY. He also spends time describing the lifecycle, diet and habitat of dragonflies and damselflies that can be found there. Take a listen! Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas Guest: Larry Federman Production Support: Li...

Learn all about Grassland Birds from ornithologist and Master Gardener Volunteer, Kathryn Schneider. In this episode, she cover what types of birds to look for in grasslands, the habitat they like, and how to protect them. Then Master Gardener Jean Thomas returns with another edition of “It’s All Greek” where she opines on garden perennial favorites (Phlox and Rudbeckia). Enjoy! Guest: Dr. Kathryn...

In this episode, Master Gardener Jean Thomas helps to decode the information found in catalogs when attempting to order shrubs, trees and bulbs. Teresa Golden (The Veggie Patch) describes the wide range of legume vegetables that can be grown in your garden. The Hum of the Hive (with Linda Aydlett) returns with a discussion of the role of propolis within a honey bee hive. Listen and learn! Hosts: T...

Enjoy this delightful conversation with Anna Harrod to learn how to get children interested in gardening. Then listen to a discussion about Pests and Pathogens about Houseplants with Dede Terns-Thorpe. The episode wraps us with Joan Satterlee with some useful books about perennials (Tools of the Trade).There is something here for all ages! Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas Guest: Anna Harrod Pro...

In this episode, Kelsey Jean West from CCE joins us to talk about Leave No Trace, an ethical approach to visiting public parks and conservation areas. Then Tim Kennelty features the Dogwood and Garlic Mustard (Good Plant/Bad Plant). This podcast episode concludes with a focus on the value of scarecrows (Hits and Myths with Devon Russ). Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas Guest: Kelsey Jean West Pr...