Tips for beginning and experienced gardeners. New episodes arrive every Friday. Fred Hoffman has been a U.C. Certified Master Gardener since 1982 and writes a weekly garden column for the Lodi News-Sentinel in Lodi, CA. A four-decade fixture in Sacramento radio, he hosted three radio shows for Northern California gardeners and farmers: The KFBK Garden Show, Get Growing with Farmer Fred, and the KSTE Farm Hour. Episode Website: https://gardenbasics.net
…
continue reading
1
366 Thwarting Ant Invasions. Fair-Winning Preserves.
32:59
32:59
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
32:59
Farmer Fred and Debbie Flower discusses ant management in raised beds. Master Food Preserver Wendy Rose talks about garden food preservation techniques and how to wow the judges at county and state fairs with your homemade preserves. Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with F…
…
continue reading
1
365 Fall is for Shade Tree Planting
50:49
50:49
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
50:49
If you live in the milder areas of the country, November is an excellent month for planting and establishing shade trees. Today, we cover the basics of correctly planting and caring for a shade tree. We chat with consulting arborist Gordon Mann, who reminds us, when it comes to choosing a spot to plant a shade tree, it’s all about the soil. Hmm, wh…
…
continue reading
1
364 10 Quick Tips for a Successful Garden
58:57
58:57
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
58:57
Ep. 364 10 Quick Tips for a Successful Garden • Julia Oldfield of Big Oak Nursery in Elk Grove, CA talks about creating a container garden that would be sure to slow down cars and wowing the walkers going by your front yard, using only three plants. (at 3:19 of the podcast) • Is there a cheaper way to make seed starting mix. Brad Gates, he of Wild …
…
continue reading
1
363 Weed Killers Just Got More Confusing
36:31
36:31
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
36:31
Listening and following the advice in this episode is more important than ever if you use herbicides, especially when we repeatedly chant our mantra: "Read and Follow All Label Directions." America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower and myself start by tackling the widespread confusion surrounding Roundup, a brand hist…
…
continue reading
1
362 Fall Plants for Winter and Spring Color
29:30
29:30
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
29:30
Today, we chat with Diane Blazek, executive director of All-America Selections and the National Garden Bureau, about the best plants to be adding to your garden this Autumn for long, cool season blooms. We explore various options such as annuals, herbaceous perennials, and bulbs. Diane highlights her favorite bulbs, especially daffodils, noting the…
…
continue reading
1
361 Defensible Space Landscaping Tips
1:05:20
1:05:20
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
1:05:20
We examine the wildland-urban interface and its growing wildfire risks for homeowners, particularly in fire-prone areas like California and other western states. We talk about the concept of hardening your landscape from the Ember Ignition Zone with insights from Kevin Marini, a UC Defensible Space Advisor. He highlights the importance of maintaini…
…
continue reading
1
360 Avocado Growing Basics
1:03:49
1:03:49
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
1:03:49
Today, we are talking avocado cultivation with Greg Alder, he’s an avocado grower in Southern California, a San Diego County Master Gardener, and he’s the director of the California Avocado Society. Who better to answer a question about the care and feeding of a Mexicola avocado, in Northern California. Greg shares practical tips on watering, and c…
…
continue reading
1
359 Tree Surrounds, Cardboard Mulch Pros-Cons. Winter Tomatoes
32:18
32:18
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
32:18
They’re known as tree rings, or tree surrounds. Basically, it’s a demilitarized zone for your trees, where the trunk and roots are safe from weed whackers and lawn mowers as well as competing plants (especially lawns). It might be a short term solution for a newly planted tree. But leave it in place longer than that, and problems can ensue. Debbie …
…
continue reading
1
358 Fall Garden Prep. The Catalina Cherry.
40:44
40:44
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
40:44
Have you done the necessary work to have a thriving fall vegetable garden? What about the soil? What have you done to give those new plants a great start? We talk with Sacramento County Master Gardener Gail Pothour about how they prepare the vegetable gardens for fall planting at the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center. And at the Fair Oaks Vegetable Cen…
…
continue reading
1
357 Plant Cool Season Vegetables Now. What is a Crisis Nursery?
39:35
39:35
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
39:35
The change in the September weather is your best opportunity for a new round of planting vegetables in your garden, the cool season crops: broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, garlic, kale, onions, peas, potatoes, shallots, and all those versatile, healthy greens: lettuce, spinach, swiss chard, Chinese cabbages, and so much more. But which varieties sho…
…
continue reading
1
356 Q&A - Controlling Fruit Tree Pests, Soil Solarization around trees, The Asian Garden Beetle
32:23
32:23
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
32:23
We talk with fruit tree expert Ed Laivo today about how to control the four-legged varmints (as well as the winged ones) that get to your backyard fruit before you do. Plus, he has recommendations for potting mixes to grow fruit trees in containers. Is it safe to solarize soil with clear plastic to kill weeds or a lawn, if there’s a fruit tree in t…
…
continue reading
1
355 Rhubarb Growing Basics for Warm Climates
40:38
40:38
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
40:38
“Can you grow rhubarb here?” For those who have moved from colder climates to the warmer USDA zones, that might be a popular question. Memories of rhubarb pie, jams, and more while growing up back East or in the Midwest might have you hankering for fresh rhubarb. The plant, however, dislikes climates where summers get over 90 degrees on a regular b…
…
continue reading
Fred and Debbie Flower discuss the trend of lawn elimination and alternative landscape options to save water. They explore lawn alternatives that require less maintenance and water, such as no-mow lawns, fescue varieties, and groundcovers like dymondia, kurapia, and clover. They also discuss the need for proper irrigation and maintenance in all typ…
…
continue reading
1
353 It's All About the Soil (for a Successful Garden!)
51:14
51:14
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
51:14
Today, we talk with Kevin Marini, a community education specialist with the University of California Cooperative Extension, about the topics of soil and successful gardening. We talk about the pros and cons of using native soil versus commercial soil, the importance of improving native soil, the use of bagged mixes in raised beds, and the role of o…
…
continue reading
1
352 Mint Choices for Cooking. All About Zinnias.
32:18
32:18
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
32:18
What are the best mint varieties to use for cooking? We talk with a professional herb grower about the myriad of culinary herb choices available. Is there a better summer flower than Zinnias? This colorful warm weather annual comes in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and flower shapes…and it makes for a great cut flower, too! America’s Favorite Ret…
…
continue reading
1
351 Honey, I Shrunk the Fruit Trees!
56:04
56:04
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
56:04
In this episode, Farmer Fred and Kevin Marini discuss the importance of thinning fruit trees and maintaining their height. Kevin Marini, a certified arborist and community education specialist with UC Cooperative Extension, also talks about the benefits of keeping fruit trees at a manageable height, the process of bringing down the height of a tree…
…
continue reading
1
350 New Home? First Garden Tips
29:35
29:35
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
29:35
Looking to start a first garden in a new home? Before digging, do some planning, and some research. Today, America’s Favorite Retired College Horticultural Professor, Debbie Flower, and I have tips for getting that first garden off to a great start at your new home. And, we answer about how to garden when there’s a concrete patio in the way. We’re …
…
continue reading
1
349 Stressed? Your Garden Can Help.
33:24
33:24
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
33:24
Gardening and being in nature can help reduce stress and anxiety. Forest bathing, or simply spending time in a natural environment, has been shown to have calming effects. Having a garden or indoor plants can also provide stress relief. Aromatic plants, such as jasmine, lavender, and mint, can have a soothing effect on the mind and body. Taking the…
…
continue reading
1
348 The Tastiest Peaches and Plums. Improving Sandy Soil. Raised Bed Drainage Tips.
38:12
38:12
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
38:12
Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Audio, transcripts, and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout. Pictured: Garden Gold Peach in Bloom Links: Subscribe to the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter https://gardenbasics.substack.com Sm…
…
continue reading
1
347 Travelers' Garden Basics Playlist. All About Berries. Slugs in Compost.
41:08
41:08
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
41:08
It’s a holiday weekend and you might be traveling. What about a Garden Basics playlist for that long car ride or for listening to while lounging around someplace cool? We have suggestions for that playlist - the five most listened-to Garden Basics episodes. Also: wherever you live, you can probably grow some kind of berries. Today, we revisit our c…
…
continue reading
1
346 All About Soil Thermometers, pH Testing, Cardboard Mulch
29:08
29:08
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
29:08
How do use and adjust a soil thermometer? Why is my soil pH so variable at different soil depths? How do you use cardboard to replace a lawn and start a garden? Those are some of the questions, along with scenic bypasses - of course - that we’ll be tackling today. And there’s a lot of great garden tips in those scenic bypasses today. It’s all in Ep…
…
continue reading
1
345 The Heart Healthy Garden, Live!
40:48
40:48
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
40:48
Did you know rose petals are edible, and contain lots of healthy fiber? That's part of today’s podcast, recorded live, in February 2024, at the Sacramento Rose Society's monthly meeting. The main topic is growing the Heart Healthy Garden! And roses can be an edible part of that healthy landscape. This podcast episode features foods to grow that can…
…
continue reading
1
344 Q&A - Tomato Seed Saving? Seeding Mulched Area?
15:19
15:19
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
15:19
In this episode of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, Fred Hoffman and Master Gardener Gail Pothour discuss saving tomato seeds. They address the question of whether saved tomato seeds will produce the same tomato variety and provide tips for ensuring seed purity. The conversation covers topics such as flower structure, pollination, isolat…
…
continue reading
1
343 A Tour of Debbie Flower's Garden
53:00
53:00
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
53:00
We pay a visit to the garden of America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower. It’s a living classroom on thriving low water use plants. Debbie talks in detail about the plants, many of which are California natives, and discusses the strategies of hydrozoning (grouping plants together based on their watering needs), desig…
…
continue reading
1
342 Q&A Grow Carrots in Summer? Weed Cloth - Good or Bad?
18:31
18:31
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
18:31
Master Gardener Fred Hoffman and his guests answers garden questions from listeners on the Tuesday edition of the Garden Basics podcast. The first question is about weed cloth and its impact on soil improvement and fertilization. Fred and Debbie Flower advise removing the weed cloth and using just mulch instead. The second question is about plantin…
…
continue reading
1
341 Fred's Garden Tour with Debbie
47:33
47:33
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
47:33
Something a little different today. America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower and myself take a stroll through the Farmer Fred backyard garden, talking about the plants, and discussing the strategies to make them successful plants, with, of course, all sorts of garden tips thrown in. It’s the ultimate scenic bypass ep…
…
continue reading
1
340 Q&A Cross-Pollination Concerns, Best Cities and States for Gardening
20:05
20:05
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
20:05
Farmer Fred and Debbie Flower discuss: •The impact of climate and weather on gardening success. •Understanding cross-pollination and its implications for seed saving and plant breeding. •The importance of local conditions and location-specific knowledge in gardening. •Different perspectives on the best US cities for gardening, highlighting the infl…
…
continue reading
1
339 How To Water Clay Soil (and more clay gardening tips!)
34:15
34:15
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
34:15
In this episode of Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, the focus is on how to water clay soil and other tips for gardening in clay. Debbie Flower, America's Favorite retired college horticultural professor, shares valuable insights on the topic. The episode covers the characteristics of clay soil, the importance of organic matter, watering techniques, …
…
continue reading
1
338 Q&A Squash Flowers? Fertilizer Application? Tart Cherries?
25:14
25:14
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
25:14
In this episode of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, Fred and his expert guests answer questions about: • Squash pollination woes with Master Gardener and vegetable expert Gail Pothour. • The timing and application of plant fertilizer, with America's Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower. • Choosing tart/sour cher…
…
continue reading
1
337 How To Choose Nursery Plants. Tips for Starting a School Garden.
52:49
52:49
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
52:49
If you’re the type of gardener that buys flowering plants at a nursery that are covered in blooms, America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower, will explain why you shouldn’t do that, and a lot more nursery plant shopping tips! Also, we have tips for starting an elementary school garden. And you don’t have to be a schoo…
…
continue reading
1
336 Q&A Kitchen Scraps in the Garden? When to Plant a Magnolia Tree?
18:09
18:09
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
18:09
In this episode, Farmer Fred answers a listener's question about burying kitchen scraps in the garden. He discusses the potential problems with this method, including attracting scavengers and affecting the quality of the soil microbiology. He suggests composting the kitchen scraps first or using alternative methods like African keyhole gardens. De…
…
continue reading
1
335 Roof Rat Controls, Asparagus-Lemon Recipes
35:01
35:01
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
35:01
The first chat today involves roof rats (and is an encore presentation while construction is ongoing here at Barking Dog). It will be particularly useful for those of you with large yards, or acreage, or even a small farm, in which you have a large orchard. And for those of you suburban dwellers who might have a few citrus trees, or, for that matte…
…
continue reading
1
GB 334 Q&A Rhubarb for Hot Climates? Lights for Seedlings?
21:20
21:20
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
21:20
The first question on the Tuesday Q&A edition of the Garden Basics podcast is about growing rhubarb in hot weather. Fred and his guests, Master Gardeners Kathy Morrison and Ruth Ostroff, discuss their experiences with growing rhubarb in Sacramento. They also share a rhubarb recipe. The second question is about grow lights for starting tomato and pe…
…
continue reading
1
333 Controlling Snails & Slugs, Feed Your Soil, Grow Your Own Protein
42:12
42:12
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
42:12
We are in the midst of spring construction here, so we are taking the opportunity to not shout over the whine of power saws and the banging hammers. Instead, we will be revisiting some of the most popular segments ever aired on our podcast. In Episode 83, we explained why feeding your soil yields better results than feeding your plants. Sound confu…
…
continue reading
1
332 Q&A Whiteflies? 1st Tomato? Planting Citrus?
19:59
19:59
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
19:59
Farmer Fred and Don Shor from Redwood Barn Nursery answer a garden question from a listener about whiteflies on grapes. But are they really whiteflies? They discuss how to control whiteflies and leaf hoppers on grapevines, the use of organic sprays, and the importance of correct pest identification. Also, Debbie Flower answers a question about remo…
…
continue reading
1
331 Cucumber Starting and Training Tips
37:00
37:00
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
37:00
Mid to late spring is cucumber planting time in most of North America, and we have more cucumber growing tips for you today. We covered a lot of cucumber growing basics back in episode 266 last May, but today, cucumber cheerleader and America's favorite retired college horticultural professor, Debbie Flower, has more cucumber planting advice for yo…
…
continue reading
1
330 Q&A Bermudagrass Control? Black Plastic for the Garden?
23:47
23:47
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
23:47
In Episode 330, Q&A - Gail from Orangevale, CA wants to start a vegetable and flower garden in her backyard, which is currently covered in Bermuda grass. Debbie Flower, America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture professor, and I suggest waiting a year and using soil solarization to kill off the Bermudagrass. We also recommend starting small wi…
…
continue reading
This episode is entitled, How to Water Your Garden. “What!?!” you’re probably thinking. “Of course I know how to water my garden, lawn, and indoor plants, I’m a gardener!” As Farmer Fred Garden Rule #8 says: “If it works for you, fine. But keep an open mind.” Join us as America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower, has a…
…
continue reading
1
328 Q&A Add Fertilizer to Compost Pile? Can Later Ripening Peach Trees Survive Peach Leaf Curl?
15:25
15:25
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
15:25
In this episode of the Garden Basics Podcast, Farmer Fred and Master Gardener Susan Muckey discuss composting and answer a listener's question about adding nitrogen to a compost pile. They explain that adding nitrogen is not necessary for most compost piles and discuss the ideal carbon-nitrogen ratio. They also provide tips for turning a compost pi…
…
continue reading
The healthiest food you can eat, is the food you grow yourself. Where have you heard THAT before? Today, let’s grow a heart-healthy garden! What are the foods you can plant that are best suited, chemically, to help reverse what might be going on around your ticker, including high cholesterol, elevated blood sugar, and stress? We talk with Dr. Laura…
…
continue reading
1
326 Q&A Working with Coir vs Peat Moss, Reuse Old Potting Soil. Runaway Plum Tree!
18:44
18:44
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
18:44
Q&A - Working with Coir, Peat Moss, Perlite, etc. Reusing Old Potting Soil. 00:24 Q&A - Runaway Plum Tree! 16:10 Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout. Pictured: Wheelbarrow with H…
…
continue reading
1
325 Peach Leaf Curl Control Tips. All the Presidents' Gardens.
31:58
31:58
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
31:58
Appearing now (or soon) on a peach or nectarine tree near you: Peach Leaf Curl? What is this fungus that causes the leaves on these trees to redden, pucker, and curl? And how can you control it? (Please note, I did not say, “eradicate”). America’s favorite retired college horticultural professor, Debbie Flower has some tips. Also, we go back about …
…
continue reading
1
GB 324 Q&A - Nitrogen Sources. Soil for a Raised Bed.
28:38
28:38
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
28:38
Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout. Pictured: Pizza Pie Crop Rotation Garden Links: Subscribe to the free, Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter https://gardenbasics.substack.com …
…
continue reading
1
323 Gold Medal Plant Winners. Thin Your Fruit Trees Now!
39:03
39:03
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
39:03
Each year the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society puts out its list of Gold Medal winning Plants. Usually these plants are chosen for their adaptability to the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. This year, the chosen plants have a much wider range of possible success, including USDA Zone 9 and possibly up to Zone 10, and down to Zone 3. Also:…
…
continue reading
1
322 Q&A Transplant a Fruit Tree? How to Remove a Stuck Plant From a Nice Pot
24:54
24:54
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
24:54
Q&A Transplanting Old, Large, Fruit Trees? (segment begins at 00:25) Q&A Why Are My Radishes Only Producing Leaves? (7:10) Q&A Remove an Overgrown Plant from a Nice Pot Without Breaking It? (12:19) Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transc…
…
continue reading
1
321 Spring Rose Care Basics - Diseases and Insects
45:35
45:35
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
45:35
From now through Mother’s Day, roses will start putting on their first and best show across the country. What do your rose bushes need to get off to a good start in early Spring? Master Rosarian Charlotte Owendyk of the Sierra Foothills Rose Society talks about getting ahead of early spring rose pest and disease problems, before they can do too muc…
…
continue reading
Questions from listeners include: Why Your Citrus Tree Leaves May Be Yellowing (at 00:24 of podcast) Cat-Proofing Your Raised Bed Garden (13:03) Good Tomato Seed Sources (17:44) Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode ch…
…
continue reading
1
319 How to Plant and Care for a Shade Tree
51:06
51:06
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
51:06
Today, we cover the basics of correctly planting and caring for a shade tree. We chat with consulting arborist Gordon Mann, who reminds us, when it comes to choosing a spot to plant a shade tree, it’s all about the soil. Plus, he explains the importance of correct planting techniques, especially freeing up that tree’s root zone. But there’s a lot m…
…
continue reading
1
318 Q&A Rosemary Propagation, Best Peach for Baking, Cover Crops, Blueberry Containers
22:39
22:39
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
22:39
Q&A Rosemary Propagation? (at 00:24 of podcast) Q&A Best Peach for Cooking/Baking? (08:10) Q&A Cover Crop crimping? (12:14) Q&A Blueberry containers? (19:05) Want To Leave Us a Question? (21:22) Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcrip…
…
continue reading
1
317 The 2024 Tomato Preview Show!
1:09:33
1:09:33
Main Kemudian
Main Kemudian
Senarai
Suka
Disukai
1:09:33
It’s time for the annual Garden Basics Tomato preview show! Once again, you’re invited to easedrop on a conversation between two real tomatoheads, myself and Don Shor, proprietor of Redwood Barn Nursery in Davis, California. We recap our tomato successes and failures of 2023, and talk about what we will be planting in 2024, featuring the tried and …
…
continue reading