Flower Power Garden Hour

Eight foot tall peppers? Yep -- this is how Jeremy from Farouche Peppers grows his amazingly beautiful peppers. Not only does he breed gorgeous, tasty peppers -- but he knows how to grow for production. Learn how his sustainable, organic approach arose from his need to feed the soil on a budget. I talk to Jeremy about what it takes to breed peppers, what his ultimate pepper goal is and what his tips are for growing for a large bounty. Definitely follow Jeremy’s Instagram for incredible peppers images – out of this world! And you can buy these unequaled, unique peppers on his Etsy page. With names like these, you can't go wrong:  Castrophany, Peach Scorpion, 7 Pot Panther, Pockmark Peach, Ghost hybrids, Sugar Rush, Dark Olive Nagabrain, Pink Tiger, Pink Submarine, Carolina Reaper, Ghor-Pion habanero, Chihuacle Negro, 7 Pot Ghost, Peach Gum Tiger, Yellow Submarine, BubbleGum Nagabrain, Purple Tiger.... Instagram: farouchepeppers Etsy: Farouche   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Inst

Every month has certain things that need to be done to keep your garden vibrant and prepare it for future seasons. I love lists – on this episode I cover my list for what to do in November, including: Plant vegetables -- fava beans, bok choy, swiss chard, garlic, lettuce, onion sets, radish, spinach Cover crops -- fava beans, vetch, clover Clean up plant debris Mulch Spray Liquid Copper for Peach Leaf Curl Plant bulbs Prep bulbs for forcing paperwhites… dark cool room two weeks or until roots Overwintering peppers Sow wildflower seeds Divide plants such as Iris, grasses, daylilies   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

Something that is always confusing is the massive number of soil amendment options found at nurseries. They have a multitude of similar names, and it is very hard to know which is appropriate for what you are doing. This episode is a deep dive on how to take the confusion out of the marketing language behind these products, and guide you what to look for. I categorize the amendments in these buckets: Top Soil 50/50 Mix Compost and Humus Planting Mix, Soil Conditioner, Garden Soil, Garden Booster Chicken/Steer Manure   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

Ever wonder how the heck a 2,000 pound pumpkin is grown? Even if you don’t want to grow a 2,000 pounder -- but one slightly smaller -- Brian Myers from California Pumpkin Growers goes through the steps to get you the Jack O’ Lantern of your dreams. Our conversation starts with the history of pumpkin weigh offs and the heaviest pumpkin ever recorded. We then go into growing techniques focusing in first on choosing the correct seed and seed genetics followed by very important growing techniques. Listen in to be prepared for next year’s Halloween season.   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 single scent of a blossom may evoke past experiences, as plants have been present in pivotal moments in many people’s lives. I sit down with illustrator and writer Katie Vaz and talk about her book My Life in Plants: Flowers I’ve Loved, Herbs I’ve Grown and Houseplants I’ve Killed on The Way to Finding Myself . This funny, poignant, feel good book details all the plants that have been there in Katie’s life from the death of her father, to breakups, to feel good moments. This is a book we can all relate to. Our discussion covers a multitude of topics, as we talk about plants safe for cats and why it may not be best to buy plants over cut flowers for funerals. Katie and her book can be found below at: Amazon: My Life in Plants Etsy: katievaz Instagram: katiemarievaz   website: katievaz.com   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, with a big focus on winter vegetable gardens. If you are planning your winter planting, this is a great primer episode for you. Vegetables discussed range from broccoli, kale, lettuce, beans, carrots, radishes, onions, peas, beets and more. Topics include: What winter vegetables can I plant now? Is there anything different I can do to the soil for winter planting? Why are my Japanese Maple leaves crispy? Do I leave the foliage on my Irises or should I cut them off?   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

Fascinated by Fungus? Then you will love Dr. Gordon Walker… the “Fun-Guy” behind the popular Instagram feed “Fascinated by Fungi”. Gordon and I talk about the amazing world of fungi including stinkhorns, dog vomit fungus and the complexity of fungi in general. He also gives helpful tips on how to eradicate fungi in your yard and reasons why you just might not want to do so. Gordon can be found on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok by searching @FascinatedbyFungi Website: Fascinatedbyfungi.com   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 -- Marlene answers listener submitted questions this week. Topics include: Peppers: Have erratic lines on the leaves….what are they, how to treat Nutsedge and crab grass: How to fight these weeds Venus Fly Trap: Not growing well – recommendations? Peach tree: Limbs are breaking due to fruit overload PVC shade structure for garden Mexican Heather: When should it be pruned Hydrangea: Not opening all the way – why?     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

Tara Beaver-Coronado grew up on a farm -- but never thought she would become a farmer. After years of living away, the pull of the soil soon took over and she began Beaver Vineyards. I sit down with Tara to discuss her journey on starting her farm, trials and tribulations, the stresses and the anticipation of her very first harvest. Little did I know when we were talking that she was scheduled for heart surgery the following week. This just demonstrates the true grit of the American farmer.   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 -- Marlene answers listener submitted questions this week. Topics include: Dahlia -- mite infestation Corn – multiple shoots coming off each stalk….bad? Artichoke – weed whacker mishap Blueberry – decreasing crop over last season, and seem to be dying Apricot – not producing mature fruit   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

I sit down with THE Brad Gates of Wild Boar Farms and talk all things tomatoes. We cover common issues like Blossom End Rot, delayed fruit set and ripening….plus other strange anomalies like cat facing and zippering. I ask Brad how Covid-19 has affected his business and what beautiful, tasty new varieties he has on the horizon. If you want a primer on Brad’s history, the story of Wild Boar Farms, and his process of creating stunning, novel tomato varieties, then check out episode 34 -- my first interview with Brad.   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

Visit our show sponsor – Wild Foods Co – at wildfoods.co. Wild Foods is a nutrition company with a strict mission on utilizing real foods sourced globally from small growers. They have a vast range of products – including my favorite Keto bars to a variety of mushroom extracts to extremely clean protein powders (including plant based options). Use code ADHD12 at checkout to get 12% off your entire order. 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

Visit our show sponsor – Wild Foods Co – at wildfoods.co. Wild Foods is a nutrition company with a strict mission on utilizing real foods sourced globally from small growers. They have a vast range of products – including my favorite Keto bars to a variety of mushroom extracts to extremely clean protein powders (including plant based options). Use code ADHD12 at checkout to get 12% off your entire order. 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

Visit our show sponsor – Wild Foods Co – at wildfoods.co. Wild Foods is a nutrition company with a strict mission on utilizing real foods sourced globally from small growers. They have a vast range of products – including my favorite Keto bars to a variety of mushroom extracts to extremely clean protein powders (including plant based options). Use code ADHD12 at checkout to get 12% off your entire order.   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

Visit our show sponsor – Wild Foods Co – at wildfoods.co. Wild Foods is a nutrition company with a strict mission on utilizing real foods sourced globally from small growers. They have a vast range of products – including my favorite Keto bars to a variety of mushroom extracts to extremely clean protein powders (including plant based options). Use code ADHD12 at checkout to get 12% off your entire order.   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

Visit our show sponsor – Wild Foods Co – at wildfoods.co. Wild Foods is a nutrition company with a strict mission on utilizing real foods sourced globally from small growers. They have a vast range of products – including my favorite Keto bars to a variety of mushroom extracts to extremely clean protein powders (including plant based options). Use code ADHD12 at checkout to get 12% off your entire order.   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 is the list of varieties I mention in the show that I have planted this season. Tomatoes (I purchase these varieties from Wild Boar Farms): Cosmic Eclipse Indigo Apple Black Beauty Pineapple Pig Brad’s Atomic Grape Green Zebra Cherry Candy Sweet Icicle Barry’s Crazy Cherry Pink Berkley Tie Dye Porkchop Big Sungold Select   Peppers: Ajvarski Shishito Lesya Sugar Rush Cream Aji Charapita Mini Bell pepper   Beans: Landreth stringless Chinese Red Noodle Blauhilde Winged bean   Cucumbers: Beit Alpha Sikkim   Melons: Orangeglo Banana Royal Golden watermelon Strawberry Charentais   Corn: Striped Japonica   Tomatillos: Green Purple   Eggplant: Black Beauty Japanese Long Rosa Bianca   Zucchini: Dark green   Visit our show sponsor – Wild Foods Co – at wildfoods.co. Wild Foods is a nutrition company with a strict mission on utilizing real foods sourced globally from small growers. They have a vast range of products – including my favorite Keto bars to a variety of mushroom extracts to extremely c

Visit our show sponsor – Wild Foods Co – at wildfoods.co. Wild Foods is a nutrition company with a strict mission on utilizing real foods sourced globally from small growers. They have a vast range of products – including my favorite Keto bars to a variety of mushroom extracts to extremely clean protein powders (including plant based options). Use code ADHD12 at checkout to get 12% off your entire order.   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

Visit our show sponsor – Wild Foods Co – at wildfoods.co. Wild Foods is a nutrition company with a strict mission on utilizing real foods sourced globally from small growers. They have a vast range of products – including my favorite Keto bars to a variety of mushroom extracts to extremely clean protein powders (including plant based options). Use code ADHD12 at checkout to get 12% off your entire order.   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

Visit our show sponsor – Wild Foods Co – at wildfoods.co. Wild Foods is a nutrition company with a strict mission on utilizing real foods sourced globally from small growers. They have a vast range of products – including my favorite Keto bars to a variety of mushroom extracts to extremely clean protein powders (including plant based options). Use code ADHD12 at checkout to get 12% off your entire order.   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