The Horticulturati

We dive into the "seeds from China" story and discuss the implications and ramifications in the context of the political moment, which brings us back to an endlessly debatable question: is garden "nativism" xenophobic?  Visit us and drop a line here. And check out the Central Texas Seed Savers to learn about how you can get involved in sharing seeds. To hear the story behind Central Texas Seed Sav...

Howdy, neighbor! In this episode, Colleen discusses architect Ross Chapin's idea of " pocket neighborhoods " -- residential blocks arranged around a shared green space, where small homes or apartments face a pedestrian-friendly commons, rather than facing the street.  We imagine how much more aesthetically pleasing and psychologically rewarding landscapes could be if we took vehicles, driveways, a...

Crape myrtles are blooming all over the place and Leah is DISGUSTED! What's triggering this Lagerstroemia phobia? Perhaps it's not about the crape myrtles, but rather the living demons of exurban hell ? Next, Colleen reports on a storied gourd that vine borers can't touch: the cushaw squash. Domesticated some time around the dawn of agriculture, the obscure cushaw took on special significance to A...

Please donate to The National Bail Fund Network ! On this Horticulturati, Colleen teaches us the best way to build a compost pile; Leah forages far and wide and lives to tell the tale.  Visit our website for images from this ep.   Mentioned:  The City of Austin's Home Composting Rebate Program; Mantis Compostumbler ; Soil , a novel by Jamie Kornegay ; The Telluride Mushroom Festival; The WIld Wisd...

On this episode, we bring you stories of adaptation and change. Leah has been studying up on butterfly holometabolism -- that is, complete metamorphosis -- with assistance from her niece, nephew, and Vladimir Nabokov. Colleen describes the history of Victory Gardens, from World War I to the present day, and outlines three ways to start a "pandemic garden" of your own. But first: we revisit the sle...

What's the deal with mulch? Why do we do it? Where does it come from? Mulch is a noun, a verb, and--for many--a pile of mystery. On this episode, we discuss mulch's history, weigh in on the bag vs. bulk debate, and call into question the whole practice. Roll up your sleeves and grab a shovel, because your hosts are ready to dump several cubic yards of mulch facts in your mind's driveway!  Mentione...

How is the global pandemic impacting local food systems? We interview @Hallie_Casey of Sustainable Food Center and   On To Grow On podcast to find out. We discuss food supply chains, how local farmers' markets are adapting, and who counts as "essential" workers during a Shelter in Place Order. Then we dig into a more fun topic: soil!  How do you know if your soil is healthy? What's the role of soi...

Best wishes to everyone! Here is a little plantastic escapism to entertain you. [We recorded this episode on 2/28 and added a little corona check-in intro on 3/21. Episode begins around 4:19.] Can plants "hear" music? What would plant-generated music sound like? On this episode, Leah and Colleen attend "The Secret Song of Plants," the release party for an album of the same name by music therapist...

How did the invention of time-lapse photography revolutionize our understanding of plants? Leah checks in with Charles Darwin and Barbara Streisand on this subject. Colleen tells us how to get certified through the International Society of Arboriculture, and brings us up to speed on some Facebook drama. But first, a garden update... It's been a bad year for the roses. Watch the videos we discuss a...

Shake off those umbrellas! On this episode, Austin-based garden designers Colleen Dieter and Leah Churner discuss Central Texas' climate and its consequences. Specifically, rain. And the lack thereof. Leah explains how longitude is destiny, and Colleen examines how "Xeriscape" became "Zeroscape." But first, a garden update: Leah's ripping out landscape fabric and Colleen has a misadventure with a...

On the premiere episode of The Horticulturati, Austin-based landscape designers Colleen Dieter and Leah Churner discuss the majesty of Joshua Trees and the thorns of Martha Stewart. But first, it's gardeners' corner: Colleen plants an orchard for wildlife and Leah buries cardboard to build soil.   Email us at info@horticulturati.com and visit us at www.horticulturati.com . Our theme song is "Plant...

The Horticulturati is a new gardening talkshow co-hosted by designers Leah Churner and Colleen Dieter. Visit us at www.horticulturati.com