Gardeners know that adding organic material to soil improves its fertility, but to understand the reasons why organic matter is such an effective soil amendment, it's necessary to get down to the molecular level. My guest this week, retired horticulture professor Debbie Flower, is here to offer a soil chemistry primer on cation-exchange capacity and how positive and negative charges in soil affect fertility. Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps any...
Oct 20, 2022•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Our understanding of the soil food web has increased rapidly in the 21st century as microscope technology improves and soil biology research continues, and this opens new doors for gardeners and farmers to employ organic solutions for healthier, more vigorous crops. To explain how soil bacteria play an irreplaceable role in our gardens, my guest this week is gardening columnist and author Jeff Lowenfels. Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyone ...
Oct 13, 2022•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Some of the most important and ecologically damaging chemicals used in agriculture historically — and still today, in some cases — have their origins in warfare. To share the fascinating history of how these chemicals became prevalent and how the environmental movement fought back, my guest this week is Frank von Hippel, a professor of environmental health sciences and author of “ The Chemical Age: How Chemists Fought Famine and Disease, Killed Millions, and Changed Our Relationship with the Ear...
Oct 06, 2022•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Beneficial insects that prey on pests can be a gardener’s best friend, but many of the predatory insects sold in stores and online are not the right choice for effective biological control. To clear up misconceptions about beneficial insects and explain the best way to get more in your garden to manage insect pests naturally, my guest this week is Suzanne Wainwright-Evans of Buglady Consulting. Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyone can do to ...
Sep 29, 2022•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tomatoes are one of the most well-traveled vegetables — or fruits — that there is and one of the most popular crops in home gardens, but after they were introduced to Europe, centuries went by when they were grown and admired — but not eaten. To dig into the fascinating history of tomatoes, from their origins to recent developments, my guest this week is William Alexander, the author of “Ten Tomatoes that Changed the World.” Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most im...
Sep 22, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Transcript available on Metacast Adam’s new book is “ The Seed Detective: Uncovering the Secret Histories of Remarkable Vegetables ,” and it’s all about our cultural relationship with garden crops. It’s written from Adam’s personal perspective, which makes it a fun and engaging read as he brings readers along on his adventures to uncover the history of 14 vegetables and how they have become embedded in food cultures. He also shares what saving rare and endangered seed varieties means to the future of our food supply. Download m...
Sep 15, 2022•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast To mark the release of my new book, “ The Vegetable Gardening Book ,” which hit shelves on Tuesday, for the podcast this week we’re going to turn the tables: My friend and frequent podcast guest Meg Cowden of Seed to Fork is going to interview me. Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyone can do to have a thriving garden or landscape. It’s what I still do today, without exception to get incredible results, even in the most challenging conditions....
Sep 08, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast Much of the United States is experiencing drought as of this writing and millions of Americans are facing water shortages right now or in the near future. I thought this week would be the perfect time to revisit my conversation with Charles Fishman, author of “ The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water .” Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyone can do to have a thriving garden or landscape. It’s what I still do today, withou...
Sep 01, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast There are myriad upsides to growing cool-season vegetables in fall, but too many gardeners miss out on this opportunity. The fact is, the vegetable gardening season is far from over when summer ends. To give you the knowledge and confidence you need to grow a fall vegetable garden successfully, this week I’m sharing an updated encore presentation of my comprehensive primer on how to do just that. Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyone can do t...
Aug 25, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast For earlier pops of color, a buffet for pollinators, and overall hardier plants, gardeners should be growing cool-season annuals — flowers that are started in fall or very early spring and bloom weeks or months earlier than heat-loving plants. To offer a primer on successfully planting and growing these flowers, my guest this week is flower farmer, teacher and author Lisa Mason Ziegler. Download my free worksheet Cool Flowers Planting Guide - A quick guide on how and when to plant hardy annuals ...
Aug 18, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast When touting the benefits of gardening, the first things to come to mind are often beautifying spaces and providing fresh produce to eat, but gardeners also enjoy physical, emotional and mental health benefits. To talk about self-sustaining regenerative gardens and the power of gardens to heal, my guest this week is Stephanie Rose, a Master Gardener and prolific writer on gardening and DIY. Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyone can do to have...
Aug 11, 2022•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast There is so much that we can learn about plant science to improve our understanding of how plants work, so gardener, writer and biochemist Robert Pavlis is back on the podcast this week for part two of our conversation on plant science for gardeners. Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyone can do to have a thriving garden or landscape. It’s what I still do today, without exception to get incredible results, even in the most challenging conditio...
Aug 04, 2022•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast A lack of space is one of the top reasons people give for not having a garden, but with a little knowledge and ingenuity, it’s possible to grow flowers, herbs and even vegetables in urban environments. Mark Ridsdill Smith has become a trusted authority on container gardening in small spaces, and he’s my guest this week, here to share his advice for getting started. Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyone can do to have a thriving garden or land...
Jul 28, 2022•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast I’m always encouraging gardeners to learn the “why do” behind the “how to,” because I believe gaining that understanding makes us better at what we do, and to help me do that this week, I’m welcoming back to the podcast Robert Pavlis, a garden myth buster who can break down the plant science behind good gardening. Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyone can do to have a thriving garden or landscape. It’s what I still do today, without exception...
Jul 21, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast The hardest part of growing a gorgeous flower garden that provides interest in all seasons is getting started. Until you’ve done it, you don’t know where to begin. Lucky for us, my guest this week, gardener, writer and educator Jenny Rose Carey, has a new book, The Ultimate Guide to Flower Growing, that walks readers through the steps to successfully combine various flower shapes, colors and textures to craft enviable gardens. Download my free Guide- 6 Steps to Creating a Three Season Cut Flower...
Jul 14, 2022•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s hard to pull ourselves away from our gardens at the height of the growing season, but summer is also prime time for vacation and we all need to take breaks periodically to unwind and reset. Here are steps you can take to prepare your garden so you can enjoy your vacation without ever having to worry about what’s happening to your plants while you’re away. Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyone can do to have a thriving garden or landscape...
Jul 07, 2022•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast The time that we take out of our busy days to spend in the garden is precious, and we should always strive to make it as productive and enjoyable as possible, especially during the very trying times of summer. This week, I’m sharing my tips for having a successful summer in the garden while reducing stress on your plants, and yourself! Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyone can do to have a thriving garden or landscape. It’s what I still do to...
Jun 30, 2022•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tomatoes enjoy warm weather, but they don’t like it too hot. Extended periods of heat can stress out plants and lead to a number of problems. Joining me on the podcast this week to discuss how to overcome the tomato-growing challenges that arise in high heat is tomato expert Craig LeHoullier. Download my free guide- Tomato Care Checklist. The key steps every gardener should take to minimize common tomato issues Subscribe to the joegardener® email list to receive weekly updates about new podcast ...
Jun 23, 2022•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast An old tree is a marvel to gaze upon but it’s the unseen things an ancient tree does in a forest that are truly astounding. To talk about the vital importance of “mother trees” in regenerative forest ecosystems, my guest this week is ecologist Suzanne Simard, Ph.D. Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyone can do to have a thriving garden or landscape. It’s what I still do today, without exception to get incredible results, even in the most chall...
Jun 16, 2022•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast Regenerative agriculture is one of the best tools we have at hand for combating climate change and increasing biodiversity, but convincing lawmakers, farmers and the public at large of its merits is a challenge. To discuss those merits and how regeneration works, my guest this week is Finian Makepeace of Kiss the Ground, an advocacy organization that promotes soil health as an integral part of the global effort to sequester more carbon. Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - t...
Jun 09, 2022•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you have been gardening for any amount of time, you’ve experienced how being with plants can bring great joy. My guest this week, self-professed plant killer turned plant lady Maria Failla, has penned a book that explores how and why plants lift our spirits, and she’s here to share the wellness benefits of raising houseplants and gardening. Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyone can do to have a thriving garden or landscape. It’s what I sti...
Jun 02, 2022•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast Native plants are all the rage right now — or all the buzz, considering how much pollinators love native flowers. But finding a nursery that sells the right native plants for your area can be a challenge. To explain why native plants are vital to wildlife and how we can find native plant collections that are the correct fit for our ecoregions, Mary Phillips of the National Wildlife Federation joins me on the podcast this week. Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most ...
May 26, 2022•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast When it comes to bees, everyone’s familiar with the iconic honeybee, but what many don’t realize is that honeybees are not native to North America. The 4,000 or so native bee species in the United States behave much differently than honeybee colonies and are generally not well understood. To educate us on the diversity of native bees, pollinator conservationist and author Heather Holm joins me on the podcast this week. Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most importan...
May 19, 2022•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Hydroponic gardening is a soil-free horticulture method for raising crops both indoors and out, and it’s a lot simpler than it appears to be. To share what you need to know to get started in hydroponics, my guest this week is Master Gardener and experienced hydroponic gardener Roger Sadowski. Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyone can do to have a thriving garden or landscape. It’s what I still do today, without exception to get incredible res...
May 12, 2022•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast PittMoss has emerged as an alternative to peat moss as a growing medium and potting mix — and that’s great news for gardeners who wish to break their peat habit in favor of a sustainable product. Here to explain what PittMoss is, how it’s made, and the advantages of using recycled materials is Dr. Charles Bethke, a horticultural soil and nutrition consultant. Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyone can do to have a thriving garden or landscape....
May 05, 2022•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast The insect apocalypse is negatively affecting the world in ways that we are only beginning to understand, and if we continue on our current path, insect decline and the loss of biodiversity across all types of animals and plants will not only continue but also accelerate. To help us understand the scope of the problem and explain ways we as gardeners can help reverse this trend, Professor Dave Goulson joins me on the podcast this week. Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - th...
Apr 28, 2022•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast When the history of American gardening is told, the contributions of Black Americans are often overlooked. My guest this week, horticulturist and writer Abra Lee, is working to rectify that, and she joins me to highlight a few of the little-known stories that deserve to be shared. Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyone can do to have a thriving garden or landscape. It’s what I still do today, without exception to get incredible results, even i...
Apr 21, 2022•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Coconut coir is growing in popularity as a seed starting and growing medium, especially, as a replacement for peat moss. But using coir for this purpose has its challenges. To shed light on the history of coir in horticulture and how its naturally high salt content can be overcome for seed starting and seedling growth, my guest this week is international agricultural consultant Dr. Hugh Allen Poole. Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyone can d...
Apr 14, 2022•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Carnivorous plants pique the interest of every gardener and houseplant hoarder at some point, but bringing a Venus flytrap home on a whim with no idea how to care for it will soon lead to disappointment. Fortunately, to explain how to keep carnivorous plants alive and thriving, my guest this week is International Carnivorous Plant Society Education Director Kenny Coogan, who runs a successful carnivorous plant nursery. Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most importan...
Apr 07, 2022•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast Gardening hurdles are those challenges that stop us from gardening as much as we’d like to — or that stop us from getting started in the first place. On this week’s podcast, I share advice on overcoming common gardening hurdles that listeners have shared. Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyone can do to have a thriving garden or landscape. It’s what I still do today, without exception to get incredible results, even in the most challenging con...
Mar 31, 2022•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
