Garden Geek Michael Crose returns for a gloriously unfiltered fall shrub tutorial that spirals into a scam-call showdown, a Beatles-vs-Beach-Boys debate, and his son Zack's one-track podocarpus obsession. Underneath the chaos is real advice: how to evaluate shrubs for stragglers, pests, and disease before you prune; why he ditches mulch entirely, insisting it locks nutrients away from roots; a homemade dish-soap trick for stubborn dry soil; and his case for deep, infrequent watering over daily hosing. He walks through the best window for fall planting and transplanting, plus his go-to citrus fertilizer with a minor-element boost. Recorded completely unedited — interruptions, phone calls, wandering tangents and all — this episode is equal parts gardening masterclass and slice-of-life comedy, ending, naturally, with a conversation about pulled pork.

Garden Geek host Michael Crose takes aim at the flood of "not-quite-fertilizer" products marketed to homeowners — humic acid amendments, kelp extracts, biochar, and other soil boosters that legally can't be labeled fertilizer because, well, they aren't. Michael shares a cautionary tale from his organic lawn care days in the '80s, when he sank serious money into a Texas company's "miracle" products, only to discover via a truck driver's MSDS sheets that the liquid "fertilizer" was just molasses, and the granules were humic acid and chicken manure. He recounts turkey-feather nitrogen, a radio interview gone hilariously wrong, and a friend's lawn business that nearly failed chasing organic promises before switching back to real fertilizer with actual nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Bottom line: grass needs proven nutrients, not clever marketing. Tune in for the full, entertaining breakdown.

In this episode of Ask the Garden Geek, Michael Crosedives into the wonderfully dramatic world of houseplants — and trust him,they're more temperamental than your ex. Michael shares decades of hard-wonwisdom, starting with the golden rule: light matters more than water, and it'sthe reason most houseplant deaths happen in the first place.

Get ready for the legendary saga of the ficus benjamina — aplant so sensitive it'll drop every leaf just because you moved it six inchesto the left. Michael recounts real stories from his own living room (and threedifferent marriages) to prove just how touchy these "little trees"can be.

You'll also learn the only moisture meter you'll ever need(hint: it's already attached to your hand), why drainage is absolutelynon-negotiable, and the cautionary tale of a truckload of houseplants that meta frosty demise in Kentucky. Plus, repotting tips, a Super Thrive endorsement,and a daughter's dirt-and-rocks drainage disaster that'll make you laugh outloud.

Equal parts horticulture lesson and stand-up comedy, thisepisode will change the way you talk to your plants — literally.

In this episode of Ask the Garden Geek, Michael Crose walks you through everything your shrubs need as summer turns to fall. He covers how to properly evaluate your shrubbery — checking for insect damage, disease, dieback, and plants that have outgrown their space — before you ever pick up the pruning shears.

Michael shares his approach to pruning (an art form, in his opinion), why he skips mulch entirely to keep micronutrients available to plants, and his method for training shrubs to develop deep, drought-resistant roots instead of relying on frequent watering. He also explains his trick for helping dry soil absorb water using a little dish soap, and breaks down the fertilizer he swears by

Beyond the big three, Michael dives into crucial secondary micronutrients like calcium for cell walls, magnesium, sulfur, and iron. Drawing from personal anecdotes—from growing high-calcium tomatoes for his daughter to recovering his own health with vital minerals—he highlights how trace elements make all the difference for plant vitality. Plus, get his honest take on classic products like Super Thrive!

Michael relaunches Ask the Garden Geek with a deep dive into surviving Florida's brutal summer heat. He explains how to spot true heat stress versus a dying lawn, and breaks down how Bahia, St. Augustine, Zoysia, and other grasses each handle it differently. Along the way, Michael shares decades of hands-on stories — from a golf-course nematode mishap to lessons on chinch bugs and grass varieties — plus practical watering advice: an inch a week, applied early morning or just before dark. A knowledgeable, personality-packed first episode.

After a meaningful run, this is the final episode of The Daily Grateful. Host Michael Crose shares an honest, heartfelt sign-off — reflecting on why the show ran its course, expressing gratitude to the listeners who tuned in and reached out, and looking ahead to what's next: a brand-new project exploring the history of rock and roll, launching soon as both a podcast and YouTube channel.

This new show doesn't have a name yet — and Michael wants your help. Head to his Facebook page (Michael Crose) and send a DM with your suggestion for what to call it.

Thank you for listening, for the messages, and for being part of this chapter. This RSS feed ends here — but look out for the new show, coming soon under a brand new feed.

Being grateful doesn't mean pretending everything's fine. You don't have to force the bright side. Sometimes you're pissed off, disgusted, even depressed — and that's okay. That's worth sitting with.

It can feel dishonest to say "I'm so grateful" when you're exhausted, grieving, or seething. A pastor I knew — one of the most optimistic guys around — once gave a whole sermon on "the pits," on when life goes to complete crap. Not every day is graciousness and goodness.

Gratitude gets weaponized, by others and by ourselves. "Just be grateful" can shut down a legitimate complaint. But real gratitude doesn't require minimizing your struggle. You can be grateful and still be furious about where you are.

When gratitude feels impossible, that resistance is information — pointing to unmet needs, unresolved resentment, burnout. Don't push through it. Listen to it instead.

#DailyGratitude #MentalHealthMatters #GratitudePractice #ItsOkayToNotBeOkay #Podcast #Authenticity #Mindfulness #EmotionalHealth

Michael Crose is back from an unforgettable weekend in Ormond Beach, Florida, and he's bringing all the good vibes home to The Daily Grateful. Known as the birthplace of speed, Ormond Beach captured Michael's heart with its slower pace, friendly locals, and stunning natural beauty along the Halifax River. In this episode, Michael shares highlights from his trip with Diane and her family, including a breathtaking drone flight over the water, a shark-bite warning that kept him firmly out of the ocean, and birdwatching. The true highlight, though, was discovering local musician Jessie Abbey, whose soulful performance of "Mad World" on a restaurant patio stopped Michael in his tracks and reminded him why live music matters. Her voice made his heart sing, and he wants yours to sing too. Tune in for a heartfelt reminder to seek out experiences that move you, connect with strangers, and find gratitude in the unexpected moments life offers. Do something different today.

Hashtags: #TheDailyGrateful #OrmondBeach #Gratitude #FloridaTravel #LiveMusic #DaytonaBeach #TravelPodcast #MindfulLiving #FloridaLife #GratitudePractic

It's been a rough couple of weeks — a night without power, unexpected bills, the loss of a beloved cat, and a needy remaining feline who isn't making it any easier. In this short but heartfelt episode, your host opens up about the toll of everyday stress and the simple cure he's leaning on: getting away, even just for a weekend. He's hitting the road with his ex-wife Diane on a scenic 200-mile ride to the coast, phone mostly off (except for the kids and grandkids), and no agenda but rest. Along the way, he shares why distance creates perspective, why short trips count just as much as long vacations, and why rest is a skill worth practicing — not just something that happens to you. Recorded in a rush before Diane arrives, this quick, honest check-in is a reminder that sometimes the best thing you can do is just get out of your routine. Don't sweat the small stuff — it's all small stuff.