Garden Gossip

Celebrate the magic of fall and the richness of Hispanic Heritage Month with us as we journey through the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Travel with Terri" Show, travel writer Terrie Guthrie explores the spectacular Autumn at the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden: ¡Mundo México! event, running from Sept. 20 through Nov. 2, 2025. The conversation highlights how the Dallas Arboretum, a premier fall attraction, has been transformed with over 110,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash to create an unprecedented celebration of Mexican living culture, contemporary art, and biodiversity. We delve into the stunning pumpkin village, creative art installations, and the importance of this event in fostering community engagement and creating lasting family memories. Discover why this immersive cultural experience positions Dallas as a national destination for cultural tourism. Key Takeaways: - The Dallas Arboretum is a beloved year-round destination. - The event features a festival-wide transformation with over 110,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash. - ¡Mundo México! celebrates Mexican culture, art, and biodiversity. - The pumpkin village is a main highlight, showcasing creative pumpkin houses inspired by Mexican regions. - The gardens feature plants and art installations that tell cultural stories. - Family-friendly events at the Arboretum are designed to create lasting memories. - The festival has helped position Dallas as a national destination for cultural tourism. For more information and to plan your visit, check out the official Dallas Arboretum website: https://www.dallasarboretum.org/  Follow Terri’s adventures: https://travelwithterri.net/     https://www.instagram.com/travelwithterri/   https://www.youtube.com/@travelwithterri    https://www.facebook.com/travelwithterrifromtexas    🎙️ Listen to Travel with Terri weekly: https://travelwithterri.podbean.com/   🎧 Also featured on Big Blend Radio’s Vacation Station, Garden Gossip, and Big Daily Blend podcast channels: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

In celebration of National Literacy Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Books & Authors" show with Books Forward features author Liz Parker, who discusses her upcoming novel, "Witches of Honeysuckle House" (October 21, 2025, Alcove Press). A must-read for "practical Magic" fans, this enchanting story blends curses, sisterhood, and the power of plants with themes of generational trauma, family, and community.  Liz shares insights into the 13-year curse central to the story, the sentient house that shapes the narrative, and how her background in herbalism informs the magic woven throughout the book. She also talks about intention in witchcraft, the significance of plants, and her goal of helping readers reconnect with the natural world. 📘 More about Liz and her books: https://www.lizparkerwrites.com/   ⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Witches of Honeysuckle House 02:07 – The Curse and Its Significance 04:29 – Sisterhood and Generational Trauma 06:28 – Exploring Spells vs. Curses 07:59 – Themes of Family and Community 09:51 – The Impact of Generational Trauma 11:22 – The Role of Plants and Nature 13:35 – The Author's Journey to Writing 17:17 – The Magic of Belief and Imagination 18:53 – The Sentient House and Its Personality 20:50 – Witchcraft and Family Legacy 22:20 – Herbalism and the Power of Plants 29:52 – The Connection Between Plants and Humanity 32:11 – Conclusion and Future Works 🔔 Learn more about Books Forward: https://booksforward.com/ 

This episode of Big Blend Radio shines a spotlight on North East Trees, an award-winning urban greening nonprofit committed to building climate resilience and advancing environmental equity in underinvested communities throughout Los Angeles. Featured Guests: 🌳 Joe Laskin – Director of Development, North East Trees – https://www.northeasttrees.org/  🌿 Cheryl Leutjen – Author of “Love Earth Now” and “Madness on the Brink of Eco-Apocalypse," and Board Director, North East Trees – https://cherylleutjen.com/  Recognized as a 2025 Nonprofit of the Year by the California Association of Nonprofits, North East Trees is making a lasting difference through urban forestry, biodiversity enhancement, and workforce development programs. From planting over 100,000 trees to transforming schoolyards into green spaces, the organization demonstrates how trees can heal communities, foster connection with nature, and combat climate change. 📺 Learn more in this PBS special: Combatting Climate Change with Trees – https://www.pbs.org/video/combatting-climate-change-with-trees-tcffrw/  This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio’s "Parks & Travel", "Quality of Life", and "Garden Gossip" Channels. Keep up with all Big Blend Radio shows at: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork  *** Images by Alex Michel, courtesy of North East Trees

In celebration of Parks & Recreation Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Jo Goes Everywhere!” travel podcast with writer and photographer Jo Clark explores the stunning coastal treasures of South Carolina. Tune in to learn about the natural beauty, wildlife, and historical significance of Huntington Beach State Park, Brookgreen Gardens, and Atalaya Castle. Jo shares fascinating stories—from the architecture of the castle to the legacy of rice plantations—and offers helpful travel tips, including seasonal events, scenic highlights, and community conservation efforts. Whether you're a nature lover, history buff, or art enthusiast, this episode is full of inspiration for your next adventure! 📖 Read Jo's Article: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/exploring-the-treasures-of-south-carolinas-coast/  🗓️ “Jo Goes Everywhere!” airs every 2nd Sunday at 7pm EST on Big Blend Radio. 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: https://jogoeseverywhere.podbean.com/  🌍 Follow Jo's Travels: http://www.haveglasswilltravel.com/  https://recipestravelculture.com/  🎙️ Also featured on: Big Blend’s Vacation Station, Parks & Travel, Garden Gossip & Big Daily Blend channels: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

This episode of Big Blend Radio features travel writer Linda Kissam, “Food, Wine & Shopping Diva,” who shares her recent visit to the stunning Point Defiance Rose Garden in Tacoma, Washington. From the garden’s rich history and environmental significance to its natural beauty and community value, this conversation is a tribute to the Pacific Northwest’s floral charm. Discover how the region’s climate helps roses thrive, how nature and public spaces foster well-being, and why the garden is a perfect place for everything from peaceful picnics to family outings. 📖 Read Linda’s article: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/point-defiance-rose-garden-in-tacoma/  🎧 Follow Linda’s podcast: https://lindakissam-foodwinetravel.podbean.com/  🌐 Follow Diva Linda’s adventures: https://allingoodtaste.info/  🎙️ Also listen on Big Blend’s Garden Gossip podcast channel: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Wander the World with Sharon,” award-winning travel writer and photographer Sharon K. Kurtz takes us on a journey through the picturesque Brandywine Valley in Chester County, Pennsylvania — the heart of America’s Garden Capital. Explore the region’s rich heritage, from the legacy of the DuPont and Wyeth families to its thriving conservation efforts and artistic traditions. Sharon also shares insider travel tips and highlights must-see destinations like the world-renowned Longwood Gardens and Kennett Square, known as the Mushroom Capital of the World. Plus, get a taste of the area’s vibrant culinary scene and garden culture. 📝 Read the full article: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/discovering-chester-countys-brandywine-valley  🌍 More on Sharon K. Kurtz: https://sharonkkurtz.com  📅 New episodes premiere the first Wednesday of every month at 12pm CST: https://wandertheworldwithsharon.podbean.com  🎧 This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio’s Vacation Station & Garden Gossip channels: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

As part of Big Blend Radio's GARDEN PARTY Celebrations, travel writer Debbie Stone talks about artist Kevin Box’s origami-like pieces that range from small works to larger forms, the latter of which can be found in the enchanting outdoor sculpture gardens in Santa Fe, Orlando, and Tulsa. Read Debbie's story and check out the images of the art, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/origami-in-the-garden-is-a-feast-for-the-senses/   Big Blend Radio's "Global Adventures with Debbie Stone " Podcast airs every 4th Tuesday. Follow the podcast here: https://global-adventures-debbie-stone.podbean.com/ 

In celebration of National Garden Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio features gardening expert Bevin Cohen who discusses his new book, "HERBS IN EVERY SEASON: 48 Edible and Medicinal Herbs for the Kitchen, Garden, and Apothecary," that's out now through Timber Press.  "Herbs in Every Season" offers gardeners, herbalists, cooks, and homesteaders a new way of looking at herbs throughout the year, and from every angle. The photographed guide features information on gardening, cooking, and integrating herbs as part of a holistic wellness routine. Herbalists will learn how an herb’s growth habits inform its medicinal capabilities, and gardeners will gain insight into herbs as integral culinary plants for the kitchen garden, pollinator plants for perennial borders, and key ingredients for a home apothecary.  Bevin Cohen is an author, herbalist, gardener, seed saver, and educator. He is the owner of Small House Farm, the founder of Michigan Seed Library Network, and offers workshops and lectures. More at: http://www.smallhousefarm.com/ 

Celebrate Spring, National Garden Month and Poetry Month with Part 2 of Big Blend Radio's Spring Garden Party 2025.  FEATURED GUESTS - EVA ELDRIDGE is a travel writer, editor, publishing expert and avid gardener. Hear about some of her favorite local plants and botanical gardens in Tucson, Arizona. Visit: https://evaeldridge.com/  - DEBBIE STONE is a travel writer and photographer based in Santa Fe, New Mexico who talks about Origami in the Garden that features beautiful sculptures by artist Kevin Box. Read her story about it, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/origami-in-the-garden-is-a-feast-for-the-senses/  - HEIDI SANDER is a travel writer, author and award-winning poet who talks about how Stratford, Ontario is a destination for North American theatre and garden lovers. Her Stratford Gems book series is a poetic travel book that has highlighted some of the special gardens in Stratford through a unique artistic blend of photography and poetry. More: https://heidisander.com/  - JOHNNY SCHAEFER & KIMI YNIGUES - Kimi is a freelance floral designer based in Boise, Idaho who talks abour floral design, and the healing power of flowers. Johnny  @hearjohnny  is an award-winning singer-songwriter based in Pasadena, California who cohosts Big Blend Radio every 1st Sunday. More: https://hearjohnny.com/     MORE GARDEN PARTY FUN: - Listen to our “Sounds of Spring” Music Playlist on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/yc4udexf  - Listen to Part 1 of our Spring Garden Party, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/spring-garden-party-2025/ 

Celebrate National Garden Month with this special Big Blend Radio SPRING GARDEN PARTY (Part 1) featuring guest co-host Johnny Schaefer and special guests: Barbara Redding, Terri Guthrie, Joelle Machia & Ryan Slough, Julie Suman, Rose Palmer, Michelle Fedosoff, and Amy Nesler. Part 2 of this Garden Party podcast features ”Gardens, Flowers, Art & Poetry” airs on Monday, April 7 at 11am PT / 2pm ET on BigBlendRadio.com. Listen to our “Sounds of Spring” Music Playlist on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/yc4udexf  FEATURED GUESTS: – JOHNNY SCHAEFER  @hearjohnny   – Southern California based award-winning singer-songwriter and co-host of Big Blend Radio’s “Big Daily Blend” Podcast every 1st Sunday. Visit: https://hearjohnny.com/  – BARBARA REDDING – Freelance travel writer and photographer based in Austin, Texas. Visit: https://barbararedding.com/  – TERRI GUTHRIE – Travel journalist and photographer based in Dallas, Texas. Visit. https://travelwithterri.net/  – JOELLE MACHIA & RYAN SLOUGH – Travel writers, photographers, founders and publishers of https://www.wandererscompass.com/  – JULIE SUMAN – Travel writer and photographer based in Maryland. Visit: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/julie-dee-suman-travel-writer-and-photographer/  – MICHELLE FEDOSOFF – Travel writer and photographer based in British Columbia. See her bee garden story on her site: https://sitesandbites.org/published/f/finding-zen-in-the-middle-of-chaos  – ROSE PALMER – Award-winning travel writer and photographer based in Pennsylvania. Visit: https://quiltripping.com/  – AMY NESLER – Stewardship & Communications Manager at San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau in Washington. Visit: https://www.visitsanjuans.com/ 

On this episode of Big Blend Radio, Linda Kissam "Food, Wine & Shopping Diva," talks about Agritopia, a culinary haven in Gilbert, Arizona, that invites food lovers to experience farm-to-table dining like never before.  With its community gardens, artisanal eateries, and vibrant farmer’s market, this unique planned urban farming development blends agriculture with gastronomy, creating a feast for the senses. Read Linda's article about the unique housing, attractions, and amenities in Agritopia: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/a-foodies-guide-to-agritopia-in-gilbert-arizona/  Travel writer Linda Kissam appears on Big Blend Radio every first Saturday. Follow her podcasts here:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm1LoD5wiSJu4NM4KZxuJYoj  Follow Diva Linda's adventures here: https://allingoodtaste.info/  This episode is also being shared and featured on Big Blend Radio's "Eat, Drink & Be Merry" channel and "Garden Gossip" Channel. Check out our network of podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Celebrate Daffodil Day (March 22) and the start of the spring travel season with this episode of Big Blend Radio's "English Connection" show with Glynn Burrows who talks about his adventures in Anglesey, Wales.  You can read Glynn's article about the daffodils, beautiful scenery, and historic sites like Beaumaris Castle in Anglesey, here:  https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/anglesey-wales-daffodils-scenery-and-historic-sites/  Glynn Burrows is the owner of Norfolk Tours in England. He appears on Big Blend Radio every fourth Saturday covering England as a travel destination as well as family history research. Follow his podcasts here:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm2IK_1Zfh-xJ9eEVYhqqC3Z  Learn more about Norfolk Tours at https://norfolk-tours.co.uk/  This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Big Daily Blend," "Way Back When," "Garden Gossip," and "Vacation Station" shows. Check out our network of podcasts here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Celebrate National Backyard Day (March 19)  and the Start of Spring with this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Pet Connection" Show that focuses on ways to create a backyard that is pet-friendly. Hear about toxic plants, fencing tips, and basic needs like shade and water, and more.  Big Blend Radio's PET CONNECTION Show is hosted by veteran pet sitters Nancy J Reid & Lisa Smith, the mother-daughter team behind Big Blend Radio & Magazines, and cohosted by Angela Laws, veteran pet sitter, and community manager at https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/   Check out this veterinarian approved article about Poisonous Plants for Pets on the Trustedhousesitters blog:   https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/blog/pets/pretty-yet-poisonous-plants-for-dogs-to-avoid/    This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Big Daily Blend"  and "Garden Gossip" Podcast Channels. Follow the "Pet Connection" podcast at https://pet-connection.podbean.com/ 

From gardens and historic sites to animal encounters and cultural hotspots, it's all about Portland, Oregon on this episode of Big Blend Radio's travel podcast "Journey Jukebox with Lisa." Hear about Lisa's experiences in The City of Roses including the International Rose Test Garden, Portland Japanese Garden, Pittock Mansion, The Grotto, Mississippi Studios, and Powell's Books, and the Oregon Zoo. LINKS TO LISA'S PORTLAND ARTICLES - https://rovology.com/united-states/oregon/rediscovering-the-rose-city-portland-oregon/  - https://fwtmagazine.com/a-step-back-in-time-pittock-mansion-in-portland-oregon/  LINKS TO PORTLAND SITES - https://www.portland.gov/parks/washington-park-international-rose-test-garden  - https://japanesegarden.org/  - https://www.oregonzoo.org/  - https://thegrotto.org/  - https://pittockmansion.org/  - https://mississippistudios.com/   - https://www.powells.com/  JOURNEY JUKEBOX MUSIC PLAYLIST on SPOTIFY (updated each episode):  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7humUf03LIW04t8LiJSSN9?si=54c7630328284648  Portland Photos by Lisa Evans, and courtesy of Travel Portland.  LISA EVANS is a travel writer and photographer, travel advisor, and author of "100 Things to Do in Coastal Mississippi Before You Die."  More at https://writerlisa.com/ and https://www.gosmart.travel/advisors/lisa/evans  New episodes of Big Blend Radio’s ”Journey Jukebox with Lisa” Podcast air every 3rd Tuesday at 12pm CST. Follow the podcast from your favorite platform here:  https://journeyjukebox.podbean.com/  This episode is also featured on our Big Blend Radio "Garden Gossip" and "Vacation Station" Channels.  Check out our Big Blend Radio Network of podcasts here:  https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

From the Biltmore Blooms and the Asheville Orchid Festival to Art Shows and Music Events, Hiking and Chasing Waterfalls, and the Southern Conference Basketball and Wrestling Championships, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Adventures in Asheville" Podcast covers Spring Adventures in Asheville, North Carolina. As always the show features Steve & Karen Wilson "Mr & Mrs Wild, who own and run The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast, a stunning pink lady in the Montford Historic District. More: https://www.lion-rose.com/    Big Blend Radio's "Adventures in Asheville" Show airs every 1st Tuesday. Follow the show on PodBean: https://adventures-asheville.podbean.com/  This episode is also being shared and featured on other Big Blend Radio Network Podcast Channels including "Vacation Station" and "Garden Gossip," Check out our network of podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Nature Connection" Show, author Paula Whyman discusses her memoir, "BAD NATURALIST: One Woman’s Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop," out now through Timber Press.  A few years ago, Paula Whyman decided to leave her Maryland / suburban DC empty nest to find a rural getaway -- maybe a small farmhouse where she could put her interest in conservation to work. With little experience in gardening or conservation, Whyman had a crazy idea to cultivate a small native meadow to provide an acre or two where wildlife could thrive and she could explore with her poodle. Then she set foot on 200 acres of old farmland atop a Virginia mountain about 20 miles outside Front Royal, VA and her dream became a reality. In "BAD NATURALIST: One Woman’s Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop," author Paula Whyman explains how she cares for her mountain-sized ecological restoration challenge with a mixture of humility and humor.  She quickly discovers it’s impossible to be a “good” naturalist. More at https://paulawhyman.com/ 

In observance of World Social Justice Day, this episode of Big Blend Radio features Leah Rothstein, a veteran community organizer, local housing program expert, and co-author of "Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law" (Liveright: June 2023), which will be released in paperback on March 4, 2025. In 2017 Richard Rothstein wrote "The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America." The book has sold more than 1 million copies and started a revolution in the housing industry by explaining America’s troubled housing situation.   Newly educated and informed communities across the nation began to take action.  As Richard toured the country educating local communities, the communities began reviewing their housing policies and initiating changes. Realizing direction was needed to help communities get started and move the process forward, Richard enlisted his daughter, Leah Rothstein, to co-author "Just Action."  "Just Action" provides concrete examples of what communities can do to improve local housing policies. Paired with an active "Just Action Substack" column, challenging segregated housing is happening across the nation. Visit: https://www.justactionbook.org/ 

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 2nd Wednesday "Books & Authors" Show with Books Forward features author and writer Barbara Boyle who discusses her new memoir, "Pinch Me: Waking Up in a 300-Year-Old Italian Farmhouse.”  From a high stress career in global advertising to a simple rural life in a barn in an Italian hill town, "Pinch Me" shares Barbara's journey of transformation through love, food and community in Piemonte. Discover how she leaves her life behind in San Francisco and takes apart a 300-year-old stone barn to build a new home, a new life, in Italy. It’s a tale filled with discoveries, disappointments, pleasures, frustrations, and triumphs. And given the gastronomic excellence of the region, she shares some special recipes as well. Get the book or learn more here: https://www.barbaraboyleauthor.com/  More about Books Forward at https://booksforward.com/ 

It's all about Parks, Plantations, and Gardens in Charleston, South Carolina, on this episode of Big Blend Radio's JO GOES EVERYWHERE! Podcast with travel writer and photographer Jo Clark.  Hear all about Jo's adventures at Hampton Plantation State Historic Site, Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, Magnolia Plantation, Middleton Place, and Hampton Park, plus, where to eat, sip, and stay. Check out her article about it all here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/winter-in-charleston-south-carolina/  Jo Clark is a travel writer and photographer based on South Carolina’s Grand Strand. She has a thirst for knowledge, history, great food, and wine! Her Big Blend Radio podcast "Jo Goes Everywhere!" airs every 2nd Sunday at 7pm EST. Follow the show on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/yfkjm8sd 

Thinking of moving to England or purchasing a second property or vacation spaces? This episode of Big Blend Radio's "English Connection" show with Glynn Burrows focuses on real estate opportunities in England. Check out his article: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/considering-a-move-to-england/  Glynn Burrows is the owner of Norfolk Tours in England. He appears on Big Blend Radio every fourth Saturday covering England as a travel destination as well as family history research. Follow his podcasts here:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm2IK_1Zfh-xJ9eEVYhqqC3Z  Learn more about Norfolk Tours at https://norfolk-tours.co.uk/  This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Garden Gossip" home and garden show. Check out our network of podcasts here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork