Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoors

Today we discuss garden-grown and foraged food with earthy flavors, and do a deep dive into the importance of soil temperatures for planting, soil activity, seed germination and growth rates. We end with a discussion about what you can expect from houseplants in the winter, and how to decide which plants are appropriate for an area that's sunny in the winter and shaded in the summer.

:30 What's For Dinner: Earthy flavors.

6:59 Eat/Drink/Grow: The Importance of Soil Temperatures.

18:18 Insider Information: Should your houseplants be growing in the winter?

20:39 Love Letters and Questions: Planting for appropriate outdoor light

If you think that pesto has to be made of basil, think again! Ellen and C.L. talk about spring pestos, how quickly plants start to photosynthesize, and discuss the pros and cons of various types of mulch. We end with a question about the best fennel to grow if you want the seeds.

:34 What's for dinner: Spring Pestos! Make pesto before the basil has even germinated.

4:58 Insider Information: How quickly does photosynthesis start?

8:48 Eat/Drink/Grow: Much about Mulch

24:15 Love Letters and Questions: Cassy asks about growing fennel for seeds, not greens or bulbs.

In this episode we define some terms that plant geeks toss around, and give you a recipe for figuring out what's wrong with your houseplants. If you've ever wondered why fertilizer is called "plant food" or how lichen can grow on a rock or your roof, this is your podcast!

:28 Plant Noob: Semi-Evergreen? Sub-shrub? 3:39 Eat/Drink/Grow: Diagnosing problems on houseplants. 17:45 Focus on Fertilizer: Why fertilizer shouldn't be thought of as plant food. 19:24 Love Letters and Questions Nina asked "How the heck does lichen grow/stay alive on stones and dead branches?"

C.L. and Ellen rave about green flowers, explain the difference between aggressive and invasive plants, and discuss the common belief that sunflowers poison other plants. Plus we answer Meredith's question about why cut flowers don't grow roots.

:40 True or False: Sunflowers poison other plants 5:19 Eat/Drink/Grow: Green Flowers! 14:51 The Plant Noob: The difference between aggressive and invasive plants. 19:31 Love Letters and Questions: Meredith asks "What makes some plants easy to propagate, and others not-so-easy?"

Did you know that a spring tonic doesn't have to be a drink? Hear Ellen and C.L. talk about tonics, what to do if you've started your seeds too early, the definition of direct sowing and vegetables for hot climates.

:30 What's For Dinner: What's your spring tonic?

4:57 Eat/Drink/Grow: Starting seeds too early.

15:31 Insider Information: What does it mean to direct sow?

19:50 Love Letters and Questions: Erik writes about growing vegetables in Texas.

In this episode you'll hear about ways to prepare the chard, kale or other greens you froze last summer. Learn why water beads up on some leaves, all about Cannas, and if hydrogen peroxide is a good thing to use on plant problems.

:30 What's for dinner: Greens from the freezer

4:22 Insider Information: What are "Hydrophobic leaves?"

8:55 Eat/Drink/Grow: Cannas

17:42 Love Letters and Questions: Samantha asked about using hydrogen peroxide in the garden

Ellen and C.L. explain what a "standard form" plant is and why you might want to plant the perennial yarrow in your landscape. Hear a rave review of Jessica Walliser's new book about science-based companion planting, and learn about vole trails.

:30 Plant Noob: What's a "standard?" 4:13 Eat/Drink/Grow: Achillea, aka yarrow 14:16 Product Review: Plant Partners book review 19:45 Love Letters and Questions: Tedi wonders about the trails she sees in her garden after a snow melt.

If you're wondering about sterilizing soil for seed starting, growing peppers in your vegetable garden, or the best water for your houseplants, this episode is for you.

:30 True or False: You should bake garden soil in the oven, then use it to start your seeds indoors. 5:35 Eat/Drink/Grow: Growing Peppers 19:53 Love Letters and Questions: Kari wrote to ask about chlorine in water for houseplants.

:30 What's For Dinner: Fennel 7:04 Eat/Drink/Grow: Epiphytes – what they are, some common houseplants that are epiphytic, and what this means for how we care for those plants. 15:03 Insider Information: What are pelleted seeds? 19:44 Love Letters and Questions: Melissa writes about paperwhite narcissus.

Ellen and C.L talk about growing fennel, what an epiphytic plant is, and why you may want to try some pellitized seeds. We answer Melissa's question about why some paperwhite narcissus are more fragrant than others.

Link to Brent and Becky's Bulbs: https://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com/Narcissus/Ziva/Narcissus

In this episode of Plantrama we talk about essential herbs to grow or forage for, pinching plants to make them bushy, African violets and a Zoom houseplant event in February.

:28 What's for dinner: Essential herbs to grow or forage for.

7:40 Insider Information: "Pinching" tips off of plants to make them bushier.

12:33 Eat/Drink/Grow: African violets – Saintpaulia

21:02 Connections: Zoom with us the Plantrama Team!