Explore every episode of the podcast Today in the Garden

In today's episode, plant easy, quick crops—beans, cucumbers, and summer squash—now for a summer harvest: sow seeds or set transplants in a sunny spot, water gently, provide support, mulch, and shade young plants in hot afternoons.

Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, put down a loose 2-inch layer of natural mulch (leaves, compost, straw, or chips) around established plants, kept away from stems, to retain moisture, cool soil, and ease summer watering.

Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, I explain deadheading—removing spent blooms by pinching or snipping above healthy leaves—to encourage plants to rebloom. Spend ten minutes tidying faded flowers to keep beds looking fresh and prolong the flowering season.

Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, I show how to spot powdery mildew early by inspecting shady, inner leaves and low growth, rubbing pale specks with a fingertip to tell mildew from dust so you can catch and correct it while tiny.

Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, plant zinnias in a sunny spot (or pots if nights are cool) to attract butterflies; sow or set out young plants, water gently, give space, and deadhead spent blooms to keep them flowering.

Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, don't water immediately after rain—check soil with a finger or lift containers; if it's cool and moist below the surface, wait, and only water when the soil feels dry.

Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, start a small container herb garden with forgiving herbs for your light; use fresh, well-draining mix and pots with drainage, keep them where you'll see them, water when soil is dry, and snip outer leaves to harvest.

Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, learn how to pinch back basil, cilantro and lemon balm to slow bolting and encourage bushier, leafier growth. Nip above a leaf pair, be gentler on woody herbs, and toss trimmings into pesto or salads.

Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, learn to gently pinch back soft annual tips in late spring to encourage branching and more blooms. Remove the tiny growing tip above a leaf pair (or snip) after plants are settled and frost risk is gone.

Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, learn simple steps to clean, sharpen, oil, and tighten your hand tools so they cut easier, resist rust, and make gardening more pleasant.

Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, we show how to lay a light layer of organic mulch around waking beds—clear weeds first, keep mulch loose and a hand's width from crowns—so soil stays moist, cool, and weed-free.

Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, learn to deadhead tulips and daffodils—pinch or snip spent blooms at the stem so leaves can feed the bulb, compost the flowers, and let foliage yellow naturally for better blooms next year.

Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, we refresh spring mulch: lightly fluff the old layer, pull it away from stems and trunks, and add an airy, even covering of shredded leaves, compost, or bark to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and stabilize soil temperatures.

Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, learn how to gradually introduce indoor seedlings to outdoor sun, wind, and temperature swings by starting with short sheltered periods and increasing exposure until they can stay out overnight.

Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.

In today's episode, we recommend deadheading spent tulip and daffodil blooms by snipping or pinching them off close to the stem. Then leave the foliage until it softens and yellows so the plant can reabsorb energy for next year's show.

Portions of this program were created with the assistance of AI, including checking the calendar and incorporating weather or seasonal data.