Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

In this episode of the Garden Basics Podcast, Farmer Fred and Master Gardener Susan Muckey discuss composting and answer a listener's question about adding nitrogen to a compost pile. They explain th…

The healthiest food you can eat, is the food you grow yourself.  Where have you heard THAT before? Today,  let’s grow a heart-healthy garden! What are the foods you can plant that are best suited, ch…

Q&A - Working with Coir, Peat Moss, Perlite, etc. Reusing Old Potting Soil. 00:24
Q&A - Runaway Plum Tree! 16:10

Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home s…

Appearing now (or soon) on a peach or nectarine tree near you: Peach Leaf Curl? What is this fungus that causes the leaves on these trees to redden, pucker, and curl? And how can you control it? (Ple…

Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Bu…

Each year the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society puts out its list of Gold Medal winning Plants. Usually these plants are chosen for their adaptability to the mid-Atlantic region of the United States…

Q&A Transplanting Old, Large, Fruit Trees? (segment begins at 00:25)
Q&A Why Are My Radishes Only Producing Leaves? (7:10)
Q&A Remove an Overgrown Plant from a Nice Pot Without Breaking It? (12:19)

Prev…

From now through Mother’s Day, roses will start putting on their first and best show across the country. What do your rose bushes need to get off to a good start in early Spring? Master Rosarian Char…

Questions from listeners include:
Why Your Citrus Tree Leaves May Be Yellowing (at 00:24 of podcast)
Cat-Proofing Your Raised Bed Garden (13:03)
Good Tomato Seed Sources (17:44)

Previous episodes, show n…

Today, we cover the basics of correctly planting and caring for a shade tree. We chat with consulting arborist Gordon Mann, who reminds us, when it comes to choosing a spot to plant a shade tree, it’…

Q&A Rosemary Propagation? (at  00:24 of podcast)
Q&A Best Peach for Cooking/Baking? (08:10)
Q&A Cover Crop crimping?  (12:14)
Q&A Blueberry containers? (19:05)
Want To Leave Us a Question? (21:22)

Previou…

It’s time for the annual Garden Basics Tomato preview show! Once again, you’re invited to easedrop on a conversation between two real tomatoheads, myself and Don Shor, proprietor of Redwood Barn Nurs…

It's Q&A Tuesday!
 1. What are the benefits of summer pruning of fruit trees, especially peaches? (at 00:25 of podcast)
 2. Where can I find more information about caring for perennials? (02:48)
 3. How…

Maybe you’re thinking of starting a new hobby, by adding a chicken or two or three to your backyard; or maybe you’re already a seasoned home chicken owner. You’ll want to hear today’s episode. Urban …

The Title says it all. Tips for saving time in the garden: automate, elevate, de-elevate, eliminate, and delegate.

Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the hom…

What is the definition of an heirloom vegetable, such as an heirloom tomato? It depends who you ask. It’s kind of like the word “natural”: it has no legal definition.  "Heirloom vegetable" could mean…

Question from listener Linda: "We have fusarium wilt in our garden. We are putting in raised beds in April. What kind of barrier should go in at the bottom of the beds to prevent the wilt getting int…

Last Week, we gave you tips for starting your pepper plants from seed. Today, we have tips for starting your summertime tomatoes from seed. And now’s the time to begin,  Again, we get a little help f…

Joshua from Missouri asks:

"We own chickens and are trying to become more self sufficient and sustaining. Instead of buying feed for them, is there a way to grow their whole diet in the garden? I've …

We are at the time of the year to start pepper seeds indoors. Pepper seeds, can be notoriously slow to germinate, sometimes taking up to three weeks. We have tips to speed up pepper seed germination,…