Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Uli Lorimer and Michael Piantedosi of Native Plant Trust to tackle all of the hard questions that we encounter in the environmental realm. Topics include What is a native plant, should we be planting for climate change, is it possible to over produce a rare native plant, and are our views of restoration flawed. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow Native Plant Trust Here . Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346...
Nov 29, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 238
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There is a lot of follow up this week! “That’s Hot” leads to a tasty treat. “This or That” sows seeds and keeps the leaves. “Take it of Leaf it” has Tom and Fran on the same page...we think. Did we give you a shoutout this week? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. That’s Hot – Fran’s Plant / Tom’s Plant Read Fran’s Article / Read Tom’s Article Visit Hoppy Valley Farm Here . Have a question or a co...
Nov 22, 2024•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 237
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Toshi Yano of Perfect Earth Project to talk about promoting nature-based, toxic-free land care practices for the health of people, their pets, and the planet. Topics include a brief history of Perfect Earth Project, How awareness has changed over the last ten years, key strategies for education, and what the next ten years may look like. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow Perfect Earth Project Here . Have a questio...
Nov 15, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 236
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Tom and his wife had a baby!!! A little birdy told me that there was a new book giveaway! “That’s Hot” gets a little nutty. “This or That” restores and connects. Tom gets Petty this week. “Take it of Leaf it” leaves us ankle deep and "Grow Read a Book" makes a triumphant return. Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. That’s Hot – Fran’s Plant / Tom’s Plant Read Fran’s Article / Read Tom’s Article Hav...
Nov 08, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 235
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick share one of their favorite episodes of The Native Plants Healthy Planet Podcast. Tune in to find out about the special occasion. Tom and Fran spoke with Sam Droege (Wildlife Biologist, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center) from The Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab back in episode 7 to discuss the decline of native bees, the importance of native flora and fauna, recognizing the significance of specialist bees, if dandelions have merit, and unpopular op...
Nov 01, 2024•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 234
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Bob Williams of Pine Creek Forestry to talk about Atlantic White Cedar habitat and the NJ Pine Barrens. Topics include a brief history and cultural uses of the Pine Barrens, the importance of stewardship and old growth forests, what makes Atlantic White Cedar habitat unique and restoration efforts in NJ to preserve it. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow Pine Creek Forestry here . Have a question or a comment? Call ...
Oct 25, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 233
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz and reflect on a wonderful ASLA National Conference. We pick a winner for an autographed copy of From Wasteland to Wonder by Basil Camu. “That’s Hot” could be your yard. “This or That” sounds like restoration. Tom gets Petty this week. “Take it of Leaf it” is a long process. Are you listening until the end for our secrets? It's a big one! Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. That’s Hot – Fran’s Plan...
Oct 18, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 232
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with David Hoffman (Chief Operating Officer) and Stephen Gillis (Sales and Customer Service Manager) from Hoffman Nursery live from the floor of the ASLA 2024 Conference in Washington D.C.. Topics include the history of Hoffman Nursery, the intricacies of transitioning a family business to the next generation, managing growth both internally and externally, and the larger role that native plants are taking in the nursery industry. Music by Egocentric Pl...
Oct 11, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 231
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Are you going to the ASLA Conference in Washington D.C.? Visit Tom and Fran in their booth and hear Fran talk! Remember to enter for a chance to win an autographed copy of 'From Wasteland to Wonder' by Basil Camu. “That’s Hot” is for the generalists. “This or That” listens and compromises. “Take it of Leaf it” needs a sign. Fran wins a major award. Are you listening until the end for our secrets? Intro music by RJ ...
Oct 04, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 230
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Deborah Rosenthal, (Listener and Owner of Best Hope Farm) to discuss her journey into native plants. Topics include the change from city to country, going down the restoration rabbit hole, mistakes and lessons learned along the way, the importance of help and collaboration, and how native plants can inspire change in your community. The episode ends with another of Fran's therapy sessions. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennet...
Sep 27, 2024•1 hr 53 min•Ep. 229
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz and reflect on a wonderful Eastern Native Grasslands Symposium. Have you listened to see if you have won our Native Spice Contest? Tom and Fran give away not one, not two, but THREE copies of Heather Holm's books. “That’s Hot” is a rarity this week. “This or That” deals with datasets and whistleblowers. “Take it of Leaf it” is pretty common this week. Are you listening until the end for our secrets? Intro music by R...
Sep 20, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 228
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Dwayne Estes of the Southeastern Grasslands Initiative and Kyle Lybarger of The Native Habitat Project live at the Eastern Native Grasslands Symposium at Live! Casino and hotel in Philadelphia, PA. Topics include what had happened since their last visit to the show, the importance of collaboration, relationships in the industry and industry events, the weight of being and influencer, and the balance or work life and home life. Music by Egocentric P...
Sep 13, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 227
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Have you listened to see if you have won our Native Spice Contest? You still have time to enter to win a book by Heather Holm. “That’s Hot” is very yellow this episode. “This or That” deals with Hell Strips and Weeds. We got a phone call!!! Can you spot our “Take it of Leaf it”. Are you listening until the end for our secrets? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Register for the Eastern Native Gra...
Sep 06, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 226
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Basil Camu, (Chief Vision Officer & Wizard of Things at Leaf and Limb, Author of 'From Wasteland to Wonder') to discuss everything tree related. Topics include what inspired Basil to change his business from cutting down trees to saving them, common myths associated with trees and soil, the benefits of arborist chips, inspiration for writing a book and giving it away, and his non-profit Project Pando and the incredible work they do. Find out ho...
Aug 30, 2024•1 hr 43 min•Ep. 225
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. It's been a while. How is everyone doing? Tom and Fran follow up on an old contest, pick the winner of a current contest, and announce their next contest. “That’s Hot” deals with recent finds for Tom and Fran. “This or That” shines the light on the native plant community. Tom shares his experience at the most recent Perennial Plant Association conference. “Take it of Leaf it” is a non-contributor. Are you listening...
Aug 23, 2024•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 224
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Joe Lamp'l, (TV Host, Author, Podcast Host and more) to discuss who is Joe Gardener. Topics include Joe's beginnings, how ecology has changed his personal beliefs and his projects over time, the rising awareness of native plants, influences that have helped shape the landscape, negatives in the native plant movement, and view on 'Nativars'. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow Joe Lamp'l here . Register for the Easte...
Aug 16, 2024•1 hr 43 min•Ep. 223
Tom and Fran travel to Ohio to attend the green industry event Cultivate but take a detour on the way to visit three Ohio pocket along the way with former guest Austin Miller of Birdsong Landscapes. Learn of their history and listen in on our conversations with this special Secret Tapes edition of The Native Plants Healthy Planet Podcast. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men. Outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow Birdsong Landscapes - TikTok / Instagram / Facebook Have a question or a comment? Call (21...
Aug 09, 2024•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 222
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick share one of their favorite episodes of The Native Plants Healthy Planet Podcast to help bring you into the Summer Season. Tom and Fran spoke with Dr. Stanley Temple (Senior Fellow and Science Advisor) of The Aldo Leopold Foundation back in episode 100 to discuss the topic of Land Ethics. Topics include understanding the fundamentals of Land Ethic as proposed by Aldo Leopold, what has changed in the last seventy years, the creation of The Aldo Leopold Foundatio...
Aug 02, 2024•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 221
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. We have two winners!!! Tom and Fran announce their next contest. "Tom's Petty" makes its triumphant return. “That’s Hot” explores the Ohio prairies. “This or That” will shine a light on a few issues. Tom and Fran discuss the Eastern Native Grassland Symposium and also Cultivate. "Take it of Leaf it" is brought to you by a listener question. Are you listening until the end for our secrets? Intro music by RJ Comer, O...
Jul 26, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 220
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Brandon Hough, Executive Director of Homegrown National Park, to discuss what's new at HNP. Topics include Brandon's journey to HNP, how HNP has changed over the years, what the future of HNP looks like and how you can help get them there. Brandon also shares some of his favorite success stories and heroes. Did someone say New Contest!?! Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow Homegrown National Park here . Register for...
Jul 19, 2024•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 219
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Let's talk about future contests! What does nursery need to do to get their Nursery Certificate? Listen in to find out. “That’s Hot” explores a plant that neither Tom or Fran picked. “This or That” will cool your jets on and get you thinking about habitat. “Listener Shout Outs” fixes a problem while “Grow Read a Book” highlights a problem. Are you listening until the end for our secrets? Intro music by RJ Comer, Ou...
Jul 12, 2024•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 218
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with author Tama Matsuoka Wong to discuss how to garden like a forager. Topics include what foraging looks like in different countries and cultures, discovering your middle ground, finding value in what many consider weeds, understanding uses for native plants and not just edibility, and toasting with a native plant mocktail. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow Tama Matsuoka Wong here . Have a question or a comment? Call...
Jul 05, 2024•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 217
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Who wound Fran up? Have you entered our contest! We have Prickly Pear updates! “That’s Hot” explores some new mentions on the podcast. “This or That” will leave you speeding through the tall grass. There are a ton of “Listener Shout Outs"! "Grow Read a Book" makes a triumphant return. Are you listening until the end for our secrets? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Register for the Eastern Nati...
Jun 28, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 216
Happy Pollinator Week! Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with author Heather Holm to celebrate our native bees and wasps. Topics include debunking popular myths about native bees and wasps, diving deep into specialist bees and parasitoid wasps, exploring soft landings and native plants, and how you can do your part helping native bees. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow Heather Holm here . Learn more about American Beauties Native Plants here . Have a q...
Jun 21, 2024•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 215
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Let's toast Tom's Birthday! Tom has other news as well! Have you entered our new contest! “That’s Hot” involves one plant that will keep mosquitos away and one plant that will keep you away. “This or That” exposes some of the risks from native plant awareness and green growth. There are a ton of “Listener Shout Outs!” Are you listening until the end for our secrets? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Benn...
Jun 14, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 214
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Shubber Ali (CEO - Garden for Wildlife) to discuss helping homeowners create wildlife habitats. Topics include the history of Garden for Wildlife and how their mission has changed over the years, making it easier for homeowners to find native plants, programs for non-profit organizations, ways that Garden for Wildlife give back, and Shubber's unique journey into ecology. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow Garden fo...
Jun 07, 2024•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 213
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Were you talking about us? Tom and Fran discuss the current state of the podcast. There's also a new contest! “That’s Hot” involves two plants you may not have in your yard. “This or That” cuts to the waste. There are a ton of "Listener Shout Outs!" What are the most controversial episodes of Native Plants Healthy Planet? Are you listening until the end for our secrets? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave ...
May 31, 2024•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 212
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Joey Santore (Crime Pays but Botany Doesn't and Kill Your Lawn) and Al Scorch (Kill Your Lawn) to talk about killing your lawn. Rants include vacuum cleaners, common names, college students, turf, and you will learn a lot about native plants and ecology. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow Kill Your Lawn / Crime Pays but Botany Doesn't Here . Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189. Follow Native Plants He...
May 24, 2024•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 211
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. We have great news! Listen up for our disclaimer. Tom spoils Fran with more gifts. "That's Hot" involves cordial and foam. "This or That" gives you the short and the long of it. Are you listening until the end for our secrets? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Read Fran's Article / Read Tom's Article Learn more about TrueBlew Natives here . Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189 Have ...
May 17, 2024•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 210
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Bob Blew (Vice President - Centerton Nurseries) to discuss TrueBlew Natives. Topics include the history of Centerton Nurseries, the inspiration for TrueBlew Natives, the role of native plants in ornamental nurseries, how nurseries factor into to agriculture in the state of NJ, and the future of native plants in the retail market place. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Learn more about TrueBlew Natives here . Have a ques...
May 10, 2024•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 209
