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444-Home Permaculture: Turn Your Yard Into a Thriving Ecosystem

| Care, Podcast

Practicing permaculture doesn’t require a sprawling property of several acres. As my guest this week, Brandy Hall of Shades of Green Permaculture, explains, the benefits of permaculture can fit in urban and suburban settings. Brandy founded her regenerative landscape design/build company Shades of Green in 2008 in Avondale Estates, Georgia, in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. […]

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438-Essential Winter Tree Pruning Tips-Encore Presentation

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As the growing season winds down, it’s time to think ahead to the cold-weather tasks before us, and that includes winter pruning to ensure the health of trees and the safety of the people who live with them. In this encore episode, master arborist and tree preservationist Basil Camu joins me to share the winter […]

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437-Healing the Earth: From Wasteland to Wonder-Encore Presentation

| Care, Podcast

Encouraging more people to take part in healing the ecosystem begins with raising awareness of both the challenges and the remedies. Basil Camu, shares exactly that in his book, “From Wasteland to Wonder: Easy Ways We Can Help Heal Earth in the Sub/Urban Landscape.” Basil is my guest in this week’s encore episode.  Basil is […]

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436-Inside Sustainable Westport: The Power of Local Action

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I recently visited Westport, Connecticut, to deliver a talk hosted by Sustainable Westport, a nonprofit whose mission is to encourage and support “small changes and big commitments toward a healthier, more sustainable future.” Because their mission is so well aligned with the values I promote on “The joe gardener Show,” I asked Sustainable Westport Co-Directors […]

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433-Accidental Seed Heroes, with Adam Alexander

| Care, Podcast

My returning guest this week, Adam Alexander, believes that food should be nutritious and delicious while also combating climate change and returning fertility to soils and biodiversity to the land. He joins me to talk about his inspiring and enlightening upcoming book, “The Accidental Seed Heroes: Growing a Delicious Food Future for All of Us.” […]

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429-One Garden Against the World, with Kate Bradbury

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A garden is a powerful thing. My guest this week, Kate Bradbury, the author of “One Garden Against the World: In Search of Hope in a Changing Climate,” is here to share how small actions can make a difference to conserve wildlife.  Kate is an award-winning writer specializing in wildlife gardening and the author of […]

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428-The Peatlands Crisis, with Alys Fowler

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Peatlands sequester twice as much carbon as all the world’s forests and are vital ecosystems with essential roles in water management and biodiversity support — but they are under threat. Most have been damaged due to peat extraction and other human activity, contributing to climate change. British horticulturist, journalist and author Alys Fowler joins me […]

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426-Global Permaculture & Africa’s Great Green Wall

| Care, Podcast

Permaculture, implemented on a grand scale, restores degraded land and transforms countless lives, as my guest this week, permaculture educator and designer Andrew Millison, knows all too well. Andrew joins me to share his experience visiting permaculture projects all over the globe, like Africa’s Great Green Wall. Andrew is a documentary filmmaker based in the […]

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423-Understanding Herbalism, with Rosemary Gladstar

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Rosemary Gladstar is an expert on herbalism who has taught countless people about herbs, written many books and lectured around the world. She joins me this week to share herbalism history and benefits, and the top plants for new herb growers to cultivate. Rosemary is a community herbalist, a wild plant enthusiast and the director […]

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421-Doug Tallamy Answers the Question, How Can I Help?

| Care, Podcast

Through studies, books and talks, entomologist and ecologist Doug Tallamy has been spreading the word for years about the threats facing wildlife and the many reasons to practice ecological gardening. Every day he receives emails from gardeners who want to use the land they steward to make a difference, so for his latest book, he […]

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418-Recognizing and Confronting the Threats Facing America’s Trees

| Care, Podcast

Many native tree species across America are under threat from pests, diseases, extreme weather and saltwater intrusion — threats exacerbated by climate change. My guest this week, science and environmental journalist Marguerite Holloway, gained perspective on the destruction forests are facing when she learned from arborists how to climb into the canopy of trees. Marguerite […]

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415-Fruit Tree Pruning: How to Cultivate Healthy Fruit Trees

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Fruit tree pruning is a necessary skill to have to raise healthy, productive fruit-bearing trees. My guest this week, Susan Poizner, is an urban orchardist and author who joins me to explain when and how to prune fruit trees for the best results. Susan is the director of Orchard People Fruit Tree Care Consulting and […]

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412-Animal Intelligence: Appreciating the Emotional Depth of Wildlife

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The animals we share the planet with — wildlife, livestock and pets alike — have more depth and personality than they are often given credit for. Joining me this week to speak about what he’s learned about animal intelligence is Brandon Keim, the author of “Meet the Neighbors: Animal Minds and Life in a More-than-Human […]

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411-How Conservationists and Foresters Saved America’s Public Lands

| Care, Podcast

The National Forests and federal wilderness areas that are often taken for granted today only exist because of the efforts of some dedicated conservationists and foresters with the foresight to realize that if these lands were not protected, they would be logged and developed into oblivion. To share the history of how U.S. public lands […]

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409-Bad Naturalist, with Paula Whyman

| Care, Podcast

Taking on an environmental stewardship project as a hobbyist is a rewarding task but it can also feel like learning how to swim by being kicked off the dock. My guest this week, author Paula Whyman, made a splash and went on to write about it in her recently released book “Bad Naturalist: One Woman’s […]

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408-Road Ecology: Wildlife Crossings Protect Biodiversity

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Wildlife crossings save animals’ lives by enabling them to cross roads in search of food, water and nesting sites safely, while also protecting biodiversity and reducing costly motor vehicle accidents. Without a safe place to cross the roads cutting through their habitat, animals suffer many negative consequences, explains my guest this week, environmental journalist Ben […]

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407-What Your Food Ate Matters

| Care, Podcast

Organic gardeners know the mantra “feed the soil, let the soil feed the plants.” Healthy soil leads to plants that are not only more vigorous and resilient but also more nutrient-dense. My guests this week, “What Your Food Ate” authors David Montgomery and Anne Biklé, explain that when we take care of the land, the […]

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404-Houseplant Propagation Need-to-Knows, with Lindsay Sisti

| Care, Podcast

One of the most fun and satisfying aspects of raising houseplants is being able to propagate them to get more. But some houseplants are easier to propagate than others. To share the need-to-knows of houseplant propagation, Lindsay Sisti, the author of “The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation,” joins me on the podcast this week. Lindsay […]

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403-Winter Tree Care, with Basil Camu

| Care, Podcast

Winter tree care isn’t just about aesthetics — it reduces the risk that a tree drops a limb or topples, which can both doom the tree and cause property damage and injury. To share important winter tree care tips and warnings, arborist and tree preservationist Basil Camu returns to the podcast this week. Basil is […]

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402-Bylaws for Biodiversity

| Care, Podcast

Gardeners trying to do right by the ecosystem often run into antiquated bylaws, covenants and restrictions that prohibit natural yards. This frustration led to the creation of Bylaws for Biodiversity, an initiative to encourage lawmakers and homeowners associations to adopt rules that protect and promote biodiversity on private and public lands. Joining me on the […]

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390-Essays on Urban Nature, with Joanna Brichetto

| Care, Podcast

Even in an urban environment, nature is all around, if you know where to look. This week, writer Joanna Brichetto joins me to discuss her essay collection, “This Is How a Robin Drinks: Essays on Urban Nature,” and the benefits of becoming attuned to wildlife. Joanna is a certified Tennessee Naturalist and writes the urban […]

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387-Leave the Leaves for Wildlife and the Climate

| Care, Podcast

“Leave the leaves” is a slogan you must have heard by now. Each fall, conservationists encourage homeowners to keep leaves on their property rather than sending them off to landfills. There are a number of reasons to do so, chiefly to support wildlife and reduce contributions to climate change. For a deep dive into why […]

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386-The Revelations of a Nature Journal, with Margaret Renkl

| Care, Podcast

When we pause to observe the natural world more closely and record those observations and the way they make us feel, we gain a greater understanding of nature and ourselves. Writer Margaret Renkl, who has a new prompt journal out now as a companion to her best-selling book “The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year,” […]

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385-Appreciating the Diversity of Native Bees

| Care, Podcast

There are around 4,000 species of wild, native bees in North America, though imported, domesticated honeybees seem to be the bees that get all the attention when it comes to conservation. To help us learn about native bees and their value, joining me on the podcast this week is entomologist and wild bee expert Dr. […]

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384-Count Birds with Project FeederWatch

| Care, Podcast

Citizen scientists are key to tracking bird populations in North America and identifying which birds are growing in numbers and range — and which are on the decline. To explain the value of bird counts, what can be learned from the data and how anyone can get involved, joining me on the podcast this week […]

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373-The Land Ethic: Aldo Leopold’s Conservation Philosophy

| Care, Podcast

Aldo Leopold is considered to be one of the most consequential conservationists of the 20th century. In his posthumously published book “A Sand County Almanac,” he put forward the “land ethic” — the idea that the fates of humans and land are intertwined. To talk about Leopold’s influence on the conservation movement, joining me on […]

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364-Easy Ways to Help Heal Earth in Suburban and Urban Landscapes

| Care, Podcast

Getting more people to participate in healing the ecosystem takes spreading awareness of both the problems and the solutions. My guest this week, Basil Camu, does just that in his new book “From Wasteland to Wonder: Easy Ways We Can Help Heal Earth in the Sub/Urban Landscape.”  Basil is the “chief vision officer and wizard […]

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359-How to Attract Pollinators of Native Plants-Encore Presentation

| Care, Podcast

To attract a greater diversity of pollinators to a garden, there’s nothing better than native plants. In this encore episode, pollinator conservationist Heather Holm joins me to discuss the benefits of fostering the mutually beneficial relationship between native plants and the pollinators they coevolved with. Heather is a biologist and award-winning author from Canada who […]

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354-How Pesticide Regulations Fail Pollinators, with the Xerces Society

| Care, Podcast

Pesticide regulations are designed to reduce the harm that pesticide use has on humans and wildlife, but they are not intended to eliminate all risks and ecological damage. To explain how gaps in pesticide regulations fail pollinators and other beneficial insects, pollinator conservation specialist Emily May of the Xerces Society joins me on the podcast […]

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353-No-Till Growers Guide to Ecological Market Gardening-Encore Presentation

| Care, Podcast

No-till gardening improves soil health and reduces the gardener’s workload, all while supporting more vigorous plants with better resilience to pests and diseases and greater crop yields. My guest on this week’s encore presentation, organic market gardener and writer Jesse Frost, shares the many ways that ditching the tiller has benefited his farm and how […]

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346-Winter Houseplant Care, with Maria Failla

| Care, Podcast

The plants that live indoors with you need special care to get through the coldest, darkest months of the year. To share her expert tips on winter houseplant care, joining me on the podcast this week is Maria Failla of Growing Joy. Maria is the host of the Growing Joy with Plants podcast and the […]

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341-A Backyard Year, with Margaret Renkl 

| Care, Podcast

Slowing down, removing distractions and paying attention allows us to absorb the wildlife that’s all around us, even when we otherwise feel that we are far removed from nature. Writer Margaret Renkl documents what she observed in her own suburban yard and how it made her feel in her series of 52 short essays collected […]

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327-The Nuances of Native and Non-Native Ladybugs and Other Insects 

| Care, Podcast

Promoting native insects via gardening is a worthwhile endeavor that is growing in popularity, but just because native insects are good to have in the garden, that doesn’t also mean all non-native insects are bad to have around. My guest this week, environmental studies professor Kaitlin Stack Whitney, Ph.D., encourages gardeners to examine the reasons […]

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324-The Potential of Mushrooms to Overcome Environmental Challenges

| Care, Podcast

Mushrooms can do some pretty amazing things, and as research continues, we are gaining an even better understanding of the potential of fungi to help us overcome an array of environmental challenges. Mycologist Tradd Cotter joins me on the podcast to share the emerging uses of mushrooms beyond food. Tradd started out as a mushroom […]

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319-Assessing Hydrangea Cold Tolerance

| Care, Podcast

This spring was not a great one for hydrangeas all around the United States, and according to my guest this week, Lorraine Ballato, the problem can be traced back to the wild weather that occurred over the winter. Lorraine shares the reasons your hydrangeas may be struggling, the various degrees of hydrangea cold tolerance, and […]

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316-Celebrate Pollinator Week with Pollinator Partnership

| Care, Podcast

Pollinator Week kicks off on June 19th, so I welcomed Kelly Bills, the executive director of Pollinator Partnership, to the podcast to talk about all the great work the organization does and how gardeners can get involved during Pollinator Week and year-round. Kelly has been with Pollinator Partnership, a nonprofit based in San Francisco, for […]

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314-Native Gardeners vs. the HOA: An Important Victory for Wildlife

| Care, Podcast

Living under the strictures of a homeowners association can be incredibly stifling for gardeners who want to work outside of the turf lawn and irrigation dynamic, but sometimes gardeners successfully stand up to their HOAs — and lawmakers in some states are making it easier to do so. Native gardener Janet Crouch joins me on […]

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308-Wildscape: The Sensory Wonders of Nature, with Nancy Lawson

| Care, Podcast

Out our back doors, animals and plants are doing amazing things and communicating and interacting via means we are only beginning to understand, as Nancy Lawson, the founder of The Humane Gardener, explains in her new book. Nancy returns to the podcast this week to discuss this “Wildscape” and how research is uncovering the surprising […]

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300-Assessing the Damage of the Polar Vortex, with Troy Marden

| Care, Podcast

Last year, just before Christmas, a polar vortex brought sudden sub-zero temperatures to many states in the South, wreaking havoc on gardens and landscapes that were not designed for that kind of cold. To discuss the damage that has been apparent so far and what could reveal itself come spring, my guest this week is […]

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294-A Primer on Bonsai, with Bjorn Bjorholm

| Care, Podcast

Bonsai is the Japanese art of growing trees in pots and shaping them to appear like miniature versions of full-size trees. Mastering the art takes patience, practice and commitment, but for novices, getting started isn’t as difficult as it may appear. To explain the basics of bonsai, my guest this week is bonsai artist and […]

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Leave the Leaves and Seed Heads to Support Overwintering Wildlife

| Care, Video

For years, horticulturists recommended cleaning up and cutting back plants in the fall as best practices to reduce recurrences of pest and disease issues, but we know so much more now — and we know better. In this video, I explain the benefits of leaving the leaves and plant debris all winter.       […]

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What Are Those White Spots on Zucchini Foliage?

| Care, Video

When gardeners find white spots on the leaves of their zucchini plants, no one can blame them for assuming the plants have powdery mildew, a very common fungal disease that looks like a white powder was sprinkled over the plants. But white spots are naturally occurring in the patterns on zucchini leaves, so there is […]

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284-Gardening Sustainably in a Changing Climate

| Care, Podcast

The reality of climate change should spark gardeners to both reduce their carbon footprints and adapt. With earlier springs, warmer summers, droughts and extreme weather events becoming the norm as climate shifts intensify, practicing sustainable gardening is more important than ever. To share how gardeners can have a positive impact on the environment while making […]

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282-The Vital Role of Soil Bacteria in the Garden, with Jeff Lowenfels

| Care, Podcast

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 […]

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278-The Seed Detective: Preserving Diversity & Uncovering the History of Remarkable Vegetables, with Adam Alexander

| Care, Podcast

Heirloom seeds are treasure troves of genetic diversity and hold stories that span generations and help us understand food cultures around the world. My guest this week, Adam Alexander, aka The Seed Detective, does the important work of identifying and saving rare and remarkable vegetable seeds and uncovering their stories. Adam is a producer of […]

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273-Healing Through Gardening, with Stephanie Rose

| Care, Podcast

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 […]

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272-Plant Science for Gardeners, Part II, with Robert Pavlis

| Care, Podcast

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. Robert is a plant collector with more than 3,000 species of […]

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264-Kiss the Ground: Thinking Regeneratively, with Finian Makepeace

| Care, Podcast

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 […]

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261-All About Native Bees, with Heather Holm

| Care, Podcast

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 […]

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258-Averting the Insect Apocalypse, with Dave Goulson

| Care, Podcast

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 […]

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257-Uncovering Black Garden History, with Abra Lee

| Care, Podcast

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. Abra researches Black garden history and raises awareness […]

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255-Raising Carnivorous Plants, with Kenny Coogan

| Care, Podcast

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 […]

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247-Promoting a New Garden Ethic, with Benjamin Vogt

| Care, Podcast

Collectively, the decisions we make as gardeners impact the ecosystem and the climate for better or for worse. To encourage us all to make positive choices for the planet and biodiversity, my guest this week is garden designer and writer Benjamin Vogt, the author of “A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating Defiant Compassion for an Uncertain […]

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245-The Hidden Life of Trees, with Peter Wohlleben

| Care, Podcast

In their own way, trees can see, smell, taste, feel and hear. In the wild, most trees live in communities and even have families. To reveal the hidden life of trees, my guest this week is forester and New York Times bestselling author Peter Wohlleben. Peter’s most recent book is “The Heartbeat of Trees: Embracing […]

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241-Tiny Victory Gardens: Tips on Growing Food Without a Yard

| Care, Podcast

Not everyone has a yard where they can start a garden, which is exactly why my guest this week, Acadia Tucker, wrote her book, Tiny Victory Gardens, including lots of tips on growing food without a yard. Acadia is a farmer, writer and climate activist who promotes gardening methods that increase food resiliency, feed pollinators […]

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239-Pollinators of Native Plants: How to Attract, Observe and Identify These Essential Insects 

| Care, Podcast

While many people understand that native plants are important, there’s often a large gap in understanding which pollinators rely on them. So understanding how to attract, observe, and identify these essential insects is vital to our role in helping them survive and promote biological diversity within the species. To discuss the importance of bees, wasps, […]

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237-Ecological Gardening: Creating Beauty & Biodiversity

| Care, Podcast

For centuries, the objective of gardening has been to tame the wild, and that led to many horticultural practices that are disastrous for wildlife and the ecosystem at large. The objective of ecological gardening, a new movement, is to create beautiful spaces in concert with nature rather than trying to overcome nature. To explain the […]

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232-Ecological Horticulture at Brooklyn Bridge Park, With Rebecca McMackin, Part I

| Care, Podcast

Ecological horticulture is one of the most important methodologies that gardeners can adopt to combat the loss of biodiversity, but the term is still unfamiliar to many. To explain ecological horticulture and how to practice it, my guest this week is self-described “ecologically obsessed” director of horticulture at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Rebecca McMackin. Rebecca is […]

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230-Monarch Rx: The Prescription for Healthier Butterflies

| Care, Podcast

As much as we love watching monarch butterflies fluttering in our gardens and landing on flowers to sip nectar, there is much about monarchs that remains a mystery to both gardeners and scientists. My guest this week, Nancy Lawson, is part of a new citizen science project named Monarch Rx, and she’s here to explain […]

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Feed Your Lawn Naturally by Topdressing with Compost

| Care

A healthier lawn comes with healthier soil, and there is no better way to improve soil health than by adding compost. You can feed your lawn naturally by topdressing it with compost. Compost contains the primary nutrients — nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium — and an array of micronutrients to naturally feed a lawn. But there […]

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221-Biggest Summer Garden Challenges: Your Burning Questions Answered

| Care, Podcast

Late summer is both a challenging and rewarding time in the garden as we deal with pest and disease pressure but also enjoy harvesting tomatoes, peppers and summer squash on a nearly daily basis. For this week’s podcast, I’m addressing some of the biggest (and most common) summer garden challenges and answering your burning questions […]

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219-Troublesome Garden Pests: Organic Control Strategies That Work

| Care, Podcast

Sometimes it’s the tiniest garden pests that cause the biggest problems. As responsible gardeners, we want to manage these pest issues while having as little negative impact as possible on the good bugs that visit the land that we steward. To share expert advice on responsible, effective pest control, my returning guest this week is […]

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218-Squash Bugs: How to Manage and Control This Challenging Pest

| Care, Podcast

Squash bugs are a hassle for growers of zucchini, pumpkins and other cucurbits, but there are steps that can be taken to manage and control this challenging pest. My guest this week is entomologist and pest management expert Diane Alston, and she’s here to share strategies to reduce squash bug issues. Diane is a professor […]

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211-Invasive Asian Jumping Worms: What Gardeners Need to Know

| Care, Podcast

The invasive and destructive Asian jumping worm has been identified and recorded in 37 U.S. states plus Ontario and continues to spread, but it is still a species that many gardeners know little about. To explain what jumping worms are and why they pose such a big problem, my guest this week is ecologist Brad […]

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207-Understanding Fertilizers and How to Use Them-Encore Presentation

| Care, Podcast

Fertilizers give food crops and ornamental plants the nutrients they need to thrive, but when used unnecessarily or incorrectly, they can do more harm than good. In this week’s encore episode, I share the basics you need to know for the most efficient and effective use of fertilizer. Fertilizer is considered to be any organic […]

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195-Identifying and Controlling Garden Pests Organically

| Care, Podcast

Before attempting a pest control method that may prove to be unnecessary, ineffective or complete overkill, the first step a gardener should take is to correctly identify the problem. Positive identification of garden pests paired with the appropriate intervention will yield the best results while minimizing or eliminating negative impacts. My guest this week, Susan […]

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189-How Gardening Enriched Our Lives in 2020

| Care, Podcast

From a large back yard to the tiniest balcony, the garden is a place of refuge, and never has that been more true than in 2020. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, gardeners new and old have realized the many ways that gardening enriches their lives, and how that joy and satisfaction is compounded when they share […]

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How to Prepare Plants & Containers for Winter

| Care, Video

As winter approaches, it’s time to start bringing in those less-hardy plants until it warms up again next spring. But what about those bulky containers that are too big and heavy to move in and out every year? In this video, I share how to prepare plants and containers to protect them throughout winter.   […]

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