Gardening Simplified
Introducing Gardening Simplified, a new radio show and podcast from Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs. Hosted by life-long gardeners Rick Vuyst and Stacey Hirvela, the Gardening Simplified show is designed to share our love of plants and gardening. Whatever your skill or experience level, you’ll find something interesting, useful, and just plain fascinating in every episode.
Episodes
November 1, 2025 • 43 mins
With 2026 around the corner, Rick and Stacey share what 2025 taught them and how to take that knowledge and use it moving forward. Learn about favorite plants, popular show topics, and garden revelations in 2025. West Michigan had a near historic drought this year - hear how plants handled these tough conditions in Stacey’s garden.
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October 25, 2025 • 42 mins
Welcome to the Little Shop of Horticulture! Gardening is a joy, but in honor of the season, we discuss the spooky side of gardening - invasive plants, daunting diseases, and woeful weeds. Learn about the goth garden trend and the perfect plants to use to create your own eerie escape.
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October 18, 2025 • 45 mins
A garden is a physical manifestation of the passage of time. We all know plants grow, but how quickly they do depend on a lot of factors. So, in this episode we break down how plant growth rates are determined. We’ll also discuss how timing tasks in the garden will make for happier plants and a happier gardener.
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October 11, 2025 • 43 mins
Working the land is directly correlated with being a good steward of the land. Get advice on how you can work your landscape in a way that’s smarter, not harder, for both you and the land.
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October 4, 2025 • 46 mins
When adding a plant or designing your landscape, there’s a lot to consider! One of the most important but overlooked considerations is the color of your home’s exterior. Get tips and tricks for choosing a garden color scheme based on your house colors. Featured shrub: Blue Kazoo spirea.
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September 27, 2025 • 44 mins
So, a pumpkin is a squash, which is a type of gourd, but not all gourds are pumpkins, and not all squash are pumpkins. Wait…what? Don’t worry, we’ll explain in this episode. Learn all about these fall favorites with tips for growing, storing, and incorporating them into your fall décor. Featured shrub: Kodiak Spiced diervilla.
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September 20, 2025 • 44 mins
Winter can be a drag, but having winter interest in the garden can really brighten up a gardener’s mood. We all appreciate winter interest in the garden, but often, we forget to plan for it. Hear some timely advice on what you can plant in fall to make your winter more enjoyable.
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September 13, 2025 • 43 mins
Landscape designers can have a hefty list of features they require in a plant for it to be used in their projects. Durability, reliability, low-maintenance, structural, and most importantly, they have to be beautiful! Discover the plants that landscape designers love to use and why they love to use them.
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September 6, 2025 • 43 mins
Description: Whether it be wood, metal, or a living fence, garden backdrops are essential to creating depth and structure in the garden. Get design tips, creative ideas, and of course, plant suggestions for creating backdrops throughout the garden. Featured shrub: Laced Up elderberry.
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August 30, 2025 • 43 mins
Summer is winding down, cool mornings are rolling in, and now is the time to dream and scheme plans for your garden. Rick and Stacey discuss design ideas, garden tasks, and ways to prepare for your fall to-do list. Feature shrub: Kodiak Red 2.0 diervilla.
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August 23, 2025 • 44 mins
Using green in the garden feels a bit like a no brainer, but when it’s done intentionally, the difference in outcome is clear. Learn about plants with unique green foliage and flowers, and how you can incorporate them in your garden. Featured shrub: Invincibelle Sublime smooth hydrangea.
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August 16, 2025 • 57 mins
Architectural follies are decorative, non-essential structures often found in gardens or landscapes. We discuss garden follies all over the world and talk with Lisa Roper, horticulturist with Chanticleer Gardens, about how they use garden art and a garden folly to enhance their stunning gardens. Featured shrub: Glow Stick Japanese holly.
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August 9, 2025 • 44 mins
While we’re in the height of summer, it’s a good idea to think about what you can do in the garden now to get ready for fall. Featured tree: Pink Snow Showers flowering cherry.
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August 2, 2025 • 45 mins
Whether it’s an awe-worthy plant, a love of wildlife, or wanting to create a beautiful space, there are so many reasons to garden. Hear what inspires Stacey and Rick to garden. Featured shrub, Lemony Lace elderberry.
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July 26, 2025 • 43 mins
Revelation: a surprising and previously unknown fact, especially one that is made known in a dramatic way. Hear what Stacey and Rick’s “Ah-Ha!” moments have been throughout their gardening journey. Featured shrub: Gatsby Pink oakleaf hydrangea.
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July 19, 2025 • 45 mins
Rejuvenation: the action or process of giving new energy or vigor to something. We talk about ways you can revamp your plants and set them up for future success. Featured shrub: Winecraft Black smokebush.
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July 12, 2025 • 44 mins
Take your garden to the next level! We talk about plants that add height to the garden and plants that grow at higher elevations.
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July 5, 2025 • 44 mins
Succulents have been gaining popularity in recent years, for understandable reasons! They are versatile, colorful, and unique. Join us as we talk about how to be successful with succulents and deep dive into hardy succulents. Featured shrub: Chicklet Gold Tecoma.
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June 28, 2025 • 44 mins
Some plants can be considered “drama queens,” unafraid to show that they are unhappy with something in their environment. Knowing these plants and what these signs mean will help you to better understand what’s going on in your garden. Read the tea leaves with us and learn the signals these trigger plants are putting out. Featured shrub: Pinky Winky panicle hydrangea.
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June 21, 2025 • 50 mins
As deer populations and pressures have grown, so has the damage that they do in the garden. We talk deer resistant plants, ways to help alleviate deer damage, and interview Professor Alexandra Locher, with Grand Valley State University, on what is being done about the deer problem in Kent County, MI. Featured shrub: Sweet Emotion abelia.
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