The Plantrama team discusses the best way to fill a raised bed, why the practice called hugelkulture is getting so much buzz, a podcast recommendation, and finding a garden mentor.   :30      Plant Noob: Why you shouldn’t fill a raised bed with only compost. 5:24   Eat/Drink/Grow:  Hugelkultur   16:29   Check THIS Out!:  a plant podcast that C.L. loves. 18:48  Love Letters and Questions    Morgan in Michigan writes about finding garden mentors. 

How to Fill Raised Beds, Hugelkulure and Garden Mentors

Ellen Zachos and C.L. Fornari help you discover the amazing world of plants: in the garden, in the wild, and on your plate. They show you how to grow plants successfully, how to enjoy your natural surroundings, and how to make the most of your harvest, whether it's cultivated or foraged. (Spoiler alert: they don't always agree!) You'll find three different topics in each episode, plus email questions from listeners.

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Ellen and C.L. talk about three interesting edibles from the True Leaf Market catalog, explain what they’re working on and catch up with some listener emails. They end by talking about seven seed starting tips offered by our friends at Gardeners Supply Company, and invite listeners to join them at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle.   :30 What’s For Dinner: Our top picks from the True Leaf Market catalog 7:23 Eat/Drink/Grow:   What's new with the Plantrama team. 19:46 Insider Information: 7 tips for seed starting 

Seed Planning, Catching Up, and See You In Seattle

We’re talking about garlic and crabapples, plants that are new to our hearts, and some interesting research on bulbs done at Cornell University. Plus some words of appreciation for all of our listeners…Plantrama people are the best!  See the bulb research information here. :27 What’s For Dinner: What C.L.and Ellen love for tasty meals. 5:14 Eat/Drink/Grow:   New Plants…new to us, that is. 15:21 Insider Information:   Bulb research from Cornell University 23:03 Love Letters and Questions:  We’re entering a dormant period, but here’s our shout out to all of our listeners. 

Tasty meals, New Plant Discoveries and a Dormant Period

  Learn about turning Hydrangea flowers blue, how to tell if you’re looking at Queen Anne’s lace or the poison hemlock, and not enough room for all these plants! Plus C.L. loves listening to the Audible version of Michael Pollen’s book, This is Your Mind on Plants.   :29  True or False:   To turn Hydrangeas blue, place rusty nails in the ground 3:48 Eat/Drink/Grow:  Queen Anne’s Lace and Poisonous Look-Alikes 15:04 Check This Out:  Michael Pollen’s book “This is Your Mind on Plants” 20:30 Love Letters and Questions: Candace writes: “There isn’t room in my house for all of these plants…not if I want to say married. Help!”     

Rusty Nails For Blue Hydrangeas, Queen Anne_s Lace, and Too Many Plants

In this episode Ellen and C.L. discuss some favorite peppers, and answer common listener questions about drought-damaged plants and helping their gardens recover from a hot, dry summer. We share an exciting new plant from Proven Winners, and answer a listener’s question about clover lawns.   :36 What’s For Dinner: Peppers! 10:39 Eat/Drink/Grow:  Recovering From A Hot, Dry Summer   19:45 Insider Information:  Excited about Queen Tut Papyrus 21:35 Love Letters and Questions: Sandy writes:  “Do you like clover lawns?”  Link to Queen Tut on the Proven Winners Website:   https://www.provenwinners.com/plants/cyperus/graceful-grasses-queen-tut-dwarf-papyrus-cyperus-prolifer  

Peppers, Dry Summers, and a Clover Lawn

In this Encore presentation from 2017, Ellen and C.L. start the end-of-summer party off with suggestions for snacks and garden hors d’oeuvres. The second segment offers ways that you benefit from an outdoor office, and no, it’s not the low rent. Our main segment suggests ways you can spruce up (horticultural pun intended) your yard and gardens for summer gatherings. Whether you’re holding a simple barbecue, birthday celebration, rehearsal dinner, cocktail party or other event, here are ideas for hiding eyesores, improving what you’ve got and adding color. Our fourth segment addresses a plant noob’s question: “Will this plant will come back to life or is it dead?” We end with an email from a listener who asks about end-of-year bargain plants. 

How to Fill Raised Beds, Hugelkulure and Garden Mentors

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