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The Helpful Gardeners
The Helpful Gardeners
Author: Golden Acre Home and Garden
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© 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!
131 Episodes
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October is here, and while we love the changing leaves and pumpkin spice everything, it’s also Mental Health Awareness Month. For ages, we’ve felt better just being around our plants, whether we’re weeding the garden or admiring a thriving Pothos in the kitchen. But is it real, or is it just wishful thinking from a bunch of plant-obsessed people? We dove into a fascinating article from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) that scientifically backs up what we already suspected: Your plants are legitimately good for your brain!----------------------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!Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
Did you know that the City of Calgary has an Online Tree Map?! Seriously, this map is a game-changer for anyone who loves local greenery and is curious about what trees are in their neighbourhood. Whether you're planning your next walk or just curious about the billion-dollar canopy over your head, you absolutely have to check this out. Listen to the episode to hear our reactions. then go explore the map yourself! ----------------------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!Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
On our latest episode, we dove into bringing those beloved outdoor plants indoors for the winter! And while it’s exciting to extend the life of your greenery, especially those trendy Boston ferns that Brandi (and everyone else!) loved this growing season, there’s a crucial step many overlook.----------------------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!Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
How would you truly live if money were no object? This week, we kick off with Brandi and Colin's rich life fantasies—a constant skill-share party and a botanical dream conservatory—before we dive into a bizarre reality: a new study suggesting that gold might literally be growing inside the needles of a certain tree! Get ready for a conversation that blends aspirational living with actual buried treasure.----------------------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
What is that distinct, earthy smell of wet leaves that we love so much this time of year? There's a word for that. Plus, we explore the real MVP in our house this time of year and how it can really work wonders on your air quality heading into winter. ----------------------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
Many gardeners purchase fall bulbs—garlic, tulips, daffodils—as soon as they hit the store shelves in early September. The problem is, the ideal planting time is not about the calendar; it's about the cold.Read more on the blog: https://www.goldenacre.ca/podcast/----------------------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
Happy Thanksgiving! We give thanks for the profound connections that bind us all, from the animal kingdom to the forest floor. We honor the legendary Dr. Jane Goodall and her revolutionary work with chimpanzees, and dive deep into the groundbreaking research of Dr. Suzanne Simard, the visionary behind the Mother Tree Project. Discover the "wood-wide web," a secret underground network where trees talk, share resources, and nurture their young. Join us for an inspiring conversation about community, kinship, and the hidden wisdom of the natural world.Read more on the blog: https://www.goldenacre.ca/podcast/----------------------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
On today’s episode, we’re bridging that annoying gap between you and your static green roommate. You know the struggle: Does it need water? Did I overwater it? Is it growing?That’s why we’re obsessed with the Tilt Planter, a clever design by Doris Xu. This isn't just a pretty pot; it's a dynamic little scale! The system is built with a curved aluminum base, a traditional terracotta pot, and some perfectly balanced weights.Read more on the blog: https://www.goldenacre.ca/podcast/----------------------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/podcast
Diving into one of the most uniquely Minnesota traditions: the incredible Crop Art Exhibit at the State Fair. If you've never seen it, imagine meticulous mosaics made entirely of seeds—and it's a huge deal!----------------------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/podcast
Are your snacks feeling a little... basic? This week, we’re talking about food that's truly worth the wait, with one that's just delightfully weird.----------------------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/podcast
We're sitting down with our friend, Nathan Gill, of Ecologic Horticulture to talk native plants! We've been sitting on this episode for a while just due to baby and life over the summer so it's extra polished and full of all sorts of goodies. Dig in to learn about the benefits of native plants, how to incorporate them in your garden, and the various projects they work on including one that the Helpful Gardeners even got to be a part of in Calgary, AB!-------------------See more about Ecologic Horticulture on their websitewww.ecologichorticulture.com----------------------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/podcast
We're back! After a hiatus for family and rest, the gardeners are picking up their gloves and teasing some new episodes of the podcast this fall!***********************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!Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleHave a question or comment for Colin or Brandi?Leave a Voice Note: LINKInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodSHOW NOTES | CLICK HEREGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 days a year for all your home and garden needs!
The Canada Strong Pass is available now until September 2!The Canada Strong Pass is breaking down barriers for Summer 2026 to encourage more visits to some of Canadas most iconic places. There is so much diversity in the foral found around Alberta and the rest of the country from trees to grasses, and especially wildflowers. What can see out your back door? Are you making a trip to take in more of Canada's natural beauty this summer?Chapters00:00 Exploring Canada's Natural Beauty05:30 The Canada Strong Pass: Access to National Parks08:04 Understanding Alberta's Flora: Trees and Grasses10:47 Wildflowers and Their Importance in Alberta13:24 The Role of Fireweed and Other Native Plants16:04 The Beauty of Blue Flowers and Unique Flora18:48 Conservation and Enjoyment of Nature***********************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!Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleHave a question or comment for Colin or Brandi?Leave a Voice Note: LINKInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodSHOW NOTES | CLICK HEREGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
"It's part of a cycle of nature"Today, we're exploring the increase in wildfire activity in our community and how it impacts our gardens. We're talking the life cycle of forests, the causes of wildfires, and the effects of smoke on plants. We even dive into the nutritional implications of smoke on vegetables! Let's better understand the environmental changes and adapting gardening practices during wildfire events. Chapters03:12 Understanding Wildfire Trends and Causes06:03 The Life Cycle of Forests and Soil Health09:03 Human Contributions to Wildfires11:59 Global Wildfire Statistics and Comparisons15:01 Effects of Smoke on Gardening21:02 Nutritional Impact of Smoke on Vegetables24:03 Fertilizing and Plant Care Strategies***********************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!Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleHave a question or comment for Colin or Brandi?Leave a Voice Note: LINKInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodSHOW NOTES | CLICK HEREGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
We're talking summer lawn care with our friend Shelley Vance from Scotts Canada! Find out what she thinks about 'No Mow May', and how she tackles cutting the lawn including optimal mowing techniques, proactive maintenance strategies, effective watering methods, and how to manage lawn diseases and pests. Maintain a healthy lawn throughout the summer months with proactive strategies!Chapters02:22 Introduction to Summer Lawn Care with Shelley Vance04:52 No Mo May09:42 Proactive Lawn Maintenance Strategies12:33 Watering Techniques for Summer Droughts17:01 Managing Lawn Diseases and Pests25:23 Effective Weed Control Methods***********************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!Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleHave a question or comment for Colin or Brandi?Leave a Voice Note: LINKInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodSHOW NOTES | CLICK HEREGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Welcome back to courthouse!This week, we're diving into "No Mow May", a concept that was popularized during the pandemic encouraging people to refrain from mowing their lawns in May to support pollinators and biodiversity. We'll talk the pros and cons of this initiative, including its impact on lawn health, the ecological implications of traditional lawns, and alternative practices for deeper impact. Episodes Featured:How to Mow a LawnChapters:00:00 Introduction to No Mo May02:01 Understanding No Mo May05:07 Pros and Cons of No Mo May11:23 The Impact of Lawn Care Practices20:28 Long-Term Effects of No Mo May27:48 Ecological Considerations and Alternatives33:49 Conclusion and Future Discussions***********************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!Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleHave a question or comment for Colin or Brandi?Leave a Voice Note: LINKInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodSHOW NOTES | CLICK HEREGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
In Canada, the Victoria Day long weekend is typically our green light for planting in the garden! We're talking about different annual plants you can get right now, tips for creating the perfect planter, and a conversation about growing veggies! Weather is still a consideration as we may still see some frosty nights. We'll explore ways to be proactive rather than reactive in the garden this spring. ***********************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!Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleHave a question or comment for Colin or Brandi?Leave a Voice Note: LINKInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodSHOW NOTES | CLICK HEREGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
It's Mother's Day and while there are lots of ways to celebrate the motherly figures in our lives, afternoon tea is a popular outing this holiday. We dive into the tradition of afternoon tea, its origins, and how it has evolved over time. What country produces the most tea? What are tea connections in Brazil? Can we grow tea in Canada? Does it taste different in other regions? Plus, the discussion takes a personal turn as one speaker shares a heartwarming story about how tea played a role in their relationship. Finally, we enter the world of divination with an attempt at reading tea leaves!***********************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!Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleHave a question or comment for Colin or Brandi?Leave a Voice Note: LINKInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodSHOW NOTES | CLICK HEREGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Have you seen mystery items pop up in your garden? A shell? A peanut? A new plant? Let us know!Leave a Voice Note: LINK
What's the deal with curb appeal? We delve into the subjective nature of curb appeal, the balance between personal expression and neighborhood harmony, and the local regulations that govern property aesthetics. What are the benefits of curb appeal and what factors might influence poor curb appeal? Is it your place to judge? Is it your place to reach out? ***********************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!Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleHave a question or comment for Colin or Brandi?Leave a Voice Note: LINKInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodSHOW NOTES | CLICK HEREGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!




