Garden Variety
Every Friday throughout the growing season
Whether you're a master gardener, just getting started or somewhere in between — there's always something new to learn in your garden. That's where Garden Variety comes in. On each episode, we talk with horticulturists, foresters and other experts. We learn about vegetable gardens, lawns, native plants, trees and more. Garden Variety is the podcast for all the things you'd like to grow — or grow better.
Garden Variety is a collaboration between Iowa Public Radio and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Latest Episodes
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While some of us are making the most of the last few weeks of summer, other folks are ready to move on to fall. Demand for iconic autumnal plants and colors starts earlier every year. On this episode, we talk with ISU Extension Horticulture Specialist Randall Vos about producing fall plants on demand. -
If your yard and landscape look worse for the wear after a few weeks extreme heat, maybe it's time to think about a refresh. On this episode, Iowa State University Extension Horticulture Specialist Aaron Steil joins us. He tells us about the beautiful perennials that thrive in the heat of summer.
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We are at the height of the season for homegrown produce. Iowa State University Extension Horticulture Specialist Dan Filius guides us through the bounty of this time of year and share some advice for harvesting and storing potatoes, onions and garlic.
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Warm season crops like tomatoes and green beans need consistent warmth to thrive, and it may seem like they love the heat, but when it gets too hot some of our favorite vegetables go on strike. On this episode, we talk with entomologist Laura Iles about how heat affects pollination and pollinators.
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Thanks to storms and severe weather, tree limbs are down while tree stress is up. But there are ways to help the timber in your area and to keep damage from happening. We talk with Iowa State University professor of horticulture Jeff Iles about helping trees with storm damage, as well as preventative measures to consider before the next round of severe weather.
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Native plants improve biodiversity and help local insects and wildlife thrive. Dani Gehr sits in for Charity Nebbe, and she talks with Iowa State Extension horticulture specialist Ray Kruse about what natives have succeeded in his garden and what plants he's needed to pull.
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There are a lot of different factors that can derail a fruit crop, even after your blossoms have survived the last frost. It was a tough spring for many fruit crops, but if you are lucky enough to have some fruit on your tree, there are a few things you can do to help them thrive. Iowa State Extension Horticulture Specialist Randall Vos joins us to discuss what we should be doing when it comes to summer fruit management.
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Often called the "queen of climbers," clematis are known for their beautiful blooms and ability to add height to your garden. These vining members of the buttercup family make a beautiful addition to almost any yard and they are in full bloom right now. Cindy Haynes, professor of Horticulture at Iowa State University and Aaron Steil, Iowa State University Extension Horticulture Specialist join the program to tell us about growing and caring for clematis.
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When you flip through the pages of your favorite garden catalog, your eye might be caught by any number of new varieties of your favorite plants. All of the new plants at your garden center or in that garden catalog have to be tried and tested before they make it to market. Horticulturist Jessie Liebenguth of Reiman Gardens joins the show to talk about how new plant varieties are tested, and we'll find out about some of her favorites.