Podcast Episodes

387 Q&A: Reaction Wood and Seedlings. Controlling Scale. Plants and Mulch.

Season 6 Episode 15

America’s Favorite College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower, and I answers questions about the importance of building “reaction wood” in seedlings, greenhouse airflow, scale pest management for …

Published on 4 months, 2 weeks ago

386 Grape Growing Basics (And More!)

Season 6 Episode 14

Farmer Fred and Debbie Flower provide practical advice on cultivating table and wine grapes, focusing on the essentials  such as sunlight, well-drained soil and variety selection. Also: peach leaf cu…

Published on 4 months, 3 weeks ago

385 The Repurposed, Sustainable, and Creative Garden

Season 6 Episode 13

Prepare to be inspired as we dive into a creative and sustainable approach to gardening with Sacramento County Master Gardener Gail Pothour. We explore how to turn everyday household items and scrap …

Published on 5 months ago

384 Ideas for a Successful First Garden!

Season 6 Episode 12

Essential tips for beginner gardeners, focusing on starting small, plant selection, spacing and companion planting, along with maintenance strategies and the value of involving children and keeping a…

Published on 5 months, 1 week ago

383 The 2025 Tomato Preview Show!

Season 6 Episode 11

If you’re a tomato-head, this is the episode for you!

We dive into the world of tomatoes with Don Shor from Redwood Barn Nursery in Davis, California. We discuss our favorite tomato varieties to plant…

Published on 5 months, 2 weeks ago

382 Delayed Winter Pruning of Fruit Trees, and More!

Season 6 Episode 10

In this episode:

• The benefits of delayed winter pruning of fruit trees, with orchardist and Master Gardener Quentyn Young.

• Controlling ants in raised garden beds, with America’s Favorite Retired Co…

Published on 5 months, 3 weeks ago

381 Backyard Chickens vs. Bird Flu. Composting tips.

Season 6 Episode 9

Tips for protecting your backyard chickens from the bird flu.

Compost for potted plants.

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

Published on 6 months ago

380 Flower Seed Starting Basics

Season 6 Episode 8

Today: Practical flower seed starting techniques, such as the critical timing for beginning various flowers and the correct depth for planting those seeds. And, Debbie Flower shares with us her trick…

Published on 6 months, 1 week ago

379 AAS Award-Winning Garden Plants for 2025

Season 6 Episode 7

We talk with Diane Blazek, the executive director of All-America Selections (AAS), exploring the newly announced 2025 winners of top-performing garden plant varieties. 

Each year,  AAS winners undergo…

Published on 6 months, 2 weeks ago

378 Battling Four-Legged Fruit Tree Pests

Season 6 Episode 6

We tackle the management of four-legged garden fruit tree pests with Debbie Flower. 

We discuss listener concerns about squirrels, raccoons, and rats, exploring protective measures and the importance …

Published on 6 months, 3 weeks ago