Soil is an enigma wrapped in puzzle lost in a maze. In this story I talk with my friend Professor Bill Fonteno to try and find some truth about soil. We discuss what is soil, what is media, and get some insight to the conversation surrounding peat moss. 

For more on Professor Fonteno's work

Bill Fonteno | Horticultural Science | NC State University (ncsu.edu)

Richard Hawke from the Chicago Botanical Garden brought all the knowledge and opinions for this episode. Richard and I discuss the trials that he's been conducting at the Chicago Botanical Garden over the years and why so many of the plants that he has trialed aren't as easy to find as they should be. This is an episode that you are going to want to listen to several times.

To see the trials Richard Hawke Conducts the the Chicago Botanic Gardens visit the link Below

Plant Evaluation | Chicago Botanic Garden

If you are a flower farmer this is a gift from me to you. John Dole from NC State University joined me to talk about harvesting, storing, and all-round post processing of cut flowers. John is easily the most well respect professor on post flowering processing in the United States.

For more on Johns work

Dr. John Dole - Associate Dean and Director for Academic Programs (ncsu.edu)

To be a major part of building a legacy for roses is an incredible journey and that is exactly what Michael Marriott has achieved. Michael recently retired from David Austin Roses where he worked for four decades. He's one of the most respected people in the world of roses and one of my favorite guests. In this story we explore what his retirement has meant for him, the changes in gardening over the last year, and the traveling he's looking forward to again. 

Michael also along with his partner Rosie, future podcast guest, are offering garden tours in the UK which I can't recommend enough. For more information visit Michael's website below and follow him on social media as well.

Michael Marriott (michaelmarriottrosarian.org)

Michael Marriott (michaelmarriottrosarian.org)

Garden Tours 

TOD GARDEN TOURS – Michael Marriott (michaelmarriottrosarian.org)

One of the best trends in gardening has been so many great gardening and horticulture experts sharing their knowledge. One of those stepping to the forefront of that has been Annie Guilfoyle. Annie is an exceptional garden designer and has taught garden design all over the world. She co-created the Garden Masterclass program. It is an absolutely fantastic program with some of the most talented people in the world of gardening participating. Originally the program toured gardens in the UK and Europe but like so many things in 2020 pivoted to an online platform. Annie and I share the story of how that transition took place and her perspective on so many things in the gardening world. 

For more on Annie and the Garden Masterclass program

Garden Masterclass

The changes across the world over the last year have clearly been dramatic. One of the curious happenings has been a renewed interest in gardening. I wanted to explore the changes and interest we've seen in gardening over the year and Joe Lamp'L was the perfect person to explore this story. Joe has been producing and hosting gardening media content for over 20 years and now has created a dynamic online course series. We talked about the interest in in gardening and with so many new gardeners who do they trust for good information.

For more Information on Joe's course series visit his website

Organic Gardening | Grow Like a Pro with Joe Lamp'l | joe gardener®

Doug Oster has been telling stories of gardeners for his entire career in gardening media. I loved this conversation with Doug. I've read his columns in Pittsburgh for years but hadn't had the chance to talk with him before. So, we had lots to talk about. In this story that covers Doug's career and also do cities have their own garden culture?

For more on Doug Oster

Doug Oster - Everyone has a garden story, I'd love to tell yours

Natchez Glen House Stories is possible because of your support of Natchez Glen

Kelly's new book 'The New Naturalism' is a great look into what the future of gardening can be. In this story we explore the worlds of ecology and horticulture and at times how they've been at odds but may be headed towards a renaissance. 

For more information about Kelly's work and to purchase his book 'The New Naturalism'

Ornamental grasses as a group were first introduced to me by Adrian Bloom. Over the last twenty years the use and beauty of ornamental grasses continues to grow. Getting to know the history of where they were and where they are today is very important to understanding how to use grasses in gardens. To help me get to that history Shannon Currey of Hoffman Nursery joined me for this story. Hoffman Nursery is a wholesale nursery based in North Carolina and was one of the first nurseries dedicated to growing incredible grasses for gardens.