Garden Variety

Whether you're a master gardener, just getting started or somewhere in between - there's always something new to learn in your garden and landscape. On each episode we'll talk with horticulturists, foresters and other experts. We'll learn about vegetable gardens, lawns, native plants, trees and more. Garden Variety is the podcast for all the things you'd like to grow or grow better. Garden Variety is a horticulture podcast from Iowa Public Radio and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Lawning for the perfect yard

September is here. The growing season is still going, but temperatures are cooling. It's the ideal month to get a jump-start on a great lawn for next year.

09-05
13:23

Wait until the time is ripe to harvest your fruit

The visible fruits of your labor are hard to resist, but patience pays off.

08-29
13:14

Don't judge a crop by its cover

Farmers who use cover crops see all kinds of benefits, improvements in soil health, reductions in runoff and erosion — they even help with weed control. Home gardeners can also harness the power of cover crops.

08-22
13:30

How to avoid an identi-tree crisis

Iowa Department of Natural Resources forester Mark Vitosh shares his tips and tricks to tree identification.

08-15
13:31

Glow your own way

You won't believe your eyes — how millions of fireflies light up the world.

08-08
12:38

Switch it up with switchgrass

Find out which ornamental grasses could thrive in your yard.

08-01
13:46

Try out this gardening root-ine

Iowa State University horticulture specialist shares how rootstocks help grow healthy root systems.

07-25
13:17

The ultimate power plants

Iowa State University horticulture experts discuss the practice of combining solar energy and agriculture.

07-18
13:03

Better than all the pest

Learn how plants and insects can peacefully coexist in your garden.

07-11
13:14

Tools for the turf war

A horticulture specialist gives you lawn care advice.

06-20
10:55

Conducting tree-age before it's too late

Over the last 15 years the emerald ash borer has transformed Iowa's landscape. This isn't the first time a species of tree has been all but wiped out by a threat.

06-13
13:24

Now that's un-bean-lievable!

A plant expert shares how to care for beans and other legumes in your garden.

06-06
13:23

A conifer-sation with a plant expert

How to give Iowa conifers a chance to survive and thrive.

05-30
13:54

These blooms are iris-sistable

Late spring and early summer blooming perennials — peonies, shasta daisies and siberian irises — are on display.

05-23
13:02

Kiwi berries? Fur-get about it

If you're up for a wee challenge, kiwi berries are a delicious fruit you can grow at home.

05-16
13:01

Import-ant advice for your home and garden

With blooming flowers comes both helpful and detrimental ant antics.

05-09
13:18

Become a succession boss

Summer is fast approaching, which means it’s time to cultivate your vegetable gardens.

05-02
13:18

Diseases with the gall to kill our plants

It's springtime, and with it comes pesky plant diseases. On this episode, we discuss how to keep your garden healthy.

04-25
13:35

How to know when it's time to mow

Now that things are getting green, people are eager to work outside. But, before you fire up your lawn mower, some tips for best mowing practices.

04-18
13:13

Lettuce help you with your vegetable garden

It’s vegetable time! On this episode, we discuss leafy greens to grow in Iowa.

04-04
13:30

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