In this edition of the Garden Hotline, Scott Jagow is joined by Michelle Reasor-West, a lifelong gardner. She is currently the Director of Horticulture for Poynter Landscape Architecture & Construction and on the board of Landscape Nursery Association of Greater St. Louis. She answers your questions on many topics, such as citrus plants, mulch, and preparing for winter.

On this episode of On the Garden Hotline, hosts Scott Jagow, Jim Schulte, and Jeff Kendall from Horseman Brothers discuss key gardening topics for the busy fall season. They cover essential tasks like leaf cleanup, winterizing lawns, and deep root feeding of trees to prepare them for the colder months. The experts also highlight the impact of warm weather on plant blooming times and the extended weed season. Callers ask about grass seed germination, garlic planting, tree pruning, and hydrangea care. The team offers advice on the best times to plant bulbs, trim hydrangeas, and protect trees from deer. They stress the importance of proper watering, especially for newly planted trees, and recommend spruce trees as a great deer-resistant option.

Erin Goss from the Shaw Nature Reserve discusses critical environmental topics, from invasive honeysuckle removal efforts to the benefits of prescribed burns for ecological restoration. She also shares insights on how the recent drought has impacted fall foliage colors, and provides helpful advice for gardeners on overwintering plants like cannas and using soil solarization to address fungal issues. Tune in for a seasonal guide to sustainable gardening and nature conservation!

Mark Grueber, Community Forester at Missouri Department of Conservation is the special guest to answer your questions.

Scott Jagow and special guest Erin Goss from Shaw Nature Reserve discuss foliage, decorating your garden, sweet gum balls and answer your questions.

Jeff Kendall and Jim Schulte of Horstmann Brothers Landscaping answer your gardening questions.

Scott Jagow and Erin Goss from Shaw Nature Reserve share details on upcoming fall events, including the importance of a sincere pumpkin patch and Halloween-themed activities at the reserve. The episode also addresses listener gardening questions: Sally seeks advice on a dying oak tree with mushrooms, and Erin suggests consulting the Missouri Botanical Garden and the University of Missouri Extension. Jan asks about controlling creeping charlie, and Erin recommends manual removal or a broadleaf herbicide

Scott Jagow is joined by Erin Goss from Shaw Nature Reserve to discuss essential gardening tips for Fall. They cover leaf cleanup, preparing gardens for winter, and how the early leaf drop due to warm weather is affecting local trees. Erin shares advice on pruning apple tree suckers and the best times to plant fruit trees, while also discussing the effects of climate change on St. Louis natural areas, including extreme weather's impact on tree health and animal behavior. They also highlight beautiful spots for fall foliage like Forest Park and Tower Grove Park. The conversation wraps up with water management tips during heavy rains and a preview of Shaw Nature Reserve's upcoming art show.

Mark Grueber, a seasoned forester with 38 years of experience, shares his expertise on tree care. He advises against staking trees for extended periods, as it can weaken their structure, and suggests using soft materials like foam noodles to protect them. For brown, woody climbing hydrangeas, he recommends reducing nitrogen fertilizer and adjusting sunlight exposure. Grueber also discusses the risks of overplanting maples due to the Asian Longhorn beetle and suggests serviceberry as a safer alternative. Plus, he highlights the best time to prune trees and offers practical tips on proper planting and maintenance to ensure healthy growth.