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, Dec 20, 2025 - Christmas Visitors

    5D AGO

    The Growing Season, Dec 20, 2025 - Christmas Visitors

    Santa Claus is coming to town! In the penultimate episode of The Growing Season for 2025, Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland discuss the some of your horticultural holiday favourites. Could you start a holiday themed decking company?  Famous Christmas music and moves kick the show off. Bing Crosby becomes a topic of discussion.  "All I want for Christmas," Mariah Carey's ubiquitous holiday hit has sold some copies.  LIKE A LOT OF COPIES.  Christmas Vacation, It's A Wonderful Life, Home Alone and Miracle on 34th Street are all talking points.  Frakincense and myrrh have a horticultural history.   50,000 trees are cut down, yearly, to make wrapping paper.  How can we reduce that number?  Potted rosemary as a small, indoor, Christmas tree is a wonderful option.  Lynne discusses "flocking" of Christmas Trees.  A word slip becomes a moment of hilarity.  The surgeon general stops by for some holiday advice.  The poinsettia and all its vibrant colours become a focus.   Matt tells a story about changing their leaf colour in a commercial setting.  How do you choose the perfect poinsettia?  Christmas cactus are a short day plant.  WHAT?   Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that likes to grow on other trees.  It takes all the water and nutrition from its host.  How did it become the focus of kissing?  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. Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.

    54 min
  2. The Growing Season, Dec 13, 2025 - Evergreens and Christmas Trees

    DEC 13

    The Growing Season, Dec 13, 2025 - Evergreens and Christmas Trees

    You knew it was coming!  Evergreens and Christmas Trees draw the spotlight on this week's episode of The Growing Season.  Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland highlight THE focal point of the Christmas Season for those of us that lean into horticultural interests.  What came first - evergreens or deciduous plants?  You'll be surprised to know.  Do real Christmas trees provide significant income to those selling them at this time of year?  The pros and cons of real and artificial Christmas Trees are discussed.  Cancer, oxygen and the health benefits of either choice become a focus.  Do Christmas Trees need a specific soil to thrive during their growing process?  PREDATOR!   Bring the intergalactic space hunters.  Jack McFarland used to own a tree farm.  He tells of his adventures.  Allergies and real Christmas trees - is there a correlation? Are allergy sufferers affected by Christmases most prominent horticultural element?  Matt outlines how to prep your real Christmas tree for decorating.  The youngest host sold Christmas trees for years and he recounts the finer points of these memories.  The heaviest shedders all the way up to the least shedders cap the show off.  What is done with the real Christmas tree after New Years.  You'll find out... 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. Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.

    54 min
  3. The Growing Season, Dec 6, 2025 - Planted for Christmas

    DEC 6

    The Growing Season, Dec 6, 2025 - Planted for Christmas

    Santa Claus is coming to town! That's right, here we go.  Christmas 2025 on The Growing Season.   Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland are pleased to add a new entry to their annual holiday fare.  "Planted For Christmas" features 54 minutes of what you can plant in your horticultural space to harvest for Christmas decorations.  Christmas light foibles kick the show off. Matt discusses how to plan ahead for your holiday decorating during the design phase of your landscape. Conduits and spruce are some highlights.  Dogwoods and their family members feature prominently on Growing Season landscape designs.  Why!?  WINTER COLOUR.  Matt explains how he plans for 12 month colour in your flower beds. The McFarlands highlight the plant materials that can be used to decorate for the holidays. Cedars, spruce and birch are also favourites when decorating for the holidays.  Have you ever heard of a Paperbark Maple?  They are fantastic! PINES AND CONES!   Ohhh baby!   Perfect for Christmas decorations.  What about pruning at this time of year.  Is it recommended?  The McFarlands discuss.  Scotch Pine talk features for the first time this season.  It won't be the last.  What pine produces the smallest cones in the pine family?   You'd be surprised to learn.  What if you don't have any of the heavy hitters on your property?   Can you use what you have to decorate?   Ahhhh yes!   We have answers for you.  Winterberry, burning bush and ivory silk lilac come into focus. How do you store cuttings from your plants?  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. Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.

    54 min
  4. The Growing Season, Nov. 29, 2025 - Humans and Winter

    NOV 29

    The Growing Season, Nov. 29, 2025 - Humans and Winter

    Brrrrr.  That's cold!  Its upon us.  The rain has turned white and remains on the ground.  Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland discuss how humans navigate winter on this episode of The Growing Season.   Matt discusses his love of The Weather Network and snow days.   Lynne delivers the bad news about this winter's forecast.  Brine, road salt and the methods used to de-ice roads are highlighted.  "Beet-brine" is the last tech on the scene.  You read that correctly.  The McFarland Query System returns to insult The McFarlands.  How to properly apply de-icer to your walkways becomes a discussion point.  Jack tells a story about breaking his shoulder on a walk around the block.  Snow ploughs and heart attacks...  There's a correlation.  "Humans have lost the basic survival skills necessary to get them through the winter..." - Jack McFarland.  Do you remember the show "Survivor Man?"  A spruce tree can provide some warmth in the winter.  The McFarlands explain how.  Waterproof matches and where to get them are discussed.  If you fall through pond ice, Jack outlines the steps needed to survive.  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. Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.

    53 min
  5. The Growing Season, Nov. 22, 2025 - Animals, Insects and Winter

    NOV 22

    The Growing Season, Nov. 22, 2025 - Animals, Insects and Winter

    Humans aren't the only ones that have to adapt to a colder climate during the winter months.  Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland track the migration patterns of Canada geese.  Why do they fly south for the winter.  "Whiffing" is a landing maneuver used by geese.  What is it used for?  Matt talks about his love of the film "Predator: Badlands." Go and see it.  Down jackets worn by birds in the winter is a real thing.  Birds have remarkable winter adaptations.  Pets and winter boots is a hilarious sight to behold.  It was a disaster for The McFarlands.  Road salt and how it effects birds his highlighted.  Deer LOVE salt.  Why?  The trio discuss these creatures adoration for sodium. Matt doesn't recommend using salt on your walkway.  What should you use instead?  Cold water has a higher degree of oxygen than warmer water.  ITS THE TRUTH! Marathon "runters" is good for a laugh. Coyotes and their winter homes become a focus.  Butterflies and their migration is also discussed.  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. Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.

    54 min
  6. The Growing Season, Nov. 15, 2025 - BedTime pt. 2

    NOV 15

    The Growing Season, Nov. 15, 2025 - BedTime pt. 2

    More snoozy for your flower beds!  BedTime continues on The Growing Season and The McFarlands jump in with aplomb.  Can you plant trees at this time of the year?  Jack McFarland explains why this is a GREAT time to plant large deciduous organisms.   Matt tells a red maple story that he is about to plant for a longtime client.  Speaking of trees, Matt explains the measures he takes when planting large trees at this time of year.  There are some slight differences between planting now and other times of the year. Defense against deer is discussed.  High fences, tree guards and wraps are discussed as possible methods to deter deer.  HUMAN HAIR!   Its a thing!  Rebounding Japanese Maples triggers a talk about Matt applying "Winter Sweaters" on trees and shrubs. Coffee grounds and pH of your soil AND coffee grounds and their ability to deter deer and rodents are discussed. Coyote urine and the farmers that procure such a material dials up the hilarity.  Save you marigold debris for the winter.  COYOTE MILKERS AND AWARDS! How does one bring their tropical plants into the house, safely, at this time of the year.  Its a process and The McFarlands explain.  Why do birds change their colours for the winter? Mouldy birdseed is a problem.   Matt discusses how to prep your water features for the winter. How about irrigation?  How do you prep irrigation for the winter?  Matt discusses winterizing your exterior taps.  Tool winterizing caps 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. Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.

    54 min
  7. The Growing Season, Nov. 8, 2025 - BedTime pt. 1

    NOV 8

    The Growing Season, Nov. 8, 2025 - BedTime pt. 1

    Is it sleepy-time yet?  Almost.  The McFarlands guide The Growing Season into the final stretch of the horticultural season on this week's episode of The Growing Season. Poppies kick off the show and Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland discuss poppy bloom time and why they don't use many poppies on designs.  Hint:  think peonies.  Why did poppies grow vigorously in Flanders Fields?  You'll be surprised to know.  An extended version of "Imagine If You Will" takes the listeners back 100 years to find out how homeowners were prepping their flower beds for the winter in 1925.  What were the major changes between what was happening then vs. now in fall garden prep? LOTS OF MANUAL LABOUR.  Seed saving was fashionable.  Matt dives into "root cellars."  Weed prevention practices in 1925 will blow your mind.  Jumping up 50 years into 1975 changes the rules of fall flowerbed prep.  The trio discuss how they used to fall prep clients flower beds 20 years ago vs. what they do now.  It's a drastic difference.  Do you "rough up" the garden soil before the snow flies?   Do you cut the perennials down to the ground?   Do you fertilize?  Willows are a pain in the bottom. You'll find out why. Should you be doing a heavy prune at this time of the year? There are two schools of thought.  Catalytic converters and leaves.  Its a thing.   The five most common mistakes made during "bed time" are discussed.  How do you address those piles of leaves in an efficient manner?   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. Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.

    54 min
  8. The Growing Season, Nov. 1, 2025 - Garden Challenges 2025

    NOV 1

    The Growing Season, Nov. 1, 2025 - Garden Challenges 2025

    Challenge accepted!!! With the horticultural season wrapping up, Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland discuss the challenges they faced this year on this week’s episode of The Growing Season.  Winter 2025 kicks off the show’s content.  How did it feed into this summer’s water table? A rainy May and then blistering heat for the remainder of the summer.  Do you remember how HOT it was? There were 18 days of temps above 30 celsius BEFORE the humid in summer 2025.  What is the “litter layer” of your topsoil? What are “hydrophobic soils?” The trio discuss the challenges of landscape builds during insanely hot temperatures.  Matt discusses not feeling good enough. Transplant shock mixed with high heat is a recipe for uh-oh. Norway Maples and why you shouldn’t plant them are highlighted.  It ties into baseball.  FFF or Frost Free Days become an interesting topic.  The number of frost free days affects when you can start planting and stop planting.  Matt has sooooo many clients with garden hoses that ABSOLUTELY SUCK!  Matt talks about what to look for in a garden hose.  The trio update Jack’s health.  Shade/light conditions and their ever changing illumination on-sites frustrates landscape designers.  “Its irresponsible to design cedars onto a landscape plan…” Step riser heights and tread depths become more of a focus for elderly people.  What is a “pop up emitter?”  The trio explain.  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. Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    181
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Growing Season
  • Show Website
    The Growing Season