In this episode of Hort Culture, the team is joined by Dr. Jonathan Larson, University of Kentucky Extension Entomologist, for a fascinating discussion on the complex and often surprising relationships between insects and plants. From pollinators that fuel our food supply to pests that challenge our landscapes, Dr. Larson shares insights on how these interactions shape both natural ecosystems and home gardens. The conversation dives into beneficial insects, pest management strategies, and practical tips for gardeners looking to support pollinators while protecting their plants. Whether you’re curious about native bees, biological control, or just want to understand what’s really happening when bugs meet blooms, this episode offers expert knowledge with plenty of real-world takeaways.

Entomology at the University of Kentucky

Firefly Festival

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In this reflective episode, Brett and Ray take a deep dive into how Kentucky agriculture—and Extension work—has transformed over the past few decades. Starting with a lighthearted chat about summer, fall cravings, and the buzz (and hype) around AI, the conversation shifts into a second chapter of Ray’s career story, following the earlier “Hands in the Dirt, Head in the Clouds” episode.

Ray shares first-hand memories from his early days in Extension in the mid-1990s, when answering a client’s question meant sifting through filing cabinets, making long phone calls, and sometimes hauling around a Motorola “bag phone.” The discussion traces how technology, from networked computers to AgDiscs and eventually the internet, changed how agents work and how clients access information.

A major focus is the seismic impact of the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement and the 2004 end of the tobacco quota system—events that reshaped Kentucky farming and spurred a search for alternative crops and markets. Ray and Brett explore both the opportunities and challenges of this transition, from diversification efforts and Kentucky Proud branding to the hard realities of marketing perishable crops.

Throughout, they connect past changes to present questions about AI’s role in Extension—its potential as a tool, its limits, and the enduring importance of research-based information and human expertise. The episode blends history, personal experience, and forward-looking perspective on how agricultural outreach adapts to waves of technological and economic change.

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In this episode of Hort Culture, the team welcomes Powell County Extension Agent Jason Vaughn to dive deep into the evolving culture of American lawns—from golf courses to backyards.

Jason shares his journey from mowing lawns in Clark County to managing some of the most prestigious golf courses in the U.S. The conversation explores the “business in the front, party in the back”approach to lawn care, affectionately dubbed the "mullet lawn philosophy."

Listeners will learn about:

• The real reason raising your mower height is a game changer
• Why fall is the best season for weed control
• Common lawn myths (including the overuse of lime)
• The case for wild blackberries over cultivated ones
• How home lawn care differs from professional turf management
• And why sometimes, the lawn is worth keeping—especially for play, aesthetics, or just zoning out with a mower

From clover-friendly backyards to the newest trends in golf course design (think wild, low-input fescues), this episode blends practical advice with personal stories and humor. Whether you're a lawn purist or a prairie convert, there’s something here to help you rethink your green space.

Tips and Recommendations for Maintaining Home Lawns

Turf Care Calendar for Cool-Season Lawns in Kentucky

Turfgrass Science University of Kentucky

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In this flavorful and thoughtful episode, Alexis, Brett, and Ray kick things off with a nostalgic ode to summer fruits—watermelon, cantaloupe, and peaches—and the sensory memories they stir. The team shares light-hearted stories that transition seamlessly into a deeper conversation about branding, authenticity, and storytelling in agriculture.

What does it mean to create a brand that feels both personal and professional? How do farmers and producers balance authenticity with marketing strategy? The hosts explore how their own approaches to branding—whether through daily social media posts or curated seasonal photo shoots—reveal not just products, but values and lived experiences.

With examples from Wild Roots and reflections on photography, audience perception, and storytelling structure, this episode offers practical insights for anyone trying to craft a compelling brand in the food and farming space. Whether you’re a seasoned grower or a budding entrepreneur, the message is clear: your story matters—and how you tell it makes all the difference.

Marketing & Promotion Resources

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Emma shares the origin of her houseplant video series, created as part of her graduate work and fueled by her newfound obsession with foliage. From low-maintenance starter picks like Tradescantia and heartleaf philodendron to the surprisingly dramatic Calathea, the crew debates plant preferences and pet peeves. Succulents? Not as simple as social media makes them seem.

Other topics include:

• The social media-fueled rise of trendy houseplants
• Why some plants just aren’t for you—and that’s okay
• Emma’s bioactive frog tank turned Calathea haven
• Bonsai tangents and plant pricing bubbles
• “Plants don’t read the books”: what really works at home

Whether you're team succulent or team “please stop mixing cactus with peace lilies,” this episode offers a down-to-earth and refreshingly honest take on houseplant culture.

• University of Kentucky Houseplant Education
• Resources for Home Growers: Houseplants
• Indoor Plants
• Caring for houseplants in the winter

In this episode, the team dives deep into the world of mechanical and cultural weed control. What starts as a fun discussion about corvids and birdwatching  quickly transitions into the heart of the episode—how growers manage weeds without chemical inputs. The crew explores the overlap between cultural and mechanical practices like crop rotation, cover cropping, hoeing, solarization, and high-wheel cultivators.

Ray shares nostalgic stories from the 1980s of farming with mules and mechanical tillers. Brett puts modern weed control into historical and economic context, and Alexis gets excited about the future—robotic weeders, solar-powered machines, and the upcoming Kentucky Mechanical Weed Control Field Day. From stirrup hoes to camera-guided cultivators, they explore how growers of all scales can improve efficiency, reduce herbicide use, and build healthier soils.

Special Mentions:

• Merlin Bird App from Cornell Lab
• Kentucky High Wheel Cultivator
• Walk-behind tractors
• Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day
• Electrical weed control research
• The upcoming Kentucky Mechanical Weed Control Field Day on September 23rd

Call to Action:
Visit ccd.uky.edu and click on the Mechanical Weed Control Field Day (link below) tab to register. Learn about tool demos, solarization research, grant opportunities, and eat a free ice cream sandwich in exchange for your feedback!

Center for Crop Diversification 

2025 Kentucky Mechanical Weed Control Field Day

Weed Management

In this midsummer episode, the Hort Culture team welcomes Joe Kuosman, Lexington-based giant pumpkin grower and co-founder of West Sixth Brewing. The conversation starts with heat survival tips from the hosts (spoiler: giant hats and shade are a must), then dives headfirst into the fascinating world of giant pumpkin cultivation.

Joe shares how his pumpkin passion was planted decades ago in Pittsburgh through a combination of family gardening, seed catalogs, and curiosity. He walks listeners through the evolution of giant pumpkin growing—from seed selection to fertilization, pest control, and even protecting pumpkins from sun damage and cracking.

Highlights include:

• Joe’s personal best: a pumpkin just under 800 pounds.
• Tips for beginners: start with quality seeds, don’t overthink it, and enjoy the process.
• The space commitment: 1,000 square feet per plant.
• Kentucky’s climate challenges and how growers adapt.
• The wow-factor of displaying pumpkins.
• How giant pumpkins become a gateway to growing other "giant" fruits and vegetables.

This episode is packed with inspiration, practical advice, and quirky charm. Whether you're dreaming of a blue ribbon or just want to see a pumpkin grow 30 pounds a day, Joe's story will squash your doubts and seed your excitement.

Tune in if you’ve ever wondered:

• Can a pumpkin really weigh as much as a Toyota Corolla?
• What does it take to grow a 1,000-pound pumpkin in Kentucky?
• How do you turn a massive pumpkin into a community spectacle?

Kentucky Giant Pumpkin Growers (Facebook)

Growing Giant Pumpkins in the Home Garden

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In this lively and informative episode, the Hort Culture team dives deep into the seasonal challenges facing Kentucky gardeners, particularly the rising threat of plant diseases during a historically cool and wet spring. Join Brett, Alexis, and Ray start for a chat about plant health and integrated pest management (IPM).

Listeners get an in-depth look at the “disease triangle” — the key combination of a susceptible host, conducive environment, and active pathogen — and why this year’s weather has been perfect for early disease outbreaks. The team shares real-world examples from tomatoes, zinnias, squash, and even bonsai trees, emphasizing the importance of timing, cultural practices, and preventative treatments.

They clarify that “pesticide” is not a dirty word, breaking down the term to include both organic and conventional options, and reinforcing the necessity of following label instructions precisely. The conversation covers tools and equipment for small-scale spraying, the differences in approach between home gardeners and commercial growers, and why sometimes, even with the best practices, a plant may still succumb to disease — and that’s okay.

The episode closes with practical tips for identifying issues, using extension resources, scouting effectively, and leveraging tools like the UK Ag Weather app for disease alerts.

• UK Ag Weather Center App
  Get real-time alerts on disease and weather conditions specific to Kentucky.
• Kentucky Plant Pathology Extension Publications
  
• Homeowner’s Guide to Fungicides (University of Kentucky):
  
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Basics
  
• UK Extension Office Directory
  Find your local office for help with plant diagnostics and advice.
• Pesticide Safety Education Program – UK Extension 

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In this engaging summer episode of Hort Culture, the crew welcomes Trevor Terry, Executive Director of the Kentucky Horticulture Council, for a spirited and insightful conversation that blends passion, policy, and plant nerdiness. 

After kicking things off with lighthearted chatter about their favorite warm-weather drinks (kombucha and icy watermelon blends included), Trevor dives into his unconventional journey from humanities grad to horticulture leader — including a Derby weekend epiphany and the entrepreneurial spirit that led him to help launch Kentucky Fresh Harvest, the state’s first high-wire, high-tech tomato facility.

Trevor shares his excitement about the growth of protected agriculture in Kentucky — from 1.4 million sq. ft. in 2017 to nearly 14 million sq. ft. today — and what that means for the future of food production in the Commonwealth. The group also unpacks the impact of shifting federal funding, disease challenges like Neopestalotiopsis in strawberries, and the surprising scale and potential of Kentucky's cut flower industry.

Whether you're into tomatoes, spreadsheets, or just love a good horticulture underdog story, this episode is packed with laughs, insights, and a powerful reminder of the resilience and innovation driving Kentucky agriculture forward.

Tune in to hear:

• Trevor’s origin story and tomato tech breakthroughs 
• Why controlled environment ag isn’t just hype in Kentucky 
• Big data meets backyard gardening 
• The power of unified voices in horticulture advocacy 

• Kentucky Horticulture Council (KHC)
  Learn more about KHC’s mission, grower resources, grants, trainings, and member associations.
• USDA Census of Agriculture
  Data source discussed regarding growth in protected ag and cut flowers.
• University of Kentucky Horticulture Extension
  Trusted info on fruit, vegetable, and ornamental production in Kentucky.
• Kentucky Department of Agriculture
  Programs and support for growers, including Kentucky Proud.
• Kentucky Center for Ag & Rural Development (KCARD)
  Business development assistance for Kentucky farms and agribusinesses.

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In this nostalgic episode, Brett and Ray hold down the fort while their co-hosts are away, turning the podcast into a "man cave" for the day. What starts as a lighthearted check-in on their recent challenge to "sit under a tree" turns into a conversation tracing Ray's agricultural roots in eastern Kentucky.

Ray shares vivid memories of his childhood growing up on a farm in the eastern foothills—years spent with cattle, square bales, vegetables, and tobacco. He reflects on the sights, smells, and experiences that shaped his deep connection to the land and growing things, from running barefoot through hay fields to handpicking truck loads of beans with his siblings.

Listeners get an intimate portrait of life in Appalachian Kentucky during the 1980s and ’90s, the central role of tobacco in rural economies, and Ray’s unexpected return to agriculture via Berea College. With humor, humility, and insight, Ray describes the lessons learned—like knowing what you can and can't control—that have guided his path into Extension work.

This episode is a time capsule of Kentucky’s farming heritage and a tribute to the labor, love, and land that define it.

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