Flower Power Garden Hour

As a lifelong gardener and active person, Madeline de Vries Hooper was surprised when she started to experience aches and pains while gardening.  Jeff Hughes, a fitness trainer, was recommended to help. Not only did his training and technique alleviate her aches, but they taught her better gardening habits. Inspired by Jeff’s methods – and her success – the duo decided to take the show on the road to teach and inspire gardeners and farmers across the U.S. to get GardenFit. I talk to Madeline and Jeff about the gardens they visited and how they are on a mission to help farmers and gardeners alike. GardenFit premieres March 21, 2022 on American Public Television across the U.S., and will also be streaming on PBS.  Website: gardenfit.fit Instagram: @getgardenfit Facebook: GardenFit Pinterest: @gardenfit YouTube: GardenFit   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

This episode is the garden To Do list for the month of March – still some cold (and hopefully wet) weather left.  Days are getting longer and warmer. Summer vegetables – start them inside or greenhouse or direct sow. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplant Direct sow sunflowers & other summer annuals (such as zinnias) Plant: Beets, broccoli, carrots, celery, swiss chard, kale, loose leaf lettuce, radish, potatoes, turnips Perennials Summer blooming bulbs (gladiolus, amaryllis, lilies) Dahlias Preemptively spray for whiteflies – release encarsia Nematodes for soil Prune – citrus, once blooming plants (forsythia, quince, camellias) Check irrigation To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Wanting to ensure their children were eating safe, healthy vegetables, Dale and Carrie Spoonemore began to garden back in 2015. Frustrated with having to pick through the internet’s web of information, Dale had an idea to create a one stop garden app… From Seed to Spoon. Fast forward to 2022 and Park Seed, a company that has been on the pulse of gardening since 1868, knew they could take this app to the next level. I speak to Dale, Carrie and Park Seed President and CEO Kelly Funk about the app, how it can help new and experienced gardeners. From Seed to Spoon: Website: From Seed to Spoon Instagram: fromseedtospoon YouTube: From Seed to Spoon Facebook: From Seed to Spoon Park Seed: Website: Park Seed Instagram: parkseedco To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

A wide range of topics addressing questions submitted by listeners.  Including: Best time to add fish emulsion to outdoor plants Artichoke issues Soil preparation for tomato planting Using fall leaves and grass clippings as weed cover.  Should it be composted into the soil?  To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Houseplants can be very rewarding to grow. But like any plant, they require a range of different growing situations -- including light and soil. Tylor Rogers, owner of Arium Botanicals, was nice enough to join me on this latest episode to share his vast knowledge of houseplants. We go over his favorite go-to soil blends for Aroids, Hoyas and more. We discuss how he ensures plants have humidity, what to do with pests and his list of favorite and easiest plants to grow. Check out Tylor and his amazing store of both plants & supplies below: Website:  Arium Botanicals Instagram:  ariumbotanicals TikTok:  @arium_botanicals   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com   Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

This episode is the garden To Do list for the month of February – actually quite a busy month. Fruit trees – spray liquid copper for peach leaf curl before they bloom. Also time to spray dormant oil if you have insects overwintering Prune fruit trees, roses (except one time blooming), grapes, blackberries – ensure you have a few days of dry weather following. Hold off on pruning frost sensitive plants Plant: Broccoli, beets, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, chard, collards, kale, mustard, peas Can start potatoes & radishes towards end of the month Bare root roses, fruit trees Can start tomatoes & peppers inside Soil amendment: Get organic material in there for spring planting.  Compost, manure, beneficial nematodes Cleanup: Weed control (don’t let them go to flower)   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook  

Biochar. You may have heard of it or it may be a new term for some of you. I was doubtful of its claims until I had the pleasure of listening to USDA Senior Soil Scientist Dr. Deborah Page-Dumroese present a talk. She was kind enough to join me on this episode and discuss everything biochar. She discusses her years long research on the use of it for improving forest and farm soils. She then dives into its value and use in home gardens and how you can make your own biochar. Debbie and her work can be found at:  https://www.fs.fed.us/rmrs/people/ddumroese   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

A wide range of topics addressing questions submitted by listeners.  Including: Broccoli clusters – why are mine loose as opposed to tightly packed Citrus – can they be pruned in winter Asparagus – how to trim Succulents – should they be brought inside during winter Broken limb on a tree – can a damaged tree be pruned during the winter, or is it best to wait until spring Fireplace ash – is there a use for this in the garden   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Here in northern California, it has been a cold and thankfully wet winter.  As we are at the season midpoint, here is January’s to do list. Prune roses Spray fruit trees – liquid copper, dormant oil Clean up old fruit Plant bare-root fruit trees, grapes, blueberries, asparagus Hold off on pruning fruit trees Plant: Bok choy, broccoli rabe, loose leaf lettuce, radishes, mustards Order summer vegetable seeds Add beneficial nematodes Compost   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com   Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Have you ever wondered why during the holidays we bring mistletoe inside?  What were some of the plants brought inside during Victorian times?  In this episode, I talk to horticulturist Matt Mattus about the history of holiday plants and how to care for them.  Matt has been gardening since the age of 9 on his family’s historic 1910 Worchester, MA home.  An expert in most aspects of gardening, he specializes in South African bulbs and alpine plants.  Matt has been featured in Martha Stewart Living and Better Homes & Gardens, and is currently a contributor to Fine Gardening.     Mat can be found at: Instagram: @matt_mattus Facebook: Growing with Plants Blog: Growing with Plants Check out Matt’s highly educational books – links to where they can be found are attached: Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening Mastering the Art of Vegetable Gardening   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagr

This is a listener Q&A episode.  Questions cover topics including: Cactus – how to remove new growth Fuyu persimmons --  this year’s crop has seeds in the fruit, and in years past has not.  Ideas why? Plumeria – should it stay outside or bring inside during the cold weather Poinsettias – they are not turning red, even though they are being kept in relative dark.  Is there anything that can help them turn red? Bereavement – how do I keep healthy?  There are many different plants on this one   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com   Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

In this episode, I discuss December garden To-Do tasks.  Winter is in full swing, and lots to do. Pest mitigation – aphids, cabbage looper, nematodes Plant bulbs Plant vegetables -- asparagus, bok choy, kale, loose leaf lettuce, mustard, radishes Move succulents out of potential rain Smother weeds Plant bareroots   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com   Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Orchid grower Shawn Shumaker breaks down all the do’s and dont’s to successfully grow orchids inside your home… including the number one tip to get yours to rebloom. Plus -- is the ice cube watering method good or bad, what planting media should you use and what should be done to control pests. If you are looking to expand your collection, Shawn discusses other species that can be grown inside just as easily as Phalaenopsis. You can follow Shawn at: Instagram: @Shawn_shumaker   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Listener Q&A episode.  Topics include: New growth on cactus – should it be removed, and if so…how? Hydrangeas – when to cut and how Lemons – why are they cracking? Musa basjoo – recommendations for transitioning into fall/winter Maple tree – recommendations to improve growing conditions To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

In this episode, I discuss November garden To-Do tasks.  There is actually quite a lot as we transition fully into the colder and wetter months of the year. Continue clean up – pull out dead plants; remove lead, vegetable and fruit debris Plant bulbs – chill tulips or buy Darwin varieties Divide grasses, agapanthus, etc Plant vegetables:  Fava beans, bok choy, broccoli, celery, swiss chard, garlic, kale, kohlrabi, leaf lettuce, mustard, onions, radish, shallot, spinach Plant cover crops: Fava beans, red clover Move succulents out of potential rain Bring plumerias inside Plants non-frost sensitive perennials Plant sweet peas (plants or seeds) Plant CA native seeds Turn off irrigation Controls winter weeds (like oxalis)   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Want to grow your succulents to perfection? Want to venture into growing more difficult ones? Or how about just not wanting to kill them? Then this episode is for you. Gianluca Bacci -- expert succulent grower -- joins me to discuss soils, watering, Lithops, Welwitschia and more. Gianluca can be followed at: Instagram: @marinsect_gianluca To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Want to grow your succulents to perfection? Want to venture into growing more difficult ones? Or how about just not wanting to kill them? Then this episode is for you. Gianluca Bacci -- expert succulent grower -- joins me to discuss soils, watering, Lithops, Welwitschia and more. Gianluca can be followed at: Instagram: @marinsect_gianluca To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Dr. Cassandra Quave is a botanist extraordinaire. I was fortunate to chat about her early life, career path, and her new book “The Plant Hunter: A Scientist’s Quest for Nature’s Next Medicines.” Book Description: In The Plant Hunter, Dr. Quave weaves together science, botany, and memoir to tell us the extraordinary story of her own journey. Traveling by canoe, ATV, mule, airboat, and on foot, she has conducted field research in the flooded forests of the remote Amazon, the murky swamps of southern Florida, the rolling hills of central Italy, isolated mountaintops in Albania and Kosovo, and volcanic isles arising out of the Mediterranean — all in search of natural compounds, long-known to traditional healers, that could help save us all from the looming crisis of untreatable superbugs. And as a person born with multiple congenital defects of her skeletal system, she's done it all with just one leg. Filled with grit, tragedy, triumph, awe, and scientific discovery, her story illuminates how the path forward for

In this episode, I discuss October garden To-Do tasks.  There is a big variety with a lot on the list, including: Continue clean up – pull out dead plants; remove lead, vegetable and fruit debris Use soil sulfur to drop pH Prune non-frost sensitive plants Cover succulents if chance of rain Add beneficial nematodes Plant perennials Buy bulbs…chill tulips 8-12 weeks Plant vegetables – fava beans, beets, bok choy, celery, swiss chard, collards, garlic, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustards, peas, radishes, shallots, turnips Cover crops, including fava beans, clover Consider planting wildflower seeds – CA natives… clarkia, poppies Collect seeds off prior year plants   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com   Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

The backbone of any organic garden are hard working beneficial/parasitic insects. I talk with founder of ARBICO-Organics, Sheri Herrera de Frey, about which ones are a must for gardeners to incorporate. We discuss controls for whiteflies, Japanese and cucumber beetles, gnats, borers and so many more. Plus -- learn why releasing beneficial nematodes should be on your garden to do list.  ARBICO-Organics can be found on-line below: Website:  arbico-organics.com Facebook Instagram   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook