This episode features tips attracting birds and butterflies to your garden. Then I answer a gardener's question on lichen on a rose tree. Kristin Gies joins me for tips on controlling disappearing bulbs. I finish off with a new plant, My Monet Weigela - Weigela florida ‘Verweig’. For more information about this plant, visit Spring Meadow Nursery.

Extending the beauty of your holiday tree with proper care leads off this podcast. I answer gardeners' questions on poinsettia care and preventing snow damage to arborvitaes.

I cover winter interest in the garden. Then I answer gardeners’ questions from across the country on preventing slugs on hostas and dealing with powdery mildew on beebalm. Next Kristin Gies joins me for tips on managing multi-colored Asian lady beetles. I finish off with a favorite plant, fothergilla (Fothergilla), planted for its fragrant blooms and great fall color.

Helpful guidelines on how to maintain gardens and landscapes after torrential rainfall is the focus of this podcast. I'll answer gardeners' questions on what to do when peonies are flattened by storms and perennials that will attract birds and butterflies in shade. I'll discuss the problem of root rot. I'll finish with the importance of hiring a certified tree care professional. To find a Certified Arborist in your area visit treesoaregood.org.

In this podcast I'll continue to share my experiences visiting garden shows in Syracuse, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska and South Dakota. Then I'll answer gardeners' questions about shade gardens and shrubs and flowers that attract birds and butterflies. My pest tip focuses on golden canker on dogwood. I'll finish with a word on the Master Gardener program.

In honor of Arbor Day, I focus this podcast on trees. Then I answer gardener's question on propagating shrubs. Next Kristin Gies joins me for tips on sphaeropsis shoot blight and canker. I finish by recommending a favorite “old” plant, bristlecone pine. For more information on Arbor Day events in your area, visit arbor-day.net

I once again offer you a guided tour of Boerner Botanical Gardens. This podcasts focuses on my June 23rd walk highlighting ground covers and vines. This season's warm temperatures have also allowed many perennials to put on their display a little early than the norm. We have a number covered here that are sure to give you ideas on how to fill your landscape with color.

Virtual Garden Tour

In this podcast I'll cover some fun holiday facts. And whether it's a pine, spruce or fir, I have a few tips on caring for your Christmas tree.

Are your perennials overcome with too much growth? Do your annuals need a bit of deadheading? Let's grab the pruners and get to work!  I'll finish with a mention of the Cut and Hold - developed for roses and other prickly shrubs.

This podcast is dedicated to children and how to inspire and engage them in the garden. Then I answer gardeners’ questions on columbine with sawfly and rust on junipers. Next Kristin Gies joins me for tips on getting rid of dame’s rocket. I finish by recommending great gardens to visit with children: W.J. Beal Botanical Garden at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan; The Morton Arboretum just outside Chicago, Illinois and Longwood Gardens in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Fall is here and that means its time to harvest and select the perfect pumpkin for your garden or holiday display. In this podcast I offer tips on selecting the best possible pumpkin. I'll explain how to use the seeds for a healthy treat or a creative art project. Besides carving I'll detail other creative ways to work pumpkins and other garden plants into your Halloween or other holiday displays. My pest tip covers one of the good guys - the garden spider. I finish with a mention of a great book for your gardening library, "The Nonstop Garden" by Stephanie Cohen and Jennifer Benner.

Over the past year I have tried to incorporate ideas for family fun.  In this podcast I'll remind you of a few of these and other ideas for homemade holiday gifts.  Then I'll answer gardeners' questions on moving Black Hills spruce and rust on Pricilla hollyhocks.  I then offer tips on Christmas tree care.  I'll finish by discussing self watering systems for you Christmas tree.

Gardening is more than growing pretty flowers or vegetables, it's about sharing and caring with family and friends. I'll discuss what to do when cuttings fail to root. I'll then finish with an explaination of patented and trademark plants.

I'll discuss the history and legend behind Christmas trees, holly and mistletoe, the three most popular holiday plants. Then I'll offer tips for woes on Norfolk Island pine and keeping pets safe. For a list of what plants are toxic, visit the ASPCA website at aspca.org and keep your pets safe throughout the holiday and years to come.

Increase your gardening success by choosing the right plant for the growing conditions. I'll talk heat and cold hardiness, soil conditions, light conditions, and other environmental factors. Visit our Plant Guide for help choosing the right plant for your landscape. Next I'll answer gardeners' questions on butterfly bush and hydrangea care. My pest tip covers moss in the yard. I finish with a product from Moss Acres, the Moss Milkshake.

In this podcast I discuss how to select a healthy Christmas tree. Then I answer gardeners’ questions on getting kalanchoe to re-bloom for the holidays. Next Kristin Gies joins me for tips on managing salt build-up on your indoor plants. I finish off interviewing Kenneth Helphand author of Defiant Gardens, a great new book and the perfect holiday gift.

I'll give advise on caring for bulbs in spring and throughout the year. Then I answer gardeners' questions on redbud and plants to attract birds and butterflies. I'll offer ways to protect your bulbs from animals. I'll finish with some tips on fertilizing with Milorganite.

Start planting fruits, vegetables and herbs indoors! No matter where you live, you can get started now. I answer gardeners' questions on Illini Hardy blackberry, plants that attract finches and using baking soda for disease control. I'll talk about fungus gnats in this week's pest tip and using Gnatrol with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) for control.