What if your holiday gifts didn't just look beautiful, but they kept growing long after the season ended and reminded the giftee of you and what an amazing person you are? In this Best of Growing Joy episode, it's a little short for you, but it's packed with really fun DIY plant projects that you can start doing now so that you can gift them over the holiday season to your loved ones and to your coworkers!

This is an episode I released a couple of years ago, where I went over five creative, affordable, and joy-filled plant DIY projects that are super fun to do yourself, so you get to gift yourself a moment of zen, fun, and calm while you create these pieces. Then you get to gift them to the people that you love and spread your planty love and planty joy to them!

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [00:00] What are some affordable DIY plant-themed holiday gift ideas?
• [04:58] #1 Thrifted propagation station
• [08:10] #2 Windowsill herb garden
• [10:30] #3 Stylish Kokedama
• [15:07] Looking for unique and soothing chimes as a holiday gift?
• [16:35] Looking for the best plant genetics and tailored care for your garden?
• [18:52] #4 Succulent Wreath
• [25:06] #5 Personalized Terrarium
• [31:20] Accompany your DIY crafts with my book!

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• How to Make a Living Succulent Wreath – Succulents and Sunshine
• Michaels Greenery Terrarium
• 17″ Living Wreath Sphagnum Moss Form
• Greening Pins
• Growing Joy Ep 168 Grow Your Own Tea: Intro to Herbalism With Juliet of Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine
• Growing Joy Ep 178 The Mushroom Miniseries: Mushrooms 101
• Growing Joy Ep 183 The Mushroom Miniseries: How To Grow Functional Mushrooms In Your Garden
• Growing Joy Ep 191 The Mushroom Miniseries: How To Grow Mushrooms Indoors

 

Which DIY plant gift are you excited to try first this holiday season?

Check out the full show notes and blog to explore all five projects and get the step-by-step guides, photos, and links mentioned in the episode!

 

 

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We all love plants, right? We give them names, talk to them like they’re our friends, and basically treat them like family. However, a lot of plants out there can actually really hurt you. That’s what we’re going to talk about today with my longtime friend and fellow plant podcaster Jane Perrone, host of ‘On the Ledge’ podcast and author of ‘Atlas of Deadly Plants.’ We’ll talk about poisonous plants, their chemistry, history, and their complicated relationship with us! Let's get right to it!

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:39] How Jane became “Head of Inspiration” at Scribehound Gardening
• [07:11] Jane’s evolving plant passions
• [11:45] Her first book Legends of the Leaf… and its comeback story
• [13:58] Behind Jane’s new book: The Atlas of Deadly Plants
• [15:06] Espoma Organic
• [16:48] The Water Smart Garden by Noelle Johnson
• [18:36] What makes a plant poisonous?
• [19:29] The tragic tales of Victorian children
• [20:07] What’s the Manchineel tree?
• [22:31] Why ancient medicines like ayahuasca, peyote, and tobacco made the list
• [26:11] What are the two plants classified as biological weapons?
• [28:48] How do plants classify as a biological weapon?
• [32:39] How Arthur Conan Doyle experimented with poison on himself!
• [34:04] Lords and Ladies: the plant of ancient Europe
• [37:42] The real-life dangers of giant hogweed!
• [39:28] Lily of the Valley
• [42:45] The dark myths behind witches’ “flying ointments”
• [44:57] How women’s herbal knowledge became demonized as witchcraft
• [47:52] The deadly elegance of strychnine and why it’s easy to detect
• [49:23] How modern toxins have replaced plant poisons
• [49:58] Where can you find Jane’s books and Scribehound's written works?

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Scribehound Gardening
• Legends of the Leaf: Unearthing the Secrets to Help Your Plants Thrive by Jane Perrone
• The Atlas of Deadly Plants by Jane Perrone
• Legends of the Leaf: an update
• Plants with Superpowers: 75 Remarkable Plants for your Garden and Home by David Domoney
• Growing Joy 292: 7 Houseplants with Superpowers with David Domoney
• Episode 90: Jane Perrone of On the Ledge Podcast - Growing Joy with Maria
• The History of Houseplants with Jane Perrone, Ep 186 - Growing Joy with Maria

 Which common plants in your area are poisonous?

Check out the full show notes and blog here to learn more!

 

Follow Jane:

Website
Instagram
Podcast
TikTok
YouTube
Books
Shop

 Thank you to our episode sponsors:Espoma Organic

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Quarto: The Water-Smart Garden by Noelle Johnson

Grab The Water-Smart Gardenat quarto.com and wherever books are sold. 

 

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

 If you want to grow fresh herbs, greens, edible flowers, maybe even vegetables, right in your apartment, but you don't want to deal with soil, hydroponics is the answer to your prayer. There has been so many incredible advancements in hydroponic growing that has made this. Former industry that was really reserved for large scale growers, totally available to apartment dwellers.

Now, this throwback episode in the Best of Growing Joy series is a conversation that I had back in 2019 with Rob Laing. He is the author of Ditch the Dirt, a book all about hydroponic gardening, and he's also the founder of Farm One, which is a hydroponic vertical farm growing high-end produce for Michelin star restaurants in New York City.

Since the interview, Rob has actually sold the company and you can now find Farm One in Brooklyn, New York. It's not just an indoor farm now, but it's also a brewery, a cocktail bar, and an event space. So if you're in the New York City area, you should definitely go check it out!

 

In this episode, we learn:

• How and why Rob created Farm.One
• What is Hydroponic Gardening
• Hydroponic Vs Aquaponic Vs Semi Hydro Gardening
• What a basic hydroponic set up looks like for a DIY plant parent
• Existing systems that one can buy to just plug and grow
• Materials needed for a basic hydroponic set up
• Why you need a “bubbler” for your hydro set up
• Nutrients- what is important and what isn’t
• Why EC and PH are important for your water supply (and what they are)
• How to test your water
• Pre-made Hydroponic Set Ups you can buy

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Amazon Storefront for the Hydroponic Materials

 

Do you want to learn more about aquascaping?

Check out the full show notes and blog to discover how aquatic plants can bring life and joy into your space!

 

Follow Rob:

Website

Instagram

 

 

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In a time where it feels like the weather is getting more and more volatile no matter where we live, making sure that you can capture rainwater is so important for so many people around the world. That's what this entire episode is about. And to help me with this topic is my plant friend Martha Retallick, author of Water Harvesting 101, who’s mastered the art of collecting and reusing rainwater after years of living through droughts in Tucson, Arizona. In our conversation, she shared how to redirect, collect, and reuse water for free! Let's start collecting, plant friends!

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [04:21] Who is Martha Retallick?
• [06:37] What is gardening in Tucson like?
• [07:02] Why rainwater beats tap for plants
• [09:01] What is water harvesting and its 3 pillars?
• [11:00] The benefits of water harvesting
• [13:06] What are some drought-tolerant natives (mesquite, palo verde, ironwood)
• [14:17] Redirecting rainwater 101
• [14:29] Basins vs bowls
• [15:43] Wind River Chimes
• [17:22] American Horticultural Society Weekly Planner
• [19:13] Overflows & berms
• [20:31] Flat yard? Start with basins
• [22:37] Starter cisterns: rain barrels
• [25:07] Is stored rainwater potable?
• [25:34] Stepping up to cisterns
• [27:27] Calculating your water budget
• [29:53] Common mistakes with cisterns and irrigation
• [30:36] Drought fallback: plant nitrogen-fixing beans
• [32:34] Low-tech gauge to check water level
• [33:19] What are the fall crops Martha likes to grow?
• [34:56] What counts as gray water
• [35:42] Two-way valve (redirect washer water to trees)
• [37:06] What to look out for when harvesting water for your landscape
• [38:01] The importance of “varying your flavors of water”
• [38:40 Where to find Martha’s book and free cheat sheet!
• [39:17] Reflections on water usage

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Oasis Soap Bar
• Water Budget Calculator | Watershed Management Group
• Water Harvesting 101 Book by Martha Retallick
• Growing Joy 275: Water Saving Techniques for Your Garden with Noelle Johnson

 

To help you get started with water harvesting,

check out the full show notes and blog here for Martha's tips!

 

Follow Martha:

Website
Instagram
Newsletter
Research
LinkedIn
Podcast

 

Thank you to our episode sponsors:Wind River Chimes

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.

Quarto: Weekly Planner by the American Horticultural Society

Grab your Weekly Planner at quarto.com and wherever books are sold and fill your days with botanical beauty! 

 

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

 Have you ever dreamed of turning a simple fish tank into a lush underwater jungle? Or maybe you're like me, and you have a partner who isn't really into houseplants but is fascinated by those YouTube videos about turning aquariums into these swaying underwater jungles?

You or your partner are gonna love this Best of Growing Joy Replay Episode when, a few years ago, I sat down with Karen Randall. She's the author of Sunken Gardens and an aquatic gardening expert, and we break down everything you need to know to start your first planted aquarium. You'll gain the confidence to create a thriving mini ecosystem underwater right on your countertop!

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [01:06] Introducing Karen
• [03:33] What to expect from this conversation
• [05:20] How Karen became the plant lady she is today
• [07:40] The importance of knowing your plants’ natural habitat
• [08:42] Why are planted aquariums becoming popular again?
• [10:33] Basic houseplants vs. aquatic plants
• [12:04] How do you trade aquatic plants?
• [13:33] What are aquatic plants and how do they grow underwater?
• [15:04] The different types of aquatic plants
• [19:48] How are emersed and submersed aquarium plants different
• [21:24] The basic requirements for a planted aquarium with live plants
• [23:43] What does ‘cycled’ mean?
• [25:57] Why do you need to let your plants settle in the aquarium before introducing fish?
• [28:43] Where to get bacteria that your aquarium needs
• [30:04] Three uses of filters in your aquarium
• [33:07] How to prep your plants for winter
• [34:51] Learn from a horticulturist!
• [37:06] What water to use in your aquarium
• [38:31] How to figure out the water you have at home
• [39:52] Troubleshooting your aquarium water
• [42:03] Why do you need to change the water in your aquarium?
• [43:17] Using fertilizer in your aquarium
• [45:08] What type of substrate works best for your aquarium?
• [50:23] Aquarium lighting and the basics
• [53:26] The most important lighting factor for your aquarium
• [56:56] Karen’s aquarium supply recommendations
• [58:26] How to transition to a bigger tank
• [01:00:11] Are CO2 systems worth it?
• [01:03:14] How do you select plants for your aquarium?
• [01:05:24] Top 5 best aquatic plants for beginners
• [01:11:41] Maria’s plans for her own planted aquarium

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Sunken Gardens: A Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Freshwater Aquariums, book by Karen Randall
• Florida Aquatic Nurseries
• Aquatic Gardeners Association
• GH Kit & KH Kit
• Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum
• Safe-T-Sorb Absorbent Clay
• Karen Randall's ScrapScape

 

Do you want to learn more about aquascaping?

Check out the full show notes and blog to discover how aquatic plants can bring life and joy into your space!

 

Follow Karen:

Planted Aquarium Website
Facebook
Vivarium/Terrarium Website
Planted Nano and Betta Tank Facebook Group

 

 

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Happy Leave the Leaves Month, plant friends! Did you guys know that was a thing that plant parents celebrate in October? It's actually one of the simplest, most low-maintenance, and laziest things that you could do to increase the diversity in your yard and save the planet!

And the perfect person to talk to about that is none other than my plant friend, David Mizejewski, a naturalist from the National Wildlife Federation, and a total plant nerd. He made a compelling argument for why we should all leave our leaves with intention. Let's dive in!

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [03:03] How David became the ultimate “nature geek” and advocate for wildlife-friendly gardening
• [04:17] Why October is officially “Leave the Leaves Month”
• [05:19] How did David land his dream job working with wildlife?
• [06:45] The connection between native plants, birds, and pollinators
• [07:44] Why conventional lawns are one of the worst habitats for wildlife
• [09:02] Sustainability goes mainstream: rewilding and native plant buzz
• [11:09] What is the role of leaves in biodiversity?
• [11:38] Yard ≠ lawn
• [14:05] Use leaves as free mulch/fertilizer in beds
• [14:46] Wind River Wind Chimes
• [16:26] Manukora Honey
• [18:00] How leaves naturally retain moisture, suppress weeds, and feed soil
• [19:26] How bagged leaves release methane in landfills and worsen climate change
• [23:12] What’s hiding in your leaf litter?
• [24:58] How some moths, fireflies, and birds depend on fallen leaves
• [28:44] Why you should ditch the leaf blower and use a rake instead
• [30:00] Under-leaf all-stars: isopods, earthworms, and other recyclers
• [31:29] How fireflies and other amphibians depend on leaves
• [34:01] How Bumblebee queens overwinter beneath leaves
• [38:31] How to “leave the leaves” the right way: raking, composting, and layering
• [43:00] What to do when your garden beds are full
• [45:33] How to get your town or HOA on board with sustainable yard practices
• [47:37] How small local actions fight climate change
• [48:44] David’s Halloween costumes and wildlife fun facts
• [49:51] Take the pledge + NWF “Leave the Leaves” hub
• [51:31] Where to follow David, NWF, and Garden for Wildlife

 Mentioned in our conversation:

• Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife by David Mizejewski
• Videos featuring Naturalist David Mizejewski
• Book David – Naturalist David Mizejewski
• Growing Joy 308: Groundcovers That Work: Low-Maintenance Plants for Every Garden with Kathy Jentz

 

For David's wildlife-friendly gardening practices,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

 

Follow David:

Website
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook
TikTok
LinkedIn

 

Follow National Wildlife Federation:

Website
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook
X

 

Follow Garden for Wildlife by NWF:

Website
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook

 Thank you to our episode sponsors:Wind River Chimes

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.

Manukora

Go to manukora.com/bloom to get 25% off the starter kit that includes their 850+ Manukora honey jar, 5 honey travel sticks, a wooden spoon, and a guidebook.

 

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

 What is it that makes hoyas so irresistible that buying your first hoya often leads to having 40 in the few months to follow? In this listener favorite of the Best of Growing Joy series, I am bringing back a conversation with Doug Chamberlain of Vermont Hoya. Doug is one of the most beloved Hoya experts online, and we dive into their dazzling diversity, surprising care quirks, and intoxicating flowers.

Doug makes a very strong argument that every person in the world should care for Hoyas and know all the specifics that you need to know in order to get your Hoyas thriving and ideally blooming. So whether you're new to Hoya or you're already knee-deep in gorgeous leaves and peduncles, this conversation is going to leave you inspired to grow joyfully and with confidence.

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [00:00] Doug's Plant Parent History and introduction to Hoya and his Ideal Hoya Setup
• [11:11] Where hoyas live in nature
• [14:00] Why are hoyas called “the wax plant”
• [15:20] Where Hoya got its name
• [15:40] General Care Guidelines for All Hoyas
• [16:29] Doug's Setup Up (and humidity hacks)
• [19:50] What does a sunburn look like on a Hoya leaf?
• [21:00] Best Watering Practices for Hoya
• [24:00] Words of encouragement from Doug when you have a hoya fail
• [25:30] If Hoyas like to be potbound
• [26:26] How to pot up a hoya
• [27:50] Best potting mix for a Hoya
• [32:00] What is a peduncle?
• [33:50] What is bud blast?
• [34:27] Why does a hoya bud fall off before it blooms?
• [35:15] How to get your hoya to bloom
• [38:00] How frequently does a Hoya bloom
• [39:00] Is there a hack to force Hoya to flower?
• [39:30] 5 Easiest Hoyas to Care for
• [44:20] Rarer Hoya's for Advanced Plant Parents
• [47:10] Matchmaking for the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personalities!
• [53:00] How to fertilize hoyas
• [54:00] Propagation tips
• [57:00] Tips for stimulating leaf growth

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• See photo gallery for names and pictures of all Hoyas mentioned
• KLN Concentrate Rooting Hormone

 

Struggling to keep your Hoya blooming all year round?

Check out the full show notes and blog for expert tips on making your Hoyas grow successfully!

 

Follow Doug:

Website

YouTube

 

 

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever wondered why your hoyas or pothos sometimes send out those long and wild tendrils that seem to have a mind of their own? I certainly have a windowsill full of hoyas doing this right now. There really isn’t a super “secret” technique. Most of our houseplants are just natural climbers that grow up trees in search of light and use those tendrils for support. So I invited over my new plant friend, Ara from Propagation Diaries, to share her best tips about everything you need to know about indoor houseplant trellises, whether it be choosing the right style and material or getting it secure in your pot and training those vines without breaking a leaf! Let's tidy up!

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:45] Ara’s plant care journey
• [03:35] How Ara fell in love with Hoyas!
• [06:59] What trellising really does for your houseplants
• [08:22] What are the benefits of trellising a houseplant?
• [09:44] Spotting tendrils: your sign it’s time to add a trellis
• [10:34] Getting even light exposure by growing vertically
• [11:30] How (and when) to attach your plants to the trellis
• [12:06] Creative trellis hacks
• [13:05] What are the different types of trellis?
• [15:03] Espoma Organic
• [16:49] Choosing the right material and shape for your plant’s needs
• [18:10] Best practices for establishing a plant with a trellis
• [20:34] When to add a trellis
• [23:20] How do you upgrade to a bigger trellis without hurting your plant?
• [24:35] What’s the #1 mistake people make when trellising Hoyas?
• [26:44] What’s the mysterious “counterclockwise rule” for trellising Hoyas?
• [27:46] How to gently guide delicate Hoya tendrils
• [28:25] Tips to get a hoya to bloom (light, humidity, and airflow)
• [30:54] What type of hoyas should you get?
• [31:54] Pest prevention tips for your hoya
• [34:10] Where can you find Ara’s aesthetic trellises and accessories?

 Mentioned in our conversation:

• Growing Joy 299: Houseplant Trends, Tips & Hot Takes: Live from the Southeast Plant Show
• Growing Joy 272: Beneficial Insects For Effortless Houseplant Pest Management with Jamie of DMV Beneficials
• Make Your Own Moss Pole for Indoor Climbing Plants
• Houseplant SOS Mini Course

 A little nervous about installing your trellis and tying your plants?

Check out the full show notes and blog here for Ara's easy-to-follow guide!

 

Follow Ara:

Website
Instagram
Facebook
TikTok

 Thank you to our episode sponsor:Espoma Organic

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

 

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Did you know that brightness has nothing to do with how much energy your plants actually receive from light? In this episode, I’m joined by horticulturist and author Leslie Halleck, who literally wrote the book Gardening Under Lights. Together, we’ll break down the science of indoor grow lights in a simple, approachable way—so you can confidently choose the right setup to keep your plants thriving all winter long (and beyond).

 

In this episode, we learn:

• What Leslie’s personal grow light set up is
• What photosynthesis is
• Why light is important for plants
• What the different colors of light do for plants and why “full spectrum” grow lights are so important
• Lumens vs PAR vs Kelvin = how to measure light
• What the best choice of grow lights for indoor houseplants are
• Defining “bright indirect” for a grow light
• Patreon Plant Friend and listener Questions!

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Leslie's books: Gardening Under Lights and Plant Parenting: Easy Ways to Make New Houseplants
• Soltech Solutions: soltechsolutions.com 
• Modern Sprout: modernsprout.com 
• Bloom and Grow Amazon Grow light Storefront: http://bit.ly/growlightep

 

Wondering if your plants need a grow light this season?

Check out the full show notes and blog to learn how to actually make them work for your plants!

 

Follow Leslie:

Website

Instagram

Twitter

Pinterest

Facebook

YouTube

 

 

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

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Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

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Where do you even start if your dream is to turn that blank slate into a gorgeous garden? You’ve just moved into a new house. The keys are in your hands, you’re staring at your front door and also at a lot of lawn and maybe some unappealing landscaping. Good thing, plant friends, that I got to dive into this question with ecologist, writer, and new author Becky Searle (@sow_much_more), who just wrote Grow a New Garden! The book is all about how garden design can work with instead of against nature, so you can create the most low-maintenance, balanced garden possible. Let's get started!

 In this episode, we learn:

• [02:49] How Becky’s background in ecology shaped her gardening style
• [03:45] Writing Grow a New Garden during lockdown
• [06:03] Becky's different homes and the changes to her garden
• [07:37] What’s the one rose that follows Becky to every home?
• [09:16] Propagating roses: soil vs. water cuttings
• [11:23] Native vs. diverse plantings: what really helps pollinators prosper?
• [12:47] Why is biodiversity important?
• [14:28] How I let nature lead instead of controlling it
• [15:24] Give your plants the best with Espoma Organic's chemical-free soils, fertilizers, and plant foods!
• [16:36] Move from overwhelm to action with the Square Foot Gardening Planner!
• [18:05] Why you shouldn’t design a garden like an interior space
• [19:09] How to survive the pest invasion phase?
• [20:46] What steps should you take to get your garden functioning as an ecosystem?
• [24:18] How to track light and shade before you plant
• [25:41] The LEGO hack to visualize sunlight throughout the year
• [27:25] What to build first? (sheds, ponds, greenhouses, and compost areas)
• [28:37] Why potted plants help you “test-drive” your design
• [29:39] How to choose the right plants for your soil, light, and climate
• [31:28] What are plant communities?
• [32:55] Becky’s favorite combo: rudbeckia, grasses, and alchemilla mollis
• [34:37] Common beginner mistakes in garden design
• [38:38] Where should you look for inspiration to design your garden? (beyond Pinterest)
• [40:46] Why talking to local gardeners beats Googling every question
• [42:16] Becky’s advice for first-time homeowners starting their first garden!
• [43:19] Where can you find Becky and her book Grow a New Garden?

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Grow a New Garden by Becky Searle

 

For beginner gardening tips from gardening expert Becky Searle,

check out the show notes and full blog here!

 

Follow Becky:

Website
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook

 Thank you to our episode sponsors:Espoma Organic

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Quarto: The Square Foot Gardening Planner

Pre-order The Square Foot Gardening Planner (coming October 21, 2025) at quarto.com or find it wherever you buy gardening books — and start transforming your blank space into a flourishing garden.

 

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

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Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.