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Flower Power Garden Hour

Author: Marlene Simon

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Musings with people in the world of gardening, botany, horticulture and nature. Marlene takes her years of gardening experience, success and failures and turns it into an unpretentious, humorous listen. From organic vegetable gardening, houseplants, bee keeping, flowers, and everything in between -- this podcast covers it.
225 Episodes
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Kill every houseplant you try to grow? Not anymore. Bruce and I share our top 10 easiest houseplants that are guaranteed to thrive in your home… even if you are convinced you have a brown thumb.   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
Welwitschia mirabilis is one of the most unique plant species and on this episode we dive into everything about it. Succulent extraordinaire, Gianluca Bacci of rareplantcatalog.com, joins me in discussing its care, morphology, propagation and more.  Gianluca can be found at:        Retail website:  rareplantcatalog.com        Retail Nursery:  Boojums, 1505 Echo Park Ave, Los Angeles        Instagram:  @rareplantcatalog, @boojumstudygroup   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 January To Do List – lots of fog in the California Central Valley recently, so a good amount of moisture even without significant rain.  Temperatures have been on the lower side, but no major freezes.  Even though it's the heart of winter, there are things that need to be done during the dry periods.   It is time to plant: Asparagus plants Bareroot trees, roses, shrubs Radishes Lettuce Kohlrabi Peas Onions Bok choy Fava beans  Chores include: Protect from frost.  Watch weather report for potential frost days Don't work wet soils --- very important Spray for peach leaf curl and other fungal diseases Can prune fruit trees – but listen to the caveats in the episode   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
FPGH.223:  Holiday Plants

FPGH.223: Holiday Plants

2025-12-2101:09:49

Tired of getting a holiday plant just to have it die on you. Don't worry, Bruce and Marlene, share tips on how to prevent your plants from ending up in the compost bin after the New Year. Topics covered: getting Christmas cactus to bloom, the truth about paperwhites coming back, soil suggestions 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 is the December To Do List, and we are in the middle of winter garden season.  Weather is moderately cold, foggy, and so far it has been pretty dry.  We finish up with a Listener Q&A.   It is time to plant: Asparagus Fava beans Bok choy Broccoli rabe Garlic Kale Loose leaf lettuce Mustard Onion sets Radish   Do not plant yet: Bareroot trees Roses Berries   Chores include: Protect succulents from water Frost protection Clean up – but leave some debris remaining Spray dormant trees (peach leaf curl) Plant bulbs   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 California natives. Brendan Wilce of the California Native Plant Society joins me to give his 10 top favorite natives. This episode is sponsored by BeWaterSmart. The Brendan and the California Native Plant Society can be found at:        Website: calscape.org        Instagram:  @theplanimal 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 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
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