In The Garden with Ron Wilson

Ron chats with Barbie Bletcher, a retired state apiarist and queen bee. They dive into the world of honey bees, discussing the decline in bee populations and the importance of pollinator-friendly gardens. Ron and Barbie explore the impact of habitat loss, pesticide use, and the varroa mite on bee colonies. They also touch on the benefits of beekeeping classes and the role of education in promoting bee conservation. With Barbie's ex...

In this hour of "in the Garden with Ron Wilson," Ron shares tips and advice for a successful gardening year. He discusses the importance of knowing your soil and how to adjust the pH levels for optimal plant growth. Ron also talks about the trend of growing plants in moss-covered balls, known as Cokie Dama, and how it's becoming a popular way to garden indoors. Additionally, he answers listener questions on topics such as transplan...

Ron chats with Queen Bee Barbee Bletcher, a retired state apiarist with a wealth of knowledge about bees. They dive into the importance of pollinator-friendly gardens and the decline of bee populations. Barbie shares some startling statistics, including the fact that Ohio had 260,000 bee colonies in 1940, but that number dropped to 22,000 during the colony collapse disorder. They discuss the impact of habitat loss, pesticide use, a...

Here in the Garden with Ron Wilson, it's the final Saturday 2025. Ron's reflecting on the past year and looking forward to 2026.  He's talking about the importance of planning ahead, especially when it comes to indoor gardening. Ron's sharing tips on growing microgreens and recommends checking out Johnny's Seeds and Burpee's catalogs for inspiration. He's also discussing the history of mistletoe and how it's become a rare sigh...

In this hour of In the Garden with Ron Wilson, Ron chats with Scott Beuerlein from the Cincinnati Botanical Garden and Zoo. They dive into the garden's best picks, featuring a list of top-performing plants that have been trialed in the garden's unique conditions. Scott shares the process behind creating this list, from selecting and growing over 600 varieties of plants to evaluating their performance. They also discuss the importan...

In this hour of In The Garden with Ron Wilson, Ron chats with Scott Beuerlein from the Cincinnati Botanical Garden and Zoo. They dive into the latest gardening trends, including rewilding your landscape and the importance of native plants. Scott shares his expertise on the benefits of native species and how they can be incorporated into suburban gardens. They also discuss the pollinator program and the upcoming symposiums at the bo...

Ron and Gary help tackle Scott's home improvement question about a water heater issue. Scott's water heater is leaking sporadically through the overflow vent, and he's wondering if an expansion tank could be the solution. Ron shares his expertise, explaining that an expansion tank can help relieve pressure and prevent leaks. They also discuss the importance of checking water pressure and replacing old water heaters. With Gary's gui...

In this hour of The Garden with Ron Wilson, Ron chats with his guests about the holiday season. He shares a tip on how to save Christmas poinsettias with a creative hack using evergreen branches. Ron also discusses the importance of horticulture during the holiday season, mentioning the various plants and decorations that are popular this time of year. He also talks about the history of grave blankets and how they're not as commonl...

Here in the Garden with Ron Wilson, we're talking about what's new and what's next in gardening. This week, we're joined by Rita Hikenfeld, a CCPCMH Award-winning syndicated journalist and Appalachian herbal scholar. We're discussing the latest trends in gardening, from fusion plants to functional foods. Rita shares her insights on the resurgence of old-fashioned plants like comfrey, perilla, and tallow, and how they're becoming in...

In this hour of the show, Ron Wilson chats with Katie Stagliano, the founder of Katie's Crops, a national youth-based nonprofit empowering kids to grow fresh produce for their communities. Katie shares her incredible journey from growing a single cabbage as a 9-year-old to building a movement that's donated over 900,000 pounds of produce to those in need. They discuss the impact of gardening on kids, the organization's growth, and ...

Ron chats with Gary Sullivan about home improvement and holiday prep. They dive into the world of snow blowers, with Ron sharing his excitement about his new purchase and the benefits of a two-stage model. They also discuss deck maintenance, with a focus on using wet and forget and oxygenated bleach for a quick and easy clean. The conversation is filled with humor and helpful tips, making it a must-listen for anyone looking to tack...

Ron Wilson chats with Katie Stagliano, the founder of Katie's Crops, a nonprofit empowering kids to grow fresh produce for their communities. From humble beginnings with a 9-year-old's cabbage seedling to a national movement, Katie shares her remarkable journey. She talks about the impact of her organization, which has donated over 900,000 pounds of fresh produce and served over 130,000 meals to those in need. With a focus on commu...

Ron chats with Rita Hikenfeld about the latest trends in gardening and cooking. They dive into the world of functional foods, discussing the resurgence of old favorites like comfrey, turmeric, and tallow. Rita shares her expertise on using these ingredients in cooking and their benefits for health. They also explore the growing popularity of fusion plants, edible flowers, and herbs like anise hyssop and bergamot. With Rita's insigh...

Ron Wilson chats with EM Shipman, the executive director of Kids Gardening, a national organization that's been helping kids connect with nature for over a decade. They discuss the growing demand for gardening with kids, and how Kids Gardening is meeting that need with resources, grants, and community support. From creating lesson plans to connecting educators, EM shares the impact of their work and how every dollar donated can rea...

Ron Wilson chats with the Arbor Doc as he shares his expertise as a certified arborist and amateur meteorologist. He discusses the upcoming winter season, predicting a roller coaster of temperatures with warm weather expected around Christmas, followed by a return to cold and snowy conditions in January and February. Ron also touches on the importance of watering evergreens, noting that the ground is currently wet due to recent pre...

In this hour of In the Garden with Ron Wilson, Ron chats with Joe Strecker about snowblowers and the upcoming winter season. They discuss the importance of being prepared for snow and the benefits of using a gas-powered snowblower. Ron shares his experience with a handheld snowblower and the satisfaction of clearing his driveway. The conversation also touches on the topic of gardening catalogs, including Burpee's 150th anniversary ...

In this hour of "in the Garden with Ron Wilson", Ron chats with Pete Richmond, co-owner of Rich Life Farm, about the fascinating world of mushroom farming. From Pete's early days of growing oyster mushrooms in his laundry room to the success of his farm, they dive into the process of cultivating these delicious and nutritious fungi. They discuss the unique conditions required for mushroom growth, the importance of natural habitats,...

In this hour of In the Garden with Ron Wilson, Ron chats with Anthony Need of Flowering Lawn dot com about transforming your yard into a flowering lawn. They discuss the benefits of reducing maintenance, helping pollinators, and creating a beautiful and sustainable space. Anthony shares tips on how to get started, including dormant seeding and using bird feeders that also distribute flower seeds. They also dive into the new product...

Ron chats with Gary Sullivan about winter prep and gardening tips. They discuss the importance of pampering worms during the cold months and the challenges of finding snow blowers in stock. Ron shares a funny story about his friend Joe's experience with a gas-powered snow blower and introduces the concept of snow mats, which can help keep walkways clear. They also talk about gardening history, including an antique seed catalog from...