The Dallas Garden School

Callie Works-Leary
  • 5.0 (22)
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to The Dallas Garden School Podcast, where gardening gets smart, practical, and regionally relevant. Hosted by garden educator and founder Callie Works-Leary, this show answers real questions from real gardeners growing in the challenging climate of North Texas. Each episode tackles common conundrums and seasonal strategies to help you grow thriving vegetable gardens, cut flower beds, and lush native landscapes. Whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned green thumb, you'll get actionable advice rooted in experience, sprinkled with humor, and focused on long-term garden success. Tune in, dig in, and let’s grow something great together.

  1. DEC 12

    Best of 2025: Vegetables, Part One

    Best of 2025: Vegetables, Part One In this episode, I continue my 'Best of 2025' series, sharing the results of my growing trials. I discuss what worked, what didn't, and what I'm changing for next year. Last week, I reviewed tomatoes, and today I move on to Part One of discussing vegetables. Additionally, I share tips for indoor seed starting and preparing your garden for winter. Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter for updates on the 2026 learning themes and class schedules. 00:00 Welcome Back to the Podcast 01:08 Seed Shopping and Preparation 04:33 2026 Learning Themes 08:09 Reviewing the Best Vegetables of 2025 23:32 Indoor Seed Starting Tips 24:52 Garden Bed Transitioning 26:17 Conclusion and Final Tips   RESOURCES MENTIONED: 2026 North Texas Garden Planner: https://shop.thedallasgarden.com Johnny’s Seeds Renee’s Garden Seeds   MORE FROM THE DALLAS GARDEN SCHOOL: Sign up for our email newsletter: https://thedallasgarden.com/newsletter/ The Dallas Garden School Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thedallasgardenschool_ Classes: https://learn.thedallasgarden.com Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thedallasgardenschool Shop our store: https://shop.thedallasgarden.com   SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us reach more North Texas gardeners who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to The Dallas Garden School Podcast! See you next week!

    27 min
  2. Best of 2025: Tomatoes (Or Lack Thereof)

    DEC 5

    Best of 2025: Tomatoes (Or Lack Thereof)

    Best of 2025: Tomatoes or Lack Thereof This episode is the first in my Best of 2025 series and delves into a detailed analysis of my tomato trials for 2025, highlighting what worked, what didn't, and why. I share insights on disease resistance, specifically focusing on early blight, and the performance of different tomato varieties from various seed sources. I’ll also touch on my plans for 2026, new varieties to be tested, and tips for making educated choices for next season's garden. Plus, learn why I am having to say goodbye to a seed company that I’ve bought from for years. 00:00 Welcome and Winter Garden Update 00:33 Preparing for Winter: Clearing Summer Vegetables 03:05 Introducing the Best of 2025 Series 04:34 Tomato Trials: Successes and Failures 10:34 Micro and Container Tomatoes 12:33 Tomato Varieties: Hits and Misses 17:02 Seed Companies and New Trials 21:46 Black and Yellow Tomatoes: Fall Performance 23:06 Yellow Pear Tomato Review 24:32 Porter Tomato: Heat Tolerance vs. Flavor 26:42 Tomato Fest: A Mixed Experience 29:49 Fall Tomato Season Results 31:59 Planning for Next Year's Tomato Crop 33:39 New Tomato Varieties for 2026 39:24 Cozy Holiday Season and Final Thoughts   RESOURCES MENTIONED: 2026 North Texas Garden Planner: https://shop.thedallasgarden.com Johnny’s Seeds Tomatofest.com   MORE FROM THE DALLAS GARDEN SCHOOL: Sign up for our email newsletter: https://thedallasgarden.com/newsletter/ The Dallas Garden School Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thedallasgardenschool_ Classes: https://learn.thedallasgarden.com Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thedallasgardenschool Shop our store: https://shop.thedallasgarden.com   SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us reach more North Texas gardeners who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to The Dallas Garden School Podcast! See you next week!

    44 min
  3. Building A New Garden

    NOV 21

    Building A New Garden

    Beginner Tips for Transitioning from Containers to a Full Garden In this episode of the Dallas Garden School podcast, host Callie Works-Leary answers a listener's question about transitioning from growing plants in containers to creating a full-fledged garden in the yard without spending a fortune. Callie discusses essential factors to consider, such as selecting the ideal garden location based on sun exposure and proximity to water sources. She outlines the pros and cons of raised beds versus in-ground beds, recommending starting with two 4x8 raised beds if space allows. Additionally, she provides advice on soil amendment, irrigation methods, and dispels common misconceptions like the necessity of landscape fabric in raised beds. Tune in for practical tips to kickstart your gardening journey and maximize plant health and productivity.   00:00 Introduction and Listener Question 01:24 Choosing the Right Garden Location 04:16 In-Ground vs. Raised Bed Gardening 07:29 Building and Filling Raised Beds 12:18 Preparing In-Ground Beds 16:52 Irrigation Tips and Techniques 21:15 Final Tips and Announcements   To calculate how much compost you need for a three-inch layer, measure the length and width of the bed in feet and multiply them to determine square footage. Convert three inches to feet by dividing by twelve (0.25 feet). Multiply the square footage by 0.25 to get the required volume in cubic feet. If you’re buying by the bag, divide that number by two and that’s how many bags of compost you need. For bulk orders, divide that number by twenty-seven to convert cubic feet to cubic yards, which is the standard unit for bulk compost orders.   Buy the planner here: https://shop.thedallasgarden.com/products/2026-north-texas-garden-planner

    24 min
  4. Angela Asks About Cut Flowers for Part Shade

    NOV 14

    Angela Asks About Cut Flowers for Part Shade

    In this episode, I introduce a new format that includes answering listener questions in addition to the usual lecture-style content. First, I discuss important gardening tasks for the week, such as transplanting brassicas, lettuce, and cool-season flowers like snapdragons and pansies. I also emphasize the need for consistent watering despite cooler temperatures. Next, I address Angela's question about growing cut flowers in partial shade, providing detailed recommendations on suitable perennials and annuals, including oak leaf hydrangeas and dianthus. Don’t forget to check out our 2026 garden planner, now available for purchase. 00:00 Introduction and New Format Announcement 00:52 Weekly Gardening Tips: Transplanting and Winter Annuals 03:13 Angela's Question: Growing Cut Flowers in Partial Shade 05:13 Understanding Light Levels for Plants 07:02 Perennials for Part Shade Cut Flower Gardens 10:00 Annuals for Part Shade Cut Flower Gardens 12:14 Encouragement and Final Thoughts 12:49 Conclusion and Announcements   RESOURCES MENTIONED: 2026 North Texas Garden Planner: https://shop.thedallasgarden.com   MORE FROM THE DALLAS GARDEN SCHOOL: The Dallas Garden School Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thedallasgardenschool_ Classes: https://learn.thedallasgarden.com Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thedallasgardenschool Shop our store: https://shop.thedallasgarden.com   SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us reach more North Texas gardeners who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to The Dallas Garden School Podcast! See you next week!

    14 min

  5. NOV 7

    Morgan Asks About Pruning

    In this episode, I introduce a new interactive podcast format that focuses on answering listener questions. Today, we're addressing a question from Morgan about pruning her overgrown Texas Rock Rose and Salvia greggii. I explain the science behind pruning, including the role of the hormone auxin, and offer detailed advice on when and how to cut back these plants to promote healthier, fuller growth. I also discuss seasonal gardening tips, the importance of timing in pruning, and provide additional advice on plant maintenance and management. Listeners are encouraged to submit their gardening questions for future episodes.   00:00 Introduction and New Podcast Format 02:05 Listener Questions: Overgrown Plants 03:26 The Science of Pruning 05:58 Pruning Techniques for Woody Perennials 08:22 Seasonal Pruning Guidelines 10:05 Winter Care for Perennials 12:45 Planting and Dividing Perennials 14:01 Housekeeping and Announcements 15:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Resources Mentioned Leave me a question, and be featured on the podcast! Subscribe to emails The 2026 North Texas Garden Planner Bigger, brighter, spiral-bound, and packed with new tools: sample layouts, color-coded months, a twelve-month succession plan, and more.    The Dallas Garden School Website and Blog  Instagram  Online Classes  Shop  Amazon Store   If you like the episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on your podcast platform of choice! Your support helps us reach more North Texas gardeners who need these insights. 🎙

    16 min
  6. Great Gardeners Keep Good Records

    OCT 31

    Great Gardeners Keep Good Records

    In this episode, we delve into the critical role of record keeping in gardening success. I share my personal experiences and tips on how detailed records have significantly enhanced my gardening skills over the years. I cover the types of information to track, such as planting dates, varieties, sources, and productivity, and explain how these details help in planning and improving garden performance.   00:00 Introduction to Record Keeping in Gardening 00:54 Why Keeping Records is Crucial 01:28 How to Keep Planting Records 02:53 Essential Information to Record 04:08 Tracking Planting Dates and Maturity 06:43 Germination and Harvest Tracking 08:30 Advanced Record Keeping Techniques 10:13 Inspection Reports and Performance Evaluation 13:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 15:06 Outro and Additional Resources     RESOURCES   Get the planner: https://shop.thedallasgarden.com   The Dallas Garden School: https://thedallasgarden.com Classes: https://learn.thedallasgarden.com

    16 min
  7. Pitch-Perfect Pumpkins

    OCT 24

    Pitch-Perfect Pumpkins

    Ditch the pumpkin patch, and grow your own! Learn how to grow pitch-perfect pumpkins in your own North Texas backyard with these simple and easy-to-implement tips and tricks.   I cover how to pick the right varieties, how to prep your garden beds for success, how to care for your plants like a pro, and when to harvest.   00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview   00:28 Personal Memories and Pumpkin Varieties   02:03 Tips for Growing Pumpkins in North Texas   02:30 Selecting the Right Pumpkin Seeds   07:03 Understanding Pumpkin Growth Habits   09:30 Preparing Your Garden for Pumpkins   10:32 Common Pumpkin Problems and Solutions   14:45 Watering and Harvesting Pumpkins   16:36 Curing and Storing Pumpkins   17:55 Conclusion and Final Tips       RESOURCES   Subscribe to emails Free One-Page Fall Planting Plan Download your printable plan for what to plant and when, perfect for posting in your gardening space.  The 2026 North Texas Garden Planner Bigger, brighter, spiral-bound, and packed with new tools: sample layouts, color-coded months, a twelve-month succession plan, and more. Plus, early buyers get a free gift with purchase!  The Dallas Garden School  Website and Blog  Instagram  Online Classes  Shop  Amazon Store   SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW   If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us reach more North Texas gardeners who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to The Dallas Garden School Podcast! See you next week!

    19 min
  8. Conquer Squash Vine Borers the Easy Way

    OCT 17

    Conquer Squash Vine Borers the Easy Way

    Are your pumpkin and squash plants mysteriously wilting and dying just when they're getting established? If you've ever lost plants to squash vine borers, this episode is your complete guide to prevention and early intervention! Squash vine borers are one of the most frustrating pests for home gardeners, but with the right preventative strategies, you can protect your plants without expensive treatments or fussy techniques.  In today's episode, I share my proven system that has kept my garden squash vine borer-free for over 10 years, including:    Why prevention (not treatment) is the key to successful pest management  The critical importance of crop rotation - even in small garden spaces  How floating insect mesh can be your secret weapon against borers  The right way to use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) as both prevention and treatment  Why accepting imperfection in your garden leads to greater success  My accidental experiment that proved these methods really work  Simple daily garden checks that can save your plants  What "fussy" techniques to skip (and what actually works!) 00:00 Introduction 00:56 Mindset Shift in Pest Control 02:02 Prevention Strategies for Squash Vine Borers 03:01 Effective Use of Insect Mesh 03:40 Accidental Experiment and Results 04:38 Preventative Measures Recap 06:05 Treatment for Squash Vine Borers 09:07 Final Thoughts and Encouragement 11:22 Conclusion and Farewell    PRODUCTS & RESOURCES MENTIONED: Check out my detailed Instagram post with step-by-step squash vine borer prevention guide: https://www.instagram.com/p/DOPq-GokzNr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==   Floating insect Mesh: Lightweight cover that lets in light and water without trapping heat Support Hoops: Available from Johnny's Seeds for supporting insect mesh Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt): Organic treatment specifically for caterpillars and worms in larval stages   MORE FROM THE DALLAS GARDEN SCHOOL: Instagram: https://instagram.com/thedallasgardenschool Website: https://thedallasgarden.com   SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW  If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us reach more gardeners who need these insights. Thanks for tuning in! Now get out there and share the love of gardening with someone else - whether it's sharing your homegrown produce or encouraging them to start their own garden journey. See you next week!

    12 min
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5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Dallas Garden School Podcast, where gardening gets smart, practical, and regionally relevant. Hosted by garden educator and founder Callie Works-Leary, this show answers real questions from real gardeners growing in the challenging climate of North Texas. Each episode tackles common conundrums and seasonal strategies to help you grow thriving vegetable gardens, cut flower beds, and lush native landscapes. Whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned green thumb, you'll get actionable advice rooted in experience, sprinkled with humor, and focused on long-term garden success. Tune in, dig in, and let’s grow something great together.

Information

  • Creator
    Callie Works-Leary
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Copyright The Dallas Garden School
  • Show Website
    The Dallas Garden School

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