The Helpful Gardeners

The Helpful Gardeners

Welcome to the Helpful Gardeners, a weekly podcast diving into the home and garden topics you want to learn more about. Colin is a certified horticulturist with decades of experience working in landscaping, gardening and houseplants in various climactic zones. Brandi is a beginner with a passion to ask questions. Subscribe to catch new episodes every Sunday!

Episodes

October 15, 2025 11 mins

Many gardeners purchase fall bulbs—garlic, tulips, daffodils—as soon as they hit the store shelves in early September. The problem is, the ideal planting time is not about the calendar; it's about the cold.

Read more on the blog: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.goldenacre.ca/podcast/⁠⁠⁠


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Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rati...

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Happy Thanksgiving!

We give thanks for the profound connections that bind us all, from the animal kingdom to the forest floor. We honor the legendary Dr. Jane Goodall and her revolutionary work with chimpanzees, and dive deep into the groundbreaking research of Dr. Suzanne Simard, the visionary behind the Mother Tree Project. Discover the "wood-wide web," a secret underground network where trees talk, share resources, and...

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On today’s episode, we’re bridging that annoying gap between you and your static green roommate. You know the struggle: Does it need water? Did I overwater it? Is it growing?

That’s why we’re obsessed with the Tilt Planter, a clever design by Doris Xu. This isn't just a pretty pot; it's a dynamic little scale! The system is built with a curved aluminum base, a traditional terracotta pot, and some perfectly balanced weights.

R...

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Diving into one of the most uniquely Minnesota traditions: the incredible Crop Art Exhibit at the State Fair. If you've never seen it, imagine meticulous mosaics made entirely of seeds—and it's a huge deal!


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Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions ev...

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October 6, 2025 11 mins

Are your snacks feeling a little... basic? This week, we’re talking about food that's truly worth the wait, with one that's just delightfully weird.

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Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary,...

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We're sitting down with our friend, Nathan Gill, of Ecologic Horticulture to talk native plants! We've been sitting on this episode for a while just due to baby and life over the summer so it's extra polished and full of all sorts of goodies. Dig in to learn about the benefits of native plants, how to incorporate them in your garden, and the various projects they work on including one that the Helpful Gardeners even got...

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September 24, 2025 28 mins

We're back! After a hiatus for family and rest, the gardeners are picking up their gloves and teasing some new episodes of the podcast this fall!

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Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!

Subscribe on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

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The Canada Strong Pass is available now until September 2!

The Canada Strong Pass is breaking down barriers for Summer 2026 to encourage more visits to some of Canadas most iconic places. There is so much diversity in the foral found around Alberta and the rest of the country from trees to grasses, and especially wildflowers. What can see out your back door? Are you making a trip to take in more of Canada's natural beauty this s...

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June 16, 2025 31 mins

"It's part of a cycle of nature"

Today, we're exploring the increase in wildfire activity in our community and how it impacts our gardens. We're talking the life cycle of forests, the causes of wildfires, and the effects of smoke on plants. We even dive into the nutritional implications of smoke on vegetables! Let's better understand the environmental changes and adapting gardening practices during wildfire...

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We're talking summer lawn care with our friend Shelley Vance from Scotts Canada! Find out what she thinks about 'No Mow May', and how she tackles cutting the lawn including optimal mowing techniques, proactive maintenance strategies, effective watering methods, and how to manage lawn diseases and pests. Maintain a healthy lawn throughout the summer months with proactive strategies!


Chapters

02:22 Introduction to Summe...

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May 26, 2025 34 mins

Welcome back to courthouse!

This week, we're diving into "No Mow May", a concept that was popularized during the pandemic encouraging people to refrain from mowing their lawns in May to support pollinators and biodiversity. We'll talk the pros and cons of this initiative, including its impact on lawn health, the ecological implications of traditional lawns, and alternative practices for deeper impact.


Episodes ...

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In Canada, the Victoria Day long weekend is typically our green light for planting in the garden! We're talking about different annual plants you can get right now, tips for creating the perfect planter, and a conversation about growing veggies! Weather is still a consideration as we may still see some frosty nights. We'll explore ways to be proactive rather than reactive in the garden this spring.

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CO...

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May 11, 2025 45 mins

It's Mother's Day and while there are lots of ways to celebrate the motherly figures in our lives, afternoon tea is a popular outing this holiday. We dive into the tradition of afternoon tea, its origins, and how it has evolved over time. What country produces the most tea? What are tea connections in Brazil? Can we grow tea in Canada? Does it taste different in other regions? Plus, the discussion takes a personal turn as o...

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May 7, 2025 4 mins

Have you seen mystery items pop up in your garden? A shell? A peanut? A new plant?


Let us know!

Leave a Voice Note: ⁠⁠⁠⁠LINK

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May 6, 2025 38 mins

What's the deal with curb appeal?

We delve into the subjective nature of curb appeal, the balance between personal expression and neighborhood harmony, and the local regulations that govern property aesthetics. What are the benefits of curb appeal and what factors might influence poor curb appeal? Is it your place to judge? Is it your place to reach out?


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April 30, 2025 4 mins

Colin found another sign of spring in his garden this week! What are you seeing in your community?

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April 27, 2025 37 mins

Google is a common tool for gardeners to diagnose plant issues which can be helpful especially for those weird questions you feel dumb for uttering out loud, but it can also problematic as some scenarios require a fuller picture to diagnose.

Today, we explore common gardening questions and concerns that gardeners often Google. We're talking about plant odors, noises, and health issues. Is your plant making sounds? Do you have mushr...

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April 23, 2025 6 mins

I think it's time to get back in the garden... Brandi has been deep in the reality TV and it's gone too far...

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April 20, 2025 31 mins

The gardeners are on the road this week in downtown Calgary for Earth Week at the Core Shopping Centre! Exploring a fun craft for the kiddos, some fun Earth Day activities across Canada, and 11 low effect ways to celebrate Earth Day at home!


Chapters

00:00 Celebrating Earth Week in Calgary

05:08 Fun Kids Activity

09:59 Community Events for Earth Day

15:00 Creative Earth Day Activities

20:01 Practical Tips for Environmental Awareness

2...

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April 16, 2025 5 mins

What is your first signal that spring is here? Find out what Colin and Brandi consider to be theirs!

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