Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley

Latest Episodes:

Episode 19: Community Gardens Jun 02, 2022

Show notes

Community Gardens are a timely topic for this episode where you’ll hear from Kim Bender and Eliza Spear on the how the Community Garden in Coxsackie, NY was founded and maintained. They also touch upon the very popular Coxsackie Farmer’s Market. Then learn all about irises with Linda Levitt (Flower Power).This episode concludes with coral being the color of the day in a conversation about Heuchera and Native Honeysuckle on the latest Cover Up segment with Jean Thomas and Tim Kennelty. Enjoy!

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guests: Kim Bender and Eliza Spear

Photo by: Tim Kennelty

Production Support from: Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden,

Transcript and Resources

Episode 18: Jumping Worms May 26, 2022

Show notes

Jumping worms (also know as crazy worms) are invading gardens, lawns and forests throughout the Hudson Valley. Get the latest information about these pests from Josef Gorres (University of Vermont) and how to identify and manage them on your lot. Then, Jean Thomas explains the meaning behind many botanical plant names. A worthwhile listen!

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guest:: Joseph Gorez

Photo by: Tim Kennelty

Production Support: Linda Aydlett and Teresa Golden

Transcript and Resources

Episode 17: Lawns and Turf Grass May 19, 2022

Show notes

Spring weather refocuses us on our lawns. Join David Chinery from Cornell Cooperative Extension as he talks about turf issues and the best way to care for or improve our lawns. Then join Heidi Bock (Trekking the Trails) as she explores Borden’s Bond, near Chatham, New York. This 1.6 mile trail features a great forest setting that can be used for hiking, walking, trail running and nature trips. We hope you get inspired and get outdoors!

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guest: David Chinery

Photo by: Tim Kennelty

Production Support: Linda Aydlett and Teresa Golden

Resources and Transcript

Episode 16: Pollinators May 12, 2022

Show notes

Pollinators are the subject of this passionate conversation with Master Gardener Volunteer and podcast co-founder, Tim Kennelty. Learn about their role in the ecosystem and some of his favorite bees, butterflies and moths. Then join Teresa Golden in a segment about how to start seeds at home for your Veggie Patch. This is followed by another fascinating description of the role of field bees with Linda Aydlett (Hum of the Hive). Lots of great content in this episode!

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guest: Tim Kennelty

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden, Tim Kennelty, Jean Thomas

Photo by Tim Kennelty

Episode 15: Berkshire Botanical Garden May 05, 2022

Show notes

Listen to a wonderful virtual tour of Berkshire Botanical Garden, located in Stockbridge, MA, with Master Gardener Volunteer Linda Levitt. She provides a vivid description of the history of these gardens as well as an overview of what you’ll see if you stop by. Then stay tuned for a segment on the Spongy Moth (formerly known as the gypsy moth) with Dede Terns-Thorpe and Jackie Hayden (Pests and Pathogens).This forest pest defoliated many trees last summer and this episode may help you to understand what can be done to manage any reoccurrence. Finally, Dirr’s Manual of Woody Landscape Plants is the topic of Tools of the Trade with Joan Satterlee. This ‘go-to’ guide helps you learn to identify and help these plants thrive.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guest: Linda Levitt

Photo by Tim Kennelty

Production Support:: Linda Aydlett and Teresa Golden

Resources and Transcript

Episode 14: Poison Ivy Apr 28, 2022

Show notes

Join the podcast co-founders with a lively discussion about the dreaded poison ivy. Learn how to identify it, control it, and treat your symptoms should you be allergic to its oils. Then the focus of Good Plant/Bad Plant with Tim Kennelty is Serviceberry and Invasive Bittersweet. Are your plants looking for a friend? Deven Russ (Hits and Myths) discusses the realities of companion planting.

Photo by: Tim Kennelty

Production Support from: Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden, Dorian Hyland, Mary Ann Iaccino, Deven Connely, and Sandra Linnell

Transcript and Resources

Episode 13: New York Breeding Bird Atlas Apr 21, 2022

Show notes

Kathryn Schneider rejoins the podcast with a discussion about the upcoming New York Breeding Bird Atlas. Discover how it is created and how you can help! This is followed by a Linda Levitt (Flower Power) covering an early spring flowering plant, the hellebore. This episode concludes with a description of two wild strawberry plants and the Scarlet Runner Bean (The Cover Up with Jean Thomas and Tim Kennelty).

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guest: Kathryn Schneider

Resources and Transcript

Episode 12: Holiday Plants Apr 14, 2022

Show notes

Holiday Plants are the topic of conversation with Rachael Ashley from Story’s Nursery in Freehold, NY. She discusses the wide range of gift plants that are available throughout the year, from Valentine’s Day through the year-end holiday season. Then tune in for a great description of the Harris Conservation Area by Heidi Bock (Trekking the Trails), as she talks about amphibians including wood frogs and spotted salamanders. This episode concludes with a great insight from Jean Thomas (It’s All Greek) about the use of color in botanical names. Enjoy!

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guest: Rachael Ashley

Episode 11: Seed Starting Apr 07, 2022

Show notes

Seed Starting is a very timely topic for this podcast episode. Briana Davis, from Greene Bee Greenhouse ltd. located in Cornwallville, NY, joins hosts Jean Thomas and Tim Kennelty, for a wonderful overview of the ‘behind-the-scenes’ process used to grow a wide variety of vegetable and perennials, including ~40 tomato cultivars. Then stay tuned for the Veggie Patch, with Teresa Golden, where she discusses how to determine and improve the quality of your soil to grow a healthy garden. Finally, stay tuned for The Hum of the Hive with Linda Aydlett where the focus shifts to the role of the House Bee. Fascinating indeed!

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guest: Briana Davis

Resources and Transcript

Episode 10: Wildflowers and Foraging Mar 31, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, join Master Gardener Volunteers in a fascinating conversation with Tracey Testo of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties. She discusses the many wildflowers and woodland foraging opportunities that can be found in the forest. Tracey brings her passion and an amazing wealth of information that inspires us to take a fresh look at the world around us. Then stay tuned for Pests and Pathogens featuring Dede Terns-Thorpe and Jackie Hayden who discuss beetles, both good and bad. Finally, Joan Satterlee (Tools of the Trade) tells us how the Audubon Native Plant database can help you choose just the right native for your landscape.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guest: Tracey Testo Smith

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