Hello Listener, This month, we discuss butterflies and the Smithsonian Butterfly Pavilion at National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. with Arthur Earle. Arthur answers all our questions about the behind-the-scenes part of running a butterfly show. We talk about why butterflies are important. Arthur gives us some fun butterfly facts abo…

Hello Listener, Sorry for the late episode. We had some computer issues and had to redo this episode. This month, we discuss something near and dear to our hearts–shopping for plants. We have some great tips to help you make wise purchases with regard to landscape plants. Marylanders Plant Trees Program- $25 off coupon for native tree species at pa…

Hello Listener, This month, we discuss cane berries with University of Maryland Extension Agriculture Agent for Wicomico County, Dr. Haley Sater. Some berry good resources: Mid-Atlantic Berry Guide Haley’s Fact sheet new fact sheet - Start Growing Thornless Blackberries UME Home and Garden Information Center Fruits for the Home Garden webpage. We a…

Hello Listener, This month, we discuss some more exciting animal mating habits in the Mid-Altalitic region. This year, we discuss Eastern Hercules Beetles, Dogbane Leaf Beetles, Blue Crabs, and the iconic Bald Eagle. We start the episode with garden news and an update about the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Check out the official press-release fro…

Hey Listener We are bringing in the New Year with a game of Garden Trivia! Stephanie Pully and Kaitlyn Baligush from the UME Master Gardener Office are joining us with some fun trivia questions. Feel free to play along with us. There are four categories, each with three questions: Botany (~1:53) Soils (~8:14) Entomology (~13:09) Native and Invasive…

This year, we are taking a break from our spooky plant list to instead talk about a spooky, cute group of insects STINGING CATERPILLARS! Don't let their cuteness fool you; these incredible insects can string if touched, so BEWARE and keep your hands to yourself. We also have our: Bug of the Month – Antlions. (~29:45) Native Plant of the Month - Lit…

Hey Listener, Gold and yellow hues are the undeniable colors of autumn. In this episode, we discuss one of our favorite yellow-blooming perennial plants–Goldenrod. With its pretty yellow flowers, long blooming seasons, and high wildlife value, What is not to love about these fantastic native plants? Michaela also counts down her top pick of goldenr…

Hey Listener, In this month's episode, Dr. Shauna Henley (a Senior Family and Consumer Sciences Educator with the University of Maryland Extension) returns to the podcast to discuss canning those summer fruits and vegetables. She will tell us a bit about the history of canning, what supplies you need (~5:20), the difference between canning with a h…

Hey Listener, In this month's episode, we are talking about two common household pests: ants and termites. While both live in colonies and can enter our homes, they have very different lifecycles and social structures. Some of them are nuisance pests, while others can cause damage to our homes. This episode will cover how to tell ants and termites …

Hey Listener, In this month's episode, we are excited to Celebrates National Pollinator Week. ( June 19-25, 2023). A pollinator is any animal that visits flowering plants and moves pollen from flower to flower, which helps plants reproduce, making fruits and seeds. In North America pollinators include bees, butterflies, moths, flower flies, beetles…

Hey Listener, In this month's episode, we are excited to welcome back Jon Traunfeld, Principal Agent and Program Director of the fantastic UME Home and Garden Information Center. 2023 is UME HGIC year of the Sweet Potato, and Jon is here .o give us some tips about growing and harvesting them, and in return, we share recipes for eating them with him…

Hello Listener, In this month's episode, we're talking about selecting and growing small fruits and fruit trees. With spring blooming around us, many garden centers and stores will have fruit trees and small fruit shrubs for sale. Creating a home orchard can provide a source of delicious fruit. However, fruit trees and shrubs have their own unique …

Hello Listener, In this month's episode, we are talking to Paul Goeringer, a University of Maryland Specialist with the UMD Agriculture Law Education Initiative. We have some great questions regarding homeowner and property rights to put Paul on the spot today. We discussed Maryland HB322 (~3:27), overhanging trees (~12:15), fence laws (~15:30), de…

Hello Listener, We love some fun facts and lists so in this episode we will talk about some of intriguing animal mating and courtship habits, to celebrate the month of Valentine’s. We cannot cover them all but we picked some of our favorites including honeybee, horseshoe crabs, daddy long legs, slugs, and dragonflies. We also have our: Native Plant…

Hello Listener, It is almost 2023, but you can still do some chores in your garden this year. In this episode, we talk about the winter garden chores Rachel has been doing, and Mikaela and Emily have been putting off. We also talk holiday plant care (16:00), including caring for living trees (19:00) and fresh cut trees (28:10). Link to our survey: …

Hello Listener, It's Spooky Season! In this month's episode, we sit down with Leslie Sturges of the Bat Conservation & Rescue of Virginia to talk about bats. We chat about how much we love bats and why you should also. She tells us all about the types of bat you can find in Maryland (9:53), Whitenose syndrome (17:03), how bats rear their young (23:…

Hello Listener, Fall is almost here, and we are ready. Nothing signals the start of fall like the changing of the leave. In this episode, we discuss what causes the leave to change color. It was also really hard to choose, but we picked our top 5 trees with the best fall color. We also have some suggestions for shrubs, grasses, and flowers that mak…

Hello Listener, In this month's episode, we are speaking all about Climate Change and Sea Level Rise with Dr. Kate McClure from the University of Maryland Sea Grant Extension Program. We talk about the effects of climate change that we are seeing right now and what sea level rise looks like. Dr. McClure also gives us some online prediction tools to…

Hello Listener, The summer heat is here, and if you are like us, you are taking a break under the shade of a lovely tree. In this episode, we are talking all about shade. Why we love it, some tips for gardening in your shady area ( 10:07 ), and a list of native plants ( 16:35 ) that enjoy the shade as much as Mikaela. We also have our: Native Plant…

Hello Listener, It's Pollinator Week! And to celebrate, we have a special episode for you all. We got to sit down and chat with Sam Droege, who works at the Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab with U.S. Geological Survey. We talk about how native bees differ from honey bees, learn about some neat bee flower interactions, and Sam gives us some t…

Hello Listener, It has been a weird spring weather wise, and that weird weather may have stressed some of your plants out. In this months episode we are talking all about abiotic disorder in the garden. Abiotic disorder in plants are caused by non-living factors such as weather, and the enviroment . We will give some examples of what we have seen s…

Hello Listener, In this month esiopde we are talking about continer gardening with Ashley Bachtel-Bodkins, Senior Agent Asso. & MG Coordinator for UME in Garrett Co. If you are limited on space and time a container garden may be a perfect way to add in the garden you’ve always wanted. We talk picking the correct size container for your plant needs,…

Hello Listener, April is National Garden Month! So Happy National Garden Month everyone. One of the most clear signals of spring is the emergence of spring ephemerals- daffodils, crocus, tulips… these bulbs are some classic examples, but we have so many more to enjoy! Our woodland wildflowers may be more subtle, but are no less impressive and are e…

Hello Listener, How do I control weeds is probably one of the most common questions we get. So in this month's episode, we are chatting all about spring weeds. What is a Weed? Which ones are our favorites? What's the difference between a typical weed, an invasive plant, and a Noxious Weed? We also have our: Native Plant of the Month ( Golden Ragwor…

Hello Listener, Although it may be cold and dreary outside, it’s the perfect time to take inventory of your deciduous trees and shrubs to see which plants would benefit the most from pruning. In this months episode we’re sitting down with Extension Specialist in Commercial Horticulture, Dr. Andrew Ristvey. Dr. Ristvey is giving us the ins and outs …

Hello Listener, Happy New Year! It is hard to believe that we are already in a new year. We are kicking off our third season by sitting down with Extension Educator Ginny Rosenkranz. Like many of you, during the pandemic our acquisition of houseplants increased exponentially. Ginny guides us on caring for all of our botanical beauties. Timing: Hous…

Hello Listener, The season of food and eating is upon us! In this episode, we are talking with Dr. Shauna Henely of UME Family & Consumer Sciences, all about how to keep our garden food safe to eat from pathogens, testing our soils for lead, washing produce and how to handle leftovers. We also have our: Native Plant of the Month (Bushy bluestem) at…

Hello Listener, In this episode, we keep with our October tradition of talking about spooky plants by chatting all about carnivorous plants! Carnivorous plants are predatory flowering plants that kill animals, primarily insects, to derive nutrition from their bodies. Fun fact: Did you know that there are 19 different species of carnivorous plants f…

Hello Listener, In this month's episode, we are chatting all about the benefits of rain gardens (~12:45). Every time it rains, water runs off impervious surfaces such as roofs, driveways, roads, and parking lots, collecting pollutants along the way. Maryland's average rainfall is about 44”. That is a lot of stormwater, isn't it? Think about how muc…

Hello Listener, In this month's episode, we are chatting about the marvelous relationship between monarch butterflies and milkweed. Undoubtedly, there is no other butterfly so easily recognized with its orange and black wings fringed with white spots. Their seasonal flight from Mexico through the United States towards Canada is long anticipated for…

Hello Listener, In this month episode, we are chatting about the wonderful world of worms. Yes, worms. Although worms are slimy and wiggly, they play a vital role in our ecosystem. Earthworms increase air and water into the soil horizon, and usually, their presence is an indicator of a healthy soil system rich in nutrients and organic matter. Think…

Hello Listener, In this month episode we are speaking with Kerry Wixted, Education and Outreach Specialist for Maryland DNR about Maryland wildlife. Did you know we have native rattle snake in Maryland? Learn why possum are so useful to have in your garden? What can you do to increase the wildlife vaule of your garden. Here is a link to the MDNR Wi…

Hello Listener, In this bonus episode, we chatted with local university legend, entomologist, professor emeritus Dr. Mike Raupp, about the Brood X periodic cicadas. The Great Northern Brood is emerging from their seventeen-year slumber to feast, socialize, and reproduce. Dr. Raupp answers our questions about what distinguishes this brood from our a…

Hello Listener, In this month episode we are talking about herbs. Now there are too many amazing herbs our there to cover them all in one episode so in this episode we are cover: what is a herb, three common herbs (basil, chives and thyme) and some of our favorite herbs for the garden. We also have our: Native Plant of the Month (Wild Ginger) at ~ …

Hello Listener, Spring is here! We are so ready to get in our gardens and hope you are as well. In this episode, we are joined by Justinian Dispenza, who runs the Eastern Shore Permaculture Institute. We talked all about what permaculture is and how to incorporate its ideas into our own gardens. Permaculture is an approach to land management and ph…

Hello Listener, In this episode, we are joined by the University of Maryland Extension Poultry Specialist Jon Moyle. We invited Jon to give the cockadoddledoo details on raising backyard chickens. Jon covers information such as basic chicken biology, basic needs, and protocol for keeping poultry at home. More importantly, Jon discusses important fa…

Hello Listener, The long cold days of winter are upon us, and even though we might like to dig in and hibernate, there's still plenty of things to do in the garden. In this month's episode, we chatted about winter pruning, adding plants for winter interest, and the "language of flowers"! Timing: The "language of flowers" (2:10) Winter pruning (8:10…

Hello Listener, Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe that we’re already in a new year. After almost an entire year of quarantining, in this month's episode, we took time to pause and reflect on last year's gardening success and failures. Like many of you, the pandemic really threw us for a loop and many of our goals for the previous year took the b…

Hi Listener, In this month's episode, we talk about getting ready for winter. Including putting your garden to bed, caring for holiday plants (8:25), and some less known native fruits and vegetables (21:25). Native Plant of the Month: Big bluestem - Andropogon gerardii (33:50) Bug of the Month: Crane Flies (36:05) Garden Tips of the Month: (40:15) …

Hi Listener, It's hard to believe that our little podcast is a whole-year-old this month. Thank you all for your support. Since Halloween is a favorite holiday of ours here is a mini-episode with three more spooky scary plants. Thank you all again! - Emily, Mikaela, and Rachel. The music found in this episode is "Monster Parade" by Loyalty Free Mus…

Hi Listener, In this month's episode, we talk about all things fall. Including Chrysanthemum, some fun facts about pumpkins (10:45), and some fun varieties of gourds and pumpkins you might try growing in your garden next year (16:55). Native Plant of the Month: White Oak - Quercus alba (25:40) Bug of the Month: Orb-weaver spiders (28:25) Vegetable …

Hi Listener, In this month's episode, we talk about planting trees and shrubs in the fall, fall lawn care (7:25), cover crops (15:25), and preparing your yard for bad weather (24:25). Here are the Virginia Extension Guide to Successful Pruning and the Shrub Pruning Calendar Native Plant of the Month: Indiangrass (27:30) Bug of the Month: Royal waln…

Hello Listener, In this special episode, we invited the University of Maryland Extension-Sea Grant Watershed Restoration Specialist, Jen Dindinger to talk about rain barrels, rain gardens, and stormwater management. Jen gives the how to’s on using and maintaining rain barrels. Here’s a great video on rain barrels and rain gardens. More importantly,…

Hey Listener, In this month's episode, we talk with Jon Traunfeld, Principal Agent and Program Director of the fantastic Home and Garden Information Center. Jon is our vegetable specialist, and we are so excited to have him joining us today. Garden Tips of the Month: (31:40) Bug of the Month: Spider Mites (36:30) Native Plant of the Month: Jewelwee…

Hey Listener, In this month's episode, we talk about Propagating Hydrangeas (4:40), Japanese Beetles (12:00) and preventing ticks (20:50) Native Plant of the Month: Marsh hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) (34:20) Garden Tips of the Month: (37:30) Bug of the Month: Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp(42:50) For more information about University of Maryland Exte…

Hi Listener, In this month's episode, we talk about pest management, fungal leaf spots (6:55), and watering tips during the summer (10:00). Native Plant of the Month: Common Milkweed (14:20) Bug of the Month: Water Striders (20:00) Garden Tips of the Month at (23:00) For more information about University of Maryland Extension and these topics, plea…

Hi Listener, In this month's episode, we talk about mulching, pruning hydrangeas (~11:20), and spring lawn care (~15:50). Native Plant of the Month: Blue Flag Iris (~20:45) Garden Tips of the Month (~23:15) Bug of the Month: Spotted Lanternfly (~31:00) For more information about University of Maryland Extension and these topics, please check out th…

Hello Listener, We hope you and your family are safe during this difficult time. Our April episode ended up being rather lengthy, so we decided to turn it into two episodes. Here is Part Two! (part one can be found here) In this episode, we give some tips and activities for gardening with children and talk about why we dislike Callery pear trees (2…

Hi Listener, We hope you and your family are safe during this difficult time. Our April episode ended up being rather lengthy, so we decide to turn it into two episodes. So this month you will get twice the Garden Hoes. In this episode, we welcome a special guest, Dr. Nicole Fiorellino, to give us the "dirt" on the soil. We also discussed the "how …

Hi Listener, in this episode, we talk about soil testing, spring lawn care (~5:20) and starting seedlings (~ 9:00) Bug of the Month: Bumblebees (~25:00) Native Plant of the Month: Red Maple (~32:00) Garden Tip of the Month: Vegetable garden prep (~34:10) For more information about University of Maryland Extension and these topics, please check out …