Talkin' Dirty at the Library

Master Gardener Emily Clem talks with County Extension Agent, Lilly Oaks, about sun and shade mapping your garden. Proper planning is the key to a thriving yard and mapping is the first step. Identifying which spaces have the most sun, shade, drainage, and wind exposure is essential to know which plants will work in your landscape. Lilly highlights tools like the ShadeMap app to track the sun at your location. She also recommends North Carolina State Extension's plant tool to identify plants for specific conditions. Bottom line: knowing your yard's sun and shade positions can save you time, money, and effort in gardening.Links:https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)https://mastergardeners-limestonecountyalabama.org/https://www.alcpl.org/https://shademap.app/https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.orgMusic by Pixabay    

Master Gardener Emily Clem welcomes MG Anita Reeves to talk about houseplants. With over 100 plants in her collection, Anita shares her tips on soil, lighting, potting, fertilizing and more. She talks about the benefits of using LED lights and cautions against overwatering. She advises researching plants before you buy and then give them time to adapt to their new surroundings. Indoor houseplant gardening is rewarding and less physically demanding than outdoor gardening, boosting both mood and air quality.Links:https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)https://mastergardeners-limestonecountyalabama.org/https://www.alcpl.org/Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.orgMusic by Pixabay     

Master Gardener Emily Clem talks with Urban Regional Extension Agent, Marcus Garner, about how to winterize your garden. Topics include pruning, mulching, and frost protection covers for plants during hard freezes. He also stresses the importance of tool maintenance and storage during the winter and suggests using the cold months to take inventory and plan for next year's garden. Other tips include wildlife deterrent, weather monitoring, and soil testing.Links:https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)https://mastergardeners-limestonecountyalabama.org/https://www.alcpl.org/Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.orgMusic by Pixabay    

Master Gardener, Emily Clem, talks with fellow Master Gardener and rose expert, Barbara McFarlen, about the selection and care of roses. Topics include watering, pruning, mulching, and fertilizing. She also gives details on specific fungicides and their proper use to treat black spot, rose rosette, anthracnose, and rose rust disease. Caring for over 100 rose plants in her garden, Barbara gives a master class in tending to these beautiful flowers. Links:https://www.aces.edu/     (Alabama Cooperative Extension)https://mastergerdeners-limestonecountyalabama.org/https://www.alpl.org/Have questions about this episode? Email: askalibrarian@alcpl.orgMusic by Pixabay      

Master Gardener Emily Clem talks with Jesse Akozbek who has both a passion and encyclopedic knowledge of food foraging. He introduces the concept of eco-culture, a blend of foraging and gardening. From acorns, hickory nuts, cone-flowers, American lotus and more, Jesse gives a step-by-step guide for gathering and preparing good (and good for you) food from nature. He mentions his new foraging app - Gather - to help identify and safely forage plants. Besides being a fun and healthy practice, Jesse talks about the detachment many people feel with nature and how foraging helps reconnect them to their ecological roots. This podcast highlights many plants, recipes, and  tips on when and where it is legal to forage.  Links:https://feralforaging.com/https://www.aces.edu/     (Alabama Cooperative Extension)https://mastergerdeners-limestonecountyalabama.org/https://www.alpl.org/Have questions about this episode? Email: askalibrarian@alcpl.orgMusic by Pixabay     

Master Gardener Emily Clem talks with ACES Extension Agent, Brian Brown, about beneficial and non-beneficial weeds. He stresses that many weeds, often seen as nuisances, are actually beneficial. Clover, for example, adds vital nitrogen to the soil and attracts pollinators. In controlling invasive weeds, Brown recommends planting resistant varieties and modifying environmental conditions before resorting to chemical control. He suggests using pre-emergent herbicides for winter weeds and creating physical barriers for invasive species like bamboo. Kudzu, Bradford Pear trees, and Mimosa trees are some of the more invasive species, but the number one weed in our area is Chinese privet, and Brown offers several methods to remove it.Links:https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)https://mastergardeners-limestonecountyalabama.org/https://www.alcpl.org/Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.orgMusic by Pixabay    

Master Gardener Emily Clem talks with Urban Regional Extension Agent, Marcus Garner, about garden pest management. He talks about specific pests (aphids, hornworms, fire ants, Japanese beetles, deer) and how to control them using organic methods. From soap and water, oils, hand picking methods, even using strong smelling plants, there are natural ways to control pests. If insecticides are used, Marcus stresses the importance of Personal Protective Equipment and following directions on the label. Regarding weeds, it's all about early detection. He strongly recommends spending time in your garden daily to inspect plants for pests and other damage before they become a big problem.Links:https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)https://mastergardeners-limestonecountyalabama.org/https://www.alcpl.org/Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.orgMusic by Pixabay   

Master Gardener Emily Clem talks with North Alabama Extension Agent, Brian Brown about plant irrigation. Alabama gets 50-60 inches of rain yearly, but not always when plants need it. Brian covers both spray and drip irrigation systems and recommends smart controllers. Drip irrigation helps prevent plant disease and is also cost effective. He gives a step by step guide on a set up that can cost as little $50 for a basic system. Hint: save your tuna cans, they are the exact size to measure one inch of water, which is the weekly recommendation for watering your garden.Links:https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)https://www.alcpl.org/Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.orgMusic by Pixabay  

Master Gardener Emily Clem talks with Extension Agent, Allyson Shabel, about plant propagation. They discuss the different ways gardeners can get new plants from their already established home or neighbor gardens. Highlighting the technique of plant cuttings, seeds, and plant layering, Allyson gives details about the best practices and tools to give new plants the best start.  Links:https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)https://www.alcpl.org/Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.orgMusic by Pixabay 

Master Gardeners Emily Clem and Kathy Cook give a tour of The Library Garden. Designed by landscape architect, Carol Lambdin, the garden  includes raised beds, a butterfly garden, a wet area, and shaded sections. Now three years old, the garden is full of native trees, plants and edibles, and visitors are encouraged to take home berries and veggies in season. In addition, the garden has become a great home for insects and a few resident birds. Kids of all ages enjoy the grassy area, bubble rock fountains and winding footpaths. Volunteers are always welcome to help maintain the garden. Links:https://mastergardeners-limestonecountyalabama.org/https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)https://www.alcpl.org/Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.orgMusic by Pixabay       

Master Gardeners Emily Clem and Kathy Cook talk about the benefits of composting. Gardeners with clay soil know it needs a lot of amendment for growing plants. Kathy gives easy to follow, step by step instructions for both new and experienced growers. A great way to recycle kitchen scraps and yard scraps, and it's also therapeutic. So good for the soil and good for the soul!  Links:https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)https://www.alcpl.org/Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.orgMusic by Pixabay      

Master Gardener Emily Clem has a conversation with Toby Gray about the value of oak trees. As the Plant Recorder for the Huntsville Botanical Gardens, Toby talks about the variety of oaks and their place in the ecosystem. With the newer trend in landscaping encouraging native plants and wildlife, oaks play a significant role in providing food for both insects and animals.  He also talks about the best way to cultivate an oak for home landscapes.  Links:https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)https://www.alcpl.org/Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.orgMusic by Pixabay      

Master Gardeners Emily Clem and Melissa Kirkindall talk about hummingbirds. Melissa has years of experience studying hummingbirds and talks about the different species, their migration, habitats, feeding, and what plants attract them to backyard bird enthusiasts. With nests the size of a walnut, the smallest hummer fits on the tip of an eraser and the largest measures eight and a half inches long! More fascinating facts in this podcast!Links:https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)https://www.alcpl.org/The Athens-Limestone Public Library has a wide selection of books on local gardening and birdingHave questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.orgMusic by Pixabay     

Master Gardener Emily Clem talks with horticulturist, Katrina Mitchell, from the Huntsville Botanical Gardens about Alabama's endemic plants. With its diverse ecosystem of mountains, plateaus, valleys, rivers and glades, Alabama boasts over 3000 native plant species. Among those are over 28 endemic plants that grow only in Alabama and nowhere else in the world. Identifying, locating, and conserving these rare and often endangered plants are the topics of this podcast.  Links:https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)https://www.alcpl.org/The Athens-Limestone Public Library has a wide selection of books on local gardeningHave questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.orgMusic by Pixabay    

Master Gardener Soozi Pline talks with Jayne Luetzow, Regional Agent for Northwest Alabama Cooperative Extension office, about pruning. Step by step pruning techniques, including when to prune, why to prune, and what tools to use. A master class in pruning trees and shrubs with specific mentions of azaleas, hydrangeas, and roses, as well as a discussion of the controversial crepe 'murder' pruning technique.  Links:https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)https://www.alcpl.org/The Athens-Limestone Public Library has a wide selection of books on local gardeningHave questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.orgMusic by Pixabay     

Master Gardener Emily Clem talks with Master Beekeeper Bud Rogers about backyard beekeeping for the hobbyist. These busy pollinators are masters of efficiency and can make an amazing difference in the output of your backyard garden. They talk about how bees make honey and tips to avoid getting stung. Bud avidly promotes beekeeping as an accessible hobby with equipment adapted for people in wheelchairs or unable to lift heavy weights.  Links:https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)https://mastergardeners-limestonecountyalabama.org/https://www.alcpl.org/The Athens-Limestone Public Library has a selection of books on beekeeping and native plants. Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.orgMusic and images from Pixabay            

Kate Gribbin, Recreation Manager, along with Hallie Porter, Development Director, and Jennifer Johnson, Master Gardener, highlight the new pollinator gardens of the North Alabama Land Trust. Started in 1987 as a means to keep development off Monte Sano Mountain, the Land Trust now covers 10 counties, 10,000 acres and has 10 nature preserves for education and recreation. With newly planted pollinator gardens at Blevins Gap and Harvest Square, they talk about the Land Trust's role in preserving our natural resources amidst North Alabama's increasing growth and expansion.Links:https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)https://www.landtrustnal.org/2023/04/17/northal-native-plants/https://www.alcpl.org/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30c0WX-kOHI    (pollinator garden at Blevins Gap video)The Athens-Limestone Public Library has a wide selection of books on native plants. Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.orgMusic by Pixabay     

 Master Gardener, Emily Clem, welcomes Lynne Wenineger from Alabama A&M University. The curator of the herbarium at A&M, Lynne talks about the importance of collecting and preserving plants for study in the plant library. From gathering specimens in the field, to pressing, and cataloging, Alabama is the 4th ranked state in the US for biodiversity and several plant species are found nowhere else in the world. Links:http://floraofalabama.org/    (Alabama Plant Atlas)https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)https://www.alcpl.org/Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.orgMusic by Pixabay 

Master Gardener, Emily Clem, welcomes Travis Roddy of the International Crane Foundation. They talk about the cranes that winter here in North Alabama, including sandhill cranes and the endangered whooping cranes.Links:https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)https://savingcranes.org/  (International Crane Foundation)https://www.fws.gov/refuge/wheeler  (Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge)https://www.alcpl.org/Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.orgMusic by Pixabay     

Limestone County Master Gardeners Emily Clem and Soozi Pline talk about native plants that grow well in the North Alabama region.  They identify plants, season by season, that bloom and provide food for pollinators all year long. In the process of naturalizing their own home properties, Emily and Soozi identify which plants work for different sun and soil conditions. They agree that gardening is often trial and error and even Master Gardener experts make mistakes!Links:https://www.aces.edu/  (Alabama Cooperative Extension)https://www.landtrustnal.org/2023/04/17/northal-native-plants/https://www.alcpl.org/The Athens-Limestone Public Library has a wide selection of books on native plants. Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.orgMusic by Pixabay