Anthony Dal Ben is one of the winners of the Be Water Smart #summerstrong competition.  Winners of this competition transformed their once water loving lawns/gardens into yards that are water efficient but at that same time beautiful. For Anthony it was a family affair. Hear how not only did he transform his front lawn into a water wise landscape, he used this as an educational experience for his kids.

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:

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Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Elaine Fitzgerald is one of the winners of the Be Water Smart #summerstrong  competition. Winners of the competition transformed their once water loving lawns/gardens into yards that are water efficient as well as beautiful. Listen in to hear how Elaine went from grass to a pollinator heaven.

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:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• email Marlene at [email protected]

Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Janelle Auyeung is one of the winners of the Be Water Smart #summerstrong competition.  Winners of this competition transformed their once water loving lawns/gardens into yards that are water efficient, but at that same time beautiful. Hear the steps Janelle took to make her backyard a magnificent oasis of fruit trees, vegetables and flowers.

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:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• email Marlene at [email protected]

Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

It is the September To Do List – believe it or not, we are in full Fall prep time.  Lots of cool weather vegetables to start planting, and tons of clean up and pruning.  It was quite a hot summer and time may have been sparse in the garden, but it’s time to get the gloves on and get to work.  Episode includes Listener Q&A.

It is time to plant:

•        Beets (seeds or plants)
•        Bok choy (seeds or plants)
•        Broccoli (plants)
•        Brussel sprouts
•        Cabbage (seeds or plants)
•        Carrots (seeds)
•        Cauliflower (plants)
•        Celery
•        Collards/Swiss chard (seeds or plants)
•        Kale (seeds or plants)
•        Kohlrabi (seeds or plants)
•        Garlic
•        Leek
•        Lettuce (seeds or plants)
•        Onion sets
•        Peas (seeds or plants)
•        Radish/radicchio/daikon/turnips
•        Spinach
•        Natives, Perennials, citrus – towards the end of September when it cools down

Chores include:

•        Transplant/divide irises, grasses, tuberous plants
•        Buy bulbs
•        Collect seeds
•        Clean up – pull out vegetables which are done, fallen fruit
•        Prune lavender, hydrangeas
•        Pests – whiteflies may be setting in…..keep an eye on

Listener Q&A section.  Topics covered include:

•        Aloe – odd white material on the soil underneath?
•        Morning glory – how to get rid of invasive overgrowth?
•        Century plant – now that it is blooming, how to care for?
•        Fiddle leaf fig – how to prune?
•        Tomato – can cuttings be taken for next year?

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:

•        Facebook
•        Instagram
•        email Marlene at [email protected]

Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

This episode is sponsored by bewatersmart.info.

The heat getting to you? There’s a good chance it’s also impacting your plants.  I discuss various heat related plant issues and ways to mitigate them.

To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:

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Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

This episode is sponsored by bewatersmart.info.

In this episode,  I discuss 10 of my favorite drought tolerant plants. Even if you think you don’t have a green thumb, these plants will thrive in your garden with minimal water requirements. Plus, I include pollinator information.

To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:

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Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

In this episode, I have a great conversation with the Chocolate Botanist, Derek Haynes. Hear about his journey becoming a plant biologist as well about his mission to debunk misinformation on the internet. We discuss his “favorite” myths and how he handles the backlash he receives on social media.

 Derek is a plethora of educational and entertaining information -- links below can be found to his variety of media.

• Instagram:  @thechocolatebotanist
• Website:  thecrazybotanist.com
• Facebook:  @thecrazybotanist
• YouTube:  @TheChocolateBotanist
• Twitter:  @crazybotanist

To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:

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Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Soil science can be a bit confusing. How long does it take for materials to be broken down, is it good practice to add microbes and what exactly are microbes? Robert Pavlis addresses these questions and more. Check out his new podcast Garden Fundamentals plus his impressive list of books including Soil Science for Gardeners and Compost Science for Gardeners. Check out more at his links below.

 Links below can be found to Robert’s vast expanse of media.

·       Podcast: Garden Fundamentals (available on Apple & Spotify)

·       Website:  gardenmyths.com

·       Facebook:  @GardenFundamentals

·       YouTube:  @Gardenfundamentals1

·       Books:

o   Soil Science for Gardeners

o   Plant Science for Gardeners

o   Compost Science for Gardeners

o   Microbe Science for Gardeners Book

o   Garden Myths – Book 1 and Book 2

To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:

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Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

If I was picked up and dropped into a gardening zone relatively different than mine, it would be a huge steep learning curve. I love talking to gardeners from zones different than my zone 9b and it doesn’t get much different than zone 3. I have a fun and educational chat with Theri Vasina LHirondelle who grows amazing flowers and veggies in Montana.

Theri can be found on Instagram at @backyard.impressions

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:

·       Facebook

·       Instagram

·       email Marlene at [email protected]

Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Dieffenbachia, ‘pothos’, Monstera… a great majority of houseplants are in the Araceae family which most people shorten to just say Aroids. I discuss this broad family with UC Davis  Botanical Conservatory  volunteer extraordinaire Bruce Ritter. He has revamped our collection and he shares all his tips and tricks with us.

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:

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·       email Marlene at [email protected]

Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Believe it or not, spring is around the corner.  Here in NorCal, it is still wet with periods of cold, so one does have to be careful with working soil and protecting from potentially freezes.  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:

·       Facebook

·       Instagram

·       email Marlene at [email protected]

Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook