The Dallas Garden School

Coco coir is everywhere these days—from seed-starting kits to trendy potting mixes. It's often hailed as a sustainable alternative to peat moss, but is it really as eco-friendly and effective as it sounds? In this episode, North Texas gardening expert and educator Callie Works-Leary breaks down what coco coir actually is, why it’s become so popular, and the major drawbacks you need to know before...

Are mysterious holes appearing in your garden plants overnight? You're not alone—and chances are, caterpillars are the culprits. In this episode, we're diving into how to identify caterpillar damage, recognize the most common garden offenders, and take simple, effective action to protect your plants—without harming the rest of your garden ecosystem. Whether you're growing kale, tomatoes, or flower...

In this episode, Callie answers a thoughtful question from a student named Paula, who’s puzzled by a common indoor seed-starting dilemma: why did most of her tomato and pepper seedlings thrive—except for two specific heirloom tomato varieties? Callie dives deep into: The difference between heirloom and hybrid seeds Why some varieties (or even specific strains) may underperform How small difference...