Podcasts by Category
Musings with people in the world of gardening, botany, horticulture and nature. Marlene takes her years of gardening experience, success and failures and turns it into an unpretentious, humorous listen. From organic vegetable gardening, houseplants, bee keeping, flowers, and everything in between -- this podcast covers it.
- 256 - Flower Power Garden Hour 196: Soil science, with Robert Pavlis of Garden Fundamentals
Soil science can be a bit confusing. How long does it take for materials to be broken down, is it good practice to add microbes and what exactly are microbes? Robert Pavlis addresses these questions and more. Check out his new podcast Garden Fundamentals plus his impressive list of books including Soil Science for Gardeners and Compost Science for Gardeners. Check out more at his links below.
Links below can be found to Robert’s vast expanse of media.
· Podcast: Garden Fundamentals (available on Apple & Spotify)
· Website: gardenmyths.com
· Facebook: @GardenFundamentals
· YouTube: @Gardenfundamentals1
· Books:
o Compost Science for Gardeners
o Microbe Science for Gardeners Book
o Garden Myths – Book 1 and Book 2
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook
· email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Wed, 03 Apr 2024 - 57min - 255 - Flower Power Garden Hour 195: Montana gardening, with Theri Vasina L’Hirondelle
If I was picked up and dropped into a gardening zone relatively different than mine, it would be a huge steep learning curve. I love talking to gardeners from zones different than my zone 9b and it doesn’t get much different than zone 3. I have a fun and educational chat with Theri Vasina LHirondelle who grows amazing flowers and veggies in Montana.
Theri can be found on Instagram at @backyard.impressions
Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook
· email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sat, 09 Mar 2024 - 48min - 254 - Flower Power Garden Hour 194: Aroids, with Bruce Ritter
Dieffenbachia, ‘pothos’, Monstera… a great majority of houseplants are in the Araceae family which most people shorten to just say Aroids. I discuss this broad family with UC Davis Botanical Conservatory volunteer extraordinaire Bruce Ritter. He has revamped our collection and he shares all his tips and tricks with us.
Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook
· email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Tue, 20 Feb 2024 - 1h 10min - 253 - Flower Power Garden Hour 193: February To Do List
Believe it or not, spring is around the corner. Here in NorCal, it is still wet with periods of cold, so one does have to be careful with working soil and protecting from potentially freezes. LOTS of prep to do for the upcoming season.
It is time to plant:
· Broccoli
· Cabbage
· Carrots
· Cauliflower
· Collards, swiss chard
· Kale
· Leeks
· Loose leaf lettuce
· Peas
· Potatoes….late in the month
Chores include:
· Sow tomatoes inside
· Start flowers (sunflowers, strawflower, zinnias, etc)
· Direct sow sweet peas
· Plant bare-root (roses, fruit trees, asparagus, strawberries, rhubarb, berries)
· Spray fruit trees
· Fertilize
· Compost
· Clean up, cut back
· Prune roses, fruit trees
Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook
· email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Thu, 08 Feb 2024 - 35min - 252 - Flower Power Garden Hour 192: December To Do, Listener Q&A
It’s here – the last To Do list of the year. So far it has been a mild winter, with regards to both temperature and moisture. It is the time to plant another round of winter vegetables, work on pest management, and start planning for your spring garden. We are at the apex of short days, so time to work is limited. Episode includes Listener Q&A, with topics listed below.
It is time to plant:
· Asparagus
· Bok choy
· Kale
· Onion sets
· Radish
Chores include:
· Cut back garden, clean up
· Watch for cabbage aphids, loopers
· Spray for peach leaf curl, dormant sprays
· Order seeds for spring
Listener Q&A section. Topics covered include:
· Waterless amaryllis – can it be planted in a pot?
· Banana plant – do they need to be brought inside for winter? If not, should be wrapped for protection from cold weather? At what age will they duplicate and produce fruit?
· Can fallen leaves in the garden be used to cover garden beds containing flowers?
· Butterfly bush – should the significant new growth be cut back in order to optimize growth in spring?
· Pineapple plant – have had for 2.5 years….when should a pineapple be expected?
· Bromeliads – how to care for them after the flower blooms and subsequently dies?
Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook
· email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sun, 24 Dec 2023 - 42min - 251 - Flower Power Garden Hour 191: Kids gardening literature, with author Collin Pine
How do we ensure the next generations become stewards of the land? Of course exposing them to nature and getting them outdoors but also having conversations and reading with them. I talk with author, Collin Pine, about his children’s book ‘The Garden Next Door’ and how its message is more important than ever.
Collin’s latest book is called “The Garden Next Door’”
Collin can be found at:
· Instagram: @collin.pine
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook
· email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sun, 19 Nov 2023 - 37min - 250 - Flower Power Garden Hour 190: Gardening can be Murder (in literature), with author Marta McDowell
Gardening can be murder... that is what a lot of people who claim to have a brown thumb think. But in this case, I’m discussing murder mystery books and their links to gardening. Author, Marta McDowell, joins me to discuss her new book “Gardening Can Be Murder: How poisonous Poppies, Sinister Shovels and Grim Gardens Have Inspired Mystery Writers’. We discuss historical detectives who a passion for plants, methods of murder as well as my favorite topic… poisonous plants!
Marta’s latest book extensively covers the topic discussed today. It is called “Gardening Can Be Murder: How Poisonous Poppies, Sinister Shovels, and Grim Gardens Have Inspired Mystery Writers”
Marta can be found at:
· Website: martamcdowell.com
· Facebook: @marta.mcdowell.5
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook
· email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Wed, 08 Nov 2023 - 53min - 249 - Flower Power Garden Hour 189: Trees, with Arborist Pamela Sanchez of the Sacramento Tree Foundation
Trees -- we all know how important they are. But what are the best trees for zone 9? How exactly do you properly plant, stake and water a new tree? Pamela Sanchez -- Certified Arborist and Education Programs Manager for the Sacramento Tree Foundation -- joins me to discuss these topics and more.
Pamela and the Sacramento Tree can be found at:
· Website: sactree.org
· Instagram: @sactree
· Facebook: @Sacramento Tree Foundation
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook
· email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sat, 21 Oct 2023 - 1h 03min - 248 - Flower Power Garden Hour 188: October To Do, Listener Q&A
It is the October To Do List, and that means it is a very busy time in the garden. Clean up from summer vegetables and prepping for fall and winter. The days are cooler, but shorter – which means you have to work efficiently and hard. Episode includes Listener Q&A, with topics listed below.
It is time to plant:
· Fava beans
· Beets
· Bok choy
· Carrots
· Celery
· Swiss chard
· Collards
· Garlic
· Kale
· Kohlrabi
· Leeks
· Lettuce
· Onions
· Peas
· Radish
· Spinach
· Turnips
· All perennials, bulbs
Chores include:
· Clean up vegetable beds (prevent diseases), mess from fruit trees
· Collect seeds
· Divide plants such as grasses, iris
· Compost
Listener Q&A section. Topics covered include:
· What to do about aphid infestation on large trees
· Lemon tree – producing fruit, but leaves are very pale
· Succulents – fertilizer?
· Best time of year to prune cherry tree
· Tomato plants – to compost or not?
Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook
· email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Wed, 04 Oct 2023 - 38min - 247 - Flower Power Garden Hour 187: Seeds, with Jennifer Jewell of Cultivating Place podcast
Seeds. As gardeners we sow them, order them, harvest them, and sometime try to prevent them. Author and gardener Jennifer Jewell delves even deeper into the science and importance of seeds in her new book ‘What We Sow’. We discuss her inspiration for the book and talk about why seeds are so important in our ecosystem, cultures and overall survival as humans.
Jennifer Jewell, Cultivating Place and her new book ‘What We Sow’ can be found at:
· Book: What We Sow
· Website: Cultivating Place
· Instagram: @cultivating_place
· Facebook: @cultivatingplace
· Pinterest: @cultivate_place
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook
· email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Wed, 27 Sep 2023 - 57min - 246 - Flower Power Garden Hour 186: Firesafe and water wise gardening, with Soleil Tranquilli of Tranquill Gardens
As a plant person with minimal design skills, I’m in awe of people with both skill sets. In this episode I talk to Soleil Tranquilli about how she combines her artistic design ability with her wealth of plant knowledge to create firesafe, water wise and tranquil gardens. She is the owner of Tranquill Gardens as well as being a Certified watershed Wise Landscape Pro and the president of the Sacramento Association of Professional Landscape Designers.
Soleil and Tranquill Gardens can be found at:
· Website: Tranquill Gardens
· Website: Association of Professional Landscape Designers
· Facebook: Tranquill Gardens
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook
· email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Mon, 11 Sep 2023 - 1h 10min - 245 - Flower Power Garden Hour 185: September To Do, Listener Q&A, Horticulture News
It is the September To Do List – believe it or not, we are in full Fall prep time. Lots of cool weather vegetables to start planting, and tons of clean up and pruning. Summer may have been easy in the garden, but it’s time to get the gloves on and get to work. Episode includes Listener Q&A and a discussion around current published articles in the horticulture world.
It is time to plant:
Beets Carrots Broccoli Brussel sprouts Cauliflower Cabbage Celery Swiss chard Collards Garlic Leek Lettuce Peas Radish Spinach Perennials – towards the end of September when it cools downChores include:
Clean up – pull out vegetables which are done, fallen fruit Prune lavender, hydrangeas Pests – whiteflies may be setting in…..keep an eye onListener Q&A section. Topics covered include:
What are the galls attached to oaks? Are they harmful to the tree? When replanting a Venus Fly Trap, does it require a specific soil? Gardenias – no buds or flowers…..is this a location issue? Lantana issuesHelp support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.comFind Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sat, 02 Sep 2023 - 43min - 244 - Flower Power Garden Hour 184: Passion vines and houseplant care, with Justin Hancock of Costa Farms
You can say that my guest, Justin Hancock, is passionate about passion vines! But he is also passionate about anything that grows. As a horticulturalist for one of the top nurseries, Costa Farms, he gets to surround himself with all types of plants. We discuss, of course, passion vines as well as houseplant care.
Justin and Costa Farms can be found at:
· Instagram: justinwhancock
· Website: costafarms.com
· Instagram: costafarms
· Facebook: Costa Farms
· Twitter: @CostaFarms
· YouTube: @CostaFarms
· TikTok: costa.farms
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook
· email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sat, 26 Aug 2023 - 1h 25min - 243 - Flower Power Garden Hour 183: August To Do, Horticulture News, Listener Q&A
It is the August To Do List, and we are having a gorgeous summer that is offering up IDEAL garden conditions. Vegetable and fruit harvests are bountiful, but there is prep work for fall piling up.
It is time to: Plant seeds in ground, including: beets, cabbage, carrots, turnips, potatoes
Prep garden beds for Fall planting in September: Weed, compost
Chores include:
Dead-head flowers Pick up fallen fruit Cut off suckers Prevent weeds from going to seed Collect seeds Harvest melons Order fall bulbs (daffodils, tulips, etc) Deep water treesWe finish up with a Listener Q&A section. Topics covered include:
Are pill bugs good for the soil? Do I need to keep “braiding” my plant? Habanero not blooming – why? Fig tree only produce dry, inedible figs. Why?Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.comFind Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sat, 12 Aug 2023 - 1h 04min - 242 - Flower Power Garden Hour 182: Replace your lawn with a cacti/succulent garden, with Gianluca Bacci
Want to replace your lawn with a cacti/succulent garden? Here’s how. My coworker and succulent grower extraordinaire, Gianluca Bacci, joins me to discuss succulent growing tips. We talk about major do’s and don’ts of succulent care plus why the saguaro cacti of Arizona are dying.
Gianluca can be found at:
· Instagram: marinsect_gianluca
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook
· email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Thu, 03 Aug 2023 - 1h 02min - 241 - Flower Power Garden Hour 181: Balcony gardens, with Deborah Holtschlag of PlantTraps
Many of us walk around with ideas/inventions in our head but don’t follow through with them for numerous reasons. In this episode, I talk with inventor/founder of PlantTraps, Deborah Holtschlag, about how she came up with an idea and ran with it. We discuss her products that turn balconies into amazing gardens as well as her journey from idea to market.
Links below can be found to Deborah and PlantTraps.
· Website: planttraps.com
· Instagram: planttraps
· Facebook: planttraps
· YouTube: @planttraps
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook
· email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sat, 29 Jul 2023 - 47min - 240 - Flower Power Garden Hour 180: July To Do & Listener Q&A
It is the July To Do List, and we are in the HEAT of summer. Garden work is relegated to morning and (maybe) late afternoon given the blistering temperatures. Luckily, it is not the busiest time of the year garden wise – hopefully most of your time is spent harvesting vegetables. Plenty to do still from a maintenance perspective, and believe it or not….some early prep for Fall/Winter.
It is time to:
· Sow seeds indoors for brussel sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli
Chores include:
· Deep water trees
· Deep water in-ground plants
· Mulch
· Weed
· HARVEST
· Snip off flowers of basil, other herbs
· Keep an eye out for insects – spray, squish
· Dead-head flowers
We finish up with a Listener Q&A section. Topics covered include:
· What is a good way to get rid of ants indoors?
· What are the best cut flower options?
· Pumpkins turning yellow and rotting before they turn orange – why?
· Fastest growing shrubs that do well in full sun with minimal water?
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook
· email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sun, 16 Jul 2023 - 39min - 239 - FPGH 179. Tomato Myths (& more)Fri, 30 Jun 2023 - 49min
- 238 - Flower Power Garden Hour 178: June To Do & Listener Q&A
It is the June To Do List, and here in Zone 9 it seems that summer has arrived. Hot weather is becoming the daily norm, and everything is quickly drying up from a very wet winter. At this point in the garden a lot of the hard prep work has been done and we now begin summer maintenance mode.
It is time to plant:
· Perennials, roses, herbs, veggies… beans, corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelon, melons, okra, chard, eggplant, peppers, pumpkins, squash, watermelon, cucamelonsChores include:
· Mulch · Deadhead roses · Rootstock suckers · Look for pests · Plant flowersWe finish up with a Listener Q&A section. Topics covered include:
· Fertilizer for dragon fruit? · Anything that can be done to help tomato flowers set fruit? · Preparation for removing lawn for a water wise landscape. · Large, very old female mulberry tree(s) are being removed by the city of Stockton. What will the impact be on the remaining male mulberry tree? Will it produce more pollen? Will it still produce berries?To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook · Instagram · email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.comFind Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Mon, 19 Jun 2023 - 43min - 237 - Flower Power Garden Hour 177: Essential Oils, with Amy Anthony of NYC Aromatica
For centuries people have been harvesting and obtaining oils from plants. From lavender to Frankincense, researchers know that oils are important compounds in plants for many reasons. In this episode I talk to aromatherapy expert, Amy Anthony of NYC Aromatica, all about essential oils and how you can utilize them in your life. We touch upon distilling flowers, which ones you can grow in your garden and her favorites. And find out which flower I tried to distill but failed at miserably!!
Links below can be found to NYC Aromatica to learn more.
· Website: nycaromatica.com
· Podcast: Essential Aromatica
· Instagram: nycaromatica
· YouTube: @nycaromatica
· Facebook: @NYC Aromatica
· LinkedIn: Amy Anthony
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook
· email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Fri, 26 May 2023 - 1h 06min - 236 - Flower Power Garden Hour 176: May To Do & Listener Q&A
It is the May To Do List, and the here in Zone 9 the winter weather seems to have finally broken. Warm days have been persistent, but there is still some cool and wet weather. Lots to do in the garden as we catch up from a long winter and prepare for spring/summer.
It is time to plant:
· Vegetables: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, swiss chard, corn, cucumbers, okra, melons, squash, watermelon
Chores include:
Mulch Plant everything Check irrigation/flush lines Thin stonefruit Peach leaf curl Fertilize pots Transplant succulents Monitor for pests/prepWe finish up with a Listener Q&A section. Topics covered include:
Hummingbird moths – what plants attract them? Camelia tree bush – blooms pink every spring, but quickly drops them. Suggestions? Bird of Paradise – how to separate and transplant into smaller pots Wine barrels – got saturated because there were no holes and water did not drain. Once it does drain, can the soil be reused or should it be replaced?To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook
· email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sun, 07 May 2023 - 34min - 235 - Flower Power Garden Hour 175: Kids Gardening, with Em Shipman, Executive Director of KidsGardening.org
April is Kid’s Gardening Month! Joining me to talk about resources to help teachers and parents with activities, grants and lesson plants is Em Shipman, Executive Director of KidsGardening.org . And FYI- a lot of these lessons are great for grownups!
If folks want to contribute to our work, donations are 100% tax deductible. We are able to reach 8 more kids with every dollar donated! Here is the donation link.
Additional useful information discussed in the episode – and links to KidsGardening media – can be found below.
· Website: KidsGardening; Kids Garden Community
· Instagram: kidsgardening
· Twitter: @Kids_Gardening
· Pintrest: @kidsgardening
· Facebook: KidsGardening.org
· YouTube: @KidsGardening.org
· Activities:
o Learn about Landfills Lesson Plan
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook
· email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sat, 15 Apr 2023 - 49min - 234 - Flower Power Garden Hour 174: April To Do, Asparagus growing tips, & Listener Q&A
It is the April To Do List, and the persistent wet and cold weather is still here in the west. Nevertheless, we are getting warmer, longer days and spring will soon be in full effect.
We also spend some time reviewing asparagus growing tips, as it is a popular question amongst listeners.
It is time to plant:
Vegetables: Eggplant, squash, corn, cucumbers, swiss chard, jicama, okra, melons, peppers, sweet potatoes, watermelons Flowers: Perennials, dahlias, sunflower seedsChores include:
Weed Prune once flowering shrubs Mulch Watch for insectsWe finish up with a Listener Q&A section. Topics covered include:
Rhubarb – growing tips What kind of trees will grow well in full sun in the Central Valley/Foothills Red clover – recommendations for using as nitrogen fixer Cherry tomatoes – advice on early season transplanting to larger containers, and where/how to move outside (especially if cold still)To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook
· email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sun, 09 Apr 2023 - 36min - 233 - Flower Power Garden Hour 173: Glenn Dickerson, Begonia Collection Curator at Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Begonias are like potato chips, you can’t stop at one. In this episode I’m talking with Glenn Dickerson, Begonia collections curator at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, about all his tips and tricks to keep their massive collection healthy and thriving. We discuss soil, fertilizer, types of Begonias, problematic Rex varieties and more.
Glenn and some fantastic begonia resources can be found below:
American Begonia Society Website: begonias.com Fort Worth Botanic Garden Website: fwbg.org Fort Worth Botanic Garden Instagram: fortworthbotanicgarden Glenn Dickerson Instagram: begoniaking Facebook: Fort Worth Botanic GardenTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.comFind Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sun, 02 Apr 2023 - 1h 50min - 232 - Flower Power Garden Hour 172: Don Shor of Redwood Barn Nursery, Fruit Tree Troubleshooting
Peach leaf curl, fire blight, citrus issues, and more. Don Shor, owner of Redwood Barn Nursery and horticulturist extraordinaire, joins me to discuss issues that may arise on your fruit trees this spring and summer.
Don and Redwood Barn Nursery can be found at:
Website: redwoodbarn.com Instagram: redwoodbarnnursery & don.shor Facebook: Redwood Barn Nursery Podcasts: Davis Garden Show on Apple Podcasts; Jazz After Dark on Apple PodcastsTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook
· email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sat, 11 Mar 2023 - 55min - 231 - Flower Power Garden Hour 171: March To Do & Listener Q&A
It is the March To Do List, and we are still in the heart of winter with lots of cold and wet days. Not just cold and wet – we have had very low elevation snow throughout California…crazy. Spring looms though, and preparation is paramount.
It is time to plant:
· Vegetables: Broccoli, beets, cabbage, cauliflower, chive, collards, swiss chard, kale, lettuce, potatoes, radish
· Start tomato, eggplant, and (maybe) peppers inside
· Annual flowers
· Dahlias & summer bulbs (like gladiolas)
Chores include:
· Prune roses
· Check irrigation
· Transplant actively growing plants
· Cut back dying foliage of bulbs
We finish up with a Listener Q&A section. Topics covered include:
· Can roses be trimmed in Dec/Jan before the budding starts?
· Tomato questions:
o When is the best time to start planting?
o Is it better to start them in the ground or a container?
o When I plant tomatoes, are there other vegetables (certain peppers?) that can be planted at the same time?
· Is it too late to plant bulbs? Are there any particular varieties that can be planted in late Feb/March?
· African violets that have not bloomed in a very long time – any recommendations about how to get them to bloom?
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook
· email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sat, 04 Mar 2023 - 13min - 230 - Flower Power Garden Hour 170: February To Do & Listener Q&A
It is the February To Do List, and we are still in the heart of winter with plenty of cold days. Spring is around the corner though, and preparation has to get started.
It is time to plant:
· Vegetables: Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, swiss chard, collards, kale, lettuce, peas, radish · Plant bare-root roses, fruit treesChores include:
· Prune roses, fruit trees · Start cleaning up garden · Start seeds: Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants inside · Divide plants · Buy dahlia bulbs, sweet pea seedsWe finish up with a Listener Q&A section. Topics covered include:
· Persistent white fly and aphid infestation. Does all soil in planter boxes need to be replaced to solve this problem?
· Questions about using chicken manure & alfalfa pellets in the garden: When & how do they get applied? Should wood chips be moved before application? Should organic pellets/manure be used?
· What is the best way to move a Bird of Paradise?
· What are the little holes in an apricot tree? And are they lethal?
· The best fertilizer for an orange tree?
· Dragonfruit plant is covered in circular, red spots & appears to be yellowing? What can be done?
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
· Facebook · Instagram · email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.comFind Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sat, 11 Feb 2023 - 38min - 229 - Flower Power Garden Hour 169: January To Do & Listener Q&A
It is the January To Do List, and we are in the rainiest season out wet in a very long time. Temperatures have moderated a bit, however. Tough to get out in the garden with this much rain, but there are things that need to be done during the dry periods.
It is time to plant:
Bareroot trees, roses, shrubs Radishes Lettuce Onions Bok choy Fava beansChores include:
Protect from frost. Watch weather report for potential frost days Don’t work wet soils --- very important Spray for peach leaf curl and other fungal diseases Can prune fruit trees – but listen to the caveats in the episodeWe finish up with a Listener Q&A section. Topics covered include:
How much of a dry period is needed to spray liquid copper on fruit trees? Can a rose stem from a bouquet be rooted? What is the process? When to transplant a Little Ollie olive tree from a plastic pot to the ground? When to prune hydrangeas? What is the process for propagating fig tree cuttings? Can a Boston Fern survive in an outdoor enclosed room?To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.comFind Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sun, 15 Jan 2023 - 41min - 228 - Flower Power Garden Hour 168: Magnolias, with Andrew Bunting
We are all familiar with the iconic southern magnolia and possibly even the show stopping saucer magnolia…but there are many more beauties in this genus. I had the pleasure of talking with Andrew Bunting -- the Vice President of Horticulture at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and author of “The Plant Lover’s Guide to Magnolias”. We discuss everything from range of habitat, to care and unique species that can be incorporated into your garden.
Andrew can be found at:
Website: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Facebook: @PHSgardening Twitter: @PHSgardening Instagram: @phsgardening YouTube: @PHSgardening LinkedIn: Pennsylvania Horticultural SocietyMagnolia sources:
Gossler Farms Nursey Rare Find Nursery Broken Arrow Nursery Cistus Nursey Camelia Forest Nursery Far Reaches FarmSocieties:
Magnolia Society International Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Pacific HorticultureBotanic Gardens and Arboreta:
Huntington Botanical Garden San Francisco Botanical Garden Sonoma Botanical Garden Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden HeronswoodTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.comFind Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sat, 07 Jan 2023 - 1h 08min - 227 - Flower Power Garden Hour 167: Christmas Plants Wrap UpSat, 24 Dec 2022 - 53min
- 226 - Flower Power Garden Hour 166: December To Do & Listener Q&A
It is the December To Do List, and we are in the middle of winter garden season. Weather is COLD, and so far it has been relatively wet.
It is time to plant:
Asparagus Fava beans Bok choy Broccoli rabe Garlic Kale Loose leaf lettuce Mustard Onion sets RadishDo not plant yet:
Bareroot trees Roses BerriesChores include:
Protect succulents from water Frost protection Clean up – but leave some debris remaining Spray dormant trees (peach leaf curl) Plant bulbsWe finish up with a Listener Q&A section. Topics covered include:
What are your thoughts on using a moisture meter to determine if plants need water? How often should a yard be watered during the winter? Banana tree – should it be inside or outside during the winter? Putting asparagus plants down for the winter Christmas cactus best practicesTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.comFind Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Thu, 15 Dec 2022 - 39min - 225 - Flower Power Garden Hour 165: San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers, with Kristen Natoli & Sarah Sawtelle
What is it like to work in the oldest greenhouse conservatory in the US? I talk to the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers Kristen Natoli (Collections Manager) and Sarah Sawtelle (Engagement Manager) about the ins and outs of this historic collection and building. With such an amazing collection of plants – where do they source them from? How do they decide what is kept and what to get rid of? And of course, we talk about the Giant water lilies, corpse plant and bat flower.
The SF Conservatory of Flowers can be found at:
Website: org Instagram: @conservatoryofflowers Twitter: @SFConservatory Facebook: @ConservatoryofFlowers YouTube: @SanFranciscoConservatoryofFlowersTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.comFind Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sun, 04 Dec 2022 - 55min - 224 - Flower Power Garden Hour 164: Compost, with Kevin Marini
Compost…this is music to most gardener’s ears. FREE compost is even better. Many people think that expensive compost makers, tons of space, and ample time is required – this is NOT the case. In this episode I welcome back master composter Kevin Marini to discuss everything compost. Do you know the difference between hot and cold compost, the optimal size and temperature of a pile, and what unusual items can be placed in your compost? Trust me…..Kevin has heard it all through his composting Rot Line!
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.comFind Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sun, 20 Nov 2022 - 1h 20min - 223 - Flower Power Garden Hour 163: Bulbs, with Peggy Anne Montgomery
Every gardener – no matter how long you have been gardening – gets excited for the first shoots of spring emerging bulbs. Bulbs are incredibly easy to grow, and for many they naturalize and multiply year after year, creating a no-fuss flower show. I talk to bulb expert Peggy Anne Montgomery about growing bulbs and how to incorporate them into your lawn…..yes, your lawn. She has tips on how to dig holes, what to incorporate when planting, how to implement the lasagna method, and which bulbs rodents will avoid.
Peggy Anne and additional information about bulbs can be found at:
Website: flowerbulbs.com Instagram: @flowerbulbsdotcom Facebook: @Flowerbulbs.com Pinterest: @Flowerbulbs.com Twitter: @FlowerbulbsCom YouTube: @FlowerbulbsTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.comFind Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sat, 12 Nov 2022 - 1h 11min - 222 - Flower Power Garden Hour 162: November To Do & Listener Q&A
It is the November To Do List, and we are in the throes of winter garden prep. Weather is starting to cool rapidly, and (hopefully) out west we start seeing moisture soon.
It is time to plant:
Fava beans Bok choy Celery Swiss chard Garlic Kale Kohlrabi Lettuce Mustard Onions Peas Radish Shallots Spinach Perennials (except frost sensitive) Spring blooming bulbs Cover crops: Fava beans, Crimson clover Spring blooming annual seeds: Natives, sweet peasChores include:
Clean up summer garden Dig up/divide perennials such as: Cannas, agapanthus, grasses Avoid transplanting succulents Order seeds for next year Weed controlWe finish up with a Listener Q&A section. Topics covered include:
Is it too late to plant sweet pea seeds? Iris bulbs – okay to plant now, or store for next year? How to divide and plant Elephant Ear, Bird of Paradise, and Banana Tree? Brussel sprouts and Romanesco being predated – what is doing it, and how to prevent? Dieffenbachia – how to transplant? Purple Pony Plum infested with caterpillars – how to get rid of?To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.comFind Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Wed, 02 Nov 2022 - 43min - 221 - Flower Power Garden Hour 161: Birds, with Tammy Poppie
Watching birds go about their lives in your garden is one of the many benefits of gardening. Besides the joy of watching them, they are also busy eating pests and helping to keep a balanced ecosystem. I talk to bird expert Tammy Poppie about ways to create a healthy, safe and inviting environment for birds.
Tammy and additional information about birding and their interaction with plants can be found at:
onthefeeder.com allaboutbirds.org audubon.org/native-plantsTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.comFind Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sat, 29 Oct 2022 - 1h 03min - 220 - Flower Power Garden Hour 60: Roses Deep-Dive, Part 2
https://www.goldcountryrose.org/ Judy Frederick
http://sierrafoothillsrosesociety.org/ Charlotte Owendyk
https://www.rose.org/ American Rose Society
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.
Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
To ask questions for future shows, email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Sun, 01 Mar 2020 - 1h 50min - 219 - Flower Power Garden Hour 59: Listener Q&A…mixed bag
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,
email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.comFind Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Wed, 19 Feb 2020 - 53min - 218 - Flower Power Garden Hour 58: Cannabis growing methodology, with Mike Allarea of Fireworx Farms
I sit down with Mike Allarea (VP Cultivation) of Fireworx Farms to discuss their methodology for growing Cannabis. Having been in the industry for years, Mike has a formula that works to provide top quality product to their dispensaries. Amongst other things, we discuss beneficial insects, grow lights and what container method he has experienced most success with.
Lights: Gavita HID Rooting Hormone: Clonex Rockwool cubes: Grodan Hugo Blocks ( 1” and 6”) Environmental/Water Sensors: Grodan GroSens Multisensor Fertilizer/Beneficial Insects: Shalepeakhorticulture.comVisit 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.comFind Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Thu, 06 Feb 2020 - 48min - 217 - Flower Power Garden Hour 57: Listener Q&A….potpourri
Marlene answers a variety of listener submitted questions this week. Topics this week include:
Dwarf Lime tree – growing indoors, but not fruiting Birds of Paradise – best way to prune/control growth Hibiscus – method to prune to ensure fuller growth next season Amaryllis – how to treat after blooms disappear Peach Leaf curl – timing of liquid copper spray application Dragon fruit – what are the long white things growing off itTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.comFind Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sun, 26 Jan 2020 - 52min - 216 - Flower Power Garden Hour 56: Bonsai, with Jimmy Jet Black of Snail Trail 4x4
What do you do when you inherit several decades-old bonsai? For my guest it was easy… become a bonsai grower yourself. Now over 10 years in, those inherited bonsai (some as old as 50) are thriving…in addition to many more Jimmy Jet Black has added. In this episode I talk to Jimmy about the fundamentals of bonsai and what his tips and tricks are including:
What are the easiest plants to start with What is the best soil to use How exactly do you grow bonsai with its roots exposedJimmy Jet can be found at:
YouTube Snail Trail4x4 podcast Instagram Twitter Facebook snailtrail4x4.comTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at Marlene The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Sun, 05 Jan 2020 - 1h 48min - 215 - Flower Power Garden Hour 55: Listener Q&A
Marlene answers a variety of listener submitted questions this week. It’s a grab bag of topics this time, including:
Hydrangea – did not flower…why? Lemon tree – plant producing fruit, but appears sick…is it? Tomatoes – late season, still producing, but not ripening Irises – time of year to transfer? Christmas Cactus – care during winter months Oranges – splitting and molding….why?To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Marlene The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Sun, 29 Dec 2019 - 51min - 214 - Flower Power Garden Hour 54: Hoyas, with Jonathan Robbins of Flori-Culture
Hoyas produce some of the most beautiful flowers, and the fact they can do so as a houseplant is a win-win. I sit down with the owner of Flori-Culture nursery, Jonathan Robbins, and we discuss the care and cultivation of Hoyas and other not-as-common houseplants. Included in this are the epiphytic cacti Rhipsalis, Dischidias and even the much sought after Selenicereus wittii. Learn Jonathan’s propagation tips, soil recommendations and watering techniques.
Jonathan can be found at:
Wesbite: Flori-Culture.com
Instagram: flori.culture.orchid.supplies
Facebook: Click here
Email: sales@flori-culture.com
If you live in or are visiting Northern California, be sure to visit Flori-Culture nursery at:
7621 Fair Oaks Blvd
Carmichael, CA 95608
Mon, 23 Dec 2019 - 1h 08min - 213 - Flower Power Garden Hour 53: Listener Q&A…grab bag
Marlene answers a variety of listener submitted questions this week -- grab bag of questions.
Persimmon tree. Best time of year to buy/plant? Seed or bare root? African Daisies – starting to die….advice? Purple potatoes – can you let them grow over the winter? Lemon tree. How to propagate….seed or cutting? Jade plant. Severe damage due to freezing…can it be saved? Gnats &/or chewing insects – how to get rid of Timing of liquid copper sprayTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at Marlene The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Sun, 08 Dec 2019 - 48min - 212 - Flower Power Garden Hour 52: Plant Defenses
Poisons, spines and secondary metabolites….plants have numerous ways of ensuring they are protected and dispersed. I sit down with botanist Jonathon Holguin and we discuss some of our favorite ways plants protect/disperse themselves. Why does Stevia taste sweet, what are the compounds in stinging nettle and what happens when you get Euphorbia sap in your eye? Some of these defenses we encounter often while hiking, and others we hope to never experience -- such as Giant cow parsnip or Monkshood poisoning. Others are essential in our everyday life… such as coffee and chocolate.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Marlene The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Sun, 01 Dec 2019 - 1h 39min - 211 - Flower Power Garden Hour 51: Summer vegetable wrap up show
This is a review show of what worked and didn’t work in my vegetable garden this summer. I go over both the varieties of plant and techniques I used with a critical perspective.
Tomatoes. Florida weave versus cages. My pruning process in the future. Straw as weed block. Success of varieties including Sungold, Black Beauty, Berkley Tie Dye Peppers. MANY successes, including ghost peppers, shishito, poblano, bell peppers, Rhenza Macedonia. Why the success? Melons. Mixed bag on planting technique – too crowded. Review on varieties (hit and miss on success), and future plans Also review: eggplants, beans, Solanum quitoense, zucca gourd, Sakurajima giant radish, corn and moreTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at Marlene The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Sun, 24 Nov 2019 - 50min - 210 - Flower Power Garden Hour 50: Listener Q&A…potpourri
Marlene answers a variety of listener submitted questions this week -- grab bag of questions.
Fall planting – what can still be planted for Fall in the San Joaquin Valley Rose bushes – yellow spots on leaves….what to do to prevent Ficus – losing leaves on only a certain portion of the plant Comfrey – can it be planted in raised beds for winter? How to break through hard pan in order to plant Superblue Lavendar – for indoor growing in the Northeast US, should a ceramic or plastic pot be used Bromeliad – help with growing a very dry, no natural light officeTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at Marlene The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Sat, 19 Oct 2019 - 53min - 209 - Flower Power Garden Hour 49: Terrariums
Terrariums are a great way to grow a landscape on a miniature scale. I sit down with expert terrarium builders Kyle Shankle and Eric Cendejas to discuss building a terrarium from container up. Learn what soil is best, water-proofing techniques, drainage, how to build features, which lighting system to choose and of course all the plants that will reward you with your own mini-jungle.
Eric can be found @aroiddaddy on Instagram
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Marlene The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Wed, 02 Oct 2019 - 1h 26min - 208 - Flower Power Garden Hour 48: Listener Q&A...flower focus
Marlene answers a variety of listener submitted questions this week. The focus is on flowers this week, with a smattering of vegetables thrown in.
Black tulip magnolia – not blooming, unhealthy looking Mums – growing tall, but not flowering Bougainvillea – growing out of control, how to train Christmas cactus – half growing well, half not Butterfly bushes – how to prep for winter Japanese maples – browning as summer gets hot “Rusty” leaves – what is causing, how to mitigate Tomatoes – second harvest is green and hard Avocados – tree not producingTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at Marlene The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Sun, 22 Sep 2019 - 53min - 207 - Flower Power Garden Hour 47: Ethnobotany, with Nathan Gonzales
Marlene sits down with Nathan Gonzales, instructional assistant of biology at American River College and talks about his favorite plants to use medicinally and while on the trail. Learn what California native can be used as an antimicrobial band-aid in a pinch, what plants make the best fire starting material and what uncommon plant can be snacked on to get you a bit giddy! This ethnobotany centric episode covers many of the plants people see every day when hiking and dwells into the many uses Native Americans have for them.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Marlene The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Wed, 11 Sep 2019 - 57min - 206 - Flower Power Garden Hour 46: Oaks, with Emily Griswold
Mighty, majestic… these are words often used to describe Oaks. For Emily Griswold, Oaks are so much more.. they are her passion. She has turned this passion into collecting and disseminating different Oak species to various collections across the world, as well as curating the 300-species-strong Shields Oak Grove on the UC Davis campus. I sit down with Emily and tap into her knowledge on all things Oaks… how to grow, diseases, species suitable for backyards, the smallest and the oldest (which will blow your mind).
Click here for article on the oldest know oak talked about during episode.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Marlene The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Sun, 25 Aug 2019 - 1h 16min - 205 - Flower Power Garden Hour 45: Listener Q&A
Marlene answers a variety of listener submitted questions this week. It’s a grab bag of topics this time, including:
Hibiscus leaves dropping – causation? Orchids – root location Watermelons with a black spot on bottom – fungus or? Passion Fruit viability – Central Valley CA Dwarf lemon not producing Watermelons – white inside….why? Roses – tiny holes in flowersTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at Marlene The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Sun, 11 Aug 2019 - 53min - 204 - Flower Power Garden Hour 44: Cacao, with Cru Chocolate
How did two engineers become chocolate makers? As we discuss the process of making chocolate with Karla McNeil and Eddie Houston, owners of Cru Chocolate, it becomes clear that chocolate making is not only an art but part chemistry and engineering. This episode covers the history of cacao, its importance in many South American cultures and the steps to make beans to bar. Additionally, we dive into the challenges of being a company with a culture focused on sustainability and ensuring the success of their South American partners.
Cru Chocolate can be found at:
www.cruchocolate.com. Locations to purchase and partners can be found here.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Sun, 28 Jul 2019 - 1h 11min - 203 - Flower Power Garden Hour 43: Dr. Matt Amicucci – not all carbs are created equal
Growing a cover crop is a great way to incorporate nitrogen into the soil, but what exactly does this mean? What are the best plants for it and what are the steps to getting the most out of the cover crop. I sit down with Dr. Matt Amicucci, owner of Calyxo Biosystems, and discuss nitrogen fixation. We then veer into his involvement in the research and discovery of a native Oaxacan corn that makes enough nitrogen that the local farmers have never fertilized their soil! We then go into more detail into Matt’s PhD work…. how not all carbs are created equal. Matt’s research took over 1,000 fruit and vegetables and broke down every carb and sugar to map out what exactly we eat and how it affects our health. A fascinating discussion about our preconceived notions regarding certain foods, gut biome and potential applications of the research.
Matt can be found at @farmforageferment on Instagram
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Wed, 10 Jul 2019 - 51min - 202 - Flower Power Garden Hour 42: Pollinators for fruits and vegetables
Bees, butterflies, beetles, oh my. These are just some of the important pollinators needed to achieve great fruit and vegetable set in your garden. Find out which plants are best at attracting pollinators, as well as tips and tricks on hand pollinating when pollinators go MIA. Learn why your strawberries and squash are malformed, as well as how to plant corn to achieve high quality. This episode covers all things pollination!
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Tue, 25 Jun 2019 - 1h 05min - 201 - Flower Power Garden Hour 41: Listener Q&A…Summer Vegetable Gardening
An episode dedicated to answering questions submitted by listeners. Topics this week include:
Peppers – poor growth and production Tomatoes and squash – what are the best fertilizers/amendments Leaf curling on tomatoes Epsom salt – good for plants (specifically tomatoes)? Technique for disinfecting gardening shears Marigolds as companion plants Is peat moss effective to retain moisture in soilTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Sun, 16 Jun 2019 - 51min - 200 - Flower Power Garden Hour 40: Farmer Fred Hoffman, Master Gardener and Garden Show radio host
Marlene sits down with “Farmer Fred” Hoffman, renown long time Garden Show radio host, writer and lifetime Master Gardener. Having decades of both practical experience and countless hours with farmers/garden professionals, Fred is an incredible fountain of knowledge, tips, troubleshooting – and a amazing storyteller in the best sense.
Subjects discussed:
Farmer Fred history; Growing up in North Hollywood; From radio to gardening; From Captain Fred to Farmer Fred; Truckers come to the rescue to find Farmer Fred’s stolen car; Diazinon experience piques Fred’s interest in gardening; Organic heirloom popcorn farming; When to plant tomatoes; Tomato Blossom End Rot and how to treat (or not); Beneficial insects and how to attract; Farmer Fred’s favorite tomatoes to grow; Heirloom tomatoes and limited fruit set; Marlene’s favorite peppers (Padrone and Shishido); Raised bed construction and irrigation; Companion planting; Malabar spinach – trellis climbing, summer greens; Tomato cages and the Florida Weave; Concrete reinforcement wire in raised beds; Compost, woodchips, straw for pathways and weed control; Strawberries…why Marlene and Fred don’t grow; Growing blueberries in metal water troughs; Farmer Fred’s best Christmas gift ever; Marlene’s greenhouse construction project; Country living; Fred and Marlene’s cycling stories
Farmer Fred can found EVERYWHERE:
FarmerFred.com, his website with TONS of articles, how-to guides, tips, and links
KFBK Garden Show every Sunday from 8:00 – 10:00am PST, and available as KFBK Garden Show Podcast
KSTE Get Growing Show every Sunday from 10:00 – 12:00pm PST, and available as KSTE Get Growing Podcast
KSTE Farm Hour every Sunday from 12:00 – 1:00pm PST, and available as KSTE Farm Hour Podcast
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Sun, 26 May 2019 - 1h 26min - 199 - Flower Power Garden Hour 39: Plant Cuttings
In this episode Marlene delves into making softwood cuttings in order to propagate clones of parent plants. Taking cuttings is a fast and reliable method of obtaining numerous plants from a small amount of source material.
Marlene covers:
Auxin -- primary hormone for root production Step by step process of how to successfully take a cutting Common issues people run into with cuttingsTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Fri, 17 May 2019 - 54min - 198 - Flower Power Garden Hour 38: Listener Q&A
Marlene answers a variety of listener submitted questions this week. It’s a grab bag of topics this time, including:
How to treat a sparse looking Daphne How to stop insects from eating sweet basil and tomatoes Browning Camellias Yellowing leaves on a tomato plant Is putting ice cubes on soil an effective method of watering Pruning of Weeping Cherry treeTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Tue, 23 Apr 2019 - 44min - 197 - Flower Power Garden Hour 37: Lavender, with Tina Reikes of Bear Flag Farm
Tina Reikes was not always a farmer. 9/11 caused Tina to reevaluate her life, leading her to deviate from her corporate real estate career to seek something more fulfilling. Never having farmed, but armed with a desire to find a rural based lifestyle, Tina searched for the perfect location. A few years later, Bear Flag Farm was born. 26 acres tucked amongst almond & walnut orchards in the ag town of Winters CA, Tina began her career as a boutique farmer of lavender, olive oil, wine – and to boot, being a world renown wedding venue. Here we discuss Tina’s trials & errors of lavender farming, including her favorite varieties, how/when to prune, & the other aspects of her life as a farmer.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Sun, 31 Mar 2019 - 57min - 196 - Flower Power Garden Hour 36: Listener Q&A….Vegetable Focus
A listener questions episode this week focusing on vegetables:
Does cornmeal work as a pre-emergent herbicide Why does broccoli bolt? What is bolting? Do eggshells and/or diatomaceous earth effectively kill snails and slugs? Use of heat mats to start seeds My go-to soil amendments for vegetable garden soil preparation – and when to useTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Sat, 16 Mar 2019 - 1h 17min - 195 - Flower Power Garden Hour 35: Vermiculture – How to raise Composting Worms
Kate Waldo owns Worm Fancy, a business focused on diverting food waste going into our landfills. She began by working with schools, and implementing local programs which yielded some astounding results – in some cases a 3x reduction in daily trash volume. The scale and applicability of raising composting worms varies widely – from single family home use, to schools & business, to large scale ag operations. Here Kate walks through steps to start and guidance about how to be successful with raising your own composting worms.
Types of containers to use (stackable tray systems; Rubbermaid containers) How to set up containers -- bedding, feeding, moisture Ideal type of worm for composting (Eisenia fetida, aka Red Wigglers) Temperature range How to sort worms for harvesting – YouTube video on Light Sorting wormsPre-configured bins or stackable trays for raising worms can be purchased at Worm Fancy, as well as worms to start your population and bulk castings.
Worm Fancy can be found on Instagram @wormfancy
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Sun, 24 Feb 2019 - 1h 04min - 194 - Flower Power Garden Hour 34: Tomato Expert, Brad Gates
A highly anticipated episode, featuring world renown tomato expert, Brad Gates. Based in Napa Valley, Brad owns Wild Boar Farms where he fastidiously spends years creating new varieties of exotic tomatoes, optimized to be “stunning looking tomato varieties with extreme flavor.” To bring a new variety to market, it takes Brad on average 6-7 years of breeding for the desired traits and selecting the strongest plants each season to begin the following generation. Using fully organic and sustainable farming techniques, Wild Boar is 100% not GMO. Landscape/construction by trade, plant geneticist by proxy – Brad is known for his spectacular tomatoes such as Brad’s Atomic Grape, Black Beauty, Dark Galaxy and Blue Gold.
Over 60 varieties of Brad’s tomato seeds can be purchased at Wild Boar Farms, and plants can be purchased seasonally at select Northern CA nurseries (see website for detail)
Brad can be found on Instagram @wildboarfarms and Facebook
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Thu, 14 Feb 2019 - 1h 12min - 193 - Flower Power Garden Hour 33: Bees – How to start and maintain a colony
This is a much requested and anticipated episode with a deep dive on bees. Bee expert Dave Watson joins the show to share best practices for successfully raising bees. Dave provides a step by step process on how to set up your hive (including terminology/equipment), proper maintenance, location considerations, how to smoke bees, how to split colonies, pest/disease control, and much more (including hive social dynamics).
Dave is a fantastic teacher – this show serves as the How-To guide for those looking to get into beekeeping or seasoned beekeepers looking to expand their existing knowledge.
As part of his business, Dave helps people by removing bee swarms. This unique phenomena is discussed near the end of the podcast, with Dave sharing some of his best stories.
Check out Dave’s Facebook @ DRWatsonapiaries
Dave sells his NorCal Gold Country honey at The Golden Gecko, where he also teaches beekeeping classes
Other valuable resources are the Sacramento Area Beekeepers Association and their Facebook page (here)
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Wed, 23 Jan 2019 - 1h 53min - 192 - Flower Power Garden Hour 32: Roses Deep-Dive, Part 1
This is part 1 of 2 that comprises a comprehensive breakdown of anything and everything about roses, with a focus on bare-root. Here Marlene covers:
Types of roses: Old English, ramblers, climbers, hybrid teas, grandifloras, floribundas, moss rose
Purchasing: What to look for when buying bare-root roses
Planting: Bare-root, actively growing roses, grafted versus non-grafted, soil, temperature range, drainage tolerance, sun requirements, when to plant, techniques of successful planting
Pruning: When to prune depending on type and area, techniques, preventing disease transfer
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com
Fri, 11 Jan 2019 - 55min - 191 - Flower Power Garden Hour 31: Listener Q&A….Cold Weather Prep
A listener questions episode this week featuring:
African violets….tips for re-potting Succulent protection in cold weather and frost All about Rue (Ruta graveolens)….growing tips Mushroom infestation…potential diagnosis and recommendations Pest control (beetles)…how to selectively predate their larvaeTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at msimon@marlenesimon.net
Thu, 22 Nov 2018 - 1h 01min - 190 - Flower Power Garden Hour 30: Houseplants – Care and Feeding, part 2
Alan Yip, Masters in Horticulture and Biodiversity, joins for Part 2 on a discussion around everything houseplants. Here we focus on tips and tricks about how to optimize your indoor plants. Topics include:
Potting soils – how to choose or make your own Make your plants shiny (?) Protecting plants from cats Treat fungal gnats Dispelling common myths Common issues, such as leaf browningTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at msimon@marlenesimon.net
Wed, 07 Nov 2018 - 39min - 189 - Flower Power Garden Hour 29: Houseplants – Retro, Easy and Stylish, part 1
Alan Yip, Masters in Horticulture and Biodiversity, joins today for a discussion on houseplants. Alan is an expert on orchids, and we will do an upcoming episode specifically on those. Here we talk about all things houseplants, focusing on ones which are easy to grow, tips for making them thrive, and common problems and solutions. We also dive into which houseplants are the popular ones currently. We’ve gone retro, because 1970’s houseplants are in! Popular plants discussed include Monstera and Ficus lyrata (aka Fiddle Leaf Fig).
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at msimon@marlenesimon.net
Sun, 04 Nov 2018 - 43min - 188 - Flower Power Garden Hour 28: Winchester Mystery House, with Delmar Duldulao
Delmar Duldulao was the Head Gardener at the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, CA for over 20 years. The Winchester House is an 161 room estate in the heart of Silicon Valley, originally built by Sarah Winchester in the early 1900’s. Originally on 160 acres of fruit orchards, the house still sits on 4.5 acres, with 2 being manicured gardens. The Winchester House is where I had my first job and introduction into gardening, where I worked with Delmar as Assistant Gardener in my late teenage years. Delmar was the perfect teacher – a genius at mixing science & art applied to the incredible variety of plants we worked with. Here we discuss the unique plants, challenges & history of the gardens at the Winchester House.
Delmar owns The Garden Samurai, a landscaping companying in Silicon Valley.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at msimon@marlenesimon.net
Sun, 28 Oct 2018 - 59min - 187 - Flower Power Garden Hour 27: Plant Communication and Defense, with Dr. Richard Karban
Dr. Richard Karban is a researcher at UC Davis, where he is an expert in the field of plant defenses and plant-insect interactions. His studies with sagebrush and how they “communicate” to decrease herbivore predation has been groundbreaking. Plant communication has been a hotly contested discussion for the better part of a decade. Although the general consensus in the scientific community now is that plant communication DOES occur, the mechanism(s) by which this happens is not well known or agreed upon.
Watch Dr Karban’s TED-Ed talk on Plant Communication here
Check out Wired Magazine’s article on Dr Karban here
Find Dr Karban’s book Plant Sensing and Communication here
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at msimon@marlenesimon.net
Mon, 22 Oct 2018 - 38min - 186 - Succulents and Unique, Rare Plants
Brendan Wilce is a UCD graduate with a BA in Environmental Horticulture & Urban Forestry. He is a nursery industry veteran, currently working at El Dorado Nursery in Shingle Springs, CA. Brendan is a longtime friend and colleague, and has an amazing collection of succulents (Pachypodium, Stapeliads, Aloes, Agaves, dwarf Cactus), maples, oaks, woodland perennials, & rhododendron species. He is an amazing resource of knowledge in the above and has a relentless interest in anything rare, unique, or simply odd.
Check out his collection & plant photos at theplanimal on Instagram.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at msimon@marlenesimon.net
Thu, 11 Oct 2018 - 1h 15min - 185 - Flower Power Garden Hour 25: Listener Mailbag
A listener questions episode this week featuring:
Leaf curling on citrus trees Geriatric Christmas Cactus not blooming Difficulty growing Rhododendron in Northern California Mosaic Virus (or some other virus) in vegetables such as zucchini, tomatoes, cucumber Gnats infiltrated hibiscus Stubborn Plumeria not bloomingTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at msimon@marlenesimon.net
Fri, 28 Sep 2018 - 58min - 184 - Flower Power Garden Hour 24: Unusual Edible Plants
Tony Lord first developed his love of exotic edible plants while working as a social anthropologist in Micronesia. After his retirement as an Anthropology Professor at Long Beach State, he continued this passion in his Sacramento garden. Scouring plant & seed catalogs, Tony is intrigued by any plant that says, “will amaze your neighbors”. He is driven by the challenge of a difficult plant to cultivate. This could be anything from sugar cane to Moringa…. amazing because Tony grows in a Mediterranean zone as opposed tropical, yet he has continued success. We discuss many unusual plants we both have tried & Tony shares his tips & tricks.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at msimon@marlenesimon.net
Sat, 15 Sep 2018 - 1h 12min - 183 - Flower Power Garden Hour 23: Fall/Winter Vegetable Garden Preparation
It’s late August which means…time to start preparing and planting your Fall/Winter vegetable garden NOW!! Marlene discusses:
Strategy to plant Winter vegetables when summer garden still going well Direct sow seeds or plant starters (small plants) Types of winter vegetables and containers/locations they can be grown in (Kale, broccoli, brussel sprouts, beets, carrots, radishes, onions, potatoes, cabbage, etc) Critical aspects of success, including cover crops for nitrogen fixing (such as fava beans, red clover) Proper soil amendment (compost, potting soil, garden soil) Pests and treatment at different points in Fall/Winter seasonTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at msimon@marlenesimon.net
Sun, 26 Aug 2018 - 49min - 182 - Flower Power Garden Hour 22: Listener Q&A….Fruit Focus
A listener Q&A episode this week featuring:
Seedless green & red grapes producing very small fruit – why and how to fix How to know when a watermelon is ripe and ready to harvest Avocado trees grown indoors – when and how to move outside Edible weeds – example, Purslane Techniques to propagate a Crape Myrtle from a sucker Azalea health Best soil type for raised vegetable beds Yellow spots – causes and how to fixTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at msimon@marlenesimon.net
Sun, 12 Aug 2018 - 58min - 181 - Flower Power Garden Hour 21: Albino Redwoods – Mutant Takeover
Mutations happen, just ask the X-Men. Zane Moore, a PhD student at UC Davis, wants to know why. More specifically he wants to know what possible long term ramifications can be – an effect known as “mutational meltdown”. Zane’s particular area of study are Albino Redwoods, mutant trees that lack chlorophyll. He has been studying these since he was 16 years old after hearing a radio interview about them. We discuss the possible evolutionary benefits of having no chlorophyll such as acting as a heavy metal sink, clonal populations and associated risk/rewards, how redwoods grow, and the rarity (maybe…) of these trees.
Zane Moore – the Professor X of Redwoods.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at msimon@marlenesimon.net
Sun, 05 Aug 2018 - 58min - 180 - Flower Power Garden Hour 20: Listener Q&A….Potpourri
A listener questions episode this week featuring:
Hydrangeas not blooming – why?? Fungus on Squash Lemon tree issues – dropping fruit Plumeria not growing after transplant Best indoor plants for low light workspace Best flowers for a cutting garden Apple Cider Vinegar for fertilizer?To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at msimon@marlenesimon.net
Sat, 14 Jul 2018 - 51min - 179 - Flower Power Garden Hour 19: Begonias – properties and growing/propagating techniques
All things Begonia this week. Paul Tsamtsis (lifetime Begonia gardener & expert) & Mike Tentis (lifetime gardener with a more recent Begonia fetish) join Marlene to discuss one of her favorite undervalued flowers - Begonias. Both are active members of the Sacramento Begonia Society, a chapter of the American Begonia Society.
The gamete of topics are discussed:
Different forms (Rex, tuberous, rhizomatous, cane) Preferred soil types Propagation techniques (leaf cuttings, stem cuttings, “congfetti”, mop head) Light exposure Fertilizer types (Osmocote, bone meal, max sea) Pests/diseases (mealybugs, powdery mildew)To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at msimon@marlenesimon.net
Fri, 06 Jul 2018 - 53min - 178 - Flower Power Garden Hour 18: Listener Questions
Listener questions answered, ranging from protecting vegetable gardens from the summer heat, water strategy with regards to landscaping, causation & prevention of yellowing leaves, protection of plants from birds & insects, and how to best keep fuchsia flowers alive. Fertilizing and organic soil amendment technique and product choice is a common theme. Use these Q&A shows to help build your diagnostic capability to become a master gardener!
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at msimon@marlenesimon.net
Fri, 29 Jun 2018 - 57min - 177 - Vegetable Gardening – Common Problems, Symptoms & Solutions
This episode covers many of the common vegetable garden problems Marlene gets asked about. She covers tomatoes, peppers, squash and more – spanning problems ranging from overwatering, over-fertilization, deficiencies, pollination issues resulting in lack of fruit set.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at msimon@marlenesimon.net
Sat, 16 Jun 2018 - 58min - 176 - Mycology 101 with Jason Carter
Jason Carter is a PhD candidate at UC Davis studying Pine Pitch Canker, which is a fungus responsible for mass death of Monterey Pines in California. As part of this, he is investigating specific fungus ability to tolerate grass defense compounds, and if there is a correlation to the capability this particular fungus has for resisting pine defenses.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at msimon@marlenesimon.net
Sat, 09 Jun 2018 - 34min - 175 - Flower Power Garden Hour 15: Horticulture Fake News -- Gardening Myths Debunked
We all know of common gardening hints and tips. Sometimes these are passed on through family generations, and sometimes they seem to pop up in the social media world. Some are based in solid principles, and some are based in logic that belongs deep in the sewer. This episode covers some of the more popular “garden myths” and whether they have any merit or are the fake news of the horticulture world. Lots of focus on vegetable and fruits.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at msimon@marlenesimon.net
Sun, 27 May 2018 - 57min - 174 - Flower Power Garden Hour 14: Gardening Q&A….Fruits, Vegetables and Flowers
Loads of listener questions this week, with topics ranging from fruit trees, vegetables, soil amendments and prep, to flower and shrub health in harsh summer conditions.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram. You can also email Marlene questions, future show topic requests and feedback at msimon@marlenesimon.net
Fri, 18 May 2018 - 59min - 173 - Flower Power Garden Hour 13: Spanish Peppers….a story of gardening tips and the history of this pepper in Gloria Lopez’s family
Gloria has been growing the same lineage of peppers since her family brought them over from southern Spain in 1920. Following her grandfather & father, Gloria has kept this strain alive and vibrant. Whereas most Spanish immigrant families stopped growing or lost track of the seed, Gloria has been able to keep the tradition alive. Each year she starts 1,000 of these sweet peppers in her small greenhouse & gives away most. Her list of people who want them grows each year. In her own garden, she plants hundreds of them & selects the perfect ones to dry & harvest the seed from, furnishing the seeds to grow from the following year – sustainable agriculture at its finest. This pepper represents the long history Spanish immigrants have with agriculture in the Winters area and in California Agriculture. To chronicle this history Gloria interviewed hundreds of immigrants & their families complying their unique stories into a book and documentary, An American Paella: Becoming American while Staying Spanish
You can find Gloria’s book and documentary at her website
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram
Fri, 11 May 2018 - 55min - 172 - Water Wise Gardening – Lawn Transformation and native drought tolerant plants with Taylor Lewis
Taylor Lewis, UC Davis Arboretum Teaching Nursery Manager, discusses water-wise, drought tolerant, California native gardening. Removing a lawn can be back-breaking…..Taylor shares his detailed methodology for transforming a lawn into a water-wise garden, with minimal intense physical labor. Taylor’s method makes lawn removal a much less daunting task. Additionally discussed is maintenance of soil after lawn transformation, low water usage irrigation types and technique, and ideal plants & flowers for water-wise gardening. Marlene loves Mediterranean gardening for this purpose. For a comprehensive list of high performing, low water usage plants, check out the UC Davis Arboretum “Arboretum All-Stars” list. They’ve been compiling this list for over a decade.
You can reach Taylor at tclewis@ucdavis.edu
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram
Check out past all past episodes and contact Marlene at marlenesimon.net
Fri, 04 May 2018 - 51min - 171 - Flower Power Garden Hour 11: Vegetable & Flower Gardening Q&A
A round of listener questions fills this week’s episode, with a mixed focus on vegetables, pest control & flowers. Specifically, Marlene answers questions regarding artichokes – how to keep healthy, pest free (or pest “controlled”) & how/when to harvest. On the floral front, Marlene tackles rose & lavender questions around care & specific variety blooming attributes. She dives into the unique Jericho rose – aka the Resurrection plant. Bonus -- hear about The Plant Lady’s unhealthy obsession with the My Favorite Murder podcast.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram
Thu, 26 Apr 2018 - 44min - 170 - Flower Power Garden Hour 10: Eric Cendejas, Orchid Expert
Orchidelerium anybody? It was during the Victorian era that Orchidelerium took hold. Rich socialites & aristocrats hired their own plant hunters to gather and bring back as many different orchids as they could find. While poaching of rare orchids such as the Ghost Orchid still happens, the frenzy has died down. The ability to clone orchids from meristematic tissue has made these once hard to come by flowers as easy as grabbing one on the way out from the grocery store. In this episode Marlene & guest orchid exert Eric Cendejas touch upon the most commonly grown orchids & issues. What do you do once your Phalaenopsis stops blooming? How do I know when to divide my Cymbidiums? These questions along with pest, disease & fertilizing
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram
Fri, 13 Apr 2018 - 1h 02min - 169 - Flower Power Garden Hour 9: Gardening Q&A
Listener questions are the focus of this episode, predominantly looking at flowers and succulents (with of course a dabble of tomato and vegetable gardening advice). Also, a discussion takes Marlene down the path of nurseries that sell PAINTED plants. Store deceit or wishful thinking of the budding gardener…..you decide. This week’s questions include cactus, poinsettias, hydrangea health and how to attract the insects you want (bees & butterflies).
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram
Ask your question about: general gardening, specific tree care/health, specific flower/plant recommendations or issues, vegetable and fruits
Mon, 09 Apr 2018 - 56min - 168 - Flower Power Garden Hour 8: Tomato Gardening Deep Dive
This episode is a deep dive into tomato planting – how to set your spring/summer vegetable garden up for success. The first half of the episode focuses on the tactical aspects…when to plant, what & where to plant (containers versus native soil), soil amendments (fertilizer & compost), pruning & training, and tomato varieties (ie heirloom, roma, cherry). The second half of the show turns attention to the most common tomato questions – diagnosis and treatment of diseases, pest infestation & environmentally controlled health problems.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram
Ask your question about: general gardening, specific tree care/health, specific flower/plant recommendations or issues, vegetable and fruits
Sun, 01 Apr 2018 - 1h 05min - 167 - Flower Power Garden Hour 7: Gardening Q&A
You say potato…Horticulturalists say Solanum tuberosum. This week Marlene delves into vegetable gardening discussing potato planting…the do’s and don’ts. In addition she will be answering your listener submitted garden questions. This week’s questions include suckers, mites, hummingbird plants, rose leaf spot, planting garlic, bareroot trees, what is “organic”…. and she introduces Beetlegoat!
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram
Ask your question about: general gardening, specific tree care/health, specific flower/plant recommendations or issues, vegetable and fruits
Sat, 24 Mar 2018 - 1h 00min - 166 - Flower Power Garden Hour 6: Matt Amicucci
Vegetable gardening 101 with Matt Amicucci. Matt is an Ag/Environmental chemistry PhD candidate, currently working in conjunction with the Foods For Health Institute. Their focus today is prepping vegetable gardens for spring planting. Marlene & Matt highlight their experiences with DIY raised beds, crops such as tomato and pepper varieties, organic gardening, fertilizing how-to, soil amending, seed starting, farm to fork, urban and sustainable gardening and Matt's unique planters.
Matt can be found at @farmforageferment on Instagram
Fri, 16 Mar 2018 - 1h 05min - 165 - Flower Power Garden Hour 5: Joel Ledford
Marlene "The Plant Lady" talks to Joel Ledford, PhD arachnologist at UC Davis…that makes him a spider researcher to us lay people. Marlene & Joel discuss his varied pathway to becoming a leading expert in the field, including stops in the Marine Corp, time as an elementary school teacher and a post-doc fellowship at the California Academy of Sciences. Their conversation ranges from evolutionary mechanisms, unique habitats and survival strategies, arachnophobia, spider myths, and Joel’s adventures/travels as a researcher.
Sat, 10 Mar 2018 - 52min - 164 - Flower Power Garden Hour 4: Bob Starnes
Marlene "The Plant Lady" sits down with Bob Starnes, owner of Shale Peak Horticulture. Bob is a leading expert in chemical-free pest management (aka bio-control), utilizing a multitude of predatory insects to control (ie hunt & kill) crop damaging pest populations. His IPM (integrated pest management) and consulting services are specifically targeted towards the burgeoning cannabis (marijuana) cultivator community in California. With a focus on maximizing efficacy, Bob utilizes bleeding edge drone and imaging technology to deploy beneficial insects and collect data on their impact.
Bob’s company, Shale Peak Horticulture, can be found at http://www.sphort.com and on Instagram
Wed, 21 Feb 2018 - 40min - 163 - Flower Power Garden Hour 3: Gardening Q&A
Q&A with listener submitted questions. Topics include:
Challenges of growing ficus Help with starting tulips Tips for increasing citrus crop yield Hydrangeas! Yucca! When to plant in the western US due to unseasonally early warmth The top blockbuster horticulture movie of 2017. And Bitcoin.To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram
Ask your question about: general gardening, specific tree care/health, specific flower/plant recommendations or issues, vegetable and fruits
Wed, 21 Feb 2018 - 48min - 162 - Flower Power Garden Hour 2: Barry Rice
Barry Rice is an astrobiologist, carnivorous plant and succulent researcher, 4th degree Kempo karate black belt and self-proclaimed agnostic Trekkie/Trekker. He is an astronomy professor at Sierra College, and is world renown for his work with Carnivorous plants. Barry can be found at sarracenia.com and his YouTube pages.
Fri, 16 Feb 2018 - 54min - 161 - Flower Power Garden Hour 1: Gardening Q&A
Intro to podcast and Marlene the Plant Lady answers questions submitted by listeners.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at Flower Power Garden Hour Facebook page, The Plant Lady Facebook page, or Instagram
Fri, 16 Feb 2018 - 1h 08min - 160 - Flower Power Garden Hour 160: Andrew Bunting, Fall Garden Preparation
Fall is THE time to prep for a wonderful spring/summer garden. I talk to Andrew Bunting -- Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Vice President of Horticulture -- all about planting bulbs, soil prep, what to plant, what to watch out for and how to create habitats for beneficial insects, bees and birds.
Andrew and resources from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society can be found at:
Website: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Facebook: @PHSgardening Twitter: @PHSgardening Instagram: @phsgardening YouTube: @PHSgardening LinkedIn: Pennsylvania Horticultural SocietyTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.comFind Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sat, 22 Oct 2022 - 1h 04min - 159 - Flower Power Garden Hour 159: Greg Bundesen, Water conservation while maintaining a green garden
As California and the west continue to suffer the effects of drought, it is more important than ever to be water-wise in the garden. I talk to Greg Bundesen – Sacramento Water Conservation Supervisor – about what you can do as a homeowner and gardener to use less water but still maintain a green space. We discuss grey water, mulch, converting sprinklers to drip, and where you find ample water saving information.
Further information can be found at:
Sacramento Suburban Water District Be Water SmartTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.comFind Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Wed, 12 Oct 2022 - 1h 09min - 158 - Flower Power Garden Hour 158: Joe Lamp’l -- aka “Joe Gardener” – Raised beds, from Why to How
Joe Lamp’l – from “Joe Gardener” fame – is America’s gardener. Given that his public television show Growing a Greener World is shown in 38 countries, Joe is more appropriately the WORLD’s gardener. He has an illustrious, long career spanning television, print, podcasting, and video content. Above all, Joe is an educator – his gardening passion is infectious, and his communication ability to make challenging concepts simple is a strength. He has taken this to the masses in his Online Gardening Academy, offering a growing (pun intended) curriculum of classes available to the public at affordable prices.
In this episode, we cover a range of topics, but our focus is on raised beds – from the “why” to the “how”.
Joe’s content can be found at:
Podcast: joegardener.com/podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify Videos: joegardener.com/videos, YouTube Blog: joegardener.com/blog Growing a Greener World PBS show: growingagreenerworld.com Lastest Book: The Vegetable Gardening BookJoe’s Online Gardening Academy (online classes) can be found at:
organicgardeningacademy.comJoe’s social media can be found at:
Facebook: @joegardener Twitter: @joegardener Instagram: @joegardener Pinterest: @joegardenerTo ask questions for future FPGH shows, submit them at:
Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.comFind Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Sun, 25 Sep 2022 - 1h 13min - 157 - Flower Power Garden Hour 157: Water-wise gardening & Irrigation, with Don Smith - Water Management Coordinator for the City of Folsom
Water-wise gardening is more important than ever in the west, and part of this includes irrigating properly. Don Smith, Water Management Coordinator for the City of Folsom, joins me to discuss everything irrigation. He covers which sprinklers are best if you do have a lawn, how to lay out your drip irrigation for optimal coverage, and are “smart” controllers worth it? Plus, he reviews how to convert a PVC system to a drip system, and how to know how long to run your irrigation.
More water conservation information can be found at:
Website: ca.us/government/environmental-water-resources/water/water-conservationTo ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.comFind Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Thu, 08 Sep 2022 - 1h 11min
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