Shade Cloth Basics (1:45) Fall Lawn Care, Organically (18:42) Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and TRANSCRIPTS at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net . Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout Pictured: Shade Cloth on Blackberries at Fair Oaks Horticulture Center Links: Subscribe to the free, Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter https://gardenbasics.substack.com Aug. 25, 2023 Newsletter: Tomatoes Not Ripening? Blame the...
Aug 25, 2023•45 min•Season 4Ep. 34
Despite the triple digit temperatures of late August and early September, this is the time to be planning your fall garden, including starting the seeds of some of the healthiest, most nutritious vegetables that you can grow. America’s favorite retired college horticultural professor, Debbie Flower answers the fall garden questions of a college student who wants to try to grow a cool season garden for the first time. And, nursery owner Don Shor talks about the best varieties of vegetables to try...
Aug 18, 2023•51 min•Season 4Ep. 33
Wherever you garden, you have had to endure days and days of sizzling summer temperatures. Your garden is trying to survive those heat waves, as well. Today, Debbie Flower and I have tips for getting your garden through triple digit heatwaves and a lot more. Recorded live at the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center in Sacramento on August 5, 2023. • Why you don’t want to use garden soil in containers. (7:02) • The best potting mix to use for a container plant. (8:48) • What’s happening to the roots of ...
Aug 11, 2023•53 min•Season 4Ep. 32
You’re looking at your crowded kitchen counter and wondering, what the heck are we going to do with all these tomatoes, peppers and zucchini? Hey, you grew it, now eat it! Today, we explore tasty recipes for your abundant summer harvest. (01:31) Also, we have tips for sharpening your garden tools. (16:00) And, we explore one ingredient of fertilizer, phosphorus. Is it radioactive? (25:01) It’s all in today’s episode, number 277, You Grew It, Now Eat It: Summer Harvest Recipes We’re podcasting fr...
Aug 04, 2023•50 min•Season 4Ep. 31
If you’re currently growing roses in containers, or are thinking of adding a few potted roses to your patio or balcony, this is the episode for you. • We get the tips from a professional rose grower, Ben Hanna, owner of HeirloomRoses.com (at 1:22). • Also, Master Rosarian Debbie Arrington solves some tree rose woes for a listener ( 27:30). • And, I chat with a local garden club about the need to keep an eye on soil temperatures in container plants during the summer, with tips for cooling them of...
Jul 28, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Season 4Ep. 30
Those aren’t little white flowers on your woody perennials and shrubs. Look closer. What is it? It’s not a flower, it looks and feels like a wad of spit! That would be the cocoon for the aptly named spittlebug. What’s a gardener to do about this pest which can be found throughout North America? America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture professor, Debbie Flower tackles that and more of your yuck-inducing garden questions, including: should you eat green potatoes? Why does my boxwood shrub s...
Jul 21, 2023•38 min•Season 4Ep. 29
America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture professor, Debbie Flower and myself tackle more of your garden questions today. Have you ever wondered, or even tried, planting into a container filled with straight compost? It might work for awhile, but eventually, you’re going to have problems. We have solutions to that issue. Gardeners and homeowners in just about any section of the country that has faced a drought may be rethinking their water-thirsty lawns. Is there a successful turf substitu...
Jul 14, 2023•46 min•Season 4Ep. 28
It could be one of the prettiest insects you’ll ever see. It could also be one of the most voracious insects to find in your garden or on your farm. And right now it’s spreading throughout the eastern United states and into the midwest. It’s the spotted lanternfly. What does it look like? What crops can it overtake? How do you control the spotted lanternfly? Also, Debbie Flower and I tackle more of your garden questions, such as how do you plant in mulch? (Carefully). Is there a trick to success...
Jul 07, 2023•46 min•Season 4Ep. 27
Today, America’s Favorite retired college horticultural professor, Debbie Flower and myself tackle your garden questions. And they are all about bugs: Aphids, wasps, gnats, drain flies and for some people - especially if they are allergic to them - bees. And that one serves as an introduction to one of the more vexing questions we received: are there any plants to repel bees? It’s all in today’s episode 272, Questions and Answers about Bugs. We’re podcasting from Barking Dog Studios here in the ...
Jun 30, 2023•43 min•Season 4Ep. 26
11 Tips for Garden Success, recorded live, at the Lincoln Hills/Sun City (CA) garden club, May 2023. • All Gardening is Local. (6:04) • Know Your Soil. (10:27) • Right Plant, Right Place. (20:47) • Mulch, Mulch, Mulch. (23:13) • Mother Nature Bats Last. (26:38) • What's Old is New Again. (32:06) • Everything You Know is Wrong. (38:37) • If It Works for You, Fine. But Keep An Open Mind. (42:40) • Read and Follow All Label Directions. (43:44) • Life is Too Short to Put Up with a Problem Plant. (46...
Jun 23, 2023•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 25
Ready to discover the world of dragonflies and learn how they can benefit your garden? Join us as we chat with Pat Murphy, a Placer County Master Gardener and dragonfly enthusiast, who shares her wealth of knowledge on these incredible insects. With a 95% success rate as predators and the ability to control mosquito populations, dragonflies are a gardener's best friend. We'll also hear from America's favorite retired college horticultural professor, Debbie Flower, as she teaches us how to up-pot...
Jun 16, 2023•38 min•Season 4Ep. 24
Imagine reducing the risk of high cholesterol, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease with a simple change in your diet and lifestyle. Join us as we discuss the incredible connection between a whole food, plant-based diet and better brain health, with expert insights from Dr. Laura Varich of FreshPhysician.com. Dive into the power of leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, and microgreens, and how they can help protect our brains from cognitive decline. We also take a closer look at the potential health ...
Jun 09, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 4Ep. 23
Tired of pesky ants ruining your garden beds and invading your home? Join us as we chat with Debbie Flower, America's favorite retired college horticultural professor, who shares her personal formula for getting rid of these unwanted pests. We'll uncover the secrets of boric acid ant bait and explore why it's crucial for it to reach the queen in order to wipe out the entire colony. We also have a conversation with Master Food Preserver and State Fair Food Judge, Wendy Rose. Discover how to save ...
Jun 02, 2023•35 min•Season 4Ep. 22
• Have you ever wondered how to attract more birds to your yard? We have a tip to bring more birds, using sound. (07:28) • Thinking of removing all or part of your lawn to save water, or expand your garden? Now’s the time to take action, and we will show you how. (10:05) • Are there cures for common tomato problems, such as flower drop or blossom end rot? Yes, and no. We explain. (20:02) • How much should you water your lawn or garden? (40:01) “We”, would be myself and America’s Favorite Retired...
May 26, 2023•44 min•Season 4Ep. 21
According to one recent national poll of backyard gardeners, cucumbers are the second favorite crop for growing. In a poll conducted by the National Gardening Association, 86% of gardeners cited growing tomatoes as their favorite, and cucumbers came in number 2. We’ve talked about tomatoes extensively on this podcast. But, how do you grow and enjoy cucumbers? We’ve got the varieties, the growing techniques, the harvesting tips and advice on how to get rid of the bitterness of certain cucumbers. ...
May 19, 2023•54 min•Season 4Ep. 20
Proper soil moisture is necessary for healthy plant growth. Do you know how moist your garden soil is right now? What are the easiest, best ways to determine the moisture level of your soil? How do you install a drip irrigation system on a raised garden bed, which has a totally different moisture pattern than your in-ground garden? How do you pick a soil moisture meter or a soil probe? Don't forget that your choice of fertilizers plays a part in proper irrigation. And we talk with a Master Garde...
May 12, 2023•43 min•Season 4Ep. 19
What are America's Top 10 homegrown vegetables? Last week, in Episode 263, we covered the first five, including tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers, beans and carrots. Today, in Part 2, Master Gardener and vegetable expert Gail Pothour and I talk about summer squash, onions, hot peppers, lettuce and peas, along with growing advice for each one, our favorite varieties, and tips for having more backyard success with those vegetables. Also, Organic Gardening Instructor Steve Zien discusses the benef...
May 05, 2023•43 min•Season 4Ep. 18
Today: It's America’s Top homegrown vegetables. Master Gardener and vegetable expert Gail Pothour and I talk about them, along with growing advice for each one, including our favorite varieties. We actually got into such detail about each, we have to divide this chat into two episodes: today’s and next week’s Garden Basics podcasts. So today, we are talking tomatoes (no surprise there that is America’s favorite vegetable to grow) as well as cucumbers, sweet peppers, beans and carrots. Next week:...
Apr 28, 2023•43 min•Season 4Ep. 17
What is the most consumed vegetable in the United States? Potatoes! Oddly enough, it’s not even on the top 10 list of backyard garden vegetables. That’s too bad, because the potato varieties that are available for home gardeners are more colorful and flavorful than the varieties you’d find in a grocery store. We revisit a conversation we had with America’s favorite retired college horticulture professor, Debbie Flower, about growing potatoes. She has some tips about choosing potatoes and how to ...
Apr 21, 2023•42 min•Season 4Ep. 16
If you are unfamiliar with multi-budded fruit trees, and you have a small yard and you want a cornucopia of tasty fruit, then a multi-budded fruit tree may be right for you. We tackle a fruit tree question from a listener in Ohio who wants to know: "Is it better to buy a multi-budded fruit tree, or can I do it myself? And how do you graft branches onto a fruit tree?" That last question is better answered by watching a video (for which we have suggestions) or reading a book about fruit tree graft...
Apr 14, 2023•50 min•Season 4Ep. 15
Easter egg season is here, and many of you may be thinking, "Why bother painting those eggs? After all, there are breeds of hens that lay beautifully colored eggs. So, Let’s just get some baby chicks, raise the hens, and gather the colorful eggs. Plus, we’ll save money on omelettes!" Many farm supply stores now have those baby chicks in stock. Today, we back up a step or two and talk about what you should have on hand before you buy those baby chicks. You’ll learn about: • What do you feed a bab...
Apr 07, 2023•50 min•Season 4Ep. 14
It must be spring, and time for our annual tomato preview show! Today a couple of tomato heads, nursery owner Don Shor and myself, talk about growing tomatoes. Topics include: • The winning and losing tomato varieties of 2022 (remember, all gardening is local) 1:38 • Which tomato varieties we will be planting in 2023, varieties that are old and new. 9:31 • Advice for the first time tomato grower: Start Small. 20:25 • Thwarting Summer Diseases of tomatoes. 35:41 • Don’t plant your tomatoes too ea...
Mar 31, 2023•58 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Last September, in Episode 226, we presented 10 of the best quick tips for a successful garden. In this episode, we have 10 More Garden Quick Tips. We talk about: • Creating a front yard container garden that would be sure to slow down cars and walkers, using only three plants, that you could do now, in March or April. (at 3:02 of the podcast) • Is there a cheaper way to make seed starting mix. Brad Gates of Wild Boar Farms tomato fame, says, yes there is. (6:26) • Do you raise chickens? How do ...
Mar 24, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 4Ep. 12
Today, I’m joined by America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower, and we are going to spend the entire episode answering your garden questions. We will be going into mind-numbing detail as well as frivolous scenic bypasses over such queries as: What’s the easiest way to apply fertilizer around fruit trees when the area is covered with mulch? (1:24) What are some lawn alternatives that are low maintenance and drought tolerant? (12:16) Why aren’t my carrots sweet? Did ...
Mar 17, 2023•50 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Setting foot into the garden for the first time? Looking to expand your gardening horizons? Wondering where to begin? Start small…with container gardening. We talk with Pam Farley, author of the new book, “The First Time Gardener: Container Food Gardening.” Experienced gardeners will pick up handy tips, too. You’ll find out: • You’ll find out the best tools and implements to use to add drain holes in wood, ceramic, metal and terracotta pots. • Different pots have different shapes: square, round,...
Mar 10, 2023•43 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Since the name of the show is Garden Basics, let’s cover something that’s basic, but not necessarily easy or successful. America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower walks us step by step through the topic of how to repot a plant. It’s not as simple as you might think, and we offer tips to make sure your repotting efforts are more successful. Some T opics covered include: • What is a sure fire way of knowing your plant has overgrown the pot? It’s a habit you should ge...
Mar 03, 2023•48 min•Season 4Ep. 9
One joy of having a garden are aromatic plants. Annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees that emanate a pleasant smell while you’re walking through the yard, especially in the afternoon and evening. Shows for the nose. (1:21) We talk with New York- based aromatherapist Amy Anthony about the power that various aromatic plants can instill in us, making us happier, calmer and braver. Really! (40:05) Plus, Master Gardener and chef/instructor Andi MacDonald shares her recipe for vegan split pea soup, wh...
Feb 24, 2023•49 min•Season 4Ep. 8
What should you do when an unexpected heavy frost or freeze damages your plants? (4:25) How can mulch save you water? (8:32) Are those extra ingredients in fertilizers and potting soils worth the expense? (17:10) What’s a good soil recipe for starting seeds? (20:31) Why is soil pH important? (25:11) What’s a good soil mix for growing blueberries? (28:21) How can you get seeds to germinate more quickly? (29:30) How can you tell if those old seeds are any good? (31:36) What is an inexpensive way t...
Feb 17, 2023•52 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Guest: Quentyn Young, UC Master Gardener, Orchard Specialist, and Landscape Designer Topics: Winter vs Summer Fruit Tree Pruning (1:27) Tips for Improving Container Drainage (10:17) Unusual Cool Season Vegetables worth a try now (21:59) We’re podcasting from Barking Dog Studios here in the beautiful Abutilon Jungle in Suburban Purgatory. It’s the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots and Dave Wilson Nursery . Let’s go! Previous episodes, show notes, links, pr...
Feb 10, 2023•35 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Welcome to Part 4 of our four part series, 2022’s greatest hits of Garden Basics with Farmer Fred. The four parts include the top 10 most listened-to segments last year. In part 1, in Ep. 248 , we talked about how to grow tomatoes. In part 2, in Episode 249, we talked with "Grow Now" author Emily Murphy about a way to build your soil without having to purchase bags of potting mix. It’s called lasagna gardening. And we visited with Master Gardener Pam Bone, with good tips for growing raspberries ...
Feb 03, 2023•58 min•Season 4Ep. 5
