The Dirt on Gardening

Andre Baptiste, Graylen Brown, Derek Haynes
  • 5.0 (4)
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Dirt on Gardening Podcast brings real talk and real science to gardeners of every level. Hosted by Andre the Farmer, Urban Gardening with Gray, and The Chocolate Botanist, this near-weekly podcast (Tuesdays at 7 PM EST) blends casual conversation with expert insight on horticulture, botany, and practical gardening. Whether you're growing in a small urban space, tending land in the countryside, or nurturing houseplants indoors, you’ll get actionable how-to advice, plant science made approachable, and honest discussions rooted in experience. From beginner basics to advanced techniques, these three friends dig into sustainable gardening, urban farming, plant care, and the science behind how plants grow. If you love gardening tips, plant education, and authentic conversations about horticulture, then you'll dig The Dirt on Gardening!

Episodes

  1. 2D AGO

    From NPK to Microbes: Building Healthier Roots (and Fewer Gnats)

    In this episode of The Dirt on Gardening, we’re joined by Tiffany Davis, creator of Thryve Roots, for a lively deep-dive into soil health. We unpack the basics of NPK (nitrogen for leafy growth, phosphorus for roots/flowers, potassium for overall vigor), why nutrient mobility matters after heavy rains, and how soil amendments and microbes improve nutrient uptake and water retention without encouraging overwatering. We also touch on pollinator-friendly practices, terpene profiles, and practical propagation tips using moss and amendments. Beyond the science, we swap weekend stories—from unexpected wildlife on the golf course to campus talks at NC State—and answer rapid-fire community questions: fungus gnat control with BTI “tea,” propagating woody cuttings (including cherries), and dialing in seed-starting mixes with coco coir, peat, and perlite. By the end, you’ll have a clearer roadmap for balancing fertilizers with amendments and a teaser for part two on often-overlooked micronutrients. Thryve Roots (organic soil amendment): https://thryveroots.com/The Chocolate Botanist (Derek Haynes): https://thechocolatebotanist.com/Urban Gardening with Gray: https://urbangardeningwithgray.com/Epic Gardening: https://www.epicgardening.com/North Carolina State University (NC State): https://www.ncsu.edu/Order of the Long Leaf Pine (NC Governor’s Office overview): https://governor.nc.gov/submit-request/request-awardMosquito Bits (BTI) – official product page: https://summitchemical.com/products/mosquito-bits/RETAIN Organic Pruner Treatment: https://retainspray.com/Andre the Farmer – Sweet & Spicy Pepper Sauce: https://andrethefarmer.com/products/andre-the-farmer-sweet-spicy-pepper-sauce-not-so-hotBlossom Effect / Paige Tailyn (plant education): https://www.paigetailyn.com/   Support Our Sponsors: Retain Spray: retainspray.com Sonia’s Bug Spray: https://sonias-essentials.myshopify.com/ Thryve Roots: ThryveRoots.com Andre The Farmer’s Pepper Sauce: andrethefarmer.com #Gardening #UrbanFarming #podcast #TheChocolateBotanist #BlackPlantCreators #GrowYourOwn #Horticulture #PlantCare #andrethefarmer #FarmToBalcony #BudgetGardening #GardenTips #GardenLife #PlantParent #UrbanGardening

    1h 1m

  2. MAR 10

    Freeze Fallout, GMO Facts, and the Weirdest Plant Truths You Didn’t Know

    In this episode of The Dirt on Gardening, join us for a lively, wide-ranging conversation on weird and wonderful plant facts—and real-world garden recovery after Florida’s rare deep freeze. We share firsthand observations of mangoes, bananas, lychees, and avocados taking a hard hit, what to expect from bananas rebounding next season, and why this year might be a lighter workload in my orchard. From there, we dive into myths and truths about GMOs (papaya history in Hawaii, “Roundup Ready” context, and separating tools from companies), the psychology and history of tobacco and smoking culture, and fun clarifications like why baby carrots are a marketing win, the portobello–button mushroom connection, and how cilantro and Brussels sprouts taste can be genetic. We also explore plant science nuggets—corn as grass/seed/fruit, nuts vs. legumes (peanuts, cashews, coconuts), space-grown potatoes, gravitropism vs. geotropism, and a quick primer on aeroponics. Listener Q&A covers fungus gnats in water-rooted garlic, timing sweet potato slips, zone-based mango tips, and growing jackfruit and hibiscus sabdariffa (sorrel). Plus, we shout out community stories, swaps, and upcoming guest Tiffany from Thrive Roots next. Resources and mentions: aeroponics basics; sorrel/roselle growing tips; mosquito bits/dunks for fungus gnats; timing sweet potato slips to about a month after last frost; container mango culture in 8B/9B; jackfruit from seed in warm zones; cilantro/Brussels sprouts taste genetics; papaya ringspot virus and GMO papayas; corn botany 101; portobello vs. button mushrooms.

    1h 3m

  3. MAR 4

    Don’t Prune Yet! Post‑Freeze Playbook + Indoor Homestead Projects

    We’re live with Andre the Farmer, Gray (Urban Gardening with Gray), and Derek (The Chocolate Botanist) talking winter-damaged gardens, small‑space wins, and a big announcement: Gray’s new YouTube series “Q&A with Gray” debuts on the Botanical Interests channel. We swap freeze‑recovery strategies for fruit trees (wait to prune until you’re safely past frost), what to do with flopped annuals, and seed‑starting tips for herbs like rosemary. We also field live questions on mangos after frost and which herbs are truly “easy” depending on your watering style and climate. Indoors and off‑grid, we dive into homestead projects you can do right now: shaking up homemade butter (heavy cream, optional salt/honey, then rinse and pack), simple alcohol‑based extractions/tinctures for teas and DIY, and our top “survival crops.” Gray picks potatoes, beans, and spinach for calories, nitrogen, and storage; Derek goes loofah (cleaning + barter), mint (teas), and a sweetener crop; Andre opts for sweet potatoes (plus edible greens), longevity spinach, and a long‑keeper like squash. We touch on ube/yams and Florida’s invasive winged yam/air potato, and close with community notes, including PlantCon Houston in April. Drop your questions in the comments for next week’s show!'Botanical Interests' (official site): https://www.botanicalinterests.com/'Botanical Interests' (YouTube channel): https://www.youtube.com/@botanicalinterests'Epic Gardening' (official site): https://www.epicgardening.com/'Epic Gardening' (YouTube channel): https://www.youtube.com/@epicgardening'Urban Gardening with Gray' (website): https://urbangardeningwithgray.com/'The Chocolate Botanist' (website): https://thechocolatebotanist.com/'StreamYard' (live streaming studio used on the show): https://streamyard.com/'Kerrygold USA' (butter mentioned): https://www.kerrygoldusa.com/'Everclear – DIY With Everclear' (brand site for high‑proof alcohol used in extractions): https://diywitheverclear.com/'UF/IFAS Assessment: Dioscorea alata (winged yam)' (Florida invasive species reference): https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/assessments/dioscorea-alata/'UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic & Invasive Plants: Dioscorea bulbifera (air potato)' (Florida invasive species reference): https://plant-directory.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/dioscorea-bulbifera/'PlantCon Houston 2026' (event mentioned): https://www.plantcon.org/houston-home'Fallout' (Prime Video series referenced): https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/entertainment/fallout-series-trailer'Jacques in the Garden' (creator mentioned; link hub): https://linktr.ee/Jacques1x  Support Our Sponsors: Retain Spray: retainspray.com Sonia’s Bug Spray: https://sonias-essentials.myshopify.com/ Thryve Roots: ThryveRoots.com Andre The Farmer’s Pepper Sauce: andrethefarmer.com #Gardening #UrbanFarming #podcast #TheChocolateBotanist #BlackPlantCreators #GrowYourOwn #Horticulture #PlantCare #andrethefarmer #FarmToBalcony #BudgetGardening #GardenTips #GardenLife #PlantParent #UrbanGardening

    1h 2m

  4. FEB 25

    Cold Weather Gardening Tips: How to Protect Plants from Frost and Freeze

    A major cold snap is pushing freezing temperatures deep into warm climates—bringing serious frost and freeze risk for gardens, fruit trees, and container plants. In this episode of the Dirt on Gardening Podcast, Andre the Farmer, Urban Gardening with Gray, and The Chocolate Botanist (Derek) share practical cold weather gardening tips to help you protect plants from frost damage, hard freezes, and sustained cold. You’ll learn why tropical and subtropical plants (like mango trees and banana plants) are more vulnerable than cold-hardy trees, what freezing does to plant cells, and the best DIY methods for freeze protection—including plant covers, breathable blankets and sheets, propping covers to avoid leaf contact, moving pots near the house for a windbreak, grouping containers for warmth, and using mulch to insulate roots. The crew also discusses simple heat-boosting options like incandescent Christmas lights, gentle heaters, and DIY heat sinks (dark buckets of water) to raise temperatures just enough to save buds, blooms, and fruit. Plus: a reality check on whether gardening can replace your grocery bill, what “intentional gardening” really means, and a debate on planting by moon phases—tradition vs. measurable results. If you’re searching for how to cover plants for frost, how to protect tropical plants in winter, or freeze prep for container gardens, this episode is your cold-snap survival guide.  Support Our Sponsors: Retain Spray: retainspray.com Sonia’s Bug Spray: https://sonias-essentials.myshopify.com/ Thryve Roots: ThryveRoots.com Andre The Farmer’s Pepper Sauce: andrethefarmer.com #Gardening #UrbanFarming #podcast #TheChocolateBotanist #BlackPlantCreators #GrowYourOwn #Horticulture #PlantCare #andrethefarmer #FarmToBalcony #BudgetGardening #GardenTips #GardenLife #PlantParent #UrbanGardening

    1 hr

  5. FEB 23

    Seed Starting, Sans Stress: Kicking Off Season 2

    We’re back! In our Season 2 premiere, the three of us shake off some live-stream rust, catch up on travel, family news, and what’s sprouting in our lives and gardens. Then we dive into practical, no‑stress seed starting: start something you love, use your planting calendar, mind your media, keep lights close, and don’t fear a little failure. We talk germination triggers, damping off, fans for sturdier seedlings, when to pull domes and heat mats, how much daily light to give (often 14–16 hours), and making that tricky handoff from tray to garden. We also share what we’re growing this year—Andre’s finally tackling rice and kiwano; Derek’s dreaming gourds and uncommon mints; Gray’s running back Korean melons and firing up Gaillardia ‘Goblin’—plus a nifty sphagnum‑moss propagation box. We swap tips for protecting seedlings in cold snaps (thermal mass, wind shelter, grouping) and even wander into food hot‑takes (raisins? chocolate + fruit?) and the lore of perpetual stew. It’s a lively, learning‑packed kickoff to the season.'Andre the Farmer (site & shop)': https://andrethefarmer.com/'The Chocolate Botanist (Derek Haynes)': https://thechocolatebotanist.com/'Urban Gardening with Gray': https://urbangardeningwithgray.com/'PlantCon (official site)': https://www.plantcon.org/'PlantMania Expo (Raleigh, NC)': https://plantmaniaexpo.com/'Botanical Interests (seeds)': https://www.botanicalinterests.com/'Find Your Local Cooperative Extension': https://extension.org/find-cooperative-extension-in-your-state/'Epic Gardening (articles, videos, products)': https://www.epicgardening.com/'Kiwano (horned) melon — Cucumis metuliferus': https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cucumis_metuliferus'Noni (Morinda citrifolia)': https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morinda_citrifolia'Sonia’s Essential Mosquito Spray ("Sonia’s Bug Spray")': https://sonias-essentials.myshopify.com/'Retain — Organic Pruning Tool Cleaner (Walmart listing)': https://www.walmart.com/ip/14855670600'Thryve Roots (OMRI‑listed root & soil booster)': https://thryveroots.com/  Support Our Sponsors: Retain Spray: retainspray.com Sonia’s Bug Spray: https://sonias-essentials.myshopify.com/ Thryve Roots: ThryveRoots.com Andre The Farmer’s Pepper Sauce: andrethefarmer.com #Gardening #UrbanFarming #podcast #TheChocolateBotanist #BlackPlantCreators #GrowYourOwn #Horticulture #PlantCare #andrethefarmer #FarmToBalcony #BudgetGardening #GardenTips #GardenLife #PlantParent #UrbanGardening

    59 min
  • 5 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Dirt on Gardening Podcast brings real talk and real science to gardeners of every level. Hosted by Andre the Farmer, Urban Gardening with Gray, and The Chocolate Botanist, this near-weekly podcast (Tuesdays at 7 PM EST) blends casual conversation with expert insight on horticulture, botany, and practical gardening. Whether you're growing in a small urban space, tending land in the countryside, or nurturing houseplants indoors, you’ll get actionable how-to advice, plant science made approachable, and honest discussions rooted in experience. From beginner basics to advanced techniques, these three friends dig into sustainable gardening, urban farming, plant care, and the science behind how plants grow. If you love gardening tips, plant education, and authentic conversations about horticulture, then you'll dig The Dirt on Gardening!

Information

  • Creator
    Andre Baptiste, Graylen Brown, Derek Haynes
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    The Dirt on Gardening

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