All Things Gardening Podcast

By Mary Williams Engisch, Charlie Nardozzi

What's All Things Gardening Podcast about?

Each week, Charlie Nardozzi joins Vermont Public’s Mary Engisch for a conversation about gardening, and to answer your questions about what you're seeing in the natural world.

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It's the leaves — not petal...

12.03.2023

From tropical climes to your Northeast table setting, the poinsettia is a great indoor house plant. Its leaves, called bracts, look like flower petals. And its those vibrant leaves that attract pollinators in its natural environment. Once potted up in ...

All Things Gardening Podcast episodes:

12.03.2023 It's the leaves — not petals — of the nochebuena (aka poinsettia) that add that holiday color From tropical climes to your Northeast table setting, the poinsettia is a great indoor house plant. Its leaves, called bracts, look like flower petals. And its those vibrant leaves that attract pollinators in its natural environment. Once potted up in ...
11.26.2023 Get roses, rhododendrons wrapped up for winter now before the ground freezes Broadleaf evergreen shrubs — like roses, lavender and thyme — need protection from cold temperatures, snow and wind. Learn how to create a barrier from winter weather, using natural materials like hay and wood chips along with stakes, wire and ...
11.19.2023 To overwinter dahlias, dig up the tubers and stash them in a shoebox Dahlia blooms grow well in Vermont's climate, but they are too delicate to overwinter in the ground. Now is the time to dig them up and get them cozy for a long winter's nap so you can plant them again ...
11.12.2023 Can the wooly bear caterpillar predict the weather? The tiger moth caterpillar, with its black- and rust-colored bands, has long been thought to be a predictor of upcoming winter weather. More likely, the coloring on these caterpillars shows what the previous months' weather and conditions were like.
11.05.2023 For cheery daffodils, scilla and crocus next spring, plant flowering bulbs now The warmer temperatures that lingered into early fall means you still have time to get digging in the soil before it freezes. Use this opportunity to plant flowering bulbs soon for a big reward next spring!
10.29.2023 Tender annuals, like geraniums, need to overwinter before cold weather hits Got begonias, fuschia and geraniums still growing in containers on your back porch? Now is the time to bring these tender annuals indoors to overwinter.
10.22.2023 Get tickled pink (or blue and green) by pastel pumpkins when decorating for fall Color outside of the lines when it comes to fall decorations this season. Instead of just traditional orange pumpkins and yellow hardy mums, get inspired by some of the pastel-colored blue and pink pumpkins, winter squash and gourds then pair ...
10.15.2023 Plant low-growing fescue and sedge for ornamental grasses that thrive in multiple conditions Planting some low-growing grasses can add movement and color to your yard and garden. These plants can also be planted in places where you might have traditionally chosen to lay down a layer of mulch.
10.08.2023 Self-seeding veggie plants can provide a free crop next year Certain vegetable plants, if left to bolt or go to seed, will self-sow and grow again next spring. You won't have to buy new seed and replant, which saves money. Plus, by letting the plants self-sow and regrow naturally, you're ...
10.01.2023 Blue, pink, white or bronze; how to dry hydrangea blossoms This flower's name contains a clue to what kind of growing conditions it likes: hydrangeas love water! And this summer's wetter weather really made these bushes blossom and bloom. Right now, blue, pink and white hydrangeas are really thriving. Enjoy ...
09.24.2023 Late bloomers like persimmon dodged the May frost and are nearly ready to harvest Tropical fruits like persimmon and paw paw (a fruit in the cherimoya family) did well in Vermont this year and here's why: because they bloomed later in spring, the late frost didn't affect them. They also did well despite heavy ...
09.24.2023 Late bloomers like persimmon dodged the May frost and are nearly ready to harvest Tropical fruits like persimmon and paw paw (a fruit in the cherimoya family) did well in Vermont this year and here's why: because they bloomed later in spring, the late frost didn't affect them. They also did well despite heavy ...
09.17.2023 For berries that provide essential nutrients for migrating birds, plant these two types of bushes The fruits from certain berry bushes pack a bigger nutrient punch for migrating and over-wintering birds.
09.10.2023 Learn to identify invasive jumping worms and remove them from your garden soil Invasive jumping worms are in all parts of Vermont except for Essex and Orleans counties, according to Vermont Invasives. These earth worms can cause trouble because of their excessive consumption of organic matter that adversely affects biodiversity.
09.03.2023 Showy and delicious, plant this edible flowering vine for late summer color Choose an annual or perennial flowering vine to add color to your late summer and early fall gardens. Some will bloom right up until frost.
08.27.2023 Support pollinators with milkweed types, like 'whorled,' 'swamp' and 'purple' Common milkweed is great for attracting pollinators and especially monarch butterflies. The plants can take over a small space quickly so try some less-aggressive milkweed types that can grow in a variety of soils.
08.20.2023 Plant green, flowering ground cover for a mowable, pollinator-friendly lawn If, earlier this year, you took "no-mow May" to heart and left a portion of your lawn unmowed for bees, beetles and butterflies, you can take it a step further now! A University of Minneapolis "bee lab" studied the kinds ...
08.13.2023 Some low-key, late summer flowers that pollinators cannot resist Late summer blooms like phlox and hydrangea can steal the show with their big blossoms and color. Still, it's a native perennial called helenium that really brings the bees and birds to the yard.
08.06.2023 A fall harvest awaits Vermont gardeners who can replant certain crops now Many Vermont home gardeners might have experienced flooding. If they can, now is an optimal time for home gardeners to replant for a small harvest in September and even into October.
07.30.2023 These freckled flowers add height, color and fragrance to your gardens Lily varieties like Tiger, Martagon and Trumpet can add height and color to your gardens and borders. Some types grow to six feet tall and bring heady fragrance, too.
07.23.2023 After recent Vermont flooding, the daylily blooms Hemerocallis or more commonly known as the daylily often comes in bright yellow and orange. The tall flowers sprout up easily and keep growing in all kinds of challenging conditions, like the recent Vermont floods.
07.16.2023 After historic Vt. flooding, toss any edible garden veggies touched by or under floodwaters After flood waters recede, home and market gardens can take stock of their gardens and crops and determine what can be saved and how to remediate the soil now for next spring.
07.09.2023 If you're itching to get rid of poison ivy in your yard, wait! This Vermont native has its good side. Sure, poison ivy causes itchy, red welts on 90% of people who touch its leaves or stems. This native plant also serves as food for birds and insects and even helps in high winds.
07.02.2023 How to keep slugs from turning your garden into a salad bar Slugs chewing on your lettuces and flower leaves? When the plants grow bigger and the wetter weather moves out, they will, too. In the meantime, try a couple of natural methods to deter them.
06.25.2023 Learn the '3-year rotational' and prune lilacs & other flowering shrubs like a pro Pruning certain flowering shrubs in early July is key to them blooming again next spring.
06.18.2023 How to ensure the gardening benefits of this creepy critter outweigh the drawbacks. The good news: these fierce-looking insects do not climb in through your ear, burrow into your brain and lay eggs. They can, however, keep certain garden pests at bay.
06.11.2023 Try these heirloom zucchini varieties that hold up great in a baked dish Known as a vegetable that grows well and very fast during Vermont summers, zucchini is a great addition to home gardens. This year, plant varieties that a bit different and can grow well in a garden or a container.
06.04.2023 For colorful flowering perennials, try growing 'butterscotch' & 'cherries jubilee' Flowering perennials like hardy baptisia and amsonia can bring color to your landscape for many different seasons.
05.28.2023 Tips for home gardeners who lost flowers and plants in the late May frost. Some parts of Vermont saw temps in the 20s during the overnight hours this month. While many apple orchards, vineyards and berry farms lost crops and income, home gardeners also had fruit trees and newly planted veggies get zapped by ...
05.21.2023 If your tulips and daffodils didn't bloom, try some bulb forensics to find out why Sometimes when flowering bulbs like daffodils and tulips don't bloom, the answer is underground. By digging up the bulbs and noting their characteristics, you can solve the problem for next year.
05.07.2023 Ornamental grasses add movement, height and color to your gardens From blue-green blades low to the ground and mounding like spiky hairdos to eight-foot-tall, feathery quills swaying in the breeze, find ornamental grasses to add to your gardens.
05.06.2023 Ornamental grasses add movement, height and color to your gardens From blue-green blades low to the ground and mounding like spiky hairdos to eight-foot-tall, feathery quills swaying in the breeze, find ornamental grasses to add to your gardens.
04.30.2023 Create a rain garden and rain barrel to capture and re-use water Capture and conserve storm water from heavy rains in gardens planted with water-loving flowers or catch it in a rain barrel.
04.24.2023 Make your yard the most popular in town for birds with fruit trees, water & hiding places Dead trees, water features and tasty berries can make your address the one to stop at for local birds seeking food and shelter.
04.16.2023 Waxing poetic about the loved/hated Brussels sprout Brussels sprouts grow well in our region as they like cool weather and full sun. Best practice is to start them from seed under grow lights indoors now, as they take all season long to grow. Then replant them in ...
04.15.2023 Waxing poetic about the loved/hated Brussels sprout Brussels sprouts grow well in our region as they like cool weather and full sun. Best practice is to start them from seed under grow lights indoors now, as they take all season long to grow. Then replant them in ...
04.09.2023 Lily lovers can look for new hybrids to bring fragrance, color and height to gardens Looking to add height, color and fragrance to your flower gardens? Lily varieties pack a visual and fragrant punch. Though these flowers grow well in Vermont, they will need your help to keep the red lily leaf beetle at bay.
04.02.2023 Love 'mosscore?' Grow some cushiony greenery in your yard In the right conditions, you can grow some green moss to bring an idyllic look to your landscape. You can purchase all kinds of mosses to grow or encourage more growth with a "moss milkshake!"
03.26.2023 Up your app game with bite-sized snacking peppers for summertime hors d'oeuvres Padrón or Herbón peppers hail from the Padrón region in northwestern Spain. These snack-sized peppers, along with Shishito peppers from Japan, can range from mild to spicy and are great when charred or grilled and eaten as an appetizer.
03.19.2023 If your garden space is small, try growing vertically Many beloved veggies are inclined to climb vertically already - like beans, squashes, cukes and zukes. Those plants tend to grow very large and can take over garden spaces. If you have a small garden, try growing certain plant varieties ...
03.12.2023 Hardier blue hydrangea varieties bring color and contrast to your gardens Try planting new and sturdier flowering shrubs that grow better in our region, like Blue Enchantress, this spring.
03.05.2023 Getting ready for spring: A start-up guide for growing tomatoes indoors Gather up all the things you'll need - germinating soil, small containers, seeds and a grow light. Then, come late March or early April, get your tomato starts planted indoors.
02.26.2023 The care and feeding of creepy, carnivorous house plants Some plants eat meat! These carnivorous plants tend to grow in wet areas and bogs but certain types will grow well indoors, with proper watering and feeding techniques.
02.19.2023 A tale of two Charlies and how these gardeners agree and differ on no-dig techniques Local gardening expert Charlie Nardozzi has been talking about no-dig gardening techniques for awhile. He compares his practices to those of another gardening "Charlie," Charles Dowding from England, who has been no-dig gardening for decades.
02.12.2023 Beyond cut flowers; Valentine's Day plant ideas to give your fave gardener. Two fun Valentine's gift ideas will last well beyond the holiday and make gardeners swoon: The sweetheart hoya has heart-shaped leaves and the moth orchid is a beautiful houseplant.
02.05.2023 Save those store-bought veggie pieces and learn to root and grow new ones. Though it is fun to try to regrow plants from avocado pits and citrus seeds, chances are good they will never flower or fruit. Instead, take lettuces, ginger and lemongrass to regrow new plants.
01.28.2023 Use the handful of weeks before spring to start growing leeks and onions indoors. Leeks and onions need about eight to 10 weeks to germinate before you can plant them in your raised beds and gardens outdoors. That means now is a great time to plant some indoors.
01.21.2023 If your home-grown tomatoes are destined to become sauce, plant a variety with sweet flavor and dense pulp. If you grow lots of tomatoes with canning plans in mind, this year, try Captain Lucky or Blue Beech.
01.14.2023 'Dark Side of the Moon,' and 'Bit of Honey;' among new, colorful perennial varieties to plant this spring When you're perusing gardening catalogs and websites for perennials to plant in spring, look for these that have unusual colors.
01.07.2023 Keeping up with cool new variations of your fave house plants Philodendron and snake plants make great choices to grow indoors all year. And these steadfast classics come in fun varieties. Look for these and other houseplant variations to add to your indoor greenery.

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