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The Helpful Gardeners
The Helpful Gardeners episodes
- Timing Your Raised Planters Ahead of Spring
The second the sun stays out past 5:00 PM, the "garden itch" hits hard. We start dreaming of heirloom tomatoes and crisp lettuce, and suddenly, we’re staring at our empty raised beds like they’re a blank canvas. But if you’re like our listener Ben, you’re wondering: Am I being too keen? If I fill these beds now, will all that "good stuff" in the soil be gone by April?
In this week's episode, we’re breaking down the science of soil prep, why your slow-release fertilizer needs to stay in the shed a little longer, and a game-changer for the "forgetful waterers" among us: wicking beds.
CONNECT WITH US
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
15 min - Is Your Garden Too Bright?
Have you ever seen a Firefly? Colin has! They're rare but love specific conditions to thrive...one of them being a dark habitat at night. This is becoming rare with urban development and light pollutions impacts not only the pollinators but also the natural cycles in our plants. Let's explore 5 ways to clean up your light and create a sanctuary for pollinators.💡✨
Firefly Atlas Map
Horticulture Magazine: Support Pollinators with Less Lighting
CONNECT WITH US
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
21 min - Lessons in a 'Great Depression Garden'
Ever feel like your grocery bill is personally attacking you? It turns out the secret to beating food inflation might actually be buried in 1929. This week, we’re exploring a living history project in Ontario. We’re talking about massive cabbages, root veggies that taste like candy, and why "hard to kill" is our new favorite plant description. What can we learn from planting a garden rooted in the Great Depression?
CONNECT WITH US
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
20 min - To Seed or Not to Seed
Let’s be real: you’re scrolling through a seed catalog on a Tuesday night, and suddenly you’ve ordered fifteen varieties of heirloom tomatoes and enough peppers to start your own hot sauce empire. But now that the packets have arrived, the itch to get them in the dirt is real. Is it too early to start those babies indoors, or are you just being an overachiever that'll get in way over your head?
Let's talk timing and equipment so you can bring confidence into the garden this year.
CONNECT WITH US
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB. www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
12 min - Celebrating Lunar New Year 2026 with Lucky Bamboo!
Get ready to gallop into an auspicious 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse! This year, we're shining a spotlight on a plant that’s synonymous with good fortune, resilience, and beauty: Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana).
Beyond its elegant appearance, Lucky Bamboo is steeped in rich symbolism, especially when it comes to gifting. The number of stalks you choose isn't just arbitrary – each configuration carries a unique blessing and intention.
CONNECT WITH US
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
20 min - The 5 Love Languages - Plant Edition!
You know the "5 Love Languages," right? Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch. Well, we've gone ahead and given them a green thumb makeover! Here are some ways you can shower your partner with love this Valentines Day.
CONNECT WITH US
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
23 min - Identifying Naked Trees In the Winter
Winter gardening can feel a bit like looking at a black-and-white photo—lots of texture, but the obvious clues are gone. If you’ve ever walked past a bare tree in the winter and wondered if it’s an Elm or an Ash, you’re in the right place. Today, we are stripping it all back and diving into the language of bark, tree silhouettes, and leaf scars so you can feel a little more confident on those winter walks. City of Calgary Tree Episode
Jean-Mathieu Daoust Episode
CONNECT WITH US
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
17 min - More Than Medals: The Floral Soul of Milano Cortina 2026
When we think of the Winter Olympics, we usually picture ice, powder, and the adrenaline of the downhill. But for the 2026 Milano Cortina Games, Italy is bringing something a bit more delicate—and a lot more meaningful—to the podium. Italy is world-renowned for its floral artistry, and this year, they’re blending that heritage with a deep commitment to sustainability and resilience.
From the bouquets handed to world-class athletes to the tiny mascots cheering from the sidelines, flowers are taking center stage. Here is a look at the floral connection that is making these games truly bloom.
CONNECT WITH US
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
13 min - If You Build It, They Will "Chicka-Dee-Dee-Dee"
While our gardens might be tucked under a blanket of snow, our backyards are still buzzing with life (and tiny, hungry tummies!). This week, we’re dedicating our episode to the birds, featuring one of Canada’s most charming and brilliant residents: the Black-capped Chickadee. How do they remember where they've hidden all their food?! Get ready to have your mind blown by their incredible intelligence and learn how you can be the best host for your feathered neighbours this winter!
CONNECT WITH US
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
15 min - Can Dog Fur Be Used as Fertilizer?
If you own a Golden Retriever, a Husky, or basically any creature that sheds its weight in fluff every week, you’ve probably looked at that mountain of fur in your vacuum and thought: “There has to be a better use for this than just clogging my Dyson.” Well, good news! Your dog's fur may actually have some potential in the garden. But before you go carpet-bombing your lawn with Fido’s winter coat, let's talk about the reality of using hair as a garden amendment.
CONNECT WITH US
Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod
Leave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDEN
Golden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.
www.goldenacre.ca
CREDITS
Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles
Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp
Music by: Forestmusic
16 min
About The Helpful Gardeners
From the publisher's feed
Welcome to the Helpful Gardeners, a weekly podcast diving into the home and garden topics you want to learn more about. Colin is a certified horticulturist with decades of experience working in landscaping, gardening and houseplants in various climactic zones. Brandi is a beginner with a passion to ask questions.
Subscribe to catch new episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday!