The Growing Season

Matt McFarland
  • 4.9 (7)
  • Home & Garden
  • Updated Weekly

The lighter side of landscaping. Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland, chat about horticulture served with a hearty helping of humour. With over 70 years of design and installation experience the McFarland boys dig into topics in a way you've rarely heard. Packed full of guests that represent various corners of the industry, The Growing Season is smile worthy.The Growing Season: No politics or pulpits, just plants and muddy workboots.

  1. The Growing Season, July 4, 2026 - Long Bloomers pt. 1

    43 mins ago

    The Growing Season, July 4, 2026 - Long Bloomers pt. 1

    “Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat! Its all about the LONG GAME!  Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland dive into the trees and shrubs that bloom for an INSANELY long time on this week's episode of The Growing Season. How long is long for a tree to bloom?   You'd be surprised to learn.  Matt discusses how his students LOVE derailing him during lectures.  They love to rev him up and watch him go.  "There are more flowers than there are blades of grass" on the McFarland's property.   Mugho Pines, Emerald Gaety Euonymus and everything 1980's comes into the fore.  Rank these trees from 1 - 3: Royalty Crabapple, Crimson King Maple, Obelisk Beech.  Lynne takes the challenge.  Define an "annual..." Matt tries. Are Ivory Silk Lilac's long bloomers?   The trio debate.   What defines a "long bloomer" in a tree?  Weigela, weigela, weigela.... OHHHHH BABY! What is a Century Plant?  How about a Corpse Plant?  Greybeard returns... Temperature can effect the amount of time a tree blooms. Matt tells a story about some lovely flowering dogwood trees and the shock and awe of a specific variety.  "Is the juice worth the squeeze?" Lets hang out in the rose department for a little while.  Some are Oso Easy! Speaking of the 1980's - Potentilla is a classic that still pops. Why doesn't The Growing Season use Butterfly Bush?  Hydrangeas cap the show off in style.  Tune in.  Looking to book a consult for your property?   We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.

    54 min
  2. The Growing Season, June 27, 2026 - Blooms In June

    Jun 27

    The Growing Season, June 27, 2026 - Blooms In June

    “Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat! We know that many things bloom in June, but it behooves us to highlight some of the lesser known plants.   The Growing Season are over the moon for the June blooms on this week's show. Matt's adoration of June Cleaver is touched on.  He still has a crush.   Is the name June still popular?  What is the Summer Solstice and why is it important? The Campfire Rose is one that many clients rave about.  Why?  Jack, Lynne and Matt discuss the reasons. Temperature and excessive growth are correlated.  What controls flower bloom in a plant?  Ligularias are an insane option for shade.  Matt explains why.  Purple in shade?   Yes please!!!  Should you cut the blooms off your Hosta?   You'll surprised to learn what you should be doing with them leafy leafers. Jack has a sick Ivory Silk Lilac.  Why is it sick? What is a pop up emitter?  Matt explains.  Aesculus hippocastanum... Say what?  Silverleaf dogwood and Variegated weigela are some Growing Season favourites.  Speaking of weigelas - why all the fuss?  Matt doesn't want to talk about Peonies.   NOT. AT. ALL!  What is an ITOH Peony?  GET A ROZANNE PERENNIAL GERANIUM!   JUST DO IT! Tune in.  Looking to book a consult for your property?   We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.

    54 min
  3. The Growing Season, June 20, 2026 - Aircraft Carriers (Large Shade Trees) 2026

    Jun 20

    The Growing Season, June 20, 2026 - Aircraft Carriers (Large Shade Trees) 2026

    “Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat! GO BIG OR GO...BIGGER. Yup!  That's the deal this week.  Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland talk about "Aircraft Carriers" - their slang for insanely large shade trees. MORE gardens for the McFarlands, and this time its Lynne's fault.  There's some new tree-tech about to hit the McFarland household.  The benefits of having large shade trees as part of your landscape are explored.  The largest tree on the planet is?  Jack and Matt debate the damage of the spongy moth vs. some of the other legendary pest epidemics.  Why don't we use Ash any more.  It'll make you sad.  Matt talks about Dinsey's "Lady and the Tramp."  What is the trifecta of suffering in trees? DON'T PLANT NORWAY MAPLES! How do tree's survive a lightning strike? Matt tells a story about birds getting wicked drunk.  A new character makes their debut on the show. Matt rants about improper landscape practices involving trees.  WHY CAN'T WE GET FERNS TO GROW UNDER TREES? Mugho Pines, if you please. Containers vs. wire baskets becomes a debate.  Tune in.  Looking to book a consult for your property?   We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.

    54 min
  4. The Growing Season, June 11, 2026 - Rockeries and Alpine Plants 2026

    Jun 13

    The Growing Season, June 11, 2026 - Rockeries and Alpine Plants 2026

    “Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat! Rockeries and alpines are on your plate this week!  It'll be tough chew on this week's episode of The Growing Season.  Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland are all about AC/DC - they are about to rock, they have rocked, they would like you to rock with them... Shall we!? A modern-classic build kicks off the show.  Matt draws elements from what Jack was doing in the 1970's and 1980's. What is the purpose of rock in a landscape?  There are TON of reasons to use it and the trio highlight the myriad of why.  What is the life expectancy of rock in a landscape situation? What is "feather rock?" The construction of a stone wall, in all its mathy glory, features. What is a gravity wall? Moss on rock is a popular choice for clients.  How do you ensure that the moss remains on your stone?  Greek yogurt, beer and moss - a match made in heaven.  We'll tell you why.  What fertilizer is appropriate for rock gardens?    Lynne details how to weed a rock garden.  BEWARE of slippery surfaces.  How would one prune the plant materials in their rock garden? Plants that would tolerate a rock garden environment are detailed.  Mugho pine is pulled from the 1980's and into the spotlight.  Tiger eyes sumac are GORGEOUS!   Have you ever used them?  Ferns cap the show off... Tune in.  Looking to book a consult for your property?   We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.

    54 min
  5. The Growing Season, June 6, 2026 - TGS Colour Series: Yellow 2026

    Jun 6

    The Growing Season, June 6, 2026 - TGS Colour Series: Yellow 2026

    “Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat! On this week’s episode of The Growing Season, the McFarland’s say hello to yellow. One of the most divisive colours, Jack, Lynne, and Matt discussed using yellow in landscape, designs and installs. Matt details and interesting estimating exercise that he’s been doing with his students at Humber College. From the design perspective, yellow can overwhelm a space if used in copious amounts. Black Eyed Suzie’s, Yarrow and Marigold‘s are just some of the plants that the trio dive into off the top of the show. Evergreens carpet bomb when they pollinate. And that bombing, is just about to begin. What is the purpose of the yellow and black colouration on wasps, hornets, yellow jackets and bees? Matt tells a hilarious story about his wife’s classifications for these types of insects. Are yellow peppers the same as green peppers? Matt asserts that the dandelion crop in 2026 was smaller than its 2025 counterpart. Why do dandelions stems stand straight up despite being cut with the lawnmower? You’ll be surprised to learn. Lynn sings. Uh-oh. Is there such thing as a deciduous conifer? How could that be? The McFarland‘s don’t use golden chain tree all that much. Why is that? They investigate. A rundown of the top yellow fall colour happens. Not many people know what a Ligularia is. It deserves some recognition. Have you ever heard of Evening Primrose? You’ll want to listen in if you haven’t. The TGS crew discuss a perennial that is virtually impossible to find. Matt hates Forsythia. But could there be a way that those feelings change? You’ll find out.  Lemon Princess Spirea gets her time in the spotlight. Why don’t more growing season designs feature Rhododendron and Azaleas? Tuberous begonias cap the show off in style. Tune in.  Looking to book a consult for your property?   We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.

    54 min
  6. The Growing Season, May 30, 2026 - Annuals 2026

    May 30

    The Growing Season, May 30, 2026 - Annuals 2026

    “Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat! It's our annual annual show that annually talks about annuals. Get out them trowels cuz its time to plant.  Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland dive into annuals 2026 on this week's episode of The Growing Season.  Matt has to walk his cat.  Its not by choice.  Otherwise its chaos.  Why are annual geraniums called geraniums?  They aren't geraniums.  The McFarland's dive into the history of it.  Matt tells a story about Jack and being eccentric old coot.  Geraniums figure prominently into this tale. Sourcing of annuals has become a challenge.  "I don't think dahlias are as possible as they used to be...." This enrages Jack.  Annuals for HOT areas are discussed.  Function over form in landscape design ALWAYS.  What is a perfect container or pot to use for annuals?   The trio discuss.  Angle grinders galore and how they figure into your annual adventures.  How to water is explored.  Heat stress and water stress really effects impatiens.  Lynne outlines how to avoid this type of stress.  Matt and Jack argue. John McLean was a client of Jack's and NOT the McLean you're thinking about.  The annuals for sun and shade are explored.  Begonias over impatiens ALL. THE. TIME.  Tune in.  Looking to book a consult for your property?   We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.

    54 min
  7. The Growing Season, May 23, 2026 - May All-Stars

    May 23

    The Growing Season, May 23, 2026 - May All-Stars

    “Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat! "It's Gonna Be May!!!" You can almost picture Justin Timberlake crooning it. On this weeks episode of The Growing Season, Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland dive into the All-Stars of one of the most beautiful months on the calendar. " The mistakes of May" kick the show off in style.  Matt runs down the weather and why it may not be the right time to plant annuals outdoors. What do you do if you've bought your annuals and its going to get below freezing? Watering in spring vs. summer is explored. Climate Change vs. Global Warming is discussed.  How to properly "harden off" tropical plants to acclimate them to the outdoors features. Matt rants against crabapples but Jack changes his mind on things.   FLAMETHROWERS and the 80's.  YEAH BABY! Jack discusses ornamental trees and an unlikely specimen is mentioned.  Jack has planted a bunch of these... Matt - not so much.  Hawthorns are just some of the major all-stars of May.  Matt highlights a way he makes sure he's planting in zone. Jack is having Japanese Maple problems.  The McFarlands HANG OUT in Lilacville.  Don't prune your candles.   WHAT? Speaking of what - is the economy rebounding?   Let's debate.  Serviceberry get their moment in the sun to cap the show off.  Tune in.  Looking to book a consult for your property?   We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE. What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.

    54 min
  8. The Growing Season, May 16, 2026 - Landscape Design 2026 pt. 2

    May 16

    The Growing Season, May 16, 2026 - Landscape Design 2026 pt. 2

    “Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat! Its all by design... Literally. Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland continue their Landscape Design chat on this week's episode of The Growing Season. "95% of all designs need a tree, even on the small designs." Matt discusses why he feels this is the case. We have to bring down the immensity of the house - that's a Mattism. Lilacs, Baby Blue Eyes Spruce, Cumulus Serviceberry and Apollo Sugar Maples feature prominently in this chat.  What is a Red Osier Dogwood and why is it important? Jack McFarland sees a fence and gets REALLY excited.  A fence area in shade and Jack dies a little bit.  Clematis, morning glory, espaliers and more...  The trio discuss garden mirrors and how to use them.  Matt tells a sci-fi story.  Matt's fear of poison plants effects his designs significantly.  Matt won't use Yews.  You's read that right - he won't use Yews. The use of epicurean plants must be designed with caution.  Juglans nigra and its insanely effective way of reducing competition is discussed.  The legendary Ginkgo biloba comes into focus.  Daphne, Buckthorn, Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Poison Sumac are some plants to look out for.  Everything is poisonous - what? What's better than one Contorted Corkscrew Hazel? 14!!! The show ends with a moment of silence.  Tune in.  Looking to book a consult for your property?   We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE. What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.

    53 min
See All (210)

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The lighter side of landscaping. Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland, chat about horticulture served with a hearty helping of humour. With over 70 years of design and installation experience the McFarland boys dig into topics in a way you've rarely heard. Packed full of guests that represent various corners of the industry, The Growing Season is smile worthy.The Growing Season: No politics or pulpits, just plants and muddy workboots.

Information

  • Creator
    Matt McFarland
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    210
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Growing Season
  • Show Website
    The Growing Season

You Might Also Like