The Evergreen Thumb

Bring festive cheer to your home with colorful winter-blooming houseplants! In this episode, we cover everything you need to know to keep popular holiday plants like poinsettias, amaryllis, and Christmas cacti healthy and vibrant. From care tips and troubleshooting advice to the history behind these winter bloomers, we’ve got you covered for a thriving, festive indoor garden.

For resources, links, a transcript, and more be sure to visit our website at https://evergreenthumb.mastergardenerfoundation.org/episode034/

In this episode of The Evergreen Thumb, we explore how to prepare solitary bees for winter. From storing mason and leafcutter bee cocoons safely to managing moisture, pests, and disease, we cover essential tips to ensure your garden’s tiny pollinators survive the cold months. Whether you’re using a bee house or promoting natural habitats, this episode will help you support these vital insects and set them up for a successful spring. Tune in to learn everything you need to know about winterizing your solitary bees! 🐝❄️

For resources, links, a transcript, and more be sure to visit our website at https://evergreenthumb.mastergardenerfoundation.org/episode033/

In this episode of The Evergreen Thumb, we take a deep dive into the fascinating process of growing shiitake mushrooms on logs. Cultivating shiitake mushrooms at home is a fun and rewarding way to produce your own fresh mushrooms at home!

Join us as our guest Kevin Zobrist, a WSU Extension Forester, covers everything you need to know, including:

• Selecting the right type of logs for shiitake cultivation
• The inoculation process and tools you'll need
• How to maintain the ideal conditions for healthy mushroom growth
• Tips for harvesting shiitake mushrooms and getting multiple flushes from your logs
• Overcoming common challenges like pests and contaminants

Tune in to learn how to transform logs into a thriving mushroom crop and bring the magic of fungi into your garden!

For resources, links, a transcript, and more be sure to visit our website at https://evergreenthumb.mastergardenerfoundation.org/episode032/

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the fascinating world of seed saving. Seed saving is a valuable skill that not only helps you create a sustainable garden but also preserves the unique qualities of your favorite plants. Join us as we discuss the basics of seed saving, how to select the best seeds, and tips for storing them to ensure future success in your garden.

For resources, links, a transcript, and more be sure to visit our website at https://evergreenthumb.mastergardenerfoundation.org/episode031/

In this special episode of The Evergreen Thumb, we celebrate our first anniversary! Join us as we look back on a year filled with growth, learning, and community. We reflect on memorable moments, share our favorite episodes, and highlight key insights from our guest experts.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our dedicated listeners, guests, and contributors who made this journey possible. We also take a moment to discuss the challenges we've overcome and share exciting plans for the future of the podcast.

For resources, links, a transcript, and more be sure to visit our website at 

https://evergreenthumb.mastergardenerfoundation.org/episode030/

In this episode, we explore the concept of edible ecosystems, focusing on three key sustainable gardening practices: food forests, fedges, and plant guilds. These systems mimic natural ecosystems, providing a multitude of benefits, from enhancing biodiversity and soil health to improving water conservation and climate resilience. We discuss the basics of designing and implementing these systems, including practical tips for starting in your own garden, and highlight the importance of these practices in creating sustainable, self-sufficient landscapes.

For resources, links, a transcript, and more be sure to visit our website at https://evergreenthumb.mastergardenerfoundation.org/episode029/

In this episode of The Evergreen Thumb, we delve into the essential topic of decoding pesticide labels. Understanding these labels is crucial for gardeners to ensure they are using products safely, effectively, and in an environmentally responsible manner.

Our guest, Rachel Bomberger, starts by exploring why it is vital for gardeners to read and comprehend pesticide labels. Our expert breaks down the key components of a label, including active ingredients, signal words, usage instructions, and safety precautions. 

For resources, links, a transcript, and more be sure to visit our website at https://evergreenthumb.mastergardenerfoundation.org/episode028/

In this episode of "The Evergreen Thumb," we dive deep into the art and science of growing tomatoes in Washington State.

WSU Cowlitz County Extension Master Gardener Alice Slusher joins us as we explore expert tips and insights on growing tomatoes in our unique climate.  We'll also cover crucial topics such as pest and disease management, fertilization strategies, and effective support and pruning methods. Plus, learn the secrets to harvesting and storing your tomatoes to enjoy a bountiful, flavorful crop all season long. This episode is packed with valuable information to help you achieve tomato-growing success in the Evergreen State.

For resources, links, a transcript, and more be sure to visit our website at https://evergreenthumb.mastergardenerfoundation.org/episode027/

In this episode of "The Evergreen Thumb," we delve into the world of noxious weeds in Washington State.

Our guest, Anne Shuster from the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board discuss the impact these weeds have on the environment and provides valuable tips on how gardeners and homeowners can identify and prevent them effectively. 

For resources, links, a transcript, and more be sure to visit our website at https://evergreenthumb.mastergardenerfoundation.org/episode026/

In this episode of The Evergreen Thumb, we dive into the critical topic of identifying credible gardening advice. With so much information available online and offline, how do you discern which sources to trust? Join us as we explore the importance of credibility in gardening and share tips for evaluating resources.

In this episode, I talk about:  

• Why Reliable Gardening Advice Matters: Understand the consequences of following unreliable advice and the benefits of credible information.
• Characteristics of Reliable Gardening Advice: Learn how to identify trustworthy sources by looking at expertise, research-based information, transparency, and references.
• Evaluating Gardening Resources using the CRAAP test: Get practical tips for assessing the credibility of online resources, printed materials, and local community resources.
• Red Flags of Unreliable Advice: Discover common warning signs that indicate a source may not be trustworthy.

For resources, links, a transcript, and more be sure to visit our website at https://evergreenthumb.mastergardenerfoundation.org/episode025/