The Garden Question

Sarah Carter and her team have brought the New Perennial Movement to the south on a large scale. The new Entrance Garden’s large sweeps of grasses, perennials, native plants presented in a naturalistic style welcomes you to the Atlanta History Center.

The garden has settled in and in this episode Sarah explains the

details that makes it successful.

It is a creation perfect for insects, small mammals, birds and

people.

Sarah Roberts is the Olga C. de Goizueta Vice President of the

Goizueta Gardens and Living Collections at the Atlanta History Center

A college internship in curation at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University sparked

Sarah’s career path in public horticulture.

During her undergraduate studies at Berry College, she spent a year on scholarship

in the United Kingdom studying historic gardens as part of her honors degree in

Horticulture.

The next five years were spent as Curator of Herbaceous Plants

and Outdoor Gardens at the New York Botanical

Garden.

She then returned to England, completing a Diploma in Garden

Design from the UK’s Garden

Design School.

Upon Sarah’s return to the US, she began consulting for the

Atlanta History Center which led to her current position as Vice President of

Goizueta Gardens.

She leads the development, curation and preservation of the

33-acre public garden with three historic houses.

Sarah has written for numerous publications, been featured on

Martha Stewart Radio, the Canadian Broadcast Corporation, GardenSmart TV series

and the podcast Stuff You Missed in History Class.

00:00 Welcome to The Garden Question Podcast

00:42 Spotlight on Sarah Carter: Revolutionizing Southern Gardens

02:36 The New Perennial Movement: A Deep Dive

05:03 Designing with Nature: The Art of the New Perennial Garden

11:33 Innovative Soil and Maintenance Strategies for Sustainable Gardening

13:56 Structural Beauty: Crafting Aesthetic and Functional Spaces

23:40 The Maintenance Philosophy of New Perennial Gardens

31:16 Revolutionizing Soil with Biomass: A Garden Experiment

32:29 From Dying Tree to Community Table: A Story of Tree Cycling

34:02 Exploring the Atlanta History Center's Gardens

42:05 Gardening Insights: From Design Principles to Pest Management

44:33 Personal Gardening Journey: Lessons and Memories

51:44 Embracing the New Perennial Movement: A Gardener's Vision

55:42 Final Thoughts: The Joy of Gardening and Environmental Stewardship

What can you do to improve your garden’s soil to reduce failures? In this episode 160 - The Soil Solution: Unlocking Your Garden’s Potential with Bryce Lane, we discover how understanding soils influences abundant plant growth. This is a remix and encore presentation.

They discuss the foundational role of soil in gardening success and how adding organic matter can vastly improve soil quality. The conversation covers the importance of understanding soil's physical, chemical, and biological properties, debunking myths about soil management, and practical tips for gardeners of all levels to enhance their garden's soil, leading to healthier, more resilient plants and a thriving ecosystem.

Bryce discovered his passion for plants, and telling others about them while working at a small Massachusetts garden center through high school and college.

After earning his BS and MS degrees in Horticulture, he came to the Department of Horticultural Science at NC State University as an Instructor and Undergraduate Coordinator.

He spent 34 years teaching and advising over 20,000 students. Bryce retired in 2014, but still teaches part-time in the department.

For 11 seasons, from 2003 to 2014 he hosted and produced a three-time, Emmy winning, UNC TV public television show called “In the Garden With Bryce Lane”.  

0:00 Welcome to The Garden Question Podcast

01:02 Meet Bryce Lane: A Gardening Expert's Journey

02:14 The Importance of Building Healthy Soil

04:28 Understanding Soil: Components and Functions

07:43 The Biological World Beneath Our Feet

16:33 The Magic of Organic Matter in Soil Building

27:46 Choosing and Applying Organic Matter

32:53 The Truth About Fertilizers: Organic vs Synthetic

34:20 The Journey of Peruvian Seabird Guano

35:20 Choosing the Right Fertilizer for Your Garden

36:47 Improving Clay Soil: Sand vs Organic Matter

38:11 Maximizing Organic Matter in Your Soil

39:28 Gardening Tips: Soil Building and Planting Strategies

42:34 Redefining Garden Design: From Holes to Whole Beds

45:26 A Horticulturist's Journey: From Garden Center to TV

53:34 Gardening Mistakes and Learnings

58:17 Future Plans and Funny Stories from the Garden

01:01:12 The Philosophy of Gardening

01:03:12 Connecting with Bryce Lane

Jason Powell declares the queen of the garden to be antique roses. Who could argue with old garden roses that exude excellent fragrance, shape, disease resistance and low maintenance?

 We talk about how these fragrant flowering shrubs make a huge impact in your garden when pairing them with some surprise companion plantings. Jason and his wife, Shelly, partner with Jason's mom and dad to produce heirloom plants at their nursery, Petals from the Past. Their mission is to educate and grow tough plants for southern gardens.

Jason earned a bachelor's degree in horticulture from Auburn University. and a master's degree in horticulture from Texas A& M University. He is a proud member of the infamous Texas Rose Rustlers, where they scouted and rescued thousands of antique roses all over the southeast. Jason's insider scoop and look into the Peggy Martin Hurricane Katrina Rose survival story will amaze you.

This is an encore presentation.

00:00 Welcome to The Garden Question Podcast

00:41 Antique Roses: The Queen of the Garden

01:07 The Powell's Heirloom Plant Mission

02:16 Defining Antique Roses with Jason Powell

04:31 Why Antique Roses Deserve a Spot in Your Garden

05:05 Exploring the Diverse Classes of Antique Roses

14:37 Choosing the Right Rose for Your Garden

22:30 Caring for Your Antique Roses

29:49 Jason Powell's Favorite Roses and How to Showcase Them

33:13 Enhancing Your Garden with Companion Plantings

35:22 Discovering the Charm of Salvias and Companion Plants

37:44 The Art of Rooting Garden Roses: Tips and Tales

43:00 The Resilient Beauty of the Hurricane Katrina Rose

47:05 Cultivating Education and Heritage at Petals from the Past

49:01 Expanding the Gardener's Palette: Design and Diversity

50:42 Gardening Wisdom: Lessons, Influences, and Future Plans

01:01:24 Final Reflections: The Therapeutic Value of Gardening

In this episode Jenny Rose Carey, a seasoned horticulturalist, shares how her garden thrives with her smart water-wise practices.

Despite 45 inches of rain annually, she emphasizes harmony with natural weather patterns, practical tips and personal anecdotes.

She offers valuable insights into tricks and sustainable practices.

Born into a family of botanists and gardeners in England, she's now dedicated to sharing her expertise through writing, speaking, and tending her garden, Northview Gardens in Philadelphia.

Her degrees are in Biology, Horticulture, and Education. Professionally, she has been Director of two public gardens: The Ambler Arboretum of Temple University and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Garden at Meadowbrook Farm.

00:00 Welcome to The Garden Question Podcast

00:42 Meet Jenny Rose Carey: A Waterwise Gardening Expert

01:10 Jenny's Journey: From England to Philadelphia

01:41 Smart Water Practices for Your Garden

05:16 Innovative Water Conservation Techniques in the Garden

08:50 Exploring the Concept of Soak-a-ways

10:43 Creative Gardening: Newspaper Walls and Hugelkultur

19:40 The Philosophy of Watering and Garden Maintenance

25:40 Experimenting with Water Conservation Methods

31:57 Harnessing Rainwater and Battling Mosquitoes

33:25 Innovative Dry Gardening Techniques

34:41 Garden Design Mishaps and Solutions

38:31 Exploring the World of Garden Books

41:03 The Joy and Inspiration of Gardening

44:23 Personalizing Your Garden Space

46:15 Garden Myths and Early Memories

48:15 A Journey Through Horticulture

49:33 Garden Mishaps and Learning Moments

57:29 Creative Gardening and Future Projects

01:00:12 Final Thoughts on Gardening

In this episode we delve into the fascinating world of gardening with none other than C.L. Fornari.

We explore innovative approaches to plantings that challenge traditional gardening norms and embraces the beauty of nature's design.

C.L. is an accomplished artist, writer, photographer, and speaker. She found herself unexpectedly drawn into the world of gardening despite her initial focus on creating art. With eight books under her belt and a thriving radio program, GardenLine on WXTK , C.L. is a beacon of knowledge in the gardening community.

In this episode, we'll be diving into Fornari's concept of "field style" planting for annuals and perennials. It’s a method that eschews traditional rules in favor of a more naturalistic approach.

Picture a garden where plants of all heights mingle harmoniously, creating a rich tapestry of colors, textures, and shapes from early summer to frost.

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, C.L. Fornari's insights are sure to inspire and transform your garden into a vibrant oasis of beauty and biodiversity.

C.L. grows vegetables, flowers and numerous other plants at her Poison Ivy Acres on Cape Cod. Her not-so-secret mission is to keep horticulture connected with popular culture.

00:00 Welcome to The Garden Question Podcast

00:43 Diving Into the World of Gardening with CL Fornari

01:24 Exploring Field Style Planting

02:18 The Art of Mixing Annuals and Perennials

06:37 The Inspiration Behind Naturalistic Gardening

08:03 Addressing Gardening Challenges and Selection Tips

19:36 Creative Floral Arrangements and Sharing Joy

22:13 CL Fornari: A Multifaceted Gardening Expert

29:04 Hot Gardening Questions and Tips

32:53 The Joy and Flexibility of Gardening

34:20 Gardening for Joy vs. Necessity

35:29 Rethinking Garden Practices: Fertilization and Myths

38:34 Personal Gardening Stories and Memories

41:49 Transition from Art to Horticulture

47:22 Learning from Gardening Mistakes and Experiences

53:42 Creative Ventures and Future Plans in the Garden

55:43 Celebrating Hydrangeas: The Cape Cod Festival

01:00:32 Connecting with the Gardening Community

This episode of the Garden Question podcast, hosted by Craig McManus, features Kim Halyak, the co-founder of Experience Memphis Gardens.

They discuss the impact of garden walks on community connections, local economies, and neighborhood aesthetics.

Kim shares her journey from being inspired by garden walks across the United States to establishing the Experience Memphis Garden Walk, highlighting its growth, benefits to the community, and how it fosters a sense of connectivity and pride among residents.

The discussion covers the importance of inclusion in the garden walk, encouraging participation from home owners, renters, and non-gardeners. The broadened horizon of the walk to include various neighborhoods and garden styles.

She also touches on the grant program initiated to fuel community-based beautification projects. The episode concludes with Kim's personal gardening preferences, challenges in organizing the garden walk, Experience Memphis Gardens long-term visions, and advice for aspiring garden walk organizers.

00:00 Welcome to The Garden Question Podcast!

00:42 Exploring the Impact of Garden Walks with Kim Halyak

01:34 The Magic of Garden Walks: Community, Economy, and Aesthetics

03:54 The Birth and Growth of Experience Memphis Gardens

05:55 Expanding the Garden Walk: Citywide Transformation

09:13 Inclusivity and Diversity in Gardening: Everyone's Invited

14:10 The Logistics of Organizing a Citywide Garden Walk

16:53 The Bigger Picture: Gardening for a Greener City

24:03 Empowering Communities Through Gardening Initiatives

26:57 Empowering Communities Through Garden Walks

27:17 Overcoming Challenges and Spreading the Word

28:41 Vision for Neighborhood-Specific Garden Walks

29:46 The Prestigious Garden Fling Event in Memphis

30:38 Starting Your Own Garden Walk: Tips and Encouragement

32:35 The Transformative Power of Garden Walks

34:48 Gardening for Wildlife and Community Education

35:48 Personal Gardening Preferences and Low Maintenance Techniques

37:56 Rethinking Garden Design and Public Spaces

40:16 Busting Garden Myths and Embracing All Gardeners

45:55 Gardening as a Journey of Learning and Creativity

49:09 Final Thoughts and How to Connect

Exploring the vast culinary experiences of edible flowers offers an explosion of flavors, colors, and textures.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Denise Schreiber, an aficionado in the field of edible flowers, to unearth the inspirations, insights, and practices behind her fascination with a number of botanical delights.

Denise’s   years of experience and experimentation shares her journey into the world of edible flowers, offering a slice of wisdom for enthusiasts and novices alike.

A trip to England with friends led to discovering a simple pleasure of rose petal ice cream. It kindled her interest in edible flowers. It soon evolved into a 14-year endeavor of research, workshops, culinary exploration and writing a book back in the States.

Our conversation reveals not just the culinary potential of edible flowers but also the journey of exploration and creativity they inspire. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a curious cook, the world of edible flowers offers a unique blend of beauty, flavor, and history waiting to be discovered.

Time Line

00:00 Welcome to The Garden Question Podcast

00:41 Diving Into the World of Edible Flowers with Denise Schreiber

02:00 Denise's Journey: From England to Edible Flower Expert

05:32 The Culinary and Cultural Significance of Edible Flowers

06:28 Exploring Popular Edible Flowers and Their Uses

17:30 Growing and Harvesting Edible Flowers: Tips and Tricks

21:55 The Therapeutic Joy of Gardening

22:16 Gardening Design Mistakes to Avoid

23:14 Busting Common Gardening Myths

25:49 Family Traditions and Tomato Tales

29:56 From Career Changes to Horticulture Passion

32:02 Learning from Mistakes and New Discoveries

34:34 Advice for Beginner Gardeners

35:48 Personal Touches in the Garden

36:36 Reflecting on Gardening Lessons and Creativity

38:31 Dream Gardening Destinations and Influences

41:43 Closing Thoughts and Connecting with the Gardener

In this episode we explore gardening using tropical plants, with Marianne Willburn. Marianne shares insights on how to successfully incorporate tropical and subtropical plants into your not so tropical garden.

She breaks down the gardening process into relational categories such as 'Summer Romances', 'Long Term Commitments', Best Friends, 'Friends with Benefits' and 'High Maintenance Partners'.

Marianne stresses the importance of being open to experimenting with these plants, seeking new adventures and exploring the risk reward cycle.  

Our conversation also covers practical advice on transitioning plants to the outdoors in spring and back in doors in the fall , utilizing tropical plants for garden design, and methods for dealing with common gardening challenges like pests and storage limitations.

The discussion is rich with gardening philosophy, advocating for flexibility, a gardening approach that values both aesthetic beauty and ecological balance.

IG @Marianne.Willburn

Tropical Plants and How to Love Them

Big Dreams, Small Garden

MarianneWillburn.com

GardenRant.com

AHS - The American Gardener

Time Line:

00:00 Welcome to The Garden Question Podcast

00:40 Exploring Tropical Gardening with Marianne Willburn

02:00 Building Relationships with Tropical Plants

03:10 Summer Romances: Annual Tropical Plants

05:44 Long Term Commitments: Houseplants That Thrive Outdoors

12:33 Friends with Benefits: Edible Tropicals

15:25 High Maintenance Partners: Demanding Tropical Plants

18:41 Best Friends: Easy Storage Tropical Plants

23:58 Designing with Tropicals in Your Garden

33:16 Embracing the Unpredictability of Gardening

33:59 Exploring Mock Tropicals and Hardy Plants

35:24 Discovering 'Blind Date' Tropical Plants

36:55 The Showstopper: Red Abyssinian Banana

39:21 Low Investment Tropical Gardening Tips

41:20 Transitioning Tropical Plants Seasonally

42:55 Introducing 'Tropical Plants and How to Love Them'

47:11 The Joy and Challenges of Gardening

56:41 Creative Approaches and Gardening Wisdom

01:00:57 Final Thoughts and How to Connect

In this episode we talk with Brent Heath of Brent and Becky's Bulbs exploring the vibrant world of summer-blooming bulbs.

He guides us through making the most out of our gardens with these colorful gems taking center stage.

We cover selecting the right bulbs for various garden needs, planting techniques and soil preparation.

Brent shares his wisdom of many growing seasons discussing the importance of compost, the handling of bulbs, and mulching. He addresses common problems such as moisture management and pest control.

His insightful tips on garden planning for continuous blooms from spring to autumn, leveraging bulb combinations for vibrant color themes, and encouraging biodiversity with pollinator-friendly choices are also provided.

Additionally, Brent delves into his family's gardening heritage, their commitment to organic practices, and the joy gardening brings to both the gardener and the community.

00:00 Welcome to the Garden Question Podcast!

00:42 Diving Into the World of Summer Blooming Bulbs with Brent Heath

02:00 Expert Tips on Selecting and Planting Summer Bulbs

04:16 Navigating Common Bulb Growing Challenges

14:40 Maximizing Your Garden's Potential with Bulb Combinations

18:01 Innovative Gardening: Mixing Annuals, Perennials, and Edibles

20:10 Fragrant Bulbs and Pollinator Favorites

22:08 Discovering Fragrant Summer Blooms

22:29 Exploring Unique and Long-Lasting Flowers

23:31 The Aromatic World of Lavender and Monarda

26:20 Innovative Gardening with Summer Blooming Bulbs

27:00 The Magic of Giant Topicals in Your Garden

29:29 A Family Legacy in Bulb Gardening

32:26 Gardening Wisdom: Challenges, Styles, and Memorable Experiences

40:41 Brent and Becky's Bulbs: A Hub for Garden Enthusiasts

In this episode we welcome Donna Balzer, an award-winning horticulturist, keynote speaker, and author with over three decades of experience in gardening. Donna's journey from her roots as a farmer's daughter with an agriculture degree to her current role as a media personality has equipped her with a wealth of knowledge in horticulture.

In our conversation, Donna shares her expertise on a fascinating topic: Growing Winter Citrus. Despite traditional beliefs, her method enables individuals to successfully grow citrus plants in regions typically unsuitable for them.

Donna discusses the challenges of cold weather citrus cultivation, emphasizing the importance of strategic location within the home

Drawing from her own experiences, Donna explores the resilience of certain citrus varieties to chilly temperatures and stresses the significance of excellent drainage and breathable root systems.

We delve into essential aspects such as watering practices, pest management in indoor environments, and the intricacies of pollination and fruit development under controlled conditions.

Throughout our discussion, Donna highlights that gardening is accessible to everyone, regardless of experience level. She introduces valuable resources like Lemon Camp—a collaborative platform fostering engagement and learning in the citrus gardening community.

Time Line

00:00 Introduction to the Garden Question Podcast

00:42 Meet Donna Balzer: The Expert Horticulturalist

01:06 The Art of Growing Winter Citrus

02:25 Understanding Cold Climate Citrus

03:10 The Ideal Environment for Growing Citrus

03:58 Common Mistakes in Citrus Cultivation

05:18 The Impact of Temperature on Citrus Growth

07:20 The Importance of Proper Drainage and Breathable Root Systems

13:29 The Pollination Process of Citrus Plants

20:41 The Flavor Difference in Homegrown Citrus

21:20 The Unique Thai Lime Story

23:08 Growing Citrus from Cuttings

28:04 The Importance of Fertilization in Citrus Growth

29:44 The Struggles of Indoor Plant Care

30:17 The Importance of Light and Fertilizer for Plants

30:51 The Magic of Worm Castings

31:05 The Journey of Making Homemade Worm Castings

31:43 The Benefits of Buying Worm Castings Directly from the Producer

32:40 The Exciting World of Online Gardening School

32:48 The Difference Between a Class and a Camp

34:30 The Global Reach of Online Gardening Camp

34:52 The Joy of Growing Your Own Food

38:31 The Importance of Understanding the Connection in Gardening

40:12 The Misadventures of Growing Strawberries

48:15 The Excitement of Starting a New Garden

50:17 The Love for Calamondin Orange

51:08 The Importance of Sharing the Love of Gardening

51:50 Conclusion: The Joy of Gardening from Two to Ninety-Nine