In this interview episode, Sean chats with Paul Zammit about the life of a garden communicator. Paul has had a long career in horticulture and is presently a professor of Horticulture and Environmental Studies at Niagara College as well as CBC’s Ontario Today gardening expert—although “expert” is a term he would like to contest. After all, we never stop learning, and that’s especially true in the garden. Paul and Sean talk about selfish gardening (taking space from nature for ourselves) compared to building a biodiverse space that wildlife can enjoy alongside us—even if that means broadening our definition of beauty. They lament the spread of incomplete and untrue gardening tips online, although they’re still excited about the information-sharing power of social media. And although they’d happily talk forever, they force themselves to wrap up the conversation by answering some listener questions about insect-afflicted ash trees and re-blooming orchids. Find Paul on Instagram at @paulsplantpix Paul Zammit is a professor at Niagara College’s School of Environment and Horticulture. He can be found giving garden advice on CBC’s Ontario Today program He occasionally co-leads international tours of public and private gardens. Comments? Feedback? Want your garden question to be featured in a future Q&A segment? Email us, reach out over social media, or get Q&A priority by supporting us on Patreon. Instagram: @plantsalwayswinpodcast Facebook: plantsalwayswinpodcast TikTok: @plantsalwayswinpodcast Website: www.plantsalwayswin.com CreditsWebsite Design and Illustration by Sophia AlladinIntro and Outro Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/when-my-ukulele-playsLicense code: GWOIMMBAS15FG6PH0:45 Preamble1:15 Interview2:33 Paul’s Impressive Résumé4:04 Leading Garden Tours7:11 “Garden Expert”, and Other Misnomers13:07 Gardening is different everywhere!15:25 Biodiversity: If You Plant it, They Will Come16:24 Invasive Species and Constructive Conversations21:30 Rethinking Beauty24:03 Cultivars Aren’t Evil26:24 Gardening for Ourselves and for Nature35:20 Social Media and Iffy Plant Hacks42:07 Intermission42:50 Q&A44: 26 Emerald Ash Borers46:35 Re-Blooming Orchids53:12 Paul's Shout-Outs56:20 Outro
