The Growing Season

Matt McFarland
  • 5.0 (3)
  • 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, June 11, 2026 - Rockeries and Alpine Plants 2026

    4d ago

    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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. The Growing Season, May 9, 2026 - Landscape Design 2026 pt. 1

    May 9

    The Growing Season, May 9, 2026 - Landscape Design 2026 pt. 1

    “Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat! Let's design, shall we? The Growing Season discusses a major facet of their horticultural business on this week's episode of the show.  Strap in.  Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland talk about step 1 of your horticultural renovation.  Martial Arts kicks off the show.  Matt's daughter is learning to break boards with her feet.  Design work from last fall = construction work for this spring.  That's the play.  The design process when engaging with The Growing Season is a long one BUT it reaps rewards down the line.  Matt explains why. Delivery fees for materials are going to increase this year?  Why? Matt cues the rant music when discussing design fees and his feelings regarding "hardscapers."  Whatever the size of the patio that you feel would suit you isn't big enough.  Trust us.  150% of the time it isn't big enough.  The trio explain why.  You need 3' of space behind any patio chair for traffic flow.  "Design with the future in mind..." Repetition of plant materials in a garden space breeds familiarity between spaces.  Matt has some GORGEOUS jobs upcoming.  Soil, soil and more soil. What is the average pH on client's sites?  Plants for wet sites and plants for dry sites are discussed.  Some of those that tolerate wet locations will surprise you. Black Eyed Susie, Joe Eye Weed, Iris, Day lily, P***y Willow, Dogwood, Clethras, Climbing Hydrangea, Oakleaf Hydrangea, Butterfly Bush and Japanese Kerria are just some of the plants discussed.  Matt narrows his fern palette to one family. Its a good family. Irrigation is not for startup.  It is for maintenance.  Garden Design do's and don'ts are uncovered. How do you determine what your shade/light conditions are on your property? How much time do you have to devote to gardening and what is your budget? 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
  7. The Growing Season, May 2, 2026 - Celebrating Spring pt. 3: Weed Warfare

    May 2

    The Growing Season, May 2, 2026 - Celebrating Spring pt. 3: Weed Warfare

    “Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat! The drums of war can be heard on lawns throughout the country. That's right.  They're coming... The silent insurgence will rob you of your verdant green carpet and replace it with a votive of yellow blooms.  Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland dive into weed warfare on this week's episode of The Growing Season.  Rats have become a problem in gardens across the country and the trio dive into why this is.  The problem is on the rise this year.  Matt details his Ragdoll Cat's new patrol route.  Its been modified this season.   He's now inspecting the interiors of homes in an effort to keep the neighbourhood safe.  How do you create a "leaf mould cage?"  Why do worms dot the sidewalks when its been rainy outside? "All the weeds that show up in the spring got their start last fall..." - Jack McFarland Matt rants about crabgrass and biological control.  What's the correlation between lawns and white clover? Topdressing comes into focus. Matt is going to be bringing Humber College students to jobsites.  Stigmas surrounding interlock lead into a discussion about weeding your flowerbeds.  Don't mulch a flowerbed in its first season.  Just don't.  Edging a bed comes down to C=C.  Construction = cash. Mothers Day presents are discussed.  "Up, down, all around" is a great way to remember what the different fertilizer numbers mean.  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, April 25, 2026 - Celebrating Spring 2026 - Pruning pt. 2

    Apr 25

    The Growing Season, April 25, 2026 - Celebrating Spring 2026 - Pruning pt. 2

    “Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat! Lets do it again, shall we?   Picking up where last week's show left off, Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland put a final cut on their spring pruning series for 2026. The show starts with a marijuana chat.  What? Bear cubs abound in Canada and Matt takes the time to make a joke about hibernating.  Platypus...Matt gushes.  TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER! A broken tree leader times three finishes off a talk from last week. Mark Banks cost a company bank. What does the tree leader do in regards to the operating system of the tree?   It's fascinating. Field tags on trees prompt a conversation with Matt. What happens if you don't remove your tree's winter sweater? Matt explains. Sun scald frost crack is discussed.  Lets prune a clematis together.  There are some rules and the McFarlands go over the ins and outs. Don't prune when you're high!   DANGEROUS! Roses and their various family members are discussed.  There was a stigma surrounding roses that seems to have faded.  Why? Morden Manitoba is a hotbed for rose development.  Why again?  The prunus family and their pruning requirements comes into focus. Jack tells a peach tree story. What is "open pruning?" MATT HATES BLUEBERRY PLANTS!!! HATTTTEESSSS.  Currents and white pine.   UH-OH.  You'll find out why. The difference between raspberry plants 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
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 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
    207
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Growing Season
  • Show Website
    The Growing Season

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