In this episode of The Garden Question Podcast, host Craig McManus converses with Jenny Simpson, co-owner of Creekside Nursery in North Carolina.

They delve into the concept of becoming a diligent student of your garden by understanding its unique conditions and adapting to the southeastern U.S. climate.

Jenny offers expertise on soil management, especially with red clay, and choosing suitable plants.

Topics include dealing with full sun gardens, the importance of knowing plant mature sizes, and tips for growing specific varieties like camellias and hens and chicks.

The discussion extends to the challenges faced by new gardeners in the area, the integral role of her family in their nursery business, and the significant impact of social media on their success.

Listeners are encouraged to engage in continuous learning, enjoy the creative aspects of gardening, and adapt their practices for a beautiful year-round garden.

Jenny Simpson meets people on their gardening journey and helps them grow, bloom, and thrive both in their garden and life!

In this episode we talk about how being a student of your garden puts you on a track to success.

Jenny & Jerry Simpson are growers and retailer of specialized plants that thrive in the often-challenging climate of the southeastern United States.

Their Creekside Nursery, Inc. is an all-hands-on deck family operation located in the serene countryside outside Dallas, NC.

As a Proven Winners' Destination Garden Center, they offer the region’s largest selection of Proven Winners' plants. 

Jenny creates and publishes 5 very informative garden videos a week. You will want to follow Jenny’s family adventures along with 75,000+ followers @GardeningwithCreekside on YouTube.

Time Line

00:00 Welcome to The Garden Question Podcast

00:41 Meet Jenny and Jerry Simpson

01:59 Understanding Your Garden

03:02 Challenges of Southern Gardening

04:01 Soil and Planting Tips

09:16 Exciting New Plant Varieties

19:43 Dealing with Deer in Your Garden

23:34 The Journey of Creekside Nursery

26:36 Post-Pandemic Garden Center Boom

27:13 Challenges of Attracting Customers to a Rural Nursery

27:59 Embracing Social Media for Business Growth

29:24 Family Involvement in the Nursery Business

32:09 Engaging the Younger Generation in Gardening

37:15 Tips for Successful Garden Design

40:34 Debunking Garden Myths

41:16 Personal Gardening Memories and Stories

43:14 Influences and Lessons in Gardening

49:32 Future Garden Plans and Connecting with the Community

Mike and Judy Cunningham are harvesting the last summer crops at Country Gardens Farm.

Fall gardening is just beginning. Mike takes a break to talk about his favorite time of the year in the garden.

Some of the things you will discover in this episode are the best practices Mike implements for soils, plant selections, and timing. All important for a successful fall harvest.

Mike and Judy Cunningham have been teaching people how to grow, cook, and preserve good organic food for over 10 years.

Country Gardens Farm is a third-generation family farm growing a wide assortment of organic year-round vegetables they sale to the community from their 3 acres.

Mike with lots of input from Judy authored his successful "Seven Steps to an Organic Vegetable Garden"

You will remember Mike's openness in sharing his successful methods for growing good food in our inaugural episode 001 of "The Garden Question" Podcast.

This episode 073 “Fall Organic Vegetable Gardening” an edited and remix version of episode 017 with Mike Cunningham. 

Fall Vegetable Gardening Wisdom with Mike Cunningham

Exploring the Essentials of Fall Organic Vegetable Gardening with Mike Cunningham

The Garden Question podcast, hosted by Craig McManus, features successful organic farmer Mike Cunningham, who shares expert insights into fall gardening.

Mike and his wife Judy, who run the organic Country Gardens Farm, discuss best practices for soils, plant selections, and timing for a successful fall harvest.

Additionally, Mike shares tips on protecting plants from cold weather, differences between summer and fall crops, and methods for extending the growing season. This episode, an encore and remix, is packed with valuable information for both novice and experienced gardeners.

00:00 Welcome to The Garden Question Podcast

00:41 Meet Mike and Judy Cunningham

01:53 Why Plant a Fall Vegetable Garden?

03:08 Protecting Plants from Cold Weather

04:21 Differences Between Fall and Summer Crops

04:55 Planting Onions and Garlic for Spring Harvest

07:17 Understanding Days to Maturity (DTM)

08:40 Best Practices for Planting Fall Crops

14:00 Growing Carrots in the Fall

16:02 Container Gardening Tips

17:18 Growing Leafy Greens in Containers

19:41 Other Fall Crops to Consider

23:06 Dealing with Pests in the Fall Garden

26:22 Organic Remedies for Caterpillars

27:22 Dealing with Aphids and Four-Legged Pests

29:28 Importance of Soil Health

30:57 Fertilizing Your Fall Garden

34:19 Planting and Caring for Transplants

37:56 Winter Cover Crops and Soil Maintenance

40:19 Handling Plant Debris

42:11 Farm Events and Activities

44:57 Learning from the Garden

47:46 About Country Gardens Farm

49:40 Conclusion and Podcast Information

In this episode of The Garden Question Podcast, host Craig McManus interviews Shannon Currey, a horticultural educator and consultant with Izell Native Plants.

They delve into the distinctions between ornamental grasses and turf grasses, and the ecological benefits of using grasses and sedges in garden design.

Shannon provides insights into the growth cycles of warm season and cool season grasses, and offers practical advice on plant selection and maintenance.

The episode also touches on the importance of planting densely, the ecological value of grasses, and tips for gardeners in different zones.

Shannon shares her personal experiences and professional journey, aiming to inspire both novice and experienced gardeners to create beautiful, functional, and low-maintenance outdoor spaces.

Are you ready to try something new? Then grasses and sedges could be your next garden adventure.

You will find the opportunities for creating a rich layered interesting garden that serves more than an ornamental function.

Developing the whole ecological package. Improving the soil and developing a more aesthetically functionating garden are in your future.

We all need better solutions for suppressing weeds and gardening under trees. 

Shannon is a horticultural educator and consultant with Izel Native Plants.

She began her work life as a social scientist and then changed her career pursuit to horticulture at North Carolina State University.

Shannon joined Hoffman Nursery, a wholesale grower specializing in grasses, sedges, and other graminoids.

She has shared her advanced knowledge of graminoids in articles published nationally.

You will often find her speaking across the country to professional organizations, community groups, and at public gardens.

Shannon currently serves on the Perennial Plant Association’s Board of Directors and is on the North Carolina Plant Conservation Scientific Committee.

She was honored in 2020 with the Libby Wilder Award from the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association.

In 2022 she joined Izel Native Plants to expand their education and outreach efforts.

00:00 Welcome to The Garden Question Podcast

01:11 Introducing Shannon Curry: Horticultural Expert

02:29 Understanding Ornamental and Turf Grasses

03:19 Exploring Sedges and Their Ecological Value

06:19 Warm Season vs. Cool Season Grasses

11:23 Grasses and Sedges in Garden Design

19:39 Practical Tips for Growing and Dividing Grasses and Sedges

24:47 Adapting Northern Gardening Principles to the Southeast

27:35 Mulch and Weed Management

27:52 Choosing the Right Plants for Your Climate

28:49 Starting Small and Experimenting

29:54 The Unique Qualities of Grasses and Sedges

30:18 Design Elements of Grasses

32:16 Seasonality and Maintenance of Grasses

34:05 Ecological Benefits of Grasses

34:57 Cutting Back and Dividing Grasses

37:33 Planting and Managing Grasses and Sedges

41:36 Common Garden Myths and Mistakes

42:03 Personal Gardening Experiences

48:53 Future Gardening Plans and Favorite Plants

50:16 New Horticultural Adventures

52:15 Final Thoughts and How to Connect

Mike Cunningham believes that having a salad every day is probably one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself.

In this episode we will discover how simple, easy, and quick growing greens can keep your salad bowl full all winter.

Fresh tasty nutritional eating right from your deck, patio, or backyard sounds great to me.

Mike and Judy Cunningham have been teaching people how to grow, cook, and preserve good organic food for over 10 years.

Country Gardens Farm is a third-generation family farm growing a wide assortment of organic year-round vegetables they sale to the community from their 3 acres.

This episode 077 - Growing Baby Salad Greens all Winter with Mike Cunningham

Mike’s blog post Baby Salid Greens with video on how to plant in a bed.

Judy’s Recipes

Facebook: Country Gardens Farm

Instagram: MikeCunningham1529

Website: Country Gardens Farm

00:00 Introduction to The Garden Question Podcast

00:42 Meet Mike Cunningham: Growing Greens Expert

01:59 Why Grow Baby Salad Greens?

03:46 How to Grow Baby Salad Greens

04:57 Succession Planting and Container Tips

06:18 Soil and Fertilizer Mix for Greens

15:29 Harvesting and Post-Harvest Handling

18:44 Exploring Microgreens

24:15 Seasonal Growing Tips

28:27 Additional Crops for Your Garden

30:39 Connecting with Country Gardens Farm

33:16 Conclusion and Podcast Information

Are you ready to try something new? Then grasses and sedges could be your next garden adventure.

You will find the opportunities for creating a rich layered interesting garden that serves more than an ornamental function.

Developing the whole ecological package. Improving the soil and developing a more aesthetically functionating garden are in your future.

We all need better solutions for suppressing weeds and gardening under trees. 

This is episode 076 – Growing & Understanding Grasses & Sedges - Shannon Currey

Shannon is a horticultural educator and consultant with Izel Native Plants.

She began her work life as a social scientist and then changed her career pursuit to horticulture at North Carolina State University.

Shannon joined Hoffman Nursery, a wholesale grower specializing in grasses, sedges, and other graminoids.

She has shared her advanced knowledge of graminoids in articles published nationally.

You will often find her speaking across the country to professional organizations, community groups, and at public gardens.

Shannon currently serves on the Perennial Plant Association’s Board of Directors and is on the North Carolina Plant Conservation Scientific Committee.

She was honored in 2020 with the Libby Wilder Award from the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association.

In 2022 she joined Izel Native Plants to expand their education and outreach efforts.

Izel’s unique sales model brings native plant wholesale growers’ inventories directly to the end consumer.

00:00 Welcome to The Garden Question Podcast

01:11 Introduction to Episode 76: Grasses and Sedges

01:18 Meet Shannon Curry: Horticultural Expert

02:29 Understanding Ornamental vs. Turf Grass

03:19 Exploring Sedges and Their Ecological Value

06:19 Warm Season vs. Cool Season Grasses

11:23 Grasses and Sedges in Garden Design

19:39 Practical Tips for Growing and Dividing Grasses and Sedges

24:47 Adapting Northern Gardening Principles to the Southeast

27:35 Mulch and Weed Management

27:52 Choosing the Right Plants for Your Climate

28:49 Starting Small and Learning from Examples

29:54 The Unique Qualities of Grasses and Sedges

30:18 Design Elements of Grasses

32:16 Seasonality and Maintenance of Grasses

34:05 Ecological Benefits of Grasses

34:57 Cutting Back and Dividing Grasses

37:33 Planting and Managing Grasses and Sedges

41:36 Common Garden Myths and Mistakes

42:03 Personal Gardening Experiences

50:16 New Horticultural Adventures

52:15 Final Thoughts and How to Connect

Sarah Roberts and her team have brought the New Perennial Movement to the south on a large scale. The new Entrance Garden’s large sweeps of grasses, perennials, native plants presented in a naturalistic style welcomes you to the Atlanta History Center.

The garden has settled in and in this episode Sarah explains the details that makes it successful.

It is a creation perfect for insects, small mammals, birds and people.

Sarah Roberts is the Olga C. de Goizueta Vice President of the Goizueta Gardens and Living Collections at the Atlanta History Center

A college internship in curation at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University sparked Sarah’s career path in public horticulture.

During her undergraduate studies at Berry College, she spent a year on scholarship in  the United Kingdom studying historic gardens as part of her honors degree in Horticulture.

The next five years were spent as Curator of Herbaceous Plants and Outdoor Gardens at the New York Botanical Garden.

She then returned to England, completing a Diploma in Garden Design from the UK’s Garden Design School.

Upon Sarah’s return to the US, she began consulting for the Atlanta History Center which led to her current position as Vice President of Goizueta Gardens.

She leads the development, curation and preservation of the 33-acre public garden with three historic houses.

Sarah has written for numerous publications, been featured on Martha Stewart Radio, the Canadian Broadcast Corporation, GardenSmart TV series and the podcast Stuff You Missed in History Class.

Jason Powell declares the queen of the garden to be antique roses.

Who could argue with old garden roses that exudes excellent fragrance, shape, disease resistance, and low maintenance.

We talk about how these fragrant flowering shrubs make a huge impact in your garden when pairing them with some surprise companion plantings.

Jason and his wife Shelley partner with Jason’s Mom and Dad to produce heirloom plants at their nursery Petals from the Past.

Their mission is to educate and grow “tough plants for southern gardens”.

Jason earned a Bachelor degree in Horticulture from Auburn University and a Master degree in Horticulture from Texas A&M University.

He is a proud member of the infamous Texas Rose Rustlers where they scouted and rescued thousands of antique roses all over the southeast.

Jason insider’s look at The Peggy Martin / Hurricane Katrina Rose survival story will amaze you. 

Mike and Judy Cunningham are harvesting the last summer crops at Country Gardens Farm.

Fall gardening is just beginning. Mike takes a break to talk about his favorite time of the year in the garden.

Some of the things you will discover in this episode are the best practices Mike implements for soils, plant selections, and timing. All important for a successful fall harvest.

Mike and Judy Cunningham have been teaching people how to grow, cook, and preserve good organic food for over 10 years.

Country Gardens Farm is a third-generation family farm growing a wide assortment of organic year-round vegetables they sale to the community from their 3 acres.

Mike with lots of input from Judy authored his successful "Seven Steps to an Organic Vegetable Garden"

You will remember Mike's openness in sharing his successful methods for growing good food in our inaugural episode 001 of "The Garden Question" Podcast.

This episode 073 “Fall Organic Vegetable Gardening” an edited and remix version of episode 017 with Mike Cunningham. 

In this episode of The Garden Question podcast, host Craig McManus speaks with Mike Cunningham about the fundamentals of fall organic vegetable gardening.

The discussion covers best practices for soil management, plant selections, and timing, crucial for successful fall harvests.

Mike shares insights on protecting plants from cold weather, the differences between summer and fall crops, and the importance of soil nutrition.

Additionally, the episode highlights the benefits of cover crops and practical tips for container gardening. Listeners will also learn about managing pests organically and how Mike and his wife Judy teach their community to grow, cook, and preserve organic food at their third-generation Country Gardens Farm in Georgia.

00:00 Introduction to The Garden Question Podcast

00:41 Meet Mike and Judy Cunningham

02:02 Why Plant a Fall Vegetable Garden?

03:17 Protecting Plants from Cold Weather

04:30 Differences Between Fall and Summer Crops

05:04 Planting Onions and Garlic for Spring Harvest

07:26 Understanding Days to Maturity (DTM)

09:01 Growing Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Brussels Sprouts

14:41 Carrots: A Sweet Winter Treat

16:11 Container Gardening Tips

17:27 Growing Leafy Greens in Containers

19:50 Fall Gardening: Brassicas and More

23:12 Dealing with Pests in the Fall Garden

26:38 Safe Insect Control with BT

27:31 Dealing with Aphids and Other Pests

28:29 Protecting Your Garden from Deer and Rabbits

29:37 The Importance of Soil Health

31:06 Using Organic Fertilizers

34:27 Planting and Caring for Transplants

38:05 Winter Cover Crops and Soil Maintenance

40:28 Handling Plant Debris and No-Till Methods

42:20 Farm Events and Seasonal Activities

45:06 Learning and Growing with Nature

47:55 About Country Gardens Farm

49:49 Conclusion and Podcast Information

Color excites us more than any design element in the garden because it speaks emotionally to us.

In this episode we will dissect and learn how color speaks to us in our garden.

Dr. Laura Deeter received her PhD in horticulture from The Ohio State University where she is currently a Full Professor of Horticulture at Ohio State ATI in Wooster, OH.

She teaches a multitude of horticulture classes including: Woody and Herbaceous Plant Identification, Landscape Design, Sustainable Landscaping, Plant Health Management, Landscape Construction, and Ecology, to name a few.

Twice awarded the OSU Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching,

the Perennial Plant Association Teaching Award

the American Horticulture Society Teaching Award,

Perennial Plant Association Service Award,

a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ohio Landscape Association

and Professor of the Year from Instructure.

She travels extensively around the country speaking on a variety of topics ranging from taxonomy and nomenclature to shade gardens, design, color, and specialty gardens and plants.

At home she gardens on her tenth of an acre with her hubby, four dogs, 100 pink plastic flamingos and counts her 300+ species of perennials as dear friends.

Naturalistic planting design begins with understanding what roles certain plants play in nature.

One of the most useful concepts in a plants’ survival strategy is learning how to classify it on the Grimes Triangle.

This is a new concept for me. I don’t remember every hearing about this classification system or how it works.  

We talk about this and more in this episode 071 – Success with Naturalistic Plantings with our guest Jared Barnes, Ph.D. 

Dr. Jared started gardening when he was five years old. Since then, he has enthusiastically pursued how to best cultivate plants and cultivate minds. 

He currently fulfills those passions as an award-winning associate professor of horticulture at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX.  

He obtained his Ph.D. in horticultural science from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. He interned at The Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College.

By traveling around the US and to eleven countries he has gained national and global horticulture perspectives.  

Jared educates the public with his weekly newsletter Plant-Ed and his monthly podcast Plantastic all found on his website Meristeam. 

His passion has been recognized by peers in interviews in Organic Gardening, Greenhouse Grower, AmericanHort Connect, Ken Druse’s Real Dirt, and Nursery Management.

His articles have appeared in The American Gardener, Fine Gardening and Carolina Gardener.

Whether rain drops are regularly falling in your garden this season or you’ve almost forgot what rain looks like, having a water drainage plan is more Important than a Planting Plan for a happy successful garden.

In this episode Host Craig McManus talks about water drainage systems in the garden. What he has seen that works and what is seen that failed. Some principles and truths that every gardener should know. 

It’s hummingbird season. Are they swarming in your garden?

In this episode Gail Woody reveals her tricks of the garden that attract hundreds of these wonderful creatures.

She talks about her feeding strategies and nectar producing plants that make her garden a popular stop for hummingbirds on their migration journey to and from Central America.   

Knowing the successful water attracting tactics. Providing preferred reproduction habitat. And, attracting the preferred insects are all important to Hummingbird health.

Gail has been gardening for over 30 years.

She creates the perfect eco system that includes butterflies, hummingbirds, native plants, water features and more. She has a contagious passion for gardening!

This episode will inspire you.

Gail Woody is an ISA Certified Arborist and a seasoned advanced Master Gardener. She speaks and writes on Butterflies, Hummingbirds, and native plants among other garden subjects.

The hummingbirds swarming around my garden inspired me to remix, edited and reintroduce episode 005 for episode 069 - How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden - Gail Woody

In this episode Gail Woody will tell us how to attract more butterflies and then keep them coming to your garden.

She has been studying these flying jewels for many years and regularly attracts up to 38 different species to her garden.

Monarch butterflies make regular visits to her garden twice a year on their migration treks from Mexico to Canada. She raises and tags new monarchs each year helping increase and study the growing population.  

Gail has been gardening for over 30 years. Creating the perfect eco system for butterflies, hummingbirds, and native plants.

Her passion for gardening is contagious! After listening to this episode there will be no excuses. Building and growing your own butterfly paradise will become a priority!

Gail Woody is an ISA Certified Arborist and a seasoned advanced Master Gardener. She speaks and writes on Butterflies, Hummingbirds, and native plants among other garden subjects.  

This is Episode 068 - Attracting More Butterflies to Your Garden – Gail Woody

and is an update and remix from episode 002.

Backyard Butterflies – Georgia Department of Natural Resources https://georgiawildlife.com/backyard-butterflies

Monarchs Across Georgia https://www.eealliance.org/monarchs-across-ga.html

Monarch Butterflies & Georgia Gardeners Brochure

https://botgarden.uga.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/milkweedinformation.pdf

Georgia Pollinator Partnership https://gapp.org/

In Episode 166 of The Garden Question Podcast, host Craig McManus interviews landscape architect Preston Montague about creating impactful ecological landscapes.

Preston discusses using plants from diverse regions, the importance of understanding ecosystem relationships, and integrating native plants to enhance ecological function.

He describes his design philosophy rooted in resource savings and creating habitats for birds and pollinators, offering practical tips for garden enthusiasts.

The conversation covers Preston’s background, professional influences, and personal experiences, providing a comprehensive guide to thoughtful and sustainable landscape design.

In this episode Preston Montague talks about how to achieve positive ecological impacts with plants from all over the globe with structural elements that serve animals, insects and people.

It’s not just about native plants.

Understanding the relationships that compose an ecosystem and the keystone species that is important.

Learn how to back into landscape design and avoid the ultimate disappointments in a Static landscape.

Preston Montague is a landscape architect and artist who developed a passion for the natural world while growing up in the rural foothills of Virginia.

Currently, he lives in Durham, North Carolina working on projects that encourage stronger relationships between people and the natural world.

00:00 Introduction to The Garden Question Podcast

00:41 Episode Overview: Crafting Gardens with Preston Montague

01:48 Understanding Ecological Planning and Restoration

03:46 Designing with Ecological Sensitivity

07:30 Targeting Specific Species in Landscape Design

10:52 Bird-Friendly Landscaping Tips

18:58 Designing for Commercial Spaces

26:07 Challenges and Misconceptions in Ecological Design

29:09 Tracking Project Success in Landscape Architecture

29:50 The Dynamic Nature of Landscapes

30:40 Challenges with Static Landscapes

33:12 Ecological Design and Future Innovations

35:07 The Role of Professionals in Landscape Design

39:28 Addressing Garden Myths and Misconceptions

42:35 Personal Journey and Inspirations

49:01 Lessons Learned and Future Applications

55:31 Connecting with Preston Montague



It’s no accident insects are a critical part of putting good food on your table.

Becky Griffin knows pollinators count. Now she is counting the pollinators in the 2022 The Great Georgia Pollinator Census.

Your state could be next.

Being a self-confessed “Geeky Kid” with a great love for insects Becky wore out the bee book in her local library. 

Now Becky is the coordinator of The Great Georgia Pollinator Census taking place this year on August 19th and 20th, 2022.

In this episode we will find out how insects and their supporting habitat make a difference.

Becky tells us the simple pollinator counting method for collecting important data to be used by the University of Georgia researchers. This valuable data reveals pollinator trends and is needed to conduct economic valuation studies of pollination.

This is episode 067 - The Great Pollinator Census - Becky Griffin and is an updated and remix of episode 019.

Becky is a Georgia Certified Beekeeper and works with community and school gardeners to increase beneficial insect habitat.

She is also part of UGA's Native Plants and Beneficial Insect Working Group .

You will want to hear episode 18 “Gardening with Children” when you finish this episode 19 of The Garden Question Podcast.

Connect with Becky: Becky Griffin is the Community and School Garden Coordinator for University of Georgia Extension.

Website: The Great Georgia Pollinator Census  

In this episode Victoria Mininger shares with us how she helps her clients set up simple thriving gardens. Gardens that require less work when you find the right spot.

For years Victoria and her husband Brian have owned Bear Creek Outdoor Living a residential construction company focusing on building patios, decks, pergolas and hardscapes.

Incorporating edible and perennial gardens has become an expanding part of their offerings. These beautiful and sustainable garden solutions are just what their clients are looking for in their home landscape.

Victoria is Permaculture Design Certified and holds a degree in Psychology.

Bear Creek Outdoor Living Website

Bear Creek Facebook 

Bear Creek Instagram 

Victoria’s personal website: 

www.victoriamininger.com 

Have you got a shady location where nothing else will grow? Are you tired of mowing grass? Do you have problem  with soil erosion? How about a desire to avoid chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides?

In this episode Annie Martin, moss landscape designer and Timber Press author of The Magical World of Moss Gardening, talks about how Native mosses can be an excellent horticultural alternative.

Annie (aka Mossin’ Annie) is the owner of Mountain Moss in Pisgah Forest, NC,

She provides valuable insights on how to transform your outdoor living space into a serene retreat and eco-friendly landscape with verdant mosses.

Her how-to tips will help you get started on your own appealing year-round green moss gardening projects.

Youtube: Mossin’ Annie

Facebook group: Growing Green with Moss

Dean Norton fell in love with the Mount Vernon Estate Gardens 53 years ago and never left.

After receiving a degree in horticulture from Clemson University he began his horticultural career as the estate’s boxwood gardener. 

The historical gardens of the first president of The United States George Washington became his responsibility in 1980.  His promotion to horticulturist allowed him to applying the latest plant science and horticulture management techniques for historical gardens.  

Dean has devoted considerable time researching 18th century gardens and gardening practices. 

He has received awards for conservation from the DAR and the Garden Club of America as well as the Garden Club of America’s Elizabeth Craig Weaver Proctor National Medal. 

He is an honorary member of the Garden Club of Virginia and the Garden Club of Providence.

He has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Washington College, serves on several historic property boards and, lectures nationally and internationally. 

It’s been over 200 years since he was born.

People still absorb his parks and public gardens in more than 5,000 communities across the North American continent.  

The goal is to “give the common man in this New World the same opportunity to experience creation as any king in his private preserve from the Old World.”

Frederick Law Olmsted is prevalently pronounced the father of American landscape architecture.

In this Episode 063 – A Word with Fredrick Law Olmsted – (interpreted by) Kirk R. Brown

Kirk R. Brown is a member of the International Garden Communicator’s Hall of Fame. He is a Green Achiever being recognized with many industry awards.

He represented Joanne Kostecky Garden Design as a leader in the design/build industry.

At America’s Oldest Garden in Charleston SC, he worked as National Outreach Coordinator. 

He is a past president of www.GardenComm.com.

In the US and Canada, he has delivered hundreds of keynote addresses, guest lectures, teaching symposia, and certified instruction over the past quarter century.

He is also known to interpret historic horticulturists and international dignitaries: John Bartram, and Frederick Law Olmsted.

With it all, he still finds time to cultivate his own private display garden.

Join him now as he unveils his views on Olmsted’s in this Bicentennial year.

In this episode Dan Miller talks about his vision and how he executes his creative garden ideas.

Dan is the author of the New York Times best-selling book 48 Days To The Work You Love, No More Dreaded Mondays, Wisdom Meets Passion and An Understanding Heart. 

He has been a guest on CBS' 'The Early Show,' MSNBC's 'Hardball with Chris Mathews, and the Dave Ramsey Show.

Dan has spoken at the White House Christian Fellowship, and is in high demand as an expert on new opportunities in today’s changing workplace.  

His 48 Days Podcast consistently ranks at the top under Careers on Apple Podcast.

The 48DaysEagles.com community is an example worldwide for those seeking to find – or create – work they love.  

What can you do to improve your garden’s soil to reduce failures? In this episode 061 Sustainable Soil Success with Bryce Lane, we discover how understanding soils influences abundant plant growth.

Bryce discovered his passion for plants, and telling others about them while working at a small Massachusetts garden center through high school and college.

After earning his BS and MS degrees in Horticulture, he came to the Department of Horticultural Science at NC State University as an Instructor and Undergraduate Coordinator.

He spent 34 years teaching and advising over 20,000 students. Bryce retired in 2014, but still teaches part-time in the department.

For 11 seasons, from 2003 to 2014 he hosted and produced a three-time, Emmy winning, UNC TV public television show called “In the Garden With Bryce Lane”. 

Melanie Deyton has made a life connecting people to plants through her family’s flower farm Melanie’s Garden.

In this episode 060 we talk about successful Cut Flower Gardening. Overcoming the trials and the solutions of developing a whole new flower farm site.

You will enjoy learning how Melanie’s practical experience will guide you to becoming a better Cut Flower Grower. 

Having worked in the floral and gardening industry for over a decade, she has learned that it's best to let nature lead the way.

As a mother, gardener and floral designer, she finds joy and beauty in the simplest things growing in her garden and along roadsides. 

She talks about how nature’s hidden delights become spectacular shared designs.

This is episode 060 – Cut Flower Growing - Melanie Deyton

Melanie’s Garden Facebook

Melanie’s Garden Instagram

Lisa Bartlett is the Garden Manager for Smith-Gilbert Gardens.

She is responsible the over 4,000 species collection of plants.

This collection ranges from rare herbaceous perennials to rare and unusual trees.

The largest collections of Bonsai in the Southeast are also held at the gardens.

Lisa created the award-winning Butterfly Exhibit at Smith-Gilbert Gardens and follow up with the first Crevice Garden in Georgia.

Lisa has also served on the board of The American Hydrangea Society. One of her current projects is developing what she hopes to be a Nationally recognized collection of Hydrangea.

She also hosted a gardening radio show, called Green and Grow. 

Before her passion for plants Lisa was a talent agent for stand-up comedians.

Jeff Foxworthy was once one of her clients!

The Penny McHenry Hydrangea Festival

Augustus Jenkins Farmer III is a renaissance plantsman. Born into a family of artists, musicians, and farmers, he fell in love with the natural world early in his childhood. Later he went on to pursue a formal education in Plant and Environmental Sciences at Clemson University and Botanical Garden Design at the University of Washington.

For the last twenty years Jenks has led teams responsible for establishing two of South Carolina's major botanical gardens.

He's presented lectures for groups such as the North Carolina State Agricultural Faculty, the Smithsonian, Wave Hill, Master Gardener clubs and, of course his grandmother's Allendale Ladies Afternoon Reading Club.

His designs for homes, museums, and businesses have received recognition and awards while delighting hundreds of thousands of visitors with the joyful, easy exuberance of hand-crafted gardens.

An avid writer, Jenks has been publishing since 1990. His essays have been featured in magazines such as Rodale's Organic Gardening, Fine Gardening, Horticulture, Botanic Gardens Conservation International, and The Public Garden. His stories appear in GreenPrints and Bare Essential Wildlife Journal of Australia.

Jenks's books often interweave different facts, lessons, and moments from his life that he combines with the knowledge he's gained over the years.

Deep Rooted Wisdom; Stories and Lessons from Generations of Gardeners. 2014 Timber Press

Funky Little Flower Farm. 2019 Artisan Creative Group. 

Crinum: Unearthing the History and Cultivation of the Worlds Largest Bulb

As the former director of Riverbanks Botanical Garden and founding horticulturist of Moore Farms Garden, Jenks has a true talent and passion for inspiring people of all ages and from all walks of life to go outside and get their hands dirty. 

In this episode of The Garden Question podcast, host Craig McManus interviews Felder Rushing, a celebrated horticulturalist and garden communicator.

The episode delves into the concept of 'Maverick Gardeners'—those who follow their own unique gardening practices regardless of trends.

Felder shares insights on slow gardening, planting under oak trees, and the psychology behind gardening.

He also discusses his book and the importance of connecting with nature through unconventional gardening methods. Listen for inspiring stories and practical tips for both novice and expert gardeners.

Mississippi native Felder Rushing is an 11th-generation Southerner.

After retiring from Mississippi State University

as a consumer horticulturist he spends half his year in his celebrated

Mississippi cottage garden and the other half in a small terrace herb garden in

Lancashire, England. 

Felder is a syndicated newspaper columnist, an online contributor

for HGTV, and hosts a weekly NPR garden program The Gestalt Gardener.

He has also been a writer, photographer, and editor for over a

dozen magazines including Horticulture, Fine Gardening, Better Homes and

Gardens, Landscape Architecture, Garden Design, and The National Geographic.

He is the author or co-author of 32 books, including several

national award winners.

You will find him regularly lecturing coast to coast and overseas.

The New York Times has featured Felder three times. Most

recently for forming and internationally promoting the all-senses, all-seasons

approach of Slow Gardening.

Southern Living Magazine featured Felder as one of

“twenty-five people most likely to change the South.”

Felder has served as a national director of the Garden Writers

Association, board officer of the American Horticulture Society and member of

the Royal Horticulture Society and the English Cottage Gardening

Association. 

Time Line

00:00 Introduction to The Garden Question Podcast

00:41 Meet Felder Rushing: The Maverick Gardener

02:31 Defining the Maverick Gardener

05:03 Exploring the Maverick Gardener Book

08:11 Gardening Styles and Personalities

17:50 The Concept of Slow Gardening

20:33 Winter Interest in Southern Gardens

25:54 Native vs. Exotic Plants Debate

31:31 Introduction to Garden Myths

32:06 Debunking Common Gardening Myths

32:46 The Hammerhead Flatworm Hysteria

34:03 The Controversy of Pruning Crape Myrtles

38:37 Horticulture vs. Gardening

43:38 The Simplicity of Gardening

45:23 Influential Figures in Gardening

52:11 Practical Gardening Tips and Stories

55:16 Connecting with Felder Rushing

In this 057th episode with talk with Carol Reese about the Dangers Posed by the Native Purist Movement. Before your eyes pop out of your head take another sip and listen.

Carol Reese is a retired Extension Horticulture Specialist.

She is a nationally-known speaker delightfully blending equal parts gardening knowledge, natural lore, and quirky humor.

Her B.S. and M.S. in Horticulture are from Mississippi State University, and she could also add her Phd. To the mix if she “had ever written that dissertation!”

While there she taught classes in Plant Materials and Landscape Design.

She written numerous articles for garden publications and served as the Q&A columnist for Horticulture Magazine.

For two decades she wrote a weekly gardening and nature column for the Jackson Sun. 

Carol attributes her love of horticulture to being raised on a farm by generations of plant nuts, including a grandfather who each spring dynamited his garden spot to “break up his hard pan”.

Carol’s very personal appreciation of natural lore is at least partially a result of her near daily rambles through the wild areas near her home with her extensive and motley collection of mutts, aka known as the strong-willed breed of “Amalgamations”.  

Jay Sifford’s passion for crafting immersive gardens that are full of magic and story guide his garden designs.

In this episode 056 Cornerstones of a Great Garden, we will discover how Mary Poppins inspires and nurtures a space where reality and fantasy collide. 

Sifford explains how he uses psychological, philosophical and spiritual principles to create contemporary, Asian-inspired, and woodland gardens with common plants and authentic materials.

His inspiring gardens have been featured in Southern Living, Fine Gardening, and Country Gardens magazines as well as in several books and on Houzz. 

He writes for Houzz and SouthPark Magazines.

In 2021, he was named North Carolina's Most Outstanding Landscape Designer by LuxLife magazine.

Additionally, he has won 'Best of Houzz' awards for both design and service in 2020 through 2022.

Jay Sifford’s Garden Design

Sifford Garden Design on Facebook

Jay Sifford Garden Design on Houzz

Mississippi native Felder Rushing is an 11th-generation Southerner.

After retiring from Mississippi State University as a consumer horticulturist he spends half his year in his celebrated Mississippi cottage garden and the other half in a small terrace herb garden in Lancashire, England.  

Felder is a syndicated newspaper columnist, an online contributor for HGTV, and hosts a weekly NPR garden program The Gestalt Gardener.

He has also been a writer, photographer, and editor for over a dozen magazines including Horticulture, Fine Gardening, Better Homes and Gardens, Landscape Architecture, Garden Design, and The National Geographic.

He is the author or co-author of 32 books, including several national award winners.

You will find him regularly lecturing coast to coast and overseas

The New York Times has featured Felder three times. Most recently for forming and internationally promoting the all-senses, all-seasons approach of Slow Gardening.

Southern Living Magazine featured Felder as one of “twenty-five people most likely to change the South.”

Felder has served as a national director of the Garden Writers Association, board officer of the American Horticulture Society and member of the Royal Horticulture Society and the English Cottage Gardening Association. 

Trees aren’t just for beauty any more.

They provide your community with measurable health, financial, and environmental values.

Susan is a ISA Certified Arborist that is on a mission to balance the challenges facing your community's tree canopies.

 Through her work with the Georgia Forestry Commission Urban Forests program Susan assists communities face the challenges in protecting, maintaining and increasing community tree canopies.

In her work she assists local cities with managing their urban forests, public education, tree ordinances, tree protection, and commercial development planning.

She also develops initiatives to encourage tree planting on private land and training tree management best practices.

Susan also assists cities in identifying potential problem trees that might hamper first responders during weather events. 

As an instructor she teaches arborist certification prep classes to Georgia Electric Membership Corporation linemen and ROW workers.  

Erica Glasener is a plant lover, horticulturist, writer, author and speaker.

She is passionate about all things green and is currently the Community Involvement and Events Manager for Piedmont Park Conservancy, the nonprofit that supports Piedmont Park (over 200 acres) in Atlanta, GA. 

She is fortunate to have traveled throughout the US and to have discovered wonderful gardens and gardeners as the host for “A Gardener’s Diary” for 13 years on HGTV.

Recently she worked as the Senior Producer for “Growing a Greener World” which airs on PBS stations across the country.

She loves to share her knowledge about plants and gardening with the conviction that the world would be a better place if everyone gardened, no matter where they live or what they believe. 

When Southern Living The Grumpy Gardener speaks gardeners listen.

For more than 40 years Steve Bender has strived to make gardening fun. His writings about southern gardens and his hands in the dirt experiences are sought after by beginning and expert gardeners. 

Steve takes great joy in answering your garden questions every day at Southern Living Blog  and The Grumpy Gardener on Facebook .

Steve is quoted often. Usually in distain tones since he coined the term “Crape Murder”.

His book Passalong Plants, co-authored with Felder Rushing, was named the best written garden book of 1994 by The Garden Writers of America

His new book, “The Grumpy Gardener,” is an amusing and informative guide to plants culling from a compilation of “Grumpy Gardener” blog posts, selected articles from Southern Living, mixed in with a lot of new stuff.

During his tenure at Southern Living, Steve edited a number of gardening books for Southerners, including The Southern Living Garden Book. 

We’ll celebrate one year of podcasting without missing a single week by bringing you this episode 052 - The Grumpy Gardener Speaks with Steve Bender.

Growing food on your balcony, patio, or in small yards is fun and simple. Follow a few easy steps and many healthy good eats are in your future.

This is episode 051 – Growing Vegetables and Herbs in Containers with Amanda Bennett.

Amanda is the Vice President of Horticulture & Collections at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

She oversees the development and enhancement of the Garden’s prestigious indoor and outdoor collections managed by 33 professional horticulturists.

Since 2005 she has participated in many of the Garden’s design and construction projects.

The Garden’s recurring art installations and special exhibits are horticulturally enhanced and as her team develops many of the Garden’s special projects.

Amanda oversees the landscape design and continued execution of the master plan for the 30-acre garden as well as the displays in the Fuqua Conservatory and Orchid Center. 

Amanda is often cited in local and national publications. Featured on local and national radio & television. She also has written for publications such as The Cactus & Succulent Journal, and cited in Mother Earth News.

Amanda earned a University of Georgia bachelor’s degree in horticulture and completed an internship at Chicago Botanic Garden before joining the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Minimizing diseases, reducing pest, improving soil fertility and pollinator support are all determined by the plant combinations you choose. In this episode 050 – Companion Planting That Works with Jessica Walliser we talk about the science back methods that will reward your decisions.

For 15 years horticulturist Jessica Walliser co-hosted The Organic Gardeners, an award-winning program on KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,

She is the Editorial Director for The Quarto Publishing Group's garden imprint, Cool Springs Press, and a former contributing editor for Organic Gardening magazine.

Jessica is the author of seven gardening books, including the Amazon best-seller 

·      Good Bug, Bad Bug: Who’s Who, What They Do, and How to Manage Them Organically

·      Plant Partners: Science-based Companion Planting Strategies for the Vegetable Garden, which earned a prestigious 2021 American Horticultural Society Book Award

·      Attracting Beneficial Bugs to the Garden: A Natural Approach to Pest Control, which was awarded the American Horticultural Society's 2014 Book Award. It has recently been released as an updated 2nd edition.

For over twelve years Jessica   wrote two weekly gardening columns for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

She is also co-founder of the popular gardening website SavvyGardening.com.

Jessica received her degree in ornamental horticulture from The Pennsylvania State University and is the former owner of a 25-acre organic market farm.

She’s taught a diverse array of gardening topics for over 25 years.

Jessica lives and gardens northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband and son, two cats, two hermit crabs, and billions and billions of very good bugs.

Do you ever get frustrated with your Turf Grass?

In this episode 049 Proper Agronomics for Healthy Turf Grass, we talk with Dr. Clint Waltz about solutions to your frustrations.

The current research into practices and efforts to lowing the inputs into successful turf grass.

How turf grass ecoservices brings good things to our environment.

We also talk about the benefits and hurdles to auto mowing.

Dr. Waltz has state-wide responsibilities in all areas of turfgrass management, including turfgrass water use and conservation.  

Clint is published in scientific journals and makes regular contributions to the newsletters of the State’s trade associations.  Furthermore, he makes numerous presentations from a range of turfgrass professionals, county extension agents and homeowner groups.

Our conversation with Dr. Clint Waltz after this.

UGA Turfgrass Field Day

The University of Georgia Turfgrass Research Field Day is set for Thursday, Aug. 3, on the UGA campus in Griffin, Georgia.

Georgia Turf

This is Episode 48 and we are introducing a new series that I believe you will find interesting and beneficial. The series will be a collection of Garden Case Studies from my experiences as a garden designer and creator.

I’ll drop a Case Study in from time to time when I’m inspired to do so.

Don’t worry I’ll continue to interview inspiring designers, builders and growers of smarter gardens that work.  I couldn’t stop doing that. I’m addicted to learning and applying the many new things I learn from the guest I interview each week.

So here we going. This is episode 48 Moving and Editing Your Plants: A Case Study with Craig McManus

Welcome to another exciting episode of The Garden Question. Today, we're venturing into the captivating realm of plant breeding, a topic that's as fascinating as it is innovative.

We all relish the joy of designing our own gardens, but have you ever dreamt of crafting your very own plants, tailored specifically for your garden? Well, buckle up because we're about to dive into this extraordinary world with an expert who's mastered the art of plant breeding.

In this episode, I'm thrilled to introduce you to David Roberts, a trailblazer in the horticultural universe.

David's journey is nothing short of inspiring.

Armed with a master's degree in horticultural science from the prestigious North Carolina State University, he embarked on a path that led him to a profound passion for ornamental plant breeding.

During his academic pursuits, he worked closely with esteemed mentors, Dr. Dennis Werner and Dr. Tom Ranney, honing his skills and nurturing his love for the art and science of plant breeding.

Here's where the story takes an exciting turn: Bailey Nurseries, Inc. recognized David's exceptional talent and enthusiasm, welcoming him into their family in 2015.

Since then, he's been the driving force behind Bailey Innovations, serving as the general manager and head plant breeder.

Currently, as the Director of Plant Breeding for Bailey Innovations, David oversees the breeding direction and orchestrates plant trials right from their nursery in the Winterville, GA.

Join us as we unravel the secrets behind the artistry of plant breeding, exploring David's experiences, insights, and the magic that happens at Bailey Innovations.

Prepare to be inspired, because today, you're in for a treat. Get ready to witness the bloom of creativity right here episode 164 - Creating New Fun Plant Varieties: The Art and Science of Breeding – David Roberts. An encore presentation.

In episode 164 of The Garden Question Podcast, host Craig McManus delves into the fascinating world of plant breeding with expert David Roberts.

He discusses the process and goals of plant breeding, the balance between aesthetics and performance, and the importance of trends and innovation in the field.

Listeners will learn about the journey of creating the Eclipse hydrangea, the role of happy accidents in plant breeding, and the potential future of gene-editing technologies like CRISPR.

Roberts also discusses exciting new plant varieties and the history of Bailey Innovations, a leader in plant breeding.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in horticulture, from novice gardeners to seasoned experts.

00:00 Introduction to The Garden Question Podcast

00:47 Exploring the World of Plant Breeding

01:17 Meet David Roberts: A Plant Breeding Pioneer

02:58 The Goals and Challenges of Plant Breeding

03:39 Trends and Innovations in Plant Breeding

05:56 The Science and Art of Plant Breeding

09:30 Happy Accidents in Plant Breeding

16:19 The Journey of Eclipse Hydrangea

25:16 Bailey Innovations: A Legacy of Excellence

29:30 Innovations in Hydrangea Breeding

30:31 Exploring the Potential of Vitex

33:07 Pollinators and Plant Breeding

36:56 Focus on Native Plants

38:01 Designing and Growing a Garden

42:09 Personal Journey into Horticulture

43:51 Influential Figures in Horticulture

46:04 Lessons from Gardening Mistakes

47:20 Global Production Practices

49:22 Florist vs. Garden Hydrangeas

52:43 Future Garden Vision

53:21 Current Plant Obsession

54:20 Connecting with David Roberts

Susan Mulvihill is passionate about growing vegetables! Her organic growing methods and pest control have yielded some mighty good eating.

She and her husband, Bill, live and garden on 5 acres in Spokane, Washington. Their large raised-bed garden where they grow all sorts of edible crops has been featured on the popular public television program, “Growing a Greener World” (episode 809 and 1202), hosted by Joe Lamp’l.

In the  last year Susan’s book, The Vegetable Garden Pest Handbook, has proven to be very popular nationwide. She is also the co-author of the Northwest Gardener’s Handbook.

Helping other gardeners be successful has driven Susan to produce and host over 400 hundred YouTube videos on her channel, Susan’s in the Garden. 

She is the longtime garden columnist for the Sunday edition of The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington.

Been a Spokane County Master Gardener for 20 years.

Her website can be found at SusansintheGarden.com and contains resources for organic pest control along with many other guides designed for gardening success. 

Craig LeHoullier is known for many things in the tomato world. Some know him as the NC Tomatoman. Some know him as the fellow who named the very popular heirloom tomato Cherokee Purple.

To others, he is the author of two books Epic Tomatoes and Growing Vegetables in Straw Bales.

Craig is the co-host of Tomatopalooza and a co-leader of the Dwarf Tomato Breeding Project.

Around town in Henderson or Raleigh North, Carolina, you may know him as just the odd person with a garden where the driveway used to be.

Craig proclaims to be a tomato nut with a website, a blog, a newsletter, and a huge collection of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.

In reality Craig LeHoullier pursues with a passion heirloom tomatoes to help keep them relevant.

Growing Epic Tomatoes Course

You will learn and may ask any tomato question you can think of in a weekly live session with Craig LeHoullier and Joe Lamp’l. They’ll be growing their own tomatoes right along with you. Celebrating your successes and discovering solutions to this season’s challenges. The early significantly discounted course sign up period is now open for a very short time. Go to here check it out. That’s Growing Epic Tomatoes in your garden. 

Today we talk with Joe Lamp’l about Preparing for Your Spring Garden.

We find out how an energetic young boy snaps the branch off his dad’s shrubs. In his hast to cover up his accidental deed he hurriedly shoves the branch into the ground. To his amazement a few weeks later the branch had taken root and begun to flourish. This incident ignited Joe Lamp’l gardening passion onto a path leading to one of the country’s most recognized and trusted gardening and green-living personalities.

The passion for living a greener life is evident to a nationwide audience who watches Joe in his current role as Creator, Executive Producer, and Host of the Emmy Award-winning PBS series, Growing a Greener World® and previously as host of Fresh from the Garden on the DIY Network.

Joe also shares his know-how on NBC’s TODAY SHOW, ABC’s Good Morning America, The Weather Channel, through his popular books, and his podcast series (The joe gardener Show).

Join Joe Lamp’l and Craig LeHoullier and learn how to plant, grow, care for, and harvest your own epic tomatoes. In this practical hands-on course with Joe and Craig as your guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to have your best tomato growing season yet. Learn more here. Registration will only be open for a short time beginning 2/23/22. Lifetime access!

You will want to take advantage of this limited time significantly discounted early enrollment pricing so go now to www.joegardener.com/tomatosuccess. 

The seed planted in Tom Cox as a little boy have matured into the largest species collection of conifers in North America. In this episode we talk about his over 4,000 plant collection and how you may bring interest to your garden year-round.

Tom is a pioneer in the evaluation of conifers for adaptability in the Southeast and is recognized as one of the leading authorities on growing conifers in the region. 

Cox Arboretum and garden in Canton, Georgia is now a site for the preservation of rare and endangered plants from around the world.

He is a frequent lecturer on the subject of conifers and other woody plants. He co-authored a book titled "Landscaping with Conifers and Ginkgo for the Southern Landscape” and has been published numerous times in both British and U.S. conifer journals. 

I’m honored to have captured this amazing story and plant wisdom of Tom Cox in this episode 044 - Year-Round Garden Interest from Cox Arboretum – Tom Cox

Terry Beasley has seen his fair share of flower emergencies at Oelschig Nursery. When the unforeseen happens and blooms are needed in a hurry Terry and the team jump into action.

The next time you see multiple blooms of color from an event within 100 miles of Savannah Georgia you know Terry was probably involved.

The Oelschig name has been associate with growing plants in Savannah since 1882.  How does a nursery survive and thrive for 140 years becoming the oldest nursery in the southeastern United States?

Terry tells the story. It’s a story of keeping the faith and tenacity through numerous world events and natural disasters.

He talks about the skills and techniques resulting in very special beautiful plants

Josh Fuder’s search to identify the old apple trees growing at his newly purchase home ignited a path to discovering and recovering lost apple varieties of Georgia.

In this episode 042 Saving Heritage Apples we look into why lost apple varieties are important. How they are being discovered and saved to benefit future generations.

Josh is a University of Georgia Extension agent in Cherokee County Georgia. He is part of a team that has preserved nearly 140 different apple varieties at the newly planted Heritage Apple Orchard located at the Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center.

YouTube: “Farm Monitor” Site of a New Apple Orchard

 YouTube: History of Apple Industry in GA

 UGA Research News Article

 Georgia Magazine Article: Preserving Georgia’s Heritage Apples for Future Generations

Pearce Butcher has always known that she is an artist who loves nature and science.

In this episode 041 Creating Beautiful Spaces for Functional Outdoor Living, we dissect Landscape Design as a unique combination of art, science, and problem-solving.

Pearce loves the challenge of looking at a space, listening to the concerns and dreams of the homeowner, and coming up with beautiful solutions. 

She composes absolutely stunning landscape designs for her clients at Pearce B Designs. Be inspired by her extraordinary designs on Instagram @ Pearce B Designs.

Pearce is a double major in Earth and Environmental Science and Art from Furman University. At George Washington University she earned a Landscape Certificate while studying at the U.S. National Arboretum. 

Have you ever thought about how you could make your landscape beds more interesting and productive?

Well maybe harvesting tomatoes among your hydrangeas or picking broccoli from around the Azaleas. How about growing squash and zucchini with your Zinnias. These are all foods, plus many more, you can grow in your landscape beds this next season.

Our conversation today is with Brie Arthur a well-known leader in the national Foodscape movement.

Brie is a bestselling author and a celebrated speaker that is well known for her lively information packed presentations.

With more than a decade of experience as a grower and propagator she now shares her expertise as a correspondent on the Emmy award winning PBS Television show “Growing a Greener World”.

You can follow Brie’s exciting garden journey through her website, BrieGrows.com and on her YouTube channel, Brie the Plant Lady. 

This is episode 040 Foodscaping Revolution with Brie Arthur on The Garden Question Podcast.

Staci L. Catron has one of the coolest jobs ever. She gets to live gardening in the past, in the present, and influence gardens of the future.

As the Director of the Cherokee Garden Library within the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center she manages the development, preservation, and interpretations of a 33,000-item growing collection.

Everything from garden and landscape relate rare books, contemporary volumes, manuscripts, photographs, landscape architectural drawings, periodicals, seed catalogs, and ephemera.

She curates numerous exhibitions, lectures regularly regarding rare garden books and historic landscapes, and is published in many newsletters, journals, and books.

Her latest award-winning book co-authored with Mary Ann Eaddy is titled: Seeking Eden: A Collection of Georgia’s Historic Gardens with photographs by James R. Lockhart.

Catron holds a B.A. in History and Latin, as well as a Master of Heritage Preservation from Agnes Scott College; a Master of Heritage Preservation from Georgia State University; and a Primary Teacher Certification. 

Russell Camp knows what healthy garden plants love in a mulch.

In our 38th episode “Mulch Mulch Baby” we discuss the benefits and detriments of some of the most common and exotic mulches available.

He talks about time saving techniques that will give your garden a quick easy year-round visual pop along with providing a lot of good stuff for the soil.

Russel oversees the horticultural assets for over 54 different school campuses on 1,501 acres of land, including 88 acres of natural grass athletic fields, 23 acres of synthetic turf, and numerous irrigation systems for The State of Georgia’s Henry County Schools. They install over 10,000 bales of pine straw mulch each year.

He also shares his successful landscape knowledge as an Adjunct Horticulture Instructor at Southern Crescent Technical College.

Russell holds a Horticulture degree from ABAC Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College  and a Business Management degree from Bellevue University .

He is a Georgia Certified Landscape Professional holding certification number one.

He is also a passionate home gardener enjoying landscape gardening, container gardening, vegetable gardening, and house plants.

Instagram: @gardencoach

Susan Mulvihill is passionate about growing vegetables! Her organic growing methods and pest control have yielded some mighty good eating.

She and her husband, Bill, live and garden on 5 acres in Spokane, Washington. Their large raised-bed garden where they grow all sorts of edible crops has been featured on the popular public television program, “Growing a Greener World” (episode 809 and 1202), hosted by Joe Lamp’l.

In the  last year Susan’s book, The Vegetable Garden Pest Handbook, has proven to be very popular nationwide. She is also the co-author of the Northwest Gardener’s Handbook.

Helping other gardeners be successful has driven Susan to produce and host over 400 hundred YouTube videos on her channel, Susan’s in the Garden. 

She is the longtime garden columnist for the Sunday edition of The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington.

Been a Spokane County Master Gardener for 20 years.

Her website can be found at SusansintheGarden.com and contains resources for organic pest control along with many other guides designed for gardening success. 

This is a remix and encore presentation.

In this episode of The Garden Question Podcast, Susan shares her extensive experience with organic gardening and pest control, emphasizing the importance of integrated pest management (IPM), beneficial insects, and creating a diverse garden ecosystem.

Susan highlights practical organic solutions for pest problems and offers insights from her books, 'The Vegetable Garden Pest Handbook' and 'The Northwest Gardener's Handbook.'

Additionally, the episode covers the fascinating concept of insect hotels and the value of keeping a garden journal for continuous improvement.

Listeners will find Susan’s tips on soil health, garden planning, and the role of beneficial insects incredibly useful for maintaining a thriving garden.

00:00 Welcome to The Garden Question Podcast

00:40 Meet Susan Mulvihill: A Gardening Virtuoso

02:30 Tackling the Bug Dilemma: Strategies and Insights

06:48 Embracing Beneficial Insects: Attracting Good Bugs to Your Garden

08:59 Identifying Insects: Tools and Tips

12:56 Susan's Gardening Philosophy: Organic Methods and Pest Management

14:05 Creating Insect Hotels: A Sanctuary for Beneficial Bugs

20:14 Gardening Wisdom: Keeping a Journal and Learning from Experience

24:11 Susan's Earliest Gardening Memories and Her Garden Today

27:04 Exploring the Hoop House: Extending the Growing Season

29:37 Indoor Gardening: Growing Microgreens at Home

30:17 Gardening Lessons: Adapting to Weather and Soil Conditions

33:28 The Journey of a Garden Communicator

43:31 Gardening Challenges and Solutions

46:00 Advocating for Organic Gardening and Edible Landscapes

54:51 Future Gardening Projects and Organic Pest Control

56:14 Insights from the Vegetable Garden Pest Handbook

58:03 Connecting with Susan Mulvihill: Gardening Tips and Resources

Jim Frederick is passionate about adding new garden drama and engagement through outdoor lighting every season.

In our discussion we discover his outdoor lighting techniques that add new visual dimensions and security to your garden space.

We also explore how to avoid the most common and frustrating installation mistakes.

Jim shares his 25 years of experience in designing, building, and distributing in the outdoor living arena. He holds a bachelor degree from Penn State University in Landscape Contracting.

 As the National Sales Manager for Tru-Scapes Landscape Lighting he finds great joy helping the hardscape contractor succeed in his business and installations.

Tru-Scapes provides key products such as accent and path lights for your outdoor space. Developing unique groundbreaking products for your outdoor experience is always at the top of their mind. You can find them at your local Belgard distributor.  

Fresh squeezed orange juice off his own tree is Charles Daniel’s dream come true.

In this episode 036 Charles shares his successful backyard and greenhouse citrus growing experience.

As a bonus he also reveals his secrets for growing and harvesting olives, avocados, and pomegranates.

You will probably remember Charles from episode 029 - Why Camellias Work in Your Garden.

This lawyer, banker, and successful business owner “retired” to his new passion for gardening.

In addition to his own garden, he oversees some of the most unique and interesting gardens in Savannah, Georgia area. In these gardens you will often find many unique fruit bearing plants.

Charles is a University of Georgia Certified Plant Professional and a Georgia Certified Landscape Professional.

In this episode we talk with Jordan Daneker about the little things that bring your outdoor spaces to life.

He walks us through the process on how he discovers and builds the perfect outdoor space for you and your family.

We explore the artful details used to put together plants, pools, pavilions, hardscapes, lighting and more to yield a unique and quality environment.

Jordan’s obsession and passion started as a part time job in 2008 and now he is on a mission “To Get North Carolina Outside”. He is a partner in a landscape company Evolve Design + Build located in Currituck, North Carolina. You can find him on both Facebook and Instagram.

He is a licensed North Carolina landscape and general contractor. He holds designations from Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) for concrete pavers and The National Concrete Masonry

Association (NCMA) for segmented retaining walls.