Picking up where the Garden Basics podcast left off. gardenbasics.substack.com
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Sep 29, 2026 · 58:05
You know trouble awaits if there is a really orange sunrise on an otherwise clear morning. That usually indicates there’s lots of smoke in the air. In today's newsletter, we talk…
Sep 25, 2026 · 33:01
In today’s podcast, we talk with two nurserypeople who know their cool season veggies: Don Shor, owner of Redwood Barn Nursery in Davis, CA; and professional horticultural…
Sep 18, 2026 · 15:09
In today’s podcast, Sacramento County Master Gardener and vegetable expert Gail Pothour explains how to transition garden beds and raised beds from warm-season crops to…
Sep 15, 2026 · 17:01
In today’s podcast, Master Gardener and vegetable expert Gail Pothour talks about cool season greens to grow in your backyard garden during the fall and winter. There’s a…
Sep 11, 2026 · 22:38
In today’s podcast, we talk with Sacramento County Master Gardener Michael Stinson about the when, how and why of pruning blackberry vines. Don’t want to listen? Here’s a…
Sep 8, 2026 · 18:01
We tackle two prickly topics: the spiky, caltrop-like seed balls of puncturevine weed and the “sputniks” of liquidambar (sweet gum) trees. Yes, those sharply pointed spheres that…
Sep 4, 2026 · 25:52
Collecting, Storing and Using Home-Saved Tomato Seeds If you want to save seeds of a particular tomato variety, remember that many varieties are hybrids; they may not necessarily…
Aug 28, 2026 · 9:12
“Of all flowers, methinks rose is best” . Shakespeare said that. He lived in Stratford-upon-Avon, about halfway between London and Birmingham, England. However, the roses he saw…
Aug 25, 2026 · 14:39
Blossom end rot is generally considered the most common tomato problem for backyard gardeners in the US. It causes a dark, sunken, leathery spot on the bottom of the fruit, and…
Aug 21, 2026 · 14:46
Today’s podcast and newsletter of Beyond the Garden Basics is something a bit different, but very important: what to do around your home, both inside and outside, if a wildfire…
Aug 18, 2026 · 19:22
Before we attempt to rid our zinnias of powdery mildew disease, let’s first hear from Debbie Flower, who has plenty of zinnia growing tips for us in today’s podcast. Here’s the…
Aug 14, 2026 · 18:45
In today’s podcast, Master Gardener Gail Pothour and myself discuss some of the most popular cool season vegetables to grow in the cooler months here in USDA Zone 9 and…
Aug 11, 2026 · 42:44
Paid subscribers to the Beyond The Garden Basics get exclusive newsletters and podcasts each Monday! In today’s podcast (above), Don Shor from Redwood Barn Nursery in Davis, CA…
Aug 7, 2026 · 45:10
Beyond The Garden Basics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. In today’s podcast, America’s Favorite…
Aug 4, 2026 · 26:44
Every Monday, paid subscribers get exclusive, first looks about various garden topics, such as today’s. Just one of the benefits for paid subscribers. Thank you for your support!…
Jul 31, 2026 · 6:03
In today’s podcast, nurseryman and Japanese maple expert Chris Aycock of El Dorado Nursery provides the basics for Japanese maple care, especially in the summer months. Chris…
Jul 28, 2026 · 20:26
Thanks for being a paid subscriber to Beyond the Garden Basics ! No time to listen to today’s podcast (above) with Ed Laivo? Here’s a summary. And below that, the actual…
Jul 24, 2026 · 15:21
In today’s podcast (above), we talk with renowned pepperhead Dave DeWitt, author of several hot pepper books . We talk hot pepper basics, and Dave adds advice on how to…
Jul 21, 2026 · 43:02
Bullet Points from the Podcast, “The Best Roses for Cut Flowers” * Always cut long stems, not just the spent bloom. Snipping only 1-2 inches when deadheading causes the plant to…
Jul 17, 2026 · 22:54
I just finished pruning my blueberry plants. In July. WHAT?!? Aren’t you supposed to prune them in the winter? It depends. It depends on where you live, the type of blueberry…
Jul 10, 2026 · 47:22
Beyond The Garden Basics is a reader-supported publication. To receive exclusive posts and complete access to past editions , consider becoming a paid subscriber. Today’s podcast…
Jul 3, 2026 · 28:33
Today’s newsletter podcast is a special treat for readers and listeners of the Beyond the Garden Basics newsletter/podcast who might also be weather nerds…and what gardener…
Jun 26, 2026 · 37:21
You may recall a couple of weeks ago on June 12, the Beyond the Garden Basics podcast featured myself and America’s Favorite retired horticulture professor, Debbie Flower,…
Jun 19, 2026 · 34:01
Today’s newsletter is all about starthistle, and all the ways you can control this summer weed…organically. If you want to read about chemical controls for starthistle, check out…
Jun 12, 2026 · 23:13
We tackle how to help your garden cope with the late spring and all-summer heat waves coming our way in today’s podcast and newsletter. In the first part of the podcast (above),…
Jun 5, 2026 · 10:30
Today’s podcast features Sacramento County Master Gardener and vegetable expert Gail Pothour, extolling the virtues of growing okra in the summer. Gail’s encyclopedic knowledge…
May 29, 2026 · 48:52
Garden book author and citrus expert Lance Walheim, is a big proponent of growing citrus trees in containers. We discuss his techniques in today’s podcast, along with shameless…
May 22, 2026 · 15:31
The Beyond the Garden Basics newsletter and podcast has been around awhile, with over 450 editions since August of 2022. That’s a lot of gardening info! Checking out nearly four…
May 15, 2026 · 15:37
In case you need a refresher course, here are some points about the benefits of using compost in your garden, according to the UC Master Gardeners of Alameda County : • Improves…
May 8, 2026 · 8:11
Is there a better-looking, longer lasting, cut flower than the alstroemeria? Is there a more invasive, underground spreading plant than the alstroemeria? Sometimes, to get to…
May 5, 2026 · 49:33
If you’re looking for a superfood to grow, it’s hard to beat blackberries. They can be grown in just about every state in the United States. They’re highly adaptable, and they…
May 1, 2026 · 31:39
In this episode, we discuss the essentials of basil cultivation, highlighting the basil basics for home gardens. We cover basil soil preparation, planting, timing, and a few of…
Apr 24, 2026 · 16:13
Sweet potatoes are one of the most under-appreciated crops you can grow. But it will reward those gardeners who give sweet potatoes what they really need: heat. As you will hear…
Apr 17, 2026 · 1:23:26
Soil mycorrhizae. What is it? If you’ve seen any of the “Avatar” movies, you would know that James Cameron probably has a good grasp of the subject…and you would have a basic…
Apr 14, 2026 · 15:17
We talk about water safety and rain barrels with Sacramento County Master Gardener and vegetable expert Gail Pothour who swears up and down on her stack of Ruth Stout gardening…
Apr 10, 2026 · 59:04
If we sound excited, we are! It’s getting close to tomato planting time! In this week’s podcast and newsletter, Don Shor of Redwood Barn Nursery in Davis, CA and I discuss this…
Apr 3, 2026 · 24:36
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com Farmer Fred interviews horticulturist and commercial citrus grower Lance Walheim about the…
Mar 13, 2026 · 30:17
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com In this podcast episode, I speak with Staci and Jeremy Hill, authors of "The Preserver's…
Feb 27, 2026 · 10:19
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com What is Backyard Orchard Culture? According to Dave Wilson Nursery, the goal of Backyard…
Feb 20, 2026 · 7:14
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com Some passersby or visitors might think you have a yard full of shiny coffins in your front…
Feb 6, 2026 · 10:50
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com Today’s podcast here on Beyond the Garden Basics is all about grapes. We have two…
Jan 30, 2026 · 18:13
Please share this with any of your friends or family embarking into the exciting world of backyard gardening, especially starting a food garden! America’s Favorite Retired…
Jan 23, 2026 · 17:46
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com Blueberries Grow Well in Containers At our former residence, the blueberry harvest from…
Jan 16, 2026 · 26:19
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com In today’s newsletter podcast, Master Rosarian Debbie Arrington waxes rhapsodic about the…
Jan 12, 2026 · 5:58
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com We are entering the shivering season for the Central Valley, Bay Area and low foothills of…
Jan 9, 2026 · 9:37
Growing onions can be confusing and try your patience, as listening to the above podcast will demonstrate. As our resident vegetable expert, Master Gardener Gail Pothour, knows…
Jan 5, 2026 · 8:45
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com If you spend good money on good-quality hand pruners that have replaceable parts, they can…
Jan 2, 2026 · 46:51
(Note: this post was sent early this morning, but only a few people received it. I’m not sure what the problem is at Substack, but I’m sending it again. Hope you get to read and…
Jan 2, 2026 · 46:51
Don’t give up on certain seed varieties that seem to really take their time, germinating and growing indoors. Among the warm season vegetables that are frustratingly slow to…
Dec 22, 2025 · 4:53
If you think mulch is beautiful, too, become a subscriber! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit…
Dec 19, 2025 · 17:45
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com It seemed like a simple enough garden question to answer. The writer of the email, Steve,…
Dec 12, 2025 · 18:50
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com Holiday Special! For the rest of December 2025, get an annual subscription to the Beyond…
Dec 8, 2025 · 6:52
Thanks for reading Beyond The Garden Basics! This post is public so feel free to share it. Visiting a choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm or any of the corner lots or nurseries…
Dec 5, 2025 · 11:05
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com In this week’s podcast, Diane Blazek, Executive Director of All America Selections (AAS),…
Nov 24, 2025 · 15:25
Today’s Podcast: Debbie Flower and I tackle the problem of a slow draining lawn. There are lots of strategies for improving a soggy lawn! Where does the water go?” That’s a…
Nov 21, 2025 · 17:11
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com In today’s newsletter podcast, we chat with Renee Shepherd of Renee’s Garden seed company…
Nov 17, 2025 · 27:09
Today’s Podcast We interview climate scientist Daniel Swain, who, besides being a University of California Ag and Natural Resources employee at the California Institute for Water…
Nov 14, 2025 · 4:56
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com Today’s newsletter podcast features an arborist discussing ways you can spot when your…
Nov 7, 2025 · 18:41
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com Are you thinking about buying a rototiller? How about instead purchasing a…
Nov 3, 2025 · 6:52
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com When it gets hot, the ants start marching indoors. When it rains, in come the ants. Too…
Oct 31, 2025 · 12:44
One of my frequent bicycling routes takes me by a local food bank. Over the years as I pedal by in the morning, I’ve seen the line of cars increase while waiting for the 10 am…
Oct 27, 2025 · 15:56
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com In the warm winter areas of the country, the calendula is the go-to source of bright…
Oct 24, 2025 · 27:32
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com If you have a worm bin, and are harvesting the worm castings (yes, it’s worm poop ), and…
Oct 20, 2025 · 7:26
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com I spent the weekend in a garlic frame of mind. I’ve been working one 4x8’ garden bed,…
Oct 17, 2025 · 11:10
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com First of all, if you manage to get through this rather brain-taxing, soil-based,…
Oct 13, 2025 · 3:51
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com This journey into the odd and slightly obscene world of misshapen vegetables was inspired…
Oct 10, 2025 · 13:00
Beyond The Garden Basics with Farmer Fred is a reader-supported publication. To receive the complete posts, have access to over 200 previous editions, and help keep the good…
Oct 6, 2025 · 11:45
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com Back in elementary school in Southern California, there once was a visit from a local…
Oct 3, 2025 · 28:17
Today’s newsletter and podcast originally appeared here back in September of 2022, and it was one of the most popular posts here in the Beyond the Garden Basics newsletter.…
Sep 26, 2025 · 20:25
We are transitioning from the summer gardening season to cool season vegetables and flowers. However, maybe you don’t want to put in cool season crops. A word to the wise: don’t…
Sep 5, 2025 · 13:09
Don from Indiana has a late summer visitor to his tomato plants. He is not pleased: “I flicked 10 of these “bad boys” off one of my tomato plants last night. Ten! I look at this…
Aug 22, 2025 · 4:25
While editing Episode 406 of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast (out now), I was taking copious notes, about all the great garden tips Don Shor and I discussed in an…
Aug 15, 2025 · 3:24
In the podcast (above) retired UC Farm Advisor Rachel Long has tips for attracting songbirds to your property. They're nice to look at, sing wonderfully and eat insects. No,…
Aug 8, 2025 · 40:59
One of the best places to get your garden questions answered (or pick up the 2026 Sac Co Master Gardener Gardening Guide and Calendar ) is at the annual gathering of Master…
Jul 25, 2025 · 34:06
90% of all plant problems are water related, either too much or too little . Compounding the problem: gardeners who are operating a drip irrigation system but using a sprinkler…
Jun 27, 2025 · 8:26
This edition of the newsletter is a deeper dive into this week’s Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, Episode 398, “Aromatic Plants, Plus Roses! ” Here, we’ll see what these…
Jun 20, 2025 · 10:43
The above audio track is from a long time ago, when things were - at the very least -tense. It was during the initial panic as COVID-19 struck the United States, back in May of…
Jun 13, 2025 · 6:26
One question I have been getting a lot of lately: Should I prune off (snip off, pinch out) the first tomato flowers that appear, in order to get more tomatoes later? Those early…
Jun 6, 2025 · 22:29
Today’s Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter expands upon a topic we were briefly discussing in Episode 395 of the Garden Basics Podcast, “Survival Garden Basics” . In this case,…
May 30, 2025 · 1:32
If you’re reading this as May turns into June, and you live in the West, you know you’re going through a heat wave, including triple digit temperatures in parts of California. A…
May 16, 2025 · 2:23
Both free and paid subscribers have full access to the Friday edition of the Beyond the Garden Basics newsletter. Because cutting off free subscribers in the middle of a…
May 2, 2025 · 22:15
In Episode 390 of the Garden Basics podcast , Master Gardener Gail Pothour offered some great tips for growing peppers this spring and summer. We also discussed sweet, warm and…
Mar 7, 2025 · 14:33
A bout of colder, wetter weather means ants will have begun their march towards the warmth and comfort of your house, greenhouse or outbuildings. In today’s newsletter podcast,…
Feb 28, 2025 · 1:03:20
In Ep. 381 of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast , Urban Chicken Consultant Cherie Sintes-Glover offered tips on how to protect your backyard chicken flock against the…
Feb 14, 2025 · 5:20
If you’re reading this today, Friday morning, a gentle reminder: did you forget today is Valentine’s Day? Oops. If you are about to scurry out the door for a "run to the…
Feb 7, 2025 · 17:50
Recently, a listener’s question did not get fully answered on Episode 378 of the Garden Basics podcast. Katie was asking about how to thwart the squirrels and raccoons that…
Jan 31, 2025 · 10:09
Podcast Bonus: High Scoring Roses for Most of the United States We like to check in with Master Rosarian Charlotte Owendyk of the Sierra Foothills Rose Society, to find out which…
Jan 10, 2025 · 17:11
In today’s “Beyond the Garden Basics” podcast, we talk with Douglas Kent , author of “ Firescaping: Protecting Your Home with A Fire-Resistant Landscape ”. He has a slightly…
Dec 27, 2024 · 59:37
Previous episodes of the podcast, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net . Transcripts and…
Oct 22, 2024 · 13:44
I read an intriguing garden column (many years ago) in the Redding, CA newspaper that suggested one way to get tomatoes to ripen outdoors in Autumn. It said: "A rule of thumb is,…
Oct 15, 2024 · 16:40
Mid-October is usually the time here in Northern California to harvest two of my favorite backyard crops: popcorn and persimmons. But what if the roof rats beat you to the…
Oct 8, 2024 · 17:52
If you listened to the full interview with avocado grower/Master Gardener Greg Alder in Ep. 360 of the Garden Basics podcast , you got a good fundamental education on growing…
Oct 1, 2024 · 14:21
In this insightful conversation (above), Farmer Fred speaks with Diane Blazek, executive director of All-America Selections and the National Garden Bureau , about the seasonal…
Sep 24, 2024 · 31:06
In this episode of the Beyond the Garden Basics newsletter/podcast, we engage in an in-depth discussion about weed killers with Debbie Flower, America’s favorite retired college…
Sep 17, 2024 · 4:30
Autumn officially begins on Sunday. Fall planting season, however, is already here. The cooler air temperatures, combined with the still-warm soil, are the perfect growing…
Sep 10, 2024 · 12:08
Today’s newsletter podcast talks about a Crisis Nursery. No, it’s not an emergency room for sickly looking houseplants; although, the gardening entrepreneurs among you may be…
Aug 27, 2024 · 25:00
With fall approaching, now might be a good time to invest in some equipment to ease autumn and winter chores as well as improve your soil: making mulch from tree branches with a…
Aug 20, 2024 · 33:51
If you’re a transplant from a colder USDA Zone to a warmer zone, you may have fond memories of rhubarb pie, strawberry-rhubarb jam, rhubarb crisp, or something more exotic, such…
Aug 13, 2024 · 11:06
In today’s newsletter podcast, fruit tree expert Ed Laivo of Ed Able Solutions gives us tips for dealing with varmints that get to your tree fruit before you’ve had a chance to…
Aug 6, 2024 · 9:17
Today’s Newsletter Podcast features Ann Ralph, author of the book, “ Grow a Little Fruit Tree ”. Fruit Tree Pruning, Step by Step Last Friday’s Garden Basics with Farmer Fred…
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