A truly purple tomato - this is what Norfolk Healthy Produce has achieved. With beauty also comes big health benefits. Listen in as I talk to CEO Dr. Nathan Plumpton and head horticulturalist Ian Baker on what the process was to make this happen and how snapdragons are involved.

You can find Norfolk Healthy Produce at:

•         Website: norfolkhealthyproduce.com
•         Facebook:  @BigPurpleTomato
•         YouTube:  @bigpurpletomato
•         Instagram:  @bigpurpletomato

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 [email protected]

Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Fruit tree expert, Ed Laivo of @ed_able_solutions, gives his list of favorite peaches and nectarines for an extended growing season. Plus learn what cat-facing is and why it may be happening to your nectarines. This and more growing tips.

You can find Ed at:

•         Facebook:  @”Ed”Able Solutions
•        YouTube:  @Ed_Able_Solutions
•         Instagram:  @ed_able_solutions

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 [email protected]

Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

It’s spring!  LOTS of prep to do for the upcoming season. Time to sow seeds and prep beds for planting.

It is time to plant:

•         Broccoli – plants only
•         Carrots
•         Cauliflower- plants only
•        Leeks
•        Loose leaf lettuce
•         Peas
•        Potatoes

Chores include:

•        Sow tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, flowers inside
•        Start flowers (sunflowers, strawflower, zinnias)
•        Fertilize
•        Compost
•        Clean up, cut back
•        Prune fruit trees
•        Plant perennials
•        Check irrigation

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 [email protected]

Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Anthony Dal Ben is one of the winners of the Be Water Smart #summerstrong competition.  Winners of this competition transformed their once water loving lawns/gardens into yards that are water efficient but at that same time beautiful. For Anthony it was a family affair. Hear how not only did he transform his front lawn into a water wise landscape, he used this as an educational experience for his kids.

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 [email protected]

Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Elaine Fitzgerald is one of the winners of the Be Water Smart #summerstrong  competition. Winners of the competition transformed their once water loving lawns/gardens into yards that are water efficient as well as beautiful. Listen in to hear how Elaine went from grass to a pollinator heaven.

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 [email protected]

Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Janelle Auyeung is one of the winners of the Be Water Smart #summerstrong competition.  Winners of this competition transformed their once water loving lawns/gardens into yards that are water efficient, but at that same time beautiful. Hear the steps Janelle took to make her backyard a magnificent oasis of fruit trees, vegetables and flowers.

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 [email protected]

Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

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.  It was quite a hot summer and time may have been sparse in the garden, but it’s time to get the gloves on and get to work.  Episode includes Listener Q&A.

It is time to plant:

•        Beets (seeds or plants)
•        Bok choy (seeds or plants)
•        Broccoli (plants)
•        Brussel sprouts
•        Cabbage (seeds or plants)
•        Carrots (seeds)
•        Cauliflower (plants)
•        Celery
•        Collards/Swiss chard (seeds or plants)
•        Kale (seeds or plants)
•        Kohlrabi (seeds or plants)
•        Garlic
•        Leek
•        Lettuce (seeds or plants)
•        Onion sets
•        Peas (seeds or plants)
•        Radish/radicchio/daikon/turnips
•        Spinach
•        Natives, Perennials, citrus – towards the end of September when it cools down

Chores include:

•        Transplant/divide irises, grasses, tuberous plants
•        Buy bulbs
•        Collect seeds
•        Clean up – pull out vegetables which are done, fallen fruit
•        Prune lavender, hydrangeas
•        Pests – whiteflies may be setting in…..keep an eye on

Listener Q&A section.  Topics covered include:

•        Aloe – odd white material on the soil underneath?
•        Morning glory – how to get rid of invasive overgrowth?
•        Century plant – now that it is blooming, how to care for?
•        Fiddle leaf fig – how to prune?
•        Tomato – can cuttings be taken for next year?

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 [email protected]

Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

This episode is sponsored by bewatersmart.info.

The heat getting to you? There’s a good chance it’s also impacting your plants.  I discuss various heat related plant issues and ways to mitigate them.

To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:

·       Facebook

·       Instagram

·       email Marlene at [email protected]

Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

This episode is sponsored by bewatersmart.info.

In this episode,  I discuss 10 of my favorite drought tolerant plants. Even if you think you don’t have a green thumb, these plants will thrive in your garden with minimal water requirements. Plus, I include pollinator information.

To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:

·       Facebook

·       Instagram

·       email Marlene at [email protected]

Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

In this episode, I have a great conversation with the Chocolate Botanist, Derek Haynes. Hear about his journey becoming a plant biologist as well about his mission to debunk misinformation on the internet. We discuss his “favorite” myths and how he handles the backlash he receives on social media.

 Derek is a plethora of educational and entertaining information -- links below can be found to his variety of media.

• Instagram:  @thechocolatebotanist
• Website:  thecrazybotanist.com
• Facebook:  @thecrazybotanist
• YouTube:  @TheChocolateBotanist
• Twitter:  @crazybotanist

To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:

•          Facebook
•          Instagram
•          email Marlene at [email protected]

Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook