The Garden Question

In this episode we talk with award-winning garden designer Nick McCullough. He has developed a distinctive style he calls Midwest Modern, one that relies on a balance of natural paving and innovative perennial plantings.  Based in Ohio, he and his team at McCullough’s Landscape & Nursery create and maintain plant centric gardens in and around the Midwest that are both ecologically sensitive an...

Gardening is not just for adults. In fact, getting kids involved in gardening can have a multitude of benefits for their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Gardening has the power to transform children's lives and instill in them a love for the outdoor world and healthy living. It provides opportunities for learning, growth, and community engagement. To understand the importance of this,...

Christy Wilhelmi shares valuable insights for building and maintaining an organic home food garden. Up to 80 percent of her family's produce comes from less than 300 square feet of her own garden. We discuss her approach to designing gardens while understanding a gardener's specific needs and objectives. Christy explains the importance for selecting appropriate materials and proper choices of soil...

For 40 years the Square Foot Gardening method has been transforming traditional gardening practice around the world. It is known as a highly efficient method of growing food in small spaces. In this episode of The Garden Question Podcast, we talk with Steve and Laura Bartholomew . They continue to spread the gardening legacy of Steve's father, Mel Bartholomew , the creator of Square Foot Gardening...

In today's enlightening discussion, Charlotte Ekker Wiggins takes us on a journey through the fascinating intersection of beekeeping and gardening. She breaks down the perceived barriers between these two practices and highlights their inherent connections. Get ready to explore the importance of pollinators and the balance required to nurture their environment. We'll delve into the secrets of Blue...

Herbs have been around forever, but how well do you understand them? In this episode we have a conversation with Kim Roman . Kim Roman shares her expertise, derives from her forthcoming book " Growing Herbs for Health, Wellness, Cooking, and Crafts ." We talk about various topics concerning growing, using, and appreciating herbs. How do you differentiate culinary herbs from medicinal ones, the ove...

Dry shade is often a challenge in creating a successful garden. Such conditions require careful plant selection and insights. Hayes Jackson believes "there's a plant that loves that spot no matter how bad or how difficult you think it is." Hayes is a self-professed plant geek, urban regional agent with Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Director of the new Longleaf Botanical Gardens in Annis...

In episode 144 of the Garden Question podcast, host Craig McManus interviews Marianne Wilburn, a garden writer and expert. opinion columnist for the American Horticultural Society's The American Gardener and is a contributing editor at GardenRant.com . She authored the exciting book, Tropical Plants and How to Love Them , and her first book, Big Dreams and Small Gardens . Marianne's work has been...

In this episode of The Garden Question Podcast, host Craig McManus chats with Perla Sofía Curbelo Santiago, a professional gardener and communicator from Puerto Rico. They discuss the transformative power of gardening for stress relief, mental health, and overall physical well-being. With a background in psychology and a certification in horticultural therapy, Perla Sofía shares insights on stress...

In this episode of the Garden Question podcast, the host, Craig McManus, explores the practice of 'crepe murder'. He emphasizes the damage improper pruning can cause to crape myrtle trees, detaching their natural beauty and weakening their growth potential. McManus suggests proper pruning techniques to maintain the tree's health and longevity, and urges listeners to educate themselves about the tr...

Host Craig McManus discusses the transformative power of gardening and the incredible impact they have on our lives with guest  Jennifer Jewell . Jennifer is a garden advocate, author, and award-winning podcast and radio host, shares examples of how gardens influence our lives. She addresses the role of seed banks in preserving plant diversity, biodiversity threats from current agriculture practic...

Starting a garden isn't just about planting seeds and tending greens. It's a compelling journey that goes beyond the soil – a tale that’s not only visually enthrall but emotionally connect. To learn more about this horticultural expedition, we turned to an authority in conifers and ginkgo trees - Tom Cox, the creator along with his wife Evelyn of Cox Arboretum and Garden in Canton GA.    Cox Arbor...

The vibrant red and green foliage of the poinsettia are familiar sights in homes around the world during the Christmas holiday season. But have you ever wondered how this exotic flowering plant from Mexico became a quintessential symbol of Christmas? It is a series of intriguing stories full of human drama, mysteries, secrets, challenges, and world domination. One story involves searching out wild...

We had the unique opportunity to interview Dr. Mel Koelling, a seasoned expert in the Christmas tree industry. With Christmas season on the horizon, there is no better time to learn about the fascinating world of Christmas tree farming and interesting stories. About Dr. Mel Koelling and Tannenbaum Farms Mel and his wife, Lori, have been growing thousands of trees annually at Tannenbaum Farms in Ce...

In this Thanksgiving special episode of the Garden Question Podcast, host Craig McManus brings together a variety of influential guests from previous episodes to talk about what they are thankful for, both in the garden and in life. The episode kickstarts with Brent Heath , a flower bulb company owner, who shares his gratitude towards his family, God, and the freedoms of living in the U.S., Dan Be...

Today's episode is an enlightening conversation with Shelley S. Cramm, the insightful author of " My Father is the Gardener ." She writes regularly for her Devotions Blog at GardeninDelight.com , and speaks enthusiastically to garden clubs and faith groups about plants of the Bible and how to connect garden work and harvest joys in the Word of God Shelly’s background includes a Master of Architect...

Join us in this episode as we explore the harmonious blend of beauty and functionality in gardens. Molly Hendry is a Birmingham native whose expertise as a horticulturist and landscape architect has taken her across the globe. We'll unravel the fascinating tale of Molly's botanical adventures, from her prestigious role as the 2016-17 Royal Horticultural Society’s Interchange Fellow in the UK to he...

In this episode passions collide and creativity blossoms with Dan Benarcik . A seasoned expert whose life has been a vibrant tapestry of horticulture, art, teaching, and design. Growing up surrounded by the aroma of blooms and saw dust, Dan inherited a deep love for plants and craftsmanship from his florist mother and home center entrepreneur father. Armed with a Bachelor of Science degree in Plan...

Welcome to another exciting episode of The Garden Question. Today, we're venturing into the captivating realm of plant breeding, a topic that's as fascinating as it is innovative. We all relish the joy of designing our own gardens, but have you ever dreamt of crafting your very own plants, tailored specifically for your garden? Well, buckle up because we're about to dive into this extraordinary wo...

Welcome to another fantastic episode. "Planting Bulbs, Harvesting Smiles," I'm your host, Craig McManus. Today we're diving into the vibrant world of bulbs with the one and only Brent Heath from Brent and Becky's Bulbs . Brent Heath is not just your average gardener; he's a renowned bulb enthusiast, a masterful storyteller, and the co-owner of the famous Brent and Becky's Bulbs. Nestled in the hea...

Heidi Heiland has been diligently leading and artfully expanding her landscape gardening company, Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens as the CEO. That’s Chief Experience Officer since 1979.  With the help of her expert team, they create award winning ecoscapes and nourishing encounters with nature for their customers.  Her team brings holistic consultation, design, installation and site management to every...

You will be happy that you listen to this episode before you plant your first plant. It begins with setting garden goals.  Jeff Rugg is an educator at heart. For over 33 years he has written the weekly nationally syndicated newspaper column the Greener View. He taught the University of Illinois Master Gardener and Master Naturalist programs. He now teaches via the internet through his YouTube chan...

In this episode we talk about adapting to various gardening challenges. We explore making tough decisions in gardening through the later seasons of life. Also, having the best attitudes toward tough decisions. Mobility restrictions began taking a toll on 84-year-old Duane Pancoast. His gardening abilities were changing but not his knowledge. He began sharing his and other senior gardeners’ experie...

Carol Pasternak lives by the motto “It’s Gotta Be Fun”. That is what she brings to this episode. Have you ever thought about having a caterpillar as a pet? You will want to after listening to her. Egg hunts are not just from the Easter Bunny. Carol talks about her thrill and experiences searching for the eggs laid by butterflies and tracking down the caterpillar. You’ll find out how exciting it is...

 In this fresh episode we are talking with Michael Perry also known as Mr. Plant Geek a multihyphenate in the plant world. You know he is adept at many roles in horticulture. Michael is a TV presenter, speaker, hortpreneur and author of Hortus Curious, a visual menagerie of the weirdest and wackiest plant species. Michael got his start in new product development at Thompson & Morgan before qui...