Stoneleigh: America’s Newest Public Garden, PLUS an in-depth chat with Ethan Kauffman about his vision and the plants he loves most in the garden

Ethan Kauffman is on the show today. Ethan’s the director at Stoneleigh – America’s newest public garden. I got the chance to talk plants with Ethan (that was exciting!) and not surprisingly, I learned a ton from him, and hopefully, you will, too. You’re going to love hearing his thoughts on favorite plants, using natives, and his choices for perennials that shine in different seasons. Stoneleigh is an impressive role model for home gardeners; showing how a native garden can be created to stunning effect.

Read More

How to Keep – Not Kill – Houseplants with Barbara Pleasant

Barbara Pleasant (SG584) is back on the show and she’s the author of  The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual. Barbara shares some excellent tips:- why you should buy plants from low light areas- Container vs. Plant: who lives? who dies to live another day?- Pets vs. Houseplants: Addressing Poisonous Houseplant Concerns- Barbara’s trick for harvesting and storing…

Read More

SG601: The Chinese Kitchen Garden with Wendy Kiang-Spray

Wendy Kiang-Spray is on the show and she’s the author of The Chinese Kitchen Garden. And boy, do I love this book. It’s half how to grow, half how to cook, and half an amazing glimpse into the wonderful Kiang-Spray Family – so that’s 150% worth of yummy, beautiful, love in one book. Plus – it’s…

Read More

SG599: The Smart Start Garden Planner with Megan Cain

Megan Cain (SG557) – aka The Creative Vegetable Gardener  is back  on the show today and we’re discussing how to garden smart and how to be a smart gardener with the help of her Smart Start Garden Planner.   Think of all the adjectives you associate with the term gardener: Hopeful Constant Keen Enthusiastic Practical Skilled …

Read More

SG598: Top Easy-to-Grow Houseplants with Lisa Eldred Steinkopf

Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, a.k.a. The Houseplant Guru, is on the show today and guess what we’re talking about?  Ding! Ding! Ding! You’re right! Her new book on houseplants published by Cool Springs Press called Houseplants: The Complete Guide to Choosing, Growing and Caring for Indoor Plants.

One of the things I appreciated the most about Lisa’s book, is that she divided the 125 houseplants featured in her book into three helpful categories: Easy to Grow, Moderately Easy-to-Grow, and Don’t-Try-This-at-Home-It’s-A-Waste-of-Money-and-Time-and-You-Really-Need-That-New-Pair-of-Shoes. Just kidding. It’s actually just called Challenging to Grow. (Which actually doesn’t sound so bad now, does it? Still – be careful here.)
 
Now, guess which one we spent the most time talking about? 
You’re right, again – the easy-to-grow category because that’s the sweet spot. These are the plants that are the best investment of your time and money – and the plants that will give you the most personal satisfaction.

Read More

SG597: How to Speak Chicken with Melissa Caughey

Guten Tag. Ola. Bonjour. Bur-dup?
That’s the official greeting of the world’s most abundant domestic animal – chickens. Today we’re learning How to Speak Chicken with expert chicken translator Melissa Caughey of the blog Tilly’s Nest and the new book with the intriguing and quirky title, How to Speak Chicken. I’ve done lots of interviews over the years – and I guarantee you, this is one that I will personally never forget.

Read More

SG596: The Naturalist’s Notebook with Nat Wheelwright

Naturalist Nat Wheelwright is on the show today and he’s sharing an incredible resource he created with Bernd Heinrich – it’s a 5-year-calendar-journal and it’s called The Naturalist’s Notebook. When Storey Publishing sent Nat’s book to me before Thanksgiving, I have to tell you I actually gasped when I opened it, because it is so beautiful…

Read More

SG595: Thanksgiving in the Garden with Lynn Gendusa

Columnist Lynn Gendusa is back on the show today and she’s sharing a beautiful article she wrote last year for Thanksgiving and it’s called Thanksgiving in a Garden. Lynn has a knack for telling stories that tug at heart strings and give us a respite from the go-go-go of our days. Gardeners have a soft spot for nostalgia and simplicity; Lynn’s writing offers both. This isn’t an pure gardening episode, but it’s one gardeners will enjoy. I think you’ll agree, she has a thankful heart.

Read More