Shows
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsMulch killing weeds, Citrus from Seeds, and a Robot WeederHave you wondered how, or if, mulch kills weeds? Have you tried to grow a citrus plant from a seed? Ellen and C.L. discuss these topics, and answer Dianna’s question about her kousa dogwood that isn’t doing well. Plus C.L. tells Ellen and our listeners about a robot that weeds in gardens. :28 Plant Noob: Does mulch kill weeds? 6:47 Eat/Drink/Grow: Some considerations when growing citrus from Seed. 14:02 Check THIS Out!: Tertill: a solar-powered, robot weeder. 18:13 Love Letters and Questions From Dianna: “I purchased a kousa dogwood from a landscaper and t...
2022-07-2125 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsHeavy Amaryllis Flowers, Cuttings and CyclamenIn this just-after-the-solstice episode, Ellen and C.L. discuss how to use juniper berries, supporting heavy amaryllis flowers, taking cuttings and Cyclamen. Ellen's Smreka recipe here. :30 What’s for dinner: What can you use juniper berries for? 5:00 Insider Information: Supporting heavy Amaryllis flowers 9:57 Eat/Drink/Grow: Taking Cuttings – which plants should you take cuttings from, how and when. 22:22 Love Letters and Questions: How to keep Cyclamen alive.
2021-12-2327 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsYellow Leaves, Fall Vegetables or Foraging, and Bringing Houseplants InsideIn this end-of-August episode, C.L. and Ellen discuss how to tell why the leaves on your plant are turning yellow. They explain that noticing which leaves are yellowing, and where they are, can help explain why this is happening. Next the Plantrama team explains some botanic terms, and discusses what to forage for or plant in your vegetable garden right now. The episode ends with advice to Sandy about when to bring her houseplants back inside after they have spent the summer out of doors. :38 Plant Noob: Yellow Leaves – how to know what...
2021-08-2627 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsCakes, Limited Room and Dense Raised Bed PlantingsIn this 200th episode of Plantrama, Ellen and C.L. celebrate with cake! Hear about Ellen’s berry pudding cake and C.L.’s beet cake. Next we talk about where to plant if you’re running out of room (remember topsy-turvy tomatoes?) and whether it’s okay to pack vegetables into a raised bed. 2:45 What’s For Dinner: Unusual cakes 8:13 Eat/Drink/Grow: What to do when you’re running out of room…. 16:38 Love Letters and Questions: Dense planting in raised beds. Here’s the link to my berry pudding ca...
2021-08-0522 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsA Summer Cocktail Hour, Nitrogen-fixing Plants, and Pinching AnnualsIn this episode of Plantrama Ellen and C.L. answer a listener’s question about growing male Cannabis plants. They explain why it’s good to pinch many newly planted annuals, what nitrogen-fixing plants are, and celebrate an early summer cocktail hour. :27 What’s For Dinner: It’s the cocktail hour in June! 3:58 Eat/Drink/Grow: Nitrogen-fixing plants. 16:39 Insider Information: Pinching annuals. 21:15 Love Letters and Questions: Is there value in a male Cannabis plant? Photo below is Ellen's Butterfly Kiss cocktail.
2021-06-0324 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsRainbow Tomatoes, Jade Plants, and LichenThe Plantrama team discusses the clearly fake rainbow tomatoes, growing the wonderfully real jade plants indoors, and Ellen’s new craft cocktail class. :30 True or False: Rainbow Tomato Seeds 3:17 Eat/Drink/Grow: Jade plants: Crassula 13:29 Insider Information: Ellen’s online craft cocktail course 17:30 Love Letters and Questions: Anthony writes asking why lichen seems to shrink and grow.
2021-01-1421 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsVegetable Garden Wrap-up, Dandelions and ChestnutsIt’s time to take stock of the vegetable garden and consider what thrived and which crops were a bust. Ellen and C.L. discuss why Ellen loves to forage for chestnuts, and how she cooks them, plus we answer a question about dandelion foliage in the lawn. :35 What’s For Dinner: Chestnuts! 8:02 Eat/Drink/Grow: Veggie Garden Wrap Up 22:35 Love Letters and Questions: Neil emails about the dandelions in his lawn. Link to Ellen’s recipe for chestnut soup. Link to Ellen’s recipe for chestnut mousse.
2020-10-0127 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsMint, Outdoor Pots in Winter, and Transplanting in FallEllen and C.L. give you ideas for using all of that mint that has exploded in your gardens over the summer. We explain how to keep container plants through the winter without pot or plant death, and answer a listener’s question about transplanting in the fall. :42 What’s For Dinner: What Can You Do With Mint? 7:43 Eat/Drink/Grow: Keeping Plants in Pots Through the Winter 19:47 Love Letters and Questions: Sandra emailed to ask if September is a good time to move shrubs.
2020-09-1024 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsEggplant, Frost Protection, Drying White HydrangeasC.L. and Ellen and talk about ways to prepare eggplant, protecting your fall crops from frost, taking cuttings of shrubs and tender plants, and drying white hydrangea flowers. :47 What’s for dinner: Eggplant 11:08 Insider Information: Protecting fall crops if an early freeze is predicted. 16:56 Eat/Drink/Grow: Taking cuttings of woody plants and tender perennials. 26:26 Love Letters and Questions: Kya writes to ask if she can dry her Hydrangea paniculata flowers
2020-08-2729 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsSedges and, Grasses, and Mildew, Oh MY!In this episode Ellen and C.L. give you a way to identify grasses, sedges and rushes, we discuss the mildew that you might be seeing on various plants, and answer a listener’s question about where to find unusual plants. :39 Plant Noob: Sedges, grasses and rushes. 9:19 Eat/Drink/Grow: A deep dive into MILDEW. 23:44 Love Letters and Questions: Ellen asks where to find the plants we speak about.
2020-08-2027 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsVegetables Crossing, Planting After Tree Removal and Tomato LeavesWondering if your zucchini can cross with the neighbor’s pumpkins? Want to know about planting where a tree used to grow? Ellen and C.L. talk about those topics plus finding inexpensive plants for shade and curling tomato leaves. :37 True or False: Zucchini can cross with pumpkins so that you get weird fruit. 3:11 Eat/Drink/Grow: Why a plant might not grow when put near where a tree used to be. 13:27 Plant Noob – Inexpensive plants for shade? An email from Madeline. 16:44 Love Letters and Questions: Ted asks why on some days the foliage on his tomato pla...
2020-08-1322 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsYour Outdoor Office, a Deep Dive into Daylilies and MosquitosEllen and C.L. give ideas for making your outdoor office (or Zoom Room) greener. We talk about the maintenance of daylilies, and answer a listener’s question about controlling mosquitos. :32 Your Outdoor Office: Still working from home? You need greenery. 4:47 Eat/Drink/Grow: A Deep Dive into Daylilies. 16:58 Love Letters and Questions: Paul asks if there is a natural way to help control mosquitos and if some plants really repel them.
2020-07-3022 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsZucchini Mania, Plants That Change Spontaneously, and Top Foraging PlantsHear how to use all the summer squash from your garden, learn about the new foraging calendar from Amber Lotus Publishing, and listen to Ellen give her top plants for foraging in the Midwest and Northeast. In our main segment we’ll talk about why a plant might change growth habits, or develop different foliage and flower colors. 1:30 What’s for dinner: It’s zucchini mania! 8:45 Insider Information: Ellen’s Backyard Foraging Calendar is out! 11:32 Eat/Drink/Grow: Why some plants “revert” changing growth patterns or color 20:31 Love Letters and Questions: Sara asks if...
2020-07-2323 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsMulch and Nitrogen, Smartweeds, and Aliens in JunipersEllen and C.L. discuss whether the use of mulch robs the soil of nitrogen, and we take a dive into the Polygonaceae family…smart weeds and knotweeds. We give you the scoop on two informative webinars for anyone interested in growing hydrangeas, and answer a question about the odd, jelly-like forms that a listener has found on some junipers. 1:42 True or False: Mulch robs the soil of nitrogen. 6:21 Eat/Drink/Grow: Is your weed smart or knot? 12:31 Insider Information: Hydrangea webinars given by C.L. 16:33 Love Letters and Questions: Aliens in the juniper! With thanks...
2020-07-0920 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsOmelets, Peonies, Oak Galls and Soap in the GardenThis episode will inspire you to make an omelet using vegetables you’ve grown or foraged for. Ellen and C.L. take a deep dive into peonies and all the questions people have about them not flowering, when to move them, how to control mildew and more. Finally, we clue you in about the fascinating (and mostly harmless) round growths on oak leaves, and advise a listener about the use of soap in the garden. :33 What’s For Dinner Omelet Ideas, Farmed and Foraged 6:36 Eat/Drink/Grow: Peonies They’re finished flowering but you’ve got questions!
2020-07-0227 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsPruning to Reduce Size, Pine needles and MilkweedEllen and C.L. talk about the possibility of pruning to reduce a plant’s size, plus information about milkweed. We discuss pine needles in compost and how to keep a hanging basket looking great. With thanks to our sponsor at Rainwand.com 1:15 Plant Noob: Can I make my shrub or tree smaller? 8:49 Eat/Drink/Grow: A deep dive into Milkweed. 17:15 True or False: Putting pine needles in a compost bin. 19:39 Love Letters and Questions: How to take care of a flowering hanging basket. How to germinate milkweed seeds information
2020-06-1824 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsFertilizing, Flowering Vines, and ElderberriesEllen and C.L. talk about how often plants need fertilizer, and several flowering vines you should know and grow. They review a product that treats poison ivy and poison oak and Ellen explains the difference between elderberry shrubs. :38 True or False: I need to fertilize all my gardens every year, right? 8:43 Eat/Drink/Grow: Flowering Vines 17:37 Product Review: Zanfel for Poison Ivy/Poison Oak 20:51 Love Letters and Questions From one of the attendees of the Northweest Flower and Garden show: What’s the difference between the blue and purple elderberry flowers?
2020-05-2122 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsGalvanized Containers, Cocktail Ingredient Plants and Other Q&ALearn about planting in galvanized containers, if hyacinth beans are edible, and underplanting trees with shrubs. Hear Ellen and C.L.’s picks for their three top garden ingredients for cocktails, what plants like coffee grounds, and C.L.’s favorite variety of kale. Plus more questions that came in from the audience at the Northwest Flower and Garden Festival in Seattle. :40 Just For Fun: Galvanized containers for plants. 5:25 Eat/Drink/Grow: Questions from Seattle Flower Show 16:04 Love Letters and Questions What is your favorite kale and why? And, Coffee grounds for plants?
2020-04-3024 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsBox Store Plants, Bamboo and Saving a Money TreeIn this episode Ellen and C.L. tackle a myth about box stores selling plants that have been raised with neonicotinoids, we discuss the amazing bamboo, and answer a question about saving a houseplant. :34 True or False: Box store plants are raised using neonicotinoids 4:54 Eat/Drink/Grow: Bamboo 20:25 Love Letters and Questions: A listener asks if her money tree houseplant can be saved
2020-04-0925 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsLettuce Wraps, Coriander and Replacing Ugly JunipersBe inspired to make lettuce wraps for dinner, hear about growing coriander, and learn about plant pheromones. Plus hear how Ellen and C.L. advise Don about his ugly junipers. :32 What’s For Dinner: “Lettuce Wraps” 4:30 Eat/Drink/Grow: Coriander 14:44 Insider Information: What are plant pheromones?20:09 Love Letters and Questions: Don asks what to do with ugly junipers.
2020-04-0224 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsToo Much Manure, Salt in Soils, and A Plant ThreesomeIn this episode C.L. and Ellen discuss research into growing plants in salty soils, aerating lawns with spiky shoes, and a plant that’s a three some. We end explaining why it’s possible to have too much manure in your soil. :47 Did You Know: From the world of Plant Science: salty soils 3:50 True or False: You can aerate your lawn by walking on it with golf shoes. 7:57 Eat/Drink/Grow: Lichen: The plant that’s a threesome? 14:44 Love Letters and Questions: Tim writes, “Is it possible to have too much manure in your garden s...
2020-03-1220 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsWindowboxes, Easy Vegetables from Seed, and Bad Garden AdviceEllen and C.L. provide the 1-2-3 steps to planting window boxes, discuss some really bad plant advice seen online, talk about easy vegetables to grow from seed, and answer a question about winter protection. :35 Plantrama 1 2 3: I want to put window boxes on the front of my house. 8:20 True or False: Putting used diapers in the bottom of a hanging basket! 11:20 Eat/Drink/Grow: Easiest Vegetables to Grow From Seed 20:22 Love Letters and Questions: Harry asks ”Is it too late to wrap plants?”
2020-02-1324 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsFritters, Easy Annuals From Seed and a Career Building VacationIn this episode you’ll learn how to make fritters (vegan and not), discover annuals that are easy to grow from seed, and hear about two opportunities to connect with your Plantrama hosts, live in 2020. :28 What’s For Dinner: Fritters Foraged and Farmed Ellen’s Fritter recipe here. 6:50 Eat/Drink/Grow: Easiest Annuals To Grow From Seed 21:31 Love Letters and Questions: Two opportunities to meet us and learn more about plants. Northwest Flower and Garden Show GardenComm Save the Date for the annual meeting in 2020.
2020-02-0626 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsBitters, Terrariums, and Heat For Seed GerminationThis episode starts with talk about bitters, what they are, why you want them in a cocktail, and how to make your own. We go on to talk about the basics for making a terrarium and end with a question from a listener about using heat mats for starting seeds. :30 What’s for dinner: Bitters. The link to Ellen's Recipes for bitters. 9:07 Eat/Drink/Grow: Terrariums 23:57 Love Letters and Questions: Hannah writes, “Do I need to use heat mats?”
2020-01-2328 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsMonstera Plants and Growing Your Own WeddingDo you want to know what it takes to successfully grow a Monstera? Ellen and C.L. explain the first three things you need to know about this stylish plant. In the main segment we discuss options for DIY brides…or anyone planning to have a large event in their yard or garden. The episode ends by talking about what type of lights are needed for starting vegetable seedlings. :33 Plantrama 1 – 2 – 3: “I want to grow a Monstera plant.” 4:41 Eat/Drink/Grow: Grow Your Own Wedding. 17:02 Love Letters and Questions: Gabby writes: “I want to grow my own v...
2020-01-0922 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsHeavy Amaryllis Flowers, Seed Catalogs and Houseplant Vacation CareIn this episode we talk about using Sumac as a spice, how to keep those huge and how to prevent those heavy Amaryllis flowers from falling over and breaking off. In the main segment we discuss seed catalogs and end with Fred’s question about how he can keep his houseplants alive when he’s away on vacation. Plus a link to The Wild Spice Cabinet, Ellen’s online course. :30 What’s for dinner: Using Sumac as a spice. Check out Ellen's Foraged Spice Class Here. 5:39 Insider Information: Supporting Amaryllis flowers 13:25 Eat/Drink/Grow: The...
2019-12-2623 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsTaming Overgrown or Too Large Gardens and Garden Design TipsWe begin this episode with the importance of planting something new “at ground level.” Next Ellen and C.L. discuss what to do if your gardens have grown too large or unmanageable. We give garden design tips and end with Kerry’s request for different holiday plant suggestions. :30 Plant Noob: The importance of digging a large enough hole. 6:21 Eat/Drink/Grow: What to do if your garden beds have “gotten away from you.” 17:27 Garden Design Tips: Straight lines are formal, groups are less so. Why odd numbers are important. 21:24 Love Letters and Questions Kerry asks for suggestion...
2019-12-1925 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsRosemary, Native Switch Grass, and Moldy CannabisThis episode gives you some hints about growing and cooking with rosemary. Ellen and C.L. discuss what makes a plant deserve the label of “invasive” and we talk about Panicum virgatum, aka switch or panic grass. And speaking of panicking…P.J. writes about mold on his Cannabis buds. :30 What’s for dinner: Rosemary 6:27 True or False: A plant that spreads quickly is invasive and should be avoided. 11:51 Eat/Drink/Grow: Panicum virgatum – aka switch grass 16:45 Love Letters and Questions: P.J. writes to say that his cannabis plants molded!
2019-12-1221 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsA Houseplant Debate, Plants Underwater, and Hardy Palm TreesHave you wondered why some plants can live underwater but your houseplants die if you give them too much water? Hear why this is, which houseplants Ellen and C.L. recommend, and learn about “Secret Suppers” in this episode of Plantrama. :33 Insider Information: Why some plants can grow under water while others rot and die in too much water. 9:20 Eat/Drink/Grow: Houseplant Debate! 20:12 Did You Know: A Secret Supper Learn more here. 24:58 Love Letters and Questions: Paul wants to know if there are palm trees that are cold hardy.
2019-11-2826 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsLate-To-Migrate Hummingbirds, Yellow Leaves, and Comparing Apples to OrangesAre you wondering if the plant with yellow leaves will recover and turn green again? Have you ever wondered if we can indeed compare apples to oranges? And what plants are good for a slope in part sun? Ellen and C.L. discuss all of these, and C.L. tells a story about a late-to-migrate hummingbird. :27 Plant Noob: When leaves turn yellow, are they likely to turn back to green again? 5:04 Eat/Drink/Grow: Comparing Apples to Oranges 8:18 Story: A late to migrate hummingbird. 16:34 Love Letters and Questions Sue wrote asking...
2019-11-2123 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsEdging Flower Beds, The Right Sized Pot, and A New Plant On the BlockDo you like that nice, crisp line that edging a lawn provides in your landscape? Are you hungry for a delicious stuffing to prepare this Thanksgiving? Ellen and C.L. have thoughts and suggestions. They are also anxious to introduce you to the new kids on the block…not the band, but some great new varieties of a native shrub. All of that plus a discussion about the importance of the size of pots for indoor or outdoor containers. :28 What’s for dinner: Wild mushroom and chestnut stuffing…foraged or store bought 3:50 True or Fals...
2019-11-1423 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsFlower Fluctuations, Fall Pansies, and Are You Tired of Kale YetShould you really plant pansies in the fall? Why didn’t my plant bloom well this year when last year it was beautiful? Are you tired of kale yet? These are some of the deep questions that Ellen Zachos and C.L. Fornari consider in this episode of Plantrama. Oh….and evergreen plants for stylish winter containers. :28 What’s For Dinner: Tuscan Kale! 6:09 Eat/Drink/Grow: Planting Pansies in the Fall. 13:21 Insider Information: Why some plants bloom heavily one year and not the next. 16:33 Love Letters and Questions Gail writes, wondering if she can plant s...
2019-11-0720 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsStraw Bale Gardens, Overwintering a Bay Tree and An Acorn MythIn this autumnal episode Ellen Zachos and C.L. Fornari talk about the pros and cons of straw bale gardens…fantastic or a fad? We talk about burdock (one person’s weed is another’s dinner) and keeping that potted bay tree over the winter indoors. :28 Plant Noob: What is burdock? 3:33 Eat/Drink/Grow: straw bale gardens 12:42 Did You Know: Overwintering bay trees 22:54 Love Letters and Questions The myth of sweet acorns
2019-10-3125 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsOrnamental Fun With Fall Grasses, Leaving the Leaves, and Wild GrapesC.L. and Ellen explain how you can make your ornamental grasses look amusing and fun for the fall into the winter holidays. We discuss the benefits and drawbacks to not raking the leaves out of your gardens, and talk about wild grape vines. The episode ends with Sara’s question about her houseplants that got frosted. :30 Just For Fun: Making ornamental grasses look festive. 3:33 Insider Information: Should you be leaving the leaves? 11:28 Eat/Drink/Grow: Grapes growing wild! 21:50 Love Letters and Questions Sara writes about her plants that got frosted.
2019-10-2423 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsCompost, Drying Plants Upside Down, and Fried Sage LeavesIn this episode Ellen and C.L. talk about a great way to prepare fresh sage leaves for a garnish, whether hanging herbs and other plants upside down to dry is important, the basics of compost, and how long carrots can be left to grow in the ground. :27 What’s for dinner: Fried Sage Leaves 4:22 True or False: You have to hang plants you’re drying upside down 8:37 Eat/Drink/Grow: Compost 101 25:45 Love Letters and Questions: Carol asks how long she can leave carrots in the ground.
2019-10-1029 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsFall Cocktails, Winter Protection and Growing Fig TreesWe start off this podcast with a toast to fall as Ellen presents an autumnal cocktail…a frozen persimmon margarita! We discuss protecting plants for the winter (should you?) and growing figs in cold climates. The glorious, fall-flowering goldenrod is a plant we celebrate, and we’re happy to announce the arrival of Plantrama shirts and other merch. :31 autumnal cocktails 4:35 winter protection 13:10 figs 23:04 goldenrod 27:34 Plant 911/merch
2019-09-2631 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsOverwintering Plants in Pots, Firepit Plantings, and Eating Dahlias1:06 What’s for dinner: Dahlias! 4:44 True or False: You need a different fertilizer for each type of plant. 9:40 Eat/Drink/Grow: Hot & Cold…Fire pit plantings and over-wintering plants in outdoor containers. 19:42 Love Letters and Questions: Making sense of the markings on rain gauges. Ellen and C.L. celebrate their 100th episode with talk about keeping potted plants alive through the winter, plantings that make your fire pit experience more fragrant or beautiful, and fertilizers for every type of plant. We begin by revisiting how dahlia tubers and petals are edible and end...
2019-09-1223 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsGreen Tomatoes, Saving Tropical plants and Raccoons Eating CornEllen and C.L. discuss what to do with green tomatoes, saving tropical plants over the winter, and how plants get their names. We end by answering Kirk’s question about raccoons eating the sweet corn he grew this year. :31 What’s For Dinner: Green Tomatoes. 4:48 Eat/Drink/Grow: Saving Caladiums, Mandevilla and Cannas for next year. 16:55 Insider Information: How plants get their names 23:47 Love Letters and Questions: Kirk says the raccoons ate all his corn!
2019-09-0527 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsFall Foraging, Critters and BorageJoin Ellen and C.L. as they talk about silverberries (Elaeagnus umbellata), an easily grown herb with edible flowers (Borage), and what to do when the population of critters explodes. All that and some discussion about leaf shapes and cooperative extention services. :28 What’s for dinner: Foraging for silverberries 4:02 Plant noob: Let’s talk about the borage plant. 8:19 Eat/Drink/Grow: Leaf shape vocabulary 15:47 Insider Information: Critter population explosion! 21:43 Love Letters and Questions: Maria reminds us about the importance of Cooperative Extension Services.
2019-08-2923 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsSummer Squash, Winter Squash and Eating Squash FlowersIn this episode Ellen and C.L. squash a lot of information into about 25 minutes. We talk about how to prepare summer squash flowers, ways to judge if a winter squash is ripe, and coping with squash vine borers and powdery mildew on squash plants. Once we’ve been fully squashed, we move onto the berries on Staghorn Sumac. :35 What’s for dinner: Eating squash flowers 5:26 Insider Information: How to tell if winter squash is ripe 10:08 Eat/Drink/Grow: Pests of Summer Squash 22:03 Love Letters and Questions: Are Sumac berries poisonous or edible?
2019-08-2225 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsTransplanting, End of Summer Plant Sales, and Cinnamon FungicideCan you move plants now, in the summer? Is it smart to buy end of summer sale plants? Would you like the Earthkind Mosquito repellant? Could cinnamon be used for fungus control by putting it into the soil? These are the questions that C.L. and Ellen consider and answer in today’s episode. :30 Plant Noob: Should you wait to plant or transplant in the fall? 8:30 Eat/Drink/Grow: Should you buy end of the summer sale plants? 18:30 Announcement: Live Plantrama Events on Cape Cod 19:10 Product Review: Earthkind Mosquito repellant 22:20 Love Letters and...
2019-08-1525 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsStuffed Vegetables, Watering Lawns and Planting in CracksStuffing vegetables gets this episode off to a tasty start. Ellen and C.L. also consider the watering of lawns, how to grow plants in cracks of pavers, and what might cause a peony not to flower well. :45 What’s for dinner: Stuff it! Stuffed vegetables and flowers. 6:03 True or False: Lawns need to be watered every other day. 13:23 Eat/Drink/Grow: Planting in the cracks. 20:57 Love Letters and Questions: Peony blooming question from Elizabeth
2019-08-0826 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsPainted Rocks, Powdery Mildew and Cannabis FloweringEllen and C.L. start this episode out by discussing painted rocks. Are you painting them this summer? Are your kids painting on rocks? Do you love finding a rock with a message on it when you go to the beach or woods, or do you hate this practice? Next we talk about powdery mildew: what it is and when to treat or ignore. We end by answering a question about bringing cannabis into bud. :30 Just For Fun: Painted rocks…love them or hate them? 4:11 Eat/Drink/Grow: Powdery Mildew 18:52 Love Letters and Questions: Cannabis f...
2019-08-0123 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsSummer Cocktails, Summer Pruning and Summer Storm DamageAfter C.L. and Ellen discuss hailstorms, summer pruning and landscape fabric you’ll be ready to just relax with a summer cocktail and consider foraging. Ellen gives a recipe for a “Bear Bait” cocktail that contains milkweed, and C.L. encourages listeners to use other herbs instead of mint in a traditional drink. :33 What’s for dinner: Summer Cocktails – foraged and garden. 5:28 Insider Information: Hail! What to do when pellets of ice have damaged your garden. 8:18 Eat/Drink/Grow: Summer pruning. Is it smart to cut in July? 13:25 Did You Know: Landsc...
2019-07-2522 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsEasy Weed Control, Whitefly and Harvesting Root CropsEllen and C.L. talk about the insect pest known as whitefly, and discuss several ways of controlling summer weeds. We end by answering Robie’s question about how to know when an underground crop is ready for harvesting. :30 Plant Noob: Whitefly. What this insect is, what it does, and which plants it often attacks. 7:46 Eat/Drink/Grow: Weeds: No Easy Way Out! Various methods of weed control. 18:20 Love Letters and Questions Robie asks how you know when to harvest potatoes.
2019-07-1820 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsFireworks, Pesto and Harvesting GarlicEllen and C.L. ignite the plant equivalent of fireworks in today’s episode. We revisit how pesto doesn’t have to be made only from basil, talk about harvesting garlic, and answer Vincent’s question about wildflower gardens. :32 Just For Fun: Fireworks in the garden 6:32 Eat/Drink/Grow: Pesto revisited 12:42 Insider Information: Harvesting garlic 17:32 Love Letters and Questions: Wildflower garden
2019-07-0420 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsCoffee Grounds, Plant Emergencies, and Sweet or Savory CookingEllen and C.L. discuss garden or foraged ingredients that can swing both ways (sweet or savory), we discuss how to respond to a plant crisis, and examine the practice of putting coffee grounds in the garden. :31 sweet or savory 4:17 coffee in the garden 8:35 don’t panic! 18:16 garden tours Link to the blancmange recipe that Ellen speaks about. Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival ~ ten days of garden tours Cape-wide. GardenWalk Buffalo ~ a weekend of hundreds of open gardens.
2019-06-2724 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsContainer Maintenance, Diagnosing Plant Problems and Product PicksIn this episode Ellen and C.L. talk about keeping your containers flowering and looking great all summer. You’ll learn about diagnosing plant problems, favorite product picks and sand in the compost. :31 annual container maintenance 7:02 diagnosing plant problems 19:31 favorite product picks 26:08 sand in the compost Product Picks: Presto Bucket Excalibut Dehydrator Push/Pull Hoe MaxSea Fertlizer
2019-06-2028 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsRadishes, Duct Tape, and Marauding MintC.L. and Ellen debate whether duct tape can be used to fix broken branches, discuss radishes, help a listener deal with a garden thug that’s disguised as a popular herb, and talk about the importance of mycorrhizae. :30 radishes and milkweed 4:38 duct tape 8:37 mycorrhizae 19:49 lawn full of mint
2019-06-1323 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsForaged Ornaments, Edible Perennials and Tick DiseasesEllen and C.L talk about how to make ornaments for your garden from rocks or sticks you can find locally. We discuss what plants you can include in your perennial garden that are also edible and give tips for avoiding ticks and tick borne diseases. The episode ends with a question from Kelly about transplanting in June. :32 Just For Fun: Foraged garden ornaments…accent your landscape for free! 6:12 Eat/Drink/Grow: The edible perennial garden. 16:44 Insider Information: ticks and tick borne illnesses 23:36 Love Letters and Questions: Kelly asks if it’s too...
2019-06-0625 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsMay Foraging, Annual Sunflowers and What Plants Do At NightIn this episode you’ll hear what you can forage for in May, learn about what plants do in the nighttime, and discover the joy of planting annual sunflowers. Ellen and C.L. also explain how some plants deliver beauty inside during the winter and outdoors in the summer. Plus we answer Sara’s email asking if it’s too late to plant in her yard and gardens. :32 What’s For Dinner: May foraging 4:27 Insider Information: What plants do at nighttime. 10:49 Eat/Drink/Grow: Why you should grow annual sunflowers. 17:00 D...
2019-05-2325 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsMay Cocktails, Liming Lawns and Gorgeous SaladsIn this episode Ellen and C.L. toast the month of May with spring cocktails, explain how to figure what amount of mulch you need, and talk about creating beautiful salads that are foraged or farmed. Plus we end with Pete’s question about liming lawns. :35 What’s For Dinner? A toast to May! Spring cocktails. 4:48 Did You Know? How to calculate how much mulch or loam you need. 9:48 Eat/Drink/Grow: Gorgeous salads, gardened or foraged. 17:11 Love Letters and Questions: Pete asks about liming lawns Formula for calculating cubic f...
2019-05-1622 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsDealing With Deer, Pebble Trays For Houseplants, and Live Show QuestionsThis episode of Plantrama was recorded live at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle. Ellen and I talked about outwitting rabbits and deer, plus we argue about the benefit of pebble trays filled with water for humidifying plants. We had a great audience and the attendees asked many interesting questions. :50 Did You Know: Rabbit & Deer in the garden…may The Force be with us! 10:25 True or False?: Pebble trays filled with water for houseplants…do they increase humidity or not? 12:50 Inside Information: Lessons from the flower show 14:52 Eat/Drink/Grow: The Leaf stack challenge a...
2019-05-0219 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsSignature Weeds, Raised Beds, and Black Walnut MythsC.L. and Ellen discuss what the weeds are telling you about your soil, the pros and cons of raised bed vegetable gardens, and the widespread myth about black walnut trees poisoning other plants. :32 Did You Know: Signature weeds 4:56 Eat/Drink/Grow: Raised beds 18:46 Inside Information Black Walnut myth busting
2019-04-1823 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsMustard Greens, Pansies and Brown Leaves After WinterIn this episode Ellen and C.L. talk about growing and foraging for mustard greens, explain what is meant by the term “hardening off,” and discuss a favorite spring flower. We wonder why pansies are said to “have faces” and answer Carl’s question about the brown leaves on his rhododendron. :30 What’s For Dinner: Mustard greens, wild & tame 5:34 Plant Noob: What is hardening off? 13:44 Eat/Drink/Grow: Pansies and Violas 23:23 Love Letters and Questions: Browned leaves on evergreen plants.
2019-04-1126 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsDeer or Rabbit Resistant Plants and More From SeattleAt the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle, Ellen and C.L. talked about foraging for garlic mustard and C.L.’s favorite summer squash. We give recommendations for plants that Bambi and Thumper don’t like, and take questions about succulents and mushrooms. :35 What’s for dinner: garlic mustard and summer squash 7:40 Insider info: deer and rabbit resistant plants 19:58 questions: succulents indoors or outdoors and mushrooms in the garden
2019-04-0421 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsNew Beds, Hops, and The Neighbors DogsThis episode covers how and when to make new gardens without tilling, witch hazel shrubs, growing hops vines, and dealing with the neighbors’ dogs. :30 True or False? Do you have to turn up the soil when you’re creating new gardens? 7:18 Plant Noob: Witch hazel shrubs – fall or winter flowering. 10:49 Eat/Drink/Grow All about hops vines. Growing for ornament or beer. 19:55 Love Letters and Questons: Carolyn wonders how to keep her neighbors’ dogs from “doing their business” in her gardens. Use the code PODCAST19 for $5 off of an order of $40 or more f...
2019-03-0723 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsWilted Plants, Tree Bark, and Planting on Steep SlopesC.L. and Ellen discuss wilted plants and how to tell why they are drooping, we recommend two newsletters to sign up for, and discuss the bark on trees…what it does and why it’s different on each type of tree. Ellen tells us the story of how she went from a Broadway performer to plant geek, and we answer Ami’s question about plants to put on a sunny slope. :30 True or False? A wilted plant needs watering. 3:48 Plant noob: Great newsletters to subscribe to. Ned Friedman’s observations from the Arnold A...
2019-01-3121 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsOyster Mushrooms, Aphids, and Pass-Along HouseplantsIn Episode 67 Ellen and C.L. talk about oyster mushrooms, those creepy aphids, and houseplants that you can easily share with the world. We end by answering Patty’s question about GMO verses hybrid plants. :30 What’s for dinner: Oyster mushrooms! Forage for them, grow them or buy them in the supermarket. 4:31 Insider Information: Creepy, crawly and ever-present aphids. 10:55 Eat/Drink/Grow: Pass along houseplants Shout out to The Gardenangelists podcast. 19:09 Love Letters and Questions: Patty asks about GMO verses hybrid plants. Pass-along Houseplants - Madaga...
2019-01-2422 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsShagbark Hickory, Starting Flowers From Seed, and Organic FertilizersThis program explains why you might want to plant a hickory tree, and which flowers can be started indoors this spring. C.L. and Ellen also discuss how organic fertilizers work and why you should appreciate that they aren’t instantly available to plants. The episode ends with the mystery of the disappearing foxglove plants. :30 Did You Know: What is a shagbark hickory tree and why should you care? recipe for shagbark hickory syrup Go Native Tree Farm in Manheim PA is a place you can order hickory 5:52 Eat...
2019-01-1724 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsFragrant Plants Indoors, Eating Spruce Tips, and Plantrama SeattleIn this episode Ellen and C.L. talk about eating the tips off of spruce trees, what people mean when they say they are “forcing plants,” and which houseplants can bring fragrance into your home this winter. :32 What’s for dinner: Spruce tips! Euell Gibbons was right… 5:35 Plant Noob: What does “forcing plants” mean? 9:13 Eat/Drink/Grow: Growing fragrant houseplants 16:00 Love Letters and Questions: Randall asks if the Plantrama team will be back in Seattle this winter for the Northwest Flower and Garden Show.
2019-01-1018 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsRainbow Roses, Dish Garden Care, and Jerusalem ArtichokesIn Episode 64 C.L. and Ellen discuss the “rainbow rose scam,” how to handle the plants in a dish garden, growing and eating Jerusalem artichokes, and smaller sunflowers for the garden. :28 True or False? You Can Grow Rainbow Roses From Seed 4:49 Plant Noob: What to do with a dish garden long term 8:19 Eat/Drink/Grow: Jerusalem artichokes - Helianthus tuberosus, aka sunchokes. 17:10 Love Letters and Questions: Sandy asks about growing dwarf sunflowers This episode of Plantrama is brought to you by American Meadows. Use the code...
2019-01-0320 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsWintergreen, Bromeliads and GMO SeedsOn this winter episode Ellen and C.L. consider a North American native plant that has been a favorite flavoring for gum, tea and toothpaste. We discuss why perennials bloom at a particular time of year, chat about why we love bromeliad plants, and explain how to care for them. At the end of the podcast we answer Paul’s question about GMO seeds. :31 What’s For Dinner? Wintergreen – leaves and berries. 6:44 Insider Information: Why do perennials bloom at a particular time? 10:33 Eat/Drink/Grow: Bromeliads – what they are, and how to care f...
2018-12-2721 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsNematodes, Avocados and BermsIn this December episode Ellen and C.L. talk about nematodes (harmful and beneficial), and the amazing sex life of the avocado flower. C.L. gives her opinion about putting small berms in a landscape, and tells a story that her berm rant sparked from someone in her audience. We answer Ellen’s question about gardening when high…in an upper altitude, that is. :27 Did You Know? What the heck are nematodes, and should gardeners care? 6:00 Eat/Drink/Grow: All about avocados. A pretty cool sex change for the flowers, and a fun house...
2018-12-2021 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsJuniper Berries, Banana Plants and Perennials From SeedIn this episode Ellen and C.L. talk about the misinformation about edible juniper berries that you find online. We talk about growing banana plants, and why you might want to start perennials from seed. Lauren asks about germinating milkweed seed. :30 What’s for Dinner? Juniper berries…really? See Ellen’s post about Juniper berries on her blog. 7:16 Eat/Drink/Grow: Banana plants. Growing hardy varieties in cold climates or tropical types in containers. 17:53 Insider Information: Growing perennials from seed. 22:38 Love Letters and Questions: Milkweed seeds - we refer Lauren...
2018-12-1324 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsLucky Bamboo, Bracts and Pruning EvergreensEllen and C.L. talk about lucky bamboo; what type of plant it is and how to care them. We explain what bracts are and why some plants have very showy ones, talk about making more plants by air layering, and answer Sal’s question about pruning evergreens now so the greens can be used for holiday decorating. :32 True or False? Lucky bamboo. Is it really bamboo? Is it lucky? 7:25 Plant Noob: Bracts. What are they? 12:20 Eat/Drink/Grow: Propagating plants by “air layering.” 17:51 Love Letters and Questions: Sal asks about prunin...
2018-12-0620 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsGetting a Peace Lily to Bloom, Human Hair in the Garden, and BiennialsHear Ellen and C.L. talk about the practice of putting human hair in the garden will keep critters away. Next we explain how to get a peace lily to flower again, and the difference been a plant that’s an epiphyte and one that’s a parasite. C.L. tells how she came to be a garden communicator (she never intended to write and talk about plants and gardens!) and we answer Sam’s question about when biennials flower. :32 True or False? Will human hair keep critters out of the garden? 3:12 Plant noob: How to get a...
2018-11-2923 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsGrow Lights, Holiday Boxwood Trees, and Our Thanksgiving TableAcorn baklava and creamed chard start off this episode. Hear how holiday boxwood trees are made, and learn about providing your indoor plants with supplemental lighting. A listener asks about “seed FOMO” – should seeds be ordered now and will they still be good next spring? :40 What’s for dinner: Ellen and C.L. talk about what dishes are on their Thanksgiving table. As usual, Ellen’s forager’s table is way more exotic than C.L.’s gardener’s table. 6:11 Insider Information: How are the boxwood trees you see for sale at this time of year made? Learn a...
2018-11-2223 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsA Hot Houseplant, Worm Castings and Shepard's PurseIn this episode of Plantrama Ellen and C.L. talk about a very common (and edible) weed known as shepherd’s purse. They discuss how to successfully grow the large-foliaged houseplant, fiddle leaf fig, and explain the benefits of worm castings. Their question this week comes from Carson who wants to know how to prevent mouse damage in her house and shed. :28 Did You Know: We talk about a common weed, Capsella bursa-pastoris, aka shepherd’s purse. 5:50 Eat/Drink/Grow: Learn about the current hot houseplant, the fiddle leaf fig. No, it’s not the fig th...
2018-11-1524 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsTropical Hibiscus, Plant Gifts, and Cooking Dandelion GreensOn Plantrama today Ellen talks about cooking dandelion greens and then she and C.L. differ about bringing someone a plant as a gift. They agree about growing and how to over-winter tropical hibiscus, and explain how to store dahlia tubers. :31 What’s For Dinner: How to cook dandelion greens. Find Ellen's recipes and links on our website. 4:10 Plant Noob: Should you bring someone a plant as a gift? Ellen and C.L. disagree. 9:09 Eat Drink Grow: Tropical hibiscus – how to keep this lovely plant happy through the winter. ...
2018-11-0821 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsWalnuts, Banana Peels and Storing Seeds You Didn’t PlantEllen and C.L. begin by talking about walnuts, foraged and cultivated. Discover if banana peels are good for your roses and if you need to spray your evergreens with an anti-desiccant. Learn how to store seeds that you didn’t use last summer, and if common houseplants are edible. :32 What’s For Dinner? English walnuts and foraged black walnuts. 4:22 Insider Information: Are banana peels really good for roses? 8:50 Eat/Drink/Grow: Anti-desiccants. What they are, what they do, and should you use them in the fall? 19:04 Did You Know...
2018-10-2522 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsPlant Sex, Seeds for Birds and a Leaf-Stack ReviewEllen and C.L. discuss why you might not want to do a “fall cleanup” of your perennials. Next, we discuss S-E-X among the photosynthesizing crowd. Male and female plants, what that means for your landscape, and what happens if you don’t have both sexes. We review Asclepias speciosa ‘Davis’ and bring you up to date about #LeafStackChallenge posts on Twitter and Instagram. :33 Did You Know: Leaving perennials so the birds can eat the seeds. 5:35 Eat/Drink/Grow: Plant Sex! Male and female plants. 14:58 Product/Plant Review: Asclepias speciosa ‘Davis’ 19:25 Love Letters a...
2018-10-1821 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsStaking Trees, Pinching Plants and Harvest PartiesIn this episode Ellen and C.L. discuss staking trees and pinching plants. They give ideas for holding a harvest party, tell about the first plant they fell in love with, and answer Kip’s question about preserving garden and foraged foods. :35 True or False? Staking Trees. Do you need to stake a tree when you plant it? 4:18 For The Plant Noob. What does it mean to “pinch plants” and why would you want to do so? 8:47 Eat/Drink/Grow. Harvest Party! Ideas for gathering with family and friends and celebrating the fal...
2018-10-0421 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsLeeks, Fall Mums, and Why Plants in Pots Stay SmallerIn Episode 50 Ellen and C.L. talk about growing leeks, the fall classic Chrysanthemum, and how Robbie found lumpy tubers in the windowbox. Plus we discuss why plants that are in pots won’t grow as large as the same plant put into the ground. :33 What’s for dinner: Leeks 5:30 Eat/Drink/Grow: Mums! Whether you call them Mums Chrysanthemum, or Dendranthema, do you love them or hate them? Or do you eat them? 13:25 Did You Know: Plants in a pot will stay smaller than those planted in the ground. What goes on below...
2018-09-2717 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsWeird Plant Growth, Growing Garlic, and Orchid RebloomIn episode 49 Ellen and C.L. discuss how to get an orchid to rebloom, how to plant garlic this fall, and why you occasionally see a stem go crazy and grow in a flat, contorted manner. All this and a review of the Dramm One Touch Rain Wand. :30 Plant Noob: What’s that weird stem on my plant? It could be the ever fascinating fasciation. 4:46 Eat/Drink/Grow: It’s garlic planting time, so we talk 11:31 Product Review: Dramm One Touch Rain Wand. What it is and why we love using it. 16:10 L...
2018-09-2018 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsPlanting Bulbs, Ten-Minute Improvements, and The Leaf-Stack Challenge :55 Just For Fun: It’s the leaf stack challenge! Or we should say, #leafstackchallenge 4:00 Eat/Drink/Grow: Quick fixes to your landscape. Whether you’re having company or just want to spruce up the garden for your own pleasure, Ellen and C.L. offer 10-minute fixes anyone can do. 11:16 Insider Information: Myths about planting bulbs. Thanks to Bill Miller, Professor of Horticulture at Cornell for giving us the real dirt on planting bulbs. See the bulb planting machine here. 15:20 Love Letters and Questions: Monty wonders when someone should pull out or cut down flowe...
2018-09-0617 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsEnd of Summer Flavors, Taking Cuttings and Fall TransplantationIn this episode Ellen explains what to make with under-ripe wild grapes and C.L. persuades listeners to combine some creamy brie cheese with those homegrown tomatoes. Next we explain that the end of the summer is the ideal time to propagate everything from woody ornamentals to annuals and perennials. Now that cooler weather is on the horizon, we discuss what can be transplanted in the fall, and answer a listener’s concern about importing bugs into the house when she brings potted houseplants back in for the winter.
2018-08-3032 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsThe Golden Gnome Awards1:20 What’s For Dinner: Best Edibles Ellen and I award a Golden Gnome to edible plants with surprising flavors. 3:56 Insider Information: Best desk bouquet Flowers What a treat it is to gather flowers and foliage for small bouquets. And the Gnome goes to… 6:59 Eat, Drink, Grow: Science, Art and Dinner! And the Gnome goes to… Best Gathering of The Plant Tribe, Wild Category: Wild Harvest Festival Best Gathering of The Plant Tribe, Cultivated Category: Perennial Plant Association Best Art Made With Plants, Wild Category: Mullbury Woods Frames Best...
2018-07-0526 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsContinual_Harvest_Houseplant_Summercamp_Rosa_RugosaIn late June it’s time to talk about repeat sowings of salad greens, foraging for lamb’s quarters, sending houseplants to summer camp, and all about Rosa rugosa. Ellen and C.L. end the episode with advice about how to keep a hanging basket looking good all summer. 0:35 What’s For Dinner? Planting and foraging for a continual harvest. 6:25 For the Plant Noob Sending houseplants to “summer camp.” 13:00 Eat/Drink/Grow We talk about Rosa rugosa, aka the beach rose or wild rose. Why Ellen loves it, why C.L. is a bit less...
2018-06-2130 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsDrying the Harvest, Perennial Garden Maintenance and Understudy Plants:35 What’s For Dinner? How you can preserve the plants you forage for or grow by dehydrating. 6:07 Insider Information: Herbs: The Delightful Dozen – Ellen and C.L. talk about their must-grow herbs. Chives, Fennel, Thyme, Mint, Dill, French Tarragon, Lemon Verbena, Lavender, Sage, Rosemary, Basil, Cilantro. 18:42 Eat/Drink/Grow: Early summer perennial maintenance. 25:03 Did You Know: “Understudy Plants” Raising a few things as backup, because the show must go on! 30:40 Love Letters and Questions: Skylar wrote to ask if you can assume that if one flower is edible, does that mean all varietie...
2018-06-0731 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsPlantrama Live In Seattle NWFGSIncluding the typical segments you’ll hear in every episode of the Plantrama podcast :15 Introduction by Janet Endsley, NWFGS Program Director 2:14 Ellen and C.L. introduce each other. (One of us is a cat person, and another a dog person…) 4:04 What’s For Dinner? The Merry Woodsman Cocktail In a cocktail shaker full of ice, combine two ounces of spruce tip infused vodka with 3/4 ounces of elderflower liqueur, and 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger syrup. Shake for 30 seconds, then strain and pour into a martini glass. Add 1 1/2 ounces of seltzer and garnish with a spru...
2018-04-1240 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsRhubarb, Garden Gnomes, and Chickweed:40 What’s for dinner: Rhubarb & Knotweed Fresh stems and shoots are on the menu today – from cultivated rhubarb to the wild Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica). Early spring crops are what's for dinner. 5:16 Insider Information: Curb Appeal What, specifically, is curb appeal? How can we all get more, and does it mean a total landscape makeover? 11:30 Eat/Drink/Grow: The Invasion of The Garden Gnomes (aka Garden Ornaments) The gnomes are taking some good-natured heat today as we talk about ornaments in the garden. 19:39 Did You Know: Chickweed It’s a petite, kind of sweet and good to eat w...
2018-03-2929 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsEdible Landscaping, Houseplants From Supermarket Pits, and Primroses:35 What’s For Dinner: Edible Landscaping We discuss some of the plants that do double duty in the landscape: these are attractive and edible! The plants mentioned are: Roses, crabapple trees, plum trees, blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) old-fashioned quince (Chaenomeles japonica 'Toyo-Nishiki’), bee balm, ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium), potato-bean vine (Apios americana), doyle's thornless blackberry, rainbow chard, salad greens, and nasturtiums. 10:05 The Plant Noob: Buying Plants in 6 packs vs. 4” Pots Those new to planting often wonder why some plants are sold in inexpensive six packs, while others are only available in small...
2018-03-1531 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoors033 - Cymbidiums, Shamrocks, Spring Edibles, Cold Frames30 What’s for dinner: Mustards, Cresses, and Peas Spring greens and Peas What to forage for in early spring, and should you really plant peas on Saint Patrick’s Day? 5:18 Insider Information: Cymbidiums How to grow Cymbidium orchids, keep them alive through summer and bring them back into flower. 9:15 Eat/Drink/Grow: Cold Frames and Other Ways of “Pushing Spring” Ellen and C.L. explore the ways we can jumpstart our spring growing with cold frames and other means of protection. See the lyrics for Lou and Peter...
2018-03-0130 minPlantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoors032 - Jellies, Lemon Cypress, and Scale:33 What’s For Dinner: Jams Ellen is a big jam maker. Here how she saves fruit for cooking up jams later. She advises that people new to jams and jellies get the Ball Blue Book or So Easy To Preserve. 8:11 The Plant Noob: Lemon Cypress This lime colored small tree is often sold at Christmas time as a holiday plant. Ellen and C.L. talk about how to keep it alive as a houseplant indoors, and where it can be planted outside. 14:10 Eat/Drink/Grow: Scale One of the hardest ins...
2018-02-1531 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsWinter Cocktails, Poinsettias, Preventing Mouse Damage and A Solstice CelebrationWhat’s For Dinner :40 Winter cocktails are on the menu in this episode. Ellen gives a recipe for a foraged Carob Horchata and C.L. talks about using the rosemary plant your brought indoors to create a Rosemary Gin Gin. Links to recipes at Plantrama.com Insider Information 4:20 Mice! How to prevent mouse damage on newly planted trees and in other garden situations. Eat/Drink/Grow 10:02 In this section you’ll find out how C.L. feels about poinsettias (pro) and Ellen doesn’t hold back about her opinion (con) of Euphorbia pulcherrima. We discuss the hi...
2017-12-0730 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsWinter (or Thanksgiving) Meals, Christmas Cactus and Holiday Gifts 00: What’s For Dinner - we discuss what is on a forager’s Thanksgiving table, and what is on a vegetable gardener’s spread. Find links to the recipes here: 8:59: The Plant Noob - Today’s topic is common cooking sage, aka Salvia officinalis. 12:59: Eat, Drink, Grow - We’re growing Christmas cactus and Thanksgiving cactus in this episode. What they are, keeping them alive, and how to be sure they came into flower every year. 20:34: Insider Information – Just in time for your Shop Small Saturday, it’s time for Ellen and C.L.’s holiday gi...
2017-11-2332 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsCrabapples, Winter Protection and Fungus Gnats :50 Did You Know...about the pros and cons of Winter Protection? Think you should wrap your evergreen shrubs in burlap for the winter? Ellen explains how to correctly construct a protective screen, and C.L. wonders why anyone would want to upholster their shrubs. 4:45 Eat/Drink/Grow: Crabapples.How to choose a tree, which varieties C.L. and Ellen are lusting after, and what to do with the fruit. The two varieties mentioned are Chestnut and Dolgo. C.L. directs you to two helpful crabapple sites. One from The Morton Arboretum and a chart from J. Frank Schmidt. Ellen gives this li...
2017-11-0930 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsInsider Information on Garden Tourism, New Plants and Garden Products, and What on Earth is GWA? - Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsWe're pleased to take you into the world of garden communicators and garden tourism in this episode. Fresh out of the GWA annual meeting and trade show, Ellen and C.L. share what they've learned about new plants and products for the home landscape. We talk about how GardenWalk Buffalo is a model for other regions when it comes to tourism dollars and community development. We talk about new plants and products that we discovered at the Garden Writers Association meeting. And we answer a listener's question about bringing Meyer lemons indoors.
2017-10-1233 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsWinter Squash, Fall Cleanup and Saving Summer Annuals - Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsIn this episode we talk about how to tell if winter squash is ripe and how to preserve it. We discuss saving annuals from year to year, and give the pros and cons of fall yard cleanups. Ellen and C.L. also invite you to become inspired by the artist Andy Goldsworthy.
2017-09-2835 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsBarbecued Greens, Firepits, Preserving the Harvest & Our Secret Six Tools - Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsI'm hoping that you'll try the barbecued chard recipe we talk about in this episode - even non-vegetable eaters and kids often love this dish! We also give you several ways to preserve the bounty from your garden. Whether you dry or can it, as Ellen prefers, or roast and freeze it as C.L. does, you'll enjoy your garden-grown or foraged harvest through the winter with these methods. We also speak about your firepit plantings, and give our favorite "secret six" tools that will make your outdoor adventures easier. (Link to barbecued chard: http://coffeeforroses.com/barbecued-chard/ )
2017-09-1437 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsPesto, Stinkhorn Fungus & Watering Containers - Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsEllen and C.L. give you ideas for making the most delicious, fresh pesto on earth...and then move on from great taste to horrible smells! Yes, after talking about garden-grown pesto we discuss stinkhorn fungi...a creepy and spooky fungus that smells like dead meat. After a trip to the all together ooky we move on to the practical: how to water your outdoor containers. And as always we answer a listener's emailed question. Art, Science and Dinner: it's all in your own backyard!
2017-08-3133 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsGarden Hors D’oeuvres, Natural Office Surroundings, and Outdoor Entertaining - Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsIn late-August it's time to relax and celebrate the end of the summer season. Ellen and C.L. start this party off with suggestions for snacks and garden hors d’oeuvres. The second segment offers ways that you benefit from an outdoor office, and no, it's not the low rent. Our main segment suggests ways you can spruce up (horticultural pun intended) your yard and gardens for summer gatherings. Whether you're holding a simple barbecue, birthday celebration, rehearsal dinner, cocktail party or other event, here are ideas for hiding eyesores, improving what you've got and adding color. Our fourth se...
2017-08-1727 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsGrowing Garnishes, Deadheading and Irrigation - Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsIn this episode C.L. and Ellen celebrate plants in summer. They begin by suggesting ways you can add color, flavor and fragrance to your beverages and food with flowers, foliage and herbs from your own backyard. Next we consider flowers that are wilted or dead and offer suggestions for why these should be taken out of the garden. (Deadheading: why, how, and "Do I have to?") In the main segment we consider how plants are watered. Sprinklers? Soaker hoses? Drip irrigation? Hand-watering from a hose? And as often happens, Ellen and C.L. may not agree... We end...
2017-08-0335 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsTomato Troubles, Attracting or Repelling Insects, and Getting Started with Foraging - Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsIs there a way to repel insects from your outdoor office? Ellen has a short answer for this question...and we discuss the down-and-dirty truth. We also sing the praises of sending houseplants to summer camp and help you sort out problems you might be having with your tomato plants. Ellen offers Insider Information about getting started with foraging, and the program ends with a question from a listener about plants that attract flies.
2017-07-2028 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsZucchini, Plant ID and Tips for Growing Berries - Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsWhat's for dinner? In this episode Ellen and C.L. begin by discussing summer squash, aka zucchini. We mention the use of organic fungicides for controlling powdery mildew, and the variety Zephyr for continued production even after the plant has mildew. For The Plant Noob: Next, we discuss the ways to get an accurate identification of a plant. Eat, Drink, Grow: In this segment we talk about growing blueberries and blackberries. Insider Information: In section discusses an article from Garden Design Magazine. We finish off the program by answering an email about daylily maintenance. Learn more about Garden Design...
2017-07-0635 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsYour Outdoor Office, Peaches, and Arugula VS Garlic Mustard - Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsEllen and C.L. both love arugula, and C.L. talks about how easy it is to grow from seed. But Ellen prefers to forage for her greens, so in this episode it's Arugula vs. Garlic Mustard! For the plant noob we offer information about the type of plants you'll find in the landscape, and begin our series about Your Outdoor Office. Finally, we are inspired by the article about peach recipes in the summer issue of Better Homes and Gardens, and offer some insider information about growing your own delicious fruit. An email about "blooming on old wood"...
2017-06-2329 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsHerbs on the Deck, Hardiness Zones and Tips for the Planting Season - Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsEllen and C.L. start celebrating the planting season by talking about herbs in containers. Next they answer the question, "What the heck are hardiness zones?" In the main part of the podcast the topic is planting. Does your planting have to be done by a certain date? Do you really have to add peat moss to a planting hole? And what about removing that burlap or wire basket? All of these planting questions are answered, followed by a Sunflower Story and an email from a listener. It's planting season...let's play in the dirt!
2017-06-0543 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsSeeds, Weeds and What’s For Dinner - Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsIn this episode C.L. gives a tip for growing strong seedlings under lights, we talk about dealing with weeds in the yard (spoiler alert: Ellen wants you to eat them!) and we share some of our favorite "What's for dinner?" plants.
2017-05-0429 min
Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsDinner, Diversity & Dahlias - Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoorsLike you, Ellen and C.L. love good food. So part of today's program is about what's for dinner. We also look at why diversity in a landscape is important, and put a special focus on one of the most treasured flowers for the cutting garden: dahlias. Ellen explains why you might want to think about dahlias for your dinner table, not just for the centerpiece.
2017-04-2935 min