The Sunshine Gardening Podcast

In this episode of the Sunshine Gardening podcast, host Kristin Hildabrand and horticulture expert Jessica Hopkins discuss home composting. They cover essential materials, equipment, and maintenance tips for effective composting, while emphasizing the balance of brown and green materials. The conversation includes troubleshooting common issues and resources for beginners.

In episode forty-four of the Sunshine Gardening Podcast, host Kristin Hildabrand and expert Jared Weaver discuss urban tree challenges, including improper placement, drought, and pest management. They offer practical insights into effective tree care strategies, such as deep watering, proper mulching, and soil testing, underscoring environmental stewardship and proactive urban forestry efforts.

In the Sunshine Gardening podcast, host Kristin Hildabrand discusses self-wicking raised beds with guest Dr. Steve Higgins from the University of Kentucky. They explore the benefits of these innovative gardening methods for efficient watering and strong plant growth. The episode highlights ergonomic advantages, construction costs, and maintenance tips for gardeners.

In the podcast episode, Dr. Ellen Crocker discusses invasive plants in Kentucky, highlighting their detrimental effects on local ecosystems. She emphasizes early detection and management strategies, encourages public reporting of invasives, and shares resources like a field guide. The episode promotes collaboration and proactive efforts to protect native landscapes.

In episode forty-one of the Sunshine Gardening podcast, Kristin Hildabrand interviews Matt Dixon, a senior meteorologist, about weather's influence on agriculture in Kentucky. They discuss a new weather alert app designed for farmers, featuring current conditions and forecasts. Matt highlights the app's benefits, success stories, and the importance of accurate weather communication for effective farming.

In this Sunshine Gardening podcast episode, host Kristin Hildabrand and guest Chris Schalk discuss the importance of winterizing lawn mower equipment to protect both functionality and financial investment. They cover practical steps, common mistakes, maintenance tips for various tools, and encourage involving younger generations in the process for skill development and interest in mechanics.

In this episode of the Sunshine Gardening podcast, host Kristin Hildabrand speaks with Jared Weaver, Bowling Green's City Arborist. They discuss the importance of tree pruning during "Tree Week," covering best practices, timing, techniques, safety precautions, and resources for homeowners. The episode emphasizes maintaining tree health and landscape aesthetics.

In this episode of the Sunshine Gardening Podcast, host Kristin Hildabrand and guest Dennis Morgeson discuss growing garlic in Kentucky. They cover garlic varieties, planting techniques, soil preparation, care, harvesting, curing, and culinary uses. Listeners gain insights into cultivating garlic effectively while receiving tips to manage pests and storage.

The Sunshine Gardening podcast episode features Kenneth Clayton from the University of Kentucky discussing lawn establishment and renovation for cool-season grasses in Kentucky during the fall. He covers methods for renovation, emphasizes fall timing, and provides maintenance tips. Listeners are encouraged to participate in an evaluation survey and access additional resources.

In this episode of the Sunshine Gardening podcast, Dr. Ric Bessin, an entomologist from the University of Kentucky, explains the beneficial nature of Cicada Killer Wasps. These wasps control cicada populations, are generally non-aggressive, and should not cause undue concern. He also highlights their positive environmental contributions and encourages minimizing pesticide use.

Host Kristin Hildabrand and summer extension intern Colby Dye discuss the Backyard Biology video series, aiming to educate locals about suburban wildlife in Kentucky. Colby's engaging videos cover insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals, offering wildlife management tips. The series received significant audience engagement, contributing to ecological awareness and a diverse local ecosystem.

In this Sunshine Gardening Podcast episode, host Kristin Hildabrand and turfgrass expert Kenneth Clayton discuss the challenges of bermudagrass in Kentucky lawns. They explore cultural and chemical methods for control, emphasizing the need for an integrated approach to manage its aggressive growth. Kenneth stresses the importance of following safety guidelines when using herbicides.

The Sunshine Gardening podcast discusses the invasive spotted lanternfly with Dr. Jonathan Larson. They cover its characteristics, impact on plants, and management strategies. Topics include its life cycle, impact on ecosystems and agriculture, spread and detection, management, preventative measures, community efforts, and available resources. Early intervention and community involvement are emphasized.

In episode thirty-two of the Sunshine Gardening podcast, host Kristin Hildabrand and Dr. Matthew Springer, a wildlife management expert, discuss strategies for controlling moles, voles, chipmunks, and the emerging issue of armadillos in lawns and gardens. Dr. Springer emphasizes the importance of setting realistic management goals and preserving wildlife benefits while managing their drawbacks.

In the 31st episode of The Sunshine Gardening Podcast, host Kristin Hildabrand and guest Annette Heisdorffer discuss strategies for attracting hummingbirds to Kentucky gardens. The episode covers hummingbird characteristics, plant selection, homemade nectar, feeder maintenance, and common challenges. They also share resources for creating hummingbird-friendly gardens. Tune in for expert tips!

Episode 30 of The Sunshine Gardening podcast introduces the focus of the discussion to be the SOW Garden app and its applicability to Kentucky gardeners. The show's introduction underscores the podcast's aim to inspire gardeners with helpful advice and particular attention to plants suitable to Kentucky's gardening conditions.

In episode 29 of the Sunshine Gardening podcast, host Kristin Hildabrand and guest Dennis Morgeson discuss growing dahlias in Kentucky. They cover dahlia varieties suitable for the state's climate and soil, soil preparation and planting instructions, fertilization tips, pest control methods, and harvesting practices. They also highlight the benefits of growing dahlias in Kentucky and recommend resources from the American Dahlia Society.

The Sunshine Gardening podcast's 28th episode features horticulture expert Ray Tackett discussing the cultivation of microgreens at home. Host Kristin Hildabrand introduces Ray and delves into the selection, cultivation, and harvesting of microgreens. Ray offers practical advice on seed selection, growing materials, watering, pH levels, and harvesting, as well as culinary uses.

The Sunshine Gardening Podcast, hosted by Kristin Hildabrand, spotlights Kentucky's Horticulture Webinar Wednesday program. In a recent episode, agent Kelly Jackson discussed the program's essentials and its growth. The show notes provide details for connecting and registering for the webinars. Subscribe to the podcast for more gardening tips and inspiration. Happy gardening!

Welcome to the Sunshine Gardening Podcast, where we aim to help you nurture your passion for gardening! I’m Kristin Hildabrand, your host. In today’s episode, we talk with guest Kenneth Clayton, University of Kentucky Extension Associate in Turfgrass, who will share some valuable tips on spring lawn care for Kentucky. We will discuss the dos and don'ts of maintaining a healthy Kentucky lawn, from rejuvenating grass to avoiding common pitfalls. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and skills to cultivate a lush, thriving lawn that will last throughout the season. So, dust off your lawnmowers, roll up your sleeves, and join us as we dive into spring lawn care! Interview with Kenneth Clayton: 1. Can you explain the dos and don’ts of Spring Lawn Care in Kentucky? What should we do first? starts at 2:42. 2. Would you recommend seeding the lawn in the spring if you want to improve it significantly if it is thinning? starts at 7:07. Spring is the second best time for seeding the home lawn in Kentucky. It is a little more challenging because grassy weeds are now germinating. If seeding in the spring, you don't want to apply the pre-emergent herbicide. 3. Talk to us about weed and feed products in spring. Yes or no? starts at 8:47 4. What are your guidelines for fertilizing the lawn in the spring? starts at 10:02 5. Spring mowing will soon start. What general recommendations do you give for mowing? starts at 15:18. 6. Are there things we should avoid for spring lawn care in the Kentucky lawn? starts at 19:23. Don't just fertilize to fertilize. You may not need fertility if the grass is healthy and growing well. Nitrogen may be the only ingredient needed. Usually, a healthy Kentucky lawn requires 1-2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year. Soils are generally rich in phosphorus and potassium. Don't scalp the lawns. If you do get rain and can't get mowed, raise the mower's height and come in a couple of days later to mow it down so that the clippings do not smother the lawn. 7. What do you recommend for areas in the lawn that receive a lot more shade and not a lot of sunlight? starts at 21:33. 8. If homeowners have questions about home lawn care for Kentucky, do you have a website where they can get more information? https://ukturf.ca.uky.edu/ Thank you for listening to the Sunshine Gardening Podcast! We hope you found today's episode on the dos and don'ts of spring lawn care in Kentucky informative and helpful in enhancing your gardening skills. Remember, proper care and attention are crucial for maintaining a robust and lively lawn. Thank you to our guest, Kenneth Clayton, for joining us today! To access the show notes for episode 26, please visit our blog at warrencountyagriculture.com. Before we end, subscribe to the Sunshine Gardening Podcast to receive future gardening tips, inspiration, and knowledge straight to your ears! Stay tuned for more episodes filled with valuable tips and gardening wisdom. Until then, happy gardening! Resources: https://ukturf.ca.uky.edu/