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)

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.

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

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 if caring for a tiny tree could teach you patience, presence, and even a new way of looking at life? That, my friends, is the magic of the art of Bonsai. It is a very specific practice that requires very specific care that I often get questions about. And so today I've decided to re-release an old episode where I interviewed Bonsai master, Bjorn from Eisei-en Bonsai.

You might know him from his incredible YouTube videos all about Bonsai basics: what makes Bonsai different, their growing media, how you care for them, the fascinating history, and the philosophy behind Bonsai. I am so excited to re-release this episode because I just gifted my husband his first Bonsai, so I can't wait to send him this episode so he can support his bonsai that he's keeping in his office. 

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [00:04:44] How Bjorn became the bonsai expert he is today
• [00:05:35] How long does a bonsai apprenticeship take? What are typical duties for a bonsai apprentice?
• [00:07:31] Bjorn shares his experience in Japan and being an apprentice
• [00:09:16] How to properly pronounce ‘bonsai’ and what it means
• [00:09:40] What is a bonsai? How do you classify a tree as a bonsai tree?
• [00:10:56] Can you turn any tree into a bonsai?
• [00:11:54] Apical dominance vs lateral dominance
• [00:14:14] How to measure bonsais and the different bonsai size classifications: shohin and chuhin
• [00:16:03] Where did bonsais originate from?
• [00:17:43] How do you differentiate between indoor bonsais and outdoor bonsais? What are great plants for both types?
• [00:19:29] How much light do bonsais need?
• [00:20:25] The basic bonsai potting mix: pumice, lava rock, and akadama (yes, it’s Japanese!)
• [00:22:01] How much fertilizer does your bonsai need? What kind of fertilizer should you apply to your bonsai?
• [00:23:26] Bonsai and teabags: how to ‘tea’ your bonsai when adding fertilizer
• [00:24:19] Why growing bonsais is about practicing control
• [00:25:00] How to take care of sick bonsai trees and what the long-term goal is for growing bonsais
• [00:26:02] What bonsais can teach us about patience
• [00:26:20] Where to get the best soil mixes for all plant needs
• [00:27:36] How to keep deer and wildlife from your garden
• [00:29:27] Do you want your bonsais to bloom?
• [00:30:51] How often should you water bonsais? Bjorn gives us the how-to and why’s on watering bonsais
• [00:34:32] Bonsai and shade cloths: where should you place your bonsai? What is a bonsai’s ideal light situation?
• [00:36:20] Bonsai pruning 101
• [00:37:32] Plant nerd facts: what are the growth hormones auxin and cytokine and what do they do?
• [00:40:05] Why are bonsai trees in small and shallow pots?
• [00:41:20] How much of a bonsai tree’s roots should you prune?
• [00:42:48] Why spring is the best time to prune your bonsai
• [00:43:41] Root galls and how to properly remove them
• 00:45:58] How do you prune bonsai shoots? When and how do you use copper or aluminum wires to shape your bonsai?
• [00:49:32] The concept of mochikomi
• [00:50:28] The biggest mistakes people make when it comes to bonsais
• [00:52:08] Bjorn’s recommendations for beginner bonsai growers
• [00:55:39] Where to get the best bonsais online
• [00:56:43] Winterizing your bonsai tree
• [00:58:27] What is the best bonsai tree pest treatment?
• [01:00:10] Why everyone should try bonsai!

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Knoxville Bonsai Society
• Brussels Bonsai
• Eisei-en Bonsai's YouTube video Sekka Hinoki from Simple Material
• Bloom and Grow's YouTube video Top 5 Bonsai Trees (Indoor and Outdoor Options) with Bjorn from Eisei-en Bonsai

 

Ready to learn how a tiny tree can grow your joy?

Check out the full show notes and blog for the philosophy and basic care principles that make Bonsai a beautiful, lifelong practice!

 

Follow Bjorn:

Website

Instagram

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.

Interested in joining Maria on a retreat like this? Join the waitlist! http://growingjoywithmaria.com/retreat

Three days with no phone, no laptop, no social media notifications buzzing in my ear. It’s just me, the forest, and goats that became some of my best friends! And I achieved all of this when I visited Hemlock Neversink in Castskills last month to commit a full digital detox. I swapped screen time for barefoot hikes, yoga, forest bathing, goat cuddles, painting under the trees, and even a little moss-gazing. And my nervous system hit reset in a way I didn’t even realize I needed.

So I really encourage you to try it, but you don't have to run away to the woods for three days to feel these benefits. I'm going to share what I learned during my retreat and how you can create your own digital detox at home, even if you've only got 15 minutes. Let's plunge in!

Interested in joining Maria on a retreat like this? Join the waitlist! http://growingjoywithmaria.com/retreat 

Here is a referral link for the Opal app (not sponsored): http://growingjoywithmaria.com/opal 

Get 15% off a stay at Hemlock Neversink of your own with code GROWINGJOY at http://growingjoywithmaria.com/hemlock

In this episode, we learn:

• [03:28] 3 days, no phone, no social media (my digital detox in Hemlock Neversink!)
• [03:59] Behind the scenes: burnout, grief, and moving to Florida
• [06:30] How life changes (and Florida's climate shift) increased my digital consumption
• [09:00] What makes Hemlock Neversink the perfect nature reset?
• [10:03] Themed retreat days: release, realign, reimagine
• [10:55] How does time in nature reset your nervous system? sympathetic vs. parasympathetic nervous system
• [11:24]  What is Attention Restoration Theory?
• [13:47] Goat hikes! Meet my new goat best friend!
• [15:22] Give a gift that celebrates their love with every gentle breeze with Wind River Chimes!
• [17:11] Find rooted joy and gentle beauty in your everyday life with A Year of Garden-Inspired Living by Linda Vater!
• [18:37] Painting in nature, crafts, and screen-free creativity!
• [21:29] How I released stress through daily yoga, hikes, and massage
• [22:42] Restoring with books, moss gazing, and barefoot grounding
• [25:36] How addicted are we really to our phones?
• [29:58] My interview with Ryan, Hemlock’s Director of Wellness and Spa!
• [31:35] Why is the nature component so important for healing?
• [34:23] What are some interesting guest transformations at Hemlock?
• [37:22] Why intentional resets in nature are so powerful
• [38:27] What are the most popular activities on Hemlock? (dance hikes, sound baths, breathwork)
• [42:00] How do you build your own retreat at home? (+Hemlock discount for you!)
• [50:56] Here’s my gratitude meditation through a song!

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Hemlock Neversink
• Activities & Experiences | Hemlock Neversink Hotel & Spa
• Growing Joy 255: I Moved 80+ Plants Across the Country: Here's What I Learned
• Growing Joy 267: Create a Biophilic Office Space: Boost Your Workday Motivation by Adding These Plants to Your Office
• Growing Joy 307: Earthing Explained: The Science of Grounding for Better Sleep, Less Pain, and More Energy with Dr. Gaétan Chevalier
• Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• Opal

 

Want to do a digital detox but don't have the time?

Check out the full show notes and blog here for my time-friendly tips! 

 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: A Year of Garden-Inspired Living by Linda Vater

Preorder A Year of Garden-Inspired Living at quarto.com today or pick it up wherever books are sold, and let the seasons bloom in your life.

 

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.

Are you running out of space for your plants? Growing your plant collection can be quite the challenge when all your countertops, tablespace and even floorspace have been populated with your plant babies. Don’t fret any longer, plant friends, as we got the most beautiful and mess-free DIY projects for you to make the most out of your vertical space at home! In this episode, learn alongside me as Erin Harding of @houseplantclub and @cleverbloom gives us step-by-step tutorials on three amazing yet easy DIYs for your vertical garden.

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [00:25] Maria’s eureka moment for this episode!
• [01:53] Updates on country living and hummingbirds
• [05:06] Welcome, new Garden Party members!
• [06:57] The easiest way to compost your food scraps
• [11:06] Who is Erin and how did Clever Bloom and Houseplant Club get started?
• [15:14] On the importance of evolving with your plant collection
• [18:26] Erin and Morgan’s brilliant first and second books
• [22:12] How Erin curated her personal aesthetic and developed her passion for DIY
• [24:56] Why accessibility and variety encourage people to DIY
• [27:22] Why you should use vertical space for your plants
• [31:40] How to make a modern beaded macrame plant hanger
• [35:15] The best and most stylish grow lights for your home
• [37:14] Where to get humidifiers for your home and for your health!
• [39:37] Different ways to customize your macrame plant hanger
• [44:41] Step-by-step tutorial of DIY air plant driftwood piece
• [48:03] Watering your air plants in your DIY driftwood plant accessory
• [50:09] What is a kokedama and how does it work?
• [52:04] What are ideal plants to use in a kokedama?
• [53:38] How to make your own kokedama
• [55:59] Bringing natural beauty into your home through DIY projects
• [01:00:12] Erin’s favorite DIY project in her latest book
• [01:03:20] Where to find Erin (and Morgan!) online
• [01:04:53] A friendly reminder for this fall season

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• How to plant a room: and grow a happy home, by Morgan Doane and Erin Harding
• Growing Joy Episode 16: Mounting Epiphytes And The Creation Of Cleverbloom.Com

 

Love DIY projects and houseplants?

Check out the full show notes and blog for Erin’s smart DIY solutions!

 

Follow Erin:

House Plant Club Instagram
Clever Bloom website
Clever Bloom Instagram
Planting Pink Etsy
Planting Pink website
Planting Pink 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.

Plant friends, if you’ve hung around the plant community for any amount of time, you know some sub-groups go deep, and one of the most passionate is the Alocasia lovers/enthusiasts. These people are ferocious about their alocasias, and one of their most controversial topics is corm propagation.

If you’ve never heard of it, I hadn’t either until Instagram kept showing me those little plant “nuggets.” So I called in backup: my friend Lindsay Sisti, aka the Alocasia Queen behind All The Plant Babies and the author of the book The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation. She’s been here before in our Fluval Stratum episode. She breeds both Alocasias and Anthuriums and has made it her life's work to create new species and perfect propagation techniques. Let's dive in!

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:30] Meet Lindsay Sisti, aka the “Alocasia Queen”!
• [04:15] What are some facts about Alocasia?
• [06:02] Why is Alocasia popular?
• [08:41] Plant anatomy 101: leaves, stems, rhizomes, roots, stolons, and corms!
• [15:18] Manukora's premium New Zealand Manuka honey
• [16:55] Do corms ever appear above the soil? Leaf-litter vs. pots
• [21:58] When is the right time to go “corm spelunking”?
• [26:52] Step-by-step: how to harvest Alocasia corms safely
• [30:09] Snapping corms, clean hands, and why scissors are optional
• [34:20] Should you peel corms before planting? (The “onion layer” trick)
• [37:33] Which medium works best (perlite, sphagnum, fluval stratum, or water?)
• [40:41] How deep should you plant the corms in the media?
• [41:26] How long does it take for corms to sprout?
• [43:09] The “puddle method” in water
• [45:38] Hardening off: acclimating cormlings
• [49:41] Common mistakeswith corms
• [55:17] Can a rootless Alocasia be revived?
• [56:20] Where to find Lindsay, her book, and her propagation resources

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Growing Joy Episode 289: How to Propagate Plants in Fluval Stratum with Lindsay Sisti
• Book: The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation
• Why Did My Alocasia Corm* Die?
• Alocasia Enthusiasts | Facebook
• LECHUZA-PON Plant Substrate 12 liter

 

For all corm propagation methods,

check out the full show notes and blog for Lindsay's step-by-step!

 

Thank you to our episode sponsor: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.

The monstera might just be the most iconic houseplant of all time. Those bold, split leaves show up everywhere in logos, restaurant décor, and home goods, making it instantly recognizable. But bringing a monstera home and helping it thrive so it grows big, beautiful, and full of those signature splits takes a little know-how. Today, we’re revisiting one of my very first 20 episodes of Growing Joy in our Best of series with my plant friend Scott Cain, an Australian plant enthusiast with over 200 plants, including an incredible monstera collection. He’s the creator behind Boys With Plants on Instagram and Tropical Loco, and in this episode, we dive into care tips, design ideas, and strategies to help your monstera flourish. If you’ve got a monstera, listen in because your plant is about to get a whole lot happier.

 

In this episode, we learn:

• How family traditions inspired his current collection
• Scott breaks down the 200 plants that fill his apartment that are featured on his Instagram account, @tropicaloco
• How Scott has turned Instagram friends into #plantfriendsIRL
• His care secrets for dealing with the Australian summer/winter
• Why people who work from home should have plants
• Monstera care 101: light, watering, fertilizing
• Moss poles, what they are and why/if we need them
• Aerial roots, what they are and can we trim them?
• What fenestrations are
• What the difference is in deliciosa/borsigiana/adansonii/obliqua
• Scotts pruning practices for his Monstera collection
• How to take cuttings of your Monstera to make your plant look more full
• Troubleshooting for yellow and brown leaves
• Why the Monstera is such an sought after plant
• What’s up with variegation
• How and why he created @boyswithplants and why he is letting us know that he is the creator
• How to get featured on @boyswithplants
• The scoop on the new Boys with Plants Book!

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Australian Houseplant Community Facebook Group
• Stackwood
• @mickmitty
• @jamesipy

 

Want your monstera to grow beautiful leaves?

Check out the full show notes and blog for Scott's top care tips and design ideas!

 

Follow Scott:

Personal Instagram

Instagram

Etsy shop

Scott's Graphic Design Company

 

 

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 if I told you that the most dominant plant in your garden isn't the rose that you love or the towering sunflower, but the little clover, the little guys creeping along the ground? They're called groundcovers, and they fight weeds, save water, prevent erosion, and can even replace your lawn. I had an amazing conversation with Kathy Jentz, author of “Groundcover Revolution,” and we talked about how these humble plants can change your space and make it much more eco-friendly and beautiful.

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [01:52] How Kathy became the plant lady she is today
• [02:44] Kathy’s background before she became a full-time plant lady
• [04:47] Why Kathy ditched turf for groundcovers
• [06:41] Why else should you think about groundcovers?
• [08:11] Clovers and pollinators
• [09:26] Bee lawns and flowering yards for pollinators
• [10:01] Is there a trap crop groundcover for birds?
• [12:04] Why artificial turf is bad for soil and trees
• [13:54] Can kids and dogs play on groundcovers?
• [15:15] Give your groundcover the best start with Espoma Organic’s lawn soil and Bio-tone starter!
• [16:50] Protecting tree roots and trunks with groundcovers
• [17:35] How tall do groundcovers get?
• [18:29] How to choose the right groundcover for you using Kathy’s charts
• [19:59] Mixing turf and groundcovers for family yards
• [21:39] What is Kathy’s “patchwork” groundcover method?
• [23:02] Step-by-step: converting a lawn with the lasagna method
• [26:52] Plugs vs. seeds (pros, cons, and budget tips!)
• [29:02] What are some mulching tricks + annual flowers for your groundcover?
• [30:54] How to sow groundcover seeds for a full summer lawn
• [32:42] Are there any groundcovers that require the cold?
• [33:37] What are Kathy’s favorite groundcovers?
• [35:52] Common mistakes rookies make with groundcovers
• [37:47] Where to find Kathy, her book Groundcover Revolution, and her Garden DC podcast?

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Groundcover Revolution: How to use sustainable, low-maintenance, low-water groundcovers to replace your turf by Kathy Jentz
• GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening

 

Ready for low-maintenance garden plants?

Check out the full show notes and blog here!

 

Follow Kathy:

Website
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
X

 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

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I'm thrilled to be sharing this planty conversation with my #plantfriendIRL, Kevin Espiritu from Epic Gardening! Kevin and I recently met IRL in San Diego and clicked immediately. He is a wonderfully curious Botanical Bro who has the most incredible Urban Gardening setup in his home in San Diego. Our journeys to plant parenthood are very similar but revolve around different passions: indoor (mine) and outdoor (his). Today we talk about our different interests, the similarities and differences between indoor and outdoor gardening, and container gardening for those of us who might want to try gardening outdoors! I hope you find it inspiring to grow your own food in your outdoor space! Kevin's book, Field Guide to Urban Gardening, was just released and would be the perfect companion for anyone curious to learn more about urban gardening and growing your own food!

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [04:40] Kevin's somewhat unsuccessful intro to growing food, and how he became the amazing gardener he is now
• [13:09] Differences in our experiences growing indoor and outdoor plants
• [22:47] Outdoor container gardening 101- it's the growing season Plant Friends! Let's learn this together!
• [24:24] Best plants to start with
• [29:47] Best pots, soil and fertilizer to use as a newbie

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Buy Kevin's book: Field Guide to Urban Gardening
• Visit my Amazon Storefront for the items mentioned

 

Want to grow basil, tomatoes, or herbs right on your balcony?

Check out the full show notes and blog for Kevin's simple starter guide!

 

Follow Kevin:

Website

Podcast

YouTube

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

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

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You've probably heard the phrase, “Go touch grass.” It's usually thrown around online when someone needs to log off and reconnect with reality. But the act of touching grass, literally putting your bare feet or hands on the earth, is scientifically proven to reset your mood. It's known as earthing (or grounding), and it's been proven to reduce inflammation, boost your energy, improve sleep, and even help your body heal. So I specifically sent Dr. Gaétan Chevalier an email to have him on the show to explain everything we need to know about earthing. With 15 years of experience, he’s one of the leading experts in this field, and he’ll explain how our bodies literally need that natural connection to the Earth’s energy.

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [01:49] Meet Dr. Gaétan Chevalier!
• [03:23] How Clint Ober introduced earthing in 2003
• [07:46] What is earthing?
• [09:09] The Earth as a living battery
• [12:20] Why is inflammation the root of disease, and how does grounding help?
• [19:01] The natural cure for jet lag: 30 minutes barefoot
• [19:34] Are earthing and grounding the same practice?
• [20:45] How modern life disconnects us from the Earth’s charge
• [24:17] What are the benefits people report from daily earthing?
• [25:18] Grounding as a bioelectrical reset for the immune system
• [28:30] Can grounding be measured? How testers work
• [32:28] Grounding houseplants and even cut flowers
• [34:12] Grounding indoors
• [35:57] PMF devices vs. grounding
• [37:00] What are the two things needed for a good home ground system?
• [39:29] Why hugging a tree bark won’t ground you (but leaves might)
• [40:06] What is the Schumann Resonance?
• [42:40] How grounding shields you from electrical “frenzy”
• [44:30] Can grounding help offset EMF and cell phone exposure?
• [46:59] Where can you learn more about grounding?

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever!
• Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness by Dr. Qing Li
• Schumann resonances
• Mike Levin on electrifying insights into how bodies form

 To learn more about the benefits of earthing,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

 

Follow Earthing Institute:

Website
Instagram
Facebook Group
Research
Courses
Video Testimonials

 

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: Revered Roots: Ancestral Teachings and Wisdom of Wild, Edible, and Medicinal Plants by LoriaAnn Bird

Grab your copy of Revered Roots at quarto.com and wherever books are sold, and let your next garden walk become a sacred walk with your 'plant teachers'. 

 

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

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