Garden Variety

Iowa Public Radio

Whether you're a master gardener, just getting started or somewhere in between - there's always something new to learn in your garden and landscape. On each episode we'll talk with horticulturists, foresters and other experts. We'll learn about vegetable gardens, lawns, native plants, trees and more. Garden Variety is the podcast for all the things you'd like to grow or grow better.

Garden Variety is a horticulture podcast from Iowa Public Radio and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

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200 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes200

Newest first

Apr 25, 2025 · 13 min
Diseases with the gall to kill our plants
It's springtime, and with it comes pesky plant diseases. On this episode, we…
Apr 18, 2025 · 12 min
How to know when it's time to mow
Now that things are getting green, people are eager to work outside. But,…
Apr 4, 2025 · 13 min
Lettuce help you with your vegetable garden
It’s vegetable time! On this episode, we discuss leafy greens to grow in Iowa.
Mar 28, 2025 · 12 min
What your seedlings are needling
How to take care of bare root seedlings.
Mar 21, 2025 · 12 min
Midwest isn't the easiest place to bee
The idea of pollinator-friendly gardens may be relatively new, but pollinators…
Mar 14, 2025 · 10 min
Prune-in to this show for fruit tree tips
With fruit trees, we have expectations and needs. On this episode, we discuss…
Mar 7, 2025 · 13 min
The Name Game (plant edition)
Maple! Maple, Maple! Bo-bay-ple, Bo-na-na fanna Fo-fay-ple, Fee-fi-mo-may-ple.…
Feb 28, 2025 · 13 min
Get rich in soil knowledge
Iowa is famous for having some of the richest soil in the world, but that…
Feb 14, 2025 · 13 min
Don't cut your flowers' beauty short
More cut flowers are purchased on Valentine’s Day than on any other day of the…
Jan 31, 2025 · 13 min
Plants that will give you their undying love
You don't need the greenest of thumbs to have an impressive collection of…
Jan 17, 2025 · 13 min
You won't forking believe these gardening tips
It's time to work smarter, not harder.
Jan 3, 2025 · 13 min
Ex-seed your expectations this year
From pumpkins to basil, hear about the new plant varieties our horticulture…
Dec 20, 2024 · 12 min
Tis the season to be a nutcracker
Chestnuts roasting by the open fire.
Dec 6, 2024 · 10 min
Dreaming of a green Christmas tree
It's that time of year many search for the perfect evergreen tree to bring into…
Nov 22, 2024 · 12 min
Kind of a fig deal
Fresh figs are grown and eaten in many parts of the world, and you can grow…
Nov 18, 2024 · 17 min
BONUS: A rare bee discovery
This fall, an Iowa City resident discovered the first rusty patch bumble bee…
Nov 15, 2024 · 13 min
Wicked witch of the pest
Weevils, moths and beetles, oh my!
Nov 8, 2024 · 13 min
A look at plant disease trends this year
Severe weather created the perfect storm for plant diseases.
Nov 1, 2024 · 13 min
Shiver me timbers
If you feel cold, your plants feel cold, too. Extra steps are needed to protect…
Oct 25, 2024 · 13 min
Gourd big or go home
When it comes to Halloween plants, pumpkins are gourdgeous.

Garden Variety

Diseases with the gall to kill our plants

How to know when it's time to mow

Lettuce help you with your vegetable garden

What your seedlings are needling

Midwest isn't the easiest place to bee

Prune-in to this show for fruit tree tips

The Name Game (plant edition)

Get rich in soil knowledge

Don't cut your flowers' beauty short

Plants that will give you their undying love

You won't forking believe these gardening tips

Ex-seed your expectations this year

Tis the season to be a nutcracker

Dreaming of a green Christmas tree

Kind of a fig deal

BONUS: A rare bee discovery

Wicked witch of the pest

A look at plant disease trends this year

Shiver me timbers

Gourd big or go home