The Garden Question

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to the 200th Episode!

00:29 Meet Dan Long: Clematis Expert

01:12 Understanding Clematis: Pronunciation and Varieties

04:15 Growing Clematis in the Southeast

05:13 Troubleshooting Clematis Issues

06:24 Choosing the Right Clematis for Your Garden

10:08 Clematis Hybridization and New Discoveries

11:47 Native Clematis in the U.S.

13:04 Dan Long's Plant Exploration Adventures

15:27 Debunking Clematis Myths

17:14 Clematis Ca...

00:00 Introduction to Water Smart Gardening

00:12 Meet Noelle Johnson: The AC Plant Lady

00:51 Water Conservation Techniques

02:19 Understanding Water Usage

05:09 Choosing Drought Tolerant Plants

14:56 Soil and Composting Tips

18:48 The Importance of Mulch

20:58 Creating Microclimates

23:19 Rethinking Garden Maintenance

28:14 Choosing Organic Fertilizers for Healthier Soil

28:54 Rethinking Lawns in Drier Climates

31:26 Effici...

00:00 Introduction to the Garden Question Podcast

00:25 Meet Dr. Todd Beasley

00:33 The Vision for the Botanic Garden

00:42 Community Engagement and Environmental Stewardship

00:53 Todd Beasley's Career and Contributions

02:49 The Role and Importance of Botanical Gardens

05:42 Engaging the Community and Generating Revenue

08:29 The History of the Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern

11:25 Design and Plant Selection in the Garden

15:00 Trends ...

I’m your host Craig McManus. Welcome to The Garden Question Podcast, where we’re all about designing, building, and growing smarter gardens that work. Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned pro, you’ll always be inspired in every episode.

Today’s guest is Rick Vuyst, a lifelong gardener and horticultural storyteller with a career as vibrant as the gardens he’s nurtured. From co-hosting the Gardening Simplified Show to...

Today’s episode takes us on a journey into the growing world of suburban homesteading with Michelle Bruhn, a Minnesota native and passionate advocate for reconnecting people to the earth and their food. As a regenerative gardener, educator, and founder of Forks in the Dirt, Michelle helps people grow their own food, know their farmers, and embrace sustainable living.

Michelle shares her expertise on the rising popularity of homeste...

00:00 Introduction to the Garden Question Podcast

00:27 Meet Nina Koziol: Horticulturist Extraordinaire

01:16 The Timeless Appeal of White Gardens

02:32 Designing and Enhancing White Gardens

07:01 Creating Depth and Texture in Shade Gardens

08:53 The Importance of Flow in Garden Design

15:26 Freestanding Beds and Year-Round Appeal

19:01 Insights from Nina's Book on White Gardens

22:17 Practical Gardening Tips and Myths

28:27 The Mulch Contr...

In this episode of the Garden Question podcast, the host, Craig McManus, explores the practice of 'crape murder'.

He emphasizes the damage improper pruning can cause to crape myrtle trees, attaching their natural beauty and weakening their growth potential. McManus suggests proper pruning techniques to maintain the tree's health and longevity, and urges listeners to educate themselves about the tree's natural growth habits.

He wish...

Today we're digging into the power of community orchards to tackle some of our most pressing challenges—growing food and developing ecosystems.

In this Episode 193, we're joined by Sarah Sikich and Ryan Watson to explore The Giving Grove – a remarkable national network that's changing lives and building communities through urban orchards.

Welcome to The Garden Question Podcast, where we're all about designing, building, and growing s...

Welcome to The Garden Question Podcast! I’m your host Craig McManus

Trees—they’re majestic, essential, and sometimes misunderstood. In this episode, Edward Morrow is here to dispel the myths that often lead to improper tree care and even unwarranted fear of these gentle giants. Edward dives into the nuances of tree maintenance, from mindful pruning to soil management, and explains why protecting the critical root zone is key to tree...

Dr. Jim Faust tells interesting true poinsettia stories from their discovery to your own enjoyment at Christmas.

 One story involves searching out wild poinsettias in the middle of two drug cartel controlled territories. Jim is a professor of Floriculture Physiology at Clemson University in South Carolina. He does research on greenhouse production of various flowering crops, teaches hydroponics, and greenhouse production courses.

 He...

In this special Thanksgiving episode of the Garden Question Podcast, host Craig McManus gathers a heartwarming array of guests from previous episodes to share their gratitude for the beauty, growth, and joys that gardening brings to their lives.

Notable guests including Diane Blazek, Nathan Wilson, Heather Andrews, Erin Alladen, Carol Michel, Bill Strock, Kirk Brown, Brent Heath, Dan Benarcik, Kathy Jentz, Russell Camp, Mike Cunning...

Welcome to The Garden Question Podcast—where we’re all about designing, building, and growing a smarter garden that works!

I’m your host, Craig McManus, and today we’re diving into a timeless holiday tradition: the Christmas tree. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you’re sure to be inspired by the fascinating insights of today’s guest.

Joining me is Dr. Mel Koelling, a nationally recognized authority in the Christmas tree indus...

In today's episode I have a fascinating conversation with John Bartram. America's First Botanist and a Legacy of Native Plant Explorer.

Well actually, it’s with Kirk R. Brown, a renowned garden speaker and historian who brings the legendary 18th-century botanist John Bartram to life.

Bartram, often called “America’s First Botanist,” was a trailblazer in exploring the wilds of colonial America, driven by his passion for nature and a m...

This is The Garden Question Podcast where you’ll learn to “Design, build, and grow a smarter garden that works.”

In today’s episode, we’re diving into an emerging trend in sustainable mulching that’s capturing gardeners’ attention far and wide: salt hay and pine straw.

Here to unpack it all with us is our guest, Bill Strock.

Bill has a fascinating background and a hands-on approach to sustainable garden solutions. He holds a B.A. in...

Hello, you’re dialed in to The Garden Question Podcast where we discover designing, building and growing “Smarter Gardens that Work”. I’m your host Craig McManus.

In this episode, we’re exploring a corner of garden history with our special guest who uncovers stories from the past—Carol J. Michel.

Carol takes us on a fascinating journey into the world of historic garden writing. Shining a light on some lesser-known female authors she ...

Welcome to The Garden Question Podcast! I’m your host, Craig McManus.

Today we’ve got a fantastic episode lined up. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert seasoned pro, this conversation will inspire you to think deeper about gardening.

Our guest is Erin Alladin, creator of the concept gentle gardening—a unique approach designed for those working with chronic illness and disability.

Erin’s journey is all about making gardening accessi...

Welcome to today’s episode, where we talk about empowering your garden by diving into the importance of incorporating native plants into your garden—especially during the fall season.

Our guest is Heather Andrews, a published author, award-winning photographer, Master Gardener, and Pollinator Steward with a passion for sustainable landscapes.

Heather is here to share her insights on how native plants play a crucial role in supporti...

In this episode Nathan Wilson explores the concept of creating a 'sense of place' in gardening.

He emphasizes the importance of blending architecture, plant materials, and personal history to create unique garden environments.

He shares insights into the balance between natural growth and structured design.

The essential characteristics of a plant’s color, form, mature size and texture.

Nathan explores the significance of incorporat...

00:00 Introduction to The Garden Question Podcast

00:41 Meet Diane Blazek: A Journey in Gardening

01:29 The Legacy of National Garden Bureau

05:10 Victory Garden 2.0: Reviving a Historic Movement

06:23 The Impact of COVID-19 on Gardening

08:09 Challenges and Successes in Modern Gardening

10:44 Exploring New Plant Programs

14:13 All American Selections Trials

16:20 Display Gardens: Showcasing AAS Winners

18:45 Year of Program: Celebrating Pl...