About this episode
What should you do when an unexpected heavy frost or freeze damages your plants? (4:25) How can mulch save you water? (8:32) Are those extra ingredients in fertilizers and potting soils worth the expense? (17:10) What’s a good soil recipe for starting seeds? (20:31) Why is soil pH important? (25:11) What’s a good soil mix for growing blueberries? (28:21) How can you get seeds to germinate more quickly? (29:30) How can you tell if those old seeds are any good? (31:36) What is an inexpensive way to protect young plants in the garden in early spring? (34:00) Are eucalyptus wood chips ok to use in the garden? (36:55) How do you mulch around irises? (41:45) Are cedar wood chips ok to use in the garden? (38:28, 43:20) Why do you need a fan blowing on young indoor seedlings? (45:41) How do you control soil grubs? (47:44) Wow, that a lot of questions. And America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture Professor, Debbie Flower, and I, provide the answers (or opinions) at this, a live mid-February recording at the Elk Grove (CA) Garden Club. A splendid time was had by all. It’s the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, Live (sort of) brought to you by Smart Pots and Dave Wilson Nursery . Let’s go! Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net . Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout Pictured: A Freezing Brugmansia That Wishes It Was in USDA Zone 10 Links: Subscribe to the free, Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter https://gardenbasics.substack.com Smart Pots https://smartpots.com/fred/ Dave Wilson Nursery https://www.davewilson.com/home-garden/ chipdrop.com (free wood chips) Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott Garden Myths books The Garden Professors on Facebook All About Farmer Fred: The GardenBasics.net website The Garden Basics with Farmer Fred Newsletter, Beyond the Basics Farmer Fred website The Farmer Fred Rant! Blog Facebook: "Get Growing with Farmer Fred" Instagram: farmerfredhoffman Twitter: @farmerfred Farmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube As an Amazon Associate , I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here. Got a garden question? • Leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe , at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics • Call or text us the question: 916-292-8964. • Fill out the contact box at GardenBasics.net • E-mail: fred@farmerfred.com Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter .