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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The woods may be lovely, dark and deep, but most Iowa woodlands are plagued with invasive species. On this episode, we talk with DNR District Forester Mark Vitosh about the non-native invasive plants that we should be concerned about in Iowa forests and some management techniques. -
One of the perennial questions we field is when to plant grass seed. The answer is right now. On this episode we talk with Iowa State University turfgrass specialist Adam Thoms about seeding and overseeding your lawn. We also talk about the fall lawn chores you should have on your horizon.
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It’s state fair season and the Iowa State Fair has a competition for everything from biggest boar to longest beard to the best pie. But one contest puts people’s knowledge of backyard weeds to the test. We hear from the participants at the Iowa State Fair Weed Identification Contest.
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Eating a ripe tomato fresh from the garden is one of the true pleasures of summer, but growing tomatoes can be challenging — especially if your plants get hit by disease. In this episode, we talk about tomatoes and their many diseases with Chelsea Harbach, plant disease diagnostician with the Iowa State University Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic.
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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.
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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.