Flower Power Garden Hour - podcast cover

Flower Power Garden Hour

Marlene Simonwww.marlenesimon.net
Musings with people in the world of gardening, botany, horticulture and nature. Marlene takes her years of gardening experience, success and failures and turns it into an unpretentious, humorous listen. From organic vegetable gardening, houseplants, bee keeping, flowers, and everything in between -- this podcast covers it.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Flower Power Garden Hour 209: Flowers, with Amber Villarreal of Redhead Flowerbed

Have dreams of becoming a flower farmer or just want to grow flowers for yourself? I talk to Amber Villarreal of @redheadflowerbed all about her journey into the flower growing world. And of course she’ll discuss growing tips and her favorite flowers. You can find Redhead Flowerbed at: Website: redheadflowerbed.com Facebook: @RedheadFlowerbed Instagram: @redheadflowerbed Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon. To ask quest...

Jul 04, 202548 minEp. 209

Flower Power Garden Hour 208: July To Do List

It’s peak of summer and it’s hot. But believe it or not it is time for tasks to prep for fall. Bruce and I discuss what needs to be done in the garden now plus we answer questions on azaleas, tomatoes and more Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon. To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at [email protected] Find Marlene over on YouTube , Instagram and Facebook...

Jul 01, 202557 minEp. 208

Flower Power Garden Hour 207: June To Do List

It’s summer and it’s getting hot but there’s still plenty to do in the garden. My new co-host Bruce Ritter joins me to discuss what tasks you should be tackling in your garden. And no it’s not too late to plant tomatoes. Plus we answer your garden questions. Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon. To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at [email protected] Find Marle...

Jun 13, 20251 hr 25 minEp. 207

Flower Power Garden Hour 206: Purple tomato development with Norfolk Healthy Produce

A truly purple tomato - this is what Norfolk Healthy Produce has achieved. With beauty also comes big health benefits. Listen in as I talk to CEO Dr. Nathan Plumpton and head horticulturalist Ian Baker on what the process was to make this happen and how snapdragons are involved. You can find Norfolk Healthy Produce at: Website: norfolkhealthyproduce.com Facebook: @BigPurpleTomato YouTube: @bigpurpletomato Instagram: @bigpurpletomato Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by...

Mar 15, 202544 minEp. 206

Flower Power Garden Hour 205: Peaches and Nectarines with Ed Laivo of @ed_able_solutions

Fruit tree expert, Ed Laivo of @ed_able_solutions, gives his list of favorite peaches and nectarines for an extended growing season. Plus learn what cat-facing is and why it may be happening to your nectarines. This and more growing tips. You can find Ed at: Facebook: @”Ed”Able Solutions YouTube: @Ed_Able_Solutions Instagram: @ed_able_solutions Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon. To ask questions for future shows, subm...

Mar 07, 20251 hr 23 minEp. 205

Flower Power Garden Hour 204: March To Do List

It’s spring! LOTS of prep to do for the upcoming season. Time to sow seeds and prep beds for planting. It is time to plant: Broccoli – plants only Carrots Cauliflower- plants only Leeks Loose leaf lettuce Peas Potatoes Chores include: Sow tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, flowers inside Start flowers (sunflowers, strawflower, zinnias) Fertilize Compost Clean up, cut back Prune fruit trees Plant perennials Check irrigation Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing a...

Mar 01, 202524 minEp. 204

FPGH 203: Anthony Dal Ben, Be Water Smart #summerstrong competition

Anthony Dal Ben is one of the winners of the Be Water Smart #summerstrong competition. Winners of this competition transformed their once water loving lawns/gardens into yards that are water efficient but at that same time beautiful. For Anthony it was a family affair. Hear how not only did he transform his front lawn into a water wise landscape, he used this as an educational experience for his kids. Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Ga...

Nov 05, 202432 minEp. 203

FPGH 202: Elaine Fitzgerald, Be Water Smart #summerstrong competition

Elaine Fitzgerald is one of the winners of the Be Water Smart #summerstrong competition. Winners of the competition transformed their once water loving lawns/gardens into yards that are water efficient as well as beautiful. Listen in to hear how Elaine went from grass to a pollinator heaven. Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon. To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlen...

Oct 27, 202441 minEp. 202

Flower Power Garden Hour 201: Janelle Auyeung, Be Water Smart #summerstrong competition

Janelle Auyeung is one of the winners of the Be Water Smart #summerstrong competition. Winners of this competition transformed their once water loving lawns/gardens into yards that are water efficient, but at that same time beautiful. Hear the steps Janelle took to make her backyard a magnificent oasis of fruit trees, vegetables and flowers. Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon. To ask questions for future shows, submit ...

Oct 19, 202437 minEp. 201

FPGH 200: September To Do, Listener Q&A

It is the September To Do List – believe it or not, we are in full Fall prep time. Lots of cool weather vegetables to start planting, and tons of clean up and pruning. It was quite a hot summer and time may have been sparse in the garden, but it’s time to get the gloves on and get to work. Episode includes Listener Q&A. It is time to plant: Beets (seeds or plants) Bok choy (seeds or plants) Broccoli (plants) Brussel sprouts Cabbage (seeds or plants) Carrots (seeds) Cauliflower (plants) Celer...

Sep 18, 202431 minEp. 200

Flower Power Garden Hour 199: Mitigating HEAT issues

This episode is sponsored by bewatersmart.info . The heat getting to you? There’s a good chance it’s also impacting your plants. I discuss various heat related plant issues and ways to mitigate them. To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: · Facebook · Instagram · email Marlene at [email protected] Find Marlene over on YouTube , Instagram and Facebook...

Aug 04, 202435 minEp. 199

Power Garden Hour 198: Top 10 Favorite Drought Tolerant Plants

This episode is sponsored by bewatersmart.info . In this episode, I discuss 10 of my favorite drought tolerant plants. Even if you think you don’t have a green thumb, these plants will thrive in your garden with minimal water requirements. Plus, I include pollinator information. To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: · Facebook · Instagram · email Marlene at [email protected] Find Marlene over on YouTube , Instagram and Facebook...

Jun 30, 202435 minEp. 198

Flower Power Garden Hour 197: The Chocolate Botanist, Derek Haynes

In this episode, I have a great conversation with the Chocolate Botanist, Derek Haynes. Hear about his journey becoming a plant biologist as well about his mission to debunk misinformation on the internet. We discuss his “favorite” myths and how he handles the backlash he receives on social media. Derek is a plethora of educational and entertaining information -- links below can be found to his variety of media. Instagram: @thechocolatebotanist Website: thecrazybotanist.com Facebook: @thecrazybo...

Jun 15, 202455 minEp. 197

Flower Power Garden Hour 196: Soil science, with Robert Pavlis of Garden Fundamentals

Soil science can be a bit confusing. How long does it take for materials to be broken down, is it good practice to add microbes and what exactly are microbes? Robert Pavlis addresses these questions and more. Check out his new podcast Garden Fundamentals plus his impressive list of books including Soil Science for Gardeners and Compost Science for Gardeners. Check out more at his links below. Links below can be found to Robert’s vast expanse of media. · Podcast: Garden Fundamentals (available on...

Apr 03, 202457 minEp. 196

Flower Power Garden Hour 195: Montana gardening, with Theri Vasina L’Hirondelle

If I was picked up and dropped into a gardening zone relatively different than mine, it would be a huge steep learning curve. I love talking to gardeners from zones different than my zone 9b and it doesn’t get much different than zone 3. I have a fun and educational chat with Theri Vasina LHirondelle who grows amazing flowers and veggies in Montana. Theri can be found on Instagram at @backyard.impressions Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Powe...

Mar 09, 202448 minEp. 195

Flower Power Garden Hour 194: Aroids, with Bruce Ritter

Dieffenbachia, ‘pothos’, Monstera… a great majority of houseplants are in the Araceae family which most people shorten to just say Aroids. I discuss this broad family with UC Davis Botanical Conservatory volunteer extraordinaire Bruce Ritter. He has revamped our collection and he shares all his tips and tricks with us. Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon. To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: · Facebook · I...

Feb 20, 20241 hr 11 minEp. 194

Flower Power Garden Hour 193: February To Do List

Believe it or not, spring is around the corner. Here in NorCal, it is still wet with periods of cold, so one does have to be careful with working soil and protecting from potentially freezes. LOTS of prep to do for the upcoming season. It is time to plant: · Broccoli · Cabbage · Carrots · Cauliflower · Collards, swiss chard · Kale · Leeks · Loose leaf lettuce · Peas · Potatoes….late in the month Chores include: · Sow tomatoes inside · Start flowers (sunflowers, strawflower, zinnias, etc) · Direc...

Feb 08, 202435 minEp. 193

Flower Power Garden Hour 192: December To Do, Listener Q&A

It’s here – the last To Do list of the year. So far it has been a mild winter, with regards to both temperature and moisture. It is the time to plant another round of winter vegetables, work on pest management, and start planning for your spring garden. We are at the apex of short days, so time to work is limited. Episode includes Listener Q&A, with topics listed below. It is time to plant: · Asparagus · Bok choy · Kale · Onion sets · Radish Chores include: · Cut back garden, clean up · Watc...

Dec 24, 202342 minEp. 192

Flower Power Garden Hour 191: Kids gardening literature, with author Collin Pine

How do we ensure the next generations become stewards of the land? Of course exposing them to nature and getting them outdoors but also having conversations and reading with them. I talk with author, Collin Pine, about his children’s book ‘The Garden Next Door’ and how its message is more important than ever. Collin’s latest book is called “ The Garden Next Door’ ” Collin can be found at: · Instagram: @collin.pine · River Horse Books To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: · Facebook ...

Nov 19, 202338 minEp. 191

Flower Power Garden Hour 190: Gardening can be Murder (in literature), with author Marta McDowell

Gardening can be murder... that is what a lot of people who claim to have a brown thumb think. But in this case, I’m discussing murder mystery books and their links to gardening. Author, Marta McDowell, joins me to discuss her new book “Gardening Can Be Murder: How poisonous Poppies, Sinister Shovels and Grim Gardens Have Inspired Mystery Writers’. We discuss historical detectives who a passion for plants, methods of murder as well as my favorite topic… poisonous plants! Marta’s latest book exte...

Nov 08, 202353 minEp. 190

Flower Power Garden Hour 189: Trees, with Arborist Pamela Sanchez of the Sacramento Tree Foundation

Trees -- we all know how important they are. But what are the best trees for zone 9? How exactly do you properly plant, stake and water a new tree? Pamela Sanchez -- Certified Arborist and Education Programs Manager for the Sacramento Tree Foundation -- joins me to discuss these topics and more. Pamela and the Sacramento Tree can be found at: · Website: sactree.org · Instagram: @sactree · Facebook: @Sacramento Tree Foundation To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: · Facebook · Instag...

Oct 21, 20231 hr 3 minEp. 189

Flower Power Garden Hour 188: October To Do, Listener Q&A

It is the October To Do List, and that means it is a very busy time in the garden. Clean up from summer vegetables and prepping for fall and winter. The days are cooler, but shorter – which means you have to work efficiently and hard. Episode includes Listener Q&A, with topics listed below. It is time to plant: · Fava beans · Beets · Bok choy · Carrots · Celery · Swiss chard · Collards · Garlic · Kale · Kohlrabi · Leeks · Lettuce · Onions · Peas · Radish · Spinach · Turnips · All perennials,...

Oct 04, 202339 minEp. 188

Flower Power Garden Hour 187: Seeds, with Jennifer Jewell of Cultivating Place podcast

Seeds. As gardeners we sow them, order them, harvest them, and sometime try to prevent them. Author and gardener Jennifer Jewell delves even deeper into the science and importance of seeds in her new book ‘What We Sow’. We discuss her inspiration for the book and talk about why seeds are so important in our ecosystem, cultures and overall survival as humans. Jennifer Jewell, Cultivating Place and her new book ‘What We Sow’ can be found at: · Book: What We Sow · Website: Cultivating Place · Insta...

Sep 27, 202358 minEp. 187

Flower Power Garden Hour 186: Firesafe and water wise gardening, with Soleil Tranquilli of Tranquill Gardens

As a plant person with minimal design skills, I’m in awe of people with both skill sets. In this episode I talk to Soleil Tranquilli about how she combines her artistic design ability with her wealth of plant knowledge to create firesafe, water wise and tranquil gardens. She is the owner of Tranquill Gardens as well as being a Certified watershed Wise Landscape Pro and the president of the Sacramento Association of Professional Landscape Designers. Soleil and Tranquill Gardens can be found at: ·...

Sep 11, 20231 hr 11 minEp. 186

Flower Power Garden Hour 185: September To Do, Listener Q&A, Horticulture News

It is the September To Do List – believe it or not, we are in full Fall prep time. Lots of cool weather vegetables to start planting, and tons of clean up and pruning. Summer may have been easy in the garden, but it’s time to get the gloves on and get to work. Episode includes Listener Q&A and a discussion around current published articles in the horticulture world. It is time to plant: Beets Carrots Broccoli Brussel sprouts Cauliflower Cabbage Celery Swiss chard Collards Garlic Leek Lettuce...

Sep 02, 202344 minEp. 185

Flower Power Garden Hour 184: Passion vines and houseplant care, with Justin Hancock of Costa Farms

You can say that my guest, Justin Hancock, is passionate about passion vines! But he is also passionate about anything that grows. As a horticulturalist for one of the top nurseries, Costa Farms, he gets to surround himself with all types of plants. We discuss, of course, passion vines as well as houseplant care. Justin and Costa Farms can be found at: · Instagram: justinwhancock · Website: costafarms.com · Instagram: costafarms · Facebook: Costa Farms · Twitter: @CostaFarms · YouTube: @CostaFar...

Aug 26, 20231 hr 25 minEp. 184

Flower Power Garden Hour 183: August To Do, Horticulture News, Listener Q&A

It is the August To Do List, and we are having a gorgeous summer that is offering up IDEAL garden conditions. Vegetable and fruit harvests are bountiful, but there is prep work for fall piling up. It is time to: Plant seeds in ground, including: beets, cabbage, carrots, turnips, potatoes Prep garden beds for Fall planting in September: Weed, compost Chores include: Dead-head flowers Pick up fallen fruit Cut off suckers Prevent weeds from going to seed Collect seeds Harvest melons Order fall bulb...

Aug 12, 20231 hr 5 minEp. 183

Flower Power Garden Hour 182: Replace your lawn with a cacti/succulent garden, with Gianluca Bacci

Want to replace your lawn with a cacti/succulent garden? Here’s how. My coworker and succulent grower extraordinaire, Gianluca Bacci, joins me to discuss succulent growing tips. We talk about major do’s and don’ts of succulent care plus why the saguaro cacti of Arizona are dying. Gianluca can be found at: · Instagram: marinsect_gianluca To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: · Facebook · Instagram · email Marlene at [email protected] Find Marlene over on YouTube , Instagr...

Aug 03, 20231 hr 2 minEp. 182

Flower Power Garden Hour 181: Balcony gardens, with Deborah Holtschlag of PlantTraps

Many of us walk around with ideas/inventions in our head but don’t follow through with them for numerous reasons. In this episode, I talk with inventor/founder of PlantTraps, Deborah Holtschlag, about how she came up with an idea and ran with it. We discuss her products that turn balconies into amazing gardens as well as her journey from idea to market. Links below can be found to Deborah and PlantTraps. · Website: planttraps.com · Instagram: planttraps · Facebook: planttraps · YouTube: @planttr...

Jul 29, 202347 minEp. 181

Flower Power Garden Hour 180: July To Do & Listener Q&A

It is the July To Do List, and we are in the HEAT of summer. Garden work is relegated to morning and (maybe) late afternoon given the blistering temperatures. Luckily, it is not the busiest time of the year garden wise – hopefully most of your time is spent harvesting vegetables. Plenty to do still from a maintenance perspective, and believe it or not….some early prep for Fall/Winter. It is time to: · Sow seeds indoors for brussel sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli Chores include: · Deep water trees...

Jul 16, 202340 minEp. 180
Hosted on Libsyn
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android
Open in Metacast