Garden Basics with Farmer Fred Fred Hoffman

Tired of pesky ants ruining your garden beds and invading your home? Join us as we chat with Debbie Flower, America's favorite retired college horticultural professor, who shares her personal formula for getting rid of these unwanted pests. We'll uncover the secrets of boric acid ant bait and explore why it's crucial for it to reach the queen in order to wipe out the entire colony.

We also have a conversation with Master Food Preserver and State Fair Food Judge, Wendy Rose. Discover how to save an early partial harvest for delicious recipes later in the season and learn the insider tips to winning big with your jams, jellies, and preserves at county and state fair competitions. If you're looking to snag some awards, don't miss this episode!

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Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout.
Pictured:  Greenway Liquid Ant Killing Bait, KM AntPro Liquid Ant Bait Station
Links:
Subscribe to the free, Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter https://gardenbasics.substack.com
Smart Pots https://smartpots.com/fred/
Dave Wilson Nursery https://www.davewilson.com/home-garden/
Flashback: Ep. 197 Compost Tea Explained

Debbie Flower’s Recipe for Ant Control
CA State Fair Canning Competition Guide
UC Master Food Preserver Program


All About Farmer Fred:
The GardenBasics.net website
The Garden Basics with Farmer Fred Newsletter, Beyond the Basics
https://gardenbasics.substack.com
The Farmer Fred Rant! Blog
http://farmerfredrant.blogspot.com
Facebook:  "Get Growing with Farmer Fred"
Instagram: farmerfredhoffman
https://www.instagram.com/farmerfredhoffman/
Twitter: @farmerfred
Farmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.
Got a garden question?
• Leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe, at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics
• Call or text us the question: 916-292-8964.
• Fill out the contact box at GardenBasics.net
• E-mail: fred@farmerfred.com 
Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter

• Have you ever wondered how to attract more birds to your yard? We have a tip to bring more birds, using sound. (07:28)
• Thinking of removing all or part of your lawn to save water, or  expand your garden? Now’s the time to take action, and we will show you how. (10:05)
• Are there cures for common tomato problems, such as flower drop or blossom end rot? Yes, and no. We explain.  (20:02)
• How much should you water your lawn or garden?  (40:01)
“We”, would be myself and America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture professor, Debbie Flower. We recorded a live podcast, at the California State Garden Club district meeting in Sacramento. 
It’s all in today’s episode 267, More Garden Tips, Live!  It’s the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you by Smart Pots and Dave Wilson Nursery.
Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout
Pictured:  Farmer Fred, Debbie Flower
Links:
Subscribe to the free, Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter https://gardenbasics.substack.com
Smart Pots https://smartpots.com/fred/
Dave Wilson Nursery https://www.davewilson.com/home-garden/
Flashback: Ep. 192 Easiest Tomatoes to Grow
soil solarization
sheet mulching
Cornell Soil Mix recipe
Bt Dunks (for Mosquito control)
Garden Tool Sharpeners
Moisture Meters
Soil Probe (Soil Auger)
All About Farmer Fred:
The GardenBasics.net website
The Garden Basics with Farmer Fred Newsletter, Beyond the Basics
https://gardenbasics.substack.com
The Farmer Fred Rant! Blog
http://farmerfredrant.blogspot.com
Facebook:  "Get Growing with Farmer Fred"
Instagram: farmerfredhoffman
Twitter: @farmerfred
Farmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.
Got a garden question? 
• Leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe, at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics
• Call or text us the question: 916-292-8964.
• Fill out the contact box at GardenBasics.net
• E-mail: fred@farmerfred.com 




Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter

According to one recent national poll of backyard gardeners, cucumbers are the second favorite crop for growing. In a poll conducted by the National Gardening Association, 86% of gardeners cited growing tomatoes as their favorite, and cucumbers came in number 2. 
We’ve talked about tomatoes extensively on this podcast. But, how do you grow and enjoy cucumbers? We’ve got the varieties, the growing techniques, the harvesting tips and advice on how to get rid of the bitterness of certain cucumbers. America’s favorite retired college horticulture professor, Debbie Flower, is an avowed fan of the cucumber, so who better to turn to for cucumber growing basics.  
Plus, have you ever wondered how bees communicate to the other bees that they’ve found a site filled with pollen-rich plants? They do the waggle dance! We talk to a bee expert who has studied these dance moves. 
 It’s all in today’s episode 266, Cucumber Growing Basics. We’re podcasting from Barking Dog Studios here in the beautiful Abutilon Jungle in Suburban Purgatory. It’s the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots and Dave Wilson Nursery. Let’s go!

Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout
Pictured: slicing cucumber
Links:
Subscribe to the free, Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter https://gardenbasics.substack.com
Smart Pots https://smartpots.com/fred/
Dave Wilson Nursery https://www.davewilson.com/home-garden/
Flashback Ep. 151: How to Grow Popcorn, Pumpkins
Cucumber pest info from UC Ag & Natural Resources
cucumber seeds
The Honeybee Dance Language
All About Farmer Fred:
The GardenBasics.net website
The Garden Basics with Farmer Fred Newsletter, Beyond the Basics
https://gardenbasics.substack.com
Farmer Fred website: 
http://farmerfred.com
The Farmer Fred Rant! Blog
http://farmerfredrant.blogspot.com
Facebook:  "Get Growing with Farmer Fred"
Instagram: farmerfredhoffman
https://www.instagram.com/farmerfredhoffman/
Twitter: @farmerfred
Farmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.
Got a garden question? 
• Leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe, at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics
• Call or text us the question: 916-292-8964.
• Fill out the contact box at GardenBasics.net
• E-mail: fred@farmerfred.com 
Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter

Proper soil moisture is necessary for healthy plant growth. Do you know how moist your garden soil is right now? What are the easiest, best ways to determine the moisture level of your soil? How do you install a drip irrigation system on  a raised garden bed, which has a totally different moisture pattern than your in-ground garden? How do you pick a soil moisture meter or a soil probe? Don't forget that your choice of fertilizers plays a part in proper irrigation. And we talk with a Master Gardener about how to grow bush varieties of zucchini, vertically.  A great solution for the small space gardener.
It’s all in today’s episode 265, Soil Irrigation Basics. We’re podcasting from Barking Dog Studios here in the beautiful Abutilon Jungle in Suburban Purgatory. It’s the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots and Dave Wilson Nursery. Let’s go!

Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout
Pictured: Moisture Meter, Soil Probe
Links:
Subscribe to the free, Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter https://gardenbasics.substack.com
Smart Pots https://smartpots.com/fred/
Dave Wilson Nursery https://www.davewilson.com/home-garden/
Flashback Ep. 116: Less Water for Fruit Trees. Growing Citrus in Containers.
Soil Test Services:
UMass Amherst Soil Test
Colorado State U soil test
Texas A&M Soil Test
All About Farmer Fred:
The GardenBasics.net website
The Garden Basics with Farmer Fred Newsletter, Beyond the Basics
https://gardenbasics.substack.com
The Farmer Fred Rant! Blog
http://farmerfredrant.blogspot.com
Facebook:  "Get Growing with Farmer Fred" 
Instagram: farmerfredhoffman
https://www.instagram.com/farmerfredhoffman/
Twitter: @farmerfred
Farmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.
Got a garden question? 
• Leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe, at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics
• Call or text us the question: 916-292-8964. 
• Fill out the contact box at GardenBasics.net
• E-mail: fred@farmerfred.com 



Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter

What are America's Top 10 homegrown vegetables? Last week, in Episode 263, we covered the first five, including tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers, beans and carrots. Today, in Part 2, Master Gardener and vegetable expert Gail Pothour and I talk about summer squash, onions, hot peppers, lettuce and peas, along with growing advice for each one, our favorite varieties, and tips for having more backyard success with those vegetables.
Also, Organic Gardening Instructor Steve Zien discusses the benefits of composting and mulching the soil, especially after the harvest.
It’s all in today’s episode 264,  the Top 10 Homegrown Vegetables, Part 2. We’re podcasting from Barking Dog Studios here in the beautiful Abutilon Jungle in Suburban Purgatory. It’s the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots and Dave Wilson Nursery. Let’s go!

Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout.
Pictured: hot peppers
Links:
Subscribe to the free, Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter https://gardenbasics.substack.com
Smart Pots https://smartpots.com/fred/
Dave Wilson Nursery https://www.davewilson.com/home-garden/
Flashback Ep. 007: Feed Your Soil, Not Your Plants
Steve Zien's free Zoom Class, "Colossal Compost, Miraculous Mulch, Spectacular Soil"
 
All About Farmer Fred:
The GardenBasics.net website
The Garden Basics with Farmer Fred Newsletter, Beyond the Basics
https://gardenbasics.substack.com
Farmer Fred website: 
http://farmerfred.com
The Farmer Fred Rant! Blog
http://farmerfredrant.blogspot.com
Facebook:  "Get Growing with Farmer Fred" 
Instagram: farmerfredhoffman
https://www.instagram.com/farmerfredhoffman/
Twitter: @farmerfred
Farmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.
Got a garden question? 
• Leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe, at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics
• Call or text us the question: 916-292-8964. 
• Fill out the contact box at GardenBasics.net
• E-mail: fred@farmerfred.com 
Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter

Today:  It's  America’s Top homegrown vegetables. Master Gardener and vegetable expert Gail Pothour and I talk about them, along with growing advice for each one, including our favorite varieties.
We actually got into such detail about each, we have to divide this chat into two episodes: today’s and next week’s Garden Basics podcasts. So today, we are talking tomatoes (no surprise there that is America’s favorite vegetable to grow) as well as cucumbers, sweet peppers, beans and carrots. Next week: five more!
It’s  the Top Homegrown Vegetables, Part 1.  It’s the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots and Dave Wilson Nursery.

Pictured: A "river" of tomatoes and peppers, at the 2012 Heirloom Expo

Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net.
Links:
Subscribe to the free, Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter https://gardenbasics.substack.com


Vegetable varieties mentioned in Ep 263
TOMATOES
Gail:
Brad's Atomic Grape, “Thorburn’s Terra- Cotta” , Green Doctor, Purple Boy, “Goldman's Italian American”
UC Davis Vegetable Research and Information Center: 
“Cherry Grande”, “Sweet Cherry”, the “Sweet 100”, and the “Red Cherry”. For suitable container varieties they name “Patio”, “Toyboy”, “Better Bush” and “Small Fry.”
Fred:
Ace, Better Boy, Early Girl, Champion, Whopper, Big Beef, Dr. Wyche’s Yellow,
CUCUMBERS
Gail - Green Fingers, Silver Slicer, Alibi, 
VRIC: Pickle Bush, Bush Champion, Parks Bush Whopper, Salad Bush, and Spacemaster. Sweet Slice.
PEPPERS
Fred- Big Red, Early Sunsation, Ozark Giant, Tequila,
Gail - Sweet Roaster,
VRIC - Gypsy

BEANS
Gail-Roman, Strike, Romana, Roc d’Or, Purple Queen

VRIC - Goldencrop Wax, Resistant Cherokee Wax, Fordhook 242 Bush, Henderson’s Bush (pole type), King of the Garden (bush butterbean), Dixie Butterpea (butterbean type), Baby Fordhook Bush (butterbean), Contender, Harvester, Roman, Tendercrop, Kentucky Wonder, Romano (Italian), Scarlet Runner
Fred - Bingo.

CARROTS
Fred - Danvers Half-Long,
Gail - Chantenay, Imperator







Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter