Farmer Fred interviews garden writer Jen McGuinness, author of "Bird-Friendly Gardening," who highlights the urgent need for creating habitats for declining bird populations in North America. Jen shares her personal journey of transforming her Connecticut lawn into a wildlife habitat, overcoming skepticism from neighbors, while promoting eco-friendly gardening practices. The discussion covers bird photography, the significance of incorporating water and native plants in gardens, and strategies for preventing bird-window collisions. Jen offers practical advice on optimal plant choices and maintenance. She also addresses challenges like invasive species and provides resources from her book to help gardeners of all levels create welcoming environments for birds.

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.

Now on YouTube (audio)

Cover Photo: Black Hooded Oriole (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

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Book - Bird-Friendly Gardening

Jen McGuinness, FrauZinnie.com

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Today, we talk with Joseph Lofthouse about landrace gardening, which emphasizes the cultivation of locally adapted crops. Lofthouse shares his methods of developing diverse seed varieties, seed-saving techniques, and efficient watering practices in his high desert mountain climate of northeast Utah. He discusses successful experiments with corn, beans, melons, and other crops while highlighting the importance of genetic diversity for resilience and food security. His techniques just might be worth a try no matter where you live!

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.

Now on YouTube (audio)

Photo: various styles of promiscuously pollinating popcorn

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More information about landrace gardening and Joseph Lofthouse

All About Farmer Fred:
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Farmer Fred website:
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Blue Sky: @farmerfred.bsky.social

Farmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube
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Got a garden question?

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Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter.

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Gardeners who want to save water with wise irrigating techniques might consider an unusual approach: plant crops that don't require much water in the first place. Today, Marlene Simon, the Plant Lady, of the Flower Power Garden Hour podcast and I talk about low water use vegetables, as well as how to condition your soil to use less water more effectively.

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.

Now on YouTube (audio)

Pictured: the low water use Tepary bean variety, Colonia Morelos

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Flower Power Garden Hour podcast with Marlene Simon, the Plant Lady

UCANR: Your Food Garden in a Drought

Drought Resistant Crops and Varieties

All About Farmer Fred:
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Farmer Fred website:
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Blue Sky: @farmerfred.bsky.social

Farmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube
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Got a garden question?

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Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter.

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In this episode, we talk with Don Shor from Redwood Barn Nursery about summer gardening - specifically tomatoes - in the context of this year's mild weather. We share successes with tomato varieties like Dr. Wyche’s Yellow and Chef's Choice Orange, while addressing challenges like blossom end rot and effective watering techniques. Don offers insights on various tomato cultivars, including promising hybrid-heirloom crosses, including the one pictured - the Genuwine - a cross between the Costaluto Genovese and the Brandywine. We also discuss the growing trend of peppers as perennials, along with best practices for cultivating them and other crops like cucumbers and rhubarb in hot climates. The conversation blends practical gardening tips with personal experiences for all levels of gardeners.

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.

Now on YouTube (audio)

Pictured: The Genuwine tomato, a new hybrid formed by two heirloom crosses - Costaluto Genovese and Brandywine. (Photo: Don Shor)

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Help Support This Podcast with a monthly donation!

Farmer Fred's Ride for the Kids!

“Beyond the Garden Basics” Newsletter By becoming a paid subscriber, you’re helping support the newsletter and this podcast. Thank You!

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Redwood Barn Nursery, Davis, CA

All About Farmer Fred:
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Blue Sky: @farmerfred.bsky.social

Farmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube
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Got a garden question?

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Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter.

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Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter.

Q&A: How to Grow Fava Beans as a cover crop or an edible.

Controlling Roof Rats in the Garden (good luck!)

Farmer Fred's Ride for the Kids!

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.

Now on YouTube (audio)

Pictured: Melon Damage from Rats?

Links:

“Beyond the Garden Basics” Newsletter By becoming a paid subscriber, you’re helping support the newsletter and this podcast. Thank You!

Shop online at the Smart Pot store! For a limited time, use coupon code FRED at checkout to receive 10% off your Smart Pot order. Click here to start shopping!

All About Farmer Fred:
GardenBasics.net

“Beyond the Garden Basics” Newsletter

Farmer Fred website:
http://farmerfred.com

The Farmer Fred Rant! Blog
http://farmerfredrant.blogspot.com

Facebook: "Get Growing with Farmer Fred"

Instagram: farmerfredhoffman
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Blue Sky: @farmerfred.bsky.social

Farmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.

Got a garden question?

• Leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe, at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics

• Call or text us the question: 916-292-8964.

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Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter.

Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter.

One of the best places to get your garden questions answered is at the annual gathering of local Master Gardeners, gardening professionals, and horticultural consultants at Harvest Day, held the first Saturday of August each year at the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center in Sacramento County, California. And last Saturday was no exception. A question I posed to several dozen of the pros there was this: “What is the one garden tip you would like people to know?” Here’s their answers.

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.

Now on YouTube (audio)

Pictured: Part of the crowd of gardeners at the vegetable garden information tables, at Harvest Day 2025.

Links:

“Beyond the Garden Basics” Newsletter By becoming a paid subscriber, you’re helping support the newsletter and this podcast. Thank You!

Shop online at the Smart Pot store! For a limited time, use coupon code FRED at checkout to receive 10% off your Smart Pot order. Click here to start shopping!

Fair Oaks Horticulture Center

Sacramento Cactus and Succulent Society

Sierra Foothills Rose Society

El Dorado Nursery and Gardens

Sacramento Digs Gardening newsletter

Miridae Mobile Nursery

Sacramento Perennial Plant Club

Soil Moisture Probes

Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito Vector District

Ed Able Fruit Solutions (Youtube)

Emerald City Interior Landscape Services

All About Farmer Fred:
GardenBasics.net

“Beyond the Garden Basics” Newsletter

Farmer Fred website:
http://farmerfred.com

The Farmer Fred Rant! Blog
http://farmerfredrant.blogspot.com

Facebook: "Get Growing with Farmer Fred"

Instagram: farmerfredhoffman
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Blue Sky: @farmerfred.bsky.social

Farmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.

Got a garden question?

• Leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe, at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics

• Call or text us the question: 916-292-8964.

• Fill out the contact box at GardenBasics.net

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Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter.

Why are some of my plants turning yellow and dying? One possibility: fusarium wilt.

We address the challenges posed by fusarium wilt, a destructive, soil-borne fungal disease impacting favorite garden plants like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. But it’s not just edibles. Fusarium wilt can strike trees, shrubs and perennials such as palm trees, prickly pear cactus, pyracantha, chrysanthemum, daffodils and gladiolus.

What's a gardener to do? We have tips for thwarting - and living with - fusarium wilt. (Originally aired in Ep. 312).

Pictured: a date palm tree infected with fusarium wilt. (Photo: CDFA)

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.

Links:
Subscribe to the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter

Fusarium Wilt Information from:
UC Ag & Natural Resources
University of Minnesota
The Missouri Botanical Garden

Got a garden question?
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All About Farmer Fred:
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Farmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube

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Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter.

In this episode of the Garden Basics podcast, I speak with succulent expert Debra Lee Baldwin about the world of edible succulents. We delve into what defines succulents, their survival in arid conditions, and their nutritional benefits. Baldwin highlights notable varieties such as Agave tequilana (Blue Agave) and Opuntia, discussing their culinary uses and growth requirements. She shares tips on preparing these plants for consumption and reveals the value of lesser-known edibles like purslane. Baldwin also emphasizes succulents' role in food security. Also, we get a quick tip from Debbie Flower on where to place snail bait in a raised bed (not near the plants!) Originally aired in Ep. 61.

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.

Now on YouTube (audio)

Pictured: the edible succulent, purslane.

Links:

“Beyond the Garden Basics” Newsletter By becoming a paid subscriber, you’re helping support the newsletter and this podcast. Thank You!

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Debra Lee Baldwin's Success with Succulents website

Snail and Slug Control Tips from UCANR

All About Farmer Fred:
GardenBasics.net

“Beyond the Garden Basics” Newsletter

Farmer Fred website:
http://farmerfred.com

The Farmer Fred Rant! Blog
http://farmerfredrant.blogspot.com

Facebook: "Get Growing with Farmer Fred"

Instagram: farmerfredhoffman
https://www.instagram.com/farmerfredhoffman/

Blue Sky: @farmerfred.bsky.social

Farmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.

Got a garden question?

• Leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe, at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics

• Call or text us the question: 916-292-8964.

• Fill out the contact box at GardenBasics.net

• E-mail: fred@farmerfred.com

Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter.