The Helpful Gardeners

we're wrapping up 2023 with a look back at all our favourite moments, guests, and  fun we had talking plants and gardening! Visit our ⁠⁠ shownotes ⁠⁠ for the complete breakdown of episodes and other fun extras TIMECODES 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Prepping Your Garden for Spring 02:13 Behind the Poppy 03:36 Fertilizer: How to buy it, use it and store it 05:51 Houseplant Maintenance 08:35 Enjoying...

December is full of celebration and reflection. Whatever you're celebrating, we welcome you to our planty chat about all things fun this holiday season. Colin and Brandi dive into Global festivities, holiday treats, and a special story created by ChatGPT! Visit our ⁠ shownotes ⁠ for the complete holiday story and other fun goodies TIMECODES Global Holiday Traditions | 01:50 Holiday Treats | 19...

If you're looking to show the gardener in your life some appreciation this festive season, then dive into our 2023 gift guide complete with fun and functional ideas to suit them in the garden, indoors, and out in nature next year. Visit our shownotes for links these products. TIMECODES 10 Gardening Guides | 02:55 5 Totally 'Extra' Gifts | 23:15 ************************* Hypothetical Qu...

To celebrate #NationalPoinsettiaDay, we're unwrapping this iconic houseplant and its Christmas roots. Learn how to care for them, and ways to celebrate this special relationship in North America. 'The Flower of the Holy Night' Christmas Legend | 03:20 Poinsettia Anatomy | 05:00 Poinsettia Varieties | 07:41 Poinsettia Care - Wrap, Light, Water, Fertilizer, etc | 12:05 Celebrate #Nationa...

Whether you love the scent and tradition of going out and finding a real tree or love the ease and familiarity of your artificial tree, how did Christmas trees become one of the more popular symbols of the festive season? We're going to talk about their roots (haha), types, care, and also a look into some of the more famous trees we flock toward every year.  #Amaryllis Challenge Update | 01:00...

'Tis the season for Winter Decorating, and living planters work for pretty much every climate, especially the colder ones. Learn how to gather materials, plant one up, and how to care for it throughout the season. Plus, we're dreaming up our dreamiest plant goals for a hypothetical Black Friday sale. Materials | 08:30 Secret Weapon: Floral Foam or Oasis | 10:30 Pot Choices | 13:00 Soil Cho...

This week, we're unearthing one of the most vibrant houseplants admired during the holiday season. The Amaryllis flower has a big personality and we're going to talk about how to plant them, care for them, and store them after they've finished blooming. Also, stay tuned for our extra fun hypothetical question of the week! Greek Mythology - Amaryllis | 10:00 The story of love. Huntingto...

We pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed for our freedom, and we delve into the poignant symbol of the poppy. Join us as we explore the rich history and deep meaning behind this iconic flower, understanding why it became a symbol of remembrance and hope. Behind the Poppy | 00:30 Learn more about Remembrance Day Donate to the Veterans Association Hypothetical Question of the Week | 17:53 "...

Many regions across Canada and even the world are wrapping up daylight savings and thinking ahead to winter... or dreading it. We've decided to embrace the beauty of the season and build a winter bucket list! Daylight Savings Time | 00:30 Where did it start? Do you benefit from it? Winter Bucket List | 14:00 See our complete list here Hypothetical Question of the Week | 44:00 "If you coul...

The “Garden Gnomes” ventured out of the garden to celebrate the spooky season! For the first time ever, you’ll get to  SEE  the podcast! Let us know what you think and enjoy gnome facts, england traditions, seasonal snacks, a story from ChatGPT, and more! CONNECT WITH US Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or r...

These are the final days of harvest before winter comes and we're all in the same boat. What do we do with our bountiful harvest? We'll also dive into harvesting more than just food and how you can bring the beauty of nature into your homes. 03:10 | What to with your harvest 39.20 | Question of the Week - Effectiveness of UV light on ripening veggies SHOW NOTES, INCLUDING LINKS AND PHOTOS...

What does your autumn to-do list look like? Let's go over it together and discuss how the work you do now in the garden will greatly benefit you come spring. ************************* CONNECT WITH US Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! ⁠⁠⁠Lea...

This week, the gardeners chat about spring flowers - what?! Yes, why do we plant spring flowering bulbs in the fall, how do we plant them, and are they really worth it? ************************* CONNECT WITH US Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!...

This week, the gardeners are chatting about our indoor companions and how we can prepare them for the colder months ahead. Lighting, watering, repotting, fertilizing —these factors can make all the difference between a thriving plant and one that's merely surviving. If you're a beginner, we'll highlight some forgiving, and not so forgiving, options that will set yourself up for success...

This week, the gardeners are embracing autumn from the perspective of our towering trees and steadfast shrubs that deserve attention this time of year. We're excited to have Jean Mathieu-Daoust back on the show to help us prepare these arboreal wonders for the winter months ahead. How should we approach watering, fertilizing, harvesting and pruning this time of year? Truth be told, the care yo...

As the days grow shorter and a chill fills the air, our focus turns to putting our gardens to bed including our lawns. You may have been facing summer water restrictions and are hoping to breathe some life into tired grass. You may have put the pool and lawn furniture away and noticed your lawn is looking a little flat. The good news is it's the best time work on your lawn. We'll discuss f...

W e're embracing the changing seasons and exploring the wonderful realm of autumn annuals and perennials.  Get ready to unlock the secrets of preparing your steadfast perennials for the impending winter chill. We'll share essential tips and tricks to ensure your garden's most cherished inhabitants brave the frost with grace and emerge even more vibrant next spring.   We'll also delve into the worl...

Have you ever wondered how to expertly split that overcrowded clump of daylilies or hostas? Curious about the reasons why dividing perennials is essential for their health and vigor? Get ready to unearth the secrets of perennial division and transplanting, and discover how to nurture your plants' growth for years to come. Ever wondered if the principles of perennial division can be applied to larg...

Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or just dipping your fingers into the soil for the first time, we've got a refreshing episode lined up for you. We'll be unraveling the mysteries of proper watering techniques, discussing just how much liquid love our leafy friends really need, and sharing a few chuckle-worthy mishaps that have left gardeners and plants alike a bit, well, waterlogged. From the...

In every gardener's journey, we encounter a plethora of tips, tricks, and age-old myths that have been passed down through generations. But have you ever wondered if those 'golden rules' are actually based on solid ground or merely sprouting from hearsay? Today, the gardeners will bring clarity to the muddy waters of gardening myths. *************************  In this weeks episode .... 00:00 | In...

Gardening is good for our health and our community. We are so fortunate to have our friend, and neighbour, Erin Neal on the podcast! Learn more about Erin's important work in community support and the impacts gardening has had on her and on her role with the Calgary Drop-in Centre. The partnership between Golden Acre and the Drop-in Centre is a beautiful one and hopefully will inspire a similar pr...

There are SOOOO many ways to design your ideal garden and this includes your grass. We know folks who looove a manicured lawn and take pride in caring for it all season long. I mean, there's an entire sub culture on YouTube dedicated to lawn mowing videos. On the flip side, we also know folks who prefer low maintenance and perhaps not to keep a lawn. Both are right answers and this is a judgement-...

What plants are you willing to eat? Would you eat a dandelion? A sugared pansy? A natural Sumac berry? If you're looking to become the next Bear Grylls, this episode will scratch the surface of the world of edible plants. Learn what to find, what to avoid, and how to prepare some of natures easter eggs! *************************  In this weeks episode .... 00:00 | Introduction 03:00 | Using Cedar...

What's the most common topic of conversation among gardeners? THE WEATHER! Yep, our gardens are always exposed to the elements, and every weather event from sun to rain to snow can have an impact...good and bad. Let's do what we gardeners do best. Let's talk about it! *************************  In this weeks episode .... 00:00 | Introduction 05:30 | Snow in the Garden 10:30 | Timing tasks around t...

What's your favourite symbol of Canada? The gardeners are nerding out on all the national symbols that represent our country. While our focus is plants and gardens, we digress... a lot. It's a lot of fun!     *************************  In this weeks episode .... 00:00 | Introduction 04:44 | Maple Trees in Canada 07:55 | National Animals  10:25 | National Sports  11:25 | National and Provincials Fl...