Growing Joy with Plants - Wellness Rooted in Nature, Houseplants, Gardening and Plant Care

When I polled our listener community about your top requests for outdoor garden-related episodes, the number one request surprised me: it wasn’t managing fertilizer, succession planting, or garden design. It was how to manage pesky animals getting into your gardens! Today, I have the answer to your prayers: Brie from briegrows.com walks us through such a comprehensive list of practices and solutions for managing pests and other critters in the garden. This conversation really helps us rethink the way we approach animals in the garden and I’m excited for you to learn from Brie as I did!Get on the waitlist for the Bloom and Grow Garden Party LaunchBe the first to gain access and founding member discounts through joining our waitlistSnag your spot on the waitlist hereDon't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[00:06:05] How Brie became Brie The Plant Lady[00:08:59] Brie shares her greatest achievement in plant propagation[00:11:29] Maria’s experience with squirrels and deer in the garden[00:14:15] Do we call them ‘pests’ or ‘animals’? Brie shares an important reminder about animals in nature[00:18:29] Maria shares a totally honest story about critters #nofilter[00:19:02] How to identify chipmunks from squirrels, and what their usual behaviors are in the garden[00:21:03] How to use hot peppers as animal repellent[00:24:18] Different and easy ways to use peppermint oil as animal repellent (hint: seashells!)[00:26:49] How to prevent squirrels and chipmunks from digging holes in your garden beds[00:29:07] Using vole king bags to protect your bulbs from animals[00:30:20] Vole king bags vs chicken wire planters[00:31:11] Shrews vs voles vs moles[00:32:47] How to deal with moles in the garden[00:33:21] Why you should use less mulch in the garden[00:35:12] Where and how to plant garlic as vole repellent (and hit two birds with one stone!)[00:39:16] Do you need to worry about burrowing animals if you have raised beds?[00:40:40] What are groundhogs and how to keep them away from the garden[00:43:14] Squirrel damage vs groundhog damage[00:45:29] Setting up a wildlife camera for better animal surveillance in the garden[00:47:02] Where to get the best eco planters (with gorgeous color selections!)[00:49:24] The best and easiest deer fence kits for your garden[00:51:16] The idea behind trap crops and how to apply them in the garden[00:54:25] The different plants that help repel rabbits [00:57:26] How often should you apply repellents to your plants?[00:58:54] Using animal scats to identify pests in the garden[01:00:00] Why deer is a serious gardening problem and how understanding their behavior can help you keep them away[01:01:50] How to install hedges and streamers that keep deer away[01:06:29] Deer-proof plants, are there such things?[01:09:05] When to use deer sprays and how to best use mammal-specific repellents[01:11:35] Brie shares her own recipe of animal repellent using common household items![01:13:33] The rookie mistakes gardeners make when trying to keep animals from the garden[01:15:56] Brie reminds us how to be mindful gardeners and have respect for the animals that we don’t want in our gardens[01:17:11] What Brie’s garden looks like! It is envy-worthy!Mentioned in our conversation:The Foodscape Revolution by Brie ArthurGardening with Grains by Brie ArthurThe Humane Gardener: Nurturing a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife by Nancy LawsonDeer‑Resistant Design: Fence‑free Gardens that Thrive Despite the Deer by Karen ChapmanThank you to our episode sponsors:WallyGroWallygro has just launched new Spring Colors in both their Eco and Loop planters! The Eco planter model makes installing your own greenwall a breeze and their Loop planter model is the answer to drip-free tabletop or hanging plants, and they are made from recycled plastic! WallyGro is offering a limited-time 15% discount to our community from May 11 to May 18th. Snag them while they are available at wallygro.com and use code BAGR15 for 15% off at checkout.DeerBustersIf you’ve got wildlife looking at your veggie garden, DeerBusters is here to help! DeerBusters strives to protect the gardens of companies and individuals through high-quality, easy-to-install, wildlife fencing kits that come in several different materials and sizes. No fancy hardware needed. Visit deerbusters.com today to protect your plants tomorrow and use code BLOOM at checkout for 10% off.Follow Brie:Brie GrowsBooksInstagramFacebookFollow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadioTiktok: @bloomandgrowradioSubscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /BloomandgrowradioWebsite: www.bloomandgrowradio.comJoin the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Did you know that some of our favorite houseplants are actually toxic to pets? I was able to interview Anastasia from Leaf & Paw about Pets and Plants and how to be both a pet parent and a plant parent. Anastasia has a blog dedicated to her passion for collecting plants while caring for her two cats and a hedgehog. In this episode, she walks us through what we need to know about toxicity, how to style with pets in mind, and the top 10 best and worst plants for our pets. Let's dive in!Get on the waitlist for the Bloom and Grow Garden Party LaunchBe the first to gain access and founding member discounts through joining our waitlistSnag your spot on the waitlist hereDon't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[03:41] What this episode has in store for you, plant friend![05:13] How Anastasia became both a plant parent and a pet parent, and how Leaf and Paw came to be[07:19] Why it’s important to know how to have plants and pets together[08:37] What is toxicity in plants? How do you approach toxicity when it comes to your pets?[12:11] Are there levels of toxicity in plants? What should you do when your pet eats a toxic plant?[13:38] How to prevent your pets from eating your plant collection: utilize your home architecture[15:08] Why understanding your pet can help you keep them away from your plants[16:02] How to style with floor plants while keeping them safe from your pets[17:21] Do river stones and vinegar spray work for pet-prone plants?[18:56] The best company after a day of gardening and propagating plants![20:57] Where to get organic and pet-safe potting mixes and gardening products[22:45] What symptoms should you look out for if your pet has ingested a plant? What should you do if your pet has ingested a toxic plant?[25:14] How to use substances like fertilizer and insecticide in your plant care while being mindful of your pets[28:05] The best and most informative resources for pet care and plants[30:06] The top 10 most toxic plants for your pets: pothos, monsteras, ficus, and more[36:50] The top 10 best non-toxic plants for your pets: pepperomias, calatheas, hoyas, and more[42:20] Bonus special AND non-toxic plant: banana trees![43:47] Maria and Billy’s puppy fever and their future fur baby plansMentioned in our conversation:American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)Pet Poison HotlineThank you to our episode sponsors:Espoma OrganicFor responsibly made, fabulous indoor and outdoor organic soils, fertilizers, pest control sprays, and more, visit espoma.com to find your local dealer or check out my Amazon storefront of my favorite Espoma products here.Allagash Brewing CompanyAllagash Brewing Company is an amazing brewery and b corporation out of Portland, Maine that has just come out with Fine Acre: an organic beer that’s the perfect accompaniment to your indoor and outdoor gardening practices this spring and summer! Fine Acre’s launch supports organic gardening and farming, so we are celebrating with the Beer Gardening with Allagash Sweepstakes! The prize is insanely planty with over $3000 of gardening goodies. Head over to allagash.com for mechanics on how to join the giveaway! Fine Acre and other Allagash beers are for drinkers 21+. Please drink responsibly.Follow Anastasia:Leaf and Paw BlogInstagramFacebookFollow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadioTiktok: @bloomandgrowradioSubscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /BloomandgrowradioWebsite: www.bloomandgrowradio.comJoin the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New Trend Alert! Tiny Plants are the curious collector's dream, and an awesome option for plant parents who are working with limited space OR are obsessed with teensy tiny adorable things like me. Leslie Halleck, one of the favorite recurring guests for Bloom and Grow Radio, joins us again to talk about her obsession with Tiny Plants, tips for caring for them, and a matchmaking session where she pairs the perfect tiny plant for each plant parent personality. Get ready to learn about teensy, tiny adorableness!Pre-Order Leslie's new book: Tiny PlantsGet on the waitlist for the Bloom and Grow Garden Party LaunchBe the first to gain access and founding member discounts through joining our waitlistSnag your spot on the waitlist here  Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[05:29] Leslie shares how she spots plant trends and what the trend of small plants has changed in people’s lives[08:25] How Leslie got into the tiny plants hobby, her internship in the Puerto Rican rainforest, and her history with ferns[14:37] Do micro species have different DNA from regular plants? Why do they stay tiny forever?[18:22] The different tiny plant species featured in Leslie’s book and why you should get into the world of tiny plants[19:11] Why lithops are not beginner-friendly tiny plants and Leslie’s advice for taking care of them[20:47] Caring for tiny plants vs caring for regular plants, is there a difference?[23:18] How taking care of tiny plants serves as a wellness ritual for Leslie[25:25] Hunting for rare species is fun, according to Leslie[26:26] Tiny Plants bonus: know about the best plant vendors for your next tiny plants![28:10] Where to get the best planty gifts for mother’s day[30:14] Maria’s favorite companion at the end of the day (aside from Billy)[32:11] Maria and Leslie’s current tiny plant favorites[34:51] How to style with tiny plants and why you have more options with them![38:32] Why Maria is excited to take a deeper dive into the tiny plants world[39:50] How tiny plants make it easier to incorporate nature into your home[41:08] Maria shares one of the reasons she loves and appreciates plant parenthood[42:56] The best tiny plants for mindful plant parents[44:30] Are you a low-key plant parent? Here are the perfect tiny plants for you[45:26] Aesthetic and urban jungle tiny plants for the design-based plant parent[47:25] Edible tiny plants for the urban farmer plant parent[50:15] The tiny plants genus to check out if you’re a curious collector type of plant parent[56:55] Maria sends positivity and love to the Bloom and Grow communityMentioned in our conversation: Tiny Plants by Leslie HalleckPlant Parenting by Leslie HalleckGardening Under Lights by Leslie HalleckLeslie’s previous Bloom and Grow episodesGrow Lights 101Propagation 101Root-ologyThank you to our episode sponsors:Modern SproutModern Sprout is connecting people and plants with their fabulous lines of grow lights, seed starter kits, and all sorts of planty products that empower people to cultivate their own indoor oasis, whether you live in a studio apartment or a sprawling farmhouse, with simple, stylish and sustainable green-thumb solutions for every home. They just launched new products like their seed starter kits and gift sets so head to modernsprout.com to check all their products out and use code 15bloom at checkout.Allagash Brewing CompanyAllagash Brewing Company is an amazing brewery and b corporation out of Portland, Maine that has just come out with Fine Acre: an organic beer that’s the perfect accompaniment to your indoor and outdoor gardening practices this spring and summer! Fine Acre’s launch supports organic gardening and farming, so we are celebrating with the Beer Gardening with Allagash Sweepstakes! The prize is insanely planty with over $3000 of gardening goodies. Head over to allagash.com for mechanics on how to join the giveaway! Fine Acre and other Allagash beers are for drinkers 21+. Please drink responsibly.Follow Leslie:WebsiteInstagramBooksFollow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadioTiktok: @bloomandgrowradioSubscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /BloomandgrowradioWebsite: www.bloomandgrowradio.comJoin the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I think we all know that there are a lot of lessons to be learned in the garden and that's twofold: literally how to garden and how to grow food, reconnect with our food chain, and deepen our relationship with nature. I am so excited to deepen my gardening knowledge this summer with My First Garden Series, where I troubleshoot and try my first shot at outdoor gardening outside of the tiny balcony garden that I have had since I've launched the show. In this episode, I invite Nicole from Gardenary for an in-depth garden coaching, sprinkled with wonderful insights about self-love, reconnecting with nature, and just life in general. Let’s dive in!Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[00:04:40] The exciting news for the Bloom and Grow community![00:08:23] Who is Nicole Burke of Gardenary, how she turned into a gardener, and how gardening has helped her regain her sense of self[00:11:37] How the idea behind Gardenary came to be and Nicole’s ultimate dream for the company[00:15:10] Maria shares her first garden experience, her gardening education, and what she hopes to accomplish this gardening season[00:16:47] The advantages of raised bed gardening vs row gardening and in-ground gardening[00:18:03] The minimum space, cost, and time requirements for beginner gardeners[00:22:07] Nicole’s raised bed suggestion for long and rectangular plots of land and how to work with constraints in your garden[00:25:20] What is the maximum width for a garden bed? How much space should you put in between your garden beds?[00:30:43] How to address garden planning overwhelm and why Nicole believes gardening shouldn’t take time[00:32:45] Why setting up your garden properly is doing 90% of the work[00:34:37] Maria shares her favorite stroll and gardening companion[00:36:25] Where to get the best grow lights for all plant needs and the best seed starter packages for this season![00:39:06] The best gardening advice Maria has gotten from her mom[00:39:54] Nicole shares the meaning behind her saying “think about nature” and how to reshape our thinking when it comes to plants and their growing abilities[00:43:47] Which plants should you mix in in your bed? How understanding plant families and the best seasons to grow them can give you the best yield[00:47:04] Should you be mindful of shading when combining large plants with smaller ones? Nicole shares the better factors that you should consider: temperature and timing[00:49:39] Where should you face your beds?[00:50:53] Should you start flowers from seeds or from seedlings? What are the best flowers to grow for beginners?[00:54:06] The best smaller sunflowers to grow and where to place them in your garden bed[00:55:25] Since most trellises are expensive, can you make a trellis on your own?[00:57:20] How many cherry tomato plants do you need to achieve Nicole’s amazing tomato arch?[00:59:27] Can you grow more than one plant on one trellis? Nicole shares some garden style tips when growing vines[01:00:46] The magic of gardening and what this hobby teaches us about life and growth[01:01:27] Why everyone should try kitchen gardening[01:05:02] Maria’s current garden situation and what she is looking forward to!Mentioned in our conversation:Brooke Castillo’s Podcast The Life Coach SchoolNicole Burke’s book Kitchen Garden RevivalGardenary’s YouTube video How Many Blooms Come from One ZinniaGardenary’s YouTube video How to Grow Tomatoes Up an Arch TrellisThank you to our episode sponsors:Allagash Brewing CompanyAllagash Brewing Company is an amazing brewery and b corporation out of Portland, Maine that has just come out with Fine Acre: an organic beer that’s the perfect accompaniment to your indoor and outdoor gardening practices this spring and summer! Fine Acre’s launch supports organic gardening and farming, so we are celebrating with the Beer Gardening with Allagash Sweepstakes! The prize is insanely planty with over $3000 of gardening goodies. Head over to allagash.com for mechanics on how to join the giveaway! Fine Acre and other Allagash beers are for drinkers 21+. Please drink responsibly.Modern SproutModern Sprout is connecting people and plants with their fabulous lines of grow lights, seed starter kits, and all sorts of planty products that empower people to cultivate their own indoor oasis, whether you live in a studio apartment or a sprawling farmhouse, with simple, stylish and sustainable green-thumb solutions for every home. They just launched new products like their seed starter kits and gift sets so head to modernsprout.com to check all their products out and use code 15bloom at checkout.Follow Nicole:Gardenary | Rooted Garden PodcastInstagramTiktokFollow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadioTiktok: @bloomandgrowradioSubscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /BloomandgrowradioWebsite: www.bloomandgrowradio.comJoin the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Do any of you remember that store in the mall that sold mini bonsai trees and meditative water features? I was pretty obsessed with them as a kid and was so taken with these tiny trees, all the miniaturization of these beautiful, serene scenes. I definitely had and killed several of those trees in my teenage years, and I’m put at ease to hear I’m not the only one after speaking to many of you on Instagram about bonsai and our guest today, Bjorn from Eisei-en Bonsai. We cover a lot about this niche hobby of bonsai within an already niche of plant care, so let's get to it!Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[00:04:44] How Bjorn became the bonsai expert he is today[00:05:35] How long does a bonsai apprenticeship take? What are typical duties for a bonsai apprentice?[00:07:31] Bjorn shares his experience in Japan and being an apprentice[00:09:16] How to properly pronounce ‘bonsai’ and what it means[00:09:40] What is a bonsai? How do you classify a tree as a bonsai tree?[00:10:56] Can you turn any tree into a bonsai?[00:11:54] Apical dominance vs lateral dominance[00:14:14] How to measure bonsais and the different bonsai size classifications: shohin and chuhin[00:16:03] Where did bonsais originate from?[00:17:43] How do you differentiate between indoor bonsais and outdoor bonsais? What are great plants for both types?[00:19:29] How much light do bonsais need?[00:20:25] The basic bonsai potting mix: pumice, lava rock, and akadama (yes, it’s Japanese!)[00:22:01] How much fertilizer does your bonsai need? What kind of fertilizer should you apply to your bonsai?[00:23:26] Bonsai and teabags: how to ‘tea’ your bonsai when adding fertilizer[00:24:19] Why growing bonsais is about practicing control[00:25:00] How to take care of sick bonsai trees and what the long-term goal is for growing bonsais[00:26:02] What bonsais can teach us about patience[00:26:20] Where to get the best soil mixes for all plant needs[00:27:36] How to keep deer and wildlife from your garden[00:29:27] Do you want your bonsais to bloom?[00:30:51] How often should you water bonsais? Bjorn gives us the how-to and why’s on watering bonsais[00:34:32] Bonsai and shade cloths: where should you place your bonsai? What is a bonsai’s ideal light situation?[00:36:20] Bonsai pruning 101[00:37:32] Plant nerd facts: what are the growth hormones auxin and cytokine and what do they do?[00:40:05] Why are bonsai trees in small and shallow pots?[00:41:20] How much of a bonsai tree’s roots should you prune?[00:42:48] Why spring is the best time to prune your bonsai[00:43:41] Root galls and how to properly remove them00:45:58] How do you prune bonsai shoots? When and how do you use copper or aluminum wires to shape your bonsai?[00:49:32] The concept of mochikomi[00:50:28] The biggest mistakes people make when it comes to bonsais[00:52:08] Bjorn’s recommendations for beginner bonsai growers[00:55:39] Where to get the best bonsais online[00:56:43] Winterizing your bonsai tree[00:58:27] What is the best bonsai tree pest treatment?[01:00:10] Why everyone should try bonsai!Mentioned in our conversation:Knoxville Bonsai SocietyBrussels BonsaiEisei-en Bonsai's YouTube video Sekka Hinoki from Simple MaterialThank you to our episode sponsors:Espoma OrganicFor responsibly made, fabulous indoor and outdoor organic soils, fertilizers, pest control sprays, and more, visit espoma.com to find your local dealer or check out my Amazon storefront of my favorite Espoma products here.DeerBustersDeerBusters strives to protect the gardens of companies and individuals through high-quality wildlife fencing. Deer and wildlife can be the bane of any gardener's existence and Deer Busters makes installing deer fences, simple with their easy to install fencing kits that come in several different materials and sizes. No fancy hardware needed. Visit deerbusters.com today to protect your plants tomorrow and use code BLOOM at checkout for 10% off.Follow Bjorn:Website Instagram YouTubeFollow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadioTiktok: @bloomandgrowradioSubscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /BloomandgrowradioWebsite: www.bloomandgrowradio.comJoin the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I’ve always known that Hardiness Zones and Frost Dates are important to planning your outdoor garden… but plant friend, I’ve never quite understood what they were or why they were so important. I’ve gotten as far as typing my zip code into the hardiness zone website, getting my “number” and then pretty much not doing anything with it. As I look to plan my first grown up garden this summer, I knew I needed help, so I asked Rochelle Greayer, of the renowned garden design website Pith & Vigor, who has years of garden design under her belt to help break all of these important concepts down for us, to better understand our outdoor environments. So many lightbulb moments in this episode let's dive right in. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!In this episode we learn:[04:46] What Maria has in store for fellow novice gardeners like her this summer![05:40] How Rochelle went from flying aircraft and satellites to a full-time garden designer[08:34] What Rochelle loves about garden design—and Maria’s luxury spa biophilic experience[10:00] The many careers you can get into if you want to pursue a plant profession[11:26] Do plants really clean the air in your apartment? Maria discusses this hot topic circulating in the plant community[13:10] The topics that Maria wants to understand about outdoor gardens[13:49] What are hardiness zones? What are the pros and cons of the USDA Hardiness Zones?[17:23] The difference between the USDA hardiness zones and the American Horticultural Society (AHS) Heat Zones[18:39] What does a plant’s hardiness mean?[19:20] Once you know your hardiness zone, how do you apply that information to your outdoor garden?[21:11] Does hardiness matter for annual plants?[21:58] How do frost dates differ from hardiness zones? What are frost dates actually for?[23:10] Why it is important to know frost dates—beware of last frost![25:54] What’s more important between hardiness zone and frost dates?[26:25] The best seeds, soil, and fertilizers for your indoor and outdoor garden this season![29:48] How to plan your garden with your hardiness zone and frost dates information[31:02] Frost date hack: you can extend your growing season inside![32:31] Understanding how a plant supports itself during growing season[35:06] What are the Sunset climate zones?[36:58] Listener question #1: How much does microclimate affect your predicted garden zones? What is a microclimate?[39:31] How do you know if you have a microclimate in the garden?[41:06] Listener question #2: What methods can be used to push gardening zones, if a plant is hardy just outside your gardening zone?[41:43] Why it’s important to pay attention to the environments in your garden[44:44] Listener question #3: Have the zones changed because of climate change?[46:49] Rochelle’s favorite piece of advice for those who want to try out garden design[48:57] Rochelle’s gardening course for homeowners looking into improving their gardens[50:26] The cool history behind Pith + Vigor’s name[53:23] Maria’s plans for this seed season and how she’s applied this conversation to her garden planning Mentioned in our conversation:USDA Hardiness Zone MapFrost Dates CalculatorThe Old Farmer’s AlmanacThank you to our episode sponsor:Territorial Seed CompanyThank you Territorial Seed Co for sponsoring today's episode! Territorial Seed Co provides high quality seeds and plants (over 2000 varieties) that are tried and tested on their 75 acre farm and have a ton of fall varieties for us to try! It's already time to start planning your 2021 garden! For seeds, plants, online garden planner, how to videos and more visit TerritorialSeed.com and use code BLOOM10 for 10% off.Espoma OrganicEspoma Organics: for responsibly made, fabulous indoor and outdoor organic soils, fertilizers, pest control sprays and more visit espoma.com to find your local dealer or check out my amazon storefront of my favorite Espoma products here.Follow RochellePith + Vigor: Website Instagram Classes (Affiliate link)Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadioTiktok: @bloomandgrowradioSubscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /BloomandgrowradioWebsite: www.bloomandgrowradio.comJoin the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Of all the plants I’m feeling drawn to these days, Alocasia are at the top of my list. I feel like their weird, semi heart shaped, semi ovular shaped leaves look like little alien heads looking at me, popping out from my collection to say hello. They are oddly friendly but also strange looking plants that I’m obsessed with. There are so many reasons to love Alocasia, from the unique leaf shape, to their gorgeous vein patterns and the incredible variety of colors you see, I’m particularly entranced by Alocasia cuprea. Today we are joined by Enid from NSE Tropicals againt o dive deep into Alocasia care and best plants for different types of plant parents. I dare you to not try this amazing genus of plants after listening, sweet plant friend. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up! In this episode we learn:[04:13] Reintroducing Enid, why Maria is OBSESSED with alocasia, and what this episode has in store[05:19] Where can you find alocasias in nature?[06:00] With their similar beautiful features, how can you tell alocasias and anthurium apart?[07:44] What Maria loves about alocasias[08:17] Do alocasias love humidity? What kind of potting mix is ideal for them?[10:35] How often should you water your alocasias?[10:53] Is there a particular light situation that alocasias like?[12:41] What you should always remember when taking care of alocasias (or anthuriums!)[13:27] Enid shares how often she uses fertilizer and what fertilizer she uses on her alocasias[14:20] The experience behind why Maria is intimidated by alocasias[14:42] What happens to alocasias during their dormant period? What are things you can do when they are dormant?[17:42] Where to best get your garden planting needs this season![19:37] Is there a perfect starter plant for everyone? Maria compiled the best ones suited for YOU[20:55] What is a corm and how does it function for alocasias?[21:25] How do you propagate alocasias? Can you propagate from their leaves?[22:06] Enid shares the most common mistake you might be making with your alocasias![22:41] How do you save an alocasia from root rot? Can you STILL save it?[24:06] On the ground or in a pot, what’s the best way to keep alocasias upright and prevent them from tipping over?[25:13] What potting situation do alocasias prefer?[26:03] The possible explanation on why your alocasia is growing more flowers than leaves[27:21] Is preventing your alocasias’ dormancy harmful for them in the long-term?[28:53] You alocasias are actually pretty smart![29:35] Enid’s alocasia recommendations for all stages of plant parents![30:18] Maria and Enid share their stories with the hardy alocasia Polly[33:48] Maria talks about the alocasias she currently owns and her future plans for this genus!        Mentioned in our conversation:BAGR Episode Aroids 101 Part 1BAGR Episode Aroids 101 Part 2BAGR Episode Anthurium CareThe Common Cult Podcast with Heather and ErynNSE Tropicals Thank you to our episode sponsor:Territorial Seed CompanyThank you Territorial Seed Co for sponsoring today's episode! Territorial Seed Co provides high quality seeds and plants (over 2000 varieties) that are tried and tested on their 75 acre farm and have a ton of fall varieties for us to try! It's already time to start planning your 2021 garden! For seeds, plants, online garden planner, how to videos and more visit TerritorialSeed.com and use code BLOOM10 for 10% off.Take the Plant Parent Personality Test!Take the Plant Parent Personality quiz to unlock your Plant Parent Potential and get a curated list of plants, DIY planty projects and podcasts tailored specifically for your lifestyle.Follow EnidInstagram and Facebook: @NSETropicals   https://www.nsetropicals.com/index.html Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadioTiktok: @bloomandgrowradioSubscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /BloomandgrowradioWebsite: www.bloomandgrowradio.comJoin the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

So we’ve all been in a garden center and picked up a plant, or had a friend give us a cutting and look at the plant in our hands and think “ummm what is this thing?” Today’s episode is all about learning some basic skills for identifying houseplants and how to observe our plants in order to get to know them better. We are joined by Derek of The Crazy Botanist for a higher level conversation about basic houseplant identification, and how to change our thinking around plants to see them for their leaf shapes, flowers and other identifying factors instead of just a name. This episode is a nice palate cleanser that encourages us to zoom out in our relationship to plants, in addition to the intense nerdy specifics we always like to deep dive on. I hope you enjoy it. In this episode we learn:[02:05] Introducing Derek and episode key ideas[04:17] How Derek got into the plant parent life, where his obsession with plants started, and how he uses his degree in Botany![06:23] How are plants classified? What is binomial nomenclature and how is it used to classify any living organism?[09:32] Derek breaks down the hierarchy of binomial nomenclature and the questions related to each denomination[12:54] What should we be looking for when identifying houseplants? What should we keep in mind when describing plants for identification?[15:33] What is the best—and easiest!—way to identify leaves?[17:39] Derek emphasizes the importance of proper communication in plant identification[18:26] Why Maria recommends having screen-free time with your plants[19:06] Derek shares his method of identification when going plant shopping—which you can also do![21:07] A short history of plant identification methods and how the internet has made plant identification easier today[23:24] Where to get the most amazing indoor and outdoor gardening products and the best potting mixes[24:24] The best resource for your seed starting this season[26:30] How do you identify the flowers in your houseplants? Derek enumerates some factors that will help you with flower identification.[33:10] What identifying factors should you look for in stems? Do snake plants even have stems?[35:06] What are some houseplants that don’t look alike but are actually closely related?[37:03] Are there plants that look alike but are not related? Of course![38:52] How do you tell maranta, calathea, ctenanthe, and stromanthe apart?[42:59] Where does The Crazy Botanist go for plant identification resources?[46:26] Derek reiterates the importance of accessible and understandable scientific communication[48:00] A little begonia identification lesson with help from the American Begonia Society![51:20] Maria reflects on plant identification and how it helps us become better plant parents and better members of the plant communityMentioned in our conversation:American Begonia SocietyLeaf types and flower identification document Derek providedSleep Whispers PodcastThank you to our episode sponsors:Territorial Seed CompanyThank you Territorial Seed Co for sponsoring today's episode! Territorial Seed Co provides high quality seeds and plants (over 2000 varieties) that are tried and tested on their 75 acre farm and have a ton of fall varieties for us to try! It's already time to start planning your 2021 garden! For seeds, plants, online garden planner, how to videos and more visit TerritorialSeed.com and use code BLOOM10 for 10% off.Espoma OrganicEspoma Organics: for responsibly made, fabulous indoor and outdoor organic soils, fertilizers, pest control sprays and more visit espoma.com to find your local dealer or check out my amazon storefront of my favorite Espoma products here.Follow DerekInstagram @thechocolatebotanistFacebook thecrazybotanistThe Crazy Botanist Youtube Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadioTiktok: @bloomandgrowradioSubscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /BloomandgrowradioWebsite: www.bloomandgrowradio.comJoin the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When I think Jungle Vibes, anthuriums always come to mind. Their large leaves, mesmerizing vein patterns in the leaves, long slim stems and gorgeous flowers have such a prehistoric look to them. There is so much more to the world of Anthuriums besides the one you can always pick up in the grocery store, so today we welcome back the queen of the aroids, Enid from NSE tropicals to do a deep dive on Anthurium care. NSE Tropicals is one of the most sought after rare plant provider in the US. Restocks routinely sell out in minutes and we are lucky that the mastermind behind it, Enid joins us today for an in depth discussion.Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,because Enid will be back next month, to discuss Alocasia care!In this episode we learn:How Maria’s wishlist plants have changed since she first started collecting [02:15]How you can help grow the Bloom and Grow Radio community! [04:00]Enid shares the wonderful story behind the NSE Tropicals, and its 21 year-old plant collecting history! [05:11]Why anthuriums are starting to be a big trend within the plant community [06:22]The interesting environment and origins of anthuriums [06:56]Basic care tips for indoor anthuriums on soil mix and humidity [11:05]Enid’s quick plant hack on increasing humidity [13:19]How to properly water your anthuriums [14:32]What’s the optimal humidity level for indoor anthuriums? [16:37]Do different varieties of anthuriums need different types of light? [18:08]Enid shares her own observations between anthuriums in a greenhouse versus anthuriums in open-air setups [19:19]Why plant parents should always consider the natural environment of their plants [20:06]Where to best get your garden planting needs this season! [21:08]Enid explains why your leaves shouldn’t feel hot to the touch [23:27]How to REALLY know your plants according to Enid [24:11]Are anthurium leaves drooping normal? How do you differentiate between an unhappy plant and normal plant behavior? [25:31]The nasty pests you should be looking out for when taking care of anthuriums and how to get rid of them the right way [27:10]General fertilizer tips for anthuriums and Enid’s recommended brands [29:08]What is pollination for? What are inflorescences? [30:19]Enid’s top 3 anthurium recommendations for beginner plant parents [34:24]Enid’s top 3 anthurium recommendations for advanced plant parents [35:12]Maria shares her future anthurium plans and what to expect from the next episode with Enid [37:03]Mentioned in our conversation:BAGR Episode Aroids 101 Part 1BAGR Episode Aroids 101 Part 2NSE TropicalsThank you to our episode sponsor:Territorial Seed CompanyThank you Territorial Seed Co for sponsoring today's episode! Territorial Seed Co provides high quality seeds and plants (over 2000 varieties) that are tried and tested on their 75 acre farm and have a ton of fall varieties for us to try! It's already time to start planning your 2021 garden! For seeds, plants, online garden planner, how to videos and more visit TerritorialSeed.com and use code BLOOM10 for 10% off.Follow EnidInstagram and Facebook: @NSETropicals https://www.nsetropicals.com/index.htmlFollow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadioTiktok: @bloomandgrowradioSubscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /BloomandgrowradioWebsite: www.bloomandgrowradio.comJoin the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

So many of us got bitten by the outdoor gardening bug last year and learned there is no better way to connect with the food we eat.. then by growing it. My passion for growing edible plants has grown, like my space has. My first garden was a tiny box full of herbs and one tomato plant on our tiny balcony three years ago, and since then, the balcony containers grew, and now I’m excited to be in our first home with acres to farm this summer. Starting these edible plants from seed has been a bit intimidating, but in my efforts to continue growing as a plant parent, I’m ready to take the plunge and dive in. Starting from seed offers us the ability to be in control of the varieties we grow, plan in advance and save lots of money in the long run. My dear friend and mentor Joe Lamp’l- the "joe behind joe gardener" is the king of organic gardening and has an amazing seed starting course launching this week and was kind enough to stop by and give us the inside scoop on seed starting basics, and inspire us to deepen our curiosity about where food comes from and empower us to grow it ourselves.If this episode or topic inspires you...join me in Joe's 2021 Master Seed Starting Course!Enrollment is only a week long and closes February 2nd, 2021! Use my affiliate link here and get access to the private zoom call with Joe and Myself specifically for our Bloom and Grow Community! We will have the call in March, after we have all binged the course, and troubleshoot our specific questions with Joe and grow as a community together!In this episode we learn:[00:00:10] Maria shares her favorite experiences and benefits of seed starting[00:02:11] Where to get the best seeds for your spring and summer gardens this year[00:06:20] Joe demystifies seed starting and why you shouldn’t be nervous about starting your own garden![00:07:24] What Joe does for a living and where you can check out for more of his gardening tips[00:09:39] Why Joe emphasizes understanding the why’s of gardening and plant parenthood[00:10:17] Maria shares her own experience with growing seeds and why she didn’t give it a ‘real shot’ prior[00:11:12] Joe talks about the rewarding feeling of starting from a seed versus seedling[00:12:43] The sense of ownership that seed starting instills in us[00:13:31] How growing your own garden expands your food choices[00:14:26] What Maria learned about seed starting versus seedlings when she grew her own tomatoes[00:16:47] Joe answers the question we’re all thinking about: how much do we need for a successful seed starting setup?[00:16:56] Breaking down the materials, the costs, the alternatives, and the conditions you need for seed starting[00:22:14] What kind of soil is ideal for seed starting?[00:24:10] Joe’s recommendations for seed tray sizes, compartment depth, and seed tray materials[00:28:06] When is the best time to start on your seeds? What is the most important date you need to know when growing your own seeds?[00:30:20] Where Maria is sourcing her seeds from for this gardening season[00:33:55] Do seeds have an expiration date? Joe emphasizes the importance of buying seeds from a good and established company[00:35:40] Do we need to be looking out for non-GMO seeds?[00:36:19] Is it possible to grow the seed of a fruit that you just ate? Joe discusses the difference between hybrid and open pollinated non-hybrid[00:38:17] Now that you’ve got your seed starting setup, how do you put your seeds in the soil?[00:39:01] What is the ideal light situation for seed starting?[00:39:38] The step-by-step process of seed starting, what you should expect when you’ve planted your seeds, and the most intensive part of the process according to Joe[00:43:10] The process of thinning and why Maria finds it SO frustrating[00:45:38] Is there a right and only way to germinate your seeds? For Maria’s mom, a damp towel in a Ziploc bag is the way to go[00:46:30] How to check if your seeds are still good[00:47:50] How does cold stratification work and why do some plants need it? Joe explains the what’s, the why’s, and the how’s of this process[00:49:46] What you can learn from Joe’s Master Seed Starting class[00:50:38] The importance of building an engaged and active community of seed starters[00:54:57] An exciting offer from Joe and Maria on how to be a better seed starter![00:57:41] What Maria is excited about with her seed starting this season!        Mentioned in our conversation:Take the Master Seed Starting Course with me!Enrollment is only a week long and closes February 2nd, 2021! Use my affiliate link here and get access to the private zoom call with Joe and Myself specifically for our Bloom and Grow Community! We will have the call in March, after we have all binged the course, and troubleshoot our specific questions with Joe and grow as a community together!BAGR Episode Living, Potted Christmas Trees with Joe Lamp’lBAGR Episode Fall Garden Plants and Projects with Joe Lamp’lBAGR Episode Talking Tomatoes with Craig LeHoullier and My MOMCultivating Place Podcast by Jennifer Jewell Thank you to our episode sponsors:These two sponsors are the perfect combination for seed starting!Use Espoma Organic Seed Starting mix paired with Territorial Seed Company seeds and seed starting accessories! That's what I'll be doing!Territorial Seed CompanyThank you Territorial Seed Co for sponsoring today's episode! Territorial Seed Co provides high quality seeds and plants (over 2000 varieties) that are tried and tested on their 75 acre farm and have a ton of fall varieties for us to try! It's already time to start planning your 2021 garden! For seeds, plants, online garden planner, how to videos and more visit TerritorialSeed.com and use code BLOOM10 for 10% off.Espoma OrganicEspoma Organics: for responsibly made, fabulous indoor and outdoor organic soils, fertilizers, pest control sprays and more visit espoma.com to find your local dealer or check out my amazon storefront of my favorite Espoma products here. Follow JoeTake the Master Seed Starting Course with me! Enrollment is only a week long and closes February 2nd, 2021! Use my affiliate link here and get access to the private zoom call with the Bloom and Grow Community with Joe and Myself to troubleshoot our questions after we take the course! joe gardener website - joegardener.comThe joe gardener show Podcasts - joegardener.com/podcastjoe gardener Newsletter - https://growingagreenerworld.lpages.co/joegardener-group-membership-sign-up/joe gardener Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/joegardenerTV/joe gardener Facebook Group -https://www.facebook.com/groups/joegardener/joe gardener Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joegardener/joe gardenerTV YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/joegardenerTV joe gardener Twitter - https://twitter.com/joegardenerjoe gardener Online Gardening Academy - joegardener.com/learnGrowing a Greener World - growingagreenerworld.comGGWTV YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/ggwtvFollow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:Take the Bloom and Grow Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadioTiktok: @bloomandgrowradioSubscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /BloomandgrowradioWebsite: www.bloomandgrowradio.comJoin the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.