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Ask Grumpy

Southern Living

Ask Grumpy, a podcast featuring Steve Bender, AKA Southern Living’s Grumpy Gardener is back for Season 4. For more than 30 years, Grumpy has been sharing advice on what to grow, when to plant, and how to manage just about anything in your garden. Tune in for episodes every Wednesday as Grumpy answers reader questions, solves seasonal conundrums, and provides need-to-know advice for gardeners with his very Grumpy sense of humor. Be sure to follow Ask Grumpy wherever you listen so you don't miss an episode.

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20 episodes
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April 29 · 11 min
Goodbye Spiky Vines
Grumpy shares advice on how to remove spiky smilax vine for good, explains why black walnut trees produce toxins and which plants can thrive around them, and helps a reader revive a rescued camellia with browning leaves. Plus, the Plant of the Week: White Wedding Hydrangea. You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy Ask Grumpy Credits: Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host Nellah McGough - Co-Host Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Peyton Beckwith - Recording Producer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
April 22 · 11 min
Save My Rosebush!
Grumpy answers readers’ questions about planting Little Miss Figgy outdoors, shares tips for saving your rosebush from losing its leaves and blooms, and introduces the Plant of the Week: Red Diamond Loropetalum. You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy Ask Grumpy Credits: Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host Nellah McGough - Co-Host Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Peyton Beckwith - Recording Producer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
April 15 · 17 min
Leggy Lavender
In this episode, a listener from Northern Virginia asks for advice on decorating a pergola with colorful, blooming vines. Grumpy shares tips on how to prune lavender and offers guidance on saving your hawthorn. Plus, tune in to learn about the Plant of the Week: Kousa dogwood! You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy Ask Grumpy Credits: Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host Nellah McGough - Co-Host Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Peyton Beckwith - Recording Producer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
April 8 · 14 min
Grandma’s Gardenia Cuttings
Grumpy talks passalong plants, offers expert advice on getting your amaryllis to bloom, and reveals the secrets to helping your hydrangeas thrive. Plus, don’t miss his Tip of the Week on how to grow hydrangeas from cuttings! You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy Ask Grumpy Credits: Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host Nellah McGough - Co-Host Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Peyton Beckwith - Recording Producer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
April 1 · 13 min
Shade-Loving Caladiums
Grumpy helps a reader tackle stubborn sucker growth, shares his favorite shade-loving caladiums, and breaks down the different varieties of bell peppers. Plus, don’t miss his very special Tip of the Week! You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy Ask Grumpy Credits: Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host Nellah McGough - Co-Host Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Peyton Beckwith - Recording Producer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
March 25 · 13 min
Crepe Myrtle Problems
Grumpy tackles readers’ questions about choosing the best clover for your lawn, troubleshoots common crepe myrtle problems, and spotlights the Plant of the Week: the 'Diamond Spire' Gardenia. You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy Ask Grumpy Credits: Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host Nellah McGough - Co-Host Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Peyton Beckwith - Recording Producer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
March 18 · 13 min
Deer Resistant Plants
In this episode, Grumpy shares his top deer-resistant plant picks for Florida gardens, discusses tree and shrub fertilizer, and delivers a hot tip you won’t want to miss for successful spring planting. You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy Ask Grumpy Credits: Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host Nellah McGough - Co-Host Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Peyton Beckwith - Recording Producer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
March 11 · 11 min
Groundhog Control
On the Season 4 debut, Grumpy answers readers’ questions about what you can grow from seedling to tree in a wet area, shares plants that help keep groundhogs from digging, and introduces the Plant of the Week: 'Radiance' Abelia. You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy Ask Grumpy Credits: Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host Nellah McGough - Co-Host Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Peyton Beckwith - Recording Producer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
March 4 · 1 min
Grumpy on Wednesdays!
Ask Grumpy is back for Season 4! Starting March 11, 2026, new episodes drop every Wednesday through April 29. In this eight-episode season, Steve Bender, also known as The Grumpy Gardener, answers your toughest gardening questions with his trademark wit and no-nonsense advice. From keeping deer out of your yard to fixing crepe myrtle woes and recommending standout plants like 'Diamond Spire' gardenia and 'White Wedding' hydrangea, Grumpy has you covered. Follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you do not miss an episode, and visit southernliving.com/askgrumpy for more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 15, 2025 · 12 min
Plant Your Maples!
On the season finale of Ask Grumpy, a reader struggles with a dying Japanese Maple. Plus, the tip of the week. You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy Ask Grumpy Credits: Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host Nellah McGough - Co-Host Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Isaac Nunn - Recording Tech Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 11, 2025 · 8 min
Peak Planting Time
What to know about daffodil bulbs. Plus, the tip of the week. You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy Ask Grumpy Credits: Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host Nellah McGough - Co-Host Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Isaac Nunn - Recording Tech Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 8, 2025 · 11 min
Weed Control
A reader has a weed dilemma. Plus, the gripe of the month. You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy Ask Grumpy Credits: Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host Nellah McGough - Co-Host Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Isaac Nunn - Recording Tech Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 4, 2025 · 10 min
Mulch Mania
A reader asks about sowing seeds. Plus, Grumpy’s tip of the week. You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy Ask Grumpy Credits: Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host Nellah McGough - Co-Host Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Isaac Nunn - Recording Tech Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 1, 2025 · 10 min
Tomato Trauma
A reader has concerns about their white-spotted tomatoes. Plus, the plant of the week. You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy Ask Grumpy Credits: Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host Nellah McGough - Co-Host Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Isaac Nunn - Recording Tech Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 27, 2025 · 10 min
No Rose Without a Thorn
A reader has a burning rose bush question. Plus, tip of the week. You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy Ask Grumpy Credits: Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host Nellah McGough - Co-Host Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Isaac Nunn - Recording Tech Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 24, 2025 · 7 min
It’s Time To Fertilize
A reader struggles with wild petunias. Plus, the tip of the week. You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy Ask Grumpy Credits: Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host Nellah McGough - Co-Host Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Isaac Nunn - Recording Tech Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 20, 2025 · 9 min
Dogwood Dilemma
A reader is stumped by their flowerless dogwoods. Plus plant of the week. You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy Ask Grumpy Credits: Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host Nellah McGough - Co-Host Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Isaac Nunn - Recording Tech Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 17, 2025 · 6 min
Goodbye Grasshoppers
A reader needs help getting rid of grasshoppers. Plus, Grumpy’s gripe of the week. You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy Ask Grumpy Credits: Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host Nellah McGough - Co-Host Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Isaac Nunn - Recording Tech Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 13, 2025 · 6 min
Soil Troubles
A reader has a question about dying plants. Plus, the tip of the week. You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy Ask Grumpy Credits: Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host Nellah McGough - Co-Host Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Isaac Nunn - Recording Tech Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 10, 2025 · 6 min
Crepe Myrtle Conundrum
A reader needs help with their crepe myrtle. Plus, plant of the week. You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy Ask Grumpy Credits: Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host Nellah McGough - Co-Host Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Isaac Nunn - Recording Tech Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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