Flower Power Garden Hour

By Marlene Simon

What's Flower Power Garden Hour about?

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.

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Flower Power Garden Hour episodes:

04.03.2024
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...
03.09.2024
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...
02.20.2024
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...
02.08.2024
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...
12.24.2023
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...
11.19.2023
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...
11.08.2023
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...
10.21.2023
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...
10.04.2023
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...
09.27.2023
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...
09.11.2023
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...
09.02.2023
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...
08.26.2023
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...
08.12.2023
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: ...
08.03.2023
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...
07.29.2023
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...
07.16.2023
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...
06.30.2023
FPGH 179. Tomato Myths (& more)
06.19.2023
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...
05.26.2023
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...
05.07.2023
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...
04.15.2023
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...
04.09.2023
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...
04.02.2023
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...
03.11.2023
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...
03.04.2023
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...
02.11.2023
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: · ...
01.15.2023
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...
01.07.2023
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...
12.24.2022
Flower Power Garden Hour 167: Christmas Plants Wrap Up
12.15.2022
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...
12.04.2022
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...
11.20.2022
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...
11.12.2022
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...
11.02.2022
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...
10.29.2022
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...
10.22.2022
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...
10.12.2022
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...
09.25.2022
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...
09.08.2022
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...
08.25.2022
Flower Power Garden Hour 156: Tomatoes, with Brad Gates of Wild Boar Farms
Brad Gates, owner of Wild Boar Farms, joins me again to discuss problems gardeners may be encountering with their tomatoes. We also discuss the process that goes into him finding the next new variety… some are by chance, others are...
08.23.2022
Flower Power Garden Hour 155: Fire-wise landscaping, with Master Gardener education specialist, Kevin Marini
Sadly fire is becoming a way of life in California and the greater west. It’s important to maintain a healthy landscape for wildlife habitat, but there are key tasks homeowners can do to mitigate fire danger. I talk to Master...
08.18.2022
Flower Power Garden Hour 154: Pollination, with Tora Rocha of Pollinator Posse
Over 80% of plants need pollinators to reproduce -- this includes a majority of crops humans eat. To say that pollinators are important is an understatement. The founder and CEO of the non-profit Pollinator Posse, Tora Rocha, joins me to...
08.11.2022
Flower Power Garden Hour 153: Peppers, with Chad Inman of Sky High Scoville Pepper Farm
5 foot tall pepper plants? Yes, your peppers can get this large. Chad Iman, owner of Sky High Scoville Pepper Farm breaks down step by step how to grow the best most productive peppers possible. He shares his secret recipe...
08.08.2022
Flower Power Garden Hour 152: Bees, with Blake Dacy and Tina Macuha
Producing your own honey and having your own bees can be a fun and rewarding backyard hobby. But how do you go about starting -- do you need to buy bees or can you catch your own swarm? I talk...
08.06.2022
Flower Power Garden Hour 151: August To Do & Listener Q&A
Lots of tasks during the hot summer season, including: Plant cabbage, carrots, beets, celery, kale, onion seeds, potatoes, mustards, chard, collards, leeks Deadhead flowers Hose off whiteflies, sticky traps Clean up old fruit on trees, ground Still time to...
07.23.2022
Flower Power Garden Hour 150: Cut Flowers, with Wyatt Emig
Who doesn’t love flowers, and they are even better when you can pick and make a bouquet out of them. I talk with the Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden’s horticulturalist, Wyatt Emig, about his process of growing flowers. He shares his...
07.17.2022
Flower Power Garden Hour 149: Soils, with Robert Pavlis
Every great garden starts with healthy soil. But what exactly is “healthy” soil, how do you achieve this and what is soil really. Robert Pavlis, author of “Soil Science for Gardeners” and of “Garden Myths” fame joins me once again...
07.09.2022
Flower Power Garden Hour 148: Trees, with arborist John Lichter
We all know the importance of trees… oxygen, shade, habitat, food, beauty and more. And we all know they can live centuries beyond us. But they can also have difficulties growing in urban settings. I talk to consulting arborist, John...
07.03.2022
July To Do List and Listener Tomato Q&A
July gardening is actually one of the less busy months in terms of number and volume of tasks. There is a lot of maintenance, but no major, backbreaking work. We combine the July list on this episode with a deep...

What's Flower Power Garden Hour about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Flower Power Garden Hour episodes:

Flower Power Garden Hour 196: Soil science, with Robert Pavlis of Garden Fundamentals

Flower Power Garden Hour 195: Montana gardening, with Theri Vasina L’Hirondelle

Flower Power Garden Hour 194: Aroids, with Bruce Ritter

Flower Power Garden Hour 193: February To Do List

Flower Power Garden Hour 192: December To Do, Listener Q&A

Flower Power Garden Hour 191: Kids gardening literature, with author Collin Pine

Flower Power Garden Hour 190: Gardening can be Murder (in literature), with author Marta McDowell

Flower Power Garden Hour 189: Trees, with Arborist Pamela Sanchez of the Sacramento Tree Foundation

Flower Power Garden Hour 188: October To Do, Listener Q&A

Flower Power Garden Hour 187: Seeds, with Jennifer Jewell of Cultivating Place podcast

Flower Power Garden Hour 186: Firesafe and water wise gardening, with Soleil Tranquilli of Tranquill Gardens

Flower Power Garden Hour 185: September To Do, Listener Q&A, Horticulture News

Flower Power Garden Hour 184: Passion vines and houseplant care, with Justin Hancock of Costa Farms

Flower Power Garden Hour 183: August To Do, Horticulture News, Listener Q&A

Flower Power Garden Hour 182: Replace your lawn with a cacti/succulent garden, with Gianluca Bacci

Flower Power Garden Hour 181: Balcony gardens, with Deborah Holtschlag of PlantTraps

Flower Power Garden Hour 180: July To Do & Listener Q&A

FPGH 179. Tomato Myths (& more)

Flower Power Garden Hour 178: June To Do & Listener Q&A

Flower Power Garden Hour 177: Essential Oils, with Amy Anthony of NYC Aromatica

Flower Power Garden Hour 176: May To Do & Listener Q&A

Flower Power Garden Hour 175: Kids Gardening, with Em Shipman, Executive Director of KidsGardening.org

Flower Power Garden Hour 174: April To Do, Asparagus growing tips, & Listener Q&A

Flower Power Garden Hour 173: Glenn Dickerson, Begonia Collection Curator at Fort Worth Botanic Garden

Flower Power Garden Hour 172: Don Shor of Redwood Barn Nursery, Fruit Tree Troubleshooting

Flower Power Garden Hour 171: March To Do & Listener Q&A

Flower Power Garden Hour 170: February To Do & Listener Q&A

Flower Power Garden Hour 169: January To Do & Listener Q&A

Flower Power Garden Hour 168: Magnolias, with Andrew Bunting

Flower Power Garden Hour 167: Christmas Plants Wrap Up

Flower Power Garden Hour 166: December To Do & Listener Q&A

Flower Power Garden Hour 165: San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers, with Kristen Natoli & Sarah Sawtelle

Flower Power Garden Hour 164: Compost, with Kevin Marini

Flower Power Garden Hour 163: Bulbs, with Peggy Anne Montgomery

Flower Power Garden Hour 162: November To Do & Listener Q&A

Flower Power Garden Hour 161: Birds, with Tammy Poppie

Flower Power Garden Hour 160: Andrew Bunting, Fall Garden Preparation

Flower Power Garden Hour 159: Greg Bundesen, Water conservation while maintaining a green garden

Flower Power Garden Hour 158: Joe Lamp’l -- aka “Joe Gardener” – Raised beds, from Why to How

Flower Power Garden Hour 157: Water-wise gardening & Irrigation, with Don Smith - Water Management Coordinator for the City of Folsom

Flower Power Garden Hour 156: Tomatoes, with Brad Gates of Wild Boar Farms

Flower Power Garden Hour 155: Fire-wise landscaping, with Master Gardener education specialist, Kevin Marini

Flower Power Garden Hour 154: Pollination, with Tora Rocha of Pollinator Posse

Flower Power Garden Hour 153: Peppers, with Chad Inman of Sky High Scoville Pepper Farm

Flower Power Garden Hour 152: Bees, with Blake Dacy and Tina Macuha

Flower Power Garden Hour 151: August To Do & Listener Q&A

Flower Power Garden Hour 150: Cut Flowers, with Wyatt Emig

Flower Power Garden Hour 149: Soils, with Robert Pavlis

Flower Power Garden Hour 148: Trees, with arborist John Lichter

July To Do List and Listener Tomato Q&A