Explore every episode of the podcast KMSU Gardening With Barb And Karen

Oct. 10, 2025 - Barb Lamson is back! She talks about what's happening in her garden and what we need to know in October for our own gardens!

Sept. 26, 2025 - The Minnesota River Valley Master Gardeners are hosting a Fall Festival at the Glenwood Gardens (Mankato) on Sat. September 27, 10AM - noon. Take a tour of the demonstration gardens and ask questions of the Master Gardeners who will be on hand to answer. There will be demonstrations and giveaways of seeds and plants! Celebrate Fall with us. Master Gardeners Dawn Hubner and Karen Wright discuss the event and give garden tips in this podcast.

Sept. 12, 2025 - Brian Schwingle, Forestry Expert with the MN DNR discusses how and where to see the best color in Minnesota. He also talks about the science behind the color change and how weather impacts its brilliance.

July 25, 2025 - Master Gardener Ruth Tweto joins Karen Wright to talk about entering flowers and vegetables at your county fair. It's a way to share your love of gardening, and maybe win a blue ribbon or two. The duo discusses this year's Blue Earth County Fair display.

June 27, 2025 - Master Gardener Dawn Hubner joins Karen Wright to discuss the importance of deadheading and other topics of interest to plant lovers.

June 6, 2025 - Meet Karla Regales, the new Master Garden Program Coordinator for Blue Earth and LeSueur counties.  Karla talks with KMSU's Karen Wright about how to become a master gardener and what the program is all about.

June 13, 2025 - Long-time Master Gardener Barb Maher talks about her Native Plant lawn, the benefits of natives, and about the Serviceberry, an important native to Minnesota.

May 2, 2025 - The Minnesota River Valley Master Gardener Spring Plant Sale is on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Master Gardeners Ruth Tweto, Barb Lamson and Karen Wright talk about what's at the sale, shopping strategies, what goes into putting on a sale, and more.  The sale will be held at the Mankato Curling Club at 9:00 AM. 

April 18, 2025 - Master Gardeners Barb Lamson & Karen Wright talk about what it's okay to plant outside now, what to wait on, and where to get some great plants for your gardens this spring!

March 28, 2025 - Barb Lamson was one of the very first individuals in the MN Master Garden Program. She talks about the group's humble beginnings, how it has grown, and how things have changed through the years.  Barb and Karen also talk about the upcoming "Spring Alive!" education day on April 5, and the upcoming MG Plant sale on May 17, 2025.

March 14, 2024  Listen as Master Gardeners Karen Wright and Barb Lamson give tips and tricks for you to have a successful gardening season.

March 1, 2025 - It is a delight to have Master Gardener Barb Lamson back from being a Winter Snow Bird! Barb and Karen answer listeners questions and talk about what you can do in March to help quench your gardening passion.

Jan. 10, 2025 Is it too early to start seeds? Yes. Mostly. Master Gardeners Karen Wright and Kim Neilsen offer tips on what you can start now and what you need to be successful. And they share what NOT to do -- they know, from experience! 

Dec. 20, 2024 Minnesota River Valley Master Gardener Kim Neilsen joined Karen Wright this morning to talk about Holiday gifts for gardeners. Kim is the current Chairperson of the MRVMG and is filling in for Barb Lamson who is a snowbird in Georgia for the winter.

November 8, 2024 Master Gardeners Barb Lamson and Karen Wright talk about things you can still do in the garden - like planting spring bulbs!

Oct 18, 2024 Master Gardener Karen Wright is joined by Master Gardener Barb Lamson and her son Chad, from Alaska and they discuss gardening and what to do in the fall.

Oct.. 4, 2024 Master Gardener Barb Lamson shares tales of gardening with her parents and grandparents, plus give tips for fall gardening.

Sept. 27, 2024 Getting ready for fall, including overseeding your lawn, planting bulbs and more. With master gardeners Barb Lamson & Karen Wright.

Sept. 20. 2024 We have a surprise guest on today's Master Gardener show! Chad Lamson, son of MG Barb Lamson, talks about gardening in Alaska and what he's learned from his mom.

Aug. 23, 2024 Master Gardeners Barb Lamson and Karen Wright talk about what needs to be done this time of year in the garden.

Aug. 16, 2024 Peaches and Cat Tales - just a couple topics Master Gardeners Barb Lamson and Karen Wright cover in today's Master Gardener segment.

August 9, 2024 Karen is off at the Nicollet County Fair showing her flowers, so Dwayne Megaw sat in this morning to talk with Master Gardener Barb Lamson.

August 2, 2024 Master Gardeners Barb Lamson and Karen Wright always tell us to call our extension agent if we have any plant-related questions. Blue Earth and LeSueur counties have indicated they are no longer able to fund the extension educator position, currently held by Shane Bujega, who works closely with the Master Gardeners.

June 26, 2024 Master Gardeners Barb Lamson and Karen Wright discuss the bounty in the garden - from vegetables to flowers. Summer is a great time of year to see the fruits of your labor!

July 5, 2024 Happy 4th of July! Master Gardeners Barb Lamson and Karen Wright talk about some common garden mistakes and how you can avoid making them,  plus other timely garden topics.

June 21, 2024 The rain just keeps falling and the ground is saturated with flooding. How does this impact our gardens? Master Gardeners Barb Lamson & Karen Wright discuss.

May 31, 2024 Master Gardeners Barb Lamson and Karen Wright talk about gardening smarter, not harder.

April 12, 2024 April is here, the soil is warming up and we can finally plant some things outside. But not everything according to Master Gardeners Barb Lamson and Karen Wright.

April 5, 2024 The soil temp is warming up - it's 38 degrees What does that mean for planting outside? Master Gardeners Barb Lamson and Karen Wright talk about that as well as the upcoming Spring Alive! event, and more gardening tips for you.

March 29, 2024 What seeds to plant now, how to keep cats out of the garden, upcoming garden events and more with Master Gardeners Barb Lamson and Karen Wright.

April 1, 2024 When can i start planting in my Garden? Master Gardeners Barb Lamson & Karen Wright say it's okay to start your "cool weather" crops soon and give  other planting advice.

April 8, 2024 Time to plant your peas in the garden! Master Gardeners Karen Wright and Barb Lamson share their favorite peas to grow.

April 8, 2024 It's getting close to potato planting time. Master Gardeners Barb Lamson & Karen Wright share memories of planting this staple crop.

April 22, 2024 Why is it so important to keep records about our gardens? Master Gardeners Karen Wright and Barb Lamson explain.

March 22, 2024 - Spring has finally arrived. But don't get out too early in the garden. There are still things you can do inside. And what about the snowfall we finally got? Barb and Karen talk about these things and more.

March 8, 2024 Master Gardeners Barb Lamson & Karen Wright talk about Seed Trials conducted by the University of Minnesota Master Gardeners and how they can help you select the best plants to grow in your garden. Plus more garden talk...

March 4, 2024 Master Gardeners Barb Lamson and Karen Wright talk about pruning trees and shrubs. It's time!

March 11, 2024 What is the difference between a hardy and a non-hardy plant? Why is it important for gardeners to know this? Master Gardeners Barb Lamson and Karen Wright tell you why.

March 18, 2024 March is the time to start many seeds indoors for the plants to be ready for harvest in our short growing season. Master Gardeners Barb Lamson and Karen Wright talk about how to successfully start seeds and which ones to start now.

March 25, 2024 If the lawn or your gardens are wet, KEEP OUT! Master Gardeners Barb Lamson and Karen Wright tell you why this is so important.

Feb. 16, 2024 Spring is just 31 days away. That's an exciting word for Master Gardeners Barb Lamson and Karen Wright. But there are some things you will need to sit on your hands and just wait a bit more to do!

Feb. 2, 2024 The weather has been wacky this winter with excessively warm temperatures and little to no snow. What does this mean for our plants? Master Gardeners Karen Wright and Barb Lamson discuss this dilemma and more.

Jan. 26, 2024 Master Gardeners Barb Lamson & Karen Wright had a lengthy discussion about seed catalogs and the importance of reading the fine print about a company's warranty. We were surprised at what we read! We discussed other garden topics as well.

Feb. 26, 2024 Succulents and cacti are becoming more and more popular and are a great and easy houseplant. Master Gardeners Barb Lamson and Karen Wright talk about growing these amazing plants.

Feb. 19, 2024 Master Gardeners Barb Lamson and Karen Wright talk about the five most common indoor plant pests and what to do about it.

Feb. 14, 2023 What is a good gift to get your valentine? There's the old "tried and true" red roses. But Master Gardeners Barb Lamson and Karen Wright suggest thinking beyond a one-and-done plant gift.

Feb. 6, 2024 What is the fastest way to kill a houseplant. Master Gardener Karen Wright and Barb Lamson talk about what to do and what NOT to do for thriving house plants.

January 12, 2024 It may be winter, but there are still things to talk about regarding gardening. Tune in with Master Gardeners Barb Lamson and Karen Wright.

January 5, 2024 Climate Change is impacting our garden zones. Master Gardener Barb Lamson recently returned from Georgia where zones have also change and she and Karen discussed how it is impacting the entire nation, including us in Minnesota!

January 29, 2024  One of the few perennial vegetables we grow in Minnesota - Asparagus! Growing tips from Master Gardeners Barb Lamson & Karen Wright