Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

Q&A Lawn Drainage Improvement Tips (00:25 of pod)
Perennial Plant Pruning Information (16:01 of pod)

Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Gard…

Do you want a successful garden? Before planting, you need to do some planning. And if it’s a first garden, you need to do a lot of planning. It’s not overwhelming, but it is necessary for a producti…

Sacramento County Master Gardener and orchardist Quentyn Young answers a question from Missouri  about raising mason bees, an excellent garden pollinator (better than honeybees!).

Mason Bee Basics, Pt…

Garden experts agree: if you are an inexperienced gardener or a first time gardener, you’re best, confidence-building step is to plant easy to grow vegetables, flowers, and fruit. For those taking th…

• Seed Starting Tips, including how to read seed packet instructions : 00:24
• The Hori Hori Knife; Oxalis and bittercress weed control tips: 19:06
• Want to Leave Us a Question? Here's How: 32:39

Previ…

Quite often, when a new or curious gardener wants to know, “What should I plant in my garden?” One of my common responses is: “it’s hard to go wrong with All-America Selections Winners.” 

The AAS  has…

The Tuesday edition of the Garden Basics podcast is back, where we will answer garden questions each week.
Today's question is from Meredith in Maryland: "Hi Farmer Fred!  I love your podcast and have…

What are you planning on doing in the garden in 2024? The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has spoken to gardeners, growers and professional nurseries and landscapers throughout America to find out…

Today, we present a double dose of the Debbies on the Garden Basics podcast. First, Master Rosarian Debbie Arrington has tips on what to look for when selecting those bare looking roses that are hitt…

What were the most downloaded Garden Basics with Farmer Fred  podcast episodes of 2023? What were the most listened-to segments?
Here are the Top 5 winners of 2023, chosen by you, the listeners.
Topic…

1. The Top Homegrown Vegetables, pt. 2 (Begins at 1:49)
2. The 2023 Tomato Preview Show (14:02)
3. Soil Irrigation Basics (33:52)
4. Fall Garden Basics (51:23)
5. 11 Tips for Garden Success (1:14:17)

Prev…

Christmas Tree Care Tips, for both cut and living trees: at 1:36 of the podcast.
Why are the Leaves on My Citrus Tree Turning Yellow?: 9:37
Why are My Citrus Fruit Splitting?  25:22

Previous episodes, s…

Today, we are talking about New Plants for the 2024 garden year. How about a houseplant that you can eat? And better yet, it’s actually a small cucumber plant! Have you heard of the petchoa (Pet-Koa)…

The tasty fruits that we delve into today may not be familiar to you, especially if you live west of the Rocky Mountains. However, elsewhere in the country,  pawpaws and native persimmons are a taste…

Today we answer a listener’s question: can we reduce the height of an old, beloved backyard apple tree to a height where we can reach the fruit while standing on the ground? Yes, but it will take sev…

 One listener writes in and asks, "What is boring the holes into my Fuji Apples?"
 More than likely, it is the larvae of the codling moth, a pest that commonly attacks apples and pears. Unfortunately,…

Today we take a look at two extremes of vexing garden problems around the world: the tiny, tiny nematodes that attach to plant roots, sucking the life out of them…and one you don’t need a microscope …

What are the habits of successful gardeners? A couple of Master Gardeners from Santa Clara and San Joaquin Counties, in California pursued that question awhile back. They discovered several tips and …

Before the weather chases you back indoors, maybe it’s time you considered a greenhouse to continue your gardening year round: a greenhouse is perfect for starting seeds, maintaining tropical or semi…

In many parts of the country, it’s garlic planting time. Debbie Flower and I talk about many aspects of growing backyard garlic. (at 1:25 of podcast)

Plus we talk with fruit tree expert Phil Pursel ab…