Flower Power Garden Hour 196: Soil science, with Robert Pavlis of Garden Fundamentals

It is the September To Do List – believe it or not, we are in full Fall prep time.  Lots of cool weather vegetables to start planting, and tons of clean up and pruning.  It was quite a hot summer and time may have been sparse in the garden, but it’s time to get the gloves on and get to work.  Episode includes Listener Q&A. It is time to plant:        Beets (seeds or plants)        Bok choy (seeds or plants)        Broccoli (plants)        Brussel sprouts        Cabbage (seeds or plants)        Carrots (seeds)        Cauliflower (plants)        Celery        Collards/Swiss chard (seeds or plants)        Kale (seeds or plants)        Kohlrabi (seeds or plants)        Garlic        Leek        Lettuce (seeds or plants)        Onion sets        Peas (seeds or plants)        Radish/radicchio/daikon/turnips        Spinach        Natives, Perennials, citrus – towards the end of September when it cools down Chores include:        Transplant/divide irises, grasses, tuberous plants        Buy bulbs        Collect seeds        Clean up – pull out vegetables which are done, fallen fruit        Prune lavender, hydrangeas        Pests – whiteflies may be setting in…..keep an eye on Listener Q&A section.  Topics covered include:        Aloe – odd white material on the soil underneath?        Morning glory – how to get rid of invasive overgrowth?        Century plant – now that it is blooming, how to care for?        Fiddle leaf fig – how to prune?        Tomato – can cuttings be taken for next year? 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 [email protected] Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

This episode is sponsored by bewatersmart.info. The heat getting to you? There’s a good chance it’s also impacting your plants.  I discuss various heat related plant issues and ways to mitigate them. To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: ·       Facebook ·       Instagram ·       email Marlene at [email protected]   Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

This episode is sponsored by bewatersmart.info. In this episode,  I discuss 10 of my favorite drought tolerant plants. Even if you think you don’t have a green thumb, these plants will thrive in your garden with minimal water requirements. Plus, I include pollinator information. To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: ·       Facebook ·       Instagram ·       email Marlene at [email protected] Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

In this episode, I have a great conversation with the Chocolate Botanist, Derek Haynes. Hear about his journey becoming a plant biologist as well about his mission to debunk misinformation on the internet. We discuss his “favorite” myths and how he handles the backlash he receives on social media.  Derek is a plethora of educational and entertaining information -- links below can be found to his variety of media. Instagram:  @thechocolatebotanist Website:  thecrazybotanist.com Facebook:  @thecrazybotanist YouTube:  @TheChocolateBotanist Twitter:  @crazybotanist   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:          Facebook          Instagram          email Marlene at [email protected]   Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Soil science can be a bit confusing. How long does it take for materials to be broken down, is it good practice to add microbes and what exactly are microbes? Robert Pavlis addresses these questions and more. Check out his new podcast Garden Fundamentals plus his impressive list of books including Soil Science for Gardeners and Compost Science for Gardeners. Check out more at his links below.  Links below can be found to Robert’s vast expanse of media. ·       Podcast: Garden Fundamentals (available on Apple & Spotify) ·       Website:  gardenmyths.com ·       Facebook:  @GardenFundamentals ·       YouTube:  @Gardenfundamentals1 ·       Books: o   Soil Science for Gardeners o   Plant Science for Gardeners o   Compost Science for Gardeners o   Microbe Science for Gardeners Book o   Garden Myths – Book 1 and Book 2   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: ·       Facebook ·       Instagram ·       email Marlene at [email protected] Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

If I was picked up and dropped into a gardening zone relatively different than mine, it would be a huge steep learning curve. I love talking to gardeners from zones different than my zone 9b and it doesn’t get much different than zone 3. I have a fun and educational chat with Theri Vasina LHirondelle who grows amazing flowers and veggies in Montana.   Theri can be found on Instagram at @backyard.impressions   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 [email protected]   Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Dieffenbachia, ‘pothos’, Monstera… a great majority of houseplants are in the Araceae family which most people shorten to just say Aroids. I discuss this broad family with UC Davis  Botanical Conservatory  volunteer extraordinaire Bruce Ritter. He has revamped our collection and he shares all his tips and tricks with us. 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 [email protected]   Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Believe it or not, spring is around the corner.  Here in NorCal, it is still wet with periods of cold, so one does have to be careful with working soil and protecting from potentially freezes.  LOTS of prep to do for the upcoming season.   It is time to plant: ·       Broccoli ·       Cabbage ·       Carrots ·       Cauliflower ·       Collards, swiss chard ·       Kale ·       Leeks ·       Loose leaf lettuce ·       Peas ·       Potatoes….late in the month   Chores include: ·       Sow tomatoes inside ·       Start flowers (sunflowers, strawflower, zinnias, etc) ·       Direct sow sweet peas ·       Plant bare-root (roses, fruit trees, asparagus, strawberries, rhubarb, berries) ·       Spray fruit trees ·       Fertilize ·       Compost ·       Clean up, cut back ·       Prune roses, fruit trees   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 [email protected]   Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

It’s here – the last To Do list of the year.  So far it has been a mild winter, with regards to both temperature and moisture.  It is the time to plant another round of winter vegetables, work on pest management, and start planning for your spring garden.  We are at the apex of short days, so time to work is limited.  Episode includes Listener Q&A, with topics listed below.  It is time to plant: ·       Asparagus ·       Bok choy ·       Kale ·       Onion sets ·       Radish   Chores include: ·       Cut back garden, clean up ·       Watch for cabbage aphids, loopers ·       Spray for peach leaf curl, dormant sprays ·       Order seeds for spring   Listener Q&A section.  Topics covered include: ·       Waterless amaryllis – can it be planted in a pot? ·       Banana plant – do they need to be brought inside for winter?  If not, should be wrapped for protection from cold weather?  At what age will they duplicate and produce fruit? ·       Can fallen leaves in the garden be used to cover garden beds containing flowers? ·       Butterfly bush – should the significant new growth be cut back in order to optimize growth in spring? ·       Pineapple plant – have had for 2.5 years….when should a pineapple be expected? ·       Bromeliads – how to care for them after the flower blooms and subsequently dies?   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 [email protected]   Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

How do we ensure the next generations become stewards of the land? Of course exposing them to nature and getting them outdoors but also having conversations and reading with them. I talk with author, Collin Pine, about his children’s book ‘The Garden Next Door’ and how its message is more important than ever. Collin’s latest book is called “The Garden Next Door’”   Collin can be found at: ·       Instagram:  @collin.pine ·       River Horse Books   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at: ·       Facebook ·       Instagram ·       email Marlene at [email protected]   Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook