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

Oct 25, 2025 · 42 min
Little Shop of Horticulture
Welcome to the Little Shop of Horticulture! Gardening is a joy, but in honor of the season, we discuss the spooky side of gardening - invasive plants, daunting diseases, and woeful weeds. Learn about the goth garden trend and the perfect plants to use...
Oct 18, 2025 · 45 min
Timing Is Everything! | Timely Garden Tasks and Understanding Plant Growth Rates
A garden is a physical manifestation of the passage of time. We all know plants grow, but how quickly they do depend on a lot of factors. So, in this episode we break down how plant growth rates are determined. We’ll also discuss how timing tasks in...
Oct 11, 2025 · 43 min
Working the Land | Work Smarter, Not Harder!
Working the land is directly correlated with being a good steward of the land. Get advice on how you can work your landscape in a way that’s smarter, not harder, for both you and the land.
Oct 4, 2025 · 46 min
It’s on the House! | How to Landscape With You Home Exterior Colors
When adding a plant or designing your landscape, there’s a lot to consider! One of the most important but overlooked considerations is the color of your home’s exterior. Get tips and tricks for choosing a garden color scheme based on your house...
Sep 27, 2025 · 44 min
Pumpkins, Squash, and Gourds | Fall Favorites Explained
So, a pumpkin is a squash, which is a type of gourd, but not all gourds are pumpkins, and not all squash are pumpkins. Wait…what? Don’t worry, we’ll explain in this episode. Learn all about these fall favorites with tips for growing, storing, and...
Sep 20, 2025 · 44 min
What to Plant Now to Enhance Your Winter Garden
Winter can be a drag, but having winter interest in the garden can really brighten up a gardener’s mood. We all appreciate winter interest in the garden, but often, we forget to plan for it. Hear some timely advice on what you can plant in fall to...
Sep 13, 2025 · 43 min
Landscape Designers’ Favorite Plants
Landscape designers can have a hefty list of features they require in a plant for it to be used in their projects. Durability, reliability, low-maintenance, structural, and most importantly, they have to be beautiful! Discover the plants that...
Sep 6, 2025 · 43 min
Garden Backdrops
Description: Whether it be wood, metal, or a living fence, garden backdrops are essential to creating depth and structure in the garden. Get design tips, creative ideas, and of course, plant suggestions for creating backdrops throughout the garden....
Aug 30, 2025 · 43 min
Now the Fun Begins! Dreaming and Scheming Future Garden Plans
Summer is winding down, cool mornings are rolling in, and now is the time to dream and scheme plans for your garden. Rick and Stacey discuss design ideas, garden tasks, and ways to prepare for your fall to-do list. Feature shrub: Kodiak Red 2.0...
Aug 23, 2025 · 44 min
The Beauty of Green in the Garden
Using green in the garden feels a bit like a no brainer, but when it’s done intentionally, the difference in outcome is clear. Learn about plants with unique green foliage and flowers, and how you can incorporate them in your garden. Featured shrub:...
Aug 16, 2025 · 57 min
All About Garden Follies
Architectural follies are decorative, non-essential structures often found in gardens or landscapes. We discuss garden follies all over the world and talk with Lisa Roper, horticulturist with Chanticleer Gardens, about how they use garden art and a...
Aug 9, 2025 · 44 min
Preparing for Fall – Summer Gardening Tasks
While we’re in the height of summer, it’s a good idea to think about what you can do in the garden now to get ready for fall. Featured tree: Pink Snow Showers flowering cherry.
Aug 2, 2025 · 45 min
What Inspires Us to Garden
Whether it’s an awe-worthy plant, a love of wildlife, or wanting to create a beautiful space, there are so many reasons to garden. Hear what inspires Stacey and Rick to garden. Featured shrub, Lemony Lace elderberry.
Jul 26, 2025 · 43 min
Revelation: Ah Ha! Moments While Gardening
Revelation: a surprising and previously unknown fact, especially one that is made known in a dramatic way. Hear what Stacey and Rick’s “Ah-Ha!” moments have been throughout their gardening journey. Featured shrub: Gatsby Pink oakleaf hydrangea.
Jul 19, 2025 · 45 min
Rejuvenation – Pruning, Amending, and Feeding Techniques
Rejuvenation: the action or process of giving new energy or vigor to something. We talk about ways you can revamp your plants and set them up for future success. Featured shrub: Winecraft Black smokebush.
Jul 12, 2025 · 44 min
Elevation – Plants for Adding Height in the Garden
Take your garden to the next level! We talk about plants that add height to the garden and plants that grow at higher elevations.
Jul 5, 2025 · 44 min
A Succulent Discussion
Succulents have been gaining popularity in recent years, for understandable reasons! They are versatile, colorful, and unique. Join us as we talk about how to be successful with succulents and deep dive into hardy succulents. Featured shrub: Chicklet...
Jun 28, 2025 · 44 min
Trigger Plants
Some plants can be considered “drama queens,” unafraid to show that they are unhappy with something in their environment. Knowing these plants and what these signs mean will help you to better understand what’s going on in your garden. Read the tea...
Jun 21, 2025 · 50 min
Oh Deer! The Buck Stops Here | Deer and Gardening
As deer populations and pressures have grown, so has the damage that they do in the garden. We talk deer resistant plants, ways to help alleviate deer damage, and interview Professor Alexandra Locher, with Grand Valley State University, on what is...
Jun 14, 2025 · 44 min
Don’t Do It!
As Stacey always says, when in doubt, don't do it! Whether it’s prepping, planting, or pruning, we discuss what not to do and why you shouldn’t do it. Featured shrub: Let’s Dance Big Band Reblooming bigleaf hydrangea.

Gardening Simplified

Little Shop of Horticulture

Timing Is Everything! | Timely Garden Tasks and Understanding Plant Growth Rates

Working the Land | Work Smarter, Not Harder!

It’s on the House! | How to Landscape With You Home Exterior Colors

Pumpkins, Squash, and Gourds | Fall Favorites Explained

What to Plant Now to Enhance Your Winter Garden

Landscape Designers’ Favorite Plants

Garden Backdrops

Now the Fun Begins! Dreaming and Scheming Future Garden Plans

The Beauty of Green in the Garden

All About Garden Follies

Preparing for Fall – Summer Gardening Tasks

What Inspires Us to Garden

Revelation: Ah Ha! Moments While Gardening

Rejuvenation – Pruning, Amending, and Feeding Techniques

Elevation – Plants for Adding Height in the Garden

A Succulent Discussion

Trigger Plants

Oh Deer! The Buck Stops Here | Deer and Gardening

Don’t Do It!