Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

Fred Hoffman
  • 4.7 (220)
  • 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. 366 Thwarting Ant Invasions. Fair-Winning Preserves.

    6 DAYS AGO

    366 Thwarting Ant Invasions. Fair-Winning Preserves.

    Farmer Fred and Debbie Flower discusses ant management in raised beds. Master Food Preserver Wendy Rose talks about garden food preservation techniques and how to wow the judges at county and state fairs with your homemade preserves.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 BuzzsproutPictured: Ant Control Product in Fruit Tree Contain...

    33 min
  2. 365 Fall is for Shade Tree Planting

    NOV 8

    365 Fall is for Shade Tree Planting

    If you live in the milder areas of the country, November is an excellent month for planting and establishing shade trees. Today, we cover the basics of correctly planting and caring for a shade tree. We chat with consulting arborist Gordon Mann, who reminds us, when it comes to choosing a spot to plant a shade tree, it’s all about the soil. Hmm, where have I heard that before?Plus, he explains the importance of correct planting techniques, especially freeing up that tree’s root zone.But there...

    51 min
  3. 364 10 Quick Tips for a Successful Garden

    NOV 1

    364 10 Quick Tips for a Successful Garden

    Ep. 364 10 Quick Tips for a Successful Garden• Julia Oldfield of Big Oak Nursery in Elk Grove, CA talks about creating a container garden that would be sure to slow down cars and wowing the walkers going by your front yard, using only three plants. (at 3:19 of the podcast)• Is there a cheaper way to make seed starting mix. Brad Gates, he of Wild Boar Farms tomato fame, says, yes there is. (6:06)• Do you raise chickens? How do you store the eggs? Where do you store the eggs? What precaut...

    59 min
  4. 363 Weed Killers Just Got More Confusing

    OCT 25

    363 Weed Killers Just Got More Confusing

    Listening and following the advice in this episode is more important than ever if you use herbicides, especially when we repeatedly chant our mantra: "Read and Follow All Label Directions."America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower and myself start by tackling the widespread confusion surrounding Roundup, a brand historically synonymous with its active ingredient, glyphosate. As glyphosate use by homeowners is being phased out here in California and other states,...

    37 min
  5. 362 Fall Plants for Winter and Spring Color

    OCT 18

    362 Fall Plants for Winter and Spring Color

    Today, we chat with Diane Blazek, executive director of All-America Selections and the National Garden Bureau, about the best plants to be adding to your garden this Autumn for long, cool season blooms. We explore various options such as annuals, herbaceous perennials, and bulbs. Diane highlights her favorite bulbs, especially daffodils, noting their resilience and bloom timing. We have practical gardening tips too, including soaking nasturtium seeds for quicker germination and using markers ...

    30 min
  6. 361 Defensible Space Landscaping Tips

    OCT 11

    361 Defensible Space Landscaping Tips

    We examine the wildland-urban interface and its growing wildfire risks for homeowners, particularly in fire-prone areas like California and other western states. We talk about the concept of hardening your landscape from the Ember Ignition Zone with insights from Kevin Marini, a UC Defensible Space Advisor. He highlights the importance of maintaining clear spaces around homes and managing vegetation in three defensive zones.Today, it’s Episode 361, Defensible Space Landscaping Tips. It’s the ...

    1h 5m
  7. 360 Avocado Growing Basics

    OCT 4

    360 Avocado Growing Basics

    Today, we are talking avocado cultivation with Greg Alder, he’s an avocado grower in Southern California, a San Diego County Master Gardener, and he’s the director of the California Avocado Society. Who better to answer a question about the care and feeding of a Mexicola avocado, in Northern California. Greg shares practical tips on watering, and common pitfalls to avoid.We also delve into avocado pollination, highlighting the unique characteristics and taste of various varieties,...

    1h 4m
  8. 359 Tree Surrounds, Cardboard Mulch Pros-Cons. Winter Tomatoes

    SEP 27

    359 Tree Surrounds, Cardboard Mulch Pros-Cons. Winter Tomatoes

    They’re known as tree rings, or tree surrounds. Basically, it’s a demilitarized zone for your trees, where the trunk and roots are safe from weed whackers and lawn mowers as well as competing plants (especially lawns). It might be a short term solution for a newly planted tree. But leave it in place longer than that, and problems can ensue. Debbie Flower, America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, tells us about those issues.Is using cardboard for mulch in a garden a good idea...

    32 min
See All (366)

4.7
out of 5
220 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 - 2024
  • Episodes
    366
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, Garden Basics Theme Music
  • Show Website
    Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

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