Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

Fred Hoffman
  • 4.7 (243)
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

Tips for beginning and experienced gardeners. New episodes arrive every Friday. Fred Hoffman has been a U.C. Certified Master Gardener since 1982 and writes a weekly garden column for the Lodi News-Sentinel in Lodi, CA. A four-decade fixture in Sacramento radio, he hosted three radio shows for Northern California gardeners and farmers: The KFBK Garden Show, Get Growing with Farmer Fred, and the KSTE Farm Hour. Episode Website: https://gardenbasics.net

  1. 386 Grape Growing Basics (And More!)

    1D AGO

    386 Grape Growing Basics (And More!)

    Farmer Fred and Debbie Flower provide practical advice on cultivating table and wine grapes, focusing on the essentials such as sunlight, well-drained soil and variety selection. Also: peach leaf curl controls, prematurely falling figs, no-till gardening benefits. 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. Now o...

    35 min
  2. 385 The Repurposed, Sustainable, and Creative Garden

    MAR 28

    385 The Repurposed, Sustainable, and Creative Garden

    Prepare to be inspired as we dive into a creative and sustainable approach to gardening with Sacramento County Master Gardener Gail Pothour. We explore how to turn everyday household items and scrap materials into stunning and functional garden art. Whether it’s using an old manhole cover as a striking stepping stone or transforming downed trees into rustic pathways, Gail shares her innovative methods for infusing charm and creativity into any garden space. We explore the many ways she's embr...

    31 min
  3. 384 Ideas for a Successful First Garden!

    MAR 21

    384 Ideas for a Successful First Garden!

    Essential tips for beginner gardeners, focusing on starting small, plant selection, spacing and companion planting, along with maintenance strategies and the value of involving children and keeping a gardening diary. 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. Now on YouTube (audio) Pictured: An all-container fir...

    57 min
  4. 383 The 2025 Tomato Preview Show!

    MAR 14

    383 The 2025 Tomato Preview Show!

    If you’re a tomato-head, this is the episode for you! We dive into the world of tomatoes with Don Shor from Redwood Barn Nursery in Davis, California. We discuss our favorite tomato varieties to plant for the 2025 gardening season. What’s new and intriguing? What’s old and good? Plus, Don has tips for choosing reliable varieties if you are new to tomato gardening, as well as good advice to get those young plants off to a healthier start. It’s Episode 383, The 2025 Tomato Preview Show! Previou...

    53 min
  5. 382 Delayed Winter Pruning of Fruit Trees, and More!

    MAR 7

    382 Delayed Winter Pruning of Fruit Trees, and More!

    In this episode: • The benefits of delayed winter pruning of fruit trees, with orchardist and Master Gardener Quentyn Young. • Controlling ants in raised garden beds, with America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower. • Protecting your garlic crop in winter weather. • Redwood tree roots vs. raised garden beds. Guess who wins? How to build up your defenses against tree roots. With Debbie Flower. Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transc...

    41 min
  6. 381 Backyard Chickens vs. Bird Flu. Composting tips.

    FEB 28

    381 Backyard Chickens vs. Bird Flu. Composting tips.

    Tips for protecting your backyard chickens from the bird flu. Compost for potted plants. 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. Now on YouTube (audio) Pictured: Backyard Chicken Coop (Wikimedia Commons/Josh Larios) Links: “Beyond the Garden Basics” Newsletter Dave Wilson Nursery https://www.davewilson.com/ho...

    40 min
  7. 380 Flower Seed Starting Basics

    FEB 21

    380 Flower Seed Starting Basics

    Today: Practical flower seed starting techniques, such as the critical timing for beginning various flowers and the correct depth for planting those seeds. And, Debbie Flower shares with us her trick for careful watering of newly planted seeds. Also, she has important tips when transplanting those young flowering plants into the garden. Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts ...

    37 min
  8. 379 AAS Award-Winning Garden Plants for 2025

    FEB 14

    379 AAS Award-Winning Garden Plants for 2025

    We talk with Diane Blazek, the executive director of All-America Selections (AAS), exploring the newly announced 2025 winners of top-performing garden plant varieties. Each year, AAS winners undergo rigorous trials, evaluated by expert judges, to ensure they will thrive in diverse U.S. and Canadian climates. Diane highlights standout varieties like the high-yielding tomato variety, “Tonatico”, the sweet and crunchy “Pick-N-Pop” pepper, and the visually striking “Murasaki Fioretto”...

    48 min
See All (386)

4.7
out of 5
243 Ratings

About

Tips for beginning and experienced gardeners. New episodes arrive every Friday. Fred Hoffman has been a U.C. Certified Master Gardener since 1982 and writes a weekly garden column for the Lodi News-Sentinel in Lodi, CA. A four-decade fixture in Sacramento radio, he hosted three radio shows for Northern California gardeners and farmers: The KFBK Garden Show, Get Growing with Farmer Fred, and the KSTE Farm Hour. Episode Website: https://gardenbasics.net

Information

  • Creator
    Fred Hoffman
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    386
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, Garden Basics Theme Music
  • Show Website
    Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

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