SG 504: The Renegade Gardener – Don Engebretson (Part 2) June 28th

By Jennifer Ebeling | June 30, 2013


The Renegade Gardener Don EngebretsonIn this episode of Still Growing… (SG), I am joined by my friend and fellow Master Gardener, Mary Lynn KenKnight.  Mary Lynn and I had the pleasure to interview Don Engebretson – the Renegade Gardener.

We had so much fun and learned more than we could have ever anticipated by listening to Don.  It quickly became apparent that an hour interview was just not going to be enough to capture all the things we wanted to discuss with Don.  So Don’s interview is broken into two separate shows.  The first half of the interview was featured in episode 503. This episode (Part 2) offers Don’s insights on the gardening industry, tips for new gardeners, secrets of good landscape design, container how-to’s, and Don’s reflections on his own garden. Gardeners of all skill levels will appreciate listening to Don’s practical advice and guidance gleaned from a life-long love of gardening.

SG 504: The Renegade Gardener – Don Engebretson (Part 2) June 28th, 2013

In this episode, you’ll find out about:

  • The most flawed idea peddled by popular gardening culture (4:22)
  • The link between anxiety and gardening (6:52)
  • The impact of social media on gardening (9:34)
  • The step most homeowners overlook on their gardening DIY project (11:00)
  • Coaching homeowners to think differently about their landscape (12:36)
  • Why gardening has grown more complicated over time (14:56)
  • Don’s secrets to fabulous container gardening (23:08)
  • A typical day with Don designing landscapes (31:06)
  • Customizing unique landscape designs for clients (34:45)
  • Don’s sources for new inspiration for the garden (37:58)
  • Don’s current favorite inspirations for 2013 (38:48)
  • Tips for gardeners looking to improve their design skills (40:29)
  • Design principles that distinguish gardens (42:16)
  • Gardening as a life-giving activity (43:00)
  • How Don stays connected with his own garden (44:16)
  • Don’s surprising favorite garden tools (46:05)
  • Don’s favorite spot in his own garden (48:40)
  • Don’s favorite plants (49:24)
  • The special plant from Don’s childhood (51:21)
  • Don’s advice for 6ftmama (54:27)

Items mentioned in this podcast include:

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Question or Feedback? Please leave a comment below and just let me know how you feel. What do you like about the show? What do you dislike? What kinds of things can I improve on? What do you wish there was more of? I also appreciate future guest or topic ideas. Let me know your suggestion in the comment section below. I may feature your comment on the show!

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Jennifer Ebeling

Jennifer Ebeling

Producer & Host at Still Growing... Gardening Podcast
Jennifer Ebeling is a proud Minnesotan and U of MN alumni. Gooooooo Gophers! Each week, Jennifer produces and hosts Still Growing - a gardening podcast dedicated to helping you and your garden grow. The show is an in-depth interview format. Guests featured on the show share a passion for gardening and include authors, bloggers, professional gardeners, etc. Listeners and guests of the show can join the Still Growing community on Facebook. It's a place to ask questions, share garden stories, interact with great guests featured on the show, and continue to grow and learn. Jennifer and her husband Philip have four children, a big golden lab named Sonny, and live in lovely Maple Grove, Minnesota. P.S. When she's not teaching her four kids a new card game - or teaching them how to drive a car - Jennifer loves inspiring individuals and groups to maximize and personalize their home & garden.
Jennifer Ebeling
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