Flower Power Garden Hour

Want to take over that neglected school garden but need some inspiration? Listen to Shelley and Christy of @betweentwoshrubs discuss their story of creating a successful school garden program. Plus -- we talk about their new YouTube channel, which is exploring local gardens, talking to the gardeners, and all things garden-adjacent.  Very fun and informative, with frequent new content.  This episode is sponsored by BeWaterSmart. Between Two Shrubs can be found at:        YouTube: @BetweenTwoShrubs        Instagram:  @betweentwoshrubs

It is the October To Do List, and that means it is a very busy time in the garden.  Clean up from summer vegetables and prepping for fall and winter. The days are cooler, but shorter – which means you have to work efficiently and hard. Episode includes Listener Q&A.   Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:        Facebook        Instagram        email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Fall is a great time to plant a shade tree and our guest, Kayden Rsenbauer, certified arborist with the Sacramento Tree Foundation has all the info you need. Bruce and I talk to him about proper planting techniques, watering for young and established trees and we go over his list of favorite shade trees. This episode is sponsored by BeWaterSmart. Sacramento Tree Foundation can be found at: Website:  sactree.org Facebook:  @Sacramento Tree Foundation Instagram:  @sactree YouTube: @SacTree   Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:        Facebook        Instagram        email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Truly one of the bizarre looking and growing plants out there. Bruce and Marlene discuss everything related to the Genus Platycerium. How to propagate from spores and divisions, what species grow the best in zone 9, unusual species and more.   Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.     To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:        Facebook        Instagram        email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Planting, tasks and to do's that should take place in September for a beautiful fall garden.   Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.     To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:        Facebook        Instagram        email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Want to feel like you are in the tropics but without the expensive plane ticket or large amounts of water?  Bruce and Marlene each give their top 10 plants that grow with low water but give you the vibe of being in a far away destination   Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:       Facebook        Instagram        email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com   Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

If you garden in a water conscious State like California, you may be able to recite a list of plants and practices to reduce water in your landscape. But often vegetable gardening gets left out of water-wise conversations. Our guest -- the one and only --Fred Hoffman, discusses ways to employ water saving techniques for your veggies without sacrificing taste. What is the crop that consumes the most water? What are the most water efficient watermelons? We dive into this and more. This episode is sponsored by BeWaterSmart. Farmer Fred can be found at: Podcast:  Garden Basics with Farmer Fred Substack:  Beyond The Garden Basics with Farmer Fred Website:  farmerfred.com, gardenbasics.net Facebook:  @Get Growing with Farmer Fred Instagram:  @farmerfredhoffman Twitter: @farmerfred YouTube: @farmerfredhoffman Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:        Facebook        Instagram        email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

It is the August To Do List – it has been a great, cool summer in NorCal.  Bruce and I talk about current gardening work, and do a detailed dive into listener questions across a variety of topics.    Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.     To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:        Facebook        Instagram        email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com   Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Summer heat getting to you? Add some cool to your yard. Bruce and I talk to award winning landscape designer, Cheryl Buckwalter, on how to create a cool oasis with some simple landscape tips.  http://bewatersmart.info Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:        Facebook        Instagram        email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Want to save money?! Of course you do. As plant lovers we want to spend our money on plants not stuff to maintain them. Bruce and I each give our top 10 money wasters with a large ticket bonus item.  You may be surprised with what you have needlessly spending your money on. It's peak of summer and it's hot. But believe it or not it is time for tasks to prep for fall. Bruce and I discuss what needs to be done in the garden now plus we answer questions on azaleas, tomatoes and more. Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:        Facebook        Instagram        email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com   Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Have dreams of becoming a flower farmer or just want to grow flowers for yourself? I talk to Amber Villarreal of @redheadflowerbed all about her journey into the flower growing world. And of course she'll discuss growing tips and her favorite flowers.   You can find Redhead Flowerbed at:        Website: redheadflowerbed.com        Facebook:  @RedheadFlowerbed        Instagram:  @redheadflowerbed   Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:        Facebook        Instagram        email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com   Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

It's peak of summer and it's hot. But believe it or not it is time for tasks to prep for fall. Bruce and I discuss what needs to be done in the garden now plus we answer questions on azaleas, tomatoes and more   Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:        Facebook        Instagram        email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

It's summer and it's getting hot but there's still plenty to do in the garden. My new co-host Bruce Ritter joins me to discuss what tasks you should be tackling in your garden. And no it's not too late to plant tomatoes. Plus we answer your garden questions.   Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:        Facebook        Instagram        email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

A truly purple tomato - this is what Norfolk Healthy Produce has achieved. With beauty also comes big health benefits. Listen in as I talk to CEO Dr. Nathan Plumpton and head horticulturalist Ian Baker on what the process was to make this happen and how snapdragons are involved.   You can find Norfolk Healthy Produce at:         Website: norfolkhealthyproduce.com         Facebook:  @BigPurpleTomato         YouTube:  @bigpurpletomato         Instagram:  @bigpurpletomato   Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:         Facebook         Instagram         email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com   Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Fruit tree expert, Ed Laivo of @ed_able_solutions, gives his list of favorite peaches and nectarines for an extended growing season. Plus learn what cat-facing is and why it may be happening to your nectarines. This and more growing tips.   You can find Ed at:         Facebook:  @"Ed"Able Solutions        YouTube:  @Ed_Able_Solutions         Instagram:  @ed_able_solutions   Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:        Facebook        Instagram        email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com   Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

It's spring!  LOTS of prep to do for the upcoming season. Time to sow seeds and prep beds for planting.   It is time to plant:         Broccoli – plants only         Carrots         Cauliflower- plants only        Leeks        Loose leaf lettuce         Peas        Potatoes Chores include:        Sow tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, flowers inside        Start flowers (sunflowers, strawflower, zinnias)        Fertilize        Compost        Clean up, cut back        Prune fruit trees        Plant perennials        Check irrigation   Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:        Facebook        Instagram        email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Anthony Dal Ben is one of the winners of the Be Water Smart #summerstrong competition.  Winners of this competition transformed their once water loving lawns/gardens into yards that are water efficient but at that same time beautiful. For Anthony it was a family affair. Hear how not only did he transform his front lawn into a water wise landscape, he used this as an educational experience for his kids. Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.     To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:        Facebook        Instagram        email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com   Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Elaine Fitzgerald is one of the winners of the Be Water Smart #summerstrong  competition. Winners of the competition transformed their once water loving lawns/gardens into yards that are water efficient as well as beautiful. Listen in to hear how Elaine went from grass to a pollinator heaven. Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.     To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Janelle Auyeung is one of the winners of the Be Water Smart #summerstrong competition.  Winners of this competition transformed their once water loving lawns/gardens into yards that are water efficient, but at that same time beautiful. Hear the steps Janelle took to make her backyard a magnificent oasis of fruit trees, vegetables and flowers. Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.     To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: Facebook Instagram email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

It is the September To Do List – believe it or not, we are in full Fall prep time.  Lots of cool weather vegetables to start planting, and tons of clean up and pruning.  It was quite a hot summer and time may have been sparse in the garden, but it's time to get the gloves on and get to work.  Episode includes Listener Q&A. It is time to plant:        Beets (seeds or plants)        Bok choy (seeds or plants)        Broccoli (plants)        Brussel sprouts        Cabbage (seeds or plants)        Carrots (seeds)        Cauliflower (plants)        Celery        Collards/Swiss chard (seeds or plants)        Kale (seeds or plants)        Kohlrabi (seeds or plants)        Garlic        Leek        Lettuce (seeds or plants)        Onion sets        Peas (seeds or plants)        Radish/radicchio/daikon/turnips        Spinach        Natives, Perennials, citrus – towards the end of September when it cools down Chores include:        Transplant/divide irises, grasses, tuberous plants        Buy bulbs        Collect seeds        Clean up – pull out vegetables which are done, fallen fruit        Prune lavender, hydrangeas        Pests – whiteflies may be setting in…..keep an eye on Listener Q&A section.  Topics covered include:        Aloe – odd white material on the soil underneath?        Morning glory – how to get rid of invasive overgrowth?        Century plant – now that it is blooming, how to care for?        Fiddle leaf fig – how to prune?        Tomato – can cuttings be taken for next year? Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.     To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:        Facebook        Instagram        email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook