Master Gardener Emily Clem talks with Urban Regional Extension Agent, Marcus Garner, about how to winterize your garden. Topics include pruning, mulching, and frost protection covers for plants during hard freezes. He also stresses the importance of tool maintenance and storage during the winter and suggests using the cold months to take inventory and plan for next year's garden. Other tips include wildlife deterrent, weather monitoring, and soil testing.

Links:
https://www.aces.edu/ (Alabama Cooperative Extension)
https://mastergardeners-limestonecountyalabama.org/
https://www.alcpl.org/

Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.org
Music by Pixabay

Master Gardener, Emily Clem, talks with fellow Master Gardener and rose expert, Barbara McFarlen, about the selection and care of roses. Topics include watering, pruning, mulching, and fertilizing. She also gives details on specific fungicides and their proper use to treat black spot, rose rosette, anthracnose, and rose rust disease. Caring for over 100 rose plants in her garden, Barbara gives a master class in tending to these beautiful flowers.

Links:
https://www.aces.edu/ (Alabama Cooperative Extension)
https://mastergerdeners-limestonecountyalabama.org/
https://www.alpl.org/

Have questions about this episode? Email: askalibrarian@alcpl.org
Music by Pixabay

Master Gardener Emily Clem talks with Jesse Akozbek who has both a passion and encyclopedic knowledge of food foraging. He introduces the concept of eco-culture, a blend of foraging and gardening. From acorns, hickory nuts, cone-flowers, American lotus and more, Jesse gives a step-by-step guide for gathering and preparing good (and good for you) food from nature. He mentions his new foraging app - Gather - to help identify and safely forage plants. Besides being a fun and healthy practice, Jesse talks about the detachment many people feel with nature and how foraging helps reconnect them to their ecological roots. This podcast highlights many plants, recipes, and tips on when and where it is legal to forage.

Links:
https://feralforaging.com/
https://www.aces.edu/ (Alabama Cooperative Extension)
https://mastergerdeners-limestonecountyalabama.org/
https://www.alpl.org/

Have questions about this episode? Email: askalibrarian@alcpl.org
Music by Pixabay

Master Gardener Emily Clem talks with ACES Extension Agent, Brian Brown, about beneficial and non-beneficial weeds. He stresses that many weeds, often seen as nuisances, are actually beneficial. Clover, for example, adds vital nitrogen to the soil and attracts pollinators. In controlling invasive weeds, Brown recommends planting resistant varieties and modifying environmental conditions before resorting to chemical control. He suggests using pre-emergent herbicides for winter weeds and creating physical barriers for invasive species like bamboo. Kudzu, Bradford Pear trees, and Mimosa trees are some of the more invasive species, but the number one weed in our area is Chinese privet, and Brown offers several methods to remove it.

Links:
https://www.aces.edu/ (Alabama Cooperative Extension)
https://mastergardeners-limestonecountyalabama.org/
https://www.alcpl.org/

Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.org
Music by Pixabay

Master Gardener Emily Clem talks with Urban Regional Extension Agent, Marcus Garner, about garden pest management. He talks about specific pests (aphids, hornworms, fire ants, Japanese beetles, deer) and how to control them using organic methods. From soap and water, oils, hand picking methods, even using strong smelling plants, there are natural ways to control pests. If insecticides are used, Marcus stresses the importance of Personal Protective Equipment and following directions on the label. Regarding weeds, it's all about early detection. He strongly recommends spending time in your garden daily to inspect plants for pests and other damage before they become a big problem.

Links:
https://www.aces.edu/ (Alabama Cooperative Extension)
https://mastergardeners-limestonecountyalabama.org/
https://www.alcpl.org/

Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.org
Music by Pixabay

Master Gardener Emily Clem talks with North Alabama Extension Agent, Brian Brown about plant irrigation. Alabama gets 50-60 inches of rain yearly, but not always when plants need it. Brian covers both spray and drip irrigation systems and recommends smart controllers. Drip irrigation helps prevent plant disease and is also cost effective. He gives a step by step guide on a set up that can cost as little $50 for a basic system. Hint: save your tuna cans, they are the exact size to measure one inch of water, which is the weekly recommendation for watering your garden.

Links:
https://www.aces.edu/ (Alabama Cooperative Extension)
https://www.alcpl.org/

Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.org
Music by Pixabay

Master Gardener Emily Clem talks with Extension Agent, Allyson Shabel, about plant propagation. They discuss the different ways gardeners can get new plants from their already established home or neighbor gardens. Highlighting the technique of plant cuttings, seeds, and plant layering, Allyson gives details about the best practices and tools to give new plants the best start.

Links:
https://www.aces.edu/ (Alabama Cooperative Extension)
https://www.alcpl.org/

Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.org
Music by Pixabay

Master Gardeners Emily Clem and Kathy Cook give a tour of The Library Garden. Designed by landscape architect, Carol Lambdin, the garden includes raised beds, a butterfly garden, a wet area, and shaded sections. Now three years old, the garden is full of native trees, plants and edibles, and visitors are encouraged to take home berries and veggies in season. In addition, the garden has become a great home for insects and a few resident birds. Kids of all ages enjoy the grassy area, bubble rock fountains and winding footpaths. Volunteers are always welcome to help maintain the garden.

Links:
https://mastergardeners-limestonecountyalabama.org/
https://www.aces.edu/ (Alabama Cooperative Extension)
https://www.alcpl.org/

Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.org
Music by Pixabay