Holiday plants like poinsettias and cyclamen are the focus of this podcast. Then I answer gardeners’ questions on non-bearing bittersweet and winter protection for rhododendrons. Next Kristin Gies joins me for tips on ridding your holiday plants of fungus gnats. I finish off with tips on using Oasis foam for your holiday floral arrangements.

I'll discuss tips and strategies for coping with drought in this podcast. Then I'll answer gardeners' questions on dividing iris, pruning bridal wreath spirea and heat and drought tolerant shrubs for the South - Native Shrubs for Mississippi Landscapes. I'll finish by offering tips on dealing with powdery mildew.

Holiday plants not only include the favorite poinsettia, but also cyclamen, bromeliad, kalanchoe and more. I'll discuss the many selections for holiday color. Then I'll answer gardeners' questions on spearmint gone wild and why some annuals can be started indoors and others outdoors. I'll talk about fungus gnats and how to deal with this common houseplant pest. I'll finish with a great houseplant reference, The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual by Barbara Pleasant.

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.