The Organic Gardener

Looking to exercise your green thumb before spring's arrival? Let Doug and Jess tell you how to get started pruning fruit trees, planting for privacy, starting seeds, and more.

Winter is a great time to think about pruning and get started with the job! Doug and Jess talk to callers about how to prune oaks, dogwoods and azaleas. They also offer tips on mixing your own potting soil and ordering summer-blooming bulbs.

Think spring with Dough and Jess. Learn along with their callers and discover how to grow sunflowers, prevent weeds, manage orchard pests and plant peas. 

Despite the frozen temperatures, there's lots to be done when it comes to caring for your indoor plants and preparing your garden for the coming season. Learn about grafting, testing seed viability, nurturing native bees and starting figs from cuttings.

Despite the chilly temperatures, it's time to talk tomatoes! Discover some varieties from expert breeders, and some all-time favorites from Doug and Jess. They also talk to callers about frost-cracking, the dangers of systemic pesticides, and protecting tender plants.

The winter storm hit Pittsburgh this weekend. Doug and Jess talk about how it's best to stay inside and advise gardners to leave the snow alone on their plants. Doug told Jess about the amazel basil that will be available this spring. They talk to callers about replanting Christmas trees and fungs on blue spruce trees. 

On today's show, Jessica runs down the best techniques and timing for winter pruning chores. She also discusses bulb forcing for indoor blooms and how to care for orchids through the winter. You'll also get seed-buying tips and tricks!

Our warm winter weather means an unusual opprotunity to spend time in the garden. Dough and Jess discuss winter prunting, dormont oil applications, and caring for houseplants. They also help callers with lawn seedings and other questions.

Seed catalogs are coming and Jess discusses how to select the best seeds for your garden. She also talks to callers about using manure safely, how to control Japanese knotweed and the possible benefits of grafted vegetable plants.

Doug is joined by Randy Soergel of Soregel's to talk about what got him interested in plants and horticulture. Steve Repasky talks beekeeping. Doug and Rob Pratte talk about holiday.

The holiday season is here. Doug and Jess hear from callers about who inspired them to garden. Plus, they answer questions about caring for poinsettias and paperwhites. Mrs. Know-It-All calls to discuss how wet the garden has been and how it can influence our plants. 

Looking for the perfect gift for the gardner in your life? Doug and Jess share some of their favorite tools for gift giving. They also talk to a caller about pruning dogwood trees and storing apples.

The holiday season is here! Doug and Jess talk to callers about Christmas cactus care, as well as tree pruning and garlic planting. They also cover bulb planting tips and pepper varieties. 

Jessica offers tips for selecting a healthy, long-lasting Christmas tree, caring for outdoor trees over the coming months, and protecting trees and shrubs from animal damage,

Doug and Jess tell you how tofind out.  They also help callers with advice on poinsettia care, watering houseplants, dealing with azalea lacebugs, and overwintering canna tubers.

Jess and Doug share advice on controlling ground ivy and other weeds in the lawn.  They also cover tips for managing tomato diseases, over wintering figs, and planting bulbs.

Learn what to do when deer rub the bark off your trees, plus Doug and Jess talk to callers about pruning forsythia and holly and moving plants indoors.

On today's show Jessica invites callers to share their garden stories.  She also talks to callers about the benefits of not cleaning up their gardens in the fall, how to deal with moss in the landscape, and growing asparagus.

Doug talks about closing up your garden with the late stages of fall and winter on the horizon. He also discusses deer-resistant bulbs.

Doug talks about keeping the deer away from your garden, using mushroom compost when you have to, and planting bulbs till we get that first frost.

Fall gardening tasks are starting to pile up. On today's show, Doug and Jess talk to callers about feeding rhododendrons, re-blooming amaryllis, and dividing hydrangeas. 

Doug and Jess share their favorite planting techniques, plus they talk to callers about iris borers, holly bushes, and rose pruning.  Plus, Rob from Davey Tree joins in the fun.

Doug and Jess talk about fall planting tips for trees,shrubs, perennials, and vegetables.  Jess also tells us how to raise monarch butterflies at home.  Listen to find out how to diagnose blight issues for tomatoes.

Doug and Jess talk to callers about what is happening in their gardens and what they need to do this time of year.  They are also joined by the People from Davey Trees to talk about taking care of the trees around your house and trying to Identify a listeners tree.

Jessica chats with callers about pruning, insects, and the importants of public gardens.  She also discusses tree care and trouble shooting.