Garden Basics with Farmer Fred
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
Episodes
Debbie Flower, America's Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, drops by to discuss essential strategies for protecting potted and in-ground plants when a frost or freeze is expected. Topics include relocation, mulching, watering, and the use of frost cloths. We explore alternatives to frost cloths, tackle plant hygiene prior to indoor living, and managing indoor challenges like pests and humidity.
Today, we delve into the Garden Basics archive for three segments about the importance of building your soil in the fall. We talk with America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture professor, Debbie Flower, and Sacramento’s Organic Advocate, Steve Zien. We explore the vital role of nitrogen in gardening. We address a listener's concern about low nitrogen levels in soil, discussing the challenges of measurement as well as alt...
We share essential fall gardening tips for both the garden and the orchard. Also, Debbie Flower offers a primer on correct watering techniques.
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: Water Breaker Nozzle (Photo: Dramm)
Links:
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 signifi...
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 f...
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 transcript...
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 crosse...
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?
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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 wo...
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 g...
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 consumpt...
We examine the growing wildfire risks for homeowners, particularly in fire-prone areas across the United States. We get insights from Kevin Marini, a UC Defensible Space Advisor. He highlights the importance of maintaining clear spaces around homes and managing vegetation in three defensive zones. Originally aired in Episode 361.
Pictured: Aftermath of the Altadena (CA) Wildfire, January 2025.
To celebrate Episode 400 of the Garden Basics podcast, we present the four most listened-to garden topics in the history of the podcast.
Topics include: starting a victory garden; growing caneberries; container gardening basics; and planting and growing shade trees.
This edition runs a bit (!) longer than normal...over two hours. Move over Joe Rogan, this one is worth a long summer road trip!
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: seed packets
Links:
“Beyond the Garden Basics” Newsletter This week’s edition: “Where are all the Ripe Tomatoes?”. By becoming a paid subscriber, you’re helping support the newsletter and this...
In this podcast, you’ll hear from these U.C. Sacramento County Master Gardeners and their favorite aromatic plants:
Collete Armao - Scented Geraniums
Dan Vierria - the Tuberose
Kathy Hellesen - Lemon Verbena
Greta Lacin - Sage (Salvia), especially sages for cooking
Teri Van Airsdale - the banana shrub (Magnolia figo)
And bonus audio - an interview with Master Rosarian Charlotte Owendyk about her 10 most favorite fragrant roses, including
Master gardeners share lessons from their mistakes, covering topics like thinning fruit, plant spacing, and pest management, highlighting gardening as a continuous learning experience filled with humor and growth.
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.
Today, we dive into the world of cucumbers, the second most popular crop among backyard gardeners. Debbie Flower shares her expertise on cucumber varieties, growing techniques, and addressing common issues like bitterness. We discuss the importance of starting with fresh seeds, maintaining warm soil, and ensuring consistent moisture for optimal growth. Debbie also explains how to identify and manage male and female flowers, trellis...
We explore the concept of a survival garden, focusing on growing nutritious crops that enhance healthy living. We redefine "survival garden" as a means to reduce reliance on ultra-processed foods while improving dietary intake. Our discussion includes practical tips for cultivating calorie-rich vegetable staples like corn, beans, and potatoes, evaluating their yields and family preferences.
The episode covers specific plan...
Episode 394 features climate scientist Daniel Swain of Weather West and UCANR discussing the link between gardening and weather patterns. He provides tips on monitoring conditions, setting up weather stations, and adapting practices amid National Weather Service budget cuts.
Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts an...
Farmer Fred and Debbie Flower share tips for managing pests like whiteflies and slugs, highlighting organic solutions and beneficial insects to help you reclaim your garden.
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: Whiteflies on a Cit...
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