The Garden Thyme Podcast

Hey Listener,  In this month's episode, we’re talking all about one of our favorite pollinators Bumble Bees.  We play some bee true false, learn about how they differ from other native bees.  Bumble bee Resources:   Bees of Maryland: A field guide from the North American Native Bee Collaborative. Bumble Bees of Eastern United States (pdf) from USDA, Forest Service, and Pollinator Partnership...

Hey Listener,  In this month's episode, we’re talking all about one Dill-icious herb that we think is a big Dill.  Dill!  We chat about the history of dill, give some tips for growing it in your garden and recommended some varieties we like, all between some great Dill puns.  We also have our :  Native Plant of the Month: Golden Alexanders, or Zizia spp. Bug of the Month: Black swallowtail ak...

Hey Listener,  In this month's episode, we’re talking all about that beloved springtime chore, mulching. We play a round of 'Mulch True or False" before discussing the various types of organic and inorganic mulches. We like some more than the others.  We also have our :  Native Plant of the Month: Virginia Bluebells Bug of the Month: peach tree borer  Monthly Garden Tips: preparing...

Hey Listener,  In this month's episode, we’re talking about how much we love root vegetables, and won't you know it, this is the perfect time of year to plant them.  We chat all about our love for juicy beets, spicy radish, and crunchy carrots.   We also have our :  Native Plant of the Month: black willow Bug of the Month: root aphids  Monthly Garden Tips: preparing for spring We current...

Hey Listener,  In this month's episode, we’re talking with Amy Cawley, from the Maryland Food Bank Farm-to-Food program.  We learn about the difference between a food bank and a food pantry,  what gleaning is, and ways we as gardeners can help feed our community.  Watch the Neighbors helping Neighbors video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKp4YoRqcv8   Sign up to get an email about local gle...

Hey Listener,  In this month's episode, we’re talking with Suzanne Shoemaker, executive director for Owl Moon Raptor Center ( https://owlmoon.org/ )  in Maryland, to talk about owls.   Owl Moon Annual Festival- Nov 8, 2025, at the Blackhill Regional Park in Boyds, MD.  Maryland Wildlife Rehabilitators Association: https://www.mwrawildlife.net We also have our :  Native Plant of the Month: Whi...

Hey Listener,  In this month's episode, we’re talking about how much we love fall. One of our favorite things about fall, besides the food, is ASTERS! These flowers add a pop of color to any fall landscape and provide food for many late-season pollinators and beneficial insects.   We also have our :  Native Plant of the Month: Gray Goldenrod  Bug of the Month: Pearl Crescent Butterfly   Month...

Hey Listener,  In this month's episode, we’re chatting with Maddie Potter, UME Faculty Specialist for Entomology and Integrated Pest Management, all about WASPS!  How are they different from bees, what roles do they play in the environment and we play "Wasp Fact or Fiction".  We also have our :  Native Plant of the Month: Virginia Mountain mint Bug of the Month: Cuckoo wasp  and Mon...

Hey Listener,  In this month's episode, we’re talking about how to make our gardens and landscapes more resilient to climate change.  We also have our :  Native Plant of the Month: Black Elderberry  Bug of the Month: Squash Bees  and Monthly Garden Tips. We currently have an open survey for ALL listeners. Whether you’ve listened to all of our episodes, or this is your first time. We developed...

Hey Listener,  In this month's episode, we’re talking about native plants and their pollinators with Lisa Kuder, the Native Plants and Landscapes Specialist for the University of Maryland Extension.  We chat about what qualifies a plant as “native”, what a specialist insect is, and why they are essential.  We also have our :  Native Plant of the Month: Pickerelweed ( Pontedaria cordata ) Bug...

Hey Listener,  This month it’s hip to be square as we discuss a favorite herb of our, MINTS! Mints are a common herb of the genus Mentha that are widely used in cooking, cosmetics, and popular medicine. Join us as we share some fun facts about mints, their history and chatting about how to grow it in your own garden.  Mint Resources -  Drying and preserving herbs - https://extension.umd.edu/resour...

Hey Listener,  This month's episode discusses the most popular weed on the block:  the Dandelion. Dandelion, or Taraxacum officinale, is an extraordinary plant. We're sharing some fun facts its history and chatting about why some people like them and others dislike them. We also have our Native Plant of the Month: RAMPS! ( Allium tricoccum ), Bug of the Month: Spiny witch hazel gall aphi...

Hey Listener,  In this month's episode, we are revisiting a favorite topic of ours: STARTING SEEDS! Starting seeds inside can be a fun way to enjoy gardening before you can put plants in the ground.   With the right light and simple equipment, growing transplants is easy.  In this episode, we discuss the equipment you need to start your transplants and give you some tips to get going.  To fin...

Hey Listener  In this month's episode, we are joined by Extension Specialist in Commercial Horticulture, Dr. Andrew Ristvey, to discuss the in and out of soil amendment & fertilizers. We cover the benefits of amending your soil, the difference between an amendment & fertilizer, what are the different types of Nitrogen fertilizers, how to adjust soil pH.   As always, it is always a gre...

Hey Listener  We are bringing in the New Year agina by playing some more Garden Trivia with  Stephanie Pully and Kaitlyn Baligush from the UME Master Gardener Office. This time all the questions are based on past episodes.  Feel free to play along with us.  There are four categories, each with five questions: Scary Plants Bug of the Month Native Plant of the Month  Garden Tips of the Month And a B...

Hello Listener!   This is our last episode of the year, but, it's a Gobble of a good time!  This month we are joined by Bob Long of Maryland DNR to talk about wild turkeys.  Turkey habitat? Jake vs Tom? What is a snood? Why turkeys are better then deer?  And More....  Resources about Turkeys -  Wild Turkey in Maryland - Maryland DNR webiste  Maryland 2024 Wild Turkey Survey Summary The turkey...

 Hey Listener!  It's almost Halloween, so we are counting down some common toxic plants you might find in your landscape or even inside your home.  This includes Lillies,  Poison Ivy, Water Hemlock and Vegetables that could kill! Resources -  For Human Poisoning you’ll need to call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. Pet Poisoning ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center   (888-426-4435) ...

 Hello Listener, This month, we discuss mushrooms with our friend Jose Prieto-Figueroa of The Bay Mushroom .  Jose and his wonderful wife, Bianca, have grown specialty mushrooms for over 10 years.  Jose answers some of our mushroom questions, such as: what a fungus is, why we see them in the fall, how he grows them on his farm, and some tips for how to cook them. We skipped our Native plant, bug,...

Hello Listener,  This month, we discuss enhancin our landscapes and backyards for our feathered friends, BIRDS!   We cover some fun bird facts, types of bird feeders and seeds, and list some plants that will bring the bird to your yard.   Urban Bird Treaty program: https://www.fws.gov/program/urban-bird-treat y Florida Extension Website about Bird feeders and seeds:  https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publ...

Hello Listener, This month, we discuss our least favorite summertime pest, the Mosquito. We felt very itchy while doing this episode. We review some basic mosquito biology, common species and diseases they transmit in Maryland, and give some tips on how to reduce your chance of getting bitten. - NPR - A Guide To Mosquito Repellents  - MDA Mosquito Control Program  We also have our:  Native Plant o...

Hello Listener,  This month, we discuss non-bee pollinators with Madeline Potter.  We discuss beetles, flies, moths, and wasps, what flowers they like, and how we can support pollinators in our home gardens.  This month, we skipped the Native Plant of the Month, Bug of the Month, and Garden Tips of the Month.  We currently have an open survey for ALL listeners, whether you’ve listened to all of ou...

Hello Listener,  This month, we discuss butterflies and the Smithsonian Butterfly Pavilion at National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. with  Arthur Earle. Arthur answers all our questions about the behind-the-scenes part of running a butterfly show.  We talk about why butterflies are important. Arthur gives us some fun butterfly facts about poop and why butterflies like booze.   This...

Hello Listener,  Sorry for the late episode. We had some computer issues and had to redo this episode.  This month, we discuss something near and dear to our hearts–shopping for plants.  We have some great tips to help you make wise purchases with regard to landscape plants. Marylanders Plant Trees Program- $25 off coupon for native tree species at participating nurseries: https://dnr.maryland.gov...

Hello Listener,  This month, we discuss cane berries with University of Maryland Extension Agriculture Agent for Wicomico County, Dr. Haley Sater.  Some berry good resources:  Mid-Atlantic Berry Guide Haley’s Fact sheet new fact sheet - Start Growing Thornless Blackberries   UME Home and Garden Information Center Fruits for the Home Garden webpage. We also have our:  Native Plant of the Month - Sp...

Hello Listener,  This month, we discuss some more exciting animal mating habits in the Mid-Altalitic region. This year, we discuss Eastern Hercules Beetles, Dogbane Leaf Beetles, Blue Crabs, and the iconic Bald Eagle.  We start the episode with garden news and an update about the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map .    Check out the official press-release from USDA for additional info. We also have our...