Episode 268

Tips for Edible Plants

The vegetable garden and fruit orchard start to "rev up" production in May. Join Nathan as he provides a few tips for dealing with disease and insects, training vining plants, and more in the edible garden.

Episode 267

Plants that Make Hydrangeas Look Even Better

Hydrangeas are a staple in the southern garden. Of course they look great all alone, but the garden is a place of combining plants together with unique characteristics to create outstanding combinations. Join Nathan as he talks about plants that help hydrangeas look even better!

It's nearly hydrangea season! Hydrangeas all over the south are budding up and showing off! This week, Nathan talks about the main hydrangea groups you will find in the garden and describes tried and true varieties but also some awesome new ones!

Episode 265

What's Blooming in Nathan's Garden?

April showers bring May flowers! Join Nathan as he walks you through his garden and talks about what's blooming.

Episode 264

April Q&A Week:

Deer Resistant Annual Flowers?

This week, Nathan answers Cheryl's question about flowering annuals that the deer won't eat! She tried begonia, but they were munched on like lunch time at the Shoney's salad bar. Nathan talks about a long list of plants that the deer MIGHT not eat. After all, if they're hungry enough, right? From salvia, lantana, verbena, and dusty miller to alyssum, nasturtium, ageratum, and angelonia, there are surely plenty of annuals you can enjoy that the deer won't!

Episode 263

Growing A Garden in Clay Soil

Do you feel cursed with clay soil? Many folks do. This week, Nathan assures you that you can grow great gardens in clay soil. He discusses preparing the bed to deal with water movement, digging appropriately in clay, and choosing the best plants for the space. With a little thought and attention, a clay-based soil CAN produce a wonder garden space. There is hope!

Episode 262

Notes on Growing Fruits

This week, Nathan talks about some of the easiest and more challenging fruits to grow in your home orchard! From blueberries to blackberries and apples to muscadines, Nathan gets you started on your fruity journey.

Episode 261

Native Plants for Your Water Gardens

This week, Nathan goes to the water garden to help you plant some wonderful native plants directly into the muck! The southeast has some wonderful plants that thrive in the wettest conditions. Nathan talks about both plants that grow in the water and plants that grow along the banks and marginal areas. Fragrant white waterlily, American lotus, Pickerelweed, and buttonbush have no problem being nearly submerged, but beardtongue, blazing star, swamp milkweed, and cardinal flower love to be right on the edge of the pond. If you don't have a water garden, no problem, you can start one today with something as simple as a bucket!

Episode 260

March Q&A Week:

Moles, Voles, Wisteria, and Water Pipes

This week, Nathan answers all the questions that have been burning through your March gardens! Do you have moles? Do you have voles? Is there a difference and what can you do about them? Nathan helps Lee Ann deal with those irritating mammals in the landscape. Invasive wisteria is taking over Joshua's garden, but Nathan has both organic and non-organic options to help control it. Lastly, Kaye wants to build an arbor near a water line but wonders if the vines planted by the arbor will do damage to the water pipes. Nathan gives two situations that might be a concern and recommends certain plants to grow over water lines and some that should be planted elsewhere. Be sure to send us your gardening questions for our April Q&A week episode!

Episode 259

Spring Blooming Perennials for Shady Spots

If you're growing under shade, you might think that you are limited in what you can grow. Even though that's partially true, shade creates an opportunity to grow a unique group of plants that you rarely, if ever, see in sunny sites. This week, Nathan helps you turn your shade "crisis" into a wonderful opportunity! He talks about a number of blooming perennials that are outstanding in the shade, including barrenwort, lungwort, bleeding heart, brunnera, heuchera, astilbe, polemonium, and lamium. With a list like this, you'll quickly be able to brighten up even the darkest spots in your garden!