Today, I’m joined by America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower, and we are going to spend the entire episode answering your garden questions. We will be going into mind-numbing detail as well as frivolous scenic bypasses over such queries as: 

What’s the easiest way to apply fertilizer around fruit trees when the area is covered with mulch?  (1:24)

What are some lawn alternatives that are low maintenance and drought tolerant? (12:16) 

Why aren’t my carrots sweet? Did the rain do that? (30:48)

And the question for which there is no definitive answer: How can I keep the squirrels out of my garden and orchard?  (36:58)

We’re podcasting from Barking Dog Studios here in the beautiful Abutilon Jungle in Suburban Purgatory. It’s the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots and Dave Wilson Nursery. Let’s go!

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: Squirrel, Birds

Links:
Subscribe to the free, Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter https://gardenbasics.substack.com
Smart Pots https://smartpots.com/fred/
Dave Wilson Nursery https://www.davewilson.com/home-garden/

How to Raise Backyard Honeybees (Ep. 30 of Garden Basics)

Tree Squirrel Controls
Ground Squirrel Controls
Dymondia ground cover
Kurapia ground cover
Mow-Free Turf ground cover
Hybrid Improved Bermudagrass Varieties
Clover as a ground cover

All About Farmer Fred:
The Farmer Fred Rant! Blog
http://farmerfredrant.blogspot.com
Facebook:  "Get Growing with Farmer Fred"

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

Twitter: @farmerfred
Farmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube

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

Setting foot into the garden for the first time? Looking to expand your gardening horizons?  Wondering where to begin?  Start small…with container gardening. We talk with Pam Farley, author of the new book, “The First Time Gardener: Container Food Gardening.” Experienced gardeners will pick up handy tips, too.

You’ll find out:

• You’ll find out the best tools and implements to use to add drain holes in wood, ceramic, metal and terracotta pots.

• Different pots have different shapes: square, round, rectangular, cylindrical, vase shaped. Each of those will look better in certain parts of the yard. We will direct you to the right place for those pots.

• And to keep those pots draining, Pam Farley has some tips and tricks for keeping the water flowing.

We’re podcasting from Barking Dog Studios here in the beautiful Abutilon Jungle in Suburban Purgatory. It’s the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots and Dave Wilson Nursery.  Let’s go!

Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at our home site , GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout.

Pictured: Pam Farley, author - “The First Time Gardener: Container Food Gardening” 

Links:
Subscribe to the free, Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter https://gardenbasics.substack.com
Smart Pots https://smartpots.com/fred/
Dave Wilson Nursery https://www.davewilson.com/home-garden/

Book - The First Time Gardener: Container Food Gardening
Pam Farley’s website, BrownThumbMama.com
Episode 168-Award Winning Vegetables and Flowers, Pt 1
Episode 169-Award Winning Vegetables and Flowers, Pt 2
Blossom End Rot of Tomatoes (Garden Basics Episode)
Farmer Fred Rant: Tomato Blossom End Rot
 

All About Farmer Fred:
The GardenBasics.net website

The Garden Basics with Farmer Fred Newsletter, Beyond the Basics
The Farmer Fred Rant! Blog
Facebook:  "Get Growing with Farmer Fred"
Instagram: farmerfredhoffman
Twitter: @farmerfred
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
• E-mail: fred@farmerfred.com 

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

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

Since the name of the show is Garden Basics, let’s cover something that’s basic, but not necessarily easy or successful.  America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower walks us step by step through  the topic of how to repot a plant. It’s not as simple as you might think, and we offer tips to make sure your repotting efforts are more successful.

Some Topics covered include:
• What is a sure fire way of knowing your plant has overgrown the pot?  It’s a habit you should get into doing on a regular basis. (2:30)

• If a plant is overgrown in a pot, do you need to use a bigger pot? (4:23)

• What’s the easiest ways of removing a cramped plant from its pot? Debbie has a serious tool for the job, a garden implement that no gardener should be without. (5:27)

• Should you fertilize a newly repotted plant? (26:45)

We’re podcasting from Barking Dog Studios here in the beautiful Abutilon Jungle in Suburban Purgatory. It’s the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots and Dave Wilson Nursery.  Let’s go!

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: Daphne Odora, Winter Daphne. Is it too big for the pot?

Links:
Subscribe to the free, Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter https://gardenbasics.substack.com
Smart Pots https://smartpots.com/fred/
Dave Wilson Nursery https://www.davewilson.com/home-garden/
Hori Hori knife
Soil Mixes For Container Gardening (UC)
UC Properties of Soil Mix Components
Farmer Fred Rant: Make Your Own Planting Mix
Dr. Linda Chalker Scott - Soil Structure and Functionality
Raffaele DiLallo author - “Houseplant Warrior”
 

All About Farmer Fred:
Farmer Fred website
The Farmer Fred Rant! Blog
Facebook:  "Get Growing with Farmer Fred"
Instagram: farmerfredhoffman
Twitter: @farmerfred
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 GardenBasi

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

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