Have you ever thought about the healing power of plants beyond just their aesthetic appeal? As plant parents, we know how much fun it is to take care of our plants, but did you know that therapeutic horticulture is a practice being used in hospitals, retirement homes, and even correctional facilities? Today, we're exploring the concept of therapeutic horticulture with the guidance of expert teacher Hilda Krus, who has been a horticultural therapist for over two decades, working with inmates at Rikers Island, New York's largest jail. Let’s dive in!

In this episode, we learn:

• [08:16] How Hilda Krus became a therapeutic horticulture expert
• [17:06] What is AHDA?
• [21:07] Is horticultural therapy the same as therapeutic horticulture?
• [24:34] Need a plant-based meal delivery system that eases bloat and boosts energy?
• [27:41] How creating a comfortable and easy space in a garden requires intentional work
• [31:53] What lessons did Hilda learn after working at Rikers Island for 20 years?
• [42:15] How can horticultural therapy programs get government funding?
• [49:09] Hilda describes her routine and a student's typical day at Rikers
• [51:21] What is the layout of the garden at Rikers Island?
• [53:46] How is the food they grow on-site at Rikers Island being used?
• [56:26] Did any of Hilda's students choose to work in horticulture after finishing her class?
• [59:14] Are you looking to create a spa-like ambiance in your home with beautiful chimes? 
• [01:01:37] Inspiring stories in Rikers' therapeutic horticultural program
• [01:03:56] What is the Horticultural Society of New York?
• [01:11:03] What classes does Hilda teach at NYBG?
• [01:12:13] Hilda’s recommended horticultural books!

Check out the Therapeutic Horticulture Summer Intensive at the NYBG!

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Soil Science I
• Introduction to Plant Science
• The Science of Tree Communication
• Introduction to Horticultural Therapy
• Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate Program
• Growing Joy Episode 37: Horticultural Therapy
• American Horticultural Therapy Association
• Horticultural Society of New York
• Book by Sue Stuart-Smith The Well-Gardened Mind
• Book by Rebecca L. Haller, Christine L. Capra Horticultural Therapy Methods

For more insights on therapeutic horticulture,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Sakara

Make eating healthier easier with science-backed, plant-rich nutrition programs and wellness essentials right to your door! Sakara provides ready-to-eat meals that are nutritionally designed to deliver results — from weight management and eased bloat, to boosted energy and clearer skin. Enjoy delicious meals that have a perfect balance of plants,protein and fats, while also taking control of your physical health.

Get 20% off your first order when you use code "GROWINGJOY" at sakara.com.

Wind River Chimes

Bring more peace, serenity, and magic into your home with chimes. Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. If you are looking for a new way to grow joy in your life and find a moment of peace, a Wind River chime is the perfect addition for your home or garden. Plus, it's a perfect personalized gift for your loved ones!

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on all Corinthian Bells wind chimes.

Follow the Horticultural Society:

Hilda’s LinkedIn

Website

Instagram

Twitter

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Did you know that plants can also be friends? If you’ve followed me on Instagram this year, you will know about the love affair I am having at The Lodge at Woodloch, a luxury resort and spa, about an hour from where I live. A very interesting aspect of the Lodge at Woodloch is the Blackmore Farm, their regenerative organic farm that grew 9500 lbs of produce for the Lodge’s Restaurant last year! And it is run by only two guys, Sam and Derrick, whom I’ve invited to share their passion for soil biology and sustainable gardening… and to spill all the beans (pun intended) on their companion planting secrets!

In this episode, we learn:

• [08:09] How The Lodge at Woodloch’s farm developed over the years
• [12:20] What is the significance and meaning of companion planting?
• [13:10] The "fruit, root, leaf, aromatic herb, and flower" formula for companion planting
• [14:05] The relationship between plant taste and companion planting
• [14:46] Borage, Borage, Borage!
• [16:46] Where can you get a huge selection of flowers, herbs, vegetables, and fruits this winter?
• [18:15] Philosophy behind The Lodge’s motto and how it can be applied to small-scale gardens
• [26:04] How did Sam and Derrick begin their journey into gardening without formal degrees in agriculture?
• [28:59] Gardening's growing popularity and valuable lessons from experienced gardeners
• [30:03] Benefits of using borage as a trap crop in the garden
• [34:26] Why it’s important to harvest companion plants as they mature
• [37:01] How companion planting helps you to stay on top of pests and diseases
• [38:42] When planting potatoes, are you supposed to remove the roots along with the greens of shallow-rooted greens?
• [39:12] What to do if the roots of the greens and onions become intertwined
• [39:21] Is it harmful to remove roots from the soil?
• [42:18] How often does The Lodge use natural pesticides?
• [45:10] Direct sow or pot-start: which is best for planting established seedlings?
• [46:43] What should you plant withA annual flowers like zinnias or sunflowers?
• [49:36] What’s a good companion plant for roses?
• [52:08] Best way to plant potato leeks
• [53:43] What does “blanching” mean?
• [55:26] A few tips for succession planning
• [59:32] Where can you find Sam and Derrick work on social media?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• The Biggest Little Farm
• Grow bag
• The Lodge at Woodloch Passion Classes

For Sam and Derrick's fave companion planting combos,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

Don't let the winter blues stop you from gardening! Skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy plants right to your door. They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. Whether you are looking for leafy veggies, flowers or edible plants in either seed or seedling form, Territorial Seed Company has your back.

Get 10% off by visiting territorialseed.com/growingjoy - discount applied at checkout.

Follow The Lodge at Woodloch:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Plant friends, we are changing things up. We're taking a detour from our typical long-form content to introduce a new format — mini-episodes — taken from our rich conversations. These episodes are meant to be your bite-sized lessons about how to use nature to bring joy into your life. And in this first episode, inspired by our recent interview on aromatic gardening, we’re going to talk about 5 practical steps to incorporate scent into our daily routines.

In this episode, we learn:

• [00:26] What these mini-episodes are about
• [01:18] Why smell is important for memory and stress relief
• [02:39] #1 Going for a restorative post-rain walk
• [03:21] #2 Utilizing essential oils
• [03:59] Different ways to diffuse essential oils
• [04:43] Some essential oils and plants you can use!
• [06:04] #3 Growing scented plants (if you’re not into oils)
• [08:06] #4 Interplanting aromatic plants with edible plants
• [08:39] #5 Making yourself a mini bouquet

Check out the 5 tips in detail,

read the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Do you love the smell of fresh flowers or the aroma that wafts through your home as you cook with herbs? Smell might not be the first thing we think of when it comes to gardening, but it's actually a super powerful way to bring joy to our gardens! In fact, our sense of smell has strong associations with our long-term memories and emotions. Today, we're chatting with my friend Amy Anthony, a certified clinical aromatherapist and aromatic gardener, who will share her expertise on how aromatic gardening can cultivate joy, calm, and memories through scent.

In this episode, we learn:

• [05:08] How Amy's passion for plants led to her expertise in aromatherapy
• [06:46] How the process of obtaining an aromatherapy certification works
• [09:33] How scents can trigger memories through the olfactory system
• [14:28] Is the connection between the olfactory system and the brain due to the nose's proximity?
• [16:57] Where can you find high-quality potting mix and fertilizer for your garden?
• [19:06] Are you searching for personalized and premium wind chimes for Mother's Day?
• [22:37] What is aromatic gardening and which plants are its focus?
• [24:54] Various plants that repel pests or deer
• [26:26] Can you easily grow aromatic plants, distill their oil, and use it at home?
• [27:41] Why you should add aromatic plants to your garden 
• [30:57] Amy grows aromatic plants to make tea, hydrosols, and tinctures
• [34:51] What are the recommended methods for brewing lemon balm tea?
• [36:56] What’s your go-to resource for identifying plant diseases, preventing animal damage, and setting up a successful garden?
• [37:52] Amy's recommended plants to promote relaxation
• [40:09] Which plants are ideal for an afternoon energy boost?
• [42:31] Which plants promote connection with oneself or others in the context of aromatherapy or sensuality?
• [45:50] What non-culinary herbs should you try growing?
• [49:20] Which staple plant is recommended for aromatic gardening?
• [53:04] Where can you find Amy on social media?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Book by Dr. Qing Li Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness
• Poem by Twyla M. Hansen The Other Woman
• NYC Aromatica Plant Talks
• NYC Aromatica Online Classes

For a list of herbs, flowers, and their benefits,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

Bring more peace, serenity, and magic into your home with chimes. Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. If you are looking for a new way to grow joy in your life and find a moment of peace, a Wind River chime is the perfect addition for your home or garden. Plus, it's a perfect personalized gift for your loved ones!

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on all Corinthian Bells wind chimes.

Espoma Organic

Make sure your aromatic herbs and plants are getting the right nutrients! Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To top it all off, they have a huge sustainability commitment with a 100% solar powered plant, zero waste manufacturing and eco-friendly packaging.

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

The Vegetable Garden Problem Solver Handbook by Susan Mulvihill

This gardening season, arm yourself with The Vegetable Garden Problem Solver Handbook by veggie-growing guru Susan Mulvihill of YouTube Susans in the Garden!This book will become your go-to resource for all natural pesticide free solutions and troubleshooting for the gardening woes that will inevitably arise in your garden. The Vegetable Garden Problem Solver Handbook will help you properly identify over 28 bacterial and fungal diseases like powdery mildew, leaf spot, and potato scab, limit damage from plant eating animals and most importantly, it'll help you set your garden up for success to actually prevent these problems from ever happening.

Check out The Vegetable Garden Problem Solver Handbook at your favorite local bookstore, quarto.com, Barnes and Noble, or amazon.com.

Follow Amy:

Website

Podcast

Instagram

LinkedIn

Facebook

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Did you love this weeks episode with Kelly from Decorating Tips and Tricks on Interior Design Trends for your Garden? If so, listen to her trailer, and go check out the Decorating Tips and Tricks Podcast and subscribe!

Interior design principles are not limited to our indoor spaces! For us plant parents, interior design and gardening may initially appear as separate domains, but there are numerous similarities between the two—so much so that the principles of one can be applied to the other. In this episode, we'll learn from Kelly Wilkniss of Decorating Tips and Tricks podcast as she shares nine valuable interior design tips that can be applied to transform your garden into a stunning, cohesive, and joyful space.

In this episode, we learn:

• [04:50] How has Kelly’s gardening passion intersected with her interior design career?
• [07:16] What inspired Kelly to do an all-white garden
• [08:45] What is Kelly’s interior design style?
• [10:30] Kelly’s opinion on modernizing antiques
• [12:01] How did she transition from being a lawyer to an interior designer?
• [14:08] Where can you find stylish lights for upgrading indoor plant environments?
• [16:04] Where to find a personalized Mother's Day gift that includes handcrafted wind chimes
• [20:31] Tip #1 Take a photo of interior and exterior spaces (it promotes a cohesive design flow!)
• [21:56] Tip #2 Limit your color palette
• [25:18] Tip #3 Create a flow
• [33:49] A must-have book for outdoor living area design ideas with mix-and-match suggestions and before-and-after pictures
• [35:10] Tip #4 Plant in odd numbers
• [37:55] Tip #5 Layering!
• [40:44] Tip #6 Balance and scale
• [44:26] Tip #7 Visual noise
• [48:48] Tip #8 The touch of black
• [52:08] Tip #9 Not having ugly storage
• [01:00:13] Where can you find Kelly on social media?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Growing Joy Episode 145 Interior Design Trends and Houseplants With Betsy From Affordable Interior Design
• Wayfair sheds
• Growing Joy Episode 180 Minimalism and Plants With Stephanie of Sustainable Minimalist

For all of Kelly's design tips and notes,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Soltech Solutions

Soltech Solutions makes the grow lights you’ve heard me talk about for years: whether you are looking for a pendant light, track lighting, or a simple bulb to screw into any standard light fixture, Soltech has got you covered. They offer quality products with great customer service, free shipping, and a 90-day money-back guarantee. Keep the sun shining and the plants green inside your home with Soltech Solutions.

Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code "bloom15".

Wind River Chimes

Bring more peace, serenity, and magic into your home with chimes. Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. If you are looking for a new way to grow joy in your life and find a moment of peace, a Wind River chime is the perfect addition for your home or garden. Plus, it's a perfect personalized gift for your loved ones!

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on all Corinthian Bells wind chimes.

Field Guide to Outside Style: Design and Plant Your Perfect Outdoor Space by Ryan McEnaney

Make your lawn look restorative, stylish, and cohesive, with Ryan McKenney's new book Field Guide to Outside Style. Ryan walks you through perzonalizing your outdoor living space with the right plants, furnishings, and other design elements. Did we mention there are a lot of options, case studies, and before and after pictures to help you really digest this concept?

Check out Field Guide to Outside Style at your favorite local bookstore, quarto.com, Barnes and Noble, or amazon.com.

Follow Kelly:

Website

Podcast

Book

Instagram

YouTube

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Where did our houseplants come from and what’s the history behind them? From Babylonian gardens to the healing power of herbs, houseplants have been used for centuries to cultivate joy in our lives. In this episode, I spoke with Jane Perrone, OG planty podcaster and author of the newly released Legends of the Leaf. Jane has spent years researching and collecting stories, lore, and surprises about our beloved house plants, and is here to enlighten us about their history. Let’s learn all about the monstera, the spider plants, and more that have been in homes for generations!

In this episode, we learn:

• [05:26] Meet Jane Perrone and learn about her latest book Legends of the Leaf
• [11:38] Insight into Jane's book and its structure
• [14:13] What was Jane’s research process in writing her book?
• [16:47] Was aloe vera part of Cleopatra's beauty routine?
• [18:19] What is the impact of plants on air quality?
• [20:13] Where can you find quality indoor and outdoor gardening products?
• [22:19] Where can you get flower and vegetable transplants to create an effortless garden?
• [24:13] What is the cultural significance of the Aspidistra plant throughout history?
• [28:37] How did Aspidistra become a popular houseplant?
• [30:32] History of the spider plant and its cultural significance
• [34:23] Are you looking for a book to start your first container garden?
• [36:23] What is Colonial botany and why was it an important field of study?
• [39:37] Dark history of Dieffenbachia
• [46:23] History of the Boston fern and why it became popular
• [51:40] Why is the monstera plant a must-have for any plant lover?
• [54:48] Who worked on the illustrations for Jane's book?
• [58:07] Where can you purchase Jane's book?
• [01:05:46] Where can you find Jane Perrone on social media?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Jane Perrone’s book Legends of the Leaf
• D.G. Hessayon’s book The House Plant Expert
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• George Orwell’s book Keep the Aspidistra Flying
• Gracie Fields’ song The Biggest Aspidistra In The World
• Netflix film Enola Holmes
• German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
• American Sitcom Will & Grace
• Noel Kingsbury’s book The Story of Flowers

For a listicle of our favorite houseplants and their history,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

Gardening is made easier with flower and vegetable transplants! Skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy plants right to your door. They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. Whether you are looking for leafy veggies, flowers or edible plants in either seed or seedling form, Territorial Seed Company has your back.

Get 10% off by visiting territorialseed.com/growingjoy - discount applied at checkout.

Espoma Organic

Make sure your houseplants are getting the right products! Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To top it all off, they have a huge sustainability commitment with a 100% solar powered plant, zero waste manufacturing and eco-friendly packaging.

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

The First Time Gardener: Container Gardening by Pam Farley

Don't let limited space and gardening anxieties hold you back from growing your own food. Start your very first garden in containers, the easy and affordable way, with the help of Pam Farley's The First Time Gardener: Container Gardening. Learn the basics and requirements of container gardening such as size, water, fertilizer, location, and more with this comprehensive and fully-illustrated book.

Check out Container Gardening at your favorite local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes and Noble, or amazon.com.

Follow Jane:

Website

Instagram

TikTok

Podcast

YouTube

Book

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Did you know that the freshest and most delicious lettuce comes from growing them yourself? At home, Billy and I haven't bought a plastic box of lettuce in months and enjoy fresh salad almost daily! We've been growing lettuce hydroponically indoors and are now gearing up to start our outdoor lettuce garden. In this episode, we're joined by Nicole Burke from Gardenary, who shares her expertise on growing lettuce and how you can start your own lettuce garden, even if you don't have a lot of space or experience! Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a houseplant parent looking to expand your plant collection, this episode has something for everyone.

In this episode, we learn:

• [00:03] Maria shares indoor hydroponic lettuce growth and outdoor lettuce garden prep.
• [06:02] Why lettuce is ideal for first-time food-growing houseplant parents.
• [06:53] What is Gardenary all about?
• [08:23] How Nicole makes beautiful raised-bed gardens
• [14:19] Where are 98% of the United States lettuces grown?
• [17:01] What materials are needed for lettuce?
• [20:47] Where can you find a wide array of quality lettuce seeds and seed mixes?
• [23:27] Where to get a potting mix, soil, fertilizer, or compost for your garden beds/containers?
• [25:15] What lettuce does Nicole recommend for beginners?
• [24:34] Lettuce Category #1: Loose leaf
• [29:15] Lettuce Category #2: Head lettuce
• [31:09] Is Nicole indoor-starting or direct-sowing lettuce?
• [32:32] How do you calculate when it's time to start direct sowing?
• [35:55] What is the process of growing lettuce from seed?
• [36:14] Process #1: If you have limited space
• [40:40] Where to find a nutrition program for weight management, more energy, and clear skin?
• [42:55] Process #2: If you live in an apartment
• [46:01] What are Nicole’s tips for harvesting?
• [47:53] What mistakes do people commonly make in growing lettuce?
• [49:58] How to eat Swiss chard
• [52:23] Have you heard of Nicole’s newest book Kitchen Garden Revival?
• [57:45] Where can you follow Nicole?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Growing Joy Episode 120 Designing and Planning My Garden // Coaching With Nicole of Gardenary
• Ivette Soler’s book The Edible Front Yard: The Mow-Less, Grow-More Plan for a Beautiful, Bountiful Garden
• Hydroponic planter
• Nicole Burke’s book Kitchen Garden Revival
• Nicole’s Burke’s book Leaves, Roots & Fruit
• Rocky Top Mix Salad Blend
• Territorial Seed Company Spring Mixes
• Martha Stewart's book Vegetables: Inspired Recipes and Tips for Choosing, Cooking, and Enjoying the Freshest Seasonal Flavors: A Cookbook
• 10 Years, 4 Cities, 8 Gardens-Nicole Burke's Kitchen Garden Journey

For a complete list of lettuce types, tips, and tricks,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

Growing your own salad is made easier with a wide variety of lettuce seeds and seed mixes! Skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy plants right to your door. They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. Whether you are looking for leafy veggies, flowers or edible plants in either seed or seedling form, Territorial Seed Company has your back.

Get 10% off by visiting territorialseed.com/growingjoy - discount applied at checkout.

Espoma Organic

Gardening is less complicated when you have the right products on hand! Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To top it all off, they have a huge sustainability commitment with a 100% solar powered plant, zero waste manufacturing and eco-friendly packaging.

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Sakara

Make eating healthier easier with science-backed, plant-rich nutrition programs and wellness essentials right to your door! Sakara provides ready-to-eat meals that are nutritionally designed to deliver results — from weight management and eased bloat, to boosted energy and clearer skin. Enjoy delicious meals that have a perfect balance of plants,protein and fats, while also taking control of your physical health.

Get 20% off your first order when you use code "GROWINGJOY" at sakara.com.

Follow Nicole:

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

What if you could grow functional mushrooms next to your tomato plants? In this episode 2 of the Mushroom Miniseries, Billy and I continue our exploration of the world of mushrooms in partnership with North Spore and their expert mycologist, Louis Giller. Today's episode focuses on growing mushrooms in your garden and covers topics such as integrating mushrooms into a traditional garden and the benefits of cultivating mushrooms alongside your plant babies!

Enjoy an exclusive 10% off your mushrooms,

use code 'GROWINGJOY' at northspore.com!

In this episode, we learn:

• [05:35] Benefits of Lion's Mane mushroom supplements for improved focus and energy
• [09:15] Why should you grow mushrooms in your garden?
• [10:45] Specific vocabulary in mushroom cultivation
• [12:43] Is mushroom DNA diverse or uniform across different areas?
• [15:30] Why you can't simply grow any mushrooms in soil alone
• [17:15] Are mushrooms annuals or perennials?
• [20:14] Where can you find full spectrum plant lights to bring the beauty of outdoors inside this April?
• [22:16] Where can you find a healthy meal delivery program?
• [24:52] What protections exist for preventing other mushroom species from colonizing a bed of ripe food and confusing the farmer?
• [26:29] Can you harvest mushrooms immediately after inoculating your garden beds?
• [27:35] What mushrooms are best for beginners to grow in the garden?
• [29:30] Do you need a lot of space to grow a good harvest?
• [30:29] Do worms compete or work with mycorrhizal? 
• [32:25] What materials do you need for growing mushrooms in your garden?
• [34:44] Where can you find a wind chime that would make the perfect gift these holidays?
• [36:21] How can you grow mushrooms in your mulch? 
• [41:04] Does a denser, ground-level plant provide better shade for the mushrooms??
• [44:00] Is there a general rule for spacing the insertion points when inoculating a bale of hay?
• [44:49] How do mycorrhizal networks and mold coexist in nature, particularly in damp and dark environments?
• [48:09] How to create a mushroom container for small gardening spaces
• [52:49] What are the required maintenance tasks for growing mushrooms during the season?
• [57:03] What is the difference between cutting and pulling mushrooms during harvesting?
• [58:23] Best beginner mushroom varieties that are resilient to temperature and humidity changes
• [59:40] Different mushrooms that you can grow in different garden zones or different climates
• [01:00:56] What is the process of inoculating logs for growing mushrooms?
• [01:03:48] What's the purpose of wax capping your mushrooms?
• [01:05:29] Can mushroom inoculation be done before or after the frost date?
• [01:10:12] Where can you find mushroom spawns and learn more about mushroom growing?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• North Spore 'Spray & Grow' Mushroom Growing Kits
• Pink Oyster ‘Spray & Grow’ Mushroom Growing Kit
• YouTube video North Spore Test garden in Portland, Maine
• Lion’s Mane tincture
• How to Grow Mushrooms in Buckets & Containers
• Which Species of Log is Best?
• How to Make Outdoor Mushroom Beds
• How to Grow Mushrooms on Logs, Totems & Stumps
• Mushroom Spores vs. Spawn: What is the Difference?
• YouTube video How to Grow Mushrooms on Logs | Complete Inoculation Walkthrough!

For a complete checklist of mushroom gardening necessities,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Soltech Solutions

Soltech Solutions makes the grow lights you’ve heard me talk about for years: whether you are looking for a pendant light, track lighting, or a simple bulb to screw into any standard light fixture, Soltech has got you covered. They offer quality products with great customer service, free shipping, and a 5-year warranty. Keep the sun shining and the plants green inside your home with Soltech Solutions.

Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code "bloom15".

Sakara

Make eating healthier easier with science-backed, plant-rich nutrition programs and wellness essentials right to your door! Sakara provides ready-to-eat meals that are nutritionally designed to deliver results — from weight management and eased bloat, to boosted energy and clearer skin. Enjoy delicious meals that have a perfect balance of plants,protein and fats, while also taking control of your physical health.

Get 20% off your first order when you use code "GROWINGJOY" at sakara.com.

Wind River Chimes

Bring more peace, serenity, and magic into your home with chimes. Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. If you are looking for a new way to grow joy in your life and find a moment of peace, a Wind River chime is the perfect addition for your home or garden. Plus, it's a perfect personalized gift for your loved ones!

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on all Corinthian Bells wind chimes.

Follow North Spore:

Louis' LinkedIn

Website

Instagram

YouTube

Facebook

TikTok

Pinterest

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Are you ready to give your house plants the love and care they deserve this spring? It's that time of year again where we shed our winter blues and embrace the sunshine and fresh air of a new season. And what better way to welcome the change than by spring cleaning for your plant babies? In this episode, we've got you covered with a checklist of things to do to set your plants up for success this season, while also cultivating joy and mindfulness in the process!

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:42] What is spring cleaning for your houseplants
• [03:45] How the health of your plants can reflect your mental state
• [04:00] Spring Houseplant Care Checklist 
• [04:09] 1. Understanding how the change in daylight affects plant care
• [05:09] 1.a. How to adjust watering frequency during spring
• [08:10] 1.b. More light equals more photosynthesis (Ensure your plants are getting enough light!)
• [10:18] 2. Mind your temperature (Keep your plants in a comfortable environment!)
• [11:20] 3. Spring cleaning!
• [13:10] 3.a. Prune brown and yellow leaves to promote growth
• [16:45] 3.b. Why you need to wipe your leaves
• [19:30] Where can you get plant-rich meals delivered to your door?
• [22:22] The best place to get safe and easy-to-use gardening products for your houseplants
• [24:17] 4. Refresh soil if necessary
• [25:45] 4.a. Repot or pot up your plants
• [29:41] 5. Fertilize if your plant is growing
• [31:23] 6. Consider the pros and cons of moving plants outside in the spring
• [36:06] 7. Why it is important to assess your plant collection
• [38:18] How tending to your plants can reveal interesting parallels between them and your life

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Hygrometer
• Humidifiers
• Soltech Grow Lights
• Lomi composter
• Espoma Insect Control
• Curio cabinets

For the full houseplant spring cleaning checklist,

check our the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Sakara

Make eating healthier easier with science-backed, plant-rich nutrition programs and wellness essentials right to your door! Sakara provides ready-to-eat meals that are nutritionally designed to deliver results — from weight management and eased bloat, to boosted energy and clearer skin. Enjoy delicious meals that have a perfect balance of plants,protein and fats, while also taking control of your physical health.

Get 20% off your first order when you use code "GROWINGJOY" at sakara.com.

Espoma Organic

Spring cleaning is less complicated when you have the right products on hand! Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To top it all off, they have a huge sustainability commitment with a 100% solar powered plant, zero waste manufacturing and eco-friendly packaging.

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Are you ready to take your gardening skills to the next level and avoid common pitfalls? Spring is finally here, and it's time to get ready for gardening season! But before you start planting, it's important to know what not to do in your garden. That's why we've brought back Joe Lamp'l of joegardener.com to share his expertise on common gardening mistakes and how to avoid them. From beginners to seasoned gardeners, there's something for everyone in this fun and informative discussion!

In this episode, we learn:

• [03:41] Why you shouldn’t fear mistakes when starting a garden!
• [06:05] How gardening mistakes can lead to unexpected positive results and help you improve
• [08:00] What is the guideline for seed sowing density in intense planting method?
• [08:43] How often should you check on your seedlings to prevent legginess and promote growth?
• [10:15] Why seedlings need special care to grow properly
• [11:01] What are the biggest gardening mistakes?
• [12:23] #1 Forgetting to plan!
• [15:15] What is the definition of garden planning and how should you do it?
• [16:13] What is necessary for successful gardening planning?
• [17:39] Plan your balcony garden with a diagram and use garden planners to organize your planting
• [20:00] How did Joe feel about starting gardening with two rose bushes?
• [21:07] What's the order for planning tasks (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly) when planting for spring, summer, and fall?
• [24:00] Where can you find container varieties of plants specifically bred for limited-space gardening?
• [27:35] #2 Overdoing it!
• [28:54] Why does gardening make us feel optimistic and ambitious?
• [32:34] #3 Improper spacing!
• [35:27] Why are plants forgiving?
• [36:07] #4 Leaving your soil bare!
• [38:50] How can one mitigate the negative consequences of bare soil?
• [40:31] Joe’s favorite type of mulch!
• [42:37] #5 Planting too early or too late! Oopsies!
• [44:20] How fix the problem if you started gardening either too early or too late?
• [47:23] Where can you find a personalized gift with a variety of colors, sizes, and sounds available?
• [49:35] List of garden hurdles you might face!
• [49:34] #1 What if you have an apartment?
• [50:38] #2 What should you do if you have a garden with space but has low light or shade?
• [51:50] What if you don’t have a budget for gardening?
• [54:55] #3 What if you’re overwhelmed?
• [56:13] How to avoid weed overwhelm
• [59:18] What is Joe’s new course Organic Vegetable Gardening all about?
• [01:03:20] Joe explains what a single module in the OVG course would entail
• [01:06:55] The OVG course is on sale for $100 less during its launch week!

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Territorial Seed Company’s Garden Planners
• Grow Bag Gardening
• Joe’s Books
• Joe’s newest course Organic Vegetable Gardening

For a list of Joe's gardening tips and tricks,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

For this garden season, Territorial Seed Company is making sure no one is left behind. Grow plants that have been tested and bred specifically for container gardening, so you can maximize your limited space. Skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. Whether you are looking for berries, flowers or edible plants in either seed or seedling form, Territorial Seed Company has your back.

Get 10% off by visiting territorialseed.com/growingjoy - discount applied at checkout.

Wind River Chimes

Bring more peace, serenity, and magic into your home with chimes. Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. If you are looking for a new way to grow joy in your life and find a moment of peace, a Wind River chime is the perfect addition for your home or garden. Plus, it's a perfect personalized gift for your loved ones!

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on all Corinthian Bells wind chimes.

Follow Joe:

Website

Instagram

YouTube

Twitter

Pinterest

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

As plant parents, we love our green babies, but sometimes we can get carried away with our collections. With life returning to normal, we might feel like it's time to simplify our spaces and make room for new experiences. Today's episode is all about embracing the joy of living with less. We're joined by Stephanie, the host of the Sustainable Minimalism podcast, to talk about how the principles of minimalism can bring positivity and happiness into our plant parenthood journeys. So get ready to enjoy some uplifting conversation on how to create a healthy and balanced plant collection!

In this episode, we learn:

• [03:04] Maria’s recent trip to Florida and her experience with outdoor plants
• [05:58] How did Stephanie become a sustainable minimalist and what journey did she take to get there?
• [08:57] How can regret and shame be used as a tool for positive change?
• [10:23] Do you throw your stuff away, give it away, or return it?
• [13:01] Why you should not let the “investment shame” hold you back from letting go of items that no longer serve you
• [15:15] Where to get a variety of edible flowers that can add beauty to your garden and unique flavors to your dishes
• [17:41] Are there any hidden signs of overwhelm people should watch out for when deciding to go minimalist?
• [21:13] What tools can you use to resist the urge to buy something new when trying to declutter?
• [25:01] Books and resources Stephanie recommends for those interested in minimalism!
• [26:33] What are the first steps you should take toward decluttering?
• [31:51] How wind chimes can be a beneficial addition to a mindfulness practice
• [34:28] Where can you find high-quality, safe, and eco-friendly indoor and outdoor gardening products?
• [36:13] Stephanie’s top minimalist takeaways that could inspire anyone interested in minimalism, and how it could apply to your plant collection
• [36:56] #1 Using cost per use as a metric!
• [38:19] #2 Space is more valuable than your belongings!
• [38:51] #3 Memories do not reside in items!
• [39:47] #4 Multiples of an item keep us cluttered!
• [42:04] How do you know if it's time to celebrate getting a new plant and be more intentional about what you buy?
• [43:07] #5 Pair your next purchase with something wonderful going on in your life!
• [45:29] Follow Stephanie and Sustainable Minimalist!

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Growing Joy Episode 111: The Art of the Plant Pause and Managing Plant Parent Overwhelm
• Growing Joy Episode 86: Pause With Plants to Release Stress and Increase Calm With Brittany From the Pause With Plants Podcast
• Marie Kondo
• Joshua Becker’s Becoming Minimalist
• Sustainable Minimalist Episode 341: When Minimalism Feels Overwhelming
• Folia Collective

For a detailed list of tips and tools for your minimalism journey,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

For this garden season, Territorial Seed Company is telling you: eat your flowers! Edible flowers are not only beautiful, but they are also good for your body, and this company has your back. Skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. Whether you are looking for berries, flowers or edible plants in either seed or seedling form, Territorial Seed Company has your back.

Get 10% off by visiting territorialseed.com/growingjoy - discount applied at checkout.

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To top it all off, they have a huge sustainability commitment with a 100% solar powered plant, zero waste manufacturing and eco-friendly packaging.

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Wind River Chimes

Bring more peace, serenity, and magic into your home with chimes. Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. If you are looking for a new way to grow joy in your life and find a moment of peace, a Wind River chime is the perfect addition for your home or garden.

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on all Corinthian Bells wind chimes.

Follow Stephanie:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Pinterest

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Have you ever wondered about the fascinating world of soil biology and the joy of creativity through plants? In this episode, we're joined by Adam from @dirty_roots_berlin to learn all about the importance of living soil, growing your own soil, and using nature to combat nature. Plus, we'll dive into how TikTok offers a refreshing and diverse platform for sharing your love for plants and exploring your unique personality! We'll also discuss how plants can help us reconnect with our sense of awe and wonder and inspire us to embrace creativity and curiosity in unexpected ways. So get ready to join us for an inspiring and enlightening discussion about all things green!

In this episode, we learn:

• [00:05] How caring for plants helps us reconnect with our inner child and inner student
• [02:49] TikTok is teeming with creators sharing their plant expertise!
• [05:13] Adam, creator of Dirty Roots Berlin, talks about his unique approach to plant care
• [07:24] The best way to take care of plants may not be what you think it is
• [08:24] Why Adam likes collecting large plants and those that serve a function (featuring Bee Baths!)
• [10:03] What inspired his bee garden and how did the idea of using a 3D printer for set pieces lead to the bee bath design?
• [11:50] How Adam's curiosity about plant nutrients and microbes led to an innovative approach to indoor gardening
• [16:10] Why did Adam move to Berlin and how has his plant collection changed?
• [18:56] Why is it important to have the best bedding for a good night's sleep?
• [21:24] On the importance of replicating natural conditions for successful houseplant care
• [24:26] What are those “globes” and what makes them different?
• [28:17] What is soil biology, or living soil, and how does it contribute to nutrient cycling for plants?
• [37:52] How can plants help people reconnect with their inner creativity and awe?
• [39:51] Should you sanitize your houseplant scissors?
• [43:41] What are some cost-effective ways to propagate plants, and why is failure important?
• [46:59] What's different about the plants in Berlin's grocery stores and garden centers?
• [48:00] How can grow lights help bring spring and summer indoors year-round?
• [49:55] Adam's distinct method of engaging with his audience on TikTok.
• [55:32] How do TikTok and Instagram engagement differ?
• [58:32] Have you seen Adam’s planty bathroom?
• [01:00:09] Who are Adam's favorite TikTok creators?
• [01:01:19] Where can you follow Adam on social media?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Bee Baths
• Growing Joy Episode 04: Summer Rayne Oakes: Plants for the Advanced Plant Parent and Practicing Patience
• Christopher Durang
• The Plant Prof

For a deeper dive into soil biology and the fun world of PlantTok,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Cozy Earth

Sleep is foundational for optimum health, like having quality soil for our plants to thrive in, so doesn't it make sense to have bedding that reflects that? Cozy Earth's best-selling bamboo sheet set is temperature-regulating and incredibly soft, and it's made from 100% premium viscose from bamboo which makes it not only feel like silk but actually truly cooling to touch. Plus, they have a lengthy warranty and everything you need for bedding with a variety of luxury pillows, sheets, blankets and even PJS!

Check out cozyearth.com and enjoy an exclusive offer of 35% off site wide when you use the code “GROWINGJOY".

Soltech Solutions

Soltech Solutions makes the grow lights you’ve heard me talk about for years: whether you are looking for a pendant light, track lighting, or a simple bulb to screw into any standard light fixture, Soltech has got you covered. They offer quality products with great customer service, free shipping, and a 5-year warranty. Keep the sun shining and the plants green inside your home with Soltech Solutions.

Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code bloom15.

Follow Adam:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Are you ready to dive into the magical world of mushrooms? We're excited to introduce the Mushroom Miniseries, our four-part exploration into the incredible, functional world of mushrooms. From learning about their adaptogenic nature to understanding how they grow, we're here to take you on a journey of discovery! Join me and my husband Billy as we partner with mushroom expert Louis Giller from North Spore to explore everything from how to grow mushrooms outdoors and indoors to discovering the incredible benefits mushrooms can offer our health and wellbeing. Our journey began with a simple walk in a nature preserve, and now we're bringing this passion project to you! Welcome to the wonderful world of mushrooms!

In this episode, we learn:

• [00:56] This episode’s special guest!
• [02:02] Billy and I started exploring mushrooms after watching ‘Fantastic Fungi’
• [05:57] An overview of our four-part mushroom miniseries!
• [07:57] Who is Louis Giller and why is he so crazy about mushrooms?
• [11:31] Mushroom appreciation!
• [12:36] How we started this passion project
• [16:42] What is the difference between mushrooms and fungi?
• [19:00] Are you looking for a product that improves plant growth while reducing water usage?
• [20:40] Where can you get high-quality potato seeds this summer?
• [22:50] What differentiates fungi from flora?
• [25:21] What is the main purpose of mushrooms?
• [27:08] Let’s explore the Wood Wide Web!
• [30:54] What determines the fungus' fruiting body structure?
• [35:38] Do potting mixes and composts with mycorrhizae help plants absorb water and nutrients faster, and how does this work?
• [37:05] What are the little yellow mushrooms growing in your houseplant soils?
• [39:36] What are adaptogenic mushrooms?
• [40:40] Chaga and Reishi mushrooms: their anti-inflammatory benefits and unknown mechanisms
• [43:43] Why mushroom have high-end protein content
• [48:56] Ready to prioritize your health by investing in your sleep with the comfiest bedsheets
• [51:07] Are the Cordyceps from The Last of Us TV show real?
• [53:21] Louis’ best mushroom-related books for beginners!
• [57:37] What are the mushrooms that Loius regularly consumes?
• [59:31] What are some affordable ways to grow mushrooms at home?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Champs Trade Shows
• Paul Stamets’s film Fantastic Fungi
• Pizza ai Funghi
• Giuliana Furci
• FunDiS
• HBO TV Series The Last of Us
• Netflix TV Series How to Change Your Mind
• Tero Isokauppila’s book Healing Mushrooms
• Tero Isokauppila’s book Healing Adaptogens
• David L. Spahr’s book Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms of New England and Eastern Canada 
• Merlin Sheldrake’ book Entangled Life
• Four Sigmatic

For a more comprehensive look into the world of mushrooms,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly.

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Territorial Seed Company

There is nothing like snacking on fresh berries, so why not grow them in your garden? With a wide variety of berries to have in spring, Territorial Seed Company has your back. Skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. Whether you are looking for berries, flowers or edible plants in either seed or seedling form, Territorial Seed Company has your back.

Get 10% off by visiting territorialseed.com/growingjoy - discount applied at checkout.

Cozy Earth

Sleep is foundational for optimum health, like having quality soil for our plants to thrive in, so doesn't it make sense to have bedding that reflects that? Cozy Earth's best-selling bamboo sheet set is temperature-regulating and incredibly soft, and it's made from 100% premium viscose from bamboo which makes it not only feel like silk but actually truly cooling to touch. Plus, they have a lengthy warranty and everything you need for bedding with a variety of luxury pillows, sheets, blankets and even PJS!

Check out cozyearth.com and enjoy an exclusive offer of 35% off site wide when you use the code “GROWINGJOY".

Follow North Spore:

Louis' LinkedIn

Website

Instagram

YouTube

Facebook

TikTok

Pinterest

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Are you always seeking out new plant friends to swap plant care tips and experiences with? This episode is perfect for new plant parents looking to learn from experienced plant lovers or anyone who wants to be part of a community of plant enthusiasts. Join me as I chat with the Potted Together trio Adam, Nicole, and Becca about the evolution of plant parenthood, the different seasons of plant care, and all the topics that only true plant friends would discuss. So grab a cup of tea and listen to the conversation!

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:28] Meet my new budgie, Frankie!
• [02:53] Plant Friend Hangs
• [03:12] Meet Adam, Becca, and Nicole from Potted Together!
• [13:30] How their friendship started
• [17:55] What made the three decide to start a podcast together
• [20:02] Difference and advantage of podcast vs youtube
• [22:22] How have Adam's feelings about plants changed over time?
• [26:00] Nicole's experience as a plant parent
• [27:32] Where can you find Oprah's favorite bed sheets?
• [29:45] Safe and high-quality potting mix and fertilizer for your houseplants
• [32:27] Becca's plant parenthood journey!
• [35:56] Which plants did they regret buying and which ones did they love?
• [36:09] Nicole's Philodendron Florida vs glosorium
• [37:35] Adam's Hoya carnosa ‘Grey Ghost’ vs Monstera Thai Constellation
• [40:05] Becca's variegated alocasia vs Pilea peperomioides
• [43:40] Why Maria thinks Rhaphidophora tetrasperma should never go out of style
• [44:13] Which plant would you choose if you had to keep only one houseplant and get rid of everything else?
• [49:48] Adjusting your plant care approach through the seasons
• [54:09] Unforeseen consequences of being a plant parent
• [59:51] How the online plant community has evolved and grown, especially during the pandemic
• [01:05:15] What changes have they seen in Plant-Tube, and what the trends will be for the community in 2023 and 2024
• [01:11:25] What are Adam, Becca and Nicole’s favorite plant memories?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Nicole’s YouTube video My Clean Leaves
• Summer Rayne Oakes’ YouTube channel
• Hilton Carter’s Instagram
• Nick Pileggi’s YouTube channel
• Let's Talk Hoya podcast
• The Green Plant Instagram
• Growing Joy Episode 51: How to Live with a “Crazy Plant Person”
• Growing Joy Episode 109: Passive Hydroponics: Pon and LECA
• For Good from Wicked YouTube channel
• Becca De La Plants
• Becca De La Creations

For an in-depth look at the the trio's fave plants and plant 'regrets',

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly.

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Cozy Earth

Sleep is foundational for optimum health, like having quality soil for our plants to thrive in, so doesn't it make sense to have bedding that reflects that? Cozy Earth's best-selling bamboo sheet set is temperature-regulating and incredibly soft, and it's made from 100% premium viscose from bamboo which makes it not only feel like silk but actually truly cooling to touch. Plus, they have a lengthy warranty and everything you need for bedding with a variety of luxury pillows, sheets, blankets and even PJS!

Check out cozyearth.com and enjoy an exclusive offer of 35% off site wide when you use the code “GROWINGJOY".

Follow Potted Together:

Potted Together Podcast

Becca's YouTube

Becca's Instagram

Becca’s Website

Adam's Youtube

Adam's Instagram

Nicole's Youtube

Nicole's Instagram

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Many of us might think of deserts as barren wastelands, but in reality, the desert is a planty oasis within itself! There are towering saguaros, rosette aloes and agaves, and pollinators flitting between prickly pear flowers. To walk us through this underrated environment, we have a very special guest: Tina Wilson, the Director of Horticulture at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona. We take a closer look at the amazing vegetation that thrives in the desert, and how you can create your own thriving desert landscape. Tina also shares her expertise on how to cultivate a lush desert landscape that is heat-tolerant and drought-resistant, perfect for those living in the Southwest garden zones.

In this episode, we learn:

• [04:58] How Tina Wilson became Director of Horticulture at Desert Botanical Garden
• [06:13] Tina's duties as Director of Horticulture
• [08:04] Unique vegetation in Arizona
• [10:02] What is desert landscaping? (and its 3 characteristics!)
• [13:08] Gardening zones in the Southwest
• [14:06] Key factors to consider when landscaping in the desert
• [14:42] Right plant at the right location!
• [15:51] What are the plants recommended for desert landscapes?
• [16:46] The impact of the southwestern sun on plants
• [18:17] Protecting plants from sunburn with shade cloth
• [19:16] What is a plant palette?
• [21:08] Where to find the best bamboo bedding for health and comfort?
• [23:36] Want to grow fresh berries in your own garden?
• [25:09] The importance of water conservation and irrigation in the desert
• [26:22] Why reduce grass/turf in desert landscapes?
• [29:24] The process of renovating a yard: soil profiling and testing
• [31:07] Why are native desert plants so well-suited to desert conditions?
• [33:34] An overview of desert plants' root systems
• [34:17] How a Saguaro cactus stays upright despite its shallow root system
• [35:53] Exploring water harvesting techniques
• [37:02] What are some of the drought-tolerant plants?
• [40:20] Tina's favorite pollinator-attracting plants
• [42:04] Maria's experience at the New York Botanical Garden
• [42:39] Join Desert Landscape School now for an exceptional learning experience.
• [45:26] Is there a season for growing food in the desert?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Channy Gray Home
• Elevated Gardening
• New York Botanical Garden
• Desert Botanical Garden
• Marriott Hotel Phoenix
• Desert Landscaping School of Desert Botanical Garden
• https://dbg.org/learn/dls/

For an in-depth read on desert plants and water conservation practices,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Cozy Earth

Sleep is foundational for optimum health, like having quality soil for our plants to thrive in, so doesn't it make sense to have bedding that reflects that? Cozy Earth's best-selling bamboo sheet set is temperature-regulating and incredibly soft, and it's made from 100% premium viscose from bamboo which makes it not only feel like silk but actually truly cooling to touch. Plus, they have a lengthy warranty and everything you need for bedding with a variety of luxury pillows, sheets, blankets and even PJS!

Check out cozyearth.com and enjoy an exclusive offer of 35% off site wide when you use the code “GROWINGJOY".

Territorial Seed Company

It's time to start planning for growing season 2023! If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. Whether you are looking for berries, flowers or edible plants in either seed or seedling form, Territorial Seed Company has your back.

Get 10% off by visiting territorialseed.com/growingjoy - discount applied at checkout.

Follow Desert Botanical Garden:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Tiktok

Linkedin

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

How are seeds produced, manufactured, and make it to our gardens? Every gardener knows the joy of going through seed catalogs and visiting garden centers to select the perfect mix of herbs, vegetables, and flowers to grow in their own garden. But what we might not often consider is the journey of those seeds—from the years-long process of selection, cultivation, and production to the moment when we lovingly plant those tiny specs of potential into the ground. In this episode, Andrew Billing and Kat Barlow from Territorial Seed Company take you on the journey of the seeds from the minds of passionate seed growers to the hands of gardeners!

In this episode, we learn:

• [03:33] Are you taking seed packets for granted? (Territorial Seed Company’s purpose!)
• [06:08] Who is Andrew Billing? 
• [06:28] Who is Kat Barlow? 
• [07:48] Understanding Territorial Seed beyond the advertisements
• [08:48] What makes the climate at Territorial Seed and the plants grown and tested there so hardy? 
• [10:35] What is gardener's itch?
• [12:28] Territorial Seed introduces new dahlia varieties
• [13:52] Territorial Seed's different approaches to sourcing seeds
• [15:42] How does farm sourcing work?
• [16:27] How does Territorial Seed preserve seed genetics using seed vaults?
• [19:00] How does Territorial Seed decide what seeds to grow in-house? 
• [21:10] How does trend forecasting play a role in the sourcing and selection of seeds?
• [23:57] What is shishito pepper and how did it become popular? 
• [25:21] Where can you find quality-built grow lights?
• [26:52] How wind chimes can enhance your mindfulness practice
• [29:28] What are some tried and true favorite seed varieties at Territorial Seed? 
• [32:44] The seed trialing process at Territorial Seed
• [37:39] What is the timeline for developing marketing materials before sourcing seeds at Territorial Seeds? 
• [39:17] How many years does it take to trial a seed and bring it to market? 
• [39:55] What criteria determine if a seed is selectable or not? 
• [40:49] What are the reasons seeds are cut back or not offered?
• [42:33] Determining when seeds are ready for market
• [43:57] Differences in trialing edibles vs flowers
• [46:10] Where can you find quality weighted blankets for overall better sleep? 
• [48:38] What is the process of breeding better seeds?
• [52:15] How does Territorial Seed collaborate with other seed companies and outside farmers? [53:40] From mass production to nationwide sales: the seed distribution process
• [56:24] How does Territorial Seed pack and produce seeds?
• [1:04:20] Kat and Andrew's favorite seeds to grow
• [1:08:22] What new seed varieties do Territorial Seed look forward to?
• [1:13:32] Territorial Seed's upcoming products that can grow seeds in small containers
• [1:15:15] Essential tips for beginner gardeners in small space gardening

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Shishito Peppers
• Bridge to Paris
• Collarette
• Kitchen Counter Collection

For a closer look at the seed production process,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Learn more about Territorial Seed Company by visiting territorialseed.com/growingjoy - and get a 10% discount applied at checkout.

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Soltech Solutions

Soltech Solutions makes the grow lights you’ve heard me talk about for years: whether you are looking for a pendant light, track lighting, or a simple bulb to screw into any standard light fixture, Soltech has got you covered. They offer quality products with great customer service, free shipping, and a 5-year warranty. Keep the sun shining and the plants green inside your home with Soltech Solutions.

Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code bloom15.

Wind River Chimes

Bring more peace, serenity, and magic into your home with chimes. Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. If you are looking for a new way to grow joy in your life and find a moment of peace, a Wind River chime is the perfect addition for your home or garden.

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving to add a special message on your wind chimes.

Bearaby

Weighted blankets have been proven to improve sleep, ease anxiety, and relieve stress through the therapeutic power of deep touch pressure (DTP), and Bearaby has completely changed the game. Bearaby takes a design-focused approach to bringing medically beneficial products into people’s lives by creating products in different sizes and variety that you'll be proud to display throughout your home. Treat yourself to a weighted blanket because everyone deserves good sleep!

Use code GROWINGJOY for free, faster shipping at bearaby.com.

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Have you ever wondered if plants have intelligence and emotions in the same way that humans do? Plant intelligence is a topic that has been gaining more attention in recent years. The idea that plants are not just passive organisms, but actively respond to their environment and make decisions, is fascinating. To delve deeper into this subject, we are joined by two experts in the field: Paco Calvo, a professor of philosophy of science and the principal investigator at the MINT Lab, and Natalie Lawrence, a writer and illustrator with a Ph.D. and MSc in the history and philosophy of zoology. Together, they will share their knowledge and insights on plant intelligence and explore the ways in which plants communicate, learn, and make decisions. Whether you're a gardener, a scientist, or simply curious about the natural world, this episode will give you a new perspective on the intelligence of plants.

In this episode, we learn:

• [06:32] Who is Professor Paco Palvo?
• [07:01] Why is MINT Lab in the philosophy department instead of the plant science department?
• [09:28] Who is Natalie Lawrence? 
• [10:00] The relationship between animals and plants: biophilia
• [13:34] What is anthropophilia?
• [16:26] What role do houseplants play in our relationship with nature?
• [18:04] How humans have shaped the phenotype, or characteristics, of plants through agriculture
• [20:09] What special message would you engrave on your wind chime?
• [22:40] The best way to sleep better and feel calmer naturally in no time!
• [25:58] Different types of intelligence displayed by plants
• [26:39] How do we see from a plant’s perspective?
• [27:27] Tip 1: Observe the plants’ behavior through time-lapse photography
• [27:45] Tip 2: Monitor the plants’ electrophysiological states
• [28:14] Tip 3: Observe the plant holistically through naked eyes (the most important!)
• [32:41] Melatonin synthesis in plants: what we can learn 
• [34:57] How vines (climbing plants) have evolved to locate host trees through senses like "sniffing"
• [36:59] Where to get the best quality and variety of seeds for ease of planting experience this year!
• [38:35] Sourcing a wide variety of high-quality soil, fertilizer, potty mix, and more!
• [40:24] What are some of the ways vines (climbing plants) can find their host trees?
• [42:04] Are plants smarter? (Hint: It’s not what you think!)
• [44:07] What are the limits of technology when it comes to understanding plant intelligence?
• [46:56] Do plants have feelings? 
• [50:24] Do plants understand music?
• [53:35] What is plant blindness?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Planta Sapiens: The New Science of Plant Intelligence, book by Paco Calvo and Natalie Lawrence
• MINT Lab / Minimal Intelligence Lab
• How society makes monsters, TEDx talk by Natalie Lawrence
• BBC Wildlife - Natalie Lawrence 
• BBC Woman's Hour "The unicorn - a symbol of our times?" with Natalie Lawrence
• Natalie Lawrence on Aeon Magazine

For a deeper dive into biophilia and lesser-known plant abilities,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

Bring more peace, serenity, and magic into your home with chimes. Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. If you are looking for a new way to grow joy in your life and find a moment of peace, a Wind River chime is the perfect addition for your home or garden.

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving to add a special message on your wind chimes.

Bearaby

Weighted blankets have been proven to improve sleep, ease anxiety, and relieve stress through the therapeutic power of deep touch pressure (DTP), and Bearaby has completely changed the game. Bearaby takes a design-focused approach to bringing medically beneficial products into people’s lives by creating products in different sizes and variety that you'll be proud to display throughout your home. Treat yourself to a weighted blanket because everyone deserves good sleep!

Use code GROWINGJOY for free, faster shipping at bearaby.com.

Territorial Seed Company

It's time to start planning for growing season 2023! If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden.

Get 10% off by visiting territorialseed.com/growingjoy - discount applied at checkout.

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly.

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Follow Paco:

MINT Lab

Follow Natalie:

Website

Twitter

Linkedin

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Seed starting is such a joyful and empowering experience for any plant parent. The reward of successfully taking a dormant seed, germinating it and nurturing it into the full plant that it’s destined to become encourages more mindfulness and joy in the garden. However, it can also be intimidating and stressful for many. In this episode, Joe Lamp’l of Joe Gardener discusses some common seed-starting challenges and how to overcome them, as well as some tips for starting your own seeds.

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:02] Jessica's Zweig’s Be. book and branding agency
• [03:03] Why seed starting is a lifelong skill
• [05:43] About Joe Lamp’l
• [09:42] Why starting your own seeds and doing it organically is very important
• [17:45] Maria’s definition of “Gardener's Itch”
• [20:53] How to keep track of your seeds over multiple seasons
• [28:16] The key date to understand when starting seeds
• [34:14] For a home gardener, these plants are too hard to start indoors
• [39:52] How to read a seed packet
• [40:50] How deep should you plant seeds?
• [53:25] Things you need to know before buying a germination mat
• [56:08] How long do seeds last?
• [01:02:38] The importance of dampening your seed starting mix before you plant your seeds
• [01:03:52] Which light is best suited for your seeds?
• [01:07:13] How do you water your seedlings?
• [01:12:19] How to avoid overwatering and underwatering your seeds
• [01:15:24] Joe Lamp’l greenhouse updates

Get $100 off Joe’s Master Seed Starting Digital Course!

Discount only applies through January 30th, 2023 so grab it while it’s live!

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Joe’s Master Seed Starting Course (click this link to get $100 off)
• BE by Jessica Zweig
• Farmer's Almanac
• Photo holders at Michael's Craft Store
• Greenhouse Megastore
• Jill McSheehy's Greenhouse
• Heat Mats, Grow Lights, Propagation Dome on Territorial Seed Company
• Espoma Organic Seed Starter Mix
• Espoma Organic Potting Soil Mix
• Wind River Chimes
• Joe Lamp'l Growing A Greener World on PBS TV
• Joe Lamp'l Online Gardening Academy

For a detailed list of must-have and must-know when seed starting,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

It's time to start planning for growing season 2023! If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden.

Get 10% off by visiting territorialseed.com/growingjoy - discount applied at checkout.

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly.

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Wind River Chimes

Bring more peace, serenity, and magic into your home with chimes. Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. If you are looking for a new way to grow joy in your life and find a moment of peace, a Wind River chime is the perfect addition for your home or garden.

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on all Corinthian Bells wind chimes.

Bearaby

Weighted blankets have been proven to improve sleep, ease anxiety, and relieve stress through the therapeutic power of deep touch pressure (DTP), and Bearaby has completely changed the game. Bearaby takes a design-focused approach to bringing medically beneficial products into people’s lives by creating products in different sizes and variety that you'll be proud to display throughout your home. Treat yourself to a weighted blanket because everyone deserves good sleep!

Use code GROWINGJOY for free, faster shipping at bearaby.com.

Follow Joe: 

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Podcast

Twitter

Pinterest

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Are you ready to add some unique, eye-catching beauty to your plant collection? Meet the caudex plant—also known as the foot, Stephania erecta, or even the Potato Plant. While these plants may be stunning, they can be a handful to take care of without proper knowledge. Join us as we explore the world of caudex plants with expert guests Stephen and Matthew from the Plant Daddy Podcast. From the well-known Stephania erecta to other varieties that are more accessible and easy to care for, we'll share everything you need to know to be successful with caudex plants.

In this episode, we learn:

• [05:07] Are you pronouncing “caudex” correctly?
• [06:11] Who are Stephen and Matthew of Plant Daddy Podcast?
• [11:59] What is a caudex plant and why is it called a “potato plant”?
• [16:21] Finding caudex plants in the wild
• [18:31] Using caudex plants as decorations
• [20:21] How Stephania erecta became so popular among caudex plants
• [23:29] Did Stephania erecta live up to its hype?
• [25:04] Challenges to growing and caring for Stephania erecta
• [30:05] Are you looking for hand-knitted, sustainably made weighted blankets?
• [32:57] Where to find high-quality seeds and edible flowers
• [34:55] Some tips on how to grow your own flowers!
• [35:44] Maria's personal experience with growing Stephania erecta
• [37:16] What other caudex plants are easy to grow?
• [37:35] Caudex plant #1: Stephania kaweesakii
• [38:18] Caudex plant #2: Ant plant
• [38:50] Caudex plant #3: Dioscorea
• [39:25] Caudex plant #4: Bigfoot plant (Gerrardanthus macrorhizus)
• [40:00] Legalities and considerations when buying Stephania erecta
• [43:05] How can you verify whether the caudex plant you bought is legal?
• [46:09] What is the best way to care for caudex plants? (Hint: Research is key!)
• [50:02] How to water caudex plants correctly
• [56:58] Choosing the right soil for your caudex plants
• [01:01:10] Where to find wind chimes for your garden or house
• [01:04:02] Get quality gardening products for your next gardening season
• [01:06:03] What do we need to know when caudex plants go dormant?
• [01:10:46] What is ant plant and why is it easier to maintain?
• [01:19:59] Other caudex plant types (ficus, tropical, botanical, etc.)
• [01:21:00] Matthew and Stephen's plans for their plant collections in 2023

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Spray bottles
• Joshua Weissman, Youtube channel
• Falling for Christmas, a Christmas movie featuring Lindsay Lohan
• Spirited, a Christmas movie by Will Ferrell

For a detailed list of caudex plants' care basics,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Bearaby

Weighted blankets have been proven to improve sleep, ease anxiety, and relieve stress through the therapeutic power of deep touch pressure (DTP), and Bearaby has completely changed the game. Bearaby takes a design-focused approach to bringing medically beneficial products into people’s lives by creating products in different sizes and variety that you'll be proud to display throughout your home. Treat yourself to a weighted blanket because everyone deserves good sleep!

Use code GROWINGJOY for free, faster shipping at bearaby.com.

Territorial Seed Company

It's time to start planning for growing season 2023! If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden.

Get 10% off by visiting territorialseed.com/growingjoy - discount applied at checkout.

Wind River Chimes

Bring more peace, serenity, and magic into your home with chimes. Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. If you are looking for a new way to grow joy in your life and find a moment of peace, a Wind River chime is the perfect addition for your home or garden.

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on all Corinthian Bells wind chimes.

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly.

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Follow Stephen and Matthew (Plant Daddy Podcast):

Website

Instagram

Youtube

Twitter

Facebook

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Are you a plant killer? It's a question that plagues many of us who have tried our hand at gardening, only to have our beloved plants wilt and die despite our best efforts. But fear not! In this episode, Cassidy Tuttle of Succulents and Sunshine explains that it's all a matter of understanding your plants and their specific needs. Come join us as we take a deeper look at how to deal with plant death.

In this episode, we learn:

• [00:00] Does being a plant parent mean you’re also a plant killer?
• [05:24] Who is Cassidy and how she became the plant parent she is today
• [06:00] What is Succulents and Sunshine about?
• [10:55] Cassidy's take on how plant parents handle plant death
• [12:45] Trying to keep an echeveria succulent alive
• [14:36] When to toss vs. treat your plants [it's simple!]
• [16:24] The importance of a plant care routine
• [18:34] Why it’s important to know your plant number
• [19:27] Emotional attachment to our plants [feat. Maria's lime tree story]
• [22:20] Maria's experience with generational plant gifts
• [25:45] What Cassidy learned from every plant failure
• [25:52] Tip #1 Be more attentive to your plants
• [26:18] Tip #2 Different plants require different care
• [27:41] Tip #3 Don't be too hard on yourself; plants die in the wild too
• [28:43] Where to get plant seeds that are guaranteed to last longer
• [30:40] Get quality grow lights that will last and look stunning next to your plants
• [32:31] Why most of the plants we have aren’t designed to live in our homes.
• [34:39] Why Haworthia is most suitable as your indoor succulent
• [36:37] Should you try to grow the same plant again or let it go completely?
• [41:20] What are some ways to reduce your plant collection?
• [44:13] Learning to let go of dying plants
• [48:32] The mental cost of holding onto something that no longer serves you
• [51:23] What are the two options when you kill a plant?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Snappy pots
• Smart Passive Income
• Hygrometer
• Lomi composter

For an in-depth look into plant deaths and generational plant gifts,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

It's time to start planning for growing season 2023! If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden.

Get 10% off your order by visiting territorialseed.com/growingjoy - discount applied at checkout.

Soltech

Soltech makes the grow lights you’ve heard me talk about for years: whether you are looking for a pendant light, track lighting, or a simple bulb to screw into any standard light fixture, Soltech has got you covered. They offer quality products with great customer service, free shipping, and a 5-year warranty. Keep the sun shining and the plants green inside your home with Soltech.

Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code bloom15.

Follow Cassidy:

Website

Instagram

Youtube

Pinterest

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

The answer to a happier, more connected life could be simpler than you think: learning to care for plants and connect with nature. Houseplants and gardening do more than beautify our homes and lawns, the act of caring for them helps us reduce stress, increase joy and cultivate connections with ourselves, others and the earth. Deep, right? 

On the Growing Joy Podcast, learn alongside host and author Maria Failla to not only care for plants, but how to simply and affordably use plants to manage your overwhelm, anxiety and stress and live a happier, more connected and calm life.

Plant care is self care.

Come grow some joy with us.



Follow along on socials @growingjoywithmaria

Take the Plant Parent Personality Test https://growingjoywithmaria.com/personality

Grab our free downloads: https://growingjoywithmaria.com/freebies

Visit the website! https://growingjoywithmaria.com/

We changed our name! Bloom & Grow Radio is now Growing Joy with Maria! This is just a mini episode reminding you that this week you’ll see our name and podcast art change. But don’t worry: it's the same Maria, same planty heart and inspiration, just a new upgraded look inspired by my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover’s Guide to Cultivating Happiness. 

I feel like this rebrand is like a juvenile Monstera that has grown into a fenestrated one!

Last week’s episode titled “We’re Growing” is a deep dive on the motivations behind this rebrand. My business coach actually interviews ME about everything that’s gone on behind the scenes since I took this podcast full time. 

Here are the improvements you’ll enjoy this year because of this rebrand:

• Weekly episodes instead of every other week
• 2 episodes about plant care per month (which is what B&GR currently delivered) and then two MORE episodes that can be community panels about plants/gardening or interviews with wellness experts who specialize in nature based therapies like forest bathing, horticultural therapy, biophilia, plant intelligence and more. So we’ve DOUBLED the content!

On this mini episode, I take you behind the scenes of the audio design and inspiration for our new theme song. 

Get excited to explore how to build a rich, beautiful, joyful life alongside your plants. This year is going to be filled with so much UNBELIEVABLE educational content to help you

1) care for your plants successfully but then

2) take it to the next level and explore just why plants make us happy and how plant care can be the most effective form of self care.

Let’s keep blooming and keep growing JOY, Plant Friends!

I have been hard at work over the past years to grow my business and bring you better content and experience. We want to thank you for being a part of our journey and sharing your love for plants with us. This 2023, we are so excited to announce that we are rebranding into Growing Joy With Maria! In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and business coach, Callie England, to share with you the behind-the-scenes of my business, life, mental health challenges, the lessons I have learned, and why I’m rebranding.

In this episode, we learn:

• [01:46] We are growing: Bloom & Grow is rebranding!
• [03:02] Here's what's upcoming!
• [04:13] Exploring wellness through the lens of plants
• [05:32] Growing Joy with Maria: Keep Blooming and Growing Joy!
• [06:48] Meet Maria’s business coach and friend, Callie England
• [09:44] Maria and Callie's friendship history
• [11:03] How Callie went from WallyGrow to coaching creative entrepreneurs
• [11:47] Callie’s battle with cancer
• [13:25] Maria and Callie’s first phone call – and the beginning of everything
• [14:26] What makes entrepreneurship lonely?
• [15:38] Women empowerment in business
• [18:21] Bloom & Grow’s evolution from a passion project to a full-time career
• [20:49] Securing sponsorships for your business
• [22:19] Getting recognized in a plant shop!
• [23:57] Getting through the pandemic as an entrepreneur
• [26:22] Maria's concern about monetizing Bloom & Grow
• [28:14] What Maria learned from working with ad agencies
• [30:27] Keeping business and brand reputation in balance
• [34:17] Maria's mental health journey through Bloom & Grow
• [38:37] Healing your mind through plant care
• [45:10] Authenticity and toxic positivity
• [47:13] What can we expect from Growing Joy in 2023?
• [52:10] Callie's creative process behind Growing Joy's rebranding
• [54:12] The drawback of doing many things all at once
• [54:42] Knowing when to say “No”
• [57:18] How to get in touch with Callie!
• [1:00:20] Sneak peek of the next Growing Joy With Maria’s episodes!

Mentioned in our conversation:

• WallyGrow
• Cats

Bloom and Grow Radio's first 10 episodes:

• Episode 1: The Story Behind Bloom And Grow Radio!
• Episode 2: Top 5 Houseplants For Beginners And Learning Kindness With The Sill’s Christopher Satch
• Episode 3: How To Not Kill Your Succulent And Learning Resilience With Diana Zarins Of How To Succulents
• Episode 4: Summer Rayne Oakes: Plants For The Advanced Plant Parent And Practicing Patience
• Episode 5: Cut Christmas Tree Care And Supporting Local Businesses With Mary Jeanne Packer Of The Christmas Tree Farmers Association
• Episode 6: Enjoy A Living, Potted Christmas Tree For The Holiday Season! With Joe Lamp’l Of Growing A Greener World And The Joe Gardener Show Podcast.
• Episode 7: The Operating System: Plant Propagation 101 And Using Plants To Disconnect
• Episode 8: Dirty Talk And The Creation Of Houseplant Journal With Darryl Cheng
• Episode 9: Double Joy: Plants And Cats And Poisonous Plants To Avoid With @Plant_Lady_is_the_New_Cat_Lady
• Episode 10: Plant Side Chat #1: Bloom And Grow At Your Own Rate

For more info on Growing Joy with Maria,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

How do you prep your houseplants for winter? Winter is coming, and for some of you plant friends, it’s already here! Plant parents tend to fear winter, but as long as you understand the changes your plants are experiencing, it doesn’t need to be nerve-wracking. After living through multiple winters with my plant babies, specifically in small apartments and large homes, I’ve definitely learned a lot through trial and error. In this episode, we will go through as many tips and insights as possible to help set you and your plants up for success through the winter. So, plant friends, let's dive in and learn how winter impacts our plants and some actionable steps to take to ensure their health and happiness!

Give the gift of Growing Joy!

Gift your loved ones copies of Growing Joy and get a free personalized bookplate and month to the Garden Party!

Visit bit.ly/giftgrowingjoy to redeem!

In this episode, we learn:

• [05:28] The effect of light on the growth of plants
• [06:52] How winter impacts your plants
• [07:34] Why leaf drop isn’t necessarily bad
• [07:55] Do some people experience more light in winter?
• [09:15] What is quiescence and how does it affect plants?
• [10:09] Are all plants dormant during the winter season?
• [10:50] Is preemptive pruning really necessary?
• [11:30] Supplementing high-light plants with grow lights during the winter
• [13:14] How should you water your plants during winter?
• [14:29] Which is better? Watering routine or plant care routine?
• [15:47] Beware of the one-size fits all suggestions on plant care
• [16:41] Why you shouldn’t assume your plant is dead
• [18:19] Things to keep in mind with plant shopping during winter
• [21:30] Where to get seeds for your spring garden
• [22:52] The best gardening products that are safe for you, for your pets, and for the planet
• [24:21] How your plants get affected by humidity 
• [26:03] Using a humidifier in your household
• [29:03] How to protect your plants from drafty windows during winter
• [30:40] How to clean your humidifiers
• [31:46] When can you stop watering your plants?
• [32:42] How to deal with pest outbreaks during winter
• [34:21] How can you apply this concept of quiescence to yourself?
• [37:08] The rule of 10% less in adapting acquiesce in your life

Mentioned in our conversation:

• YouTube video My Home Grow light Tour!
• YouTube video Moisture Meter and Hygrometer Review
• Grow Lights
• Hygrometers
• Radiators
• Humidifiers

For a detailed summary and extra winter tips,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

It's time to start planning for growing season 2023! If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden.

Get an exclusive discount just for listeners of Bloom & Grow Radio, use code GROW10 to get 10% off your first order at territorialseed.com.

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly.

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Give the gift of Growing Joy!

Gift your loved ones copies of Growing Joy and get a free personalized bookplate and month to the Garden Party!

Visit bit.ly/giftgrowingjoy to redeem!

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

How can we use plants medicinally in our lives? Plants heal us in more ways than one, and one of the less-known practices is herbalism. Most of the plants and herbs we use today were used for medicinal purposes in ancient times and are, in fact, still used in many cultures around the world as natural remedies. In this episode, Juliet Blankespoor, the founder of the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, will teach us many different and easy ways that we can use plants as medicine so we can expand our knowledge on this whole field of plant benefits.

In this episode, we learn:

• [04:58] What led Juliet Blankenspoor to become interested in herbalism
• [08:52] What makes plants medicinal, and have they been proven by doctors?
• [11:51] Energetics of plants and how to complement their energies with people's
• [15:49] How do you determine your own energy constitution?
• [16:45] Who is Wim Hoff and what are the possible benefits of cold showers?
• [19:16] What's the best way to get started with this completely new field of medicinal benefits?
• [22:22] Where to get the best seeds for your spring garden
• [23:38] The right choice for safe indoor and outdoor gardening products
• [27:03] What are the properties of Mint?
• [28:30] Some of the commonly used herbs that we might not be aware of
• [30:01] What tonic means in the context of herbal medicine
• [32:36] What are the medicinal properties of chives?
• [33:58] How we can prepare tea from fresh and dried herbs
• [38:16] Is there any medicinal value to the mint stem?
• [39:43] What other herbs can you grow to make your own tea?
• [44:13] Your next favorite kitchen appliance!
• [47:19] What are some of the most versatile medicinal plants Juliet recommends exploring that aren't found in a traditional culinary garden?
• [48:19] What plants should you add to your culinary garden for medical benefits?
• [52:38] Juliet Blankespoor’s favorite herbs that you can add to your cooking recipes
• [57:39] What can you learn from the book 'The Healing Garden: Cultivating and Handcrafting Herbal Remedies'?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• The Healing Garden: Cultivating and Handcrafting Herbal Remedies, book by Juliet Blankespoor
• Tea strainers
• Wim Hof Method

SPECIAL OFFER: Juliet is offering the Bloom & Grow Audience 10% off all her courses. Email maria@bloomandgrowradio.com to get the special coupon code to redeem your discount.

For a list of recipes and remedies of Juliet's recommended herbs,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

It's time to start planning for growing season 2023! If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden.

Get an exclusive discount just for listeners of Bloom & Grow Radio, use code GROW10 to get 10% off your first order at territorialseed.com.

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly.

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Lomi

Lomi is a small countertop composter that is the perfect solution to reducing your garbage footprint and food waste. This sleek composter enables you to compost hassle-free: just take your food scraps and put it in the Lomi, press a button, and you're set! Lomi is giving a rare discount $50 off with code BLOOM at checkout!

Go to pela.com and redeem your special gift and use code BLOOM at checkout!

Follow Juliet:

Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine

Healing Garden Gateway, personal website of Juliet Blankespoor

SPECIAL OFFER: Juliet is offering the Bloom & Grow Audience 10% off all her courses. Email maria@bloomandgrowradio.com to get the special coupon code to redeem your discount.

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

How do you tackle a different garden zone than what you’re used to? Moving can be a tremendous and significant change in our lives, with so much excitement and opportunities awaiting us in new places. However, for gardeners like us, it can mean a scary and stressful time starting from scratch with our gardens, especially in a completely different gardening zone. This is what Mama Failla, an expert gardener in Zone 7, had to learn and adapt to when she and Father Failla moved to a Zone 10, which is in tropical Florida. In this episode, Mama Failla imparts practical gardening and motherly advice on moving and facing the different seasons of life with optimism and resilience.

Give the gift of Growing Joy! Gift your loved ones copies of Growing Joy and get a free personalized bookplate and month to the Garden Party!

Visit bit.ly/giftgrowingjoy to redeem!

In this episode, we learn:

• [01:36] Maria’s updates from sunny Florida
• [03:06] A gift idea for yourself and for your other plant friends
• [06:03] How moving can influence one’s self and gardener identity
• [11:22] What has moving from New York to Florida been like for Mama Failla?
• [13:42] How long does it take to adjust to a new garden zone?
• [17:09] The difference between New York soil and Florida soil
• [20:22] The best plant accessories for gifting this holiday season
• [23:43] What are practical ways to prepare for a new garden zone and climate?
• [28:34] On the importance of determining sun exposure in your new garden
• [31:40] Why you need to consider growing in pots or container gardens
• [33:52] Where to get the best advice on your new garden zone
• [37:48] The best gardening products to set your garden up for success
• [40:17] Why gardening should be fun and experimental!
• [43:49] Mama Failla shares how she deals with the current season of life she’s in
• [49:29] What are Mama Failla’s plans for her garden next year?
• [52:51] Maria’s reflections on transitions and her gardening journey

Mentioned in our conversation:

• BAGR Episode 20: Talking Tomatoes With Craig LeHoullier And My MOM
• BAGR Episode 91: My Mom’s 10 Tips For Beginning Gardeners And Edible Landscapers
• FREE 2-week trial to the Garden Party!

To see Mama Failla's new gardening zone checklist,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Modern Sprout

When you think of planty products and accessories, you need to think Modern Sprout. With gorgeous different lines of planty products and accessories from grow lights to watering cans to the cutest gift sets, Modern Sprout has got you covered for this holiday season.

Visit modernsprout.com/growingjoy to see my top gift picks for the holidays and use code GROWINGJOY at checkout for 20% off sitewide.

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly.

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Give the gift of Growing Joy!

Gift your loved ones copies of Growing Joy and get a free personalized bookplate and month to the Garden Party!

Visit bit.ly/giftgrowingjoy to redeem!

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Are you worried about leaving your plants at home this holiday season? When I was constantly on the road for shows as a musical theater performer, I became a professional traveler and learned a lot of dos and don’ts when it comes to leaving your plant babies at home. The experience can be scary: it can make traveling—what is supposed to be exciting and relaxing—a time filled with anxiety. In this episode, I share many helpful tips you can start implementing on your plant collection so you can enjoy your vacations and holidays stress-free!

Give the gift of Growing Joy! Gift your loved ones copies of Growing Joy and get a free personalized bookplate and month to the Garden Party!

Visit bit.ly/giftgrowingjoy to redeem!

In this episode, we learn:

• [01:28] Maria’s fall updates
• [02:24] Have you been to the kindest and plantiest corner of the internet yet? 
• [03:03] The perfect planty gift for your loved ones this holiday
• [04:56] What inspired Maria to do an episode on plants and traveling
• [09:46] Your next favorite kitchen appliance!
• [12:40] Understanding your plants’ lighting needs when you’re on vacation
• [15:12] The importance of using grow lights in your home
• [17:37] How to make sure your plants get good air circulation while you’re gone
• [19:28] Maria shares her experience of accidentally leaving her plants in extremely hot temperatures
• [21:31] How to keep your plants watered while you’re away
• [25:23] Different watering hacks when on vacation
• [29:36] Where to get stylish and functional plant accessories for gifting
• [33:40] Why you need to cut off dead and yellowing leaves from your plants
• [35:31] Should you hire a plant sitter when you go on vacation?
• [40:40] Why putting your plants in the bathtub while you’re away might not work
• [41:33] How to avoid root rot in plants
• [42:34] Why the greenhouse method won’t work when you’re on vacation
• [44:33] Maria’s reminder about the role of plants in our lives
• [46:17] What to keep in mind as you travel and move around this holiday season

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Self-watering planters
• Watering spikes
• Watering orbs
• Watering Can plantsitter app
• FREE 2-week trial to the Garden Party!

For a detailed summary of Maria's tips and tricks,

check out the full blog and show notes here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Modern Sprout

When you think of planty products and accessories, you need to think Modern Sprout. With gorgeous different lines of planty products and accessories from grow lights to watering cans to the cutest gift sets, Modern Sprout has got you covered for this holiday season.

Visit modernsprout.com/growingjoy to see my top gift picks for the holidays and use code GROWINGJOY at checkout for 20% off sitewide.

Lomi

Lomi is a small countertop composter that is the perfect solution to reducing your garbage footprint and food waste. This sleek composter enables you to compost hassle-free: just take your food scraps and put it in the Lomi, press a button, and you're set! Lomi is giving a rare discount $50 off with code BLOOM at checkout!

Go to pela.com and redeem your special gift and use code BLOOM at checkout!

Give the gift of Growing Joy!

Gift your loved ones copies of Growing Joy and get a free personalized bookplate and month to the Garden Party!

Visit bit.ly/giftgrowingjoy to redeem!

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Do you believe in magic? When we were kids, it was so easy—almost natural—for us to believe in magic. There was a certain charm to casting spells, making potions, or even wishing on a random star on a starry night. For many of us, as we grew older and we found ourselves in different unexpected directions, we started to let go of our belief in magic. Fortunately, our plants are the best bridge to reconnecting us with this magic, with ourselves, with our curiosity, and even with things yet to be known, and here’s Rachael of Infinite Succulent to tell us more about plant magic.

In this episode, we learn:

• [01:19] Have you been to the kindest and plantiest corner of the internet?
• [02:49] What this episode is about
• [06:29] Who is Rachael and what does she do?
• [07:44] Maria shares a heartwarming story about Rachael
• [09:11] Rachael’s academic background, her professional journey, and how she ultimately became the nature connector she is today
• [16:09] How Rachael got started with energy work
• [18:18] What Rachael’s new book is about
• [18:50] How does Rachael define magic?
• [21:36] On the divine timing and trusting the universe to take you where you need to go
• [24:32] Why has connecting with nature never been more important than today?
• [27:33] How can plants help us move energy more intentionally? 
• [30:16] What do negative ions in plants do for our health?
• [31:41] Where to get the best seeds for your 2023 garden
• [32:36] How to combat the low humidity in your home
• [34:37] Why biophilia is becoming a necessity, especially in workplaces
• [36:40] On green witchcraft and connecting with nature through different ways
• [39:22] Why connecting with plants is an inherent trait and experience in all of us
• [43:33] On worshipping nature, religions, and finding spirituality in nature
• [46:25] Different ways to connect with plant magic
• [50:57] How do we know which plants have which energies?
• [53:12] On connecting with the moon and our emotions
• [57:36] Rachael’s magical experience that resulted from her ritual on abundance
• [01:00:34] How plants teach us to be more open to new information and ideas
• [01:03:05] Maria’s current definition of magic
• [01:04:33] Where to find Rachael and her book online
• [01:05:39] What is sacred reciprocity? What is true magic?
• [01:07:12] Maria’s reflections on magic, plant magic, and spirituality

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Everyday Plant Magic: Change Your Life Through the Magical Energy of Nature, book by Rachael Cohen
• Infinite Succulent: Miniature Living Art to Keep or Share, book by Rachael Cohen
• The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, book by Julia Cameron
• Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, book by Elizabeth Gilbert
• The Green Witch: Your Complete Guide to the Natural Magic of Herbs, Flowers, Essential Oils, and More, book by Arin Murphy-Hiscock
• Braiding Sweetgrass, book by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• The Moon Book
• BAGR Episode 60: Live Taping! DIY Succulent Crowns With Infinite Succulent

For tips on recreating plant magic at home,

visit the full blog and show notes here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Modern Sprout

When you think of planty products and accessories, you need to think Modern Sprout. With gorgeous different lines of planty products and accessories from grow lights to watering cans to the cutest gift sets, Modern Sprout has got you covered for this holiday season.

Visit modernsprout.com/growingjoy to see my top gift picks for the holidays and use code GROWINGJOY at checkout for 20% off sitewide.

Territorial Seed Company

It's time to start planning for growing season 2023! If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden.

Get an exclusive discount just for listeners of Bloom & Grow Radio, use code GROW10 to get 10% off your first order at territorialseed.com.

AIRCARE

Take care of your health while maintaining your indoor jungle aesthetic with AIRCARE's latest line of 27 different stylish and smart humidifiers to humidify your home and life. AIRCARE has been producing quality humidifiers for over 70 years for all types of homes, with cool features like a digital screen that shows you the humidity level and time, multiple LED light colors, and even warm and cool mist settings!

Visit aircareproducts.com and use code bloom20 a checkout for 20% off sitewide.

Follow Rachael: 

Website

Instagram

TikTok

Sessions

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

How can our plant hobby make this world a better place? For me, learning to care for plants was the gateway drug for becoming more aware of how much growth opportunity I had when it came to caring for the earth. I've discovered that there are so many ways to lead a sustainable life, especially with our plant care journey. In this episode, I invited back Nick Cutsumpas, aka Farmer Nick, to further guide us in making small shifts that have a big impact on our planet’s wellbeing.

In this episode, we learn:

• [00:52] Maria’s fall updates
• [01:56] What today’s episode is about
• [05:53] Who is Farmer Nick?
• [08:04] Nick shares his plant journey from backyard gardener to plant coach and landscaper
• [13:42] The most important value to your plant number
• [15:22] Applying approachability and relatability to our plant care
• [18:05] Why houseplants as a hobby encourages us to keep learning
• [19:42] Dealing with plant death and adjusting your plant care
• [24:28] What is the concept behind ‘mindful neglect’?
• [26:42] Where to get the best grow lights to get your plants through winter
• [27:57] How to reduce your food waste and garbage footprint
• [29:45] On the misconception that plants can be stressful and take up a lot of your time
• [34:47] Tips for a more sustainable and eco-focused plant parenthood
• [39:43] Nick’s plant setup in his new home
• [42:30] How houseplants can jumpstart our journey to sustainability
• [45:46] How growing plants lessened Maria’s meat consumption
• [47:24] Why every step for a sustainable lifestyle matters
• [50:10] Where to find Nick and his book online
• [51:33] A thank you to new Garden Party members

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Plant Coach: The Beginner's Guide to Caring for Plants and the Planet, book by Nick Cutsumpas
• BAGR Episode 110: Low Waste Plant Parenthood with Farmer Nick
• Instant Dream Home, series by Netflix

For a deep dive into our conversation on sustainable plant parenthood,

check out the full show notes, blog, and tips here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

AIRCARE

Take care of your health while maintaining your indoor jungle aesthetic with AIRCARE's latest line of 27 different stylish and smart humidifiers to humidify your home and life. AIRCARE has been producing quality humidifiers for over 70 years for all types of homes, with cool features like a digital screen that shows you the humidity level and time, multiple LED light colors, and even warm and cool mist settings!

Visit aircareproducts.com and use code bloom20 a checkout for 20% off sitewide.

Soltech Solutions

Soltech Solutions makes the grow lights you’ve heard me talk about for years: whether you are looking for a pendant light, track lighting, or a simple bulb to screw into any standard light fixture, Soltech has got you covered. They offer quality products with great customer service, free shipping, and a 5-year warranty. Keep the sun shining and the plants green inside your home with Soltech Solutions.

Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code bloom15.

Lomi

Lomi is a small countertop composter that is the perfect solution to reducing your garbage footprint and food waste. This sleek composter enables you to compost hassle-free: just take your food scraps and put it in the Lomi, press a button, and you're set!

Lomi is offering us $50 off with code BLOOM at checkout. 

Go to pela.com and use code Bloom at checkout!

Follow Nick: 

Website

Instagram

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Taking care of plants is putting our love into practice. Even if it’s not something we actively think about or do, this hobby of ours revolves around kindness, care, and deepening our love for ourselves, other people, and our planet. We lead with love when it comes to our plant collection, and there is no one else more perfect to talk about love than bestselling author, spiritual leader, fellow plant lady, and an inspiration to thousands of people everywhere, Danielle LaPorte.

In this episode, we learn:

• [00:34] Life updates from Maria
• [02:03] What to expect from this plant-parallel episode
• [03:54] How to avoid sad-looking indoor plants
• [05:33] Caring for a Buddhist pine according to Danielle!
• [06:54] How plants help us through our limiting beliefs
• [09:28] Danielle shares her plant parenthood journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way
• [15:45] Who is Danielle and what are the core values that she lives by?
• [20:16] How can personal development be unproductive to living our best lives?
• [23:40] Why are plants and love deeply connected? How does Danielle see the relationship between nature and the self?
• [28:03] How to keep your home, your plants, and yourself hydrated
• [30:03] Where to get the best fertilizers, potting mixes, and more
• [31:28] The healing benefits of Hinoki essential oil
• [32:35] Different works of art that show gratitude to nature
• [33:40] In what ways has Mother Nature helped Danielle heal?
• [37:55] On turning inward and shifting perspectives on the things we identify as
• [40:47] What is the difference between embodiment and feeling?
• [43:06] How does Danielle define love? How can we embody love in everything we do?
• [44:20] What is the practice of weeding thoughts? How do negative thoughts influence the way we move in the world?
• [45:50] How powerful self-talk can be and why we need to avoid negative mindset
• [49:35] Overcoming body image issues and honoring your body
• [53:29] What is the heart center? Where do we start with feeling into our heart center? 
• [56:17] What does Danielle hope people take away from her newest book How To Be Loving?
• [58:00] Why our love for plants can expand into love for everything
• [58:50] How to join Danielle’s book launch
• [01:00:22] Maria on why you should add Danielle to your following list!

Mentioned in our conversation:

• How to Be Loving: As Your Heart Is Breaking Open and Our World Is Waking Up, book by Danielle LaPorte
• The Desire Map Experience: A Guide to Creating Goals with Soul, book by Danielle LaPorte
• The Fire Starter Sessions: A Soulful + Practical Guide to Creating Success on Your Own Terms, book by Danielle LaPorte
• WC Jungle
• My Neighbor Totoro, 1988 film by Studio Ghibli
• Braiding Sweetgrass, book by Robin Wall Kimmerer

For an in-depth look at our conversation,

visit the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Danielle: 

Website

Instagram

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Are you running out of space for your plants? Growing your plant collection can be quite the challenge when all your countertops, tablespace and even floorspace have been populated with your plant babies. Don’t fret any longer, plant friends, as we got the most beautiful and mess-free DIY projects for you to make the most out of your vertical space at home! In this episode, learn alongside me as Erin Harding of @houseplantclub and @cleverbloom gives us step-by-step tutorials on three amazing yet easy DIYs for your vertical garden.

In this episode, we learn:

• [00:25] Maria’s eureka moment for this episode!
• [01:53] Updates on country living and hummingbirds
• [05:06] Welcome, new Garden Party members!
• [06:57] The easiest way to compost your food scraps
• [11:06] Who is Erin and how did Clever Bloom and Houseplant Club get started?
• [15:14] On the importance of evolving with your plant collection
• [18:26] Erin and Morgan’s brilliant first and second books
• [22:12] How Erin curated her personal aesthetic and developed her passion for DIY
• [24:56] Why accessibility and variety encourage people to DIY
• [27:22] Why you should use vertical space for your plants
• [31:40] How to make a modern beaded macrame plant hanger
• [35:15] The best and most stylish grow lights for your home
• [37:14] Where to get humidifiers for your home and for your health!
• [39:37] Different ways to customize your macrame plant hanger
• [44:41] Step-by-step tutorial of DIY air plant driftwood piece
• [48:03] Watering your air plants in your DIY driftwood plant accessory
• [50:09] What is a kokedama and how does it work?
• [52:04] What are ideal plants to use in a kokedama?
• [53:38] How to make your own kokedama
• [55:59] Bringing natural beauty into your home through DIY projects
• [01:00:12] Erin’s favorite DIY project in her latest book
• [01:03:20] Where to find Erin (and Morgan!) online
• [01:04:53] A friendly reminder for this fall season

Mentioned in our conversation:

• How to plant a room: and grow a happy home, by Morgan Doane and Erin Harding
• BAGR Episode 16: Mounting Epiphytes And The Creation Of Cleverbloom.Com

For the step-by-step tutorials of these 3 DIY projects...

visit the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Erin: 

House Plant Club Instagram

Clever Bloom website

Clever Bloom Instagram

Planting Pink Etsy

Planting Pink website

Planting Pink Instagram

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Did you know that fall is secretly one of the most wonderful gardening seasons? As we move into fall and the air starts feeling colder, you might be thinking that gardening season is well over. But good news, plant friends! Fall is an amazing time to extend your growing season and plant a different variety of edible plants. To guide us through this underrated gardening season, Joe Lamp’l of Joe Gardener joins me in a conversation and shares basic knowledge and tips for successful fall gardening.

In this episode, we learn:

• [01:10] Hello, autumn and new and old plant friends!
• [02:23] Celebrating Joe Gardener’s new book!
• [04:50] Making gardening accessible to all levels of gardeners
• [07:29] What Joe has been up to since his last Bloom and Grow ep
• [14:27] Why is fall the best season to garden?
• [16:24] Things to consider when doing a fall garden
• [18:36] How to plant lettuce seeds
• [19:29] How to thin seedlings
• [21:34] When to plant fall crops
• [22:46] Why do crops taste better after being exposed to frost?
• [23:21] Joe’s favorite and beginner-friendly crops to plant in fall
• [25:59] When and how to plant garlic for the best harvest
• [27:30] How to harvest and use garlic scapes
• [28:57] Fall vs other gardening seasons
• [30:46] The best companion for your garden
• [32:05] Where to get stylish and effective grow lights
• [34:13] Why fall gardening is an opportunity to mentally reset
• [37:21] How gardening in fall can help with our mental health
• [39:19] Why Joe advocates thinking like a plant
• [42:51] Why intuition is key to growing plants
• [46:02] Joe shares the process behind the beautiful photos in his new book
• [48:49] How empowering information can be when growing plants
• [53:55] Where to get Joe’s latest book ‘The Vegetable Gardening Book’
• [57:48] Maria’s garden updates

Mentioned in our conversation:

• The Vegetable Gardening Book: Your complete guide to growing an edible organic garden from seed to harvest by Joe Lamp'l
• Organic Vegetable Gardening official waitlist - SIGN UP HERE!
• Bookshop.org

For full show notes that capture all the amazing info Joe shared...

visit our blog about this episode here!

Follow Joe: 

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Podcast

Twitter

Pinterest

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Soltech Solutions

Soltech Solutions makes the grow lights you’ve heard me talk about for years: whether you are looking for a pendant light, track lighting, or a simple bulb to screw into any standard light fixture, Soltech has got you covered. They offer quality products with great customer service, free shipping, and a 5-year warranty. Keep the sun shining and the plants green inside your home with Soltech Solutions. Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code bloom15.

Order my book!

Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Plant care is self-care. We hear this phrase a lot these days and I just wrote a book entirely dedicated to this topic. If you are a plant parent, no matter what stage you are in, you know that this hobby is so much deeper than just making our home environments look beautiful; they are, frankly, about beautifying our internal worlds as well. Creating space and time for us to connect with nature and connect with ourselves. If you’ve been a longtime listener, you know this is my favorite topic to wax poetic about, and I found a beautiful kindred spirit in this episode's guest. Niyya is known as @thebloomjourney on Instagram and is a huge believer in nature-based self-care herself. Niyya and I have been IG friends for a while and this conversation was so fun, there are tons of insights to gain from it about how deep and true self-care and plant care can be connected. Let's dive in!

Order my book!

Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

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:

• [00:51] What to expect from this episode
• [02:21] How to get in touch with Maria
• [03:00] Where to connect with plant friends in an ad-free platform
• [06:12] How Niyya showed up for Maria at her book launch
• [08:09] How plants can help during isolation and uncertainty
• [09:08] Why plant people are the best kind of friends
• [10:26] Who is Niyya and what is The Bloom Journey about?
• [11:47] How plants helped Niyya deal with social anxiety and find her passion
• [17:37] How the concept of seed dormancy can be applied to our lives
• [21:51] What was Niyya’s experience growing up with plants around?
• [24:35] Niyya and Maria’s common allergy to mosquitoes and how it disconnected them from nature
• [28:08] What plants can teach us about the seasons of life
• [29:34] Learning how to let go through plants
• [30:18] Why you should try planting garlic this garden season!
• [31:39] Bring the sun in your home during winter months
• [33:44] Dealing with plant overwhelm by doing a plant pause
• [36:36] Why you should take care of plants that work for you and for your lifestyle
• [38:08] Why Maria recommends Rhaphidophora's
• [39:02] What plant-life parallel keeps getting reflected back to Niyya recently?
• [42:37] The art of mindfulness and how plants help us reconnect with ourselves
• [46:05] How plants influenced Niyya’s interest for hiking and taking care of her body
• [51:31] The importance of being true to ourselves and to our growth, despite losing followers
• [54:48] How being our authentic selves can inspire others to do the same
• [56:22] What is Niyya’s current favorite way to grow joy in her life?
• [57:25] Where to connect with Niyya online
• [57:59] Niyya shares an anecdote on the power of connecting with people
• [01:00:18] The reality about our experiences with plant care: they are both unique and common at the same time
• [01:01:11] A thank you from Maria to you

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Being in Love: How to Love with Awareness and Relate Without Fear by Osho

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Soltech Solutions

Soltech Solutions makes the grow lights you’ve heard me talk about for years: whether you are looking for a pendant light, track lighting, or a simple bulb to screw into any standard light fixture, Soltech has got you covered. They offer quality products with great customer service, free shipping, and a 5-year warranty. Keep the sun shining and the plants green inside your home with Soltech Solutions. Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code bloom15.

Territorial Seed Company

Excited for this year's growing season? If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. They are offering an exclusive discount just for listeners of Bloom & Grow Radio, use code GROW10 to get 10% off your first order. Order now at territorialseed.com

Follow Niyya: 

Instagram

Facebook

Mailing list

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

As we are in the hottest month of the year for us northern hemisphere folk, I thought it was just fitting to share this little nugget of knowledge with you on transpiration and how water moves through our plants as we are likely watering our plants more than we ever have. In this Nugget of Knowledge, Garden Society's resident horticulturist Leslie Halleck gives a little more insight on a familiar yet essential aspect of caring for plants - understanding how they use and move water. I'm sure I'm not the only one noticing the effects of transpiration on our plants as we move through this heat, so let's dive in!

Order my book!

Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

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:

• [00:02] Are you overwatering your plants?
• [00:36] What is a nugget of knowledge?
• [01:51] What you’ll get when you join the Garden Society
• [02:16] What is transpiration in plants?
• [02:49] What does transpiration do for plants?
• [04:58] Your open invitation to horticulturist-led plant lectures!

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Houseplants are celebrated for their amazing foliage, but I think we overlook an another amazing ability, a specific subcategory our favorite indoor plants have—the ability to bloom! Some people say we are intrinsically connected to flowers because way back when, they signified fruit. Personally, I just think they are joyful as hell with their bright colors and let's be frank, we all need a little more joy and color in our lives. To give us a better grasp of this beautiful subcategory, I've invited back Lisa of The Houseplant Guru to talk about the must-knows of houseplants that bloom, and how reconnecting with this group of plants can help us reconnect to generations we might never know.

Order my book!

Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

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:

• [01:13] Maria’s garden updates
• [02:34] Welcome, new Garden Party and Garden Society members!
• [04:15] Introducing Lisa, a beloved Bloom and Grow Radio guest
• [06:38] African violets and their underrated beauty
• [08:27] What are the differences in plant care between foliage houseplants and blooming houseplants?
• [13:25] How long should grow lights stay on for flowering houseplants?
• [14:13] How does photoperiod affect the bloom cycle of a plant?
• [15:42] Can you put orchids under grow lights?
• [16:59] Do blooming houseplants need fertilizer?
• [20:24] What to do when your orchids don’t bloom
• [21:52] The perfect and most sleek grow lights for year-round indoor lighting
• [23:24] Where to get an easy-to-use and most varied selection of fertilizers and tones
• [25:10] How to get orchids to re-bloom
• [26:26] Maria and Lisa share their thoughts about collecting plants and moving homes
• [29:51] Best blooming houseplants for beginners
• [30:59] Why do you need to turn your holiday cactus all year round?
• [31:53] What is the trick for beautiful and healthy African violets?
• [33:36] Best blooming houseplants for beginners (continued)
• [36:17] Best blooming houseplants for intermediates
• [38:38] Are Gerbera daisies appropriate houseplants?
• [39:37] How to make blooms last longer
• [40:37] Should you fertilize your plant while it is in bloom?
• [41:04] Lisa’s favorite blooming houseplants
• [41:44] Where to get Lisa’s latest book!
• [43:27] Maria’s personal story on how blooming plants connected generations of their family
• [48:17] Closing remarks

Mentioned in our conversation:

• BAGR episode 133: How To Manage Deer, Squirrels, Chipmunks, Moles, Voles And Other Animals In Your Garden With Brie The Plant Lady
• BAGR episode 30: Orchid 101 With Chris
• BAGR episode 84 : African Violets 101 With Lisa
• Pre-order Lisa’s book “Bloom: The secrets of growing flowering houseplants year-round”

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Soltech Solutions

Soltech Solutions makes the grow lights you’ve heard me talk about for years: whether you are looking for a pendant light, track lighting, or a simple bulb to screw into any standard light fixture, Soltech has got you covered. They offer quality products with great customer service, free shipping, and a 5-year warranty. Keep the sun shining and the plants green inside your home with Soltech Solutions. Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code bloom15.

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Follow Lisa: 

Instagram

Website

Facebook

Books

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Plant friends, you probably know my brain broke a little bit last year when Dr Elle Barnes explained plant science and how the smells we know and love are actually something called VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, that plants use to communicate with each other. I had another mind-blowing experience as I researched my book Growing Joy and learned that scent and smell is one of the most powerful senses for memory and feeling. No wonder candles and essential oils are so popular! For this episode, our guest Chris Satch, a dear friend and Bloom and Grow's repeat guest, breaks down and dives under the surface to explain the what's and why's behind essential oils. Time to get exploring!

Order my book!

Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

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:

• [00:50] Introducing Chris
• [02:48] How is this episode about essential oils?
• [05:44] How Chris became the plant parent he is today
• [07:50] What is essential oil?
• [09:32] What makes up the essence of a plant?
• [11:13] What are VOCs and what are their different functions?
• [13:38] The truth behind the smell of freshly cut grass
• [14:37] How Maria has been engaging her sense of smell in the garden
• [15:35] How plants can attract or repel pests based on their smell
• [17:20] How do secondary metabolites work? What is the natural function of caffeine?
• [19:36] How do you make your own essential oils?
• [20:08] What is the process of enfleurage? What are the basic components of enfleurage?
• [22:04] What is cold pressing or cold extraction best used for?
• [22:44] How does the distillation process work for essential oils?
• [23:16] The advantages and disadvantages of steam distillation
• [26:39] What is one mistake people make when extracting essential oils?
• [28:14] What is the extraction method? Why don’t some people prefer extraction? 
• [32:31] Where to get the best fertilizers for all your garden needs
• [34:58] How to grow a year-round garden with foolproof seeds
• [36:57] What is the most accessible method to make your own essential oils?
• [39:42] Extracting lavender essence at home using steam distillation
• [41:44] Applying the extraction method at home for lavender essential oil
• [44:00] Chris’ recommended method for beginners
• [46:46] What are the different compounds that make up our favorite and not-so-favorite scents?
• [51:39] An easy way to further enrich and explore your growing garden!
• [54:36] Chris’ favorite essential oils and plant essences
• [56:04] What are some benefits of hinoki essential oil?
• [57:55] Can all plants produce essential oils?
• [01:00:21] Why are scents personal? How is smell related to memory?
• [01:02:17] What are scented plants that you can add to your collection?
• [01:05:52] Where to get your plant consultation spot with Chris!
• [01:06:56] Easy and simple ways to explore your sense of smell in the garden!
• [01:08:17] Different ways to use essential oils at home and while traveling
• [01:11:06] Maria’s favorite essential oils and their uses
• [01:14:15] Closing remarks

Check out Chris's blog on Essential Oils

Mentioned in our conversation:

• BAGR episode: Mind-Blowing Lessons Learned In Intro To Plant Science At NYBG With Dr Elle Barnes
• Steam distillation kit
• ‘Art of Enfleurage’, Better Homes and Gardens May 2022
• Boy Smells candles
• Young Living essential oils

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

Excited for this year's growing season? If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. They are offering an exclusive discount just for listeners of Bloom & Grow Radio, use code GROW10 to get 10% off your first order. Order now at territorialseed.com

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Follow Chris: 

Instagram: @botanictonic | @nycplantdoctor

Website

Chris's blog on essential oils

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

As plant parents, I'm sure you can agree with me when I say that propagation water situations can bring about SO many questions: Does it need to be changed? Why is it cloudy? Can I just leave it and reuse it? That is why I am so excited to bring this Ask our Horticulturist Anything, or AHA, snippet to you where Leslie Halleck, Garden Society's resident horticulturist, answers common propagation questions, including the best time to take cuttings off your mother plants. Learn along!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

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:

• [00:46] What are nuggets of knowledge?
• [01:46] How to level up your plant education
• [03:26] How often should you change your propagation water?
• [04:07] What factors affect water propagation?
• [05:34] When is the best time to take plant cuttings?
• [06:16] How to host a plant swap and share cuttings with other plant friends!
• [06:45] Where to get horticulturist coaching for your personal collection

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

When I started researching the plant/person connection for my book, Growing Joy, something that surprised me was how limited my view of the plant/person relationship was to sight and taste. I knew I could enjoy looking at my plants and when appropriate, eating the ones I grew, but I realized that I was disconnected from my other three senses when it came to my plant collection. This conversation with Marc Hachadourian is all about our senses and feelings with plants - taped live at the New York Botanical Garden! We share simple and efficient ways to engage all your senses in the garden in this special ep. Let's get to it!

Order my book!

Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

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:

• [01:15] Updates on Growing Joy
• [02:06] What to expect from this episode
• [02:31] Why you should visit New York Botanical Garden (or your local botanical garden!)
• [04:18] Upcoming exciting live Growing Joy events
• [06:15] Who is Marc and how did he become the plant parent he is today?
• [07:40] A little introduction about Maria and Growing Joy
• [09:34] An excerpt from Growing Joy’s chapter “Plant Seeds of Delight”
• [12:14] How to overcome our fear of failure and explore our sense of wonder in the garden
• [15:33] How plants and gardening deepen our connection to ourselves
• [17:22] Marc shares a story of gratitude in NYBG after the lockdowns
• [21:54] An exercise of mindfulness to reconnect with our senses while in the garden
• [23:56] How Marc engages his sense of touch in the garden
• [27:01] Why temperature is an important component of plant care
• [28:25] How plants stimulate our sense of smell; different common smells from plants
• [31:45] How smell can indicate what’s good and what’s bad in the garden
• [33:55] Why smell is the strongest of the senses
• [35:39] An excerpt on taste from Growing Joy
• [37:25] How to make use of your sense of taste better
• [39:09] The foolproof way to grow your garden!
• [40:37] Fertilizers and plant foods for all types of plant parents
• [43:14] How growing our own food and tasting our hard work reconnects us to loved ones
• [45:44] How to engage your sense of hearing in the garden
• [49:29] Marc’s favorite sounds growing up and exploring rainforests
• [50:35] Why we shouldn’t underestimate the power of silence
• [55:29] The beginning of Growing Joy, “Open Your Eyes”
• [58:44] Why Marc believes observation is the most important skill
• [01:01:06] How plant care enriches our empathy towards the world
• [01:02:58] Live audience question: What orchid varieties are recommended for indoor growth and how do you keep orchids healthy?
• [01:04:16] Marc’s review of Growing Joy
• [01:05:32] Why our interaction with colors matters to our wellbeing
• [01:08:08] Live audience question: Why did the color of my rose change when I moved it?
• [01:09:22] Live audience question: What are the best tips for growing roses?
• [01:10:51] Live audience question: How do plants improve our environment?
• [01:12:10] Mama Failla takes the mic and shares an easy yet most thoughtful gift idea (from plants!)
• [01:16:30] Words of gratitude from Maria
• [01:18:56] A few simple tips to engage with your plants and with yourself more

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Terrain by Anthropologie
• One Square Inch rainforest audio
• The Sound Tracker, Gordon Hempton’s website
• New York Botanical Garden

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

Excited for this year's growing season? If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. They are offering an exclusive discount just for listeners of Bloom & Grow Radio, use code GROW10 to get 10% off your first order. Order now at territorialseed.com

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Plant friends, the most awaited day is here: it's Growing Joy's Pub Day! To celebrate Growing Joy hitting the bookstores and to give thanks to the wonderful community behind Bloom and Grow, I've asked community members to share with us how plants help them grow joy. This episode is a wonderful reminder of what plants can do for us: from helping us learn about the world around us, to rediscovering our inner child, to guiding our healing may it be a spiritual, mental, or emotional, to building a community of like-minded plant people, and many more. I'm so excited to bring to you this heartwarming compilation, and of course, my love letter to plants, Growing Joy: A Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (And Plants). Enjoy!

Order my book!

Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

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:

• [00:09] What this special episode is about
• [02:35] Pub Day is here!
• [03:20] What Growing Joy is about
• [04:26] The irony behind Growing Joy
• [05:03] How a community made Growing Joy possible
• [07:50] An excerpt from Growing Joy’s chapter ‘Practice Kindness’
• [09:23] How plants help us connect with ourselves and with other people - Jane
• [10:46] How plants bring calmness and remind us it’s okay to take things slow - Christy
• [11:44] How plants remind us of the special bonds we have with people - Meredith
• [12:21] A little fun fact about the humble beginnings of Bloom and Grow
• [14:20] How plants bring us joy while traveling - Aaron
• [15:21] How plants help us accept failure as part of our growth - Toni
• [16:22] How plants encourage us to learn something new every day - Marc, Marie & Miles
• [17:49] How plants help us grow joy by learning, sharing and giving - Samantha
• [20:24] Cultivating your curiosity with plants, beyond Growing Joy
• [21:25] How plants help us heal physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually and more - Nancy, Pamela & Willow
• [27:26] How growing flowers helps grow joy - Michael
• [28:00] How growing your own food brings joy - Jodi
• [29:09] How taking care of lithops grow joy - Jamie
• [30:22] How plants give us a sense of purpose - Tina
• [31:53] How plants reignite our passion and help us pursue careers that we love - Roos, Chloe, Ami, Rachael, Renee & Bailey
• [38:17] How plants build a community that grows joy - Nicki & Steven
• [40:08] Maria shares tips on building a community and enjoying activities together
• [41:20] How plants help us reconnect with ourselves - Marcia, Karen, Otis, Darlene, Amy, Kamili & Connor
• [47:36] Maria’s goal behind writing Growing Joy
• [49:02] The introduction of Growing Joy: A Plant Lover’s Guide to Cultivating Happiness (And Plants)

Featured plant friends:

• Jane Ouding - @flowerland_jane
• Christy Leitch - @teaandfronds
• Meredith Fages Proskin
• Aaron Albano - @aaronjalbano
• Toni Leitgab - @tonilaviece22
• Marc Crick - @arcanebotany
• Marie Scwab - @schwaberry
• Miles
• Samantha Leung - @hemleva
• Nancy Nowick-Kauk - @plantyogamama
• Pam Garnett - @its_pam_ela
• Willow Star Wright - @hanginwithplants
• Michael Beck - @coloradobeck
• Jodi Bunting - @simpletraditionsfarm
• Jamie Johnson - @minnesotamesembs
• Tina Gustafson - @elevatedgardeningaz
• Roos Kocken - @plantwithroos
• Chloe Tsudama Ami Polite - @politegardens
• Rachael Cohen - @infinitesucculent
• Renee Molina - @kreativegardens
• Colah B Tawkin - @blackinthegarden
• Bailey Bunting - @botanicalbails
• Nicki - @plantpotsnwhatnots
• Steven Thyken - @hausplantdaddy
• Marcia Castro-Rosenberg - @rootingforyoulv
• Karen Pinkoski - @karenpinkoski
• Otis Schroeder - @otisfittraining
• Darlene Zavala - @darlinggreenthings
• Amy Lefavour - @amikinskywalker42
• Kamili Bell Hill - @plantblerd
• Connor Raehsler - @craehsler

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Join my Plant Swap & Book Launch Party at Greenery Unlimited!

Tuesday 6/28 June 28th

Greenery Unlimited in Brooklyn

7-8 Plant Swap

8-9 Cocktails by JuneShine and a book signing!

It's totally free, just RSVP here

Order my book! Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)

Plant friends, we are diving deep about how and why plants are such a fantastic tool for cultivating curiosity. Beyond making my home look beautiful, the greatest gift plants have given me is reinvigorating my connection with the natural world, and my inner student and child. As kids, we are blessed with this childlike wonder that gets so easy to lose touch with as we grow older, and plants bring that back to us. Our guest, Tyler Thrasher, is just the kind of person to learn how to cultivate curiosity with plants, as he is one of the most innovate, unique plant people hanging out on the internet. So get ready to not just care for your plants today, but to cultivate your own curiosity within you!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

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:

• [01:21] Exciting Growing Joy announcements!
• [03:55] How Tyler became the plant parent he is today
• [06:16] What was Tyler’s experience exploring his interest in nature as he was growing up?
• [07:44] How plants teach us about growth and resilience
• [09:42] Do you need a degree to study plants?
• [12:43] How plants reignite our curiosity about the world around us
• [16:13] How do you cultivate your curiosity even during the bad times?
• [19:57] Why human curiosity is evolution speaking
• [23:54] How Tyler’s greenhouse has changed over the years
• [27:17] What does Tyler’s collection look like at present?
• [28:24] Safe and quality indoor and outdoor gardening products
• [29:48] How to grow your food year-round!
• [32:14] What is a sport in plants?
• [33:24] Developing The Sport Hunting Guide and making variegated plants more accessible
• [38:19] What are different ways to rediscover your passion and love for plants?
• [41:24] What steps did Tyler take in exploring his curiosity about his first hybrid?
• [44:35] How many hybrids does Tyler have today?
• [46:31] How did Tyler learn how to crystallize flowers? How did he explore this curiosity?
• [48:17] What does Tyler’s lab setup look like? 
• [49:02] How long does it take to crystallize something? 
• [51:32] What does Tyler’s learning process look like? What resources does he use to explore his curiosities?
• [56:00] What’s next for Tyler and Moonbeam Flora?
• [58:18] Tyler on being a human dad and a plant parent, and raising a kid around plants
• [01:01:28] Where to find Tyler online

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Braiding Sweetgrass, book by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• Tyler Thrasher’s Sport Hunting Guide
• Moonbeam Flora
• Monstera Sports

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

Excited for this year's growing season? If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. They are offering an exclusive discount just for listeners of Bloom & Grow Radio, use code GROW10 to get 10% off your first order. Order now at territorialseed.com

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Follow Tyler: 

Website

Instagram

Podcasts

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

PRE-ORDER LINK: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Lots of free online and IRL events happening in the world of Bloom & Grow!

The Cultivating Happiness Giveaway happening on IG through June 16th

Details to enter at @bloomandgrowmaria on IG

Urban Jungle PHILLY Event THIS FRIDAY June 17th at 6 pm

RSVP HERE

NYC Plant Swap and Launch Party at Greenery Unlimited June 28th at 7 pm

RSVP HERE

Pre-order your copy of Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) Here! - hitting bookstores on June 28th!

There is so much confusion on the internet and so many different contrasting practices around how to treat fungus gnats and what to do with a plant when you bring it home. Some people insist on isolating plants for two weeks, some people dismiss that practice. Some people say to sprinkle cinnamon on the soil surface to combat fungus gnats, some say completely swap new soil. One of our Society members, Barbara, asked about whether or not castile soap works and if we really need to isolate our plants - and our Horticulturist in Residence, Leslie Halleck, enlightens us about how these insecticidal soaps actually work to eradicate pests. So in this ep, I gift you this small nugget of knowledge to give you some answers to this common question! 

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

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:

• [01:49] What it’s like to have a horticulturist in residence!
• [02:15] The plantiest and kindest corner of the internet for YOU
• [03:43] What is castile soap made of?
• [04:26] How does castile soap work on pests?
• [04:45] The most effective way to get rid of fungus gnats
• [05:44] Does isolating plants work? How do you quarantine plants?
• [07:20] How to check plants for pests
• [08:42] How to join the Bloom & Grow Garden Party and Garden Society

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

PRE-ORDER LINK: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Terrariums have played a huge role in my plant collection and life. I recently created a good luck terrarium to bring into the recording studio to record my audiobook for Growing Joy: The Plant Lover’s Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) and had such a special experience planting up this tiny mason jar terrarium, filling it with special plants, stones and crystals, and carrying it in my backpack around NYC while I fulfilled this dream of recording my audiobook. Terrarium guru, Patricia of Doodle Bird Terrariums, breaks down the differences and similarities of terrariums, paludariums, and vivariums and equips us with the knowledge you need to set your first one up after listening to this ep!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

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:

• [00:47] The magic of terrariums
• [05:22] How Patricia became the plant lady she is today
• [06:33] Why Patricia loves terrariums
• [07:03] How terrariums can have restorative effects on people
• [09:02] What are the differences among terrariums, vivariums, and paladariums?
• [11:56] What are the benefits of growing plants in terrariums?
• [12:32] What are common terrarium problems and how do you solve them?
• [14:36] How do you put isopods in your terrarium?
• [15:55] Maria’s first terrarium story
• [17:45] How different is it to set up a terrarium, a vivarium, and a paladarium?
• [18:39] What materials do you need for a basic terrarium?
• [20:30] Open terrariums vs closed terrariums
• [21:45] Where can you source terrarium containers?
• [23:25] Which plants are NOT recommended for terrariums?
• [25:56] Can you use beneficial insects in an open terrarium?
• [27:19] How much soil is needed in terrariums?
• [28:06] Where to get seeds, flowers, and herbs to start in the summer!
• [29:30] Potting mixes tailored to your specific gardening needs? Yes, please!
• [31:22] How to plant up a terrarium
• [32:21] Patricia’s recommended drainage layer setup
• [34:06] How do you water a terrarium? What water should you use for terrariums?
• [36:21] How often should you open a closed terrarium?
• [37:23] Patricia’s most recommended plants for terrariums
• [39:38] How do you set up a vivarium?
• [42:03] Can you use driftwood in a vivarium?
• [42:58] The best starter pets to put in a vivarium
• [45:05] Bigger plants to use in a vivarium
• [46:42] How to feed your vivarium animals
• [48:19] Where to get tiny and cute terrarium figurines
• [49:18] What is the biggest must-know when installing paladariums?
• [51:16] Do you clean the water in paladariums? Do you change it?
• [52:47] The most common terrarium care mistakes and questions
• [57:26] Where to find Patricia online
• [59:26] Maria and Billy’s terrarium plans!
• [01:00:08] Thank you so much for the pre-orders, plant friends!

Mentioned in our conversation:

• BAGR episode: Terrarium 101 with @teenytinyterra
• A Family Guide to Terrariums by Patricia Buzo

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

Excited for this year's growing season? If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. They are offering an exclusive discount just for listeners of Bloom & Grow Radio, use code GROW10 to get 10% off your first order. Order now at territorialseed.com

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Follow Patricia: 

Website

Instagram

Blog

Shop

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

PRE-ORDER LINK: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Aroids have always been fascinating, with their different leaf shapes, structures, and texture, it's no surprise that this set of plants is only growing more and more popular today. In this episode, we welcome back the queen of the aroids, Enid from NSE Tropicals, to discuss five popular and unique aroids to try growing this summer! Enid is just such a well of knowledge on more unusual aroids and she shares some more unique types that we might want to introduce to our collections. This episode is definitely geared towards you curious collector plant parent types out there, so let's dive in!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

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:

• [00:49] Free membership to the Garden Society? Yes, please!
• [02:47] Enid’s book and NSE Tropicals updates
• [05:40] Why are aroids so popular? Why are aroids the perfect beginner houseplants?
• [08:31] What makes houseplants ‘rare’?
• [11:59] Aside from NSE Tropicals, where can you source 'rare' plants?
• [13:11] What you need to know when sourcing plants internationally
• [15:57] What do people need to look out for when buying plants abroad?
• [17:04] Where to get the best seeds for your spring garden!
• [18:27] The best and wide-variety selection of plant tones and fertilizers for you
• [20:28] Unique Aroid #1: Philodendron tortum
• [23:57] The magic of watching a houseplant leaf unfurl
• [24:43] Unique Aroid #2: Philodendron bernardopazii
• [27:01] Unique Aroid #3: Anthurium veitchii
• [29:28] What kind of light do these rare aroids need?
• [29:58] Unique Aroid #4: Anthurium ‘Selby’s Silver’
• [32:10] Shoutout to Bloom and Grow listener, Joey!
• [34:36] Unique Aroid #5: Philodendron distantilobum
• [36:54] Bonus plant: The Offolteranium
• [37:57] Enid shares the inspiration behind her book Welcome to the Jungle
• [38:59] Where to get Enid’s book
• [41:16] Take advantage of this sweet Growing Joy offer!

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Welcome to the Jungle: Rare Tropical Houseplants to Collect, Grow, and Love, book by Enid Offolter

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

Excited for this year's growing season? If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. They are offering an exclusive discount just for listeners of Bloom & Grow Radio, use code GROW10 to get 10% off your first order. Order now at territorialseed.com

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Follow Enid: 

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

PRE-ORDER LINK: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Seeds do not only provide us with food to eat, but they represent the future and also allow us to reflect on our history. They are heirlooms, a connection to our ancestors and their stories. In this episode, on Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we celebrate stories of Asian culture and connection to nature and food through seeds, with YC Miller from Kitazawa Seed Company. YC walks us through the importance of preserving our heritage through seeds and the stories we share and tells us heartwarming stories from Kitazawa customers on how a simple vegetable can carry so much family history and pride. Let's dive in!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

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:

• [00:49] Have you heard about this MAJOR announcement?
• [02:34] How YC became the plant person she is today
• [05:24] How growing food can reconnect us with our heritage
• [09:56] Maria shares her family’s history with food as Italian immigrants
• [12:28] How two brothers built Kitazawa Seed Company
• [14:32] Why preserving seed diversity is an important part of the immigrant experience
• [17:44] Where and how does Kitazawa source their seed varieties?
• [22:45] The best potting mixes for your spring garden!
• [24:25] Get your spring garden started with high-quality seeds
• [26:00] What are the differences between Japanese, Chinese, and Filipino eggplants?
• [28:05] What does the process of bringing a new seed variety to the market look like for Kitazawa Seed Company?
• [28:35] Touching stories on food and Asian heritage from Kitazawa’s customers
• [32:51] Different Asian recipes for bitter melon
• [36:21] YC’s recommended Kitazawa varieties for starters
• [38:01] How to grow gourds in your garden
• [41:00] YC’s current favorite plant to grow and their favorite recipes with it!
• [44:20] Why you need to grow pak choi or bok choy
• [45:41] Where to get in touch with YC and Kitazawa 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Kitazawa Seed Co
• Eggplants (Japanese, Chinese, and Filipino)
• Korean peppers
• Perilla plant
• Okinawan bitter gourd or Okinawan bitter melon
• Herbs (Chinese leeks, Thai basil, bunching onion)
• Gourds (wax gourds and bottle gourds)
• Japanese cucumbers

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

Excited for this year's growing season? If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. They are offering an exclusive discount just for listeners of Bloom & Grow Radio, use code GROW10 to get 10% off your first order. Order now at territorialseed.com

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Follow YC: 

Website

Email: seeds@kitazawaseed.com

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

PRE-ORDER LINK: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

I feel like there comes a time in every plant parent's life when we start to get really curious and excited about having a dedicated space for all of our plants. If you are an outdoor gardener, the promise of a greenhouse for seed starts and overwintering plants is even more promising! I’ve had several different moments in life where I’ve Googled greenhouse kits but never crossed the finish line due to the overwhelming and somewhat intimidating aspect of installing them properly (and the price tag). Hopefully, this episode will set you up for success if you feel like you’re ready to take the leap of installing a greenhouse - whether it's a small kit, or a large structure in your backyard - consider this episode a beginners guide to building the greenhouse of your dreams!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

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:

• [01:49] The inspirations behind this episode!
• [04:13] What to expect from this episode
• [06:15] How Patrick became the plant person he is today
• [10:10] Patrick shares his greenhouse setup
• [11:35] Things to consider before planning a greenhouse
• [12:28] Why do you need a license for your personal greenhouse?
• [15:00] What direction should a greenhouse face?
• [16:44] Pros and cons of different greenhouse materials
• [20:29] DIY greenhouse vs greenhouse kit
• [23:41] Patrick’s advice when exploring greenhouse kit options
• [25:07] What to consider for your greenhouse flooring
• [27:02] Where to get healthy pre-grown plants
• [28:13] The best indoor and outdoor gardening products
• [30:52] Different types of greenhouses and ventilation settings
• [33:08] How to calculate greenhouse heating and ventilation requirements
• [34:31] Different types of fans and vents for greenhouse ventilation
• [37:28] How do you run power to your greenhouse?
• [39:16] How much does a good beginner greenhouse cost?
• [42:33] Common misconceptions about greenhouses
• [43:37] How greenhouses help in pest control and management
• [45:45] Troubleshooting greenhouse ventilation and humidity issues
• [46:40] What is the ideal temperature for a greenhouse?
• [47:53] Patrick’s advice for greenhouse beginners
• [50:12] Greenhouse #1: Amy’s apartment-deck greenhouse in cold Massachusetts
• [53:27] Greenhouse #2: Tiffany’s indoor greenhouse for 200+ plants
• [59:28] Greenhouse #3: Kristin’s fully-customized permanent greenhouse from a kit
• [01:05:48] Greenhouse #4: Eric’s Instagrammable East Nash Greenhouse with recycled windows
• [01:11:56] Where to get university-level horticulture education for your greenhouse preparations!
• [01:12:41] How to pre-order Growing Joy

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Patrick's other blogs: Sublime Succulents & Self-Sustaining Ecosystem
• Domino Magazine article: How a Stylist DIY-ed Her Dream Greenhouse From a Prefab Kit

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

Excited for this year's growing season? If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. They are offering an exclusive discount just for listeners of Bloom & Grow Radio, use code GROW10 to get 10% off your first order. Order now at territorialseed.com

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Follow this episode's guests: 

Patrick // greenhouseinfo.com : Greenhouse Info | Email

Andi and Eric // East Nashville Greenhouse : Instagram

Kristin // Tending West : Instagram | Newsletter | Website

Tiffany // plantmahmah : Instagram | Email

Amy Lefavour : Instagram

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

PRE-ORDER LINK: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Plant friends, in celebration of the launch of my new book, Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants), which is about my personal journey with plants, I want to celebrate YOUR stories on launch day.  Growing Joy is not just about my personal journey with my plants, it's about the thousands of stories I have heard from listeners about how plants have helped them heal, grow and find more joy. This is your official invitation to join the #GrowingJoyChallenge and share YOUR story with the world. Tune in for the details!

Submit your stories here by April 30th!

In this episode:

• [00:37] What plants mean to Maria
• [00:57] Why Growing Joy is about YOU
• [01:57] How you can share your story with the world!
• [04:36] In-depth tutorials for the #GrowingJoyChallenge
• [00:57] How to pre-order Growing Joy
• [05:39] Let’s cultivate more joy in the world!

Submit your stories here by April 30th!

Growing Joy Pre-Order Link

Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)

by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Growing your own plants from seeds is one of the most gratifying experiences in the garden. Watching a tiny seed become a full-grown plant just gives you the most amazing feeling as a plant parent. However, seed starting is a whole different science and practice on its own and requires special soil, different care, grow lights and water monitoring, and interesting practices to make sure that your seeds actually sprout: seed scarification is one of those practices that may seem intimidating, but takes your seed starting game into a whole different level. Leslie Halleck, my plant friend and Bloom and Grow Garden Society's resident horticulturist, gives us the know-how behind seed scarification in this Knowledge Nugget!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

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:

• [01:29] How to access Leslie Halleck’s planty lectures
• [02:59] What is seed scarification for?
• [04:16] Different ways to scarify a seed
• [04:32] Mistakes to avoid when doing seed scarification
• [07:05] Your open invitation to the Garden Society!

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

PRE-ORDER LINK: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

They produce some of the most desirable flowers we know and love, but a bulb can be very confusing to an amateur gardener. We look at this little stub and think, "Seriously, a daffodil is going to sprout up from this thing?" As tropical houseplant growers, bulbs can be a totally different game when it comes to caring, with different sets of tips to be mindful of. Jenks Farmer is a bulb expert and lifelong gardener and in this ep, he joins us to break down everything you need to know about bulbs. Let's dive in!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

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:

• [00:49] Growing Joy updates and invitation
• [02:04] Watering technique tips and water quality lecture
• [04:05] How Jenks became the bulb expert he is today
• [07:35] What is a bulb? How do we identify bulbs?
• [11:52] Listener question: When is the best time to plant alliums? Will the plants reproduce over time?
• [12:43] Where can you find bulbs in nature?
• [14:33] Beginner terms: Annuals vs perennials
• [15:10] What is a naturalized garden?
• [16:29] When do you plant different kinds of bulbs?
• [18:35] How does ground temperature trigger bulb growth?
• [19:03] How do you force bulbs indoors?
• [23:14] How do bulbs grow? Why do we need to divide bulbs?
• [24:53] The best gardening products for any gardening situation
• [26:14] Where to get pre-grown plants and seeds for your spring garden
• [27:47] Why do we need to dry bulbs? How do you store dry bulbs?
• [28:16] How do you store caladiums?
• [31:04] Jenks’ indoor bulb recommendations
• [32:00] Do all bulbs go dormant?
• [34:21] How do you plant bulbs? Do bulbs have to be planted right side up?
• [35:32] What is the ideal soil mixture for bulbs? How often should you fertilize bulbs?
• [37:08] How deep should bulbs be planted? Why is depth important?
• [39:17] Jenks’ bulb recommendations for every season!
• [42:05] Why does Jenks like crinums?
• [42:50] Where do crinums originate from?
• [44:11] Where can crinums grow in the country?
• [45:29] Why Jenks wrote a book on crinums
• [48:04] Where to find Jenks online
• [50:01] Maria’s gardening plans update and spring announcements

Mentioned in our conversation:

• PRE-ORDER LINK: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung
• The Crinum Book, book by Augustus Jenks Farmer
• Funky Little Flower Farm, book by Augustus Jenkins Farmer
• Deep-Rooted Wisdom: Skills and Stories from Generations of Gardeners, book by Augustus Jenkins Farmer
• Jenks Farmer’s bulb and containers

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

Excited for this year's growing season? If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. They are offering an exclusive discount just for listeners of Bloom & Grow Radio, use code GROW10 to get 10% off your first order. Order now at territorialseed.com

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Follow Jenks: 

Website

Instagram

YouTube

Books

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

This might be the CRAZIEST thing I’ve done with my plants but this has also been such an extraordinary experience as I fly our lime tree, Limey, from New York to Florida! I am so excited to share the experience with you and talk about the citrus alley Mama Failla and I made in their beautiful Florida home.

I document the entire journey of flying with a plant including the thought process, plant modifications, legal processes and the next few days' updates in an Youtube Vlog: https://youtu.be/jtelXljM1gk

Let me know which part is your fave!

Pre-order Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)

Join the Bloom & Grow Garden Society

Plant friends, this has been in the works for almost two years and I am so excited to finally be able to share it with you! Two YEARS of quietly working on a very special project with our guest, and not being able to talk about it! We will dive more into this project in the second half of this episode, but more importantly, we get to know Samantha Leung. Samantha, the founder of the well-known plant brand Hemleva, is the real deal. She's so freaking smart, she's kind, she's generous, she's honest, and she’s built her business with such integrity and hustle and grown a thriving business that creates botanically inspired products. In this episode, we are so lucky to be joined by Samantha to learn how she got to where she is now, and I’ve been lucky enough to have gotten to know her offline over the last year because we’ve been working on a very special project! Find out what it is in the ep!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

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:

• [01:27] What to expect from this episode
• [04:26] How one woman’s jewelry collection was used to make diplomatic history
• [05:41] What was Samantha’s first-ever product?
• [06:28] How Samantha got started with pins
• [08:44] Why are plants important to Samantha?
• [10:28] How plants carry our memories with them
• [12:26] Where did Hemleva get its name from and what does it mean?
• [15:10] What was Hemleva’s first year in business like?
• [17:50] How did Samantha go about Hemleva’s logistics and business requirements?
• [20:04] What other crafts has Samantha tried building a business for?
• [23:02] Maria shares some of the challenges as a woman entrepreneur
• [26:15] How does Samantha handle her entrepreneur days?
• [27:42] Where to get the high-quality vegetable plants this season
• [29:17] The best indoor and outdoor gardening products for you and your pets
• [31:47] How does Samantha ideate, develop, and execute a product?
• [33:56] What tools does Samantha use to create a product?
• [35:27] How does Samantha source people and businesses she works with?
• [37:49] What does the process or ordering samples look like for Hemleva?
• [39:36] How does Samantha decide her inventory?
• [41:00] How profit margins differ in different business categories
• [44:19] In what ways is Hemleva structured to give back to different organizations?
• [45:57] What does One Percent for the Planet do?
• [47:56] What does work-life balance look like for Samantha?
• [50:47] How to figure out your own workflow and work schedule
• [52:37] How baking helps Samantha with her focus
• [54:24] Maria and Samantha’s very special collaboration!
• [56:26] Asking Samantha to illustrate the book cover
• [01:00:20] Samantha shares her experience illustrating her first book
• [01:03:32] Growing Joy merch collection with Hemleva!
• [01:04:44] Your official invitation to the Growing Joy launch celebration
• [01:06:09] How to join the Growing Joy giveaway for a free book!
• [01:07:54] Samantha shares a juicy sneak peek of Growing Joy
• [01:10:56] Sisterhood of The Traveling Plants
• [01:11:58] How Samantha inspires Maria
• [01:13:29] Maria’s reflections on writing a book and running a podcast

Mentioned in our conversation:

• PRE-ORDER LINK: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung
• Folia Collective
• BAGR Episode: How to Start a Plant Shop with Folia Collective
• Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewelry Box, book by Madeleine Albright
• You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, book by Jen Sincero
• Charity Navigator
• Chinese for Affirmative Action
• 1% for the Planet

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

Excited for this year's growing season? If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. They are offering an exclusive discount just for listeners of Bloom & Grow Radio, use code GROW10 to get 10% off your first order. Order now at territorialseed.com

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Follow Samantha: 

Website

Instagram

Pinterest

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Rubber plants don't get enough credit in the tropical plant world. These humble plants are always available at the garden center but tend to get overlooked for some of our sexier Instagram-worthy plants. In this episode, we will dive into the many reasons why rubber plants are fantastic plants with Raffaele of Ohio Tropics. The first part is going to be an overview of general rubber plant care and different types of rubber plants, and then the second half is actually frequently asked questions that Raffaele answers and troubleshoots. Welcome, plant friend!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

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:

• [00:43] Maria’s plant and personal updates
• [02:12] Introducing Raffaele from Ohio Tropics
• [03:14] Your invitation to a free 10-day virtual garden festival!
• [03:58] What to expect from this rubber plant episode
• [06:40] How Raffael became the plant parent he is today
• [10:06] What is a rubber plant?
• [11:26] Do rubber trees produce latex?
• [12:53] Where can you find rubber plants in nature?
• [14:33] What are the different types and varieties of rubber plants?
• [18:54] How to water rubber plants
• [21:27] Raffaele’s watering tip using a turkey baster
• [23:21] How much sunlight does a rubber plant need?
• [27:35] Are rubber plants low-light plants?
• [28:35] What kind of soil mix is good for rubber plants?
• [30:52] Where to get pre-grown plants and seeds for your spring garden
• [32:09] The best indoor and outdoor gardening products
• [34:49] How to fertilize rubber plants
• [37:11] Rubber Plant FAQ #1: Why is my rubber plant not growing?
• [39:03] Rubber Plant FAQ #2: How do I get my rubber plant to branch and be bushier instead of taller?
• [39:51] What is the air layering propagation method?
• [44:15] Rubber Plant FAQ #3: Why are my new leaves smaller than the older ones?
• [45:32] Rubber Plant FAQ #4: Why are my rubber plant leaves dropping?
• [48:20] Why overwatering can cause issues to your plant (in ways you might not expect)
• [49:12] Rubber Plant FAQ #5: My plant looks healthy, but the branches are all over the place; why is this happening?
• [50:26] Rubber Plant FAQ #6: What are the tiny white spots on my rubber plant?
• [51:26] Rubber Plant FAQ#7: Why are the edges of my variegated rubber plant browning?
• [54:09] Rubber Plant FAQ #8: My rubber plant has aerial roots, but do they grow better in slightly cooler conditions?
• [55:18] Raffaele’s recommendations of the best rubber plant varieties for beginners
• [57:35] What Raffaele’s book Houseplant Warrior is about!
• [59:41] Where to connect with Raffaele
• [01:01:52] Upgrade your plant education with these two events!

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Houseplant Warrior: 7 Keys to Unlocking the Mysteries of Houseplant Care, book by Raffaele Di Lallo
• The Great Grow Along Virtual Garden Festival

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

Excited for this year's growing season? If you’re looking for plants for your garden, skip the lines at the garden center and let Territorial Seed Company deliver top-of-the-line, healthy and hardy vegetable plants right to your door! They have a great line of pre-grown plants, an expansive seed catalog, and over 40 years of experience delivering the best seeds and plants for everyone's garden. They are offering an exclusive discount just for listeners of Bloom & Grow Radio, use code GROW10 to get 10% off your first order. Order now at territorialseed.com

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Follow Raffaele: 

Blog

Instagram

YouTube

Book

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Has the concept of “bright indirect light” ever confused you? Or how to measure your light in your home in general? Or how to figure out when you need to supplement with grow lights, and if you get grow lights, how to set your plants up for success under them? Light is probably the most confusing topic when it comes to our plants. It was definitely my biggest pain point when I was starting out as I had so many plants in what I thought was indirect light… but it was actually extremely low light. Lucky for us, Leslie Halleck, my plant friend and Bloom and Grow Garden Society's resident horticulturist, breaks down brightness and PAR for us in this Knowledge Nugget. Let's dive in!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

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:

• [00:19] Is light your biggest pain point in your plant care?
• [00:54] What to expect from this mini-series episode
• [01:25] What are Knowledge Nuggets?
• [03:26] Why brightness is not important
• [04:06] What is PAR and why is it important to your plants?
• [05:13] Which spectrums of light are optimal for photosynthesis?
• [06:22] Why do plants grow best in red light?
• [07:11] Where to get the best horticulturist-led plant education
• [08:34] What the next Node of Knowledge lecture is about

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

We’ve likely all had some sort of run-in with a carnivorous plant: maybe bringing one of those little venus flytraps at the hardware store home to realize you had no idea how to care for it, maybe marveling at the wide array of carnivorous plants at your local botanical garden, and maybe even getting to see a fly land on one, or maybe it’s just knowing the man-eating plant Audrey II in the musical Little Shop of Horrors. However you’ve engaged with carnivorous plants, you’ve likely figured out that they are really a whole subsect of plants of their own, require very specific care, and might get you if you don't care for them correctly. Lucky for us, we are joined by carnivorous plant expert Damon from California Carnivores for an incredibly informative episode about everything we need to know about these mysterious, hungry plants!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

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:

• [01:02] Introducing Damon
• [03:22] Damon’s history with carnivorous plants
• [08:24] What are carnivorous plants? What characteristics make up a carnivorous plant?
• [14:25] Where to find carnivorous plants in the wild
• [16:14] Why conservation of carnivorous plants is a must
• [18:50] How long have carnivorous plants been around?
• [20:09] Damon shares what he thinks of Little Shop of Horrors musical
• [22:19] The right kind of water for carnivorous plants (and how to identify them in a store!)
• [28:08] The best carnivorous plants to grow indoors (Venus flytrap, pitcher plants, butterworts)
• [31:36] Are you planning your garden already?
• [33:32] Level up your plant education with a horticulturist!
• [35:43] What is the best growing media for carnivorous plants?
• [38:22] Why you shouldn’t use terracotta pots for your carnivorous plants
• [40:16] How to use grow lights on carnivorous plants
• [42:13] Should you fertilize carnivorous plants?
• [43:06] How to feed your Venus flytrap and Cape sundews
• [46:53] Fertilizing your pitcher plants
• [49:35] How much humidity do carnivorous plants need?
• [50:48] How to make your Venus flytrap go dormant
• [52:11] Can you fertilize your carnivorous plants even if they’re catching bugs?
• [52:58] Troubleshooting carnivorous plants soil mix
• [53:39] Taking care of your Mexican butterworts
• [55:29] Damon’s recommended beginner carnivorous plants
• [57:26] Should you still buy Venus flytraps even when they’re not sustainably sourced?
• [59:53] Where to buy carnivorous plants and access educational resources
• [01:02:00] Just a note about peat moss
• [01:02:42] Maria’s winter updates

Mentioned in our conversation:

• The Savage Garden
• Wetlands Reclamation Act
• Maxsea All-Purpose Nutrient Fertilizer
• California Carnivores YouTube video: Winter Dormancy for Temperate Plants in Cold Climates

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

Excited for this year's growing season? Territorial Seed Co recently launched their Kitchen Counter collection, a selection of vegetables specifically bred to grow and produce in small spaces and lower light—perfect for indoor cultivation. From Artichoke through Zucchini, they have everything you need to grow your best garden ever! And with over 40 years of experience, you know they have seeds and plants you can trust. They are offering an exclusive discount just for listeners of Bloom & Grow Radio, use code GROW10 to get 10% off your first order. Order now at territorialseed.com

Bloom and Grow Garden Society

The Bloom and Grown Garden Society is the premium tier of the Garden Party Platform, rooted in high-quality education and community. I’ve partnered with our Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck to bring monthly “Node of Knowledge” plant science lectures, monthly “Ask our Horticulturist Anything” office hours, and Growing Joy Community Calls with me. Treat yourself to an annual membership for the holidays or gift to your crazy plant friends! Learn more at jointhegardensociety.com.

Follow Damon: 

Website

Instagram

YouTube

TikTok

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Welcome to a new mini-series for Bloom & Grow Radio: Knowledge Nuggets. They will be 5-10 minute episodes that show up once a month, in addition to our regular episodes, and will highlight one "nugget" of plant nerd education taken from the Node of Knowledge Plant Science lectures Leslie Halleck gives in the Garden Society. These lectures are so good, I couldn't help sharing a teeny bit with you!

Episode one is a snippet from our AHAs (Ask Our Horticulturist Anything) where members can hop on a zoom call with Leslie and troubleshoot their plant collections with her.

Do you remember the first time one of your peperomia grew an inflorescence or flower? Have you ever seen one before? I remember the first time when my watermelon peperomia threw off a ton of inflorescence, these weird spikey things popped out of the plant and I had no idea what they were. In the first episode of Knowledge Nuggets, Leslie Halleck is giving you insight into what these spikey things are and more importantly, what we need to know about them when they show up in our collections. Let's get learnin'!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

Stop struggling with your plant collection and start THRIVING with he Bloom and Grow Garden Society. Expert led houseplant & gardening education with a community of plant friends… at your fingertips.

When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

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:

• [00:40] What to expect from this episode
• [03:54] Troubleshooting your plant problems
• [04:57] What is an inflorescence and why do peperomias have them?
• [05:27] How to prune peperomia inflorescence
• [06:06] How to keep variegation in plants / how to grow a fuller, bushier plant
• [08:05] Where to get personalized plant coaching from a horticulturist

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

It's been such a joy having fellow podcasters join me in the pod as they never disappoint and have such wonderful insights about plant parenthood and plantrepreneurship. I met this episode's guest in 2020 and figured it was time to have her back on to catch up and explore a concept she’ll be tackling on the next season of her show: the past, present, and future of black people in horticulture. Colah has created an amazing brand called Black in the Garden that has blown up in the last couple of years, and created a space for so many people to feel seen within the plant community. Tune in as we share an important conversation about historic black plant people and their rich yet less discovered contributions to plant society.

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

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:

• [00:57] Maria’s plant updates
• [05:30] Who is Colah and why she started her podcast, Black in the Garden
• [09:16] How has Colah’s plant collection changed through her personal transitions?
• [15:07] What it’s like to have a plant-sitter
• [16:52] Reevaluating the lesson of resiliency as a Black woman
• [19:16] Moving forward and seeking opportunities presented to you
• [22:04] Letting go of things that don’t bring you joy
• [23:11] Why Wangari Mathai is Colah’s most inspirational historic Black figure
• [25:26] Making the diaspora of Black people known and accessible
• [29:09] Where to get the best seeds for this growing season
• [30:45] Indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet
• [32:30] Jerome the Gnome and Colah’s update on inclusivity in garden products
• [34:26] Black representation in media and podcasting
• [38:59] Colah shares recent recognitions for Black people in horticulture
• [41:51] Horticulturist Abra Lee and her mission to uncover the history of Black garden clubs and societies 
• [46:08] Ideating and self-publishing the Black in the Garden Coloring Book
• [49:58] Acknowledging white privilege in horticulture
• [52:52] Why Colah is exploring the past, present, and future in Black in the Garden podcast
• [55:41] What’s next for Colah and Black in the Garden in 2022
• [01:00:50] How to level up your plant parent skills this year!

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Bloom and Grow Radio YouTube video Flower Preservation Unboxing
• You Grow, Gurl!: A Lush Guide to Plant Parenthood by Christopher Griffin
• Bloom and Grow Radio podcast episode Lessons from Plants from 2021 with Beronda Montgomery
• Mashable’s article on Juliet Sargeant, “First female black designer in 103 years of Chelsea Flower Show wins gold”
• Website: Abra Lee / Conquer the Soil
• Colah's tree planting initiative: Underground Arborist

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

Excited for this year's growing season? Territorial Seed Co's got you covered with high-quality seeds and plants (over 2,000 varieties) that are tried and tested on their 75-acre farm! From Artichoke through Zucchini, they have everything you need to grow your best garden ever! And with over 40 years of experience, you know they have seeds and plants you can trust. They are offering an exclusive discount just for listeners of Bloom & Grow Radio, use code GROW10 to get 10% off your first order. Order now at territorialseed.com

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Follow Colah: 

Website

Instagram

Twitter

YouTube

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Houseplants and interior design: you’d think these two passions would go together like two peas in a pod, but they can sometimes be at war with each other. We can find ourselves desperately wanting to style plants in rooms with no light, or getting overwhelmed with figuring out how to make our homes look planty and not cluttered. Many plant people don't know the first thing about interior design trends, and many interior designers don't know the first thing about plant care (even if they want to have plants in their designs). Luckily for us, I recently met Betsy, of the Affordable Interior Design podcast, and we decided to huddle up and see how we can match our compatible but different skill sets together and came up with this collaborative episode! Betsy breaks down various design styles, and I match plants that would suit those aesthetics. It’s a super fun chat that I hope will leave you ready to elevate your home and grow more joy in your lives!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

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:

• [01:11] What to expect from this episode
• [04:40] A little info on Maria’s design style
• [05:41] The importance of deliberate plant corners
• [07:32] How Betsy became the interior designer she is today
• [09:59] Why people feel intimidated by interior design
• [12:22] How interior design and plant care can be similar
• [14:42] Tip #1: Don’t be afraid to go big!
• [16:43] Tip #2: The rule of thirds // the rule of odd numbers
• [18:47] Tip #3: How to design a bookshelf
• [22:35] Is color-blocking your books still in?
• [25:33] How to prevent plants from overgrowing in spaces on your shelf
• [26:56] What is bohemian style and how to execute it?
• [31:40] How many colors can you have in a room?
• [34:14] How do you mix and match different textures effectively?
• [35:09] The best indoor and outdoor gardening products
• [36:13] Where to get quality seeds for this year’s garden
• [37:55] Incorporating plants into your boho home
• [39:09] Modern vs contemporary design styles
• [41:17] What is minimalism?
• [42:44] How to achieve clean lines in your home
• [44:18] Adding color to your contemporary home
• [46:37] The best plants for your clean lines home
• [48:54] What is glam style and its common components?
• [53:13] How to achieve a sophisticated beach coastal style
• [56:57] Adding plants to your beach coastal home
• [59:49] The principles of rustic design // farmhouse interior
• [01:02:45] What plants are fit for your farmhouse style?
• [01:05:51] Is Scandinavian design considered contemporary?
• [01:08:06] Why plants are popular interior design assets today
• [01:10:44] Maria’s closing remarks

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Find Your Interior Design Style personality quiz

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Territorial Seed Company

Excited for this year's growing season? Territorial Seed Co's got you covered with high-quality seeds and plants (over 2,000 varieties) that are tried and tested on their 75-acre farm! From Artichoke through Zucchini, they have everything you need to grow your best garden ever! And with over 40 years of experience, you know they have seeds and plants you can trust. They are offering an exclusive discount just for listeners of Bloom & Grow Radio, use code GROW10 to get 10% off your first order. Order now at territorialseed.com

Follow Betsy: 

Website

Podcast

Book

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Happy New Year, plant friends! I hope you had great holidays and like me, are looking forward to a fresh start in 2022. In the first episode of Season 7, I invited some of my favorite planty podcasters back: Stephen and Matthew of the Plant Daddy Podcast, for a really fun conversation inspired by streamlining and simplifying our houseplant care routines. This convo is really rooted in reflecting on 2021 and learning from the transitions we all went through and these guys are just so lovely, so insightful, and thoughtful about their approach to plant care. They share plant care efficiency tips that I think we can all adapt to our own plant care routines!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

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:

• [00:35] Happy new year, plant friends!
• [03:36] Stephen shares the transitions he and his collection went through in 2021
• [07:28] Matthew’s life and plant collection updates
• [14:48] How plant rack systems work // Tray Method
• [17:13] How to group plants in your plant rack
• [17:40] Different ways of watering plants efficiently
• [23:42] Stephen shares his plant rack setup
• [25:00] The biggest change Matthew applied to his plant care
• [27:25] 3 tips to maintaining your urban jungle with thriving plants
• [29:34] Plant care efficiency tip: hang plants by the window!
• [30:56] How much light do your bookcase plants need?
• [33:02] Where to get the best seeds for this growing season
• [34:07] What you’ll get when you join the Garden Society!
• [36:01] Maria’s experience maintaining her plants through four different home environments
• [37:38] Acclimating your plants to varying growth conditions
• [38:30] Why grow lights are great investments
• [39:54] What Matthew’s plant care routine looks like today
• [40:59] How Stephen engages with his plants
• [43:24] How your plant parent personality changes with your plant collection
• [47:58] What’s your favorite aspect of your plant care routine? 
• [50:22] What are you not liking about your plant care routine recently?
• [52:53] Matthew and Stephen share their plant intentions for 2022
• [54:27] Maria’s 2022 plant intentions
• [56:57] Where to find the Plant Daddy Pod

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

Excited for this year's growing season? Territorial Seed Co's got you covered with high-quality seeds and plants (over 2,000 varieties) that are tried and tested on their 75-acre farm! From Artichoke through Zucchini, they have everything you need to grow your best garden ever! And with over 40 years of experience, you know they have seeds and plants you can trust. They are offering an exclusive discount just for listeners of Bloom & Grow Radio, use code GROW10 to get 10% off your first order. Order now at territorialseed.com

Bloom and Grow Garden Society

The Bloom and Grown Garden Society is the premium tier of the Garden Party Platform, rooted in high-quality education and community. I’ve partnered with our Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck to bring monthly “Node of Knowledge” plant science lectures, monthly “Ask our Horticulturist Anything” office hours, and Growing Joy Community Calls with me. Treat yourself to an annual membership for the holidays or gift to your crazy plant friends! Learn more at jointhegardensociety.com.

Follow the Plant Daddy Podcast: 

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Hi Plant Friends, our official first episode of Season 7 of BAGR starts next week with the return of the guys from the Plant Daddy Podcast for a great talk about streamlining houseplant care in 2022, but since it’s the first week of 2022, I wanted to share a sweet moment with you that we recently had on a Growing Joy Call in the Bloom & Grow Garden Society: a 3 minute meditation, on the turn of the year, through the eyes of our plants. 

It’s just a little something I’m sharing in hopes you can carve out 5 minutes of time this week to get cozy, sit with your plants, listen, reflect and get excited for 2022. 

If meditation, visualization or general planty cheesiness isn’t your thing… skip this episode and meet us back here on Tuesday Jan 11th for a highly informative episode to celebrate the launch of the new season! 

If you are interested in joining us in Bloom & Grow Virtual Garden Society, visit community.bloomandgrowradio.com to sign up! Next live lecture is this Wednesday January 12th and it’s a Seed Starting Intensive for Vegetables, Flowers AND Indoor Plants! The next Growing Joy Lecture will be about Sowing Seeds of Intention for the 2022 on Jan 18th. All calls get recorded and live in the platform for your binging delights :)

When I think back on this last year, transition is the word that comes to mind. We are literally transitioning into a new year, but I'm sure everyone went through some form of transition this year: a new home, family additions and losses, job changes, and more. And as we grow through those transitions, our plant collection evolves too. I personally went through a tremendous transition this year and my plant collection and plant parent personality completely shifted. These transitions in my plant parenthood brought up a lot for me: feelings of shame, failure, or almost a rigidity to stick with what I used to do. In moving through this transition, I found some really helpful practices and concepts that helped me ebb, flow, and grow that I wanted to share with you today. So, this episode is rather different than our other episodes: it’s highly personal and I get into the nitty-gritty of some behind-the-scenes of this growing business and my life. No ads, no interviews, no guests—just checking in!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join, you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

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:

• [00:56] Why transition is an important conversation today
• [02:26] How Maria’s plant parent personality and plant collection have changed this year
• [03:37] What to expect from this year-end episode
• [05:45] Maria’s questions to YOU, the listener
• [08:03] How the Bloom and Grow listener community inspires Maria and the podcast
• [11:00] Why plants improve our lives
• [11:30] Updates on the Bloom and Grow Radio podcast
• [13:40] The different transitions Maria went through this year
• [15:05] Planty practices to find more joy and stillness in your life
• [15:16] Why you should have your morning coffee with your plants
• [18:13] The benefits of engaging with plants during the day
• [20:23] Shifting how you see plant care and your plant number
• [22:09] Explore your plant curiosity
• [23:02] Use planty affirmations and some of Maria’s personal examples
• [25:44] Maria’s big announcement!
• [30:27] A very special (and secret) snippet

Mentioned in the conversation:

• Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) pre-order links: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

There is so much power in flowers, plant friends. A flower is so much more than a bloom, but an expression, a connection to something deeper. Whatever our known or unknown bias for blooms is, flowers are little joy bombs just waiting to be cut or grown. It’s undeniable that flowers also can play a huge part in a wedding day: from the ceremonial bouquet and corsage to the ceremony and reception flowers can be used to enliven a wedding day, and also express a part of yourself through your choices. But as a tropical foliage lover, I was actually tremendously out of my depth when it came to understanding what went into wedding florals, or flowers in general when I was planning our wedding. As wedding florals are also a huge investment, I found myself going through a little wedding floral crash course of my own and with my florist, Corina of The Botaniste. In this episode, Corina and I share all things wedding flowers so that you know where to start come your wedding planning!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop-shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

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:

• [02:22] Introducing Corina
• [04:16] What to expect of the last episode of My Botanically Inspired Wedding Series
• [09:29] Corina shares her experiences planning wedding florals with couples
• [10:33] Why Pinterest is every bride’s best friend AND worst enemy
• [11:52] How Corina became a plant lady and how she started The Botaniste
• [17:29] Corina’s biggest influences in floral styling
• [18:18] What are current and upcoming trends for wedding flowers?
• [19:46] What elements are there in a tablescape?
• [22:28] Is there a difference between wedding flowers and event flowers?
• [26:14] Maria shares her decision-making process with her wedding florals
• [28:02] How flowers elevate any event
• [29:26] How to preserve your wedding flowers
• [31:00] What are the best and the worst flowers to have at your wedding?
• [34:01] Which flower is an alternative to peonies?
• [35:54] New rose varieties to try in your wedding flowers
• [39:27] How to condition cut flowers
• [41:23] How to keep cut hydrangeas from wilting
• [42:58] Where to get the best organic indoor and outdoor gardening products
• [44:12] Planning to grow from seeds this coming garden season?
• [48:15] How to work with florists and where to start with your wedding flower planning
• [52:33] Building a trusting relationship with your wedding florist
• [55:08] Corina’s advice for couples planning to DIY their wedding
• [58:51] Maria’s garland and greenery vision
• [01:00:40] How to style a wedding with greenery
• [01:03:38] Incorporating bud vases in your wedding
• [01:07:55] Adding statement greenery to your wedding venue and reception
• [01:12:49] What you should know about greenery
• [01:14:38] Corina’s ultimate tip for wedding planners and contractors
• [01:15:15] Corina’s current favorite flowers and combinations
• [01:17:00] What Maria loved about blushing bride protea
• [01:18:08] Where you can hire Corina as your florist
• [01:20:25] Maria’s Wedding Series reflections

Mentioned in the conversation:

• Check out Corina's video on how to arrange a big bridal bouquet!
• Lush Magnolia Flower Preservation artist
• DIY Wedding Copper Arbor blog
• BAGR Episode: 3 Plant Inspired DIY Wedding Ideas that Live on After the Big Day
• BAGR Episode: 26 Ways to Incorporate Plants Into Your Wedding
• BAGR Blog: 26 Ways to Incorporate Plants Into Your Wedding

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

It’s time to start planning your garden and placing your seed orders! Territorial Seed Company has an unbelievable selection of seeds and plants to choose from to build the garden of your dreams all year, with sustainably-grown seeds for the best-tasting, best-producing, highest-quality vegetables, flowers, and herbs. Check out their amazing variety of seeds, plants, garden planners, and more at territorialseed.com and use code BLOOM10 to get 10% off your first order.

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Follow Corina:

The Botaniste Florida: Website | Instagram

The Botaniste East Hampton: Website | Instagram

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

From the moment I got engaged, and frankly, even before that, I knew that I wanted to have the plantiest wedding possible! My plants are a huge part of me and I wanted to incorporate that aspect into our wedding. I didn’t want my wedding to be houseplant-themed, but I wanted houseplants and nature to be woven into our day seamlessly, in a refined way that felt special. Katie O’Neil of Katydyd Events, our wedding planner, joins me in this episode to talk about the different ways we added plants to our wedding, and some that didn't make it but were totally great ideas! This is one of my most anticipated episodes—I literally waited two years!—and I can't wait to share everything with you.

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop-shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

Check out this episode's full blog with photos here!

In this episode we learn:

• [00:28] Why Maria wanted a planty wedding
• [04:40] Introducing Katie; Maria and Billy’s wedding angel
• [10:36] Mama Failla’s wedding advice
• [11:53] How Katie became the epic wedding planner she is today
• [14:34] Maria’s biggest wedding advice for everyone!
• [16:56] How plants have developed as a trend in the bridal industry
• [17:58] Hoya kerrii as tablescape and wedding favor
• [21:36] What questions to ask yourself when planning a wedding with plants
• [22:56] Katie’s ultimate wedding planning goal
• [23:45] Finding the balance between a plant-themed wedding and a you-themed wedding
• [26:04] How to pick your wedding venue and Katie’s professional advice
• [31:15] How to incorporate plants into your invitations and signages
• [34:19] Using seed paper for your invitations
• [35:25] Incorporating plants into your wedding dress and suit
• [40:09] ‘Something blue’, wedding shoes, and floral hairpins
• [43:37] Picking out your color palette and bridesmaid dresses
• [44:36] Where to get your seeds for the upcoming growing season!
• [46:58] What you’ll get when you join the Garden Society
• [48:37] How to repurpose your bridal bouquet and your bridesmaids’ bouquet during the reception
• [51:04] How to incorporate plants during the ceremony
• [54:15] Leaf girl instead of flower girl? Yes, please!
• [55:47] Why you should swap your rice toss for a lavender toss
• [58:08] Fresh ideas for garlands at your reception
• [01:00:05] Why it’s important to get the right florist!
• [01:02:19] Other fun, creative ways to add plants into your wedding
• [01:03:40] How to make the wedding green wall of your dreams
• [01:07:11] What to prepare for when you have live plants as wedding favors
• [01:08:11] Katie’s advice when doing DIY wedding pieces
• [01:10:51] How to make your wedding flowers last beyond your big day
• [01:12:35] How to incorporate macrame into your wedding
• [01:16:35] Katie’s biggest advice for incorporating plants into your wedding
• [01:20:53] Where you can hire Katie as your dream wedding planner!
• [01:23:03] Where to get custom wedding timelines
• [01:25:54] Maria’s post-wedding reflections

Mentioned in the conversation:

• Check out the blog for this episode for a deeper dive into all of these ideas
• Kara R. Modliszewski watercolor artist - Mad for Mod Studio
• BHLDN
• Fiber and Foliage macrame shop
• Lush Magnolia Flower Preservation artist
• Two Sturdy Oaks by Henry David Thoreau
• DIY Wedding Copper Arbor blog
• BAGR Episode: 3 Plant Inspired DIY Wedding Ideas that Live on After the Big Day

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

It’s time to start planning your garden and placing your seed orders! Territorial Seed Company has an unbelievable selection of seeds and plants to choose from to build the garden of your dreams all year, with sustainably-grown seeds for the best-tasting, best-producing, highest-quality vegetables, flowers, and herbs. Check out their amazing variety of seeds, plants, garden planners, and more at territorialseed.com and use code BLOOM10 to get 10% off their first order.

Bloom and Grow Garden Society

The Bloom and Grown Garden Society is the premium tier of the Garden Party Platform, rooted in high-quality education and community. I’ve partnered with our Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck to bring monthly “Node of Knowledge” plant science lectures, monthly “Ask our Horticulturist Anything” office hours, and Growing Joy Community Calls with me. Treat yourself to an annual membership for the holidays or gift to your crazy plant friends! Learn more at jointhegardensociety.com.

Follow Katie:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Plant friends, I am so excited to finally bring you this planty wedding series, after almost two years of waiting! This month, I’m bringing you the Botanically Inspired Wedding Series on Bloom and Grow Radio, where we explore all aspects and intersections of weddings and plants. We have something for everyone in this series whether you love to DIY, are curious about the floral industry and how to make a great bouquet, or just really fun ways to incorporate houseplants into your wedding in unique exciting ways! In this first episode of the series, we share DIY projects that stretch a dollar, because all three projects we discuss can be repurposed in your home to live on forever! Let's get DIY-ing!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop-shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

For a step-by-step tutorial of the DIY copper arbor, click this link!

In this episode we learn:

• [00:20] Introducing the Planty Wedding Series
• [05:45] What to expect from this episode!
• [07:13] Introducing Marianne
• [08:10] How to use your wedding arbor during and after your wedding
• [10:19] DIY wedding copper arbor level of difficulty
• [12:05] How to customize your own wedding arbor
• [14:30] Putting the arbor in place on your wedding day
• [15:20] How to place flowers on your wedding arbor
• [17:53] Where to get the plantiest gifts this holiday season!
• [20:03] The planty home collection of your dreams
• [22:09] The best filler flowers and star flowers for your wedding arbor
• [25:56] Cheaper alternatives for copper pipes
• [27:49] How to transition your wedding arbor into the garden
• [32:30] The idea behind Maria’s wedding green wall
• [34:41] How to add hanging planters to your green wall
• [36:01] One of Maria’s favorite parts in their wedding!
• [38:09] How to make sure your guests take home your wedding favors
• [39:22] Where Maria sourced their 100 hoya hearts
• [41:01] Maria’s tips for sourcing terracotta pots for your wedding
• [42:14] What to expect when adding houseplants to your wedding
• [45:58] Maria’s word to the wise for those looking at DIY wedding ideas
• [47:36] Bonus DIY wedding tips and ideas!
• [50:16] Planty Wedding Series next episodes!

Mentioned in the conversation:

• HGTV Obsessed episode with Maria
• DIY Wedding Arbor Tutorial
• HGTV Obsessed Podcast
• Troubleshooting my Wedding Hoya Heart Lighting with Leslie Halleck YouTube video
• Little Prince of Oregon Nursery [discount code: BLOOM20 for 20% off]
• Fiber and Foliage macrame shop
• Lush Magnolia
• Gridwall Panel
• Hedge Wall Pieces (12) , (6)
• Faux Ferns
• Dried Ferns
• Artificial Tropical Leaves

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Modern Sprout

Modern Sprout is on a mission to connect people and plants with their amazing assortment of smart app-enabled grow lights, indoor grow kits and candle kits, and amazing planty accessories that are highly giftable. They have something for everyone this holiday season, whether it's an ultra beginner gardener or a plant enthusiast just looking to up their plant parenthood game. Check out modsprout.com for all their offerings and get 15% off with code BLOOM21.

WallyGrow

Check out WallyGrow's extremely sustainable Eco Planter and their Loop Planter-- the answer to all green wall and hanging planter problems (plus they are made out of recycled plastic)! They've recently launched a home line in partnership with exclusive prints from Living Pattern, with gorgeously planty dish towels, burp cloths, swaddles, and even pillowcases! WallyGrow is offering a limited-time 15% discount to BAGR listeners from November 30-December 7th, so take advantage of it while you can at wallygrow.com with code MARIAGIFTS15 at checkout.

Follow Marianne:

Instagram

HGTV Obsessed Podcast

Follow Katie:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Snake plants are completely underrated. These “low light-tolerant” plants are often thrown into dark corners, dusty offices, and bathrooms with no windows due to their notoriously hardy personalities, but there is so much more to this beautiful collection of plants than just their ability to survive. Their leaves come in the most mesmerizing shapes and I think they are one of the most giftable plants around because no matter who you are gifting, and what their lighting situation is, a snake plant will likely be able to handle it. That is why I'm excited to finally have a deep dive into this set of plants with no other than repeat-guest and plant friend, NYC Plant Doctor himself, Chris Satch! 

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one-stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

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:

• [00:39] Why Maria LOVES snake plants
• [04:55] Why snake plants are the most giftable plants
• [06:06] Are snake plants Dracaena or Sansevieria?
• [09:32] Where do you find snake plants in nature?
• [10:06] Are snake plants low-light plants?
• [11:08] The structure of a snake plant
• [13:43] How snake plants photosynthesize
• [18:02] How much light do snake plants need? Can you burn them?
• [19:16] How often should you water snake plants?
• [21:22] What your snake plant looks like when it needs watering
• [23:24] How do you get a snake plant to flower?
• [24:13] Do snake plants need fertilizer?
• [26:23] Where to get sustainable hanging planters
• [29:12] The best giftable planty products this season
• [32:14] Chris’ confession about the best potting media for snake plants
• [34:49] Maria’s confession about her first snake plants
• [35:57] How to divide and repot snake plant pups
• [38:00] How tall should a pup be before you separate them?
• [41:23] Why do snake plants droop? How do you strengthen their leaves?
• [43:33] Troubleshooting floppy snake plant leaves
• [46:06] How do you get snake plants to be fuller?
• [47:33] Chris’ favorite snake plant species
• [52:28] Why you should wipe the dust off your snake plant leaves
• [54:05] What life lessons can we learn from snake plants?

Mentioned snake plant species:

• Sansevieria gracilis
• Sansevieria fischeri
• Sansevieria ‘Cleopatra’
• Sansevieria kirkii var. pulchra. “Coppertone”
• Sansevieria trifasciata “Bantel’s Sensation”
• Sansevieria cylindrica
• Sansevieria trifasciata “Moonshine”
• Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii'

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

WallyGrow

Check out WallyGrow's extremely sustainable Eco Planter and their Loop Planter-- the answer to all green wall and hanging planter problems (plus they are made out of recycled plastic)! They've recently launched a home line in partnership with exclusive prints from Living Pattern, with gorgeously planty dish towels, burp cloths, swaddles, and even pillowcases! WallyGrow is offering a limited-time 15% discount to BAGR listeners from November 9 to 23, so take advantage of it while you can at wallygrow.com with code MARIA15 at checkout.

Modern Sprout

Modern Sprout is on a mission to connect people and plants with their amazing assortment of smart app-enabled grow lights, indoor grow kits and candle kits, and amazing planty accessories that are highly giftable. They have something for everyone, whether it's an ultra beginner gardener or a plant enthusiast just looking to up their plant parenthood game. They are offering their biggest discounts of the year this Black Friday: 30% off their gorgeous and sleek grow lights, gift sets, and that watering can I’m always talking about. Check out modsprout.com for all their offerings and snag that Black Friday 30% off or get 15% off any other day this month with code BLOOM21.

Follow Chris:

Instagram

Website

Classes

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Plantrepreneurship, or entrepreneurship in the plant space, feels like it’s at an all-time high these days. With the massive shifts our society has gone through, people are feeling more drawn to plants and so many businesses are popping up designed to serve our plant community, and many members of our community are looking to transition into the world of plants professionally! I’ve noticed more and more plant consultants popping up on my social media feeds, and when I was thinking of an inspiring plantrepreneur to bring on this show, Celebrity Plant Stylist Reagan Kastner came to mind. I’ve had my eye on Reagan since she took #planttok or planty TikTok by storm earlier in 2020. Reagan is a serial entrepreneur with a really interesting career path and has used social media to her advantage to grow her planty business as a planty stylist and consultant. Listen to her plantrepreneurship journey below!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Click here to join us!

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:

• [00:34] Introducing Reagan
• [03:56] Don’t have a degree in horticulture? You’re welcome here!
• [06:06] How Reagan became the plant lady she is today
• [07:41] Where Reagan’s plantrepreneurship began
• [11:11] How did Reagan come up with the idea for Stylush?
• [14:41] Being a plant influencer, a business owner, and a plant stylist all at the same time
• [17:38] Who does Reagan turn to for business advice and resources?
• [19:10] Reagan’s advice for your first-year plantrepreneurship
• [22:09] How do you get started in the plant styling business?
• [24:51] How to figure out your plant styling pricing
• [25:38] What license do you need to buy wholesale plants?
• [27:04] Where to get the best planty holiday gifts!
• [30:21] How to install the green wall of your dreams (like Maria!)
• [33:33] How to compute your hourly rate as a plant stylist
• [37:59] What is Reagan’s relationship with social media regarding her brand?
• [40:26] The importance of having the right tools for your business
• [42:22] Should you keep a content calendar?
• [45:33] What does Reagan’s hiring process look like? How big is her current team?
• [47:20] How to get your first 50 clients as a plant stylist
• [48:57] Where Reagan gets her resources for plant care and plant styling
• [51:20] Why a simple business card can instantly elevate your business
• [52:00] 3 tips for people who want to grow on TikTok
• [54:44] Should you grow your plantrepreneurship on Instagram or TikTok?
• [55:22] What’s next for Reagan?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, book by Jen Sincero

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Modern Sprout

Modern Sprout is on a mission to connect people and plants with their amazing assortment of smart app-enabled grow lights, indoor grow kits and candle kits, and amazing planty accessories that are highly giftable. They have something for everyone, whether it's an ultra beginner gardener or a plant enthusiast just looking to up their plant parenthood game, so head to modsprout.com and use code BLOOM21 at checkout for 15% off.

WallyGrow

Check out WallyGrow's extremely sustainable Eco Planter and their Loop Planter-- the answer to all green wall and hanging planter problems (plus they are made out of recycled plastic)! They've recently launched a home line in partnership with exclusive prints from Living Pattern, with gorgeously planty dish towels, burp cloths, swaddles, and even pillowcases! WallyGrow is offering a limited-time 15% discount to BAGR listeners from November 9 to 23, so take advantage of it while you can at wallygrow.com with code MARIA15 at checkout.

Follow Reagan:

TikTok

Instagram

YouTube

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

This special mini episode of the podcast is just a little one on one with you and me: where I’m going to peel back the curtain and give you the inside scoop on why I created the Garden Society and how you, my community of listeners, where my muse.

We will also dive into all the delicious goodies that are part of it’s membership and later on in the episode, I invite the Garden Society’s Horticulturist in Residence, and beloved guest of BAGR, Leslie Halleck on to talk about her reason for joining me and what she’s excited to bring to our community of Garden Society members.

Plant friends, the Bloom & Grow Garden Society has been almost a year in the making. After reviewing your 2020 listener surveys, I heard that you wanted 1) a safe space for our community to grow together (The Garden Party Platform was the answer for that!) and 2) more deeper dives and opportunities to continue to dive deeper into plant parenthood.

I started to think about how I, your plant friend next store, could create that for us. And it hit me: a garden society.

Back in the day, plant and gardening enthusiasts would gather at local garden and community centers for garden society meet ups, where they could nerd out with fellow plant geeks to get expert level education from guest speakers, trade tips and techniques and show off their prized plants. 

Nowadays, meeting in real life isn’t quite as practical. Our plant community and community of listeners extends way beyond a local garden center, we are an international, world wide web of beautiful planty humans. So I’ve created a VIRTUAL Garden Society, so everyone is invited, no matter what corner of the earth you live in- especially considering that I myself live in the middle of the woods in Upstate NY! 

The Bloom & Grow Garden Society, in partnership with the Society’s Horticulturist in Residence, Leslie Halleck, is your new go to place for deeper, concentrated Plant Parenthood Growth. In it, we will be giving you lectures, meetings and materials to help grow your plant care knowledge, your plant collections, and yourselves.

Inside the Garden Society, you’ll find:

• Monthly “Node of Knowledge” plant care lectures rooted in science with Horticulturist in Residence, Leslie Halleck
• Monthly “Ask our Horticulturalist Anything” to troubleshoot your personal plant issues with Leslie (yes that’s right, an opportunity every month, to troubleshoot your plant collection with a horticulturist, not a billion blogs or youtube videos that don’t apply to you)
• Private conversation space with other plant friends to discuss monthly Nodes of Knowledge topics and themes and grow together
• Priority in submitting interview questions for other Bloom and Grow Radio Podcast Episodes 
• Access to the easy to navigate Garden Party platform and App (for both iOS and Android) - a place for our community to make new plant friends and grow more joy in their lives with regional groups, daily conversation prompts, special interest spacesand more. 
• Support from other like-minded plant parents to connect and swap your planty knowledge with
• Security and safety through our Community Guidelines and Best Practices #kindplantfriendsonly #notrollsallowed

Founding Memberships are 25% off through 11/9. Don't miss our on this amazing discount, and the opportunity to join us, and build this thing up from the ground. Or should I say earth ;)

Click here to join us in the Bloom & Grow Garden Society

If you are already an existing member of the Garden Party Platform, you'll upgrade your existing membership through this link.

See you in the Garden Society!

Maria

Whether you've been around the block of plant parenthood a few times or you're just beginning your journey, you’ve likely seen some version of what I like to call "planty fake news" or plant care myths: allegedly fool-proof hacks that seem too good to be true, old wives' tales that have been translated one too many times, or plant care claims that just seem super confusing. When I started my journey from plant killer to plant lady, I fell prey to a lot of these myths, and this podcast is a testament to all of the trends and trials of my plant parenthood journey. I’m lucky to have a plant friend in Horticulturist Leslie Halleck to turn to when I now see something suspect on the internet. I'm lucky to be able to text her and ask "does this 10 plank care hack video even make sense?", so I thought I’d bring our internal text thread to the podcast and “bust” several plant care hacks and myths we’ve both seen circulating. Also, exciting news, Leslie and I have been keeping a secret from you for what feels like a year. Tune in to find out what it is!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is your one stop shop for plant parenthood growth. When you join you'll gain full access to the Garden Party Community Platform and App PLUS monthly plant care lectures with Horticulturist in Residence Leslie Halleck, monthly office hours with Leslie to troubleshoot your personal plant care issues and monthly Growing Joy Calls with Maria to develop our community of Society Members and explore the plant/person connection.

Founding Society Members get 25% through November 9th. Click here to join us!

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:

• [03:13] Maria and Leslie reveal their BIG secret!
• [04:38] The goals behind Garden Society
• [06:02] Why the community is called Garden Society
• [10:04] Maria gets real about plant hacks
• [10:44] Plant Care Myth #1: Houseplants clean your air
• [12:37] NASA’s study on air-purifying plants
• [15:34] Where does the oxygen we consume most come from?
• [18:33] How many plants per square foot do you need for better air quality at home?
• [21:03] Do plants emit pollutants in the air?
• [22:19] How plants get rid of VOCs or volatile organic compounds
• [23:50] The psychological value of plants in our homes
• [24:13] The positive effects of plants on our physical state
• [25:12] Plant knowledge is power!
• [26:28] Plant Care Myth #2: Potting up your plants every two years
• [28:07] The truth about repotting plants
• [30:00] The whys and whens of bumping up a plant
• [31:40] When is a soil refresh necessary versus repotting?
• [34:15] Repotting due to root decay or root overgrowth
• [37:05] The best organic gardening products for all types of plant parents
• [38:26] Maria’s favorite grow lights and planty accessories
• [41:53] How seasons can affect your repotting schedule
• [46:40] Plant Care Myth #3: Misting your plants
• [51:09] What is the right way to mist your plants? When do you mist your plants?
• [54:30] When shouldn’t you mist your plants?
• [58:14] How to increase the humidity around your plants
• [01:04:28] What you get when you join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!
• [01:05:56] The first topic for Nodes of Knowledge
• [01:07:44] Monthly AHAs or Ask Horticulturist Anything
• [01:10:48] Growing Joy Calls with Maria
• [01:12:03] Your exclusive discount for Garden Society!

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Moisture Meter and Hygrometer Review YouTube video
• Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society and take advantage of the Founding Member discounts!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Modern Sprout

Modern Sprout is on a mission to connect people and plants with their amazing assortment of smart app-enabled grow lights, indoor grow kits and candle kits, and amazing planty accessories that are highly giftable. They have something for everyone, whether it's an ultra beginner gardener or a plant enthusiast just looking to up their plant parenthood game, so head to modsprout.com and use code BLOOM21 at checkout for 15% off.

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society : where Horticulturist taught plant care education and plant community come together. We've created the one stop shop for your Plant Parenthood growth. Click here to learn more

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

I'm so excited to geek out on my favorite planty products with you, plant friends! The holiday season is just around the corner, and what perfect way to show your appreciation and love for the plant parents in your life (or for yourself) than to give them great planty gifts? The holiday season is also a great way to maybe invite our non-planty friends to try growing! I've got an amazing list of plant accessories, plant gift sets, books, and more—with exclusive coupon codes to support our beloved sponsors and the Bloom and Grow Radio podcast. Happy listening!

So you know, I have an affiliate or sponsor relationship with some of the companies mentioned below. Others I have no relationship with and just love to their stuff. Regardless of my affiliation, every item on this list is something I've used, loved, or have been recommended by trusted plant friends. PS: if you're a fan of the show, supporting BAGR sponsors with our provided sponsor codes and links is a great way to support the podcast!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Society!

Click here to join the waitlist

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:

• [00:52] Maria’s exciting news!
• [02:26] Why this year’s Favorite Things is different
• [03:52] Why Maria loves doing ‘Maria’s Favorite Things’
• [05:04] How Maria chose her favorite things this year
• [06:02] Plant Care Accessories
• [13:12] Gift Sets, Stocking Stuffers, Teacher Gifts, and Hostess Gifts
• [17:46] Planters
• [20:53] The best and cutest gift set for new parents
• [21:34] Luxurious and efficient Grow Lights
• [26:09] Maria’s Favorite Books
• [29:41] The houseplant nursery to watch out for
• [31:54] Monthly exclusive and educational content to subscribe to!

Mentioned in our conversation:

Plant Care Accessories

• Modern Sprout Watering Can [code: BLOOM21 for 15% off]
• Govee Hygrometer with Bluetooth (2 pack)
• Thermpro Hygrometer (2 pack)
• Terrarium tools
• Soil scoop
• Macro and Wide Angle Lens with LED Light and Travel Case
• Botanopia Plant Stakes (set of 4)
• WallyGrow Placemats [MARIA15 for 15% off from November 9-23]

Planty Gift Sets, Stocking Stuffers, and Hostess Gifts

• Modern Sprout Plant Parent Box Set [code: BLOOM21 for 15% off]
• Modern Sprout Growing Gourmet Kit [code: BLOOM21 for 15% off]
• Modern Sprout Garden Party Box Set [code: BLOOM21 for 15% off]
• Modern Sprout Rooted Candles [code: BLOOM21 for 15% off]
• Modern Sprout Bright Side Seed Balls [code: BLOOM21 for 15% off]
• Hemleva Pins

Planters

• Michiko Shamada’s terracotta planters
• WallyGrow Eco Wall Planter [MARIA15 for 15% off from November 9-23] 
• WallyGrow Loop Hanging Planter [MARIA15 for 15% off from November 9-23]
• Modern Sprout Glow and Grow Kits [code: BLOOM21 for 15% off]

Grow Lights

• Modern Sprout Smart Growhouse [code: BLOOM21 for 15% off]
• Modern Sprout Smart Growbar [code: BLOOM21 for 15% off]
• Modern Sprout Uplift Planter [code: BLOOM21 for 15% off]
• SolTech Solutions Aspect™ Pendant Grow Light [code: bloomgrow2021 for 15% off]
• SolTech Solutions Vita™ Grow Light [code: bloomgrow2021 for 15% off]

Books

• Lessons from Plants by Beronda Montgomery (check out the podcast episode here!)
• Ross Gay
• The Overstory by Richard Powers
• Black in the Garden Coloring Book by Colah B Tawkin (Listen to her podcast here! BAGR episode here)

Plant Shop

• Little Prince of Oregon [code: BLOOM20 for 20% off]

Seeds

• Territorial Seed Co Gift Card
• Get a gift card to Territorial Seed Company for the gardener in your life to get high-quality seeds and gardening supplies! [Code Bloom10 for 10% off]
• 
  

Potting Mix

• Espoma Storefront

YouTube Videos

• Favorite Things YouTube Video

Also Mentioned in the episode

• Moisture Meter and Hygrometer Review
• Wallygro Greenwall Update and Install
• My Favorite Planty (Plant Inspired) Book Haul from 2020

For the full blog post on all Maria's favorite things check it out here!

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

I admit it, plant friends; I was totally unaware of a total subsect of the plant community: the planted aquarium world. There is a whole corner of the plant world dedicated to elevating our common fishtanks to living, growing underwater worlds that look like art. Aquatic gardeners are using aquatic plants to aquascape insanely beautiful aquariums. It is biophilia in the highest sense because you have so many aspects of the natural world indoors, and you even get to keep cute fishies! I had many of you request this episode but, to be frank, I've only health with above-ground houseplants so I was totally out of my depths. I figured I’d turn to Karen, an avid aquatic gardener who has written a step-by-step tutorial on how to assemble planted aquariums for a chat about the basics of aquatic plants. Get ready to dive into the wild world of aquatic plants and gardening!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party!

Join us in the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet: our private community platform and app with dedicated conversation topics, quarterly meet-ups, regional groups and the ability to find plant friends near you and so much more!

Join the Garden Party and become a 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:

• [01:06] Introducing Karen
• [03:33] What to expect from this conversation
• [05:20] How Karen became the plant lady she is today
• [07:40] The importance of knowing your plants’ natural habitat
• [08:42] Why are planted aquariums becoming popular again?
• [10:33] Basic houseplants vs. aquatic plants
• [12:04] How do you trade aquatic plants?
• [13:33] What are aquatic plants and how do they grow underwater?
• [15:04] The different types of aquatic plants
• [19:48] How are emersed and submersed aquarium plants different
• [21:24] The basic requirements for a planted aquarium with live plants
• [23:43] What does ‘cycled’ mean?
• [25:57] Why do you need to let your plants settle in the aquarium before introducing fish?
• [28:43] Where to get bacteria that your aquarium needs
• [30:04] Three uses of filters in your aquarium
• [33:07] How to prep your plants for winter
• [34:51] Learn from a horticulturist!
• [37:06] What water to use in your aquarium
• [38:31] How to figure out the water you have at home
• [39:52] Troubleshooting your aquarium water
• [42:03] Why do you need to change the water in your aquarium?
• [43:17] Using fertilizer in your aquarium
• [45:08] What type of substrate works best for your aquarium?
• [50:23] Aquarium lighting and the basics
• [53:26] The most important lighting factor for your aquarium
• [56:56] Karen’s aquarium supply recommendations
• [58:26] How to transition to a bigger tank
• [01:00:11] Are CO2 systems worth it?
• [01:03:14] How do you select plants for your aquarium?
• [01:05:24] Top 5 best aquatic plants for beginners
• [01:11:41] Maria’s plans for her own planted aquarium

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Sunken Gardens: A Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Freshwater Aquariums, book by Karen Randall
• Florida Aquatic Nurseries
• Aquatic Gardeners Association
• GH Kit & KH Kit
• Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum
• Safe-T-Sorb Absorbent Clay
• Karen Randall's ScrapScape

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

SolTech Solutions

Soltech Solutions recently launched the Greenfit™ bundle with their new Vita LED Grow Bulb: a bulb that screws into any light fixture. Greenfit your home and get four Vita Grow Light Bulbs for the price of 3, no coupon code necessary! Head over to soltechsolutions.com and check out their bundles of lights and lighting accessories for up to 20% off!

Follow Karen:

Planted Aquarium Website

Vivarium/Terrarium Website

Planted Nano and Betta Tank Facebook Group

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Plant friends, I've been sharing with you my overwhelm, burnout, and general processing of everything that's happening in our world right now. It’s been so nice to connect with so many of you who share similar feelings. I'm also grateful to have had my plant collection to turn to and use as a tool for wellness in these trying times. Several of you had recommended Lessons from Plants by Beronda Montgomery and from page one, I felt like I had met a Plant Soul Sister in this author. Her book seemed to be the answer to my prayers about the struggles of understanding the science behind these phenomena I witness and take meaning from. Beronda has the scientific understanding to deep dive into lessons we can take away from plants. She joins me in this episode to share lessons we can learn from plants for specific scenarios many of us went through in 2021. Let's dive in!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party!

Join us in the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet: our private community platform and app with dedicated conversation topics, quarterly meet ups, regional groups and the ability to find plant friends near you and so much more!

Join the Garden Party and become a 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:

• [01:08] Introducing Beronda
• [02:56] Maria’s wonderful announcement!
• [05:03] How Beronda became the plant parent she is today
• [07:17] Beronda shares her planty educational background
• [08:55] What Maria loves about Lessons from Plants
• [10:50] Bridging the gap in the plant community
• [12:46] What plants teach us about loss and pruning back
• [15:01] What is culling: how to apply the concept of culling in our lives
• [17:04] Why dormancy is important for us and our plants
• [18:37] How to honor the losses we’ve had
• [19:34] What plants teach us about transitions
• [20:45] Plants rest, and so should we!
• [21:02] How to address your plants’ light needs in the winter
• [22:26] Where to get safe indoor and outdoor gardening products
• [24:48] How plants teach us to regulate our resources
• [26:18] How we make ourselves prone to burnout
• [27:37] The lessons of sensitivity and self-awareness from plants
• [28:27] How lack of self-reflection can lead to lack of resources for everyone
• [29:14] How much time do we need for self-reflection?
• [30:10] Maria’s small ways to interact with her plants more often
• [31:04] Why plants are symbols of resilience
• [32:27] How repotting plants and moving homes are the same
• [35:14] Pioneer species or pioneer plants and what they do
• [37:04] How we can be all pioneer plants
• [38:48] What are intentional disruptors?
• [41:37] Beronda’s personal favorite lessons from plants
• [44:14] How plants teach us to connect with others
• [45:48] Maria shares the best way to read Lessons from Plants

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Lessons from Plants, book by Beronda L. Montgomery
• The Forest Unseen, book by David George Haskell
• The Overstory, novel by Richard Powers

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

SolTech Solutions

Soltech Solutions recently launched the Greenfit™ bundle with their new Vita LED Grow Bulb: a bulb that screws into any light fixture. Greenfit your home and get four Vita Grow Light Bulbs for the price of 3, no coupon code necessary! Head over to soltechsolutions.com and check out their bundles of lights and lighting accessories for up to 20% off!

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local dealer or check out my Amazon storefront of my favorite Espoma products here.

Follow Beronda:

Instagram

Twitter

Website

Buy Beronda's book: Lessons from Plants

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

2020 had us all looking at our homes and asking ourselves if our current lifestyles were truly working for us or if it was time for a change. Billy and I desired more space, more nature, and a new opportunity to grow, which is why we moved upstate. An interesting question rose up when we moved and stared at our new surroundings and new gardening zone with a bit of overwhelm: now what? I've heard this question from so many members of our community who also made a big move, purchased a new home, and are looking at their new landscapes with wide eyes and lots of questions.

In this episode, I invited Stephen Orr, editor of one of my favorite magazines and a gardener going through this process himself, to join me for a conversation about his journey to rejuvenating and experimenting with his new garden, or gardens, in his new home in Cape Cod. Can't wait to learn with you!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party!

Join us in the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet: our private community platform and app with dedicated conversation topics, quarterly meet ups, regional groups and the ability to find plant friends near you and so much more!

Join the Garden Party and become a 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:

• [00:00:57] Introducing Stephen
• [00:05:20] Why Maria is obsessed with Better Homes and Gardens
• [00:06:30] How Stephen’s parents influenced him to be a plant person
• [00:09:42] Popular houseplants in the 70s according to Stephen’s mom’s collection
• [00:15:16] Why it’s important to identify the soil type in your garden
• [00:17:35] Animal pressure and other factors to consider when looking for a new home with a garden
• [00:20:01] How to prepare your new garden for the seasons
• [00:22:13] Know which plants work best for your garden through your neighborhood
• [00:23:44] How to preserve old gardens and rejuvenate lilacs
• [00:25:27] Things to keep in mind when moving into a house with history
• [00:27:03] Where to get efficient and stylish grow lights for your home
• [00:28:21] How to have garlic all year round
• [00:29:54] How to transform a sandy area into a gravel garden
• [00:32:07] The best plants for seaside gardens
• [00:32:58] How to train plants to thrive in difficult conditions
• [00:35:51] Conducting your own garden research
• [00:37:06] Where to begin when starting a new garden in a new home
• [00:38:44] Common mistakes new homeowners make with their garden
• [00:39:41] How to avoid new home overwhelm
• [00:41:29] Stephen’s garden experiments: raised beds and a mini meadow
• [00:46:01] How to do seed sowing successfully
• [00:48:33] Checking your soil on your first year gardening
• [00:50:10] How to rejuvenate your flowering plants
• [00:52:33] What NOT to do on your first gardening year
• [00:53:47] Stephen’s recommended culinary herbs to plant in your garden
• [01:00:46] Stephen shares a nice little note about being Better Homes and Gardens editor
• [01:04:00] Maria’s BIG news!

Mentioned in our conversation:

• The Dry Gardening Handbook : Plants and Practices for a Changing Climate, book by Olivier Filippi
• Planting Design for Dry Gardens, book by Olivier Filippi
• The Dry Garden, book by Beth Chatto
• The New American Herbal, by Stephen Orr
• Tomorrow's Garden, by Stephen Orr
• Better Homes and Gardens Magazine

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

SolTech Solutions

Soltech Solutions recently launched the Greenfi bundle with their new Vita LED Grow Bulb: a bulb that screws into any light fixture. Greenfit your home and get four Vita Grow Light Bulbs for the price of 3, no coupon code necessary! Head over to soltechsolutions.com and check out their bundles of lights and lighting accessories for up to 20% off!

Territorial Seed Company

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! Most of us think of the gardening season as spring and summer, but with the right timing and varieties for your location, you can grow year-round! Territorial Seed Company carries lots of varieties to start in summer and harvest in late fall, winter, and even over winter. For seeds, plants, online garden planner, how-to videos and more, visit TerritorialSeed.com and use code BLOOM10 for 10% off on your first order.

Follow Stephen:

Instagram

Buy Stephen's books: Tomorrow's Garden and the The New American Herbal,

Check out Better Homes & Gardens

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Honestly, I've been feeling so overwhelmed and uninterested in curating my thoughts and feelings about plants and plant parenthood. It’s been a hell of a year and although I’m all about keeping it positive, I’m also all about keeping it real. And lately, social media has made it hard to share authentically. That's why when Christy, a Garden Party founding member, started this plant parent confessional in the Garden Party platform, members had space to post about things they do that wouldn’t pass the Instagram cut: plant fails and “bad” plant parent practices. So, this episode is community-based, from Garden Party members who called in and submitted their confessionals. I'm sharing them with you in hopes to just normalize the messiness of plant parenthood and tell you that no matter where you are on your plant parent journey, you’re welcome here :)

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party!

Join us in the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet: our private community platform and app with dedicated conversation topics, quarterly meet ups, regional groups and the ability to find plant friends near you and so much more!

Join the Garden Party and become a 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:

• [01:39] What inspired Maria to have a confessional episode
• [04:28] Meet Christy, one of Garden Party’s Founding Plant Friends
• [05:23] Plant care confessions: fertilizing, repotting, disinfecting tools, and more
• [07:29] How imperfections are the best learning opportunities in plant parenthood
• [08:14] A Tradescantia zebrina "Purple Tinge" confession
• [09:59] Why we should normalize falling out of love with our plants
• [10:51] A confession about cuttings and propagation
• [12:33] Repotting in the fall and winter, does that make you a bad plant parent?
• [14:04] Where to get the best indoor and outdoor gardening products
• [15:40] The best seed provider for year-round harvest!
• [17:03] A frugal plant parent confession
• [18:09] When you give good plant parent advice— that you don’t do yourself!
• [19:56] Do you isolate your new plants when you bring them home?
• [22:12] When Maria caught Billy in a cute plant parent moment
• [23:22] A plant parent’s ‘lazy approach’
• [24:44] The pressures of Instagram and color editing your plants
• [26:12] How social media can affect the way we perceive our plants and our own plant journey
• [28:21] Maria’s reminder: take care of yourself, plant friend!
• [29:28] Maria’s confessions
• [31:24] The plant parent practice that helped Maria regain her plant parent confidence and joy
• [33:41] Plant parenthood is messy! That’s how it’s supposed to be, and you are not alone
• [34:40] Exciting news for the Bloom and Grow Radio Podcast!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local dealer or check out my Amazon storefront of my favorite Espoma products here.

Territorial Seed Company

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! Most of us think of the gardening season as spring and summer, but with the right timing and varieties for your location, you can grow year-round! Territorial Seed Company carries lots of varieties to start in summer and harvest in late fall, winter, and even over winter. For seeds, plants, online garden planner, how-to videos and more, visit TerritorialSeed.com and use code BLOOM10 for 10% off on your first order.

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Not only is growing your own food a fabulous hobby and a way to reconnect with the food chain, the earth, and yourself, it’s also a way to serve our bodies in a deeper way by feeding them with fresh, organic produce. Not to mention, a freshly picked cherry tomato or piece of lettuce tastes infinitely more delicious than a store-bought one. I’ve really enjoyed diving deep into gardening through the My First Garden Series on this podcast, and as a way to celebrate all our hard work, I've invited someone to help us make the best out of our harvest! Dr. John la Puma is a trained chef and doctor who has committed his life to culinary medicine and eco medicine. In this episode, we talk about the nutritional value of the foods we are growing, and some fun ways to prepare our harvest (we are both Italian-American and have lots of fun recipes we riff on throughout the episode!). Let's get cooking!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party!

Join us in the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet: our private community platform and app with dedicated conversation topics, quarterly meet ups, regional groups and the ability to find plant friends near you and so much more!

Join the Garden Party and become a 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:

• [00:05:55] Maria shares her ‘fresh from the garden’ dinner of kohlrabi!
• [00:07:24] Dr. John’s favorite kohlrabi recipe
• [00:09:25] How Dr. John became a culinary medicine chef and how his farming journey began
• [00:10:57] What is eco medicine? How can we apply this concept to our daily lives?
• [00:15:09] Why gardening is the gateway to reconnecting with nature
• [00:17:45] How umbellifers like carrots and fennels enable you to use less fertilizer in the garden
• [00:19:27] How the pleasure of eating can help you eat and become healthier
• [00:21:06] What does a more vibrant color of a fruit or vegetable mean for nutrition?
• [00:22:35] How to bring out the lycopene in your tomatoes (it’s good for the heart!)
• [00:27:00] The beneficial differences between cooking with fresh herbs versus with dried herbs
• [00:28:31] How to grow turmeric, its health benefits, and the best ways to use it in cooking
• [00:30:13] Dr. John’s fun kumquat alcohol recipe!
• [00:31:33] The best way to keep animals from your garden
• [00:33:23] How to help your plants grow with lights
• [00:35:40] Dr. John’s gentle reminder about store-bought vs organic and home-grown food
• [00:37:02] How to grow and how to use Mexican oregano in your dishes
• [00:39:35] Maria’s favorite plant to grow and how she uses it in the kitchen
• [00:39:57] The health benefits of alliums, the different kinds you can grow, and the best ways to cook with them
• [00:43:10] Dr. John’s recommended ways to eat lightly cooked onions
• [00:44:31] What is the best way to eat alliums like onions and leeks raw?
• [00:46:34] Why cruciferous vegetables like arugula, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage are good for your liver
• [00:48:03] Cooking tricks to get the most nutritional benefits from your arugula and other cruciferous veggies
• [00:49:35] Using arugula and other ways to elevate your pesto!
• [00:51:08] How to cook with sweet potatoes and sweet potato leaves, and keep them growing in your garden
• [00:53:22] Should you keep the skins on your vegetables?
• [00:55:30] Dr. John shares one of his inspirations when it comes to cooking
• [00:56:58] What is 'comfort nature' and how does it help us regain our connection to ourselves and with nature?
• [00:59:24] How to be in your 'comfort nature' without leaving the house
• [01:01:56] Help Maria win her TikTok war with Dr. John - LOL!

Mentioned resources in this episode:

• ChefMD’s Big Book of Culinary Medicine by John la Puma, M.D.
• Yotam Ottolenghi’s recipes in The Guardian
• What is Your Comfort Nature Place? Quiz

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

DeerBusters

If 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 deerbuster.com today to protect your plants tomorrow and use code BLOOM at checkout for 10% off.

Soltech Solutions

Whether it's simply getting your plants through a lower light environment or you’ve just got too many plants but too few windows, and you need to bring more light indoors so your collection can keep growing, Soltech Solutions has the luxury lighting options for you! Save up to $100 with no coupon necessary. Head over to soltechsolutions.com and check out their bundles of lights and lighting accessories for up 20% off!

Follow John:

Website

Blog

Books

TikTok

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Plant Routines: the crucial part of every plant parent's plant care practice that ensures that our plants (and our minds) are happy and healthy. Going from plant killer to plant lady, I found that I became as attached to my plant care routine, as I was to my plants. The act of disconnecting with a screen to reconnect with these plants and nature, is also a way to clear space to reconnect with yourself. I have learned that a plant care routine practice is so much deeper than just a soil moisture check: they let us check in with our plants, and more importantly, with ourselves. Plant care is truly self care. Everyone’s plant care routines are different, like unique snowflakes, so I brought together a fantastic group of plant friends to have a new format of podcast episode call the "Plant Friend Hang" to dive deeper on this topic. Come and meet them!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party!

Join us in the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet: our private community platform and app with dedicated conversation topics, quarterly meet ups, regional groups and the ability to find plant friends near you and so much more!

Join the Garden Party and become a 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:

• [00:02:36] Maria’s personal and podcast updates!
• [00:05:49] Who is Kamili, how her plant parent journey began, and why she won’t say her plant number!
• [00:07:41] A little fun discussion about Hoya and their recent popularity as houseplants
• [00:10:17] Paul’s plant parent background, his current collection, and why he recommends pothos for everyone
• [00:13:35] How Tiffany became @plantmamah, how plants helped her recover from a brain injury, and why she is obsessed with Hoya
• [00:18:20] What’s the weirdest thing you do with your plants?
• [00:27:04] What does your plant care routine look like on a daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis?
• [00:35:21] Where to get the best indoor and outdoor gardening products (and plant-specific tones!)
• [00:37:06] The best options for all your plants’ lighting needs
• [00:38:24] Why you should bring your plants outside during summer
• [00:40:48] Maria shares how she realized that her self-care and mental well-being are connected to her plant care
• [00:43:46] How has your plant care evolved through time? Have you noticed personal shifts as your plant care routine changes with your collection?
• [00:45:45] Why killing a plant should not make you feel ashamed and guilty
• [00:49:00] What is your most favorite and least favorite plant chore?
• [00:53:17] Paul shares his mad scientist soil mix equation!
• [00:56:42] How the Plant Friends stay organized with their plant collection - is it a good idea to try plant apps?
• [01:02:51] What does your plant care routine mean to you and why is it important?
• [01:09:44] Maria reflects on the Plant Friend hang panel and why #MentalHealthMatters
• 
  

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local dealer or check out my Amazon storefront of my favorite Espoma products here.

Soltech Solutions

Whether it's simply getting your plants through a lower light environment or you’ve just got too many plants but too few windows, and you need to bring more light indoors so your collection can keep growing, Soltech Solutions has the luxury lighting options for you! Save up to $100 with no coupon necessary. Head over to soltechsolutions.com and check out their bundles of lights and lighting accessories for up 20% off!

Follow the Plant Friend Hang Gang:

Kamili: Instagram | Website | Email

Paul: Instagram | YouTube | Email

Tiffany: Instagram | TikTok | Email

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

The first time I heard about wet stick propagation, I had no idea it even existed! That's why when I got an offer from a listener, Joey (@joey_de_la_plants), for a variegated Monstera 'Albo' wetstick (and I knew I wanted that plant but I had no idea what “wetstick” meant), I went down a research rabbit hole to know more about the process of rooting it. For the last 5 months, my node has not only rooted, but started growing!. So when I connected with Payton from Bloom Daddy Plants—who actively uses this method all the time to run his shop—I knew we had a super fun episode on our hands. And boy, did we go overboard with the cross-platform collaboration surrounding this episode! Tune in to learn all about node propagation, and join the Philodendron "Pink Princess" Wetstick Giveaway on Instagramfor the chance to win your own Philodendron 'Pink Princess' wet stick to try this method yourself!!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party

Join us in the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet: our private community platform and app with dedicated conversation topics, quarterly meet ups, regional groups and the ability to find plant friends near you and so much more!

Join the Garden Party and become a 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:

• [03:35] What to expect in this cross-platform episode (and where to find them!)
• [04:51] How to get your own Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’ wet stick!
• [07:17] Who is Payton, how his journey as a plant parent began, and how Bloom Daddy came to be
• [10:05] Should we refer to plants as ‘rare’?
• [13:00] Breaking the myth surrounding node propagation
• [14:15] What is a ‘wet stick’? Its many other names and how to identify a node
• [18:00] Why node propagation is used in nurseries
• [19:33] 4 things you need for node propagation
• [20:53] The ideal humidity level for your nodes (and cheaper alternatives for humidity chambers!)
• [24:37] Where to cut a node from and how to do it
• [25:50] Where to get the best garlic varieties for your year-round garden
• [27:14] How to protect your greens and veggies from wildlife
• [29:08] At what angle should you cut a node?
• [29:54] When do you put the node in a prop box?
• [30:43] Why you should let your node callus over
• [31:02] How to activate your node (and make it happy!)
• [32:48] Differentiating levels of moisture, and what the best moisture level is for your node
• [35:23] How much space should you leave between your node and your prop box?
• [37:17] The ideal light situation for your node prop box
• [40:06] Transitioning your node after it establishes roots
• [45:00] Maria shares where her curiosity took her recent peperomia propagation
• [47:00] How to join the Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’ wet stick giveaway

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Payton’s YouTube video on different Sphagnum moss moisture levels
• Philodendron 'Pink Princess' Wetstick Giveaway happening on the @bloomandgrowradio IG account

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

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! Most of us think of the gardening season as spring and summer, but with the right timing and varieties for your location, you can grow year-round! Territorial Seed Company carries lots of varieties to start in summer and harvest in late fall, winter, and even over winter. For seeds, plants, online garden planner, how-to videos and more, visit TerritorialSeed.com and use code BLOOM10 for 10% off on your first order.

DeerBusters

If 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 deerbuster.com today to protect your plants tomorrow and use code BLOOM at checkout for 10% off.

Follow Payton:

Instagram

Website

Etsy

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

When I first got into gardening, I got very fixated on the food I could grow for myself, but what I’m realizing is growing flowers can be as appealing as growing food — and flowers, being the pollinator magnets they are, are crucial to a healthy garden and a healthy mind. I’ve been so curious about cut flower gardening and connected with this episode's guest on Clubhouse, and started picking her brain about what cut flowers I should try as an ultra beginner. Brooklyn's passion for plants, her sensitivity, and her knowledge are things I've been wanting to share with this community! We also share heartwarming stories about our mothers and the lessons they taught us. I hope this episode brings you joy, just like flowers do!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party

Join us in the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet: our private community platform and app with dedicated conversation topics, quarterly meet ups, regional groups and the ability to find plant friends near you and so much more!

Join the Garden Party and become a 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:

• [00:02:23] Maria’s garden update
• [00:05:40] Who is Brooklyn and how she became a flower farmer
• [00:08:31] Why everyone should have flowers in their garden
• [00:09:15] Brooklyn shares the personal connection she feels when growing flowers
• [00:12:08] Things to consider before growing flowers in your garden
• [00:14:06] The best flowers to grow for beginners: sunflowers, zinnias, strawflowers, and more
• [00:17:05] A quick recap on annuals vs perennials
• [00:18:32] The best perennial flowers to grow for blooms year after year
• [00:21:22] How to plan your flower garden so you have blooms all year long
• [00:25:48] Brooklyn’s favorite ‘cut and come again’ flowers
• [00:27:16] How to make the best soil mix for your flowers
• [00:29:30] When to use fertilizers on your flowers
• [00:31:04] Where to get the best potting mix, compost and fertilizer for your garden
• [00:32:41] Where to order your garlic for this season
• [00:35:03] Why you want to fertilize your flowers (and some signs that they need it!)
• [00:36:12] Determining how much light your flowers need
• [00:37:30] Maria shares her experience with her first garden and reading seed packets
• [00:41:17] How to transplant your flowers and harden them off
• [00:44:27] How to pinch flowers, what is it for, and when you should do it
• [00:48:04] What should you do with your flower’s first bud?
• [00:48:25] What is deadheading and how to do it properly
• [00:51:03] Brooklyn’s growing tips for peonies
• [00:52:43] How to grow flowers from corms and bulbs
• [00:57:33] Brooklyn’s top five favorite flowers (and greens) to grow
• [00:59:34] A little heartwarming story about Mama Failla and her garden gifts
• [01:03:22] Maria shares her newfound interest and joy in flower gardening

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local dealer or check out my Amazon storefront of my favorite Espoma products here.

Territorial Seed Company

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! Most of us think of the gardening season as spring and summer, but with the right timing and varieties for your location, you can grow year-round! Territorial Seed Company carries lots of varieties to start in summer and harvest in late fall, winter, and even over winter. For seeds, plants, online garden planner, how-to videos and more, visit TerritorialSeed.com and use code BLOOM10 for 10% off on your first order.

Follow Brooklyn:

Instagram: @brooklynsherri

Petal and Herb Farm

Ya Grandma's Garden and Houseplants on Clubhouse

Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio:

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet!

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

#plantsmakepeoplehappy, this hashtag has almost 8 million posts so far and there’s a reason for it. It’s just true. Plants, nature, and the act of witnessing life itself make people happy, more connected, and more empowered. The plant/person connection is hard to explain, yet everyone knows it. We all feel this connection to our plant collection. Our hearts swell with new growth, and sometimes even grieve losses. Over the last year and a half, I’ve dove rather deeply into exploring this plant-person connection, reading several incredibly inspiring books one being written by our special guest today. Dr Sue Stuart Smith took me on a journey of this plant/person connection and made me feel so seen. I knew I just had to have her on the show, so find a cozy spot and let's dive in!

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party

 Founding Plant Friend discounts running through July 1st! Then prices go up!

Become a Founding 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:

• [00:27] Why we’re taking a deep dive into the plant-person connection
• [06:04] How Sue became a vegetable gardener and a plant lady
• [09:17] Sue’s background in psychiatry and psychotherapy
• [11:30] How Sue realized the plant-person connection based on her own experiences in the garden
• [13:18] The topics that Sue explores in her book “The Well Gardened Mind”
• [16:50] Explaining plant blindness and the two aspects of this occurrence
• [18:42] What is a plant mentor and why they’re important to the development of people’s interest in plants and in nature
• [20:16] Maria shares her own experience with plant blindness and with her own plant mentors
• [21:30] How plant mentors can help eliminate the feeling of plants being alien to people
• [22:09] How the pandemic has paved the way for people to get back in touch with nature
• [23:49] Where to get the best grow lights for all types of plant lighting needs
• [25:25] Have you joined the plantiest place on the internet?
• [27:46] The perspective that plants give Maria about time and moving forward
• [29:43] What are some life-garden parallels that Sue has learned over time?
• [32:20] How seeds encourage positive anticipation and trigger future plans
• [33:57] Why gardening is about relationships and how it is more than just a hobby
• [35:12] Who is Harold S and what important concepts did he introduce to the plant-person relationship
• [37:02] What is urgent biophilia and how today’s context of a global pandemic and crises triggers this need
• [40:03] Geosmin, petrichor, and how evolution developed our sensitivity to the natural world
• [43:16] How gardening promotes good bacteria
• [43:45] Mycobacterium vaccae (M. vaccae) and how it can be a potential treatment for PTSD
• [46:30] Maria gives a hint about what’s next for her and for Bloom and Grow!

Mentioned in our conversation:

The Well Gardened Mind by Sue Stuart Smith

Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Soltech Solutions

Whether it's simply getting your plants through a lower light environment or you’ve just got too many plants, too few windows, and need to bring more light indoors so your collection can keep growing, Soltech Solutions has the luxury lighting options for you! Save up to $100 with no coupon necessary. Head over to soltechsolutions.com and check out their bundles of lights and lighting accessories for up 20% off!

The Bloom & Grow Garden Party

Become a Founding Plant Friend of our new Community Platform & App, the Bloom and Grow Garden Party. Available for iOS and Android- it's the new Plantiest and Kindest corner of the internet! I created it so we can make new plant friends, cultivate knowledge and grow more joy. Inside there are planty conversation topics, regional groups, the "plant friends near me" feature and exclusive plant care downloads found only in the platform. Join us! 

Follow Sue:

Website

Instagram

Twitter

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

In this mini episode, I share the why behind the creation of the Garden Party Community Platform & App and give you all the details of what’s inside!

Become a Founding Plant Friend of the Garden Party (Offer expires July 1st- you can get a whole years membership for the amount of one 8 inch plant!) https://community.bloomandgrowradio.com/

Check our a tour on the Youtube Channel!

This isn't a story about gardening, plant friends. This is an episode on plant friendship. Melody is a local gardener who lives 15 minutes from me and has one of the most unbelievable gardens I’ve ever seen! Her backyard is a whimsical garden oasis, with a gazebo, greenhouse, and a different flower or bloom everywhere you look. In this episode, I share the story of how I met Melody and Melody gives us a deeper understanding of soil, how it's alive, and how to make it the best soil for growing. Hear all of Melody's great tips on keeping your soil rich and how plants teach us the importance of coexistence. Listen to our gardening story below!

Get on the waitlist for the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Launch

Be the first to gain access and founding member discounts through joining our waitlist

Snag 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:

• [03:39] The changes to Maria’s gardening plans and a preview of her friendship with Melody
• [07:50] The story of the attack rooster
• [08:06] How Maria and Melody met and became friends
• [09:23] Melody shares her rich horticultural background and how she became the plant lady that she is today
• [11:11] How community-supported agriculture (CSA) helped address food shortage during the first months of COVID
• [12:54] Store-bought vegetables vs homegrown and organic vegetables
• [14:05] Melody discusses one of the biggest problems in agribusiness and food nutrition
• [15:23] What is in Melody’s amazing live soil
• [16:37] The three different types of soil and their characteristics
• [19:41] What type of soil is best for the garden?
• [21:01] Why you need the best soil for your plants
• [21:13] Where to get the best indoor and outdoor gardening products
• [22:39] How to best keep animals away from your greens
• [25:14] How to keep weeds from growing in your garden with a collinear hoe
• [27:07] Melody’s first year gardening
• [28:28] How to keep your soil rich and how to format your garden
• [30:12] Melody’s tips on designing an in-ground garden
• [31:17] How to use compost in your garden
• [33:28] A little trivia about sweet illicium, and the importance of knowing your beneficials
• [34:59] Bees in the garden and why you shouldn’t be scared of them
• [35:55] How plants teach us the importance of co-existence
• [36:36] Garden beginner tip: try square gardening!
• [38:21] Why you should examine the roots of your plants and what they can teach you about your garden
• [39:38] Maria and Melody’s plants this growing season
• [42:35] Maria shares the wonderful things she’s learned from Melody about plants and about life
• 
  

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local dealer or check out my Amazon storefront of my favorite Espoma products here.

DeerBusters

If 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.

Check out Melody's garden on my Youtube channel! https://youtu.be/25vb5uGC0r4

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When I look at a large gorgeous palm, outside or indoors, I immediately get tropical vibes from their huge leaves, the way they sway in the wind, and the way the leaves cascade over their delicate stems. They just have a certain something that creates an instant jungle vibe. However, palms are also notoriously tricky plants to successfully care for! Lucky for us, Chris of NYC Plant Doctor comes to the rescue with expert advice and knowledge on how to properly care for our palms, and how not to kill them as I did with my fan palm. Enjoy!

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In this episode we learn:

• [00:04:16] Chris shares his insane window setup in his new New York apartment!
• [00:06:38] Some interesting trivia about the Arecaceae family
• [00:08:04] The most common palms that you probably didn’t even know you know: coconut palm, carnauba palm, date palm, and more!
• [00:11:15] Where the Arecaceae family got its name
• [00:11:33] Three morphological groups of palm: rhizomatous, lianas, and arborescent
• [00:14:53] Where palms grow in nature, their history, and their uses over time
• [00:17:23] Why you won’t see rings in your palms
• [00:19:53] Examples of cold-hardy palms and where to find them
• [00:22:47] Chris gets real about palms: they are hard for beginners!
• [00:23:16] Watering and humidity needs of your palm plants
• [00:25:07] How to differentiate salt damage vs humidity issues in your palms
• [00:26:39] Should you use distilled water or rainwater for your palms?
• [00:28:44] The right soil for the palm you have
• [00:30:38] Signs that your palm is happy, and signs that it’s not
• [00:31:19] How much light do palms need? Chris shares a big myth-buster about palms and light
• [00:32:41] Chris explains why palms can be difficult to grow: they are temperature-sensitive
• [00:33:48] Did you know you can extend your garden harvest through fall and even over winter?
• [00:35:12] The biggest threat to your garden
• [00:36:42] How to fertilize your palm tree - and why they don’t need much!
• [00:40:59] Chris expert advice on repotting your palms
• [00:41:54] Why you should not plant your palms in terracotta pots
• [00:43:44] The most common pests of palms, and why Chris doesn’t have palms in his home
• [00:45:17] Maria talks about the one important aspect of plant parenthood: knowing what works for you and what doesn’t
• [00:49:33] How to propagate your palms
• [00:50:13] Can you really grow coconut indoors, and if yes, how?
• [00:51:41] How can you control a palm’s growth?
• [00:53:17] What to do when your palm gets pests
• [00:55:57] Some fast palm facts from Chris!
• [00:58:36] The best palm to get for beginners
• [01:02:39] Maria’s reflections on palms and caring for them

Mentioned in our conversation:

Bloom and Grow Radio episodes

• How to Water Your Plants with Chris Satch
• Variegation 101 with Chris Satch
• Plant Latin 101 with Chris Satch
• Pest Control With Summer Rayne Oakes

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

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! Most of us think of the gardening season as spring and summer, but with the right timing and varieties for your location, you can grow year-round! Territorial Seed Company carries lots of varieties to start in summer and harvest in late fall, winter, and even over winter. For seeds, plants, online garden planner, how-to videos and more, visit TerritorialSeed.com and use code BLOOM10 for 10% off on your first order.

DeerBusters

If 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 https://www.deerbusters.com/ today to protect your plants tomorrow and use code BLOOM at checkout for 10% off.

Follow Chris:

Instagram: @botanictonic | @nycplantdoctor

Website

Parlor Palm Care article

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: @BloomandGrowRadio

Tiktok: @bloomandgrowradio

Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio

Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com

Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club

Plant friends, I’ve been fortunate enough to take a lot of deeper dives in the science of plant care since quarantine happened and my outlook on plant care and the hobby of keeping plants has dramatically shifted in the last year and a half. I find myself turning away from blogs and towards textbooks and have a new deep appreciation for the horticulturalists on this show who can truly dive deeper with us and explain the why behind the how of all the practices we are told to do on care cards and social media posts. The combination of over 120 episode interviews, and now all these hours in the courses, has been enlightening and I wanted to come clean about these shifts I’m making in my personal collection and plant care practices. Thank you for learning alongside me and I hope this episode helps you keep blooming and keep growing through your plant parenthood journey!

Get on the waitlist for the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Launch