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Ellen and C.L. talk about three interesting edibles from the True Leaf Market catalog, explain what they’re working on and catch up with some listener emails. They end by talking about seven seed starting tips offered …
We’re talking about garlic and crabapples, plants that are new to our hearts, and some interesting research on bulbs done at Cornell University. Plus …
Learn about turning Hydrangea flowers blue, how to tell if you’re looking at Queen Anne’s lace or the poison hemlock, and not enough room for all these plants! Plus C.L. loves listening to the Audible version of …
In this episode Ellen and C.L. discuss some favorite peppers, and answer common listener questions about drought-damaged plants and helping their gardens recover from a hot, dry summer. We share an exciting new plant …
In this Encore presentation from 2017, Ellen and C.L. start the end-of-summer party off with suggestions for snacks and garden hors d’oeuvres. The second segment offers ways that you benefit from an outdoor office, and …
In 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 …
Ellen 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. …
In this encore 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 …
What can you pickle this summer? Should you buy a tree that’s tiny? Ellen and C.L. discuss these topics, plus what to do with bare or just …
Have 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 …
Have you seen the photo of plastic forks, tines up, in the garden? Wondering about spraying fertilizer on the leaves of plants to give them added …
Ellen and C.L. talk about the difference between raspberries and blackberries, give suggestions for plants that grow well in the tiny spaces in rock …
C.L. and Ellen have suggestions for edible flower petals, whether you want to use them for visual or taste appeal. Hear a discussion about taproots - what are they and what they mean for you – and hear if you need to be …
Ellen and C.L. discuss ways to use the mint you grow, the basics of harvesting garlic, and ways of supporting vegetables and newly planted trees. Plus we answer a listener’s question about spraying fertilizer directly …
Ellen and C.L. talk about a common insect that causes damage in many vegetable gardens: flea beetles. Next they address questions and issues that arise when houseplants have been put outside for the summer, review an …
C.L. and Ellen discuss what to do if your tree dies, and what actions to take when something has already happened and you need to respond or do your …
:38 What’s For Dinner: Dill.
8:59 Eat/Drink/Grow: “Is it too late to plant?”
20:14 Insider Information: What alliums do.
22:42 Love Letters and Questions: Donna re: miniature lemon cypress tree
In this …
In this end-of-May episode Ellen and C.L. discuss using lettuce to wrap tasty fillings, for a meal or snack. We explain what a botanist does, the importance of several types of diversity in our yards and gardens, and …
The Plantrama team discusses the best way to fill a raised bed, why the practice called hugelkulture is getting so much buzz, a podcast …
Have you ever bought an envelope of seeds that had no instructions on it? Do you have clay soils where you garden? Ellen and C.L. start the program with these topics, then move onto invasive plants in the landscape, and …
It’s pasta for dinner, and everything coming up roses in this episode of Plantrama. Ellen shares her nettle pasta recipe, and C.L. talks about a quick way to use any garden greens with linguine. We discuss the highs and …
In this episode Ellen and C.L. celebrate spring salads, discuss organic fertilizers and discuss the many ways to grow vining Clematis.
:28 What’s for dinner: Spring Salads
6:24 Insider Information: Organic …
The Plantrama team gives those new to vegetable gardening some advice about raised beds...how deep, what to fill them with, and whether they need a weed barrier underneath. We talk about how to remember what you’ve …
Do you need a special fertilizer for Cannabis budding? Do you need special fertilizers for different types of plants? Do some fertilizers work better than others, and can you make your own out of food scraps? These …
The Plantrama team gets their fingers sticky with strawberry juices today as we talk about foraging for wild berries, and how to grow strawberries in your garden. Hear about the types of plants, protecting berries from …
Spring Greens, Plants for Arbors, and Forced Bulbs
In the last episode for March Ellen and C.L. answer the last batch of questions collected at the …
Ellen and C.L. address more questions from the Northwest Flower and Garden Festival in Seattle. We discuss the herb that gets no respect, Parsley, plus keeping outdoor furniture dry, escaping the insect invasion in your …
Hear about how to garden if you move frequently, creating consistent gardens in sun and shade, colors that work together, and growing strawberries in …
Questions from the 2022 Seattle flower show continue, with blue, mophead hydrangea blooming and pruning in our main segment. Ellen and C.L. also talk about pH for vegetable gardens and peonies that stop blooming.
This …
C.L. and Ellen answer questions that were submitted at the Northwest Flower and Garden Festival in Seattle. They discuss pruning raspberries, great plants with white flowers, and how to get rid of fungus gnats.
1:31
If you’re bored with your usual breakfast, this episode is for you. We also explain photoperiodism, talk about starting pepper seeds and growing them in the garden, and answer a listener’s question about Lantana.
:30 …
Do you grow citrus indoors for at least part of the year? Learn to be the bee! We also suggest plants for the “COVID cranky” (and who isn’t?) plus becoming a local or niche garden expert.
:34 Plant Noob: …
Have you ever wondered if plants talk to each other? Do you want to have a big number of perennial plants cheaply? Would you like to know what it …
In this episode Ellen and C.L. talk about cilantro and coriander...one in the same plant. We have agreeing opinions about Stevia, and explain the reason that it takes awhile for some new introductions to reach the …
This episode starts with ideas for cooking with dried mushrooms. We explain how to tell the difference between pine, fir and spruce trees, do a dive into Ericaceous plants, and end with a question about taking cuttings …
The Plantrama team discuss a botanic term for plants that put leaves straight up out of the ground (no stems!), and answer a listener’s question about a Bromeliad that hasn’t made more blooms. Ellen and C.L. present a …
The Plantrama team discusses the common belief that eggshells provide quick calcium for plants. Next we look at the myths, misunderstandings and misuse of moss, and end with a question about making a terrarium.
:30 …
Ellen and C.L. talk about eating chestnuts, the perennial plant that’s commonly called hellebores, and what it means when you are talking about pesticides. We end with a listener’s question about growing foxglove …
We start out discussing what can be substituted for rice when you cook. Our main segment is about grafted plants, and we end with a discussion about vegetable seeds that you might want to start in the winter, and …
In this just-after-the-solstice episode, Ellen and C.L. discuss how to use juniper berries, supporting heavy amaryllis flowers, taking cuttings and …
In this episode C.L. and Ellen explain what “bare root plants” are and why you might want them. Next, they talk about the genus Dracaena, which …
If you’re wondering if you need to protect your perennial plants with a winter mulch, this episode is for you. Ellen and C.L. go on to talk about the …
Ellen and C.L. give ideas for the best low-tech kitchen tools, gift suggestions for all on your list, and tips for why ordering your seeds now is a …
From roots to leaves to flowers! C.L. and Ellen talk about the difference between yams and sweet potatoes, explain what a root nodule is, and discuss …
It’s all houseplants all the time in this episode of Plantrama. Ellen and C.L. give advice about cleaning the leaves of indoor plants, talk about the many Calatheas that grow well with less light, and answer a question …
The Plantrama team discusses the advice to hang herbs upside down for drying, and whether you should prune evergreens now. We end with a letter from …
Ellen and C.L. talk about cranberry recipes that go beyond the traditional “cranberry sauce.” They discuss potting “soils” and their composition, and give a listener advice about a Dracaena fragrans (aka corn plant) …
C.L. and Ellen give you some different ideas for using apples this season, discuss planting bulbs with an auger on a drill, explain the term “old …
The Plantrama team discusses the importance of soil temperature when planting bulbs for spring bloom. In the main segment we talk about handling the …
Ellen and C.L. discuss what root stimulator products are and if they are necessary when you plant. They also address why houseplants might drop …
In this episode we are making purées for use later in the winter, and considering when you might need to water in the fall. Ellen and C.L. discuss managing those pesky fungus gnats (tiny black flies) that can emerge …
Hear about nuts for dinner, houseplants that will make you smile, and late-to-migrate hummingbirds. We also answer Kim’s question about perennial garden cleanup in the fall.
:30 What’s For Dinner Nuts!
11:17 …
Hear about nuts for dinner, houseplants that will make you smile, and late-to-migrate hummingbirds. We also answer Kim’s question about perennial garden cleanup in the fall.
:30 What’s For Dinner Nuts!
11:17 …
Ellen and C.L. talk about root crops – potatoes, and sunchokes – and what “open pollinated” means. We discuss the pros and cons of protecting plants …
In this episode Ellen and C.L. talk about how to decide which tender or tropical plants to save indoors through the winter, how to preserve your garden or foraging harvest, and whether weeds choose to grow where they …
Is compost – homemade or purchased – a good substitute for fertilizer? What is that thick growth in a tree? Ellen and C.L. answer these questions and respond to a listener about uses for pressed flowers.
:26 True or …
The Plantrama Partners-in-Plants start by discussing how to eat the parts of plants we often toss out or put into the compost. Next, we talk about growing new plants from the seeds that you might see right now in your …
In 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 …
The Plantrama team talks about ideas for pasta salad and reipes using pineapple weed. We get you thinking about transplanting in the fall, discuss how to manage plants that self-seed just a bit too enthusiastically, and …
The Plantrama duo discuss caffeine as an insecticide, and talk about corn, which is a grass and a great deal more. The episode ends with a discussion of picking green apples.
:36 True or False: Caffeine is a …
In 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 …
In this episode Ellen and C.L. talk about the blueberry harvest, soil acidity or alkalinity, Hydrangea paniculata plants, spraying foliage with water …
The Plantrama team talk about your outdoor office; making places on decks, patios, porches or even in the woods where you can work and create. We take a deep dive into Daylilies, and answer a listener’s question about …
C.L. and Ellen celebrate the summer season by talking about grilling, fertilizing, and carnivorous plants. We also discuss dealing with deer and growing edible plants in windy, urban situations such as rooftops and …
We begin with summer cocktails in this best of Plantrama episode, then go on to talk about summer pruning, hail and dealing with storm damage. Ellen and C.L. are also united in their dislike of landscape fabric.
1:51 …
In this “best of Plantrama” episode Ellen and C.L. encourage you to roast your veggies and foraged foods, whether you’re serving them immediately or freezing them for the future. We badmouth the use of mothballs in the …
In this “best of Plantrama” episode Ellen and C.L. encourage you to roast your veggies and foraged foods, whether you’re serving them immediately or freezing them for the future. We badmouth the use of mothballs in the …
The Plantrama team presents farmed and foraged edibles for the end of June, and discusses how to tell if your plant-ID app has given you a correct identification. We celebrate The Year of the Monarda, and why beebalm …
C.L. and Ellen discuss how weed seeds have an amazing ability to rest dormant in the soil for years. We peel back the layers of Artichokes, review a book about growing a mini fruit garden, and discuss keeping citrus …
Ellen and C.L. discuss whether human urine helps with critter control in the garden and they talk about a favorite shrub, Sambucus, aka elderberry. …
In 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 …
In this episode Ellen and C.L. discuss plants to grow or forage for with the barbeque in mind. They explain that not all microorganisms are good for all plants, give suggestions for great annuals, and talk about cutworm …
Do you need shade for your outdoor office? Want a low-maintenance, colorful landscape? Do you hand-water your vegetable plants or want to make your …
C.L. and Ellen discuss the internet-based rumor that you should dig a square hole when planting trees, and give suggestions for plants to grow on …
The Plantrama team discusses growing and foraging for asparagus, reviews a lovely book about public gardens you ought to see, and answers a listener’s question about the weed called nightshade. They also disagree about …
C.L. and Ellen tackle the myth that earthworms can grow once cut in half. They extol a favorite vine, the Passiflora, celebrate World Carnivorous …
Spring plants are first and foremost in this episode as we talk about cress, foraged and farmed, the Year of the Hyacinth, and two spring flowers, …
In this episode we talk about the white perlite in potting mixes, spend the main segment talking about edible flowers, and answer a question about why a listener’s zucchini plants aren’t producing well.
:30 Plant Noob: …
Ellen and C.L. talk about whether fertilizing is always a good thing, and they take a deep dive into the genus Rhododendron, which includes what we commonly call azaleas. Then they answer Candace’s question about …
Today we discuss garden-grown and foraged food with earthy flavors, and do a deep dive into the importance of soil temperatures for planting, soil activity, seed germination and growth rates. We end with a discussion …
If you think that pesto has to be made of basil, think again! Ellen and C.L. talk about spring pestos, how quickly plants start to photosynthesize, …
In this episode we define some terms that plant geeks toss around, and give you a recipe for figuring out what’s wrong with your houseplants. If you’ve ever wondered why fertilizer is called “plant food” or how lichen …
C.L. and Ellen rave about green flowers, explain the difference between aggressive and invasive plants, and discuss the common belief that sunflowers poison other plants. Plus we answer Meredith’s question about why cut …
Did you know that a spring tonic doesn’t have to be a drink? Hear Ellen and C.L. talk about tonics, what to do if you’ve started your seeds too early, the definition of direct sowing and vegetables for hot climates.
:30
In this episode you’ll hear about ways to prepare the chard, kale or other greens you froze last summer. Learn why water beads up on some leaves, all about Cannas, and if hydrogen peroxide is a good thing to use on …
Ellen and C.L. explain what a “standard form” plant is and why you might want to plant the perennial yarrow in your landscape. Hear a rave review of Jessica Walliser’s new book about science-based companion planting, …
If you’re wondering about sterilizing soil for seed starting, growing peppers in your vegetable garden, or the best water for your houseplants, this …
:30 What’s For Dinner: Fennel
7:04 Eat/Drink/Grow: Epiphytes – what they are, some common houseplants that are epiphytic, and what this means for how we care for those plants.
15:03 Insider Information: What are …
In this episode of Plantrama we talk about essential herbs to grow or forage for, pinching plants to make them bushy, African violets and a Zoom …
Ellen and C.L. discuss plants that male or female, how some plants are used to remove harmful substances from the soil, and why it might be good to …
The Plantrama team discusses the clearly fake rainbow tomatoes, growing the wonderfully real jade plants indoors, and Ellen’s new craft cocktail …
Hear ideas for making quiche or frittatas, learn about earthworm castings and why it’s good for plants, and discover a cactus that grows in most of North America.
:36 What’s For Dinner: Quiche or Frittata
5:55 …
In this New Year’s Eve podcast, Ellen and C.L. raise a glass to toast a better year ahead. Hear about small in-home greenhouse/terrariums, learn about “pencil cactus,” and listen to our answer for Quinn, who wants to …
Hear about an easy and elegant houseplant as Ellen and C.L. talk about Hoyas. Learn about determining your garden style, and discover how plants without leaves might still be photosynthizing.
:30 Insider Information…
Looking for an amazing houseplant that flowers all year? Worried that the seeds you buy might be GMO’s? Could you use a good book to read this …
Ellen and C.L. explain that yes, it is possible to have too much compost in the soil. We discuss the lovely Helleborus niger, aka the Christmas rose, and answer a question about spider plants.
:28 True or False: …
Hear about some savory/sweet cookies, learn about ferns that make attractive houseplants, discover the meeting of the term “entire margins,” and find …
Discover spice rubs, a hot “Curio” houseplant, and hear what to do with the bulbs and other plants you haven’t yet placed into the ground.
:30 …
In this episode we consider how drought and snow effect plants, creating a plant-filled Zoom Room, and spring bulbs that come up before spring.
:30…
Hear Ellen and C.L. discuss fertilizers for houseplants, the amazing avocado, and cranberries, wild and cultivated.
:30 True or False: You have to …
Learn about eating juniper berries, bodacious begonias, pots for orchids and keeping cats away from plants.
:30 What’s For Dinner: Juniper berries
6:49 Eat/Drink/Grow: Growing Begonias
17:50 Insider Information: Do …
In this episode Ellen and C.L. discuss the herb that gets no respect, parsley. We also talk about planning garden trips for the spring, what evergreens will grow in containers on a balcony, and providing supports for …
C.L. and Ellen explain that succulents are easy to propagate, and talk about why we should care about the life cycle of insects. The episode ends …
For better or worse, in this episode Ellen and C.L. are delving into Pumpkin Spice. We start talking about allspice, and then do a deep dive into the …
We’re celebrating fall with autumnal beverages, talking about applying fertilizer in the fall, and discussing cleaning up houseplants when you bring them back indoors.
:31 True or False: Winter is a good time to …
It’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 …
Hear what plant people mean when they talk about “the canopy,” learn about a must-have book if you grow perennials, and find out what you can do in perennial gardens in the fall. Plus a look at what’s growing in C.L.’s …
In this episode we talk about foraged silverberries, cherry tomatoes, saving seeds, and whether fall is the best time for planting. Ellen and C.L. end with a question from Jenna about possible uses for carrot tops.
:27 …
Ellen 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 …
Learn the truth about calcium and the black blossom end rot on your tomatoes, hear about preserving the herbs you’ve grown, discover a better way to prone large shrubs, and find out why a Cannabis plant isn’t budding.
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C.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 …
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.
Wondering 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 …
Hear about two cocktails that use edible flowers, learn about the ways vines support themselves or climb structures, and discover how to tell which flowers are male or female on your summer squash. Plus we answer a …
Ellen 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 …
Hear 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 …
Wondering why your salad, broccoli or radishes are flowering? Thinking that the houseplants you put out for the summer aren’t looking fantastic? …
Ellen 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. …
This 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, …
If you’re wondering about growing blackberries or raspberries, want to know how to use a hoe for weed control or how to pinch your cannabis plants …
Ellen 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 …
This episode addresses if eggshells are beneficial in a veggie garden, along with roses: fertilizing, deadheading, insects and diseases. Plus a question about the tall verbena.
:30 True or False: Eggshells are good …
If you’re wondering if you can still plant vegetables, or you’re seeing your new plants being eaten, this episode is for you. Learn what to do about …
Hear about eating unripe apricots and growing the tiny, tasty cucamelons. Learn how to plant for better weed management, discover the exotic, fragrant Brugmansia plant and learn what thinning seedlings is all about.
:33
Ellen 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 …
Learn when to cut back lavender, how to grow herbs in pots, and why your perennials may need dividing. Discover where to plant herbs. Hear about pruning lilacs and wisteria, brought to you by Dramm Rainwands.
:28 …
:32 What’s For Dinner Dandelion Flowers
4:51 Eat/Drink/Grow: The Edible Landscape – Vegetable Gardens and Perennial Edibles aka “Foodscaping”
21:35 Love Letters and Questions: I have a plant that won’t flower.
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Learn 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 …
This episode was recorded live at our appearance at the Northwest Flower and Garden Festival in Seattle. This week, the second part of our talk on Flower Power and the Cocktail Hour. In this episode we give examples of …
This episode was recorded live at our appearance at the Northwest Flower and Garden Festival in Seattle. This week, the first part of our talk on Flower Power and the Cocktail Hour. We discuss great plants and how to …
In 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…
Be 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
This podcast will inspire you to create more chopped salads, explain leaf spot fungus, and provide a list of plants that will attract hummingbirds. …
:32 Plant Noob: How to make your own plant-able pots for starting seeds in.
5:57 Eat/Drink/Grow: Perennials that don’t spread very much.
16:21 Product Review: Book: Growing Weed in the Garden by Johanna Silver
22:15 …
In 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 …
Get inspired to make a spring salad containing flower petals, hear about how a native plant in one area might be invasive elsewhere, and learn about a lemon-scented herb. The episode ends with a question about coconut …
This episode of Plantrama gives you a heads up about two great plants, talks about what happens when people find a new plant and want to either patent it or otherwise bring it to market. We end with advise for Helen …
Discover why you should grow Cannas, hear about easy perennials to grow from seed (more plants!), and learn about the wild wintergreen plant…teaberry …
Ellen 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 …
In 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 …
You can make a lasagna without pasta! We offer several ideas. Plus we explore seed starting terms such as thinning, damping off and seed leaves, and …
This 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 …
We begin this episode with the types of roses that are available for gardens, and which are the easiest to grow. Next we discuss the cottony bug that plagues many houseplants, the mealy bug. And we end with a question …
Do 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 …
In this episode of Plantrama we talk about vegan Nachos, growing a Clivia plant, why some plants go dormant, and how to keep a frosty fern alive.
:31 What’s For Dinner: Nachos! C.L.'s Vegan nachos can be …
In 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 …
We 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 …
This 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 …
Learn about an easy, vegetable comfort dish and the Norfolk Island Pine houseplant. Discover great holiday gifts and find out what is meant by “genus …
Have 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 …
Are 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. …
Do 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 …
Should 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? …
In 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 …
C.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 …
Have you wondered what people mean when they talk about a plant’s dripline, or if you can still put plants in the ground in October? Do you want to know if you can leave your outdoor furniture in the elements over the …
In 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 …
Here's a taste of what the Plantrama Podcast is all about.
We start off this podcast with a toast to fall as Ellen presents an autumnal cocktail…a frozen persimmon margarita! We discuss protecting plants for …
Do you need to repot an orchid? Want to grow a cup-a-Joe in your living room? Maybe you’re interested in saving seeds from plants you’ve grown in …
1:06 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 & …
In this episode the Plantrama team talks about creating colorful flower garlands for a celebration, fall fix-ups for containers, gardens and curb …
Ellen 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.
Join Ellen and C.L. as they talk about silverberries (Elaeagnus umbellata), an easily grown herb with edible flowers (Borage), and what to do when …
In 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 …
Can 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 …
Stuffing 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 …
Ellen 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, …
After 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 …
Ellen 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 …
We start this episode with information about roasting vegetables, and C.L. claims that roasted garden green beans taste as good as French fries. We then go on to trash the idea that mothballs can be used to repel …
Ellen 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 …
Ellen 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 …
In 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 …
C.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 …
Ellen 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 …
Listening to this podcast will help you choose some great plants for mixed containers. You’ll find out why peat moss doesn’t make good mulch and why …
In 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 …
In 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 …
Learn how you can eat dandelion flowers, the best method for planting shrubs and trees and why perennials may need to be split and divided periodically. Plus the Plantrama team talks about planting tomatoes with Tums… a …
This 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 …
In this Plantrama episode Dock and Dill are on the spring menu, we vow to make May baskets this year, and look at stems from the point of view of science, art, and dinner. We end with Todd’s question about squash bugs …
C.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: …
In 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” …
At 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 …
In this Plantrama episode we talk about eating the invasive Japanese knotweed, three of C.L.’s must-plant vegetable varieties, growing Mandevilla vine and poison green potatoes.
:32 What’s For Dinner: Foraged Japanese …
We start out talking about why you might eat stinging nettles, or just avoid these painful plants. Learn about varieties for your tomato garden and …
Discover which ferns to harvest for spring “fiddleheads,” why you shouldn’t start seeds in pots of garden soil, comparing and contrasting starting …
This 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 …
Find out if you need to soak seeds before planting them, how to grow better root crops, and if it’s OK to put sawdust in the garden. We also talk …
In this episode you’ll hear about how bees need both pollen and nectar, why you might be able to find Meyer Lemons without growing them, when roses …
Learn about the best containers for starting seeds (and it’s not ice cream cones or eggshells), why leaf edges are important, and how to make “juice mousse.” Plus a discussion about how good potting mix can go bad.
:31 …
Double digging of soil, repotting plants in larger pots, and growing hot peppers, are on today’s episode. Discover starting peppers from seed and preserving them after harvest, plus learn if the “hot lips plant” is for …
C.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 …
In 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 …
This 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 …
In 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 …
In 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 …
On 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 …
In 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 …
In 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 …
Ellen 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 …
Hear 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 …
Acorn baklava and creamed chard start off this episode. Hear how holiday boxwood trees are made, and learn about providing your indoor plants with …
In 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 …
On 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 …
In this episode we talk about the common belief that the shells of sunflower seeds “poison plants.” We also discuss why some people can grow blue mop head hydrangeas but others have a hard time getting them to flower. …
Ellen 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 …
Ellen 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 …
Today we’re talking about carrots, wild and domestic. We explain that before a plant has fruit it comes into flower, and discuss the how, why, how often and when of repotting houseplants. This episode finishes with …
In 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 …
In 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 …
In 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 …
In this episode we’re talking about apple recipes and getting your amaryllis to bloom again this year. We discuss whether a large crop of acorns …
: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. …
In 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 …
:30 What’s For Dinner: Savory Tarts Pick your favorite vegetables or herbs, add some eggs and cheese, and make savory tarts for appetizers, lunch or dinner.
5:04 Plant noob: Lawn Substitutes. Tired of mowing? Is there …
:40 What’s for dinner: Blueberries
6:54 Insider Information: Soil pH. In other words, how acid or alkaline your ground is, and why you should care.
…
:30 What’s for dinner: Throw it on the Barbie! Grilling, farmed and foraged.
5:52 Plant noob: How often do I have to fertilize annuals, perennials and containers?
12:58 Eat/Drink/Grow: “Feed Me!” Carnivorous plants… …
1:20 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 …
In 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 …
: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 – …
:33 What’s For Dinner? Asparagus! What types to buy and how to grow this spring treat.
7:42 True or False? Marigolds We’ve all heard about it: …
:40 What’s for dinner: Questions about wild-crafted cocktails and raised bed vegetables.
4:40 Plant noob: Can you have too much compost?
7:31 Eat/Drink/Grow: We answer questions about deer, smart pots, dahlias, …
:32 What’s For Dinner? Edible Flowers Whether you plant them or pick them in the wild, there are many spring flowers that will make your dinner table tastier and more attractive.
6:58 Insider Information: Skunk Cabbage
Including 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 …
:40 What’s for dinner: Rhubarb & Knotweed Fresh stems and shoots are on the menu today – from cultivated rhubarb to the wild Japanese knotweed (
: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 (…
30 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 …
: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 …
:35 – 6:10 What’s For Dinner: Microgreens – you can grow these tasty, nutritious greens yourself, indoors, even in the winter time.
6:12 – 12:00 Insider Information: Spider mites – at this time of year you might …
0:34 What’s for dinner: Advance planning? Ordering veggie seeds for growing this spring and winter foraging.
6:37 Plant noob: Why you should know …
0:37 – 4:33 What’s for dinner: Foraged Pesto and Winter Squash Soup
4:37 – 10:56 Insider Information: “Breathing Room”
11:03 – 25:15 Eat/Drink/Grow: The Art, Science and Dinner of Orchids
25:25 – 30:33 Did You Know:
0:30 – 5:37 What’s for Dinner: Calamondin Citrus
5:43 – 11:51 Did You Know: Paperwhite Narcissus
12:02 - 20:08 Eat/Drink/Grow: Cyclamen
20:14 – 24:53 Insider Information: The Franklinia Story
24:56 – 27:28 Love …
What’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. …
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, …
: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 …
Have you ever wondered if you could eat black walnuts? Or maybe you're undecided about using a winter protective mulch on your perennial garden...do …
We'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 …
In 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 …
I'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. …
Ellen 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 …
In 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 …
In 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 …
Is 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 …
What'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 …
Ellen 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 …
Ellen 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 …
In this episode we disagree about how to pronounce "Plantrama" which leads to a discussion about the pronunciation of plant names. We also talk about …
In this episode we talk about two lovely self-seeding annuals, being worried that a plant problem will spread, and growing random acts of kindness.
In 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 …
In this episode we talk about two of our favorite plants for fragrance, rant a bit about the practice of putting rocks and shards in the bottom of pots, and discuss the pros and cons of heirloom plants.
What's for dinner? In the fall, the answer might be mushrooms and eggplant. We begin by talking about growing and cooking eggplants and foraging for mushrooms. Next we talk about aphids on plants and then move on to …
Did you grow succulents in your window boxes or strawberry jar this year because they are drought tolerant and just look so cool? If so, you might be …
Fall is the time for planting bulbs, but how deep should you plant them? And how can you prevent the squirrels (aka, those bastards!) from digging …
The combination of plants commonly sold as dish gardens or gift baskets usually need the plants to be separated and repotted after a month or so. …
Sometimes the preconceptions that we come to the landscape with don't do us any favors. For instance, did you know that the leaves that come down from the trees in the fall are GOLD for your garden? Have you considered …
Like 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 …
Looking for a plant that will impress everyone who comes to your yard or garden? Do you wonder why your plants have dried up even though it seemed like last week was so rainy? Perhaps you've heard that many acorns …
Take a deep breath because today we're talking about one of our favorite herbs, lemon verbena. We'll also discuss fertilizers and making beverages from your garden.
In this episode we talk about planting in livestock troughs, how the hours of daylight are important for bringing plants into bloom, and what plants to use around your firepit. Plus story time and an answered email.
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