Growing A Greener World with Joe Lamp'l

037 GGW – Organic Labeling with OMRI CEO, Peggy Miars

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:11:00 +0000

Organic labeling is becoming more common on the food and products we buy these days. While “Certified Organic” has become well know when it comes to selecting chemical-free edibles, there’s another label that matters just as much when it comes to identifying the products that go into making those edibles certified. In this podcast, host Joe Lamp’l has a conversation with OMRI’s (Organic Materials Review Institute) CEO, Peggy Miars, who walks us through the role that OMRI plays when it comes to organic labeling, and why it matters to household consumers.

GGW037 Show Notes

Organic Labeling with OMRI’s CEO & Executive Director, Peggy Miars

OMRI's CEO & Executive Director, Peggy Miars

Our guest today is Peggy Miars. As OMRI’s newly appointed Executive Director & CEO she’s well poised to keep OMRI growing and pointed in the right direction. She’s the former Executive Director/CEO for California Certified Organic Farmers and she’s also held marketing and management positions with Earthbound Farm, Whole Foods, Granary Market, and various nonprofit organizations, as well as running her own marketing consulting business.

Organic labeling, and specifically the OMRI listing from the Organic Materials Review Institute is becoming more important to people all over this country as we search for ways to know the food we’re putting in our bodies and the products we’re using to grow it are safe for us and our environment. At this point, we’re all pretty much familiar with “Certified Organic” that you see on certain food products. Yet the OMRI listing is showing up more and more these days on many of the products that are used to produce the food that ultimately become Certified Organic.

OMRI is a national nonprofit organization and their main job is to determine which input products are allowed for use in organic production and processing. The reason that’s important is that OMRI Listed—or Approved—products can be used on operations that become certified organic under the USDA National Organic Program.

If you have a question or comment, you can call our comment line and leave a recorded message any time at 202.337.0375 or send me an email at heyjoe@joegardener.com. And be sure to check out our website for all the podcasts and show notes in this series as well as all the episodes from our television series by the same name. You can also watch Chef Nathan Lyon’s cooking videos, get the recipes, read articles and so much more. Lastly, we’re on Facebook and Twitter and I hope you’ll follow us there as well.

Thanks for listening and we’ll be back soon with another brand new podcast episode.

Joe Lamp’l

Special Thanks:

MSC Certification Label

This podcast episode was made possible thanks to the support of the Mulch & Soil Council. If you want to know that the bagged mulch or soil that you’re buying is free of unacceptable contaminants, such as arsenic from pressure treated wood, make sure that it has the certification seal on the bag. Learn more at their website; mulchandsoilcouncil.org.

Special Request:

If you like this podcast episode or series, would you mind taking the time to leave a favorable comment in the iTunes Store saying so? It really helps us get the word out about our show. The more great reviews we get, the more we get noticed by the folks at iTunes and the better our chances of others finding us. Thanks in advance!

Get the must-have Gardener’s Guide to Global Warming by clicking here.

036 GGW – The Weedless Garden & More; An Interview with Author, Lee Reich

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 04:00:35 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

As an avid reader of gardening magazines, there’s one author I’ve been following for a number of years. And it’s hard not too since he’s in just about every magazine I read. I’m referring to author, professor, and horticulturist Lee Reich, Ph.D. He’s all about the art and science of building the garden from the ground up, with an emphasis on organic gardening, compost and healthy soil. He’s my kind of guy and I thought it was time we got together for a podcast conversation about some of those very issues, along with one that has me most intrigued. Lee wrote a book about the weedless garden, and I just had to learn more. This podcast covers that topic as we meet Lee and learn more about the man who’s writing the articles we read so often.

Show Notes

The Weedless Garden & More; An Interview with Author, Lee Reich

I’ve been reading gardening magazines and books for a long time. One of the first experts I really took note of was Lee Reich. He’s one of those guys who you feel like you can relate to. Even though he has a ton of impressive credentials, he always seems to be writing to just me, yet I’m sure just about every person that reads Lee’s articles or books feels the same way. But I was always impressed that he was always writing about subjects near and dear to my heart; compost, building the soil with natural inputs, organic gardening, growing edibles, etc.

I finally had the chance to meet Lee in person when we were both speaking at an event a few months ago. Just as I imagined, Lee’s a down to earth guy who loves to garden, make bread and beer, and partake of his creations. I liked him as a gardener. I really like him when you add bread and beer maker to his list of skills.

In this podcast, we learn a bit about Lee’s background and how he became so focused on his niche of organic gardening and building the health of the soil naturally. And we discuss a good bit about the concept behind his most interesting of books; The Weedless Garden.

Learn more about Lee and his books byt visiting his website or keep up with his gardening life and more through his blog. But for now, sit back and take a listen to the podcast. I think you’ll really enjoy getting to know Lee here, just as I have.

Thanks for listening and we’ll be back soon with another brand new podcast episode.

Joe Lamp’l

Special Thanks:

MSC Certification Label

Special Request:

Get the must-have Gardener’s Guide to Global Warming by clicking here.

035 GGW – GMO’s; What You Need to Know, with Jeffrey M. Smith

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 21:45:41 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

With so much talk around GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms) in the news these days, this podcast is a discussion with Jeffrey M. Smith, the leading consumer advocate promoting healthier non-GMO choices. He’s also the author of the world’s bestselling and #1 rated book on the health dangers of genetically modified organisms. As Washington continues to rubberstamp more genetically modified food crops, in this compelling and eye-opening conversation, Jeffrey talks with Joe about the basics of GMO’s, the health risks, and how consumers really do have the power to derail GMO products from overtaking our grocery stores.

Show Notes

Jeffrey M. Smith, World-renowned Crusader against GMO Food

Jeffrey M. Smith is the leading consumer advocate promoting healthier non-GMO choices is the author of the world’s bestselling and #1 rated book on the health dangers of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). He is the executive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology. It’s campaign for Healthier Eating in America mobilizes citizens, organizations, businesses, and the media, to achieve the tipping point of consumer rejection of genetically modified foods. The Institute also informs policy makers and the public around the world about the risks and impacts of GMOs on health, environment, agriculture, the global economy, and the problems associated with current research, regulation, corporate practices, and reporting. Former US National Institutes of Health scientist Candace Pert describes Jeffrey as “the leading world expert in the understanding and communication of the health issues surrounding genetically modified foods.” His meticulous research documents how biotech companies continue to mislead legislators and safety officials to put the health of society at risk, and the environment in peril.

Mr. Smith has counseled leaders from every continent, campaigned to end the use of genetically engineered bovine growth hormone (rbGH or rbST), and influenced the first state laws in the United States regulating GMOs. Described as “a life-changer”, he’s lectured in 30 countries and has been quoted by world leaders and hundreds of media outlets including, The New York Times, Washington Post, BBC World Service, Nature, The Independent, Daily Telegraph, New Scientist, The Times (London), Associated Press, Reuters News Service, LA Times, Time Magazine and Genetic Engineering News.

The Institute publishes the Non-GMO Shopping Guide to educate people about how to make healthier non-GMO choices. The website has become one of the most respected resources for online videos, podcasts, blogs, and reports for accurate and up to date information on GMOs. Jeffrey is also producer of the films Hidden Dangers in Kids’ Meals and Your Milk on Drugs—Just Say No!, writes an internationally syndicated column, Spilling the Beans, has a regular blog on the popular Huffington Post.

Special Thanks:

MSC Certification Label

Special Request:

Get the must-have Gardener’s Guide to Global Warming by clicking here.

034 GGW – NWF’s Naturalist, David Mizejewski, Part 2 of 2

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:33:33 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

If you love the topics surrounding this podcast series, you’ll love this conversation and the one from last week with National Wildlife Federation’s David Mizejewski. He’s the host and co-producer of Animal Planet’s Backyard Habitat and he is everywhere in the media. Today, he’s ours for part two of our conversation around his work with the National Wildlife Federation. In this podcast, David tells us how to create a Certifed Wildlife Habitat at home. It’s one of the hallmarks of the NWF, it’s easy to do and a great project for the whole family.

Show Notes

In this episode, it’s all about how to create a Certified Wildlife Habitat. It’s a hallmark of the National Wildlife Federation. In the past, the term included the word “backyard” but considering you can create a wildlife habitat just about anywhere, it made sense to drop “backyard” from the term. So no matter where you live or work, with a few basic requirements, you can create an environment that will attract and keep wildlife of all kinds. Check out the simple how-to steps from NWF’s website.

David Mizejewski

David Mizejewski is a naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation and holds a degree in political science with a co-major in human and natural ecology from Emory University. You know his face and voice as the guy who teaches the American public how to help wildlife and connect with nature in their own neighborhoods and beyond. He is host and co-producer of Backyard Habitat on Animal Planet, a television series that shows people how to transform their yards and gardens into thriving habitats for birds and other local wildlife.

In addition, his demand in the media is plentiful. He has made numerous appearances on gardening and daily talk shows, including NBC’s Weekend Today Show and iVillage Live, HGTV’s Gardening by the Yard, and The Martha Stewart Show. He has been interviewed and profiled by Entertainment Weekly, Out, Sunset, Organic Gardening and National Wildlife magazines as well as USA Today, the Christian Science Monitor, the Washington Post, and countless local newspapers. David is a regular speaker at conservation, wildlife and gardening conferences and events, both nationally and locally.

For more on creating a wildlife habitat in your own yard, check out David’s book; Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife.

Episode 034 is the second of a two-part conversation with David. In the last podcast, David talks about global warming, his first hand experience with the gulf oil spill and other resources of the NWF.

Special Thanks:

MSC Certification Label

Special Request:

Get the must-have Gardener’s Guide to Global Warming as discussed in this podcast by clicking here.

033 GGW – NWF’s Naturalist, David Mizejewski, Part 1 of 2

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 17:14:47 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

If you love the topics surrounding this podcast series, you’ll love this conversation with National Wildlife Federation’s David Mizejewski. He’s the host and co-producer of Animal Planet’s Backyard Habitat and he is everywhere in the media. Today, he’s ours for not one but two conversations that you don’t want to miss. In this podcast, David talks about some of the true signs of global warming, the gulf oil spill and resources we can all use from the National Wildlife Federation.

Show Notes

David Mizejewski

For more on creating a wildlife habitat in your own yard, check out David’s book; Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife.

Episode 033 is the first of a two-part conversation with David. In the next podcast, David shares the steps to create a NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat in your own little corner of the world.

Special Thanks:

MSC Certification Label

Special Request:

Get the must-have Gardener’s Guide to Global Warming as discussed in this podcast by clicking here.

032 GGW – Waterwise Gardening with Nan Sterman

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 19:25:58 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

No matter where you live, water conservation is key to being a more sustainable gardener. Nan Sterman, waterwise gardening expert and award winning author, television and radio host, shares important insights and practical tips for using this precious resouce more responsibly. Her books, The California Gardener’s Guide and Waterwise Plants for the Southwest are two of the most popular books on the subject.

Show Notes

Award-winning writer and waterwise gardening expert, Nan Sterman

Nan Sterman is no stranger to waterwise gardening. Growing up, this southern California native developed an appreciation at an early age for the need to be resourceful with this precious resource, especially when it came to outdoor gardening and landscapes.

She attended Duke University, where she studied botany. Even then, Nan worked in the sustainability movement, even though awareness of environmental stewardship wasn’t nearly what it is today. Later, Nan earned her first of two graduate degrees in the Biology department at UC Santa Barbara.

Today, Nan writes award-winning articles for the Los Angeles Times, Sunset Magazine, Organic Gardening Magazine and others. Her latest book, Waterwise Plants for the Southwest (with co- authors Mary Irish, Judith Phillips and Joe Lamp’l), helps readers expand their waterwise palette with plants from the world’s desert regions. Her first book, The California’s Gardener’s Guide, Volume II devotes plenty of information about gardening with low water, climate appropriate plants that grow with little maintenance, little fertilizer but give lots of reward.

When she’s not writing, Nan’s a regular guest expert on many television and radio shows including Growing a Greener World, on national public television. In 2005, Nan and her business partner Marianne Gerdes produced A Growing Passion, a television series about ordinary people who happen to be extraordinary gardeners. The show’s emphasis on low water, “green” gardens was one of the first. Today, A Growing Passion, airs on cable television and most segments can be viewed online here. She’s also a regular radio guest where you’ll often hear her on These Days, the morning talk show on public radio in San Diego.

Nan does plenty of public speaking, and hands-on demonstrations each year and her thriving garden design business specializes in colorful and beautiful low water gardens that are also low maintenance, edible and environmentally friendly.

Learn more at her website, plantsoup.com.

Special Thanks:

MSC Certification Label

Special Request:

You may also like…

EPISODE 119: Water-Wise Gardening – Full Episode
The earth is often referred to as the water planet. But of all that water, 99% is inaccessible to us as pure water leaving only 1% for all the world to use for doing everything from drinking and bathing to washing our food, clothes and cars, to irrigating our lawns and landscapes.

031 GGW – Dispelling Gardening Myths with Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott, Part 2 of 2

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 16:29:43 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

In Part 2 of this popular discussion, horticultural myth buster, Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott presents more research-based, eye-opening insights in this fun and insightful dialogue. Drawing from her award winning book; The Informed Gardener and its sequal, The Informed Gardener Blooms Again, Dr. Chalker-Scott sheds light on some of the less than sound practices many of us have thought to be true for decades. Is adding filler to a container planting really a good idea to improve drainage? If you answered “yes”, this podcast is for you! Or, Is using fresh mulch really detrimental around plants due to nitrogen depletion? Do you really need to take time to sterilize pruning blades between cuts and if so, is bleech really the best way to do so? All this and more awaits you in this enlightening two-part podcast.

Show Notes

Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott

Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott has a Ph.D. in Horticulture from Oregon State University and is an ISA certified arborist. She is WSU’s Extension Urban Horticulturist and an Associate Professor in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. Linda has lectured extensively to a variety of audiences on diverse topics, all pertaining to sustainable landscaping and always based on current and relevant plant science. In 2009, she and three other academic colleagues launched The Garden Professors blog, through which they educate and entertain an international audience. Over the past 11 years, Dr. Chalker-Scott has expanded her academic writing to popular audiences, including articles for Fine Gardening, Organic Gardening, and MasterGardener Magazine. In 2010, she was named a contributing editor to Fine Gardening magazine.

Her first book, The Informed Gardener (2008, University of Washington Press), is an award-winning examination of some common horticultural myths. The sequel – The Informed Gardener Blooms Again – was released by UW Press in 2010 and continues horticultural myth-busting. Learn more on the website here. She also recently published Sustainable Landscapes and Gardens: good science – practical application (2009, GFG Publishing, Inc.), a 22-chapter book which she edited and jointly authored with 20 colleagues. More nformation on the Sustainable Landscapes and Gardens book can be found here.

Special Thanks:

MSC Certification Label

Special Request:

030 GGW – Dispelling Gardening Myths with Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott, Part 1 of 2

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 03:55:10 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

Horticultural myth buster, Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott presents plenty of research-based, eye-opening insights in this fun and insightful dialogue. Drawing from her award winning book; The Informed Gardener and its sequal, The Informed Gardener Blooms Again, Dr. Chalker-Scott sheds light on some of the less than sound practices many of us have thought to be true for decades. Is compost tea really effective? Is using fresh mulch really detrimental around plants due to nitrogen depletion? Do trees need to be staked and if so, how long is too long? All this and more awaits you in this enlightening two-part podcast.

Show Notes

Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott

The Informed Gardener by Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott

Over the past 11 years, Dr. Chalker-Scott has expanded her academic writing to popular audiences, including articles for Fine Gardening, Organic Gardening, and MasterGardener Magazine. In 2010, she was named a contributing editor to Fine Gardening magazine. Her first book, The Informed Gardener (2008, University of Washington Press), is an award-winning examination of some common horticultural myths. The sequel – The Informed Gardener Blooms Again – was released by UW Press in 2010 and continues horticultural myth-busting. Learn more on the website here. She also recently published Sustainable Landscapes and Gardens: good science – practical application (2009, GFG Publishing, Inc.), a 22-chapter book which she edited and jointly authored with 20 colleagues. More nformation on the Sustainable Landscapes and Gardens book can be found here.

Special Thanks:

MSC Certification Label

Special Request:

029 GGW – The Soil Food Web; Teaming with Microbes – An Interview with co-Author Jeff Lowenfels

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 14:43:27 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

After reading Jeff Lowenfel’s book, co-authored with Wayne Lewis; Teaming with Microbes-The Organic Gardener’s Guide to the Soil Food Web, I’ve never looked at soil the same way again. What we do to it either fosters the life below the surface that sustains our plants, or destroys it. For years, I was doing the latter. Listen to the podcasts to see if you were too.

Show Notes

I’ll be the first to tell you, I love all gardening books. Sure, there are likely too many books being published that cover basically the same topics, such as perennials, container gardens or even the most popular topic of all these days; organic gardening. And yet I still manage to find at least something useful in all of them.   And once in a great while, you have a breakthrough book — one that is so unique and of such value to the gardening community and beyond, it deserves to stand out from the pack and bask in the limelight for the recognition it merits.

After twice reading Teaming with Microbes; The Organic Gardener’s Guide to the Soil Food Web (Revised Edition), by Jeff Lowenfels and Wayne Lewis, I knew I had found such a book. It is now impossible to look at soil the same way again.   I have always appreciated the importance and benefits of healthy soil, but until this book, truly understanding the symbiotic relationship between plants and what takes place beneath the surface has been left more to the imagination. The authors have done a wonderful job bringing to life through easy to follow words and amazing images, the living world of soil.

Now, more than ever before, I understand the interdependence of the literally billions of microscopic fungi and bacteria along with the multitudes of other soil-dwelling creatures that make up what is known as the soil food web. When this web is in balance, plant life thrives because the soil is providing every resource and nutrient needed.

Jeff Lowenfels, co-Author of Teaming with Microbes; The Organic Gardener's Guide to the Soil Food Web

This book has been instrumental in helping me and countless others to clearly understand this delicate and necessary balance and how easily we can disrupt it, principally by excessive use of chemicals, especially synthetic fertilizers. The authors explain how even rototilling can have an adverse affect on the balance of a healthy web.   Just in case you never thought you could see yourself reading a book about dirt, think again. This book will do as much or more to improve your gardening skills than any other book on the market. It has had a profound impact on how I garden and I believe it will for you too.

Not only will your garden be healthier, you’ll be doing your part to promote a more eco-friendly environment too.   Lowenfels and Lewis go into easy to comprehend explanations on how healthy soil is alive and how it suffers and even dies when over zealous gardeners unknowingly desiccate living soil organisms with salt- laden chemicals. The end result is what amounts to unsustainable, life ending ‘dirt’.   You will be empowered after reading this book and will likely never garden the same way again. Buy it, read it and encourage every other gardener you know to do the same. This book can literally change the behavior of anyone who uses chemicals in their garden.

I have to admit, I was feeling quite haughty when a parent of my daughter’s friend asked me if I was reading a medical book as we sat in the stands during a recent basketball practice. “No I said. This is far more interesting. It’s all about what goes on in the soil. It’s a real page turner!” And indeed it is.

Special Thanks:

MSC Certification Label

Special Request:

028 GGW – What’s Wrong with my Plant; and how do I fix it? An interview with authors David Deardorff & Kathryn Wadsworth

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 20:15:30 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

Finally, the book we’ve all been waiting for is here. What’s Wrong With My Plant? (And How Do I Fix It?) provides an easy system for visually diagnosing any problem, and matching it to the right cure. This podcast interview with the authors provides a delightful overview of the book, as well as valuable insights into preventing problems in the first place. Finally, we have one copy of this book to give away. Listen to the show to see how you can be eligible to win.

Show Notes – GGW 028 – What’s Wrong with my Plant; and how do I fix it? An interview with authors David Deardorff & Kathryn Wadsworth

This innovative and easy-to-use guide is split into three parts.

Part One presents easy-to-follow, illustrated flow charts — organized by where on the plant the symptoms appear — that allow readers to accurately diagnose the problem. The format is so simple it doesn’t even require knowing the name of the plant; all you need to know is whether the problem is affecting its roots, stem, flowers, or leaves. It does not matter whether the plant is a houseplant, perennial, vegetable, tree, or shrub.

Part Two offers a 100% organic way to fix the problem. From improper growing conditions and environmental factors, to molds, pests, and diseases, every problem has a safe, natural solution.

Part Three shows photographs and drawings of stressed, damaged, and diseased plants that help with accurate comparison.

Whether your garden consists of herbs on a kitchen windowsill, a vegetable garden, an elaborate backyard border, or a container on a patio, What’s Wrong With My Plant? is an indispensable resource. If you can see it, you can fix it. Curing a sick plant just doesn’t get any easier.

About the Authors:

David Deardorff, Ph.D

David Deardorff, Ph.D., botanist and expert plant pathologist, loves to write and lecture about how to grow healthier plants. As a research biologist David has lived and gardened in many environments, from the desert southwest to the maritime northwest to the tropics. Currently, he and co-author / wife, Kathryn Wadsworth can be found presenting workshops around the U.S. on a wide variety of topics, from ecology to gardening. David earned his Ph.D. in botany from the University of Washington. He coordinated plant pathology research at the University of Hawaii and served as faculty advisor to the Master Gardener Program at Washington State University. He also co-founded Plants of the Southwest in Santa Fe, one of the first native plant nurseries in the country. He has served as Research Director at Island Biotropix, an orchid nursery and tissue culture laboratory, which he co-owned with partner and co-author Kathryn Wadsworth.

Kathryn Wadswort

Kathryn Wadsworth, writer, photographer, and naturalist, enjoys sharing the wonders of the natural world with others. While leading eco-tours around the world she has studied plant life and explored natural history from Australia to Alaska. Currently, she and co-author David Deardorff can be found presenting workshops around the U.S. on a wide variety of topics, from gardening to ecology. In graduate school Kathryn studied film-making and communications at the University of New Mexico, where she made documentary films on a wide variety of topics ranging from the California Gray Whale to the impact of mining on the Navajo Nation. She has owned and operated a film production company, an orchid nursery, and a tissue culture laboratory. With her partner and co-author David Deardorff, she has lived and gardened in many environments, from the desert southwest to the maritime northwest to the tropics.

Website: http://ddandkw.com/

This podcast is produced by The joe gardener® Media Network. If you have a comment our hotline is always open at 206.337.0375 or send us an email at heyjoe@joegardener.com.

You can access the show notes from previous shows on our website here. You can also order a personally autographed copy of my latest book, The Green Gardener’s Guide and don’t forget to check out my blog; Compost Confidential.

Special Thanks:

MSC Certification Label

This podcast episode was made possible thanks to the support of the Mulch & Soil Council. If you want to know that the bagged mulch or soil that you’re buying is free of unacceptable contaminants, such as arsenic from pressure treated wood, make sure that it has the certification seal on the bag. Learn more at their website; mulchandsoilcouncil.org.

Special Request:

If you like this podcast episode or series, would you mind taking the time to leave a favorable comment in the iTunes Store saying so? It really helps us get the word out about our show. The more great reviews we get, the more we get noticed by the folks at iTunes and the better our chances of others finding us. Thanks in advance!

Other articles you might also like:

Bacteria, Fungus, and Viruses, an Overview

Controlling or Eliminating Powdery Mildew

Proactive vs Reactive is the Successful Way to Garden

Simple Ways to Reduce Garden Disease

Eco-friendly Pest Control

027 GGW – Keeping Pests Out When Plants Come In for the Winter; Suzanne Wainwright-Evans Returns

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 03:10:21 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

She’s baaaack. Ornamental plant entomologist, Suzanne Wainwright-Evans is back for an unprecedented third time. And this time she’s telling us eveything we need to know to keep the pests outdoors when the plants come inside. She has an update on the biggest pest problems this time of year, along with tips on using the most eco-friendly way to keep them where they belong.

Show Notes – GGW 027 – Keeping Pests Out When Plants Come in for the Winter; Suzanne Wainwright-Evans is Back for More

A typical day at the office for Suzanne

If you want to check out the television episode we did with Suzanne on Natural Pest Control, then be sure to click on this link. It was one of the most unique shows of the season and a viewer favorite.

When she’s not doing television or podcast interviews with us, Suzanne is busy traveling the country as a consultant to the nursery and horticulture industry, as well as a highly sought-after speaker. She’s known to many as Buglady, which is fine with her. It’s also the name of her busines: Buglady Consulting.

And be sure to check out Suzanne’s other two podcasts with me. Her first was so popular, we brought her back four episodes later for another great conversation here.

This podcast is produced by The joe gardener® Media Network. If you have a comment our hotline is always open at 206.337.0375 or send us an email at heyjoe@joegardener.com.

Special Thanks:

MSC Certification Label

Special Request:

026 GGW – A Chemical Reaction; An Interview with Exective Producer, Paul Tukey

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 00:31:05 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

This show is an interview with Paul Tukey. You might know Paul as the founder of SafeLawns.org or as host of People, Places and Plants on HGTV, or perhaps, author of The Organic Lawncare manual. Today he’s back to fill us in on his biggest and most exciting project yet. It’s a documentary movie, called A Chemical Reaction and Paul’s the Executive Producer. It’s an amazing, true story of how one woman’s persistence, finally set the wheels in motion sweeping Canada for a chemical free ban on ornamental pesticides. Will it have an affect in the U.S? Well stay tuned to find out.

Show Notes – GGW 026 – A Chemical Reaction; An Interview with Executive Producer, Paul Tukey

This week Joe Lamp’l interviews Paul Tukey, Executive Producer of his new documentary, A Chemical Reaction. It’s the story of one woman’s efforts to bring awareness to her tiny Canadian town of Hudson, the link she was finding to certain medical conditions and pesticides. This led to this town in Canada’s crusade to ban lawn and garden chemicals that is now sweeping through the country Paul has recently wrapped up completion of this major film and in this episode we talk about the movie, how it came about, how it’s going now, and what’s ahead as a result of this film.

Paul is also the HGTV host of People, Places & Plants, American Horticulture Society’s 2006 Communicator of the Year, Founder of Safelawns.org and author of the Organic Lawn Care Manual. And that only scratches the surface. He put an organic lawn on the Great Mall in Washington, D.C

Additional Information

Paul J. Tukey, www.PaulTukey.com

HGTV Co-Host & Executive Producer Publisher, People, Places & Plants magazine

Named 2006 COMMUNICATOR OF THE YEAR by the American Horticultural Society

Author, The Organic Lawn Care Manual, Storey Publishing

National Spokesperson, www.safelawns.org

This podcast is produced by The joe gardener® Media Network. If you have a comment our hotline is always open at 206.337.0375 or send us an email at heyjoe@joegardener.com.

Thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next time for more Growing a Greener World.

025 GGW – Chef Nathan Lyon

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:02:14 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

Co-host and Chef Nathan Lyon of Growing a Greener World, has a lot more to say then time (or producers) allow during each episode. But Nathan has never been at a loss for words, and this podcast is a testament to that. Find out how he became interested in food and cooking to begin with, and why using fresh local ingredients is so much more to Nathan than just the flavor it adds to every dish. You don’t want to miss his wisdom shared in this interview! It may just change your life for the better, at least in how you eat.

Show Notes

Joe and Nathan enjoy a laugh on the kitchen set of Growing a Greener World

Nathan Lyon – Co-host / Chef

Chef Nathan Lyon is known to viewers across the country for his simple, innovative cuisine featuring fresh, local ingredients. Among the final four on the second season of The Next Food Network Star, he is the chef and host of A Lyon in the Kitchen (Discovery Health and Fit TV) and appears as a guest chef / expert on Home Made Simple (TLC) and Real Simple Real Life (TLC).

Nathan holds a BS in Health Science from James Madison University as well as a Culinary Arts Degree from Le Cordon Bleu. He has cooked for the Inspector General, numerous non-profit organizations, and has worked with local growers in California farmers markets for almost a decade. Blending grassroots and gourmet, Nathan believes that great meals make great neighbors.

This podcast is produced by The joe gardener® Media Network. If you have a comment our hotline is always open at 206.337.0375 or send us an email at heyjoe@joegardener.com.

Thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next time for more Growing a Greener World.

024 GGW – Maria Rodale on Organic Gardening & Organic Manifesto

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 20:42:44 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

Show Notes

Introduction

Maria Rodale

Hi everybody, it’s Joe Lamp’l and welcome to Growing a Greener World. Well if you love to garden and spend time outdoors, and really care about environmental stewardship, you’ve come to the right place.

With so much interest in taking care of the health of our planet and our bodies, the term organic has more meaning today than ever before. And, rightly so…chemicals and pesticides are so widely used in farming and home gardening almost every person in the US has pesticide residue in their system.

This podcast expands on Joe’s visit to rural Pennsylvania and the Rodale Institute, the cradle of organic gardening in America. Founded in 1941, by visionary J. I. Rodale, and nurtured by four generations of the Rodale family, today the Institute resides on a 333-acre farm. Rodale Press has evolved into the largest multi-media company dedicated to restoring a healthy planet and continues to pioneer the organic movement through research and it’s books and magazines. Rodale’s flagship publication “Organic Gardening” (1942) still enjoys a robust following today. Watch the episode here.

In her interview Rodale Inc. Chairman and CEO Maria Rodale, granddaughter of J. I., gives her frank, research-based opinion about the far-reaching effects of chemicals and pesticides so prevalent in our lives today. Generations ago chemicals and pesticides were unheard of but as science progressed so did the notion of “better living through chemicals”.

If you care about your health and the health of the planet you need to read this book

That simply isn’t true and there is sufficient evidence to indicate that eating organic food is good for our health. There is also mounting evidence that the agrichemicals we continue to ingest lead to certain cancers, diabetes, obesity, autism, and ADHD. Maria’s call to action is to “demand organic” and is passionately and eloquently stated in her book, “Organic Manifesto”.

Through conscientious efforts and dedication the USDA Certified Organic label has evolved to provide a way for consumers to identify products that meet their strict standards. Seventy years ago organic was simply an idea but fortunately today, consumers are waking up to what ‘organic’ really means to our health and the health of the planet. There are consequences related to the way we farm and garden and even to the decisions we make in our daily lives.

The Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial®, was begun in 1981 when few institutions were seriously studying organic farming methods. It is the longest running side-by-side comparison of organic and conventional farming methods in the US, and one of the oldest in the world.

The organization lives by the mantra that “healthy soil equals healthy food, equals healthy people, equals a healthy planet” and has proven that organic yields match or surpass those of conventional farming methods. The reason is the exquisite care given to the soil by nurturing it with natural amendments and cover crops.

This podcast is produced by The joe gardener® Media Network. If you have a comment our hotline is always open at 206.337.0375 or send us an email at heyjoe@joegardener.com.

Thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next time for more Growing a Greener World.

023 GGW – Canning & Preserving 101

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 21:14:54 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

This week Joe Lamp’l talks canning and preserving with trained Master Food Preserver, Theresa Loe. Today we talk Canning 101 and if you’re new to preserving your own food or just want a refresher, this is the show for you!

Show Notes

GGW123 – Show Notes: Canning & Preserving 101 with Theresa Loe

Theresa Loe

Over the last few years, canning and preserving has grown in popularity in a big way. More people are looking for ways to preserve fresh-from-the-garden-flavors to stretch the meal dollar and know what it is in their food.

In this episode, Joe interviews Theresa Loe on the subject. Theresa is the canning expert on Growing A Greener World.com and is also the Associate Producer. She writes a weekly canning blog for GGW and recently completed a series of canning and preserving videos that will be up our website soon.

Joe and Theresa discuss why canning is so popular today and why we should want to do it ourselves. This old fashioned process has really taken America by storm and it is no wonder! By canning our own food we can:

- preserve those bumper crops of food we may be growing in our backyards

- still eat locally grown food in the middle of winter.

- know exactly what is IN our food and what is NOT.

- create unusual recipes that you can’t find anywhere else.

Joe also has Theresa explain the two main types of canning: water bath vs. pressure canning.

Water bath canning is for high acid foods such as jams, jellies, pickles, fruit preserves and tomatoes that have been acidified with citric acid or lemon juice. These foods have a low pH (below 4.6) and are safe to can with this method. If you want to can any vegetables with this method, they have to be “pickled” with vinegar so that they are in the proper pH zone.

Pressure canning is for low acid foods such as plain vegetables (that are not pickled) and meat. These foods have a pH of 4.6 and above and this is the area where you can get into trouble with the bad bacteria such as the botulism toxin. In order to be safe, food in this pH range must be heated to a very high temperature for a sustained amount of time and that is only possible “under pressure”. So, if you want to can something like your favorite chicken soup recipe, it must be pressure canned because it contains meat.

For this podcast, Joe and Theresa focused mostly on water bath canning and how you would get started. It is a surprisingly easy method and no special equipment is required. Armed with a modern canning recipe (old recipes may use out of date canning methods), a tall stockpot and some canning jars, anyone can dive into this versatile hobby.

For recipes and more information, visit Theresa’a blog posts on:

Water Bath Canning 101

Canning Crushed Tomatoes

Making Low-Sugar Jam

You can also find great canning information and recipes at the USDA website and their Complete Guide to Home Canning.

Joe and Theresa plan to discuss several other canning and preserving topics in future podcasts including the basics of pressure canning, freezing and dehydrating. Stay tuned!

This has been a production of The joe gardener® Media Network. If you have a comment, our hotline is open 24/7, or send an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com.

022 GGW – Organic Gardening writer, Fern Marshall Bradley

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:40:20 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

This week Joe Lamp’l fills you in on his latest project, “The Twenty-five Dollar Organic Victory Garden Challenge”and tells you how you can read and SEE what he’s doing all along the way. Plus, and interview with Fern Marshall Bradley, author of Reader’s Digest’s All-New Illustrated Guide to Gardening. At nearly 600 pages, this book is newly revised with all organic information.

Show Notes

Introduction

Well, lately I’ve been involved in a new project that’s kept me so busy, it’s required a temporary deviation from my normal podcasting production schedule. I’m planting a Victory Garden at my house, sufficient to feed my family of four all their vegetable needs for the entire summer. But that’s not the biggest challenge. I only have $25 to do it all! I’ll tell you more about that just ahead.

Next, it’s an interview with Fern Marshall Bradley. She’s the author of Reader’s Digest All-New Illustrated Guide to Gardening. And with this new revision, it’s all-organic! If ever there were a complete guide to organic gardening, this may be it. Here What Fern has to say about it in our conversation just ahead.

If you have a comment our hotline is always open at 206.337.0375, send us an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com…

Intro: Fern Marshall Bradley Segment

I love gardening books and I have a library full of them. One of the best parts about being in my position is having the opportunity to receive and review new gardening books. And although I can make a positive case for just about any new book on my favorite subject, once in a while you come across that special book that you keep coming back to. Well this is one of those. At nearly 600 pages, Reader’s Digest All-New Guide to Gardening hits a home run with me because in this edition, it’s all organic!

Fern Marshall Bradley is the author. She’s a frequent writer and editor whose favorite topics are of course, gardening and sustainable living. A co-author of Reader’s Digest Vegetable Gardening, she also conceived and edited The Organic Gardener’s Handbook of Insect and Disease Control, and The Expert’s Book of Garden Hints, among others. Bradley is also a former gardening books editor for Rodale so it’s no surprise she was tapped to write this latest and most comprehensive guide to organic gardening yet.

I sat down and recorded this conversation recently with Fern to learn more about this book, and why now was revised to be all organic…

Fern Marshall Bradley (not transcribed)

Outro:. Fern Marshall Bradley is the author of several books including her latest; All-New Illustrated Guide to Gardening.

And don’t forget to check out the website, joegardener.com for great content about gardening and sustainability the articles section and while you’re on the homepage, be sure to visit my blog, Compost Confidential. That’s where I share my insiders view on the lessons and news of gardening and living green. And right now, I’m blogging including videos about my Twenty-five Dollar, Organic Victory Garden Challenge. So come see for yourself at joegardener.com/blog or check out the videos on YouTube on our dedicated channel; joegardenerTV

Close
Well, that’s it for today. This show was produced by The joe gardener® Media Network.

You can access the show notes from this episode as well as any previous shows on our website at joegardener.com. You can also order a personally autographed copy of my latest book, The Green Gardener’s Guide. And don’t forget to check out the blog; Compost Confidential.

If you have a comment, our hotline is always open at 206.337.0375 send us an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com. And until next time, consider this Native American Proverb

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children”.

Think about it! And Thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next time for more Growing a Greener World.

021 GGW-Victory Gardens w/ Rose Hayden-Smith

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:55:29 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

Show Notes

Introduction

Well, not since the early forties has there been so much talk about Victory Gardens. But with a downturn in the economy, the responsibility to feed our families healthier, chemical free food, and our desire to live more sustainable lives, growing our own groceries is back in the spotlight. In fact, 7 million more people will have a food garden this year for the first time, raising the new total to 43 million people. That’s a 19% increase over the previous year, according to the National Gardening Association.

Today we’ll talk to one of the foremost authorities on Victory Gardens, Rose Hayden-Smith to learn about their history and more on why they are so popular today, and are they here to stay?

If you have a comment, send an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com… or call our comment hotline at 206.337.0375

Intro: Rose Hayden-Smith

With all the talk lately around Victory Gardens, unless you grew up through the forty’s you may not really be aware of where the term came from, and what it really means. Although widely in use today, the term’s use now is not entirely related to it’s original intended meaning from the era of World War II. So why are food gardens today even referred to with a term of so long ago? Well today, we speak with Rose Hayden-Smith, a nationally recognized authority on the subject to shed some light on the history of Victory Gardens, what made them so popular back in the forties, and why have they suddenly become a household term again and to gain her perspective on all of this…

Rose Hayden-Smith Interview (not transcribed)

Outro: Rose Hayden-Smith is a nationally recognized expert on Victory Gardens. To learn more, you can go to our website, and watch the television episode on Victory Gardens featuring Dr. Rose Hayden-Smith. And remember, if you have a comment about today’s interview or anything at all for that matter, you can send an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com or call our comment hotline at 206.337.0375.

And while you’re on the website, check out all the great content in the articles section and be sure to visit my blog, Compost Confidential. That’s where I share my insiders view on the lessons and news of gardening and living green. And right now, I’m blogging all about my Twenty-five Dollar, Organic Victory Garden Challenge including video, so come see for yourself.

About Rose Hayden-Smith:
Rose Hayden-Smith is an academic with the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, where she serves as Director of Cooperative Extension in Ventura County. Her work focuses on providing gardening and food systems education to youth, educators and community audiences. She has worked with 4-H and Master Gardener programs. A practicing U.S. historian, she is a nationally recognized expert on Victory Gardens, wartime food policies, and school garden programs. She is a 2008-2009 Kellogg Foundation/IATP Food and Society Policy Fellow (FASP). The creator of UC’s Victory Grower website and blog, her work can be found at http://groups.ucanr.org/victorygrower/

Learn more about Victory Gardens, sustainable food systems and gardening by reading her blog: http://ucanr.org/blogs/VictoryGrower_Blog/

Follow Rose on Twitter at http://twitter.com/victorygrower

Close
Well, that’s it for today. This show was produced by The joe gardener® Media Network.

You can access the show notes from this episode as well as any previous shows on our website at joegardener.com. You can also order a copy of my latest book, The Green Gardener’s Guide. I will personally autograph it for you! And don’t forget to check out the blog; Compost Confidential.

Until next time, consider this as seen on a magnet at a store in Florida. It said

“Eat Organic Vegetables! Or, as your Grandma called them: Vegetables.”

Think about it! And Thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next time for more Growing a Greener World.

020 GGW – San Francisco Flower & Garden Show

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:43:33 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

This is a special edition of the podcast. In light of breaking news regarding the possible purchase of the SF Flower Show, Joe Lamp’l sits down with Tim O’Shea, Steering Committee Chair of the newly appointed transition team tapped to lead the SF Flower & Garden Show into a new era. When this interview was conducted on March 20, the show had just announced they had a buyer the day before. In this interview, we go behind the scenes to hear the news and see what’s in store…

Show Notes

Introduction

This is a special edition of the podcast. In light of breaking news regarding the possible purchase of the SF Flower Show, I sat down with Tim O’Shea, Steering Committee Chair of the newly appointed transition team tapped to lead the SF Flower & Garden Show into a new era. When this interview was conducted on March 20, the show had just announced they had a buyer the day before. But already, there was some confusion as to whether this news meant an actual sale or merely a letter of intent. In this interview, we go behind the scenes to hear the news and see what’s in store…

If you have a comment, contact us anytime! Our phone line is always open. The number is 206.337.0375, or email us at heyjoe@joegardener.com…

Interview with Tim O’Shea (not transcribed)

In recent months, a number of popular and established Flower and garden shows have either closed their doors for good, or have downsized greatly, due to a number of reasons. So when news broke recently that the NW and SF Flower Shows were closing, it hit us all pretty hard. If the second and third largest shows in the country were closing, what would be the fate of the smaller shows across America?

Even though you may have never attended the SF Flower & Garden Show, it’s a pretty good bet you’ve heard something great about it. It’s reputation as one of the premier shows in the country draws visitors from all over the world, and keeps loyal attendees coming back year after year. Of all the shows I attend, this is certainly one of my all time favorites. So when founder and owner Duane Kelly announced earlier this year that the show was closing and this would be the last event, fans began to worry if anyone would step up to take it over.

Well, on March 19, word broke that the show did in fact have a new owner. But, was it really a new owner at this point, or was there more to the story? Fortunately, I was heading out the next day to speak at the show, and had a chance to sit down with the new steering committee chairman, Tim O’Shea, for a conversation to get the latest news and clarify exactly where things stood with the purchase.

Outro: Tim O’Shea is a landscape designer and Chairs the steering committee appointed by the potential new buyers of the SFFS. As of today, April third, there are no new developments according to their PR department but according to their website, current owner and Chairman, Duane Kelly anticipates that the flower show will have a new owner by April 30th.

Contact Links:

The San Francisco Flower & Garden Show: http://www.gardenshow.com/sf

Close
Well, that’s it for this special edition of Growing a Greener World. This show was produced by The joe gardener® Media Network.

You can access the show notes from this episode as well as any previous shows on our website at joegardener.com. You can also order a signed copy of my latest book, The Green Gardener’s Guide. And don’t forget to check out the blog; Compost Confidential.

If you have a comment, call us anytime. That number is 206.337.0375 or send an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com.

Thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next week for more Growing a Greener World.

019 GGW – Deer Resistant Landscaping w/ Neil Soderstrom

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:29:28 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

This week Joe Lamp’l takes on the issue of dealing with deer, and other four-legged pests. Joe interviews Neil Soderstrom, author of Deer-Resistant Landscaping and talks with James Messina of Messina Wildlife on the subject of deer repellents. All that and more…

Show Notes
Introduction

Hi everybody, it’s Joe Lamp’l and welcome to Growing a Greener World. Well if you love to garden and spend time outdoors, and really care about environmental stewardship, you’ve come to the right place.

And speaking of places, no matter where I go, there’s one question I get more than any other; people always want to know how to control deer. Clearly it’s a challenging issue and no one has come up with a foolproof solution yet. And until they do, we have experts like today’s guests.

Neil Soderstrom is author of Deer-Resistant Landscaping; Proven advice and strategies for outwitting deer and 20 other pesky mammals. And then we’ll talk to James Messina of Messina Wildlife to learn more about deer repellents and what makes one different from another.

If you have a comment, contact us anytime! Our phone line is always open. The number is 206.337.0375, or email us at heyjoe@joegardener.com…

Intro to Neal Soderstrom:

Neil Soderstrom is the author & photographer of three books and countless magazine articles. He’s also a widely published photographer and the editor of more than 100 books on gardening, wildlife and home do-it-yourself. But it’s his latest book that is creating so much buzz these days! Why? Well it could be because it’s the most comprehensive guide ever published for controlling deer and other pesky mammals. And it’s also the biggest reason why we wanted to talk to Neal today…

Neil Soderstrom Interview (not transcribed)

Outro: Neil Soderstrom is author of three books, including his latest, Deer-Resistant Landscaping; Proven advice adn strategies for outwitting deer and 20 other pesky mammals. And remember, if you have a question about today’s interview or anything at all for that matter, you can call us at 206.337.0375 or send us an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com.

Contact Links:

Neil Soderstrom’s Website

Next, we speak to James Messina, vice president of Messina Wildlife Management. His company manufacturers an organic repellent called Deer Stopper as well as a full line of other organic animal management products. He’s one of my go-to sources for wildlife control issues, having spent the last 10 years developing and working with animal management solutions. But while he’s focused so hard in his business of repelling, he’s managed to develop a knack at attracting attention too. James was named to Inc. Magazine’s first ever list of “30 under 30: America’s Coolest Young Entrepreneurs”.

Interview with James Messina (not transcribed)

James Messina is Vice President of Messina Wildlife Management.
Contact Links: Messina Wildlife: www.messinawildlife.com

Close

Well, that’s it for today. This show was produced by The joe gardener® Media Network.

You can access the show notes from this episode as well as any previous shows on our website here. There you can order a copy of my latest book, The Green Gardener’s Guide. I’ll personally inscribe it for you! And don’t forget to check out the blog; Compost Confidential. That’s where I share my insiders view on the lessons and news of gardening and living green.

If you have a comment, call us anytime. That number is 206.337.0375 or send an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com. And until next time, consider this from ~Ralph Waldo Emerson:

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience”

Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you back here next week for more Growing a Greener World.

018 GGW – The “Bug Lady” Encore, Suzanne Wainwright-Evans

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 01:32:23 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

This week Joe Lamp’l picks right back up where he left off last time the “Bug Lady”, Suzanne Wainwright-Evans was on. Back by popular demand, Suzanne gets on a roll again as she shares her passion and wisdom on great ways for us all to manage insect pests in a more eco-friendly way, and the latest on other amazing information. All that and more…

Show Notes

Introduction

Back by popular demand, it’s another conversation with the “Bug Lady”, Suzanne Wainwright-Evans. You loved what she had to say before and this week, she picks right back up where she left off without missing a beat. As a full time ornamental entomologist, and avid gardener, she loves bringing her work home with her. As you’ll hear, she is a fountain of information and clearly passionate about her work. Even when I asked her what I thought was just a so-so question, Suzanne responded with answers that went well beyond my expectations.

If you have a comment, contact us anytime! Our phone line is always open. The number is 206.337.0375, or email us at heyjoe@joegardener.com…

Intro to Suzanne Wainwright-Evans

Suzanne Wainwright-Evans is a fountain of information when it comes to anything related to the green industry. But it’s no wonder. In addition to being an avid gardener, she’s an industry veteran of over 18 years with degrees in Entomology and Environmental Horticulture. Her specialty in Integrated Pest Management keeps her in high-demand with greenhouse and wholesale growers around the country. She’s the owner of Buglady Consulting and now that spring is just around the corner, I thought we’d check back in with Suzanne to see what she can tell us about how to get a jump on eco-friendly pest control this season and more…

Suzanne Wainwright-Evans Interview (not transcribed)

Suzanne Wainwright-Evans is an Ornamental Entomologist to the green industry and owner of Buglady Consulting. To learn more, you can go to her website at bugladyconsulting.com or visit our website to view the television episode in which she is featured. And remember, if you have a comment about today’s interview or anything at all for that matter, you can call us at 206.337.0375 or send an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com.

Contact Links:
Buglady Consulting: www.bugladyconsulting.com

Close

Well, that’s it for today. This show was produced by The joe gardener® Media Network.

You can access the show notes from this episode as well as any previous shows on our website here. And while you’re on the website, check out all the great content in the articles section and be sure to visit my blog, Compost Confidential. That’s where I share my insiders view on the lessons and news of gardening and living green.You can also order a signed copy of my latest book, The Green Gardener’s Guide.

Until next time, consider this from Charles A. Lindbergh:

“In wilderness I sense the miracle of life, and behind it our scientific accomplishments fade to trivia”.

Think about it! And thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next week for more Growing a Greener World.

017 GGW – Nat’l Gardening Assoc. Interview w/ Bruce Butterfield

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:55:59 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

This week Joe Lamp’l interviews National Gardening Association’s Market Research Director, Bruce Butterfield. The NGA recently released the findings of their latest survey, entitled The Impact of Home & Community Gardening in America. The findings support a huge rise in home vegetable and food gardeners this year to new record levels. And what’s going on with the organic and sustainable gardening trend? All that and more…

Show Notes

Introduction

Hi everybody, it’s Joe Lamp’l and welcome to Growing a Greener World. This is a show for people who love to garden and spend time outdoors, and who really care about environmental stewardship.

Well, unless you live in a cave somewhere, you can’t help but notice the buzz around the popularity of growing your own food these days. With concerns over the economy, health risks of chemicals, and the desire live more sustainably, it only makes sense. So this week, it’s an interview with Bruce Butterfield, Market Research Director for the National Gardening Association. He shares the results of their new survey, revealing some amazing increases in the growth of home food gardening, and talks about other trends including a new interest in community gardening, organics and sustainable gardening practices.

If you have a comment, contact us anytime! Our phone line is always open. The number is 206.337.0375, or email us at heyjoe@joegardener.com…

Intro to Bruce Butterfield
Bruce Butterfield has been the Market Research Director at the National Gardening Association for more than 25 years and is a well-known and respected name in the gardening industry. His years of experience in the field give him a unique understanding of who gardeners are, what they need and want, why they buy the products they do. He knows how gardening trends have changed in the past, and where they’re headed in the future. He authors NGA’s annual National Gardening Survey, the most comprehensive report on consumer gardening practices, trends, and product sales. Each year Bruce also conducts a number of proprietary research studies for companies in the lawn and garden business on an exclusive and confidential basis to help with their business development. Bruce joins us today to talk about what’s hot right now as it relates to gardening…

Bruce Butterfield Interview (not transcribed)

Outro: And remember, if you have a comment about today’s interview or anything at all for that matter, you can call us at 206.337.0375 or send us an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com.

Contact Links:
National Gardening Association: www.garden.org

Close
Well, that’s it for today. This show was produced by The joe gardener Media Network.

If you have a comment, call us anytime. That number is 206.337.0375 or send us an email at heyjoe@joegardener.com. And until next time, consider this from Changing Times magazine ~~

“In an underdeveloped country, don’t drink the water; in a developed country, don’t breathe the air”. ~

Think about it! And thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next week for more Growing a Greener World.

016 GGW – Safelawns Founder, Paul Tukey

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 01:05:33 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

This week Joe Lamp’l interviews Paul Tukey, author of The Organic Lawn Care Manual, Founder of Safelawns.org and the American Horticulture Society’s Communicator of the year in 2006. He’s also host of HGTV’s People, Places & Plants. Paul shares some very interesting news and fills us in on his busy life campaigning for safer, more eco-friendly lawns, gardens and landscapes. All that and more…

Show Notes

Introduction

Hi everybody, it’s Joe Lamp’l and welcome to Growing a Greener World. This is a show for people who love to garden and spend time outdoors, and who really care about environmental stewardship.

This week, it’s an interview with environmental steward extraordinaire, Paul Tukey, author of The Organic Lawn Care Manual, Founder of Safelawns.org and the American Horticulture Society’s Communicator of the year in 2006. He’s also host of HGTV’s People, Places & Plants. Paul shares some very interesting news and fills us in on his busy life campaigning for safer, more eco-friendly lawns, gardens and landscapes.

Intro to Paul Tukey

Today we talk to Paul Tukey. He’s the HGTV host of People, Places & Plants, The American Horticulture Society’s 2006 Communicator of the Year, Founder of Safelawns.org and author of the Organic Lawn Care Manual. And that only scratches the surface. He put an organic lawn on the Great Mall in Washington, D.C and he’s wrapping up completion of a major film about one town in Canada’s crusade to ban lawn and garden chemicals that is now sweeping through the country. I caught up with Paul between meetings to talk about a few of these things and more.

Contact Links:
Paul J. Tukey, www.PaulTukey.com
HGTV Co-Host & Executive Producer Publisher, People, Places & Plants magazine
Named 2006 COMMUNICATOR OF THE YEAR by the American Horticultural Society
Author, The Organic Lawn Care Manual, Storey Publishing ISBN 1-58017-649-6
National Spokesperson, www.safelawns.org

Paul Tukey Interview (not transcribed)

And remember, if you have a comment about today’s interview or anything at all for that matter, you can call us at 206.337.0375 or send an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com.

Close
Well, that’s it for today. This show was produced by The joe gardener Media Network.

You can access the show notes from this episode as well as any previous shows on our website here. You can also order a signed copy of my latest book, The Green Gardener’s Guide. And don’t forget to check out the blog; Compost Confidential. That’s where I share my insiders view on the lessons and news of gardening and living green.

If you have a comment, call us anytime. That number is 206.337.0375 or send us an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com. And until next time, consider this from me: ~~

If you work hard at creating healthy, organically enriched soil, and put the right plant in the right place, you’ll eliminate 95% of your garden and landscape maintenance problems.

Think about it! And Thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next week for more Growing a Greener World.

015 GGW – Tracy DiSabato-Aust, best-selling author…

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 01:57:07 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

This week Joe Lamp’l interviews award-winning and best-selling author Tracy DiSabato-Aust to discuss her brand new book, 50 High-Impact, Low-Care Garden Plants. Find out what are the criteria that makes each of these plants pass “Tracy’s test of toughness”. She’s also a popular garden designer and international presenter on perennial gardening, design and sustainability. They also talk about her previous best selling books and more…

Show Notes

Introduction

Hi everybody, it’s Joe Lamp’l and welcome to Growing a Greener World. This is a show for people who love to garden and spend time outdoors, and who really care about environmental stewardship.

This week, its an interview with Tracy DiSabato-Aust. Along with her many horticultural talents, as an author, she holds claim to one of the most popular gardening books ever written, entitled The Well Tended Perennial Garden. Its widely considered as the bible of perennial maintenance. She’s a veteran and in-demand garden designer, writer and international presenter and award winning triathlete. With so much we could talk about, today we’ll focus on her third and newest book, 50 High-Impact, Low-Care Garden Plants.
If you have a comment, contact us anytime! Our phone line is always open. The number is 206.337.0375, or email us at heyjoe@joegardener.com…

Intro to Tracy DiSabato-Aust

Tracy DiSabato-Aust has earned international acclaim as one of America’s most entertaining and knowledgeable garden writers, professional speakers and designers. She is the best-selling author of The Well-Tended Perennial Garden and The Well-Designed Mixed Garden. She’s also a world-class triathlete. Her extensive background in horticulture and in working with perennials, combined with her high standards for toughness, makes her the perfect candidate to write this latest book; 50 High-Impact, Low-Care Garden Plants.

Tracy DiSabato-Aust Interview (not transcribed)

Tracy DiSabato-Aust is a best-selling author and her newest book is 50 High-Impact, Low-Care Plants. To learn more, you can go to her website at tracylive.com or visit our website, at joegardener.com/podcast for this episode, 015. And remember, if you have a question about today’s interview or anything at all for that matter, you can call us at 206.202.2303 or send us an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com.

Contact Links:
Tracy DiSabato-Aust: www.tracylive.com
The Well Tended Perennial Garden
The Well Designed Mixed Garden
50 High-Impact, Low-Care Plants

Close
Well, that’s it for today. This show was produced by the joegardener media network.

You can access the show notes from this episode as well as any previous shows on our website at joegardener.com/podcast. You can also order a signed copy of my latest book, The Green Gardeners Guide. And don’t forget to check out the blog; Compost Confidential.

If you have a question or comment, call us anytime. That number is 206.202.2303 or send us an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com. And until next time, consider this from: ~~John Muir

“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world”

Think about it! And Thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next week for more Growing a Greener World.

014 GGW – “Buglady” Wisdom from Suzanne Wainwright-Evans

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 12:33:05 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

This week Joe Lamp’l interviews Ornamental Entomologist Suzanne Wainwright-Evans. Fasten your seatbelts because this show is loaded with information. Suzanne talks about the best way to attract beneficial insects, discusses the truth about buying beneficials, the good and bad of root nematodes and how to deal with Japanese beetles, and the latest in alternatives to plastic pots…

Show Notes

Introduction

Hi everybody, it’s Joe Lamp’l and welcome to Growing a Greener World. This is a show for people who love to garden and spend time outdoors, and who really care about environmental stewardship.

This week, its an interview with Suzanne Wainwright-Evans. Although she may not be a household name to home gardeners, she’s a superstar and in huge demand as a consultant to the horticulture and nursery industry. Her title is Ornamental Entomologist but just for today; simply think of her as a walking encyclopedia of great sustainable gardening information. I only recently met Suzanne but I was so impressed, I immediately invited her on the show. Today we finally catch up for an interesting conversation.

If you have a comment, contact us anytime! Our phone line is always open. The number is 206.337.0375, or email us at heyjoe@joegardener.com…

Intro to Suzanne Wainwright-Evans

Suzanne Wainwright-Evans might be one of the first people I’ve met in the green industry with a busier road schedule than me! But it’s no surprise. She’s an industry veteran of over 18 years with degrees in Entomology and Environmental Horticulture. But it’s her unique skills as an Ornamental Entomologist, specializing in Integrated Pest Management that keeps her in high-demand within the green industry. She’s the owner of Buglady Consulting and when she’s not looking for insects in a greenhouse or nursery, chances are she’s writing for trade magazines or lecturing professionally to industry groups, which is where I fist met her and had the pleasure of seeing this impressive presenter in action. Two months later, we finally caught up to speak…

Suzanne Wainwright-Evans Interview (not transcribed)

Suzanne Wainwright-Evans is an Ornamental Entomologist to the green industry and owner of Buglady Consulting. To learn more, you can go to her website at bugladyconsulting.com or visit our website and watch the television episode where we feature her. And remember, if you have a comment about today’s interview or anything at all for that matter, you can call us at 206.337.0375 or send an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com.

Contact Links:
Buglady Consulting: www.bugladyconsulting.com

Close
Well, that’s it for today. This show was produced by the joegardener media network.

You can access the show notes from this episode as well as any previous shows on our website. You can also order a copy of my latest book, The Green Gardener’s Guide. And don’t forget to check out the blog; Compost Confidential. That’s where I share my insider’s view on the lessons and news of gardening and living green.

If you have a question or comment, call us anytime. That number is 206.337.0375 or send an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com. And until next time consider this from ~William Ruckelshaus, (Business Week, 18 June 1990)

~ Nature provides a free lunch, but only if we control our appetites.

Think about it! And Thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next week for more Growing a Greener World.

013 GGW – NW & SF Flower Show Founder, Duane Kelly

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 01:18:30 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

This week Joe Lamp’l interviews Duane Kelly, who along with his wife, Alice, founded and has managed the Northwest and San Francisco Flower & Garden Shows for the past 21 years. Although these shows are the second and third largest shows of their kind in the country, declining traffic and tough economic times have taken their toll and hastened Duane’s decision to try and find a buyer. Listen to this interesting and thought-provoking interview and hear Duane’s insightful comments on the future of flower & garden shows, and of gardening in general.

Show Notes

Introduction

Hi everybody, it’s Joe Lamp’l and welcome to Growing a Greener World. This is a show for people who love to garden and spend time outdoors, and who really care about environmental stewardship.

The biggest news to hit anyone that’s a fan of flower and garden shows is the shocking announcement last week–that the highly regarded NW & SF Flower & Garden Shows would be closing their doors after a stellar 21 year run. Owner and founder Duane Kelly is calling it quits, partly because he’s tired, yet exacerbated by declining attendance and difficult economic times. I speak with Duane today to learn more about what’s behind the shows closing and hear his thoughts on the future of gardening.

If you have a comment, contact us anytime! Our phone line is always open. The number is 206.337.0375, or email us at heyjoe@joegardener.com…

Intro to Duane Kelly

For more than two decades the Northwest and San Francisco Flower & Garden Shows have inspired millions of individuals and families to embrace gardening with their dramatic display gardens and extensive seminar programs. In 2009, these events will make one last spectacular run before closing their doors forever.

I can honestly say, having spoken at all the major and most of the other popular flower and garden shows, the NW & SF shows are still my favorite. So, I was just as shocked and saddened as anyone by the unexpected news. It’s no surprise that the gardening and horticultural world are facing their share of cutbacks, from television shows to magazine, newspaper and radio coverage and even nursery closures. And although other flower shows have made announcements in recent weeks of their folding, the iconic and well-loved NW & SF shows, the second and third largest in the country, sent a chilling message to many and raised even more questions of what’s behind all of this?

Duane Kelly and his wife Alice, founded the shows over 21 years ago, and are actively involved in the operations and management to this day. I caught up with Duane shortly after the news broke to hear more on the story from the man behind it all…

Duane Kelly Interview (not transcribed)

And remember, if you have a comment about today’s interview or anything at all for that matter, you can call us at 206.337.0375 or send an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com.

Contact Links:
Northwest & San Francisco Flower & Garden Shows: www.gardenshow.com

Close
This show was produced by The joe gardener® Media Network.

You can access the show notes from this episode as well as any previous shows on our website at joegardener.com/podcast. You can also order a copy of my latest book, The Green Gardener’s Guide. I’ll personally inscribe it for you! And don’t forget to check out the blog; Compost Confidential. That’s where I share my insider’s view on the lessons and news of gardening and living green.

Until next time consider this from

~Thomas Fuller, in 1732

We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.

Think about it! And Thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next week for more Growing a Greener World.

012 GGW – Horticultural Waste & Mo. Bot. Garden’s Dr. Steven Cline

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:56:04 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

This week Joe Lamp’l interviews Dr. Steven Cline, the person credited with founding and managing the largest and most successful plastic pot recycling program in the country, found at the Missouri Botanical Garden. He clearly understands the challenges to starting a successful program and the barriers to even great opportunity. In this most interesting interview, learn what you can do to keep all those pots out of the landfill.

Show Notes

Introduction

Hi everybody, it’s Joe Lamp’l and welcome to Growing a Greener World. This is a show for people who love to garden and spend time outdoors, and who really care about environmental stewardship.

Of all the hits I get to my website and blog, one of the most popular search terms by far is plastic pot recycling. And for good reason. With the millions of pots and containers out there, people are looking for an eco-friendly way to dispose of or recycle them. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. This week, we get to the bottom of that by interviewing with Dr. Steven Cline. He founded and oversees the nations largest and most successful plastic pot-recycling program at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

If you have a comment, contact us anytime! Our phone line is always open. The number is 206.337.0375, or email us at heyjoe@joegardener.com…

Intro to Dr. Steven Cline
As gardeners and weekend warriors, we do so much to beautify our lawns and landscapes. But in the process of planting, pruning and ongoing maintenance, we generate a great deal of waste. Sadly, much of that ends up in the landfill.

Take for example the millions of plastic pots we discard each year. Unfortunately, options for what we do when them once they’re empty are limited. Unlike yard debris, you can’t compost plastic pots and relative few are recycled. So even the best intentioned, environmentally conscience steward is given few options when it comes to responsible disposal.

According to the EPA, of the nearly 27 million tons of plastic generated in the United States in 2003, less than 4% of it was recycled—and very little of that was garden-related.

Yet in the midst of this less than encouraging news, positive things are happening. In 2008 the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Plastic Pot Recycling program recycled over 150,000 pounds of horticultural plastic originally destined for landfills. With the cooperation of concerned citizens and local garden center drop-off sites, it was their most ambitious and successful endeavor yet.

The ‘MOBOT’ recycling program was started in 1997, thanks to a plethora of pots piling up in Dr. Steven Cline’s garage, the program’s founder and Manager of the William T. Kemper Center for Home Gardening. Since then, the program has collected and prevented over 300 tons of horticultural waste from going into landfills. The Garden’s successful program in St. Louis is the most extensive public garden-recycling program in the United States.

Dr. Steve Cline is on the line now to tell us more about the program:

Steve Cline Interview (not transcribed)

Outro: Dr. Steven Cline is founder of the program and manages the Kemper Center for Home Gardening at the Missouri Botanical Garden. To learn more, you can watch the episode where we visit MOBOT. And remember, if you have a comment about today’s interview or anything at all for that matter, you can call us at 206.337.0375 or send an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com.

Contact Links from interview:

Missouri Botanical Garden: www.mobot.org
Specific page on the recycling program here.

Close

Well, that’s it for today. This show was produced by The joe gardener® Media Network

You can access the show notes from this episode as well as any previous shows on our website here. You can also order a copy of my latest book, The Green Gardener’s Guide and I will personally inscribe it for you! And don’t forget to check out the blog; Compost Confidential, that’s where I share my insiders view on the lessons and news of gardening and living green.

Until next time consider this from
~Mohandas K. Gandhi

There is a sufficiency in the world for man’s need but not for man’s greed

Think about it!
Thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next week for more Growing a Greener World.

011 GGW – Kitchen Gardener’s Int’l Founder, Roger Doiron

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:46:44 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

This week Joe interviews Roger Doiron, recent Grand Prize winner of the OnDayOne.org’s contest. Citizens were encouraged to submit their ideas to set a positive global agenda for President Obama. Roger’s idea, entitled Eat the View was to grow a large organic Victory Garden on the White House Lawn. He’s also the Founder of Kitchen Gardener’s International, a nonprofit network of 10,000 gardeners from 100 countries who are inspiring and teaching more people to grow some of their own food.

Show Notes

Introduction

Hi everybody, it’s Joe Lamp’l and Welcome to Growing a Greener World. This is a show for people who love to garden and spend time outdoors, and who really care about environmental stewardship.

Our show is supported by Espoma… makers of quality natural gardening solutions since 1929. Learn more at espoma. com.

Well, if you’re into gardening, organics, politics or simply scan the papers or web, chances are you’ve been hearing a lot lately about a campaign to put an organic Victory Garden back on the White House Lawn. That idea, entitled “Eat the View” was the brainchild of Roger Doiron. Just recently, that idea won the grand prize in a worldwide contest. We’ll speak with Roger about that and learn more about another campaign he founded, Kitchen Gardeners International.

If you have a comment, contact us anytime! Our phone line is always open. The number is 206.335.0375, or email us at heyjoe@joegardener.com…

Intro to Roger Doiron

Roger Doiron is one busy guy, especially lately. In his day job, he’s a free lance writer and public speaker, specializing in gardening and sustainable food systems. He’s widely published and his work has been featured in The NY Times, the Washington Post and the International Herald Tribune. He’s also the founder and Director of Kitchen Gardeners International and a year ago, his idea to put an organic food garden back on the White House Lawn, not only garnered him international attention, but the grand prize for his “Eat the View” idea from the OnDayOne.org contest that will soon be presented to the Obama administration.

Roger Doiron Interview (not transcribed)

To learn more about Roger and his organizations, you can go to his websites, kitchengardeners.org or eattheview.org.

Contact Links from interview:

Kitchen Gardeners International: www.kitchengardeners.org
Eat the View: www.eattheview.org
OnDay1: www.ondayone.org

Close
This show was produced by The joe gardener Media Network with support by The Espoma Company… makers of quality natural gardening solutions since 1929. Learn more at espoma.com.

If you have a comment, call us anytime. That number is 206.337.0375 or send an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com. Until next time consider this from -Margaret Mead, (1901 – 1978) US anthropologist

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next week for more Growing a Greener World.

010 GGW – Territorial Seed Company: What makes one seed company different from another?

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 21:34:13 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

In this episode, Joe Lamp’l interviews Territorial Seed Company’s Josh Kirshenbaum to find out what makes one seed company different from another. We find out that all seeds are not created equal. Next Joe talks to Barbara Pleasant. She’s an author of many books and Contributing Editor of Mother Earth News. In a recent survey of their readers, we find that the most popular food crops to grow are not necessarily the ones you might think.

GGW010 Show Notes

Introduction
Hi everybody, it’s Joe Lamp’l and welcome to Growing a Greener World. This is a show for people who love to garden and spend time outdoors, and who really care about environmental stewardship.

Chances are, you have at least a couple of seed catalogs within reach. But what’s the difference from one company to the next. After all, a seed is a seed, right? Today, Territorial Seed Company’s Josh Krischenbaum clears up a few questions about what makes a company unique.

We’ll also talk to Barbara Pleasant. She’s the author of many garden related books but one of her greatest loves is her work as Contributing Editor with Mother Earth News. Today, Barbara gives us a peak at some interesting findings from their survey on the most popular food crops for the home vegetable garden. And the results are not what you think!

If you have a comment, contact us anytime! Our phone line is always open. The number is 206.337.0375, or email us at heyjoe@joegardener.com…

Intro to Josh Kirschenbaum interview:
Well I don’t know about your house, but I certainly get MY fair share of seed catalogs after the holidays. I love everyone and have a hard time parting with them…ever! But honestly, with so many companies, what makes one different from the other? Today we’ll speak with Josh Krischenbaum, he’s Product Development Director at Territorial Seed Company. Now this is a guy who wears a lot of company hats. Some of his responsibilities include coordinating their yearly trials, helping to choose new varieties to offer in their catalog, and he’s also am the buyer for all of the green goods that Territorial Sells. In the midst of all those duties, somehow we managed to carve out a little time during this very busy season.

Josh Kirschenbaum interview (not transcribed)

Contact Territorial Seed Company at www.territorialseed.com

Interview with Barbara Pleasant
Barbara Pleasant is an author of many books and contributing editor of Mother Earth News for the past six years. Today we interview Barbara to learn about an interesting survey where their readers respond. They set out to learn what are really the most beloved food crops to grow in the home vegetable garden. The findings are not quite what you think.

Barbara’s inteview (not transcribed)

To learn more about Barbara Pleasant and her work and books, check her website at www.barbarapleasant.com

Close
Well, that’s it for today. This show was produced by The joe gardener Media Network.

You can access the show notes from this episode as well as any previous shows on our website here. You can also order a signed copy of my latest book, The Green Gardener’s Guide. And don’t forget to check out the blog; Compost Confidential.That’s where I share my insiders view on the lessons and news of gardening and living green.

If you have a comment, call us anytime. That number is 206.337.0375 or send us an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com. And until next time consider this from Thomas Jefferson:

“No occupation is so delightful to me as the cultivation of the earth…I am still devoted to the garden”

Thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next week for more Growing a Greener World.

009 GGW – The Truth About Organic Gardening w/ Jeff Gillman

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 14:33:08 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

In this episode, Joe interviews Jeff Gillman, author of The Truth About Organic Gardening; Benefits, Drawbacks and the Bottom Line. This is an eye-opening interview that even discloses some bad characters in organic gardening practices.

GGW009 Show Notes

Well today we visit with Jeff Gillman, He’s the author of two books including his latest, The Truth About Organic Gardening; Benefits, Drawbacks and the Bottom Line. With so much information available on any given subject, especially when it comes to organic gardening, it can easily become confusing on who and what to believe. Well, consider Jeff the kind of guy you want by your side. With years of practical and academic experience, Dr. Gillman has the courage and academic firepower to shoot down false claims and tell it like it is in practical, easy to understand ways. Today we’ll devote our entire show to this eye-opening conversation with Jeff.

If you have a comment, contact us anytime! Our phone line is always open. The number is 206.337.0375 or email us at heyjoe@joegardener.com…

Jeff Gillman Intro:

Jeff Gillman is one of the most “Tell it like it is” voices in gardening and horticulture today. He earned his Master’s degree in entomology and his doctorate in horticulture from the University of Georgia. Now, he’s an assistant professor in the department of Horticultural Science at the University of Minnesota.

Jeff’s the author of many publications on subjects that range from how plant hairs affect mites, using soluble silicon to combat plant diseases and how to control deer. He’s also the author of two popular books; The Truth about Garden Remedies; What works, What Doesn’t and Why and his latest book, and the one we’ll talk about today: The truth about Organic Gardening: Benefits, Drawbacks and the Bottom Line.

Now if you’re a huge fan of organic gardening (as I am) some of the things you’re about to hear in this interview may come as a surprise, but in Jeff’s characteristic style, he tells it like it is. As you listen to this conversation, see if you can hear the underlying message throughout our discussion. Even with organic gardening, as Jeff’s about to explain, it’s not as black and white as you might think. Moreover, what I heard from Jeff was the importance of looking at the issue of sustainability over the absolutes of one method over the other. And as you’re about to find out, he didn’t waste anytime, getting to the bottom line:

Jeff Gillman interview (not transcribed)

Close
Well, that’s it for today. This show was produced by The joe gardener® Media Network.
You can access the show notes from this episode as well as any previous shows on our website at joegardener.com. You can also order a personalized copy of my latest book, The Green Gardener’s Guide. And don’t forget to check out the blog; Compost Confidential.

If you’d like to leave a comment, we’d really like to hear from you. Call us anytime. The number is 206.337.0375 or send an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com. And until next time consider this from. ~W.E. Johns,

One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides

Thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next week for more Growing a Greener World.

008 GGW – Garden Rant’s Susan Harris & Seed Catalogs

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 12:00:23 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

In this episode, Joe shares his insights into the many virtues of seed catalogs. They’re all showing up in your mailbox now, so what to do with them? Next, Joe interviews Susan Harris of the wildly popular gardening blog, Garden Rant to find out what makes this blog such a hit with so many devoted fans.

Show introduction

Well, the holidays are behind us now and it’s time to think about gardening again. No doubt, your mailbox has been flooded recently with the latest seed catalogs. Today we talk about some of the many virtues of those catalogs and why buying from them can be good for you, and your garden.

Next, if you spend anytime online, chances are you’ve read a garden blog or two. Today, we’ll interview Susan Harris. She’s one of the four contributors to the wildly popular blog, Garden Rant. With daily posts, and no fear of telling it like it is, Garden Rant is a must-read for thousands of fans every day.

If you have a question or comment, contact us anytime! Our phone line is always open. The number is 206.337.0375 or email us at heyjoe@joegardener.com…

Seed Catalogs Offer More than just a Winter Diversion

I am always amazed (and thankful) by how consistent the seed companies are in sending their catalogs out at just the right time. Like clockwork, they all show up during that week between Christmas and New Years. Not only are these works of art a good diversion for our minds, it’s the perfect time to plan our spring and summer gardens.

Now once you get beyond the entertainment value of the alluring photographs and beautiful artwork, there really is plenty of useful information for beginners and experts alike. And with all the new interest in growing your own food, as I suspected, this round of incoming catalogs places a large emphasis on useful information and great seed choices for the home vegetable garden.

So here’s my list of reasons why I like seed catalogs so much:

Practical advice: If you’re starting a garden for the first time, catalogs can be a great source of information for what seeds to choose for proven performance and easy-to-grow varieties. Although you may not get the results exactly as they appear in the pictures, trust the suggestions offered for a successful growing season.

New varieties: If you’re a seasoned gardener or a veteran catalog shopper, there’s a good chance you’re looking for the newest varieties. Catalog companies often showcase their latest additions either on the cover or in prominent locations within the pages. Seed sellers and gardeners alike are always on the lookout for something new, such as plants that exhibit a more compact form. Other high-demand introductions include flowers with improved colors or vegetables that exhibit superior flavor, growth habit, hardiness or greater pest and disease resistance. You get the idea but you won’t find that kind of information on the rack at your garden center.

Better selection: Catalogs offer vastly superior selections of seed varieties from which to choose. Although I shop and purchase as much as possible from local garden centers and nurseries, they usually stock only the most popular choices for their growing region. That’s understandable since shelf space is finite and there’s only so much of it that can be devoted to selling seeds. Consequently, fewer choices are available when shopping in person.

In contrast, catalog seed companies distinguish themselves partly by offering what you can’t get locally. Park Seed Company and Burpee are two of the best known for their wide variety.

Specialty seeds: Other companies have carved out a special niche rather than attempting to offer it all. They may focus on a narrow category such as tomatoes, herbs or succulents. Other companies offer only certified organic seeds such as Seeds of Change while others may offer only heirlooms. The best know company for this is Seed Savers Exchange.

Territorial Seed Company is another of my favorites. In addition to offering quality seeds, they, manage about 125 acres of certified organic farmland for researching new products and growing their own seed for sale to the public.

Convenience: Catalogs (and their websites) offer the most convenient way to shop. There’s been a great debate going on between which method do gardeners prefer: shopping from catalogs or strictly online. It seems that in many cases, it’s not an either or. People like having the physical catalog but enjoy the convenience of online ordering.

Expert Advice: Quality catalog companies have knowledgeable staff that can answer your questions and provide advice. Many seeds that are available for sale have been trialed in their test gardens for several seasons before being offered. They speak from personal experience and keep detailed information.

Be Realistic
As much as I enjoy the catalog experience, there are some caveats that you should know about to make your experience the best it can be. Next week I’ll cover a few of the most common mistakes and provide some tips on how to shop wisely. In the mean time, gather up those catalogs, get acquainted and dream about your best garden yet.

Check out this article plus the companion article, The Do’s and Don’ts of Buying from Seed Catalogs.

Interview with Susan Harris of Garden Rant & Sustainable Gardening Blog

Well, just in case you don’t know what a blog is, think of it as an online journal, by one or more authors, with new entries to it on a regular or semi-regular basis and where readers are often encouraged to post comments. For any subject you can name, there are likely hundreds of blogs on it, especially for popular subjects such as gardening. In a category where new blogs pop up faster than weeds, one gardening blog stands out like a giant redwood in a forest full of scrub pines.

Garden Rant is the team blog of four contributors: Elizabeth Licata, Michele Owens, Amy Stewart and Susan Harris. Today we talk to Susan about Garden Rant, blogging and what it takes to stand out from all the others. She’s a garden coach, writes for the DC Urban Gardener website and News Blog, posts weekly articles on Organic Gardener and manages her own project: Sustainable Gardening Blog.com and website, sustainable-gardening.com

Interview with Susan (not transcribed)

Close
This show was produced by The joe gardener Media Network. You can access the show notes from this episode as well as any previous shows on our website here. You can also order a personally inscribed copy of my latest book, The Green Gardener’s Guide. And don’t forget to check out my blog; Compost Confidential.

If you have a comment, call us anytime. That number is 206.337.0375 or send us an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com.

Until next time consider this from Orson Scott Card

Unemployment is capitalism’s way of getting you to plant a garden. ~

Thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next week for more Growing a Greener World.

(Be sure to catch bonus blooper after close…)

007 GGW – Professional garden photographers: Alan Detrick & Joe De Sciose

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 17:32:26 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

This week, Joe interviews professional photographers Alan Detrick on the release of his new book, Macro Photography for Gardeners and Nature Lovers and former Senior Staff Photographer for Southern Living Magazine, Joe De Sciose shares his views on how media looks at gardening. Both share why they think photography plays and important role in communicating the importance of gardening.

Show Notes, Episode 007

Well you don’t have to know anything about photography to appreciate the value of a great photo. Today we’ll talk with two of the best professional garden and nature photographers in the business. Alan Detrick is up first, to talk about his brand new book on macro photography, and to reassure us all that we don’t need an expensive camera to take great pictures.

Next, we’ll talk with former Southern Living Magazine Senior Staff Photographer Joe De Sciose. Joe’s recent lay off is becoming more common these days in businesses related to gardening and we’ll talk to Joe about that and more. We’ll also answer a listener’s question about alternatives to poinsettias for Christmas. If you have a question or comment, contact us anytime! Our phone line is always open. The number is 206.337.0375, or email us at heyjoe@joegardener.com…

Alan Detrick
Ask any avid gardener and chances are, they either love taking pictures too, or they at least have a deep appreciation for the beautiful images of a quality photograph. Today we talk about gardening with two world-class garden photographers. In a moment, we’ll meet with former Southern Living senior staff Photographer Joe De Scoise. With each edition, it’s estimated that 15 million people read the articles and view his images of beautiful gardens and special places.

But first we’ll talk with Alan Detrick. Alan is a professional photographer, whose 10,000 plus images of nature and gardens appear in media worldwide. He’s lectured and conducted photography workshops at some of the most prestigious locations in America. And in 2005, the Garden Writers Association named him a Fellow. And, he’s the author of a brand new book entitled; Macro Photography for Gardeners and Nature Lovers; The Essential Guide to Digital Techniques. I met up with Alan to discuss his new book and to get his unique insights into how photography provides such an important link to connecting people with gardening and nature. And that’s where we started our discussion…

Interview (not transcribed)

Alan Detrick is the author of Macro Photography for Gardeners and Nature Lovers and you can learn more about Alan and his work at alandetrick.com. And we have more information about Alan and his book, in the show notes. You can find that by visiting our website here.

New book: Macro Photography for Gardeners and Nature Lovers; The Essential Guide to Digital Techniques: Timber Press, Inc, 2008. $24.95
Website for Alan: www.alandetrick.com

About Alan Detrick:
Professional photographer and stock agency owner with wife Linda.
Over 10000 images published worldwide.
Lectured and taught photography workshops for American Horticultural Society, Garden Writers Association, Garden Club of America, Brookside Gardens, Chanticleer Gardens, Longwood Gardens, Mohonk Mountain House and New York Botanical Gardens among others.
Honored as Fellows of The Garden Writers Association.
Represented internationally by four stock agencies.

Joe De Scoise
Our next guest is Joe De Scoise. Until being caught up in a recent wave of layoffs at Southern Living Magazine, Joe was a Senior Staff Photographer using much of that time to focus his camera on gardens around the country. But like so many people lately, both within gardening and the media that covers it, Joe recently found himself without a job. We talked about that and why gardening in general, seems to be getting less coverage than ever across all forms of traditional media.

Interview (not transcribed)

Joe De Scoise is currently keeping busy as a freelance photographer in the Birmingham. Alabama area. You can reach Joe and see some of his incredible images by visiting his website at www.findinglight.com.
Website for Joe: www.findinglight.com and we have a link for Joe’s pictures of Maria’s Retreat in the show notes for this episode.

About Joe De Scoise:
From 2003 to 2008 I was a senior photographer at Southern Living Magazine shooting assignments for travel, features and gardens. I was responsible for producing high quality photography for a wide range of editorial subject matter. I am adept at fleshing out and interpreting the assignment requests from editors and producing photographic imagery that illustrates and supports the purpose of an article or story.

In addition to being extensively published in Southern Living my images have been seen worldwide in a variety of print and electronic media for editorial and advertising purposes. A photograph from my marching band series was published in the The New York Times Magazine Sunday, August 13th, 2000 in the “What They Were Thinking” photography feature. My photographs have appeared in several Storey Publishing gardening books and many Conde Nast, Hearst and Meredith magazines and books as well as in print media for the New York Botanical Garden and The Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

I was also the sole photographer for two recent books:
Garden Guide: New York City (The Little Bookroom, 2002)

The Flower Gardener’s Bible (Storey Books, 2003) Winner of the 2004 Garden Globe Award for Best Photography for a garden book by the Garden Writers Association .

Prior to moving to Alabama in 2003 I lived in New York City for 22 years where I worked in various aspects of the graphic arts industry as an account executive and as an independent contract photographer. I grew up in Denver, Colorado, surrounded by Life and Look magazines and hundreds of photography books and cameras. I am a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in history. I live and garden in Birmingham with my wife Gail.

Question from Kelley in SC: My roommate is allergic to poinsettias. What plant can we use as a great alternative?

Joe says: Great question Kelley and just in time for the holidays. Melanie Dabovich from the Associated Press recently submitted an article on this very subject. Ornamental Chile plants, with their vibrant colors and spicy edible peppers, are turning up the heat on traditional holiday plants in greenhouses and on nursery shelves all around the county.

Paul Bosland, professor of horticulture and director of the Chile Pepper Institute at New Mexico State University, breeds ornamental chilies with holiday-specific colors, including peppers that turn from orange to purple to black for Halloween, yellow to orange for Thanksgiving, and a red to white variety for Valentine’s Day.

Giving chile as a Christmas plant dates back to the 1800s because (the peppers) would have the red and green colors. The plants can be used in the same manner as traditional indoor holiday plants, either placed around the house or as a table centerpiece. After the holiday season, they can be planted outdoors in the spring.

So there you go Kelley. As long as your roommate isn’t allergic to ornamental pepper plants too, it’s the perfect solution. You can find a link to this entire article on the show notes. Just go to joegardener.com/podcast

Close
Well, that’s it for today. This show was produced by The joe gardener® Media Network. You can access the show notes from this episode as well as any previous shows on our website. You can also order a personally inscribed copy of my latest book, The Green Gardener’s Guide. And don’t forget to check out the blog; Compost Confidential. If you have a question or comment, call us anytime. That number is 206.337.0375 or send us an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com.

And until next time, consider this from Thomas Fuller: “Many things grow in the garden that were never sown there”.

Thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next week for more Growing a Greener World.

006 GGW – Real Christmas Trees vs. Artificial

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:56:01 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

This week, Joe interviews Rick Dungey, of the National Christmas Tree Assoc to discuss the topic of which is greener, a real tree or an artificial one that can be reused for years. Rick shares some interesting points in this lively discussion. We also address the best ways to recycle a tree after the holidays plus, selection and care for a living tree.

Introduction

Hi everybody, it’s Joe Lamp’l and welcome to Growing a Greener World. This is a show for people who love to garden and spend time outdoors, and who really care about environmental stewardship.

In honor of the holiday season we’ll take on the discussion of which is greener; an artificial tree that can be reused for years, or a real tree that’s cut down and used only once? To answer that question, we’ll talk to Rick Dungey, Public Relations Manager for the National Christmas Tree Association. Rick also shares some of the ways real trees can be recycled after Christmas.

And while we’re on the subject, how do you select and care for the greenest option of all; a living tree that you plant after the season? I’ll tell you everything you need to know. If you have a question or comment, contact us anytime! Our phone line is always open. The number is 206.337.0375, or email us at heyjoe@joegardener.com…

Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees – Which is greener?

Well, before you ever really stop to analyze it, it may seem as though an artificial tree is better for the environment. After all, how could cutting down a real tree ever be a greener decision? And besides, fake trees can be reused for years! But when you stop to really assess the alternatives, making the greener choice is even easier than the paper or plastic decision you face at the grocery store. Rick Dungey is Public Relations Manager for the National Christmas Tree Association, and just the guy I needed to talk to clear up some misconceptions.

Rick Dungey Interview (not transcribed)

Home page to The National Christmas Tree Assoc – http://www.christmastree.org/
The 10 Biggest Myths about Christmas Trees – http://www.christmastree.org/myths.cfm
Tree Talk Blog – http://www.realtreetalk.blogspot.com/

Selection and Care of a Live Christmas tree

In recent years, the popularity of live or living Christmas trees has been on the rise. Many people see this as a far better option than choosing an artificial tree and even a better choice than having a farm grown tree cut down, especially when you consider the chemicals used to maintain it, plus the great distance some trees travel to make it into your house. Unfortunately, many of the live trees don’t survive the holiday season, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Knowing how to choose, plant, and care for a live Christmas tree will make for a happier holiday, and a valuable addition to your landscape.

When purchasing your live tree, be sure to pick a variety that will grow well in your area. Consider the mature height and width of the tree and know where you will plant it in your landscape. The most common tree species used for living Christmas trees include Spruce, Pines and Firs, although many garden centers market any cone-shaped tree as an option for Christmas. Although these may not be considered “traditional” choices, they may be the best option for your area.

Before you bring the tree home, make sure you’re buying healthy stock. Many trees sold for Christmas, could be leftovers from earlier seasons, or might be in poor shape. Check the tree for good color and needle retention, soft flexible branching, and a root system, if you can see it, that isn’t “bound” by its container. The root area should be moist, and not overly dry from lack of water. Also, look the tree over for any signs of damage due to pests or diseases.

Once your tree makes it home, it needs to stay outside, in a protected area, until a few days before Christmas. Water the tree immediately and make sure the soil is kept moist, but not wet. It also needs to be sheltered from high winds and full sun. The objective for this time is to acclimate your tree to warmer temperatures over a period of three to four days. Moving the tree onto a covered porch or garage during the interim is a good transitional place.

Many people choose to spray their live tree with an anti-dessicant or anti-wilt product. These products will help retain valuable moisture in the tree, and reduce needle loss, once the tree is moved indoors. If you choose this option, spray the tree before its moved inside, and while it is acclimating to the warmer temperatures. These products are sold under several names, including Wilt Pruf and Cloud Cover.

Avoid the temptation to bring your tree indoors too early. In fact, the less time indoors the better. One or two days before Christmas is best, but no more than a week! Your home is an inhospitable environment for a living tree. Don’t place your tree near heat vents, radiators, stoves, or anywhere else where heat can dry out your tree, or stimulate new growth. Be sure to keep an eye on the soil and keep it moist. If the root ball is wrapped in burlap, place it in a large tub, and add mulch up to the top of the burlap to help retain moisture.

Move your tree back outdoors as soon as possible after Christmas. However, don’t immediately plant it. The tree needs to readjust to the outdoors in a protected area for several days. Again, avoid direct sun, high winds, and warm areas when storing your tree. Be sure to maintain soil moisture. In a week or 10 days, you can move the tree into the planting hole.

Now it’s a good idea to have already prepared the planting site, especially in areas of the country where the ground may already be frozen. Plant this tree as you would any other…you know the drill; The hole should be at least twice as wide as the root ball, but no deeper and planting your tree slightly higher than the surrounding soil will help with drainage. Then simply backfill with the original soil rather than amending your planting hole with organic matter.

Finally, be sure to water and mulch your tree to retain moisture and be sure to monitor the overall soil moisture. Winter conditions can be really dry, and your plants and trees need water now as well, especially newly planted ones.

Close

Well, that’s it for today. This show was produced by The joe gardener® Media Network.

You can access the show notes from this episode as well as any previous shows on our website. While you’re on the website, check out all the great content in the articles section and be sure to visit my blog, Compost Confidential. That’s where I share my insiders view on the lessons and news of gardening and living green. You can leave a comment right there. I’d love to hear from you.

You can also order a copy of my latest book, The Green Gardener’s Guide. I will personally inscribe it for you!

If you have a comment, call us anytime. That number is 206.337.0375 or send us an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com. And until next time consider these words from Hanna Rion:

The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses

Thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next week for more Growing a Greener World.

005 GGW – Touring Gardens Abroad and more…

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:11:07 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

In this episode, garden travel tour expert Marty Wingate discusses the appeal and unique benefits of touring gardens abroad in small groups. Next Joe explains why tree topping is so harmful to their longevity and Dr. Stephen Kress is back to share information on a new high-tech gadget any backyard bird lover will want to have. Finally, Joe answers a listener’s question on why we’re seeing less and less gardening shows on TV these days.

005 Show notes – Growing a Greener World Podcast with Joe Lamp’l

Introduction

Hi everybody, it’s Joe Lamp’l and welcome to Growing a Greener World. This is a show for people who love to garden and spend time outdoors, and who really care about environmental stewardship.

This week we chat with Marty Wingate, author, horticulturist and leader of international garden tours. Marty’s tours consistently open doors to some of the top gardens and gardeners in the world.

Next we’ll talk about why tree topping is one of the biggest mistakes we can make in our landscapes. In spite of volumes of professional advice against it, tree topping continues unabated. Today we address why not to top your trees. We also answer a listener’s question that’s on a lot of people’s minds these days and right down my strike zone to answer. Why does it seem like there are less gardening shows than ever on TV these days?

If you have a comment, contact us anytime! Our phone line is always open. The number is 206.337.0375, or email us at heyjoe@joegardener.com

Garden Getaways

If you’re like me right now, you’re already sick of the cold wet weather and find yourself longing for a destination far away, where it’s warm and sunny and beautiful. Perhaps a garden tour abroad might be just the ticket for you. Well today, we’ve got just what the doctor ordered, at least to get you pointed in the right direction. Marty Wingate is a Seattle-based writer and speaker about gardens and travel. She is the author of three books, writes for national magazines and if that didn’t keep her busy enough, she leads garden tours to England, Scotland, Ireland, and North American destinations.

Interview with Marty (not transcribed)

Garden tour leader Marty Wingate will soon begin packing her bags for Her Gardens of England tour next May. To find out more about Marty and her tours, visit her website at martywingate.com.

Tree Topping; what you don’t know is killing your trees

For me, this time of year is a harsh reminder of one of the biggest mistakes we can make in our landscapes. Once the leaves fall from the trees, you can’t help but notice them. I’m referring to those trees that have been sheared of their branches at the hand of a chainsaw operator. The most common term applied to this destructive practice is “tree topping”. According to tree care professionals, topping is considered the most harmful tree pruning practice known. In fact, it’s regarded as such a serious matter, one nonprofit organization; Plant Amnesty places its major efforts at raising public awareness of these “Crimes Against Nature” committed in our own backyards.

Yet despite more than 20 years of spoken and written information by countless experts, it remains a common practice. According to The International Society of Arboriculture, the most common reason given for topping is to reduce the size of a tree, either because it has become too large for the property or a perception that it may pose a hazard. Ironically, topping is not a viable solution to reducing size or hazard. Here’s why:

First, Topping Stresses Trees. When a tree is topped, up to 100% of the leaf bearing crown is removed. Since leaves are the food source for any tree, the absence of this food supply can temporarily starve the tree. As a defensive action, the starving tree responds by rapidly sending out multiple shoots from latent buds below each cut. This action is the tree’s survival mechanism to put out a new flush of leaves as soon as possible. But if the tree doesn’t have sufficient stored energy reserves to respond in this way, it will seriously harm the tree, even leading to its premature demise.

Next, Topping Does Not Control Size. As new shoots grow to desperately replace their food-making factory, they do so rapidly, sending up numerous ‘water sprouts’. In some species these new shoots can grow up to 20 feet in one year. Trees will grow back rapidly and they don’t slow until they reach about their original size. It only takes up to a few years for that to happen.

Third, Topping Does Not Make Trees Safer. The new growth that rapidly ascends from latent buds just below each cut is only anchored in the outermost layers of the parent branch. These weak attachments will never have the structural integrity of the original branch and can break off easily, even years later when they are large and heavy. When proper pruning cuts are made (just beyond a branch collar at the branch’s point of attachment), healthy trees are genetically equipped to close the wound. Improper cuts from stubs or topping don’t heal as readily and may not be able to close. The exposed wood creates decay, entry points and pathways for pests, diseases and destructive organisms to move into and through the branches.

And forth, Topping is Expensive. Recall that as a tree is topped, it rapidly grows back, although with thinner, weaker branching. Topping to reduce size is a vicious cycle. Each cut sprouts multiple new branches and the conditions become exponentially problematic with each cycle. Eventually, when the tree dies because of the effects of the cumulative stress and damage, even more money will likely be spent to remove it.

So what’s the best alternative? When the occasion arises and it does becomes necessary to modify the height or spread of a tree, consult or hire a professional arborist. An arborist will determine the type of pruning that’s necessary to maintain or improve the health, appearance and safety of your trees. Certified or professional arborists won’t use tree-damaging climbing spikes unless they are removing the tree completely, they don’t list topping as a service in their yellow pages ad and they’ll never suggest it to you as a solution, because it’s not!

For more on this story and a printable version of this article, it’s on the website, at joegardener.com.

BirdCam

If you heard last week’s show, you listened to a great interview with Dr. Stephen Kress, VP for Bird Conservation for the National Audubon Society, author and lifetime passionate bird watcher. We covered so much then, that we didn’t have a chance to talk about one of the latest inventions he’s involved with. Its call BirdCam. I have one and I enjoy it so much that I asked Dr. Kress back to tell us just a little bit more about this exciting innovation for backyard birders, just in time for the holidays…

Interview (not transcribed)

You can see the BirdCam in action and learn more by checking out their website at wingscapes.com.

Keeping the “G” in HGTV – Why that’s not so EZ

If you’re a fan of garden television shows, perhaps you too have noticed the waning number of garden related programs on the air these days. This is a topic very near and dear to my heart since a good bit of my time each year is spent in my role as host of gardening shows. In the process, I’ve gained a new perspective on what goes on behind the scenes in determining the type of programming that ultimately hits the airwaves. We often fail to realize, network television production is a for-profit business. And like any other, that “P” word drives many of the decisions that are made. In this case, it’s what to air and what not to air, driven in large part by advertisers and the audience they are trying to target. As a businessman, I get that.

According to the people that keep up with these sort of statistics, real gardening shows just aren’t attracting as many impressionable generation X and Y and I.M. viewers as the networks and advertisers would like. Makeover shows on the other hand, crowd TV time these days because they’re nailing the strike zone for advertisers. They have a dream, multi-generational viewing audience, and unlimited appeal to companies wanting to showcase a plethora of products. Which leads me back to my point of gardening television as it relates to advertisers. Think about the relatively small pool of businesses that see gardeners as their sweet spot, target audience.

For example, take scenario number one. You’re the media buyer for Big Box Store with instructions to spend some of that money at HGTV for commercial time. Big Box wants their ads on the shows that their target audience is watching. It’s a simple matter at this point of picking the most appropriate fit; makeover or gardening?

Now, assume you’re still the buyer and your target audience is still the same. But now, the shows they’re watching are on The Learning Channel. So, are you buying time at TLC or HGTV?

Lastly, put your shoe on the other foot. Assume you’re the executive at the network who is losing ad revenue because you’re not airing the content that the advertisers want. What do you do? The obvious answer; deliver the content the advertisers want of course; makeover or gardening?

Notice in all of this media buying / network programming speak I speak of; nowhere is the viewer mentioned. An oversight? I think not. Indeed, the viewer has some say. If the program wasn’t appealing, no matter what the genre, it wouldn’t be on the air for long. Great programming is still the key to getting airtime, but advertising dollars are what pays the bills, keeps the lights on and ultimately drives the show’s longevity. Programming directors must consider both sides, but in the end, if you’re a “for profit” network, which show are you going to air; makeover or gardening?

So is there an answer for getting more G in HGTV? Well I think so. Your voice, and the power of your wallet matters; to the network and to the sponsors. They should be hearing from us too. We all need to let them know that gardening is alive and well and so is the audience of shows about this great American pastime.

Close
Well, that’s it for today. This show was produced by The joe gardener® Media Network. You can order a copy of my latest book, The Green Gardener’s Guide. I will personally inscribe it for you! And don’t forget to check out my blog; Compost Confidential. If you have a comment, call us anytime. That number is 206.337.0375 or send us an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com. And until next time consider this from Alexander Smith:

A man does not plant a tree for himself; he plants it for posterity.

Thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next week for more Growing a Greener World.

004 GGW – Winter Composting, Caring for Birds in Winter, Poinsettia Facts, How to Kill a Houseplant

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 02:08:22 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

This week, Joe tells you how to successfully compost in winter to jumpstart your spring garden. Don’t miss our interview with Dr. Stephen Kress, National Audubon Society’s Vice President of Bird Conservation and popular author as he discusses ways to attract and care for backyard birds this fall and winter. Do you have a black thumb when it comes to keeping houseplants looking their best? As winter rolls in, attention turns towards indoor plants. Joe answers a listener’s question by sharing the seven most common ways to kill a houseplant.

Show Notes-Growing a Greener World Podcast, episode 004

Introduction:

Hi, it’s Joe Lamp’l and welcome to Growing a Greener World. This is a show for people who love to garden and spend time outdoors, and who really care about environmental stewardship.

Well, even though the temperature says its time to get indoors, this week, we’ll tell you how to heat things up outdoors to make composting a cool-season activity too.

Next we’ll interview Dr. Stephen Kress. He’s vice president of Bird Conservation for the Audubon Society as well as author of many books on birding and backyard wildlife management. Today we’ll focus on how we can attract and protect backyard birds this fall and winter.
We also answer a listener’s question in a unique way by covering the seven most common ways to kill your houseplants and share some fun facts about one popular plant that you likely didn’t already know.

If you have a question or comment, contact us anytime! Our comment line is always open. The number is 206.337.0375 or send us an email at heyjoe@joegardener.com.

I. Composting in winter

In a moment, we’ll get to that interesting interview I had with Dr. Kress from the Audubon society on what those backyard birds are doing in the wintertime. But first, here’s something you could be doing this winter; composting! Even though most of my tools have been put away for the season, composting is one activity I do every just about every day, so I can hit the ground running when the weather warms up again.

Now it’s no secret, cold weather can dramatically reduce the rate of decomposition. But having the right mix of brown and green waste, and providing sufficient moisture and oxygen are still the most important factors. When these four elements are in sync, microorganisms are busy at work creating the internal heat needed for making compost any day of the year.

The basic components to making compost are the same, no matter what time of year so let’s do a quick review; Brown waste provides the carbon source needed to decompose the raw material. Outside, it typically comes from leaves, twigs and straw. Inside the house, paper and cardboard from paper towel rolls, egg cartons and such are the most common sources.

Green waste provides nitrogen that fuels the energy exchange during the decomposition process. Outside, yard debris from grass clippings is the most common source. Inside, the kitchen provides most of the rest with items such as vegetables, salad scraps and fruit.
Combining three or four parts brown to one part green waste will serve as an easy guide to getting compost off to a good start and keep it cooking.

Water is also an essential ingredient to making compost. However, too much water is just as bad as not enough. To keep it simple, add enough water so that it consistently has the moisture of a damp sponge. Even though it may be freezing outside, the interior of a compost pile can be significantly warmer.

Oxygen is the forth-essential element. Turning your pile with a pitchfork or other tool once a week or so will breath new life into your compost heap…literally. But if this winter activity doesn’t excite you, drill large holes in two-inch or wider PVC pipe and place it down into the center of the pile. As contents are added around it, oxygen will be supplied to the center, helping to keep it aerated.

The size of your pile is another important consideration. A heap or bin that is 3’x3’x3’ is ideal since it is large enough to retain heat at the center, yet small enough to manage. Smaller piles don’t have enough insulating depth and lose too much heat such that even the bacteria that function in cooler temperatures become inactive.

Assuming all is well to this point, cold weather can still dramatically reduce the rate of decomposition and so can the size of the material you add. Make the material smaller before tossing it into your pile. This provides more exposed surface for bacteria to break down the ingredients more quickly.

Another good way to heat and keep compost cooking through winter is to insulate it. Tightly packed bales of straw around the pile with an optional clear cover can allow the warmth of the sun in while keeping much of the cold out.

Activators are yet another way to turn up the heat. The best activator is finished compost. It has billions of essential microorganisms needed to inoculate fresh material. A few scoops is all it takes to start the process. Another source is plant-based, bioactive nitrogen found in such meals as cottonseed, soybean, corn, canola and alfalfa. These items can usually be found in feed and farm supply stores across the country. Other good nitrogen sources include blood meal, feather meal and fishmeal.

So there you have it. composting through winter, not only gives you a head start on spring, but also keeps all that volume out of the landfill. Green or brown, it’s all ‘black gold to me. And that’s not only good for our gardens; it’s good for the earth.

II. Interview with Dr. Stephen Kress on Backyard Birding in fall and winter

STEPHEN W. KRESS

Next is an interview with Dr. Stephen Kress. He’s Vice President for Bird Conservation for the National Audubon Society and Director, of the Seabird Restoration Program. He’s a respected ornithologist, with special interests that include habitat management for land birds, and methods for attracting songbirds to properties large and small. In addition, he is the author of many books including The Audubon Guide to Attracting Birds; and North American Birdfeeder Guide; I caught up with Dr. Kress recently for an interesting conversation.

Interview in Podcast (not transcribed)

Dr. Stephen Kress is VP for Bird Conservation at the National Audubon Society. For more information on Dr. Kress and his work, you can visit the following websites:

http://www.wingscapes.com/
http://www.audubon.org/
http://www.projectpuffin.org/
http://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/

III. Poinsettia Facts Maybe You Didn’t Know

Quick, what’s the number 1 potted plant sold in the United States? Need another hint? It’s a member of the Euphorbia family and native to Mexico. And if you just need one more clue, here it is: All those sales take place over a very small 6-week window!

Well, hopefully you know by now, it’s the poinsettia.

It’s thought that Franciscan monks were the first to begin using poinsettias at the holidays to decorate nativity scenes in Taxco, Mexico. They are named for the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett who brought attention to it. And just in case you need a reason to celebrate on December 12, well that’s National Poinsettia Day!

What many perceive to be flowers are really the colorful bracts. While we enjoy them over the holidays, getting them to bloom again it is a challenge. So here’s the low down if you’re up to the task. After Christmas, cut the plant back and fertilize once per month until spring. After all danger of frost has passed they can be planted in the garden and enjoyed throughout the spring and summer.

Now poinsettias are photoperiodic which means they respond to day length. So, 8-10 weeks before Christmas dig the plants up and place them in a location where they receive 12 hours of total darkness each day. This can be accomplished by placing a box over the plants or by putting them in a closet or unlighted basement area. If you can provide an equal amount of daylight and darkness each day, they should be colorful and ready to enjoy by the following Christmas.

And by the way, it is a myth they’re poisonous. They’re not!

IV. Seven Ways to Kill a Houseplant

1. Over water it. It’s the number one contributor to houseplant death. Far more plants die from over watering than under watering. What you should do; Stick your finger into the soil. If it’s damp or your finger comes up dirty, hold off adding water until it’s dry.

2. Provide low humidity. Climate controlled indoor environments from heaters and air conditioning also act as dehumidifiers, making average levels well below the 40 to 60% humidity plants prefer. So what you should do? Try placing houseplants on top of pebbles in a shallow tray and keep it filled with water but make sure the bottom of the pot is not sitting directly in the water. Misting your plants each day can get messy but is also effective. If you will be away for a week or so, make a temporary humidity tent by placing dry-cleaning bags over the plants or place them in the bath tub with a little water in the bottom.

3. Give it very little light. Although some houseplants can survive on just artificial light, nearly all plants benefit from natural light. How do you do that? Set them in an area near a south or east-facing window if possible. Periodically rotate the plant so all sides benefit from the most direct sunlight during the week.

4. The forth way to kill your houseplant is be sure to over-fertilize it. Because these plants don’t photosynthesize at the same rates as outdoor plants in a full-sun environment, their supplemental nutrient needs are less. Forcing plants to grow with artificial stimulants under lower light environments places unnatural stresses and can disrupt a plant’s natural cycles and deplete reserves. What you should do; To replace nutrients that leech through the soil, feed your plant with a water-soluble fertilizer at half the amount suggested for outdoor plants once or twice a month.

5. Exposure your plants to drafts or direct heat. Most houseplants are tropical. In their natural environments, they thrive in warm climates. However, exposing plants to direct heat when placed near a vent will quickly dry them out. Conversely, cool or cold drafts can be too much for heat-loving plants too. What you should do; Keep plants away from drafty windows, doors and heating vents.

6. Ignore pest problems. Just because a plant is indoors, that doesn’t mean it’s free of pests. Many insects hitchhike into your house undetected under the protective cover of beautiful foliage. In fact, houseplants can be the perfect host for many pests sinc e they aren’t exposed to natural beneficial insects and other predators that would otherwise keep populations in check. What you should do; Most houseplant pests such as mealy bugs, white flies and aphids can be dealt with using a mild soap and water bath or horticultural oil. If weather permits take the plant outside and spray it with the hose or leave it outside and let natural predators do the job.

7. Allow it to become pot bound. Just because that plant you’ve had since college is still looking good above ground, don’t assume all is well below. Eventually roots can become so intertwined within the confined space of a container; water, nutrients and even oxygen can have a tough time getting through. What you should do; Once a year or so, lift the plant out of the container and check the roots. If they’re in a tightly wound, circular pattern, it’s time to repot into a slightly larger container. Loosen the roots to break up the pattern, refresh the soil and repot.

Now, just as a reminder, the previous list was the 7 most common ways to kill your houseplant. However, most demand very little to keep them looking their best. With just a minimal amount of care, they can provide years of enjoyment and beauty to any indoor space.

Close
Well, that’s it for today. This show was produced by The joe gardener® Media Network. You can access the show notes from this episode as well as any previous shows on our website at joegardener.com. You can also order a signed copy of my latest book, The Green Gardener’s Guide. And don’t forget to check out my blog; Compost Confidential.

If you have a question or comment, call us anytime. That number is 206.337.0375 or send us an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com. And until next time consider this from William Longwood:

Over fertilized plants may be beautiful but are otherwise useless, like people whose energies are devoted so completely to their appearance, that there is no other development.

Thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next week for more Growing a Greener World.

003 GGW – Certified Mulch, Obsessed Gardeners and more…

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:27:21 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

This week, Joe Lamp’l shares how to know the mulch you are buying is free of hazardous material, like arsenic. Joe also interviews the grower of the world’s largest pumpkin for 2008. This story has great drama and you don’t want to miss it! And, from extreme gardener, to just fanatic, we hear some amusing accounts of what some people do, all for the love of gardening.

Opening

Hi, it’s Joe Lamp’l and welcome to Growing a Greener World. This is a show for people who love to garden and spend time outdoors, and who really care about environmental stewardship.

Well, last week we learned about what to look out for when buying mulch in bulk. This week, we talk about an important certification program that lets you know the mulch and soil you are buying is free of unacceptable materials. Next we’ll interview Steve Connolly. He was tracking to grow the world’s largest pumpkin for 2008. Did he do it? The story has all the makings of a suspense thriller, and we’ve got him to tell us what happened. And from extreme gardener, to just obsessed gardener, we’ll hear the confessions from a few of our own that you won’t want to miss. We’ll also include a valuable tip and of course, take your questions. Our phone line is always open so leave a comment at 206.337.0375 or email us at heyjoe@joegardener.com.

This week’s tip comes from an email question from Debbie in St. Louis:

Hey Joe, This year I installed a vegetable garden and I’ve read a lot about how important mulch is. But I’m concerned that the mulch I’m using might contain something other than ground bark, such as pressure treated wood. Is there a way I can be sure the mulch I’m using is safe for my garden and my family?

Great question Debbie, and the answer is yes, you can be sure, if you’re using it by the bag, rather than in bulk. This was such an important issue for me personally, in 2007; I accepted the role as spokesperson for The Mulch and Soil Council. And after hearing my answer, you’ll know why I feel so strongly about their program.

First let me explain where you are most at risk. As I addressed last week, If you buy mulch by the truckload or in bulk, you should do what ever is necessary to make sure you feel comfortable that the mulch is free of any unacceptable material such as arsenic from pressure treated wood.

But today, I want to address bagged mulch and soil. Thanks to years of work by the Mulch and Soil Council, industry standards have been adopted that prohibit the use of CCA-treated wood in all consumer mulch and soil products. The Council also developed a Product Certification program that is in use by many retailers to help consumers identify those products that comply with these industry standards. So now, you and I have a way of knowing which products are free of unapproved or unacceptable materials by looking for the associated MSC Certified label on bagged mulch and soil that meet these standards. Currently, there are about 250 products certified by the council.

For more information, you can visit the MSC website at mulch and soil council.org. You can also learn more and see the MSC certification logo on our website. You’ll find it in the articles tab, under organic gardening.

Extreme Gardening Produces Giant Pumpkins

Just like gardeners, the act of gardening can take on many forms. As you and I fret over important backyard challenges such as why our hydrangeas aren’t blooming or how come that tomato just won’t ripen fast enough, others are dealing with much bigger issues. Scattered across the country, there are a few thousand ‘extreme gardeners’ that methodically plod through the art and science of competing to grow the world’s largest pumpkin each year.

Steve Connolly, of Sharon, Massachusetts is one such gardener. Soft-spoken mechanical engineer by day, Giant Pumpkin Growing Super Hero by night and weekends, Steve’s been in the news a lot lately. With just a few weeks before the big weigh-off, word was getting around that this might be the all time mother of all pumpkins! Until now, the world record, set by Joe Jutras in 2007 weighed in at an astounding 1698 pounds and shattering the previous record of 1502 pounds set in just the previous year. With more than a week to go, Steve’s pumpkin appeared to be approaching 1900 pounds! Although the final, official weight would not be known for more than a week, all eyes and ears were on this “Beast from the East” as it had been affectionately dubbed. The big day of Oct 11 has come and gone and I managed to catch up with Steve shortly after that to hear how things turned out. …

Interview with Steve Connolly (not transcribed)

But that doesn’t account for the whole story. Many growers start with the same seed, but there is only one winner. And that’s where the gardener comes into play. Steve the businessman and competitor is already thinking ahead. The seed for next year is now safely stored away. But according to Steve; “It’s the gardener in him that still has another trick up his sleeve” and just possibly, the key to the 2009 world record pumpkin.

So although Steve Connolly did grow the largest Pumpkin in the world for 2008, that tiny imperfection on weigh in day was a technicality that required the posting of an asterisks by his name in the record books. Steve’s already thinking about 2009 and it sounds like he seems pretty confident about it to!

For more on this story, check out our website for the complete article. The title is Extreme Gardening produces Giant Pumpkin. You’ll find it in the articles link under Seasonal Gardening. While you’re there, take some time to look around and sign up for the newsletter.

Several weeks ago I wrote a piece in my syndicated column that talked about the various ways we know we’ve crossed the line into gardening obsession. I also invited readers to contribute their own ideas. All they had to do was finish that sentence that started with;

“You know you’re a gardening addict when”…

For example, at the time of that article I was making a move from Georgia to NC. In fact it was that move that reminded me just how fanatical I was about my gardening and was the inspiration for this series of responses.

If you’ve ever moved before, you can imagine, it’s hard enough deciding what to pack within the house, but as gardeners, we have a whole new set of decisions to make. So with that in mind, I offered up the first confession of an obsessed gardener…

You know you’re a gardener when… you buy $20 plastic totes to haul the compost and place the household items in garbage bags. It’s true! Readers responded with many delightful examples, some which had me laughing out loud.

The following phrase sums it up: “You know you’re a gardening addict when…you park your brand new car on the street for three months so that a single volunteer tomato plant growing in your driveway is allowed to flourish undisturbed. Now that’s my kind of gardener!

Here are a few more, submitted from readers across the country:

You know you’re a gardening addict when…

“The family has to eat all their meals in the garden with you, just to be able to have a family meal together.” Phyllis Y.

“Those volunteer plants from self sowing plants pop up where they are not supposed to be… they all must be placed somewhere in the yard…. even if there are 200 of them!” Sherry C.

“You move and have to borrow a 53 foot long 18 wheeler to bring the 1,200+ 1 gallon, 2 gallon and larger pots of the portions of the plants you dug from your garden. Then you have to rent a 16 foot cube van to bring the ones that would not fit into the 18 wheeler.” Bob & Judi B.

“You go out to eat at a restaurant and you stop to pull weeds on the way in the door.” Barney C.

“It’s early December in northern Illinois, and you’re planting the last of your spring bulbs, by flashlight, as the first flakes of what will turn out to be an eight-inch snowfall by morning begin to float down from the darkening sky.” Kathy M.

“You have worms and you love to tell everyone about them!” Carol M.

“The first thing you want to check on when getting out of the car from vacation is your newest plantings. Such fun!” pdb

“ You rescue a 6 inch praying mantis from the supermarket entranceway while patrons look on in disbelief, rush home with it, place it in the garden, AND THEN return to the store to shop for groceries, i.e.: mantis before groceries; Barbara S.

“When the first thing you do in the morning is look outside to see if there are any new blooms…and that’s before my morning coffee!” Pat B.

“You EXPECT not to be able to stand up at the end of a day in the garden.”

“You have to eat hamburger all week because you caught a sale at the nursery B4 getting the groceries.” Jill D.

“You are outside in the rain mixing up miracle gro in a watering can and applying it when it is raining as you know that is the best time to fertilize—the neighbors think you are crazy!” Joy P.D

And finally…you know you’re a gardening addict when… “You create a garden wherever you go.” Barbara C.

Please keep those observations coming. I think it would make for another fun segment someday soon. Send me your thoughts at heyjoe@joegardener.com or better yet, call our comment line and leave it as a recorded message so we can play it on the show. That number is 206.337.0375.

This podcast is produced by The joe gardener® Media Network.

Thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next time for more Growing a Greener World.

002 GGW – Why leaves shed in fall, disposing of chemicals, mulch

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:06:55 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

This week’s featured stories include a follow up to last week; Now that you know why leaves change color each autumn, now learn Why leaves fall in fall. Also learn more about the latest issues with Plastic Pot Recycling. So many pots—so few options! And learn how to Choose Organic Products with Confidence. We also hear a tip about how to avoid buying bulk mulch containing hazardous materials and Joe answers a listener’s question about how to dispose of garden chemicals safely. Free Book giveaway opportunities included throughout the show!

002 Show Notes

Why do Leaves Shed in Fall?

Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy those brilliant autumn leaf colors all year– rather than for a few short weeks? Maybe so, but the changing leaf color each fall is part of an important and complicated process that ends in their being shed at the end of each growing season. The actual term used to describe this process of leaf drop is known as abscission.

Although some parts of trees like stems and buds can handle freezing temperatures, most leaves cannot. So, in order to protect themselves, trees and plants shed diseased, damaged or dead tissue (namely leaves), while simultaneously sealing the point where the leaf petiole connects to it. Known as the abscission layer, it consists of unique cells that can separate from each other based on certain physiological occurrences. As changing climate and light conditions of autumn evolve, hormones within trees change too. The most notable is auxin. It’s produced in the leaves and body of trees and plants. This balance of auxin levels between leaves and branches is key to determining if and when leaf drop occurs.

During the active growing season, production rates of auxin in leaves are consistent with other parts of the plant or tree. As long as these rates are steady, the cells of the abscission layer remain connected, which in turn, keeps leaves attached. However, as days shorten and temperatures cool, auxin production in leaves starts to decrease in response to changing conditions. As a result, fracture lines develop at the base of the leaf petioles and scarring builds up at the same point to form a protective barrier. Eventually, it’s just a matter of time before wind or rain provides that last nudge and the leaves are released, at least for most trees.

Oaks and beech trees are another story. They hang on to many of their leaves well beyond that of other broadleaf deciduous trees. These brown and tan, dead-looking marcescent leaves cling to branches until newly emerging growth pushes them off in spring.

Although leaves falling in autumn are a predictable event, leaf drop is not only seasonal. Plants and trees can lose their leaves for a number of reasons, namely from drought and other physical or environmental stresses. Although any tree is subject to leaf drop under such conditions, not all trees are considered deciduous or even semi-deciduous. Narrow-leafed evergreens such as fir, hemlock, pine and spruce are able to survive winter without foliage loss for two reasons. First, their leaves develop a protective waxy coating. On top of that, the fluid inside their cells contains a version of nature’s antifreeze. Since the attached foliage remains undamaged, there is no need for it to be shed.

While evergreen trees are beautiful year round, deciduous trees are desirable for another reason. Their leaves provide vital organic matter and build structure and water holding capacity in the soil. So each autumn, enjoy and savor the brilliant display of color. And in winter take pleasure in the evergreens. But be thankful for the deciduous trees too, in spite of all the leaves on the ground. They’re doing more good than you might have ever imagined.

Much Ado About Mulch; Buyer Beware

This week’s tip deals with buying mulch in bulk or by the truckload. I’m a big fan of mulch. I always have been. And the more I learn about all the direct benefits, the bigger fan I become. But what I didn’t know about the potential hazards was even more important! A couple of years ago, I was in search of some bulk mulch. When I arrived at the town’s local source for these products, my heart raced. I could see in the distance, mountains of what appeared to be well ground and thoroughly composted mulch — black gold as I like to think. The worker offered to drive me down to the mulch pile in his truck for a closer look. I was so excited; I barely noticed that it was cold and raining. Upon inspection, I saw what looked to be exactly what I was hoping for; a nice combination of coarsely ground branches, sticks and leaves, composted and ready for my garden…or so I thought.

Buyer Beware. I asked my host how he was able to create such a massive and endless volume of product, considering such a small town. He proudly went on to explain that he had many sources: the City delivered waste from fallen trees and such, landscapers and weekend warriors offloaded their accumulations of a hard days work, etc. But then he went on to say something that took me back. In addition to these ideal suppliers of raw material, there were others that were not as attractive. Some of this mulch was the remnants of former decks, play sets, fence posts and more. What I heard was lots of treated wood, chemicals, paint, varnish, etc. All that translates into four letter words if you speak organics!

As a gardener trying to be as chemical free as possible, sadly this mulch source was no longer an option. It was no coincidence that about that time, I suddenly noticed the rain and how cold it really was. The lesson I learned from this experience was that I am now much more cognizant of what might be in my mulch and where its coming from. And hopefully, you will be too.

So what’s the answer to finding mulch that’s free of any unacceptable material such as arsenic from pressure treated wood? If you buy mulch in bulk, you should do what ever is necessary to make sure you feel comfortable. Know the source of the mulch. That might include talking to the company management, or seeing if they have any documentation on what’s in their mulch. And of course, physical inspection is something I always do. But so far, when it comes to buying in bulk, there’s not yet a national certification program.

Fortunately when it comes to bagged mulch and soil; we have a much better option. What is it? You’ll find the article in the Organic Gardening section.

Plastic Pot Recycling-One Silver Lining in an Otherwise Dismal Effort

As gardeners and weekend warriors, we do so much to beautify our lawns and landscapes. But in the process of planting, pruning and ongoing maintenance, we generate a great deal of waste. Sadly, much of that ends up in the landfill. Of the total landfill volume, estimates list the percentage of compostable waste from yard debris at about 12%.

Another contribution we gardeners make to this mountain of waste is the millions of plastic pots we discard each year. Unfortunately, options for what we do with them once they’re empty are much more limited. Unlike yard debris, plastic pots can’t be composted and most aren’t easily recycled. So even the best intentioned, environmentally conscience steward is given few options when it comes to responsible disposal.

According to the EPA, of the nearly 27 million tons of plastic generated in the United States in 2003, only 3.9 of it was recycled—and very little of that was garden-related. Unfortunately, gardeners are in for a long wait before recycling horticultural plastic is widely accepted by processing facilities. Of the pots that can be recycled, most municipalities lack the resources to manually segregate those from the many more that can’t. Adding to the problem, manufacturers, growers and nurseries have yet to seriously consider a uniform standard for recyclable containers, and with many variables and competitive interests to consider, finding an acceptable solution will be difficult.

Yet in the midst of this less than encouraging news, positive things are happening. Since 1997, the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Plastic Pot Recycling program has successfully prevented over 300 tons of horticultural waste from going into landfills. The Garden’s successful program in St. Louis is the most extensive public garden-recycling program in the United States.

Elsewhere, there is a concerted effort by a group in the nursery and landscape industry to consolidate horticultural container sizes in an attempt to simplify the recycling process. Although I applaud their efforts, standard sizes will have little effect on the bigger problem. I believe the answer is to standardize the materials used to make the containers so they’re all recyclable, no matter what the size. It will no doubt take the cooperation from many sides. The nursery and landscape industry and we as home gardeners and weekend warriors do great things to beautify the environment, but we need a way to eliminate the impact left behind in doing so.

Tell us What do you think? If you’d like to share your thoughts, send us an email to heyjoe@joegardener.com or better yet, call our comment line. That number is 206.337.0375 .

Disposing of chemicals safely: This week’s question comes to us from a listener in Michigan. She wants to know what are on a lot of people’s minds these days, and for good reason!

Collectively I can only imagine how many leftover containers and bags of lawn and garden chemicals are sitting around the sheds, and basements of the world! In our very busy and time-starved lives, it would be easy to pour the excess chemicals out into the street or down a drain. But Pesticides or any chemical for that matter poured into the street feed directly into storm drains which feed into streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. When these chemicals reach waterways, they can harm fish, plants and other living things.

Similarly, they should never be poured down the sink, tub, toilet, or into the sewer or street drain. Pesticides can interfere with the operation of wastewater treatment systems and many municipal systems are not even equipped to remove all pesticide residues.

So what can we do to dispose of chemicals properly and safely? Well, According to the Environmental Protection Agency and other sources, The first thing we can do is to use or give them to your neighbor so they can use them to treat a similar pest control problem. Although this is certainly a valid way to consume the product, personally I find it hard to suggest using more chemicals in your landscape simply to use it up.

The second option to consider is that most local municipalities have a department that deals with waste management and can advise you on how to dispose of excess chemicals other than by using them. Some even have a household hazardous waste collection program. Once or twice a year, many cities or counties provide a place for you to take such chemicals where they can be properly and professionally disposed of. You can find more information on these programs by contacting your local government agency. You may find the appropriate department listed under solid waste, public works, garbage, trash, or refuse collection.

In the United States, a third option is to call a toll free number for information and sites for recycling and disposing of hazardous household waste in your area. The number is 1-800-CLEANUP. An automated recording will guide you through the process and the number is accessible 24/7.

Of course you can always (and should) read the product label for disposal information. But be aware that state and/or local laws may be more restrictive than the Federal requirements listed on the label. Check with your local authorities before disposing according only to information listed on the product label.

Bonus Information:

According to the EPA, empty containers can be disposed of with your other solid waste after proper rinsing. A triple rinse is suggested before disposing. First, fill the container ¼ full with water, close the lid tightly and vigorously shake. The rinse water should be applied to an area needing treatment. Never pour the contents down the sink. Repeat the process two more times. Don’t triple rinse pesticide containers in a kitchen sink.

But you should also know this; some municipalities don’t even allow empty pesticide containers to be disposed of with solid waste. Instead, they’re considered as household hazardous waste and treated accordingly as I’ve already mentioned.

So now you know, disposal of pesticides should never be acted upon without taking the proper precautions. There’s a saying we use around my house to reduce the clutter; “When in doubt, throw it out”. And although that applies to much of the junk we accumulate, it does NOT apply to pesticides. Our health and environment depend on it.

There’s even more to this story, like what to do with the empty containers. And it’s not as simple as throwing them out. We have the expanded version of this explanation on the website. Dispose of chemicals safely.

If you have a comment, you can send us an email at heyjoe@joegardener.com or call and leave it on our recorded comment line. That number is 206.337.0375.

Taking the Mystery out of Organic Fertilizers

So it’s finally cool for mainstream America to be green. Organic products are showing up everywhere from what we put in our gardens to the clothes we wear on our back. Some organic choices require very little thought, such as selecting organic carrots. But it’s not that simple when it comes to selecting eco-friendly products for your lawn or garden and fertilizer to grow food organically. Well that’s the subject of today’s feature. But now that you’ve decided to grow green, you’re as confused as the next guy when it comes to actually knowing what fertilizer to buy and how are natural products better?

So first the background; All plants receive their nutrients in chemical form. They can’t distinguish between how the nutrients were derived, whether organic or non-organic. When referring to plant nutrition, organic or natural generally refers to any fertilizer, which is derived from plant, animal or mineral origin, and it must have one or more essential nutrients for plant growth.

Non-organic fertilizers (also known as synthetic) on the other hand are manufactured chemically and therefore are usually listed simply by their numerical nutrient analysis on the packaging. They’re made to deliver nutrients rapidly, such as those that are water-soluble, or over time as a controlled release. Although synthetics are very effective for providing rapid or prolonged periods of feeding, they have a high salt index. The potential risk to plants and the soil food web is burning and dehydration with the leeching of unabsorbed chemicals into waterways and aquifers.

Unlike synthetics, organic alternatives are often listed not by the numbers but primarily by what they actually are, such as blood or bone meal or fish emulsion. These nutrients must first be broken down and digested by soil microorganisms, which then release them in a form available to plants. This process also produces humus, a vital ingredient to improving soil structure. As part of this structure, organically derived nutrients are highly resistant to leeching and contain a very low salt index. The net result is nutrients that remain in the soil until utilized by plants and little risk of burning or dehydration, even in periods of extreme drought or over application.

Organic soil amendments are a readily available way to provide all of the elements considered essential for plant growth that are absorbed from the surrounding soil. I rely on these natural amendments to ensure I’m feeding the soil, which in turn feeds the plants. It’s a safe, effective and environmentally responsible approach to gardening.

For an expanded version of this discussion, including a list of organic nutrient options to meet all your fertilization needs, there’s an article waiting for you on our website.

This podcast is produced by The joe gardener® Media Network. If you have a comment our hotline is always open at 206.337.0375 or send us an email at heyjoe@joegardener.com.

Thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next time for more Growing a Greener World.

001 GGW – A Chicago community garden story, why leaves change color, great nursery deals

email@joegardener.com (Joe Lamp'l) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:58:35 +0000

Click the Arrow to Listen Now

Debut show! Joe Lamp’l explains why leaves change color each fall, how to get great deals at the nursery, what to do with all those fall leaves to create super soil and a community garden story you won’t want to miss.

001 Show Notes

Tip of the week: Great deals on plants and a homemade sandbag to keep your pots upright when bringing them home

This week’s tip comes to you as a two-part bonus. In the fall, most garden centers begin dramatically reducing their inventories, especially of summer perennials. But just b/c they don’t want to care for them anymore, that doesn’t mean you can’t! I’ve made some of my best deals in the fall and filled my garden to overflowing in the process. Many garden centers will have closeout plants on a rack as fair game to the first takers for pennies on the dollar. That’s o.k. but I’ve found my best plant deals by getting to know the manager and making them aware of my interest to know of cheap plants and great deals. Many times they’re happy to help. I’ve even had them call me with a collection of plants they’ve set aside for me to come and get.

But here’s a word of advice. Don’t be too picky. Consider taking all offers, even if you’re not all that thrilled with some of the plants. After all, the easier you make it on them, the more likely they’ll be to contact you first, the next time they have a great deal. Now having said that, it doesn’t hurt to let them know what type of garden you have, such as one in full sun or maybe a woodland garden. That way, they’ll be able to offer you appropriate plants and offer plants suited best for a different garden to another customer requesting the same favor.

O.K. so here’s the bonus: assuming you’ve made your first great heist of the season and you load up your car or trunk with the bounty. How do you keep them from falling over or sliding around until you get home? Well one of my favorite magazines, Fine Gardening, had a tip in their Sept/Oct 2007 edition that I though was really clever. One of their readers made a couple long skinny sandbags out of the legs of her husband’s old jeans. She cut off one leg and sliced it open down the side. Then she split that leg into two pieces, making long skinny rectangles. Next, she sewed the rectangles closed on the long side to form tubes and on one end. Each tube was filled with sand and sewn shut. Now, she no longer has pots and dirt all over her trunk when she gets home.

If you have a tip you’d like to share, send us an email at heyjoe@joegardener.com or call us and leave a message on our comment line. That number is 206.337.0375.

A Chicago Community Garden

Whether offering a peaceful respite or produce to feed the less fortunate community gardens are a priceless resource for education and building of community spirit. Fiskars’ Project Orange Thumb awards a deserving neighborhood with a garden “built in a day” by way of it’s grant program. Worthy gardens are given $5,000 in cash and tools and one location will receive a complete garden from top to bottom. This was the case with Altgeld Gardens in Chicago.

Why leaves change color each fall

No matter where you live, who can’t help but marvel at the splendor of a brightly colored autumn vista. So, what’s behind this annual event? Why do leaves change color every autumn and why are some years more vivid in color than others?

Well to understand what’s involved each fall in this color transformation, it’s helpful to know two important points. The first has to do with when leaves start to change. The second issue involves how weather, signals the role of the color pigments and addresses why some years are more intense in colors than others.

So first is timing; the timing of leaf color change is primarily affected by the calendar. As days become shorter, the amount of sunlight available for plants to photosynthesize is reduced. This is nature’s way of signaling plants that winter is on the way. Energy begins to shift from food production into storage and reserves. And this is when color pigments begin to change. As the photosynthesis process slows down in response to shorter days, so does the production of chlorophyll, that dominant pigment responsible for all the green we see when plants are actively growing.

But there are three pigments responsible for leaf color. In addition to chlorophyll, carotenoid pigments are also present during the active growing season. They’re best known best for producing the yellows, oranges and browns. But because chlorophyll is so dominate, it’s not until the photosynthesis process shuts down in fall, that carotenoid pigments begin to become apparent. Eventually the photosynthesis process ceases and all chlorophyll is depleted, allowing the carotenoid pigments to take center stage.

The third pigment, anthocyanins aren’t even present in leaves until autumn. Warm bright days of fall produce lots of sugars in leaves. But as the days shorten and the nights cool, these excess sugars are trapped as veins leading into and out of the leaves gradually close. The combination of bright light and trapped sugars stimulate the production of the anthocyanin pigments. They produce the vivid shades of reds and purple and the many hues in between. So in the absence of chlorophyll, carotenoid and anthocyanin pigments light up the fall landscape.

The second factor and the one most responsible for the intensity of autumn color is the weather. The most brilliant fall displays are the result of a warm wet spring, a mild summer, bright sunny autumn days and cool but above freezing nights. When this combination comes together, the result is the most vivid color exhibition.

So, as you enjoy this season’s display of color, hopefully you’ll be rewarded with exceptional views. And next spring, when it’s warm and wet, be happy. It may be the makings of a spectacular fall!

Question of the Week; What to do about Overhanging Limbs?

Well, one of my favorite things about gardening is that no matter how much you know, you’ll never know it all. So each week we’ll answer some of your questions. This week we have an email from Janice in San Francisco. She’s concerned about some overhanging limbs coming onto her property from her neighbors’ side. They appear to be dead and she wants to know how far she can go to correct the problem? Who’s responsible for removing the limbs and what are her rights?

Well according to an attorney friend I talked to, you certainly have the right to ‘self-help” for branches encroaching into your property and that’s true for every state. But legally, you CAN’T lean over into their property to remove limbs. That’s known as trespassing.

Most of the time you can’t force your neighbor to take action either so what DO you do??? The first thing is to of course, talk to them about it. A casual conversation between neighbors is always the first step. But in addition, you should put it in writing. I know that seems a bit formal but this establishes proof that notice has been given, should something happen later. And be sure to keep a copy for yourself.

In the event future damage does occur on your property, your recovery will be based on how your state addresses this issue. Some view it as negligence while others treat it as a nuisance matter. But by all means, be a good neighbor and address your concerns early.

This podcast is produced by The joe gardener® Media Network. If you have a comment our hotline is always open at 206.337.0375 or send us an email at heyjoe@joegardener.com.

Thanks for listening! This is Joe Lamp’l and I’ll see you back here next time for more Growing a Greener World.