Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

Fred Hoffman

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Tips for beginning and experienced gardeners. New episodes arrive every Friday. Fred Hoffman has been a U.C. Certified Master Gardener since 1982 and writes a weekly garden column for the Lodi News-Sentinel in Lodi, CA. A four-decade fixture in Sacramento radio, he hosted three radio shows for Northern California gardeners and farmers: The KFBK Garden Show, Get Growing with Farmer Fred, and the KSTE Farm Hour. Episode Website: https://gardenbasics.net

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#4 in the Top 100 Indie gardening All time chart

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Top 10 Garden Basics with Farmer Fred Episodes

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185 What's Lasagna Gardening? Potato Planting. Fruit Trees vs Lawns

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

04/15/22 • 28 min

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You’ve heard of No-Till gardening. How about No-Dig gardening? Or creating a Lasagna garden? Emily Murphy, author of the book, Grow Now, explains.
In our Question and Answer segment, one listener wants to know if it is too late to plant potatoes, and how to prepare the soil for potatoes? As we like to say on this podcast, it depends. Master Garden Gail Pothour has the answer, with all the variables.

And in a quick tip, we find out why you don’t want to grow your fruit trees in the middle of your lawn.

We’re podcasting from Barking Dog Studios here in the beautiful Abutilon Jungle in Suburban Purgatory. It’s the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots and Dave Wilson Nursery. And we will do it all in under 30 minutes. Let’s go!
Live links, product information, transcripts, and chapters available at the new home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net or (for transcripts) Buzzsprout

Pictured:
Well-mulched plum tree in dormant pasture grass

Links:
Subscribe to the free, Garden Basics with Farmer Fred Newsletter https://gardenbasics.substack.com
Smart Pots https://smartpots.com/fred/
Dave Wilson Nursery https://www.davewilson.com/home-garden/

Book: Grow Now by Emily Murphy

Growing Potatoes in the Home Garden

Texas A&M: Lawn Care Around Trees
UCANR: Sheet Mulching (Lasagna Gardening)

Hugelkultur (extreme lasagna gardening)

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

All About Farmer Fred:
The GardenBasics.net website

The Garden Basics with Farmer Fred Newsletter
https://gardenbasics.substack.com

Farmer Fred website:
http://farmerfred.com
Daily Garden tips and snark on Twitter
https://twitter.com/farmerfred

The Farmer Fred Rant! Blog
http://farmerfredrant.blogspot.com

Facebook: "Get Growing with Farmer Fred"

Instagram: farmerfredhoffman
https://www.instagram.com/farmerfredhoffman/

Farmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube
https://gardenbasics.net/videos
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter

1 Listener

120 How a Tree Works. Dahlia Rescue!

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

07/16/21 • 28 min

Trees are subject to many problems, including insects, diseases, weather-related issues...but probably the biggest threat to the trees in your yard...is you. From the day you plant that tree until its demise, you may not be helping it live a healthy life in so many ways. Master Gardener and Urban Forester Pam Bone talks about how a tree works, and what we can do to keep it healthy by knowing how your trees actually function.

It’s on episode 120 of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots. And we will do it all in under 30 minutes. Let’s go!
Pictured:
A diagram of the parts of a tree (Courtesy US Forest Service)

Links:

Smart Pots
How to Stake a Tree
Book: Plant Propagation by Alan Toogood
Find a Consulting or Certified Arborist Near You: treesaregood.org

More episodes and info available at Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

Garden Basics comes out every Tuesday and Friday. More info including live links, product information, transcripts, and chapters available at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred. Please subscribe, and, if you are listening on Apple, please leave a comment or rating. That helps us decide which garden topics you would like to see addressed.

Got a garden question? There are several ways to get in touch:

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.
E-mail: fred@farmerfred.com
or, leave a question at the Facebook, Twitter or Instagram locations below.
Be sure to tell us where you are when you leave a question, because all gardening is local.

And thank you for listening.

All About Farmer Fred:

Farmer Fred website: http://farmerfred.com
Daily Garden tips and snark on Twitter @farmerfred
The Farmer Fred Rant! Blog
Facebook: "Get Growing with Farmer Fred"
Instagram: farmerfredhoffman
Farmer Fred Garden Videos on YouTube

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.

Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter

115 Firescaping. Plant of the Week: Hydrangeas.

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

06/29/21 • 29 min

Summertime, and the living is uneasy...if you live in an area prone to wildfires. And it’s not just California. People throughout the United States who are living in rural areas or where the suburbs meet the wildland face danger from rapidly moving wildfires. Today, we’re talking how to prepare your landscape for such an event. It’s called firescaping, and we will talk with one of the nation’s preeminent authorities on how to make your home and yard more resistant to flying, burning embers.

The Plant of the Week is a very popular summertime bloomer throughout the country, the hydrangea. We have tips for growing this colorful, commonly found shrub.

It’s all on episode 115 of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots and Dave Wilson Nursery.

And we will do it all in under 30 minutes. Let’s go!
Pictured:
A fire-resistant landscape

Links:
Smart Pots
Dave Wilson Nursery
Book: "Firescaping: Protecting Your Home with a Fire-Resistant Landscape"
Video: Home Burning Demonstration
UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden
More episodes and info available at Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

Got a garden question? There are several ways to get in touch:

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.
E-mail: fred@farmerfred.com
or, leave a question at the Facebook, Twitter or Instagram locations below. Be sure to tell us where you are when you leave a question, because all gardening is local.

And thank you for listening.

All About Farmer Fred:
Farmer Fred website: http://farmerfred.com
Daily Garden tips and snark on Twitter
The Farmer Fred Rant! Blog
Facebook: "Get Growing with Farmer Fred"
Instagram: farmerfredhoffman
Farmer Fred Garden Videos on YouTube

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here

Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter

118 Attracting Pollinators. Wasp: Friend or Foe? Mystery Fungus.

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

07/09/21 • 27 min

We do a deep dive into your garden questions on this episode. We attempt to identify a giant wasp in a listener’s yard.
A mysterious, underground white fungus has another listener perplexed.
And we help out people who want to attract beneficial insects and pollinators to their garden.

It’s all on episode 118 of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots.

And we will do it all in under 30 minutes. Let’s go!
Pictured:
A bee on an artichoke flower.

Links:

Smart Pots
The Pollinator Victory Garden by Kim Eierman
Kim Eierman's Ecobeneficial.com website
Pollinator-Friendly Regional Plant Lists from the Xeres Society
Calscape.org Pinpoints California native plants via your CA zip code
Cicada Killer Wasp info
Mushrooms and Other Nuisance Fungi in Yards

More episodes and info available at Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

Got a garden question? There are several ways to get in touch:

leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe, at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics

And thank you for listening.

All About Farmer Fred:

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.

Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter

117 All About Smart Pots. The Asian Lotus Flower.

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

07/06/21 • 29 min

Today we find out more details about using a certain fabric plant container in your garden. Of course, it’s Smart Pots, which is no ordinary fabric container. Did you know they come in a wide variety of sizes and can stay much cooler in the summer heat versus other plant containers? And we will find out why Smart Pots are perfect for the organic gardener.
The Plant of the Week is something a little different. It’s a water plant. The beautiful and fragrant Asian or Chinese Lotus.

It’s all on episode 117 of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots and Dave Wilson Nursery.

And we will do it all in under 30 minutes. Let’s go!
Pictured:
Smart Pots Big Bag Bed

Links:
Smart Pots
Dave Wilson Nursery
Nelumbo (Asian Lotus Flower) info
UC Davis Arboretum

More episodes and info available at Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

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.

E-mail: fred@farmerfred.com

or, leave a question at the Facebook, Twitter or Instagram locations below.

Be sure to tell us where you are when you leave a question, because all gardening is local.

And thank you for listening.

All About Farmer Fred:

Farmer Fred website: http://farmerfred.com
Daily Garden tips and snark on Twitter
The Farmer Fred Rant! Blog
Facebook: "Get Growing with Farmer Fred"
Instagram: farmerfredhoffman
Farmer Fred Garden Videos on YouTube

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.

Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter

116 Less Water for Fruit Trees. Growing Citrus in Containers.

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

07/02/21 • 29 min

Facing watering restrictions during this drought? We have great tips on how to be able to apply less water to your fruit trees and still have a bountiful harvest!
Yes, you can grow citrus trees in containers successfully, if you treat them right. That includes choosing the right container, the right soil and the right fertilizer. Plus, a few other nifty ideas for citrus success in containers.
We’re brought to you today by Smart Pots. Give a listen to find how you can win a free Smart Pot!
It’s on Episode 116 of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, and we will do it all in under 30 minutes. Let’s go!
Pictured:
Citrus in Containers
Links:
Smart Pots
Fair Oaks Horticulture Center Orchard

More episodes and info available at Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

Got a garden question? There are several ways to get in touch:

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.

E-mail: fred@farmerfred.com

or, leave a question at the Facebook, Twitter or Instagram locations below.

Be sure to tell us where you are when you leave a question, because all gardening is local.

And thank you for listening.
All About Farmer Fred:
Farmer Fred website: http://farmerfred.com
Daily Garden tips and snark on Twitter
The Farmer Fred Rant! Blog
Facebook: "Get Growing with Farmer Fred"
Instagram: farmerfredhoffman
Farmer Fred Garden Videos on YouTube

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.

Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter

119 How to Grow Passion Fruit. The Golden Raintree.

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

07/13/21 • 22 min

During July, we are giving away Smart Pots when listeners’ submit audio questions. If we use it on the podcast, you will be getting a new, six foot long Smart Pot raised bed fabric planter! Just like Eyal from the San Francisco Bay Area, who is wondering why his passion fruit flowers fell off. We’ll dive into the world of passion fruit today.
The Plant of the Week is a tree with outstanding summertime blooms that can be grown throughout most of the United States, the Goldenrain tree.
Have you ever wondered if that bare stem of a plant is alive or dead? Debbie Flower has tips to help you answer that question.It’s all on episode 119 of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots and Dave Wilson Nursery.
And we will do it all in under 30 minutes. Let’s go!
Pictured:
Passion Fruit
Links:
Smart Pots
Dave Wilson Nursery
UC Davis Arboretum
Plants that Attract Pollinators
Alive or Dead? Understanding Epicormic Shoots
More episodes and info available at Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

Got a garden question? There are several ways to get in touch:

Leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe, at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics

And thank you for listening.

All About Farmer Fred:

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.

Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter

114 Benefits of Crop Rotation. Working with Clay Soil.

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

06/25/21 • 28 min

Crop rotation isn’t just for farmers. Backyard gardeners can improve their food and flower production while improving their soil at the same time, simply by moving plant families from bed to bed each season. College horticulture professor Debbie Flower has the lowdown on the advantages of crop rotation. If your clay soil has you worried that it’s not very good for a garden, worry no more. Soils specialist Steve Zien says there are a lot of benefits to gardening with clay soil, and he has tips for improving it, as well.

It’s on episode 114 of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots.

And we will do it all in under 30 minutes. Let’s go!
Pictured:
Crop rotation, explained as a pizza.

Links:
Smart Pots
Farmer Fred Rant: Crop Rotation Plan for the Home Garden
Farmer Fred Rant: Crop Rotation and the Circular Garden
Working with Clay Soil (UCANR)
Spading Forks
This is what a broad fork looks like

More episodes and info available at Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

Got a garden question? There are several ways to get in touch:

And thank you for listening.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here

Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter

113 Avocado Growing Tips. The Coral Yucca.

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

06/22/21 • 26 min

If you live in USDA Zone 9, chances are you have attempted to grow an avocado tree. Sure, it’s easy...if you live in Santa Barbara, Ventura or San Diego, where the temperature range is between 50 and 85 degrees, usually. But for the rest of us, growing avocados is a challenge. Tom Spellman of Dave Wilson Nursery says he can make it a heck of a lot easier for you to grow backyard avocados throughout USDA Zone 9. He has tips. And the Plant of the Week is a low water use succulent that attracts squadrons of hummingbirds: the coral yucca. Warren Roberts of the UC Davis Arboretum tells us all about it.

It’s all on episode 113 of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots and Dave Wilson Nursery.

And we will do it all in under 30 minutes. Let’s go!
Pictured:
The Bacon Avocado

Links:
Smart Pots
Dave Wilson Nursery Fruit Tube Videos
Avocado Growing Advice (from UCANR)
UC Davis Arboretum
Fruit basket picker with pole
More episodes and info available at Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

Leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe, at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics

Text us the question: 916-292-8964. E-mail: fred@farmerfred.com or, leave a question at the Facebook, Twitter or Instagram locations below. Be sure to tell us where you are when you leave a question, because all gardening is local.

And thank you for listening.

All About Farmer Fred:

Farmer Fred website: http://farmerfred.com

Daily Garden tips and snark on Twitter

The Farmer Fred Rant! Blog

Facebook: "Get Growing with Farmer Fred"

Instagram: farmerfredhoffman

Farmer Fred Garden Videos on YouTube

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.

Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter

121 Mix Up Your Plants! Daylilies. Japanese Maples. Pine Needle Mulch.

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

07/20/21 • 29 min

We’ve talked about the importance of rotating your food crops. The same is true for much of the rest of your landscape. How’s that? Our favorite retired college horticulture professor, Debbie Flower, will explain.

During July, we are giving away Smart Pots when listeners submit audio questions. If we use it on the podcast, you will be getting a new, six foot long, Smart Pot raised bed fabric planter! Just like Amanda from the Sierra foothills, who is wondering how to use all those pine needles on her property.

The Plant of the Week is a gorgeous flowering perennial that can be grown throughout most of the United States, and it’s edible, too. The daylily, also known as Hemerocallis.

Also, a primer on growing Japanese maple trees from an expert.

It’s all on episode 121 of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots and Dave Wilson Nursery.

And we will do it all in under 30 minutes. Let’s go!
Pictured:
The Beni Maiko Japanese Maple
Links:
Smart Pots
Dave Wilson Nursery
UC Davis Arboretum
Plants to Attract Beneficial Insects
Hedgerow Plants for California's Central Valley
Amador Flower Farm (Daylilies)
More episodes and info available at Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

Got a garden question? There are several ways to get in touch:

leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe, at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics

And thank you for listening.

All About Farmer Fred:

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.

Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter

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FAQ

How many episodes does Garden Basics with Farmer Fred have?

Garden Basics with Farmer Fred currently has 261 episodes available.

What topics does Garden Basics with Farmer Fred cover?

The podcast is about Gardening, Education, Leisure, How To and Home & Garden.

What is the most popular episode on Garden Basics with Farmer Fred?

The episode title '185 What's Lasagna Gardening? Potato Planting. Fruit Trees vs Lawns' is the most popular with 1 listens, 1 ratings and 1 comments/reviews.

What is the average episode length on Garden Basics with Farmer Fred?

The average episode length on Garden Basics with Farmer Fred is 32 minutes.

How often are episodes of Garden Basics with Farmer Fred released?

Episodes of Garden Basics with Farmer Fred are typically released every 4 days.

When was the first episode of Garden Basics with Farmer Fred?

The first episode of Garden Basics with Farmer Fred was released on Apr 11, 2020.

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