Ask The Garden Geek with Michael Crose

Michael Crose
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Leisure
  • Updated Biweekly

Join Michael Crose, the Garden Geek, for practical, down-to-earth advice on all things lawn and garden. Each week, Michael digs into a new topic — from soil health and seasonal planting to lawn care, pest control, and troubleshooting your backyard's toughest problems. Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or just getting your hands dirty for the first time, Ask the Garden Geek delivers friendly, expert guidance to help your garden thrive all year long.

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 1

    Michael relaunches Ask the Garden Geek with a deep dive into surviving Florida's brutal summer heat. He explains how to spot true heat stress versus a dying lawn, and breaks down how Bahia, St. Augustine, Zoysia, and other grasses each handle it differently. Along the way, Michael shares decades of hands-on stories — from a golf-course nematode mishap to lessons on chinch bugs and grass varieties — plus practical watering advice: an inch a week, applied early morning or just before dark. A knowledgeable, personality-packed first episode.

  2. Jul 31

    Series Finale

    After a meaningful run, this is the final episode of The Daily Grateful. Host Michael Crose shares an honest, heartfelt sign-off — reflecting on why the show ran its course, expressing gratitude to the listeners who tuned in and reached out, and looking ahead to what's next: a brand-new project exploring the history of rock and roll, launching soon as both a podcast and YouTube channel. This new show doesn't have a name yet — and Michael wants your help. Head to his Facebook page (Michael Crose) and send a DM with your suggestion for what to call it. Thank you for listening, for the messages, and for being part of this chapter. This RSS feed ends here — but look out for the new show, coming soon under a brand new feed.

  3. Jul 29

    The Pits Are Part of Gratitude Too

    Being grateful doesn't mean pretending everything's fine. You don't have to force the bright side. Sometimes you're pissed off, disgusted, even depressed — and that's okay. That's worth sitting with. It can feel dishonest to say "I'm so grateful" when you're exhausted, grieving, or seething. A pastor I knew — one of the most optimistic guys around — once gave a whole sermon on "the pits," on when life goes to complete crap. Not every day is graciousness and goodness. Gratitude gets weaponized, by others and by ourselves. "Just be grateful" can shut down a legitimate complaint. But real gratitude doesn't require minimizing your struggle. You can be grateful and still be furious about where you are. When gratitude feels impossible, that resistance is information — pointing to unmet needs, unresolved resentment, burnout. Don't push through it. Listen to it instead. #DailyGratitude #MentalHealthMatters #GratitudePractice #ItsOkayToNotBeOkay #Podcast #Authenticity #Mindfulness #EmotionalHealth

  4. Jul 27

    Ormond Beach Magic

    Michael Crose is back from an unforgettable weekend in Ormond Beach, Florida, and he's bringing all the good vibes home to The Daily Grateful. Known as the birthplace of speed, Ormond Beach captured Michael's heart with its slower pace, friendly locals, and stunning natural beauty along the Halifax River. In this episode, Michael shares highlights from his trip with Diane and her family, including a breathtaking drone flight over the water, a shark-bite warning that kept him firmly out of the ocean, and birdwatching. The true highlight, though, was discovering local musician Jessie Abbey, whose soulful performance of "Mad World" on a restaurant patio stopped Michael in his tracks and reminded him why live music matters. Her voice made his heart sing, and he wants yours to sing too. Tune in for a heartfelt reminder to seek out experiences that move you, connect with strangers, and find gratitude in the unexpected moments life offers. Do something different today. Hashtags: #TheDailyGrateful #OrmondBeach #Gratitude #FloridaTravel #LiveMusic #DaytonaBeach #TravelPodcast #MindfulLiving #FloridaLife #GratitudePractic

  5. Jul 24

    Why Short Trips Save Your Sanity

    It's been a rough couple of weeks — a night without power, unexpected bills, the loss of a beloved cat, and a needy remaining feline who isn't making it any easier. In this short but heartfelt episode, your host opens up about the toll of everyday stress and the simple cure he's leaning on: getting away, even just for a weekend. He's hitting the road with his ex-wife Diane on a scenic 200-mile ride to the coast, phone mostly off (except for the kids and grandkids), and no agenda but rest. Along the way, he shares why distance creates perspective, why short trips count just as much as long vacations, and why rest is a skill worth practicing — not just something that happens to you. Recorded in a rush before Diane arrives, this quick, honest check-in is a reminder that sometimes the best thing you can do is just get out of your routine. Don't sweat the small stuff — it's all small stuff.

  6. Jul 24

    Cakes, Motorcycles, and a Program Called "Everything"

    Today's episode is a rambling, heartfelt one. While scanning old photos before a weekend trip across the state, our host stumbles on a free Windows tool called "Everything" that instantly digs up every file — including photos — buried deep in your computer. Searching by file type (.jpg, .jpeg) surfaces treasures he'd forgotten existed, including a photo of a birthday cake he baked 18 years ago for his late brother Al's 61st birthday, chocolate with white frosting, delivered as a surprise drop-and-run. The story turns into a meditation on doing kind things when nobody expects them, and the grief and gratitude of finding that photo two years after his brother's passing. From there, the episode swerves into a nostalgic tale from 1970s Dunedin, Florida: a 15-year-old on a restricted license, a Yamaha motorcycle, a buddy named Greg, a skipped school day, and a ride up State Road 50 to dip a toe in the Daytona Beach surf — sunburn, suspension, and all. He's retracing that same route tomorrow, this time by car, in honor of that ride. Expect tech tips, tears, teenage rebellion, and a whole lot of heart. #PodcastLife #FamilyStories #TechTips #Nostalgia #FloridaRoots #GriefAndGratitude #OldSchoolMemories #StateRoad50 #RamblingPodcast #EverydayStories

  7. Jul 22

    When the Power Goes Out, So Does the Old Story

    Today on The Daily Grateful, Michael Crose gets real about detours — and why he refuses to call them that. From his son's spontaneous cross-country trip to Yellowstone, to Michael's own November road trip plans to visit kids and grandkids, this episode is about embracing the unplanned turns life throws at us. Then things get chaotic: a sudden power outage, a dead electrical panel, a $4,500 quote that sent Michael searching for alternatives, and an all-night battle with the heat (thank you, Ryobi fan). Enter Kiki the electrician and his non-English-speaking crew, plus Michael's son Zack stepping up to save the day. What started as a disaster became a crash course in electrical panels, resilience, and gratitude for the people who show up when things break. Michael reminds us that our biggest disappointments often lead to our greatest opportunities — and that sometimes the life that unfolds, messy wiring and all, is worth being thankful for too. Grab your coffee, settle in, and remember: it's okay to get depressed for a night, as long as you wake up grateful the next day. #DailyGrateful #GratitudePodcast #LifeUnexpected #Resilience #NewDirections #PowerOutageProblems #FamilyFirst #MichaelCrose #GratefulLiving #EverydayWisdom

  8. Jul 20

    The Gratitude You Didn't Choose

    What if gratitude wasn't about the big milestones, but the small, unchosen moments that quietly shaped you? In this episode, Michael invites you to look back on your whole life so far, not just the highlight reel, and find gratitude in the experiences you never asked for. He shares a deeply personal story from 2013, when an 18-pound tumor changed his path and taught him who he could count on, especially himself. Michael reflects on returning to work after recovery, relearning his craft one grueling recording session at a time, and how that struggle built resilience he still carries today. He also challenges the idea that aging means decline, arguing instead that age is an accumulation of everything you've lived and learned. Gratitude, he reminds us, isn't passive. It takes daily practice and intention. Michael leaves you with a simple exercise: grab a pad and write down three experiences you're grateful for right now, not decades ago. By the episode's end, you'll be ready to trade your bucket list for an experience list, and start noticing the small good things happening today. #DailyGrateful #GratitudePractice #Michaelcrose #ExperienceList #MindsetShift #Resilience #AgingWell #Podcast

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Join Michael Crose, the Garden Geek, for practical, down-to-earth advice on all things lawn and garden. Each week, Michael digs into a new topic — from soil health and seasonal planting to lawn care, pest control, and troubleshooting your backyard's toughest problems. Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or just getting your hands dirty for the first time, Ask the Garden Geek delivers friendly, expert guidance to help your garden thrive all year long.

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