Plantrama - plants, landscapes, & bringing nature indoors
264 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 184 ratingsEllen Zachos and C.L. Fornari help you discover the amazing world of plants: in the garden, in the wild, and on your plate. They show you how to grow plants successfully, how to enjoy your natural surroundings, and how to make the most of your harvest, whether it's cultivated or foraged. (Spoiler alert: they don't always agree!) You'll find three different topics in each episode, plus email questions from listeners.
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Episodes
Houseplant Fertilizers, Avocados and Cranberry Plants
November 12, 2020 12:00 - 23 minutes - 44.3 MBHear Ellen and C.L. discuss fertilizers for houseplants, the amazing avocado, and cranberries, wild and cultivated. :30 True or False: You have to use special fertilizer for each type of indoor plant. 5:23 Eat/Drink/Grow: Avocados are AMAZING! 14:40 Love Letters and Questions: Do cranberries grow under water?
Juniper Berries, Begonias and Orchid Pots
November 05, 2020 12:00 - 24 minutes - 44.9 MBLearn 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 you need special orchid pots for your orchids? 20:40 Love Letters and Questions: Mark: My cat continues to want to climb my large monstera and dracanea plants! Link to American Begonia Society: https://www.begonias.org/
Parsley, Garden Destinations and Evergreens On Balconies
October 29, 2020 11:00 - 24 minutes - 45.8 MBIn 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 indoor plants. :28 What’s For Dinner: Parsley. 6:42 Eat/Drink/Grow: Plan a garden trip for next spring or summer. 13:55 Insider Information: Plant supports for indoor plants 22:36 Love Letters and Questions: Yolanda wrote to ask what evergreen she might pl...
Propagating Succulents, Insect Lifecycles, and Collecting Rainwater
October 22, 2020 11:00 - 23 minutes - 43.5 MBC.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 with a discussion about collecting rainwater for houseplants. :30 Plant Noob: How to propagate succulents 9:41 Eat/Drink/Grow: Life cycle of most insects… 18:42 Love Letters and Questions: Paul writes: “A friend told me that I should be collecting rainwater for my houseplants. True?”
Pumpkin Spice Plantrama
October 15, 2020 11:00 - 24 minutes - 46.3 MBFor 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 plants that produce the flavors in the most popular seasonal latte offered at local coffee shops. :30 True or False: Allspice is a mix of several spices. 3:44 Eat/Drink/Grow: Where do real pumpkin spices come from? 22:32 Love Letters and Questions Megan writes to ask if dried herbs and spices can go bad. Painted pumpkin faces...
Fertilizing, Fall Cocktails, and Houseplants
October 08, 2020 11:00 - 28 minutes - 53.6 MBWe’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 fertilize gardens. 4:38 Eat/Drink/Grow: Fall Cocktails and other garden or plant-based beverages. 17:58 The Plant Noob: Cleaning up houseplants when you bring them back inside. Repotting now? Cut back? Fertilize? Insects? 26:24 Love Letters and Questions: Liz ...
Vegetable Garden Wrap-up, Dandelions and Chestnuts
October 01, 2020 11:00 - 27 minutes - 50.7 MBIt’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 about dandelion foliage in the lawn. :35 What’s For Dinner: Chestnuts! 8:02 Eat/Drink/Grow: Veggie Garden Wrap Up 22:35 Love Letters and Questions: Neil emails about the dandelions in his lawn. Link to Ellen’s recipe for chestnut soup. Link to Ellen’s recipe fo...
Perennial Plants and Perennial Gardens in Fall
September 24, 2020 13:45 - 23 minutes - 43.7 MBHear 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 “bunny bin.” :40 Plant Noob: What is “the canopy?” 2:26 Insider Information: the “bunny bin” 5:54 Book Review: Herbaceous Perennial Plants – Fourth Edition by Allan Armitage 10:19 Eat/Drink/Grow: The perennial garden in autumn. 22:13 Love Letters and Questions...
Cherry Tomatoes, Silverberry and Saving Seed
September 17, 2020 14:00 - 25 minutes - 48 MBIn 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 What’s for dinner: Silverberry and Cherry Tomatoes 7:27 Eat/Drink/Grow: Saving Seeds. When to do so, how to save, pros and cons. 16:32 True or False: Fall is the best time for planting. 22:14 Love Letters and Questions From Jenna: using carrot tops.
Mint, Outdoor Pots in Winter, and Transplanting in Fall
September 10, 2020 11:00 - 24 minutes - 44.8 MBEllen 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 question about transplanting in the fall. :42 What’s For Dinner: What Can You Do With Mint? 7:43 Eat/Drink/Grow: Keeping Plants in Pots Through the Winter 19:47 Love Letters and Questions: Sandra emailed to ask if September is a good time to move shrubs.
Preserving Herbs, Pruning Large Shrubs and Cannabis Not Budding
September 03, 2020 11:00 - 23 minutes - 44.6 MBLearn 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. Our sponsor today is Territorial Seeds. :40 True or False: Lack of calcium in the soil causes blossom end rot in tomatoes 8:05 Eat/Drink/Grow: Preserving Herbs 16:42 Insider Information: Limbing Large Shrubs UP 20:43 Love Letters and Questions: Cannabis not budd...
Eggplant, Frost Protection, Drying White Hydrangeas
August 27, 2020 11:00 - 29 minutes - 54.6 MBC.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 Insider Information: Protecting fall crops if an early freeze is predicted. 16:56 Eat/Drink/Grow: Taking cuttings of woody plants and tender perennials. 26:26 Love Letters and Questions: Kya writes to ask if she can dry her Hydrangea paniculata flowers
Sedges and, Grasses, and Mildew, Oh MY!
August 20, 2020 11:00 - 27 minutes - 53 MBIn 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. :39 Plant Noob: Sedges, grasses and rushes. 9:19 Eat/Drink/Grow: A deep dive into MILDEW. 23:44 Love Letters and Questions: Ellen asks where to find the plants we speak about.
Vegetables Crossing, Planting After Tree Removal and Tomato Leaves
August 13, 2020 11:00 - 22 minutes - 41.8 MBWondering 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 tomato leaves. :37 True or False: Zucchini can cross with pumpkins so that you get weird fruit. 3:11 Eat/Drink/Grow: Why a plant might not grow when put near where a tree used to be. 13:27 Plant Noob – Inexpensive plants for shade? An email from Madeline. 16:44 Love...
Flower Power Cocktails, Vines, and Planting For Fall Vegetables
August 06, 2020 11:00 - 24 minutes - 45.8 MBHear 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 listener’s question about fall vegetable plantings. :45 What’s For Dinner: Flower Power Summer Cocktails 6:08 Eat/Drink/Grow: Vines – how they grow, when to go annual or perennial. 16:07 Insider Information: How to tell male from female flowers on summer squash 20:42...
Your Outdoor Office, a Deep Dive into Daylilies and Mosquitos
July 30, 2020 11:00Ellen 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 question about controlling mosquitos. :32 Your Outdoor Office: Still working from home? You need greenery. 4:47 Eat/Drink/Grow: A Deep Dive into Daylilies. 16:58 Love Letters and Questions: Paul asks if there is a natural way to help control mosquitos and if some plants really repel them.
Your Outdoor Office, a Deep Dive into Daylilies and Mosquitos
July 30, 2020 11:00Ellen 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 question about controlling mosquitos. :32 Your Outdoor Office: Still working from home? You need greenery. 4:47 Eat/Drink/Grow: A Deep Dive into Daylilies. 16:58 Love Letters and Questions: Paul asks if there is a natural way to help control mosquitos and if some plants really repel them.
Your Outdoor Office, a Deep Dive into Daylilies and Mosquitos
July 30, 2020 11:00 - 22 minutes - 42.2 MBEllen 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 question about controlling mosquitos. :32 Your Outdoor Office: Still working from home? You need greenery. 4:47 Eat/Drink/Grow: A Deep Dive into Daylilies. 16:58 Love Letters and Questions: Paul asks if there is a natural way to help control mosquitos and if some plants really repel them.
Zucchini Mania, Plants That Change Spontaneously, and Top Foraging Plants
July 23, 2020 11:00 - 23 minutes - 44.8 MBHear 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 segment we’ll talk about why a plant might change growth habits, or develop different foliage and flower colors. 1:30 What’s for dinner: It’s zucchini mania! 8:45 Insider Information: Ellen’s Backyard Foraging Calendar is out! 11:32 Eat/Drink/Grow: Why some pl...
Bolting vegetables, Houseplants Outdoors, and Tree Transplantations
July 16, 2020 11:00 - 25 minutes - 47.6 MBWondering why your salad, broccoli or radishes are flowering? Thinking that the houseplants you put out for the summer aren’t looking fantastic? Learn about attractively arranging houseplants outside, summer orchid care, what “bolting” means in the veggie garden, and a good time to transplant a tree. :30 Plant Noob: Why some vegetables “bolt” 8:53 Eat/Drink/Grow: Summer orchid care, houseplants at summer camp, and using indoor plants for outdoor décor 22:55 Love Letters and Questio...
Mulch and Nitrogen, Smartweeds, and Aliens in Junipers
July 09, 2020 11:00 - 20 minutes - 39.3 MBEllen 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. We give you the scoop on two informative webinars for anyone interested in growing hydrangeas, and answer a question about the odd, jelly-like forms that a listener has found on some junipers. 1:42 True or False: Mulch robs the soil of nitrogen. 6:21 Eat/Drink/Grow: Is your weed smart or knot? 12:31 Insider Information: Hydrangea ...
Omelets, Peonies, Oak Galls and Soap in the Garden
July 02, 2020 11:00 - 27 minutes - 51.8 MBThis 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, how to control mildew and more. Finally, we clue you in about the fascinating (and mostly harmless) round growths on oak leaves, and advise a listener about the use of soap in the garden. :33 What’s For Dinner Omelet Ideas, Farmed and Foraged 6:36 Eat/Drink/Grow: Peonie...
Weed Control, Brambles, and Pinching Cannabis
June 25, 2020 11:00 - 25 minutes - 47 MBIf 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 for bushy growth, this episode will help. Plus foraging for pineapple weed and growing pineapple sage. :35 What’s for dinner: Pineapple weed, pineapple sage 6:32 Insider Information: When to use a hoe to control weeds in vegetable/annual/perennial gardens. 9:33 Eat/Drink/Grow: Brambles! Black raspberries, blackberries, rasp...
Pruning to Reduce Size, Pine needles and Milkweed
June 18, 2020 11:00 - 24 minutes - 44.8 MBEllen 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 sponsor at Rainwand.com 1:15 Plant Noob: Can I make my shrub or tree smaller? 8:49 Eat/Drink/Grow: A deep dive into Milkweed. 17:15 True or False: Putting pine needles in a compost bin. 19:39 Love Letters and Questions: How to take care of a flowe...
Eggshells, Roses and Growing Tall Verbena
June 18, 2020 00:50 - 27 minutes - 51.7 MBThis 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 for the vegetable garden. 4:31 Eat/Drink/Grow: Roses in early summer. 25:16 Love Letters and Questions: From Billie about Verbena bonariensis
Early June Edibles, Vegetable Garden Problems, and Repotting Houseplants
June 04, 2020 11:00 - 25 minutes - 47.3 MBIf 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 holes and bites out of young plants, hear how to repot houseplants now, and find out which indoor plants should be sent “to summer camp.” :39 What’s For Dinner Planting in early June 5:00 Eat/Drink/Grow: Seeds that don’t germinate, seedlings that disappear, and young plants that are being eaten. 19:29 Insider Information: Repotting hous...
Apricots, Cucamelons, Weed Management and Angels Trumpets
May 28, 2020 11:00 - 22 minutes - 42.7 MBHear 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 What’s for dinner: Unripe Apricots and cucamelons. 7:04 Insider Information: Planting for easier weed management. 13:43 Eat/Drink/Grow: Growing Brugmansia, aka Angel’s Trumpets 19:44 Love Letters and Questions: Kipper wonders what “thinning” means.
Fertilizing, Flowering Vines, and Elderberries
May 21, 2020 11:00 - 22 minutes - 42.9 MBEllen 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 poison ivy and poison oak and Ellen explains the difference between elderberry shrubs. :38 True or False: I need to fertilize all my gardens every year, right? 8:43 Eat/Drink/Grow: Flowering Vines 17:37 Product Review: Zanfel for Poison Ivy/Poison Oak 20:51 Love Letters and Questions From one of the attendees of the Northwee...
Dividing Perennials, Herb Gardens and Pruning Lilacs
May 14, 2020 11:00 - 23 minutes - 43.4 MBLearn 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 Plant Noob: Dividing perennials - how, why and when. 9:13 Eat/Drink/Grow: Herb Garden Questions from the Northwest Flower and Garden Festival 20:57 Love Letters and Questions: When should I prune lilacs and wisteria.
Dandelion Flowers, Foodscaping, and A Plant That Won_t Flower
May 07, 2020 11:00 - 24 minutes - 45.5 MB: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. In this episode, brought to you by Dramm Rainwands, we talk about eating dandelion flowers, foodscaping, and what to do with a plant that won’t flower. Is fertilizer the answer?
Galvanized Containers, Cocktail Ingredient Plants and Other Q&A
April 30, 2020 11:00 - 24 minutes - 46.2 MBLearn 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 grounds, and C.L.’s favorite variety of kale. Plus more questions that came in from the audience at the Northwest Flower and Garden Festival in Seattle. :40 Just For Fun: Galvanized containers for plants. 5:25 Eat/Drink/Grow: Questions from Seattle Flower Show 16:04 Lo...
Cocktails With Flower Power
April 23, 2020 11:00 - 17 minutes - 32.9 MBThis 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 flower-fueled cocktails you can make.
Flower Power and the Cocktail Hour, Places and Plants
April 16, 2020 11:00 - 23 minutes - 43.2 MBThis 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 create a flower-filled environment for gathering in the evening.
Box Store Plants, Bamboo and Saving a Money Tree
April 09, 2020 11:00 - 25 minutes - 46.9 MBIn 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: Box store plants are raised using neonicotinoids 4:54 Eat/Drink/Grow: Bamboo 20:25 Love Letters and Questions: A listener asks if her money tree houseplant can be saved
Lettuce Wraps, Coriander and Replacing Ugly Junipers
April 02, 2020 11:00 - 24 minutes - 46.6 MBBe 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 Eat/Drink/Grow: Coriander 14:44 Insider Information: What are plant pheromones?20:09 Love Letters and Questions: Don asks what to do with ugly junipers.
Chopped Salad, Leaf Spot Fungus, and Attracting Hummingbirds
March 26, 2020 11:00 - 26 minutes - 49.7 MBThis podcast will inspire you to create more chopped salads, explain leaf spot fungus, and provide a list of plants that will attract hummingbirds. We also explain some flower terminology and answer a curious listener’s email. :40 What’s for dinner: “Chopped Salad” 5:18 Insider Information: Leaf spot fungus. 17:00 Eat/Drink/Grow: Plants to Attract Hummingbirds 22:08 Did You Know: Difference between a single, semi-double, and double flower forms. 25: 08 Love Letters and Questio...
Make Plant-able Pot, Low Maintenance Perennials and A Cannabis Book Review
March 19, 2020 11:00 - 25 minutes - 47.1 MB: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 Love Letters and Questions Pippa asks about using products that make houseplants have shiny leaves. Link to the YouTube video about making square newspaper pots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dlGQP81yfo The list of perennials we covered: Peony (Paeonia) Bu...
Too Much Manure, Salt in Soils, and A Plant Threesome
March 12, 2020 11:00 - 20 minutes - 38.6 MBIn 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 soil. :47 Did You Know: From the world of Plant Science: salty soils 3:50 True or False: You can aerate your lawn by walking on it with golf shoes. 7:57 Eat/Drink/Grow: Lichen: The plant that’s a threesome? 14:44 Love Letters and Questions: Tim writes, “Is ...
Spring Tonic Salads, Lemon Balm Herb, and Coconut Coir
March 05, 2020 12:00 - 21 minutes - 40.4 MBGet 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 coir. :31 What’s For Dinner: Spring tonic salads 4:28 Eat/Drink/Grow: A plant that’s native in one place (and oh-so-beneficial) might be harmful in another location. 13:01 Insider Information: All about the herb called Lemon Balm. 17:38 Love Letters and Questions Cory ...
Plantrama Reviews, Discovering New Plants, and Succulents for Boxes
February 27, 2020 12:00 - 24 minutes - 46.3 MBThis 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 about her boxes in San Francisco. :30 Insider Information – Plant Reviews: Burpee Silky Sweet Hybrid turnip and Agastache ‘Glowing Embers’ from High Country Gardens 6:01 Eat/Drink/Grow: What to do if you’ve found/discovered a new plant. 19:24 Love Letters and Question...
Cannas, Easy Perennials From Seed, and Wild Wintergreen
February 20, 2020 12:00 - 24 minutes - 46.1 MBDiscover why you should grow Cannas, hear about easy perennials to grow from seed (more plants!), and learn about the wild wintergreen plant…teaberry flavor from a foraged berry? :28 Plant Noob: Cannas – how, when, where, why. We mention ordering from Brent and Becky's Bulbs. 8:56 Eat/Drink/Grow: The easiest Perennials to grow from seed. 20:31 Love Letters and Questions: Nathan emailed us to ask about wintergreen berries.
Windowboxes, Easy Vegetables from Seed, and Bad Garden Advice
February 13, 2020 12:00 - 24 minutes - 46.6 MBEllen 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 Plantrama 1 2 3: I want to put window boxes on the front of my house. 8:20 True or False: Putting used diapers in the bottom of a hanging basket! 11:20 Eat/Drink/Grow: Easiest Vegetables to Grow From Seed 20:22 Love Letters and Questions: Harry asks ”Is it too late to w...
Fritters, Easy Annuals From Seed and a Career Building Vacation
February 06, 2020 12:00 - 26 minutes - 50.3 MBIn 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 Dinner: Fritters Foraged and Farmed Ellen’s Fritter recipe here. 6:50 Eat/Drink/Grow: Easiest Annuals To Grow From Seed 21:31 Love Letters and Questions: Two opportunities to meet us and learn more about plants. Northwest Flower and Garden Show GardenComm Sav...
Lasagna Without Pasta, Seed Starting Terms, and Flapjack Plant
January 30, 2020 12:00 - 23 minutes - 44 MBYou 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 end with a discussion about the succulent flapjack plant (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora). :30 What’s For Dinner: Lasagna without the pasta. 5:26 Eat/Drink/Grow: Thinning, damping off, and “seed leaves” – some seed starting basic terms. 18:41 Love Letters and Questions Emma writes about a flapjack plant.
Bitters, Terrariums, and Heat For Seed Germination
January 23, 2020 12:00 - 28 minutes - 52.2 MBThis 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 about using heat mats for starting seeds. :30 What’s for dinner: Bitters. The link to Ellen's Recipes for bitters. 9:07 Eat/Drink/Grow: Terrariums 23:57 Love Letters and Questions: Hannah writes, “Do I need to use heat mats?”
Roses, Mealy Bug, and Sensitive Plants
January 16, 2020 12:00 - 20 minutes - 37.9 MBWe 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 from a listener about the sensitive plant, a mimosa with leaves that close when you touch them. :29 Plant Noob: The types of roses. 9:30 Eat/Drink/Grow: Mealy Bug. 17:12 Love Letters and Questions Byron writes that he’s a parent and wants to find some Sensitive Plant for...
Monstera Plants and Growing Your Own Wedding
January 09, 2020 12:00 - 22 minutes - 41.8 MBDo 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 plant. In the main segment we discuss options for DIY brides…or anyone planning to have a large event in their yard or garden. The episode ends by talking about what type of lights are needed for starting vegetable seedlings. :33 Plantrama 1 – 2 – 3: “I want to grow a Monstera plant.” 4:41 Eat/Drink/Grow: Grow Your Own Wedding. 17:02 Love...
Nachos, Clivia, Dormancy, and Frosty Fern
January 02, 2020 12:00 - 20 minutes - 39.2 MBIn 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 seen here. 5:07 Eat/Drink/Grow: Considering Clivia 13:25 Did You Know: What is a “dormant period” and do plants need one? 18:29 Love Letters and Questions: Meghan writes to ask how to keep her ‘frosty fern’ alive.
Heavy Amaryllis Flowers, Seed Catalogs and Houseplant Vacation Care
December 26, 2019 12:00 - 23 minutes - 44 MBIn 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 Fred’s question about how he can keep his houseplants alive when he’s away on vacation. Plus a link to The Wild Spice Cabinet, Ellen’s online course. :30 What’s for dinner: Using Sumac as a spice. Check out Ellen's Foraged Spice Class Here. 5:39 Insider Information: Sup...
Taming Overgrown or Too Large Gardens and Garden Design Tips
December 19, 2019 12:00 - 25 minutes - 47.3 MBWe 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 Kerry’s request for different holiday plant suggestions. :30 Plant Noob: The importance of digging a large enough hole. 6:21 Eat/Drink/Grow: What to do if your garden beds have “gotten away from you.” 17:27 Garden Design Tips: Straight lines are formal, groups are...