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

Jul 15, 2023 · 41 min
Mid-Summer Vegetable Tips, Junipers as Hedging, and Growing Castor Beans
It's the height of summer, which means the vegetable garden is in full swing. Learn how to keep it looking, and producing, its best. Plus, growing showy castor bean plants, and the elements of curb appeal. Featured plant: Gin Fizz juniper.
Jul 8, 2023 · 52 min
How to Pamper Your Plants, a Revolutionary Rose, and Interviewing Dr. Judson LeCompte
Learn various ways you can give your plants a spa day and why you shouldn’t add Epsom salts in your garden. At Last, a groundbreaking rose is put on trial and Dr. Judson LeCompte joins us to talk about plant genetics and the differences between...
Jul 1, 2023 · 43 min
Do Plants Repel Mosquitoes? Plus: Why Your Hydrangea Isn’t Blooming, and Meet One That Definitely Does
Do plants really repel mosquitoes? We look at the evidence. Plus, learn why your hydrangea might not be blooming, and how police used a YouTube video to save ducklings. Featured plant: Incrediball Blush hydrangea.
Jun 24, 2023 · 49 min
South vs. North Gardening, Managing Fire Ants, and Garden Photography With Adriana
Are you a Southern gardener longing for the North? Or perhaps the other way around? We break down the pros and cons of gardening in hot climates. We move on to a gardener with fire ants in her potted lemon tree, then Adriana, our producer, shares...
Jun 17, 2023 · 46 min
Vivacious Variegation, the Truth About Milky Spore, and Plant Breeder Megan Mathey
Variegation: love it or hate it, we discuss this unique plant mutation from a scientific and aesthetic standpoint. Plus, we dive into the truth about controlling Japanese beetles using milky spore, and end with an interview with Proven Winners...
Jun 10, 2023 · 44 min
Watering Advice, a Game-Changing Spirea, Native Ferns, and the “Chelsea Chop”
We're suffering through dryness not seen in 100+ years here in Michigan, so watering is on our minds. Join us as we talk water conservation tips, a high performance, drought tolerant spirea, controlling cucumber beetles, and the time-honored tradition...
Jun 3, 2023 · 43 min
Favorite Herbs, the Secret to Cilantro, and a New, Non-toxic Way to Manage Slugs
Whether it's just a pot of basil or a whole garden's-worth, having fragrant herbs as close as your backyard is luxury. Learn our favorites, plus how to grow cilantro successfully, a trick for more chives, and a brand new slug solution from Oregon...
May 27, 2023 · 45 min
Advanced Annuals, Innovative Plants, Plant a Tree, Save a Bee! - Interviewing a Pollinator Expert
Planting annuals is one of the most joyful parts of gardening - listen in as we share our thoughts on this time-honored tradition, and our favorite plants. Plus, learn what it means to be an innovative plant and how to manage hydrangea leaftiers. We...
May 20, 2023 · 41 min
Why the Right Soil Matters, Hardening Off Plants, and Avoiding Oak Wilt
Learn why the right soil matters, especially when it comes to plants like our Plant on Trial today, Dandy Man® Purple rhododendron. Now is a great time to start hardening off plants! Hear tips on how to get your plants ready for their new home...
May 13, 2023 · 43 min
The Best Plants to Give Mom for Mother’s Day and a Rose Unlike Any Other
Gifting plants to Mom on Mother’s Day has been a go-to for most people. In this episode, Stacey and Rick talk about what plants make a good gift, including a revolutionary new rose. Find out if you can grow garlic and spring and still get a harvest....
May 6, 2023 · 48 min
The Fundamentals of Container Gardening and the Birdman is Back!
Container gardening has come a long way in the last few years! Learn our tips and favorite plants for containers, plus how to use your containers for flowering shrubs and evergreens. And by popular demand, Birdman Bill Stovall is back! The Birdman...
Apr 29, 2023 · 42 min
Flower Farming, Forsythia, and Fabulous Container Design Tips with Renee Clermont
In today’s episode, we talk about the cut flower trend. Rick and Stacey talk about the rising popularity of growing your own cut flowers and which types they recommend. Our Plant on Trial this week is a sure sign that spring is here, Show Off®...
Apr 22, 2023 · 42 min
The Appeal of Perennials - Favorites, Care Tips, and More!
Learn all about perennials in today's episode! Stacey and Rick discuss the best care practices, what their favorite perennials are, and why. Stacey highlights a compact butterfly bush that fits perfectly into any perennial garden. In Branching News,...
Apr 15, 2023 · 44 min
Spring Blooming Trees and Interview With Amphibian Expert - The Gator
Spring blooming trees are ubiquitous and a welcome splash of color before warmer days start to come in. Stacey and Rick talk all about spring blooming trees and highlight the beautiful and shade tolerant Golden Shadows® Pagoda Dogwood. Learn about fun...
Apr 8, 2023 · 43 min
The Best Tips and Plants for Beginning Gardeners
New to gardening? Wondering how to get started? This is the show for you! We talk best plants for beginners and how falling in love with a plant can kick off your garden journey. Plus, the perfect hydrangea for beginners, a rose of Sharon dropping its...
Apr 1, 2023 · 44 min
How De-vine! Tips for Clematis and Composting
In this week’s episode, we put the spotlight on the much-loved vine, the clematis! Stacey and Rick discuss care practices and easy to grow varieties, like our Plant on Trial, Pink Mink® clematis. In our Questions Answered segment, Stacey and Rick...
Mar 25, 2023 · 53 min
Climbers, Twiners, and Vines - Oh My! & Interview With the Birdman
It's finally, officially spring, and the weather's vine! We dedicate much of today's show to climbers and twiners, and spotlight a woody vine in the midst of an identity crisis. Stay to the end for a fascinating interview with birdman Bill Stovall,...
Mar 18, 2023 · 44 min
Living on the Hedge - Best Plants for Hedges And Composting Explained - Interview With Justin Morgan From Morgan Composting
Let's talk hedges! Whether they're evergreen or deciduous, used to screen off an ugly view or to add structure to your landscape, they're incredibly useful. Plus, learn about a fast-growing arborvitae for hedges, growing ferns indoors, and an...
Mar 11, 2023 · 40 min
How to Help Hummingbirds and the Age of the Brussels Sprouts
This week we talk about one of the feistiest little birds out there, the hummingbird! Learn how you can help support hummingbirds - from plants to use in your garden to food you can easily make yourself. Our plant on trial this week is not only great...
Mar 4, 2023 · 42 min
Tips for Selecting and Growing Tomatoes and Shrub Madness the Ultimate Plant Bracket
Spring is in the air and in the studio! Today we talk all about tomatoes, including best practices for selecting and growing. Instead of putting just one plant on trial today, we’re putting 64 plants on trial in our Shrub Madness competition. Learn...

Gardening Simplified

Mid-Summer Vegetable Tips, Junipers as Hedging, and Growing Castor Beans

How to Pamper Your Plants, a Revolutionary Rose, and Interviewing Dr. Judson LeCompte

Do Plants Repel Mosquitoes? Plus: Why Your Hydrangea Isn’t Blooming, and Meet One That Definitely Does

South vs. North Gardening, Managing Fire Ants, and Garden Photography With Adriana

Vivacious Variegation, the Truth About Milky Spore, and Plant Breeder Megan Mathey

Watering Advice, a Game-Changing Spirea, Native Ferns, and the “Chelsea Chop”

Favorite Herbs, the Secret to Cilantro, and a New, Non-toxic Way to Manage Slugs

Advanced Annuals, Innovative Plants, Plant a Tree, Save a Bee! - Interviewing a Pollinator Expert

Why the Right Soil Matters, Hardening Off Plants, and Avoiding Oak Wilt

The Best Plants to Give Mom for Mother’s Day and a Rose Unlike Any Other

The Fundamentals of Container Gardening and the Birdman is Back!

Flower Farming, Forsythia, and Fabulous Container Design Tips with Renee Clermont

The Appeal of Perennials - Favorites, Care Tips, and More!

Spring Blooming Trees and Interview With Amphibian Expert - The Gator

The Best Tips and Plants for Beginning Gardeners

How De-vine! Tips for Clematis and Composting

Climbers, Twiners, and Vines - Oh My! & Interview With the Birdman

Living on the Hedge - Best Plants for Hedges And Composting Explained - Interview With Justin Morgan From Morgan Composting

How to Help Hummingbirds and the Age of the Brussels Sprouts

Tips for Selecting and Growing Tomatoes and Shrub Madness the Ultimate Plant Bracket