Flower Power Garden Hour
Marlene Simon
- 1 hour 32 minutesFPGH 231: Amorphophallus & the Corpse Flower, with Plant Explorer Derek Carwood
To smell and see a Titan Arum in bloom is pretty spectacular, but what really fascinates me is the evolution and incredible diversity within the entire Amorphophallus genus. In this episode, I'm joined by Amorphophallus expert and plant explorer Derek Carwood, who shares his deep knowledge and stories from the field. We dive into the strange beauty, unique adaptations, and surprising variety of these remarkable plants -- perfect for anyone who loves the truly unusual side of the plant world.
Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
- email Marlene at [email protected]
15 March 2026, 5:22 pm - 54 minutes 10 secondsFPGH 230: March To Do List + Listener Q&A
Not sure if it's time to plant tomatoes or if you can squeeze in another round of broccoli? Bruce and I will break down what garden tasks could and should be done in March. Plus we answer your questions. What exactly are those bumps on trees?! Hmmmm.
Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
- email Marlene at [email protected]
7 March 2026, 12:20 am - 1 hour 2 minutesFPGH 229: Top 10 Favorite Fragrant Plants
Looking to add a fragrant touch to your bedroom window or entry way? Bruce and Marlene each give their top 10 favorite fragrant plants. Will yours be on the list? And we also reveal our most obnoxious smelling plants.
Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
- email Marlene at [email protected]
26 February 2026, 11:00 am - 1 hour 8 minutesFPGH 228: Seed Starting
There are many benefits for starting plants from seeds. But what are the best techniques for success. Bruce and Marlene go into detail on the basics and discuss more advanced seed starting requirements.
Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
- email Marlene at [email protected]
15 February 2026, 4:22 pm - 1 hour 4 minutesFPGH 227: February To Do List
Believe it or not, spring is around the corner. It has been very dry in NorCal so far – sometimes we get Spring rain, so still TBD. LOTS of prep to do for the upcoming season.
It is time to plant:
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Collards, swiss chard
- Kale
- Leeks
- Loose leaf lettuce
- Peas
- Potatoes….late in the month
Chores include:
- Sow tomatoes inside
- Start flowers (sunflowers, strawflower, zinnias, etc)
- Direct sow sweet peas
- Plant bare-root (roses, fruit trees, asparagus, strawberries, rhubarb, berries)
- Spray fruit trees
- Fertilize
- Compost
- Clean up, cut back
- Prune roses, fruit trees
Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
- email Marlene at [email protected]
8 February 2026, 5:39 pm - 1 hour 9 minutesFPGH 226: Top 10 Easiest Houseplants To Grow
Kill every houseplant you try to grow? Not anymore. Bruce and I share our top 10 easiest houseplants that are guaranteed to thrive in your home… even if you are convinced you have a brown thumb.
Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
- email Marlene at [email protected]
31 January 2026, 5:03 pm - 1 hour 3 minutesFPGH 225: Welwitschia, with Gianluca Bacci of rareplantcatalog.com
Welwitschia mirabilis is one of the most unique plant species and on this episode we dive into everything about it. Succulent extraordinaire, Gianluca Bacci of rareplantcatalog.com, joins me in discussing its care, morphology, propagation and more.
Gianluca can be found at:
- Retail website: rareplantcatalog.com
- Retail Nursery: Boojums, 1505 Echo Park Ave, Los Angeles
- Instagram: @rareplantcatalog, @boojumstudygroup
Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
- email Marlene at [email protected]
25 January 2026, 1:39 pm - 41 minutes 58 secondsFPGH 224: January To Do List & Listener Q&A
It is the January To Do List – lots of fog in the California Central Valley recently, so a good amount of moisture even without significant rain. Temperatures have been on the lower side, but no major freezes. Even though it's the heart of winter, there are things that need to be done during the dry periods.
It is time to plant:
- Asparagus plants
- Bareroot trees, roses, shrubs
- Radishes
- Lettuce
- Kohlrabi
- Peas
- Onions
- Bok choy
- Fava beans
Chores include:
- Protect from frost. Watch weather report for potential frost days
- Don't work wet soils --- very important
- Spray for peach leaf curl and other fungal diseases
- Can prune fruit trees – but listen to the caveats in the episode
Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
- email Marlene at [email protected]
31 December 2025, 1:23 pm - 41 minutes 58 secondsFPGH 224: January To Do List & Listener Q&A
It is the January To Do List – lots of fog in the California Central Valley recently, so a good amount of moisture even without significant rain. Temperatures have been on the lower side, but no major freezes. Even though it's the heart of winter, there are things that need to be done during the dry periods.
It is time to plant:
- Asparagus plants
- Bareroot trees, roses, shrubs
- Radishes
- Lettuce
- Kohlrabi
- Peas
- Onions
- Bok choy
- Fava beans
Chores include:
- Protect from frost. Watch weather report for potential frost days
- Don't work wet soils --- very important
- Spray for peach leaf curl and other fungal diseases
- Can prune fruit trees – but listen to the caveats in the episode
Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
- email Marlene at [email protected]
31 December 2025, 1:23 pm - 1 hour 9 minutesFPGH.223: Holiday Plants
Tired of getting a holiday plant just to have it die on you. Don't worry, Bruce and Marlene, share tips on how to prevent your plants from ending up in the compost bin after the New Year. Topics covered: getting Christmas cactus to bloom, the truth about paperwhites coming back, soil suggestions and more.
Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
- email Marlene at [email protected]
21 December 2025, 3:39 pm - 1 hour 14 minutesFPGH 222: December To Do & Listener Q&A
It is the December To Do List, and we are in the middle of winter garden season. Weather is moderately cold, foggy, and so far it has been pretty dry. We finish up with a Listener Q&A.
It is time to plant:
- Asparagus
- Fava beans
- Bok choy
- Broccoli rabe
- Garlic
- Kale
- Loose leaf lettuce
- Mustard
- Onion sets
- Radish
Do not plant yet:
- Bareroot trees
- Roses
- Berries
Chores include:
- Protect succulents from water
- Frost protection
- Clean up – but leave some debris remaining
- Spray dormant trees (peach leaf curl)
- Plant bulbs
Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.
To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:
- email Marlene at [email protected]
8 December 2025, 11:00 am - More Episodes? Get the App