Garden Talk

What started as a simple observation has now reached 60 countries. We talk to the father of straw bale gardening about the benefits for individuals and communities with this method of growing plants.

Growing and caring for houseplants has become a popular hobby for many people in the last few years. We talk with the author of a new book about how keeping plants happy can make you happy too.

Not all seeds are created equal and not all are created for your garden. We talk with two experts about how to select the right seeds and how to access performance data before you buy.

Many gardeners are adding plants that produce fruit and nuts to their landscapes. Our guests are authors of a new book that focuses on easy to grow and disease resistant varieties that will add diversity to your garden.

Adding plants you can eat to your garden is a great way to utilize growing space. Our guests from Madison’s Allen Centennial Garden share plans for adding edibles to their garden and talk about upcoming events.

As winter turns to spring, gardeners start to think about new plants. Our expert gardener has suggestions for annuals, perennials, shrubs and vegetables that are easy and fun.

This is the perfect time to do pruning on most trees and shrubs. We talk with two experts about what to know before you start. We also look at the damage winter salting can do to gardens.

Seed shortages are still a problem in the gardening industry. We talk with the founder of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds about what his company is doing to meet the demands. We also look at new seed varieties from around the world.

Orchids may seem exotic, but with the right care most make great houseplants. We talk with an expert about how to choose the right variety, how to get them to bloom and how to propagate.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have fresh vegetables year round? We talk to a greenhouse builder and a horticulturist about how you can achieve just that.

When exposed to severe conditions, some trees and shrubs can suffer from winter burn. We talk about how to recognize this common problem, how to prevent it, and how to save plants that have been damaged.

Many gardeners are embracing naturalistic plantings based on wild spaces. We talk with the director of the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden about designing and growing landscapes that are true to nature.

Did you get a beautiful poinsettia for the holidays? Are you wondering how to keep it alive? Wonder no more, author and plant expert Tovah Martin is back with tips to help you care for those holiday plants.

At this time of the year many gardeners turn their attention to indoor plants. We talk with an expert about what you need to provide to keep them healthy - and the right light is key.

Having green spaces in our communities can have a big impact on the economy, our health, and water quality. We take a closer look at these benefits and how gardeners can contribute.