It’s Melanoma Awareness Month! Two years ago, I walked into a dermatologist’s office thinking I had a simple skin issue… then I walked out with a melanoma diagnosis at 34. As a lifelong gardener, I never expected my love of plants would overlap with a serious health scare, but here we are. I’m not a beach person nor an outdoor enthusiast. I just tend to my garden every day, really. But that little dot on my face changed everything about my relationship with the sun. I learned to love sunscreens, especially UPF clothing. So if you’re a plant parent like me who spends hours outside with your hands in the soil, I hope this becomes your gentle nudge to protect your skin the same way you protect your plants.

In this episode, we learn:

• [03:36] Special thanks to Coolibar’s UPF50 clothing
• [04:49] Why should we care for our skin as we do our plants?
• [08:54] Why short, daily garden sessions still add up to major sun exposure risk
• [10:21] Should you use sunscreen?
• [11:45] Chemical vs. mineral sunscreens
• [13:40] My favorite sunscreen brands
• [15:41] Why I love UPF Clothing (especially Coolibar’s sun clothing)
• [16:08] Coolibar products
• [16:46] What is UPF clothing and why it’s better than sunscreens
• [19:40] Gardeners Supply Company
• [22:36] Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses in the garden
• [24:34] How to use the UV Index when gardening
• [27:04] Hydration and skin health in the garden
• [27:26] Espoma Organic
• [29:43] Why skin care in the garden matters

Mentioned in our conversation:

• RMS Beauty SunCoverup Super Tint SPF 50
• ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
• ISDIN Fusion Water MAGIC
• Savor Beauty Radiance Sun Milk SPF 50+
• NEUTROGENA® Sunscreen and Sun Protection Products
• La Roche-Posay Broad Spectrum Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin
• Coolibar Bel Aire Zip-Off Sun Visor | Black UPF 50+
• Coolibar Women's Devi Long Sleeve Fitness T-Shirt | Lavendula UPF 50+

Sun protection doesn't need to be complicated!

Check out the full show notes and blog here for my sun protection tips! 

Thank you to our episode sponsors:Coolibar

Protect your skin with Coolibar and save 25% off your order at coolibar.com with code GROWINGJOY25.

Gardener's Supply

Discover your garden favorites and exclusive innovations at gardeners.com and use code GROWINGJOY for free shipping.

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM
* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.org


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Did you know the scent of plants can do more than just make your garden smell good? It can actually improve your mood, your memory, and your overall health. I’ve always thought of plant scents as just a lovely bonus in the garden, but I didn’t know there’s some wild science behind how smell connects to our emotions and even our brains. And to help me with that is Dr. Rachel Herz, a neuroscientist and expert on the psychology of scent. She explains how the smells from our plants can shape how we feel, what we remember, and how we heal.

In this episode, we learn:

• [03:06] How did Dr. Herz start her career in the science of scents?
• [06:18] Why smell is tied to memories and emotions
• [09:01] Aromatherapy and emotional associations
• [10:28] Ingesting rosemary vs. smelling rosemary
• [12:27] Why do people like or dislike different smells?
• [14:30] How does the human olfactory system detect and process scents?
• [15:32] Wind River Chimes
• [17:20] Coolibar
• [21:43] What’s the role of the olfactory bulbs?
• [22:36] Why is the nose a significant entry point for substances entering the body?
• [25:12] Why do people often think smell is the least important sense?
• [27:25] Losing sight vs smell
• [30:20] Gardeners Supply Company’s
• [32:48] The perception of a smell as "good" or "bad"
• [35:08] Can our sense of smell be cultivated?
• [36:30] Where can you find Dr. Herz and her works online?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Rachel Herz: Smell, Your Least Appreciated Sense | TED Talk
• Rachel Herz: Smell Can Change the World: Health, Technology, and the Future | TED Talk
•  International Flavors & Fragrances
• Monell Chemical Senses Center
• Trygg Engen
• Dr. Rachel Herz’s books:
• The Scent of Desire
• Why You Eat What You Eat
• That's Disgusting: Unraveling the Mysteries of Repulsion

Ready to explore the healing wonders of natural fragrances?

Check out the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Dr Rachel:

Website

LinkedIn

X

Academic Work

Consulting

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.

Coolibar

Protect your skin with Coolibar and save 25% off your order at coolibar.com with code GROWINGJOY25.

Gardener's Supply

Discover your garden favorites and exclusive innovations at gardeners.com and use code GROWINGJOY for free shipping. 

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM
* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.org


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

You've tried water and soil, but have you ever rooted a cutting in a Fluval Stratum? Yes, it’s technically made for fish tanks. Yes, it looks like little black caviar. But it might just be the best thing to happen to your houseplant propagation! So in this episode, let’s break down everything I’ve learned from my conversation with my plant friend, Lindsay Sisti (@alltheplantbabies), who is a propagation extraordinaire and the author of The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation. Thanks to her, I now know exactly how and why this strange little volcanic material is revolutionizing plant propagation!

In this episode, we learn:

• [00:00] Is there a mess-free plant propagation?
• [02:28] How did Lindsay become a propagation expert?
• [07:31] What is hybridization/pollination of plants?
• [09:26] What is Fluval Stratum?
• [10:00] What is a volcanic tephra?
• [12:42] What makes Fluval Stratum popular for plant propagation?
• [14:47] Protect yourself this Melanoma Awareness Month with Coolibar’s sun-protective clothing!
• [19:07] LECA vs. Fluval Stratum
• [20:25] Practical tips for propagating with Fluval Stratum
• [25:10] Can you re-use Fluval Stratum?
• [26:49] What are the best plants for Fluval Stratum
• [27:53] Combining Fluval Stratum with perlite
• [30:50] Can Fluval Stratum be used as a growing medium in semi-hydroponic setups?
• [32:27] What are the best practices for propagating plant cuttings in Fluval Stratum?
• [34:52] Transferring cuttings from Fluval to potting media
• [36:50] Experiments with different growth mediums (Fluval Stratum, aroid mix, tree fern fiber, sphagnum moss, and peat moss)
• [39:58] Where can you find Lindsay and her resources online?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Get a copy of Lindsay’s book, The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation
• Fluval Stratum
• LECA
• Lechuza Pon
• Hoya propagation tutorial with @alltheplantbabies

For Lindsay's expert tips on how to use Fluval Stratum,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Lindsay:

Website

Instagram

YouTube

TikTok

Thank you to our episode sponsor:Coolibar

Protect your skin with Coolibar and save 25% off your order at coolibar.com with code GROWINGJOY25.

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM
* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.org


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

How do you create a natural garden? Is that even possible? I want to bring you to the style of garden that’s not only sustainable but also more resilient, and honestly, more fun. In fact, it might even be the future of gardening. Natural or naturalistic garden is an approach that’s all about working with nature instead of trying to control it. To help explain this topic, I brought on my dear friend, Kelly D Norris, a renowned horticulturalist, award-winning plantsman, and the author of  Your Natural Garden.

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:40] How did Kelly get started with gardening?
• [07:46] What is a natural garden?
• [09:06] What are "native plants" in natural gardening?
• [13:42] How does ecological landscape design look in different settings?
• [15:43] Coolibar
• [17:42] Wind River Chimes
• [19:30] Ecological landscape designs
• [22:41] How to measure direct sunlight
• [29:04] Rewilding and selecting plants
• [31:18] Dovetail Workwear
• [33:08] Espoma Organic
• [34:27] Regional plant palettes and resources
• [39:12] How does ecological gardening vary across US regions?
• [40:23] How to create ecosystems for wildlife
• [44:20] Tips for achieving a natural garden
• [47:37] "Aesthetics of ecology" and "ecology of aesthetics"
• [52:01] Where can you find Kelly and his book online?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• "Your Natural Garden", book by Kelly D Norris
• "New Naturalism", book by Kelly D Norris
• Growing Joy Ep 274: Plant Inspired Vacations with Leslie Halleck and Marcia Castro-Rosenberg
• Sun Seeker for IOS and Android
• SunCalc
• iNaturalist app
• National Wildlife Federation
• AHS Garden Network - American Horticultural Society
• Membership - American Horticultural Society
• American Public Gardens Association
• The Bane of Beauty

Interested in taking the first steps in creating a natural garden?

Check out the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Kelly:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

Thank you to our episode sponsors:Coolibar

Protect your skin with Coolibar and save 25% off your order at coolibar.com with code GROWINGJOY25.

Wind River Chimes

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

Dovetail Workwear

Grab a pair today and get 10% off at dovetailworkwear.com/growingjoy. The discount is applied at checkout and promo is limited to one per person.

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM
* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.org


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Have you ever seen one of those viral plant hack videos where someone sprinkles banana peels in their soil or ices their orchid? If you’re wondering if they work, I hate to be the bearer of bad news because the answer is no. Sorry, plant friends.

In this episode, I will be separating fact from fiction with my dear friend, Derek Haynes aka The Chocolate Botanist. Derek is a plant biologist who’s not afraid to call out the myths, explain the real science behind plant care, and help us simplify things.

Let’s bust 5 of the biggest houseplant myths floating around online.

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [01:03] Meet Derek, the Chocolate Botanist
• [08:03] Fighting misinformation online
• [10:37] Does banana water work?
• [15:15] Simplify your plant care with Espoma Organic’s high quality products!
• [18:05] Which fertilizer is perfect for you?
• [20:53] Do coffee grounds work?
• [25:09] Do eggshells work?
• [28:36] Is it effective to water plants with ice cubes?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Growing Joy Ep. 283: From Wishlist to Whoops: 2025 Houseplant Trends, Plant Care Tips & Plant Fail Confessions From the Northwest Flower & Garden Show
• Growing Joy Ep. 116: Houseplant Identification Basics from Derek from The Crazy Botanist

Get all the myth-busting goodness in one place...

Check out the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Derek The Chocolate Botanist:

Instagram

YouTube

Facebook

X

Thank you to our episode sponsor:Espoma Organic

As we welcome the season of growing and gardening, make sure you're using nontoxic products in the garden! Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To top it all off, they have a huge sustainability commitment with a 100% solar-powered plant, zero waste manufacturing, and eco-friendly packaging.

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

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM
* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.org


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Why should politicians become gardeners? No, this is not a political post. No, I didn’t lose it! We will not be talking about sides. This is about healing, connection, and what we can learn from our gardens and our plants in a time where it feels like everything is falling apart.

Lately, I’ve been feeling this weight from watching the world spin in chaos and there’s disconnection, judgment, overwhelm, and division everywhere. We have a connection deficiency. And I’m starting to believe, with every fiber of my being, that if our leaders gardened, if all of use gardened, the world would be a kinder/greener place!

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:06] Gardening as a healing tool
• [04:21] What does reciprocity teach us?
• [05:08] What are some leadership lessons from gardening?
• [06:11] #1 Listening on a deeper level
• [08:01] #2 Patience and long-term thinking
• [10:17] #3 Cycles, perspectives, and resilience
• [11:05] #4 Nurturing vs. controlling
• [12:18] #5 Companion planting and community
• [14:23] Lessons from mycorrhizal networks and pollinators
• [16:45] Compost, death, and growth from failure
• [18:24] What if we all lived like gardeners?

Want to rethink leadership through gardening?

Check out the full show notes and blog here!

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

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM
* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.org


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

“To know a Dahlia is to love a Dahlia.” And once you grow one, it’s like all your other flowers just kind of fade into the background. There’s just something about them. One of my most favorite flowers I have ever grown is a Dahlia called Kogane Fubuki. It was this magical pink and yellow ombre bloom that literally stopped me in my tracks every time I stepped onto my patio.

And I want you to have those magical Dahlia moments too! So I brought on Anne from The Dahlia House to walk us through every step of Dahlia care. Her story is as gorgeous as her blooms, and she generously spilled all her tips to help us get the most out of our Dahlias this year.

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:36] Meet Anne from the Dahlia House
• [03:07] How did Anne become the Dahlia lady?
• [06:05] Anne’s current dahlia collection and other plants
• [08:44] Why are dahlias popular?
• [11:43] What are some tips for growing dahlias successfully?
• [15:05] Show your parents you care this Mother's Day or Father's Day with a soothing Wind River Chime!
• [16:53] What are ways to start dahlias indoors?
• [20:16] How should dahlias be planted with regard to their "eyes"?
• [21:50] How can you get your dahlias to bloom a lot?
• [26:32] Tips for cutting off dahlias and extending vase life
• [28:23] What are the light and water requirements for dahlias?
• [30:26] Container growing and spacing
• [32:17] How to choose the right dahlia variety for you
• [36:02] What are some common mistakes that new Dahlia growers make?
• [36:55] How to fertilize your dahlia
• [38:32] Anne’s favorite Dahlia varieties and trends
• [39:57] Where can you find Anne and The Dahlia House?
• [40:56] Recommended flowers to grow in Jupiter, Florida

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Monterey Sluggo® Plus
• Kristine Albrecht - Dahlias (@santacruzdahlias)
• CalMag Pro Hydroponic and Soil Nutrient Fertilizer for Plants Calcium and Magnesium Booster
• The Dahlia House’s collections

What part of the Dahlia growing process has you the most excited?

Check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsor:Wind River Chimes

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

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM
* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.org


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

With the push to get people back into offices, there’s a glaring question floating around the corporate world: how do we make the office a place people actually want to come back to? As someone who believes in the impact of plants not just on spaces but on people, this question has me wishing of a world where every office has its own green vegetable garden out back.

Does it sound too good to be true? Well, it’s already happening. In this episode, I sat down with Josh and Troy, the founders of StartOrganic, a company that helps employers give that opportunity to their employees. They’ve created office gardens for companies like PayPal, eBay, Intuit, and Apple, and what they’re doing is so much more than planting tomatoes.

In this episode, we learn:

• [03:35] How StartOrganic started
• [06:54] How did they end up designing gardens for PayPal?
• [10:31] Scaling up with corporate programs
• [12:05] What are the first steps in consulting with businesses on garden installation projects?
• [14:00] What's the most unique place they’ve installed a garden?
• [14:50] Make gardening fun with Espoma Organic’s all-natural products!
• [16:26] What is the primary focus of StartOrganic?
• [19:44] How they tailor their corporate garden programs to client needs
• [22:11] PayPal’s evolving garden program
• [24:56] How does StartOrganic help employees care for their corporate garden?
• [26:54] Measuring the success of corporate gardens
• [29:17] Heartwarming employee stories
• [32:10] Can small offices start corporate gardens?
• [34:42] What are the popular crops and seasonal offerings
• [36:33] Where can you find StartOrganic?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Human Spaces Report on The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace
• StartOrganic Free Starter Course

How have office gardens impacted employees' well-being?

Check out the full show notes and blog here!

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM
* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.org


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What plants are flying off the shelves this year? If you’ve been hanging out with me on Instagram or listening to the podcast lately, you know that part of my job is traveling the country to speak at plant shows. I love getting to see what’s new, what’s trending, and honestly… just being surrounded by thousands of plants and planty people. It fills my joy tank like nothing else.

So I thought, why not bring the magic of one of these events to YOU? This episode is your virtual behind-the-scenes pass to the recent Northwest Flower & Garden Show in Seattle. I spent three days running around with my little mic, interviewing vendors, influencers, and anyone who would talk plants with me. I came home with so much planty intel, sore feet, and a heart full of joy.

In this episode, we learn:

• [00:26] What I did at Northwest Flower and Garden Show!
• [04:06] Andy from Andy’s Orchids
• [05:30] Molly from Rancho Cacto Nursery
• [07:16] Cheyenne from Chey D Plant Lady
• [10:21] Gardenia Gardens and Design
• [12:43] Justin from Costa Farms
• [15:19] Wind River Chimes
• [17:01] Gabrielle from The Lily Pad Bulbs
• [18:50] Mark from Little Prince Plants
• [20:15] Anne from The Dahlia House
• [23:50] Cameron from Urban Jungle Plant Shop
• [27:47] The Plant Farm
• [29:09] Kevin from Epic Gardening
• [34:27] Kamili from Plantblerd
• [38:20] Jaques in the Garden
• [42:54] Davida from Condo Plant Mama
• [46:05] Krystal from Plants with Krystal
• [48:08] Derek from Chocolate Botanist
• [49:42] Tim from Greenlife TPG
• [51:07] Robbie from Visit Our Garden

Vendors: 

• Andy’s Orchids
• Rancho Cacto Nursery
• Chey D Plant Lady
• Gardenia Gardens and Design
• Costa Farms
• The Lily Pad Bulbs
• Little Prince Plants
• The Dahlia House
• Urban Jungle Plant Shop Seattle
• The Plant Farm

Influencers: 

• Kevin from Epic Gardening
• Kamili from Plantblerd
• Jaques in the Garden
• Davida from Condo Plant Mama
• Krystal from plantswithkrystal
• Derek from Chocolatebotanist
• Tim from Greenlife TPG
• Robbie from Visit Our Garden

Plants featured:

• Neofinetia-falcata Furan Orchid
• Tylecodon schaeferianus
• Crassula deceptor
• Anthurium doc bloc x luxurians
• Conophytum “monkey’s face”
• The Purple Tomato
• Ranunculus Sfumato
• Orchid cactus-epiphyllum beavertail
• Mystery lipstick cactus from The Plant Farm

Thank you to our episode sponsor:Wind River Chimes

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

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM
* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.org


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

How do you plan your garden? Actually, do you plan your gardens at all? After many years of gardening and speaking with many garden experts, I learned that a successful organic vegetable garden doesn’t just happen when you plant it; it starts on the day you plan it.

In this episode, I have the perfect recurring guest, Joe Lamp'l, to discuss planning your garden for the year ahead and making sure 2025 is your best gardening season yet. Joe is the founder of Joe Gardener and creator of many digital gardening courses I've taken, including Organic Vegetable Gardening Course (discount applied at checkout through clicking the link!).

In this episode, we learn:

• [01:14] What is strategic garden planning?
• [04:11] How can we make 2025 the greatest gardening season yet?
• [08:02] Timing for starting seeds/seedlings & plant selection
• [15:01] Whitney Johnson’s book “Go Forth and Forage"
• [16:09] What are the most important aspects of garden planning?
• [19:54] Why soil health is important
• [22:33] How to improve soil health
• [25:58] What are some useful garden planning tools?
• [17:17] How to choose the right plants
• [29:48] What is biodiverse gardening?
• [31:37] Helpful local botanical centers
• [34:48] What is companion planting?
• [41:32] Joe’s Organic Vegetable Gardening Course

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Organic Vegetable Gardening Course (Discount applied at checkout through clicking the link!)
• Master Seed Starting Course
• Northwest Flower & Garden Show
• Xerces Society
• Missouri Botanical Garden
• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
• Giverny Gardens
• Chattahoochee Nature Center
• Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting Strategies for the Vegetable Garden by Jessica Walliser
• GJ Episode 20: Talking Tomatoes with Craig LeHoullier and My MOM

For Joe's proven and tested gardening strategies,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Joe:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Podcast

Twitter

Pinterest

Thank you to our episode sponsor:Quarto: Go Forth and Forage by Whitney Johnson

Grab yourself a copy of Go Forth and Forage: A Guide to Foraging Over 50 of the Most Common Edible & Medicinal North American Mushrooms by Whitney Johnson at your local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes and Noble, quarto.com, or amazon.com.

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM
* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.org


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands