Beyond the Garden Basics Podcast

In today’s newsletter podcast, we delve into the world of earthworms and red wrigglers with garden writer Amy Stewart, who authored the 2005 book, “The Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Achievements of …

Here is Andi MacDonald’s “More Than Basic Split Pea Soup” vegan recipe. It serves 6-8 people. She explains its origins:

“My Aunt Carol lived on the Central Coast of California. When we visited, my fat…

Newsletter podcast excerpted from Episode 253 of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast. Recorded live, at the Elk Grove, CA Garden Club.

Please note that the words below originated as a recent ga…

Rose Pruning Time is Here

    Mid to late winter is rose pruning time, wherever you can grow roses. Here in California and in other USDA Zone 9 areas, mid-December through Super Bowl Sunday (usually t…

“Where does the water go?”

That’s a question I frequently ask myself while bicycling throughout the region, staring at rain-soaked suburban yards. This is also a question homeowners should ask themse…

In today’s newsletter podcast (above): America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower, discusses the pros and cons of bypass and anvil pruners; and the best tool for sharpen…

The recent bout of colder, wetter weather means ants have begun their march towards the warmth and comfort of your house, greenhouse or outbuildings. In today’s newsletter podcast, America’s Favorite…

In today’s newsletter podcast: Back in November of 2020, we chatted about poinsettia plant basics, with Bill Eisley, a wholesale grower of poinsettia plants in Auburn, CA.

Searching for that last min…

What are Fruit Tree Chill Hours? Do They Matter?

In today’s newsletter podcast (Above. Originally aired in Episode 105 of Garden Basics), Tom Spellman of Dave Wilson Nursery explains the term “chill h…

In today’s newsletter podcast: Diane Blazek, Executive Director of All-America Selections (AAS) and the National Garden Bureau, explains how a plant is selected to become an All-America Selection win…

TODAY’S NEWSLETTER PODCAST: UC Davis Arboretum Superintendent Warren Roberts talks about persimmon trees, both American and Japanese persimmons.

California's Central Valley was ablaze in October and e…

Want to grow garlic?

In milder climates (where the ground doesn’t freeze), now is the time to visit your favorite nursery, garden center or garden catalog co…

Even though it is mid-November, many gardeners in milder areas of the country may still be harvesting tomatoes. What to do with those remaining, healthy tomatoes? Can or freeze them!

Roasted tomatoes…

Today’s Podcast: Consulting Arborist Michael Santos tells us about online resources for homeowners to get more information about the trees in their yard.

How to (Possibly) Thwart Tree Damage Before a …

Does Foliar Feeding Plants Really Work?

Are there benefits to spraying a water soluble fertilizer to the leaves of plants? Can leaves absorb nutrients?

If a gardener were to believe what they read on W…

CURRIED PUMPKIN SOUP (serves 6-8)

by Andi Macdonald, Chef and Sacramento County Master Gardener

INGREDIENTS

* 2 tablespoons olive oil

* 1 cup diced onions

* 1/2 cup diced carrots

* 1/2 cup diced celery

* 1 …

Here in Northern California, sweet peppers continue to ripen on the plants in October, turning rich shades of red, purple, and yellow. The result? Peppers that are sweeter. And probably more peppers …

In today’s “Beyond the Garden Basics” podcast, we talk with Douglas Kent, author of “Firescaping: Protecting Your Home with A Fire-Resistant Landscape”. He has a slightly different view of thwarting …

America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower, discusses garden chemical safety, including: when organic controls can be hazardous; the dangers of homemade pesticides; how …

Growing Citrus Trees Indoors

Here in California, or if you live in Arizona or Texas or Florida, you get to grow citrus in your backyard, year round. For most of the rest of the nation, though, that wo…