Gardening Simplified

Newsradio WOOD 1300 and 106.9 FM (WOOD-AM)

Introducing Gardening Simplified, a new radio show and podcast from Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs.

Hosted by life-long gardeners Rick Vuyst and Stacey Hirvela, the Gardening Simplified show is designed to share our love of plants and gardening. Whatever your skill or experience level, you’ll find something interesting, useful, and just plain fascinating in every episode.

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205 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes205

Newest first

Yesterday · 44 min
What If You Could Only Use One Color in the Garden?
If you had to design a garden bed using only ONE flower color, which color would you choose to create your monochromatic masterpiece? Hear about the most popular colors, and plants that can be used to achieve unicolor design.
July 25 · 46 min
How to Make a Meadow Garden
Meadow gardening has been gaining popularity, and rightfully so! They’re fantastic for wildlife, plant diversity, and not to mention, they’re beautiful! Learn about ways you can create your own meadow garden and plants that Stacey and Rick recommend...
July 18 · 45 min
Gardens That Shaped the US | Part 4 | Middle of Summer Garden Check
We’re getting back to our usual routine, but before we do, we’re going to highlight Stacey’s number 1 bucket list garden to visit! On top of that we discuss a few other fantastic gardens along the west coast. In segments three and four, hear about...
July 11 · 44 min
Gardens That Shaped the US | Part 3 – Chicago to California
We’re breaking away from our usual routine to talk about notable gardens across the United States that were pivotal in shaping the country into what it is today. Learn about fascinating history, groundbreaking landscape design, and of course, plants!...
July 4 · 48 min
Gardens That Shaped the US | Part 2 – South & Midwest
We’re breaking away from our usual routine to talk about notable gardens across the United States that were pivotal in shaping the country into what it is today. Learn about fascinating history, groundbreaking landscape design, and of course, plants!...
June 27 · 44 min
Gardens That Shaped the US | Part 1 - Northeast
We’re breaking away from our usual routine to talk about notable gardens across the United States that were pivotal in shaping the country into what it is today. Learn about fascinating history, groundbreaking landscape design, and of course, plants!...
June 20 · 44 min
Surviving Heat and Humidity | Best Plants and Practices
Sometimes the weather can feel too hot to handle! Luckily, these plants won’t break a sweat under these tough conditions. Learn all about plants that grow well in hot and humid landscapes and ways to help your garden beat the heat.
June 13 · 46 min
Homing in on Hibiscus
The hibiscus plant family includes several hundred species of plants that are native to warm temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions throughout the world. In this episode, Stacey and Rick explain the different types of hibiscus, how to grow them,...
June 6 · 51 min
Understanding Fertilizer and Soil Amendments | When to Use and When Not to
Fertilizer can be confusing - when should you use it and what type should you use? Stacey and Rick break down the basics of fertilizer, understanding NPK, fertilizer ratios, and the plants that benefit most from the extra boost.
May 30 · 46 min
All About Beneficial Insects
Ever wonder if that bug in your yard is a friend or a foe? IPM, or Integrated Pest Management, is the best way to manage pests in the garden while being environmentally sensitive. It’s important to become familiar with the various insects that visit...
May 23 · 45 min
How to Have Color in the Shade
Gardening in the shade can be difficult, and trying to have color in shade can be even more so. Don’t worry, we’ve got you! Hear all about plants that provide color and brighten up those tough areas.
May 16 · 43 min
Yellow in the Garden | Flowers & Foliage
Bees love yellow and we love yellow! Yellow is a great color for brightening up the landscape and giving a cheerful appearance to any garden bed. In this episode, Stacey and Rick list a ton of plants with yellow flowers or yellow foliage that you can...
May 9 · 46 min
All the Pots-abilities! Container Gardening 101
Containers are a great way for you to experiment with new plants, color schemes, and design elements. Not to mention, they have fantastic space saving capabilities! Whether you like to go all out on containers, or have one cherished pot, we’ve got...
May 2 · 43 min
Eat (And Grow) More Plants!
There’s no better feeling than being able to go out to your own garden and harvest food you’ve grown yourself. Not only is it rewarding, but beneficial for you and the wildlife around you! Learn about some of the tasty and useful plants that you can...
April 25 · 44 min
New Plants to Look for in Garden Centers | 2026
Incredible flowers, improved disease resistance, and foliage for every taste and space – whew! In this episode Stacey and Rick talk about plants you’ll want to keep an eye out for in garden centers in 2026.
April 18 · 44 min
Annual Garden Review | How Plants Performed
An annual review of the plants in your landscape is similar to an annual review of workers at a place of employment. You're the boss. Which plants excelled? Which plants are put on the chopping block? Learn about factors that Stacey and Rick use to...
April 11 · 44 min
Knowing How to Pair Plants
Good companions bring out the best in each other. That doesn’t mean they have to be similar, but that they support and boost-up one another. Learn how to pair plants like a pro in this episode!
April 4 · 46 min
The Habits of Rabbits | Rabbits in the Garden
Sharing space with wildlife is a necessity, and frequently a purpose, of a garden. Observing little animals is magical until you see them munching on your favorite flowers. Although rabbits are small, they can do a lot of damage! Hear about ways to...
March 28 · 56 min
Embracing the Beauty of Unruly Gardens
Some gardeners prefer their landscape to be tidy and well-kept, while others like their garden a little on the wild side. In this episode Stacey and Rick discuss what makes for an unruly garden and plants that can be the perfect rowdy contenders. In...
March 21 · 43 min
Zone-Pushing | Pushing the Limits with Plants
Zone-pushing is attempting to plant and grow a plant that is one or two zones different from your current planting zone. It refers to pushing the boundaries of what is considered an appropriate planting location. Learn what plants are good contenders...

Gardening Simplified

What If You Could Only Use One Color in the Garden?

How to Make a Meadow Garden

Gardens That Shaped the US | Part 4 | Middle of Summer Garden Check

Gardens That Shaped the US | Part 3 – Chicago to California

Gardens That Shaped the US | Part 2 – South & Midwest

Gardens That Shaped the US | Part 1 - Northeast

Surviving Heat and Humidity | Best Plants and Practices

Homing in on Hibiscus

Understanding Fertilizer and Soil Amendments | When to Use and When Not to

All About Beneficial Insects

How to Have Color in the Shade

Yellow in the Garden | Flowers & Foliage

All the Pots-abilities! Container Gardening 101

Eat (And Grow) More Plants!

New Plants to Look for in Garden Centers | 2026

Annual Garden Review | How Plants Performed

Knowing How to Pair Plants

The Habits of Rabbits | Rabbits in the Garden

Embracing the Beauty of Unruly Gardens

Zone-Pushing | Pushing the Limits with Plants