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The Helpful Gardeners
The Helpful Gardeners
Author: Golden Acre Home and Garden
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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!
Subscribe to catch new episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday!
165 Episodes
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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 EpisodeJean-Mathieu Daoust EpisodeCONNECT 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
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
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
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
Is Mother Nature a little... chaotic this year? While some of us are literally digging our way out of front doors, others are wondering if spring decided to show up three months early. This week on the podcast, we’re breaking down the wild weather divide across the country and what it means for your plant babies. Whether you’re under two feet of snow or dealing with weirdly dry grass, we’ve got your back!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
Take a wild guess at what vegetable is trending in 2026. If you're in the planning stage of your garden, you won't believe which leafy green is taking centre stage and the trendy ways you can use it. Even Burberry is utilizing it! It's the CABBAGE. Say what?! Will you use it, or are you like Colin and stay away? Brandi will attempt to sway you in todays 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 & GARDENGolden 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.caCREDITS Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp Music by: Forestmusic
Do you have a Monstera deliciosa that's living up to its name - monstrous? We recently got a listener question from Jodi, who wrote in saying her beloved Monstera is basically taking over her living room. We've all watched our houseplants grow from cute little babies to magnificent giants, but what do you do when "magnificent" starts feeling a bit like "menace"?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 & GARDENGolden 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.caCREDITS Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp Music by: Forestmusic
While 'bloom scrolling' through our favorite garden inspo, we stumbled upon the most fun trending DIY ever: growing spider plant babies inside pinecones! It’s a great, low-cost rustic project to keep your hands busy and your home green while it’s freezing outside. Catch the latest episode to see how we do this!CONNECT WITH USShow Notes: www.goldenacre./podcastInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave a Voicemail: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastSPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDENGolden 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.caCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
If your outdoor garden is currently under a blanket of snow and you’re itching to grow something, we have the perfect indoor project for you. This week on the podcast, we’re diving into indoor mushroom kits. They’re low-maintenance, surprisingly fast-growing, and so unique. If you're a little nervous, like Brandi was, then watch as we try them first!https://happycaps.ca/CONNECT WITH USShow Notes: www.goldenacre./podcastInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave a Voicemail: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastSPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDENGolden 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.caCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
Staring at 45 different packets of tomato seeds is enough to make anyone want to throw in the trowel. You’ve got "Spicy Slice Peppers", "Mortgage Lifters," and things that look more like tie-dyed art projects than vegetables. So, is it all just clever marketing? Thanks to Tina for her question this week! The short answer: Mostly no, but a little bit yes. While the photos are definitely "filtered" to look their best, the diversity in tomatoes is real—and picking the wrong one is the fastest way to a garden tantrum. Let’s break down how to cut through the noiseCONNECT WITH USShow Notes: www.goldenacre./podcastInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave a Voicemail: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastSPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDENGolden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs. Head online to www.goldenacre.ca Or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.CREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
We are officially stepping into 2026, and if we’re being honest, the world feels a little… loud lately. Between the 24-hour news cycle and the pressure to have a "perfect" life, our gardens shouldn't be another chore on the to-do list. This year, we’re ditching the "shoulds" and leaning into intentions. We’re talking about finding your deep "why," building a sensory sanctuary to escape the chaos, and finally letting go of that "Instagram vs. Reality" garden guilt.Gardening Intentions for 2025Lawn Mowing EpisodeCONNECT WITH USThank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place.Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastSPONSORED BY GOLDEN ACRE HOME & GARDENGolden Acre Home & Garden is open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs.Head online to www.goldenacre.ca Or visit us in store in Calgary, AB.CREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
We’re diving deep into the world of the Zygocactus—the ultimate "holiday" houseplant. If you’ve ever wondered why your "Christmas" cactus is blooming in October, what a 200 year old Christmas cactus looks like, or how the heck to tell them all apart, we’re sharing everything you need to keep these festive favorites thriving. Thanks to listener Jane for this week's question!CONNECT WITH USGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
The holiday season is all about spreading joy. Forget boring gift tags and plain cards; we’re talking about creating beautiful, plantable paper masterpieces using recycled materials, festive cookie cutters, and a sprinkle of nature's magic - seeds!CONNECT WITH USGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
People are thinking outside the box when it comes to gardening and biodiversity. We recently heard about a smart idea out of Norway: they're actually combining snow with wildflower seeds and spreading it over hillsides. Imagine, literally planting flowers with snow! We're buzzing about how this cool concept could transform dormant ski hills into vibrant pollinator highways in the summer, and why you might not want to turn your entire yard into a wildflower free-for-all just yet.CONNECT WITH USGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
This week's listener question is a timely one from Karen who is growing an iconic seasonal beauty - the Poinsettia! We totally get it—these plants are the quintessential holiday vibe, but they can be a little dramatic especially if you want to have one until next Christmas. We’re sharing all the secrets to Poinsettia success, from watering tips to the timely process of getting them to re-bloom.CONNECT WITH USThank you for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review, and listen for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
Ever walked into a space—like an office or a cozy community center—and just felt instantly better? Sure, the colour of the walls and orientation of the furniture influences the overall vibe, but chances are, plants are a big component too! We're on the road this week seeing how The Core in downtown Calgary to explore how plants inspire the holiday season in our shared spaces like malls, community centres, and more. CONNECT WITH USThank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: ForestmusicCREDITS
If your home is filled with trailing Hoya vines? Well, researchers have just announced the discovery of an entirely new Hoya species—Hoya dawodiensis—hidden away in the remote corners of India. It’s a powerful reminder that our planet still holds incredible secrets, and that every houseplant favourite has a wild origin story.CONNECT WITH USThank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
It's Wednesday. That means we turn things over to you and this week, we received a beautiful question on the podcast this week from a listener whose daughter is getting married next summer (congrats!) and is planning on making 12 floral centrepieces for the event! What should she do?CONNECT WITH USThank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
Ever feel like you're fighting for your patch of green? Imagine your city is doing an amazing thing by planting half a million trees but your already bountiful yard is chosen for one of these trees?! Should you have a say? We're digging into a wild story from Montreal where a resident is battling the city over their grand tree-planting plans. Is it green ambition or overreach?CONNECT WITH USThank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
It's Diabetes Awareness Month and you may be asking, "Why are the Helpful Gardeners talking about this?" Sure, this might seem like a heavy topic, but there’s a fascinating connection! A new study came out proving how a desert berry may hold secrets to improving metabolic health.CONNECT WITH USThank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic




