The Gardenangelists: Flowers, Veggies, and All the Best Dirt

Latest Episodes:

The Great Seed Starting Soil Debate Jan 18, 2023

Show notes

This week, Carol and Dee talk about starting flower seeds, starting vegetable seeds, and several other gardening topics.
Head over to our Substack newsletter for more information about this week's episode. Be sure and subscribe to get the newsletter directly in your email inbox!
Some links:
Flowers:
Carol's article on growing mistletoe from seed.
Two older books on seed starting:
Seeds: The Definitive Guide to Growing, History & Lore by Peter Loewer (1995) (Amazon link to used copies)
Park’s Success with Seeds by Ann Reilly (1978) (Amazon link to used copies)

Veggies:
Two blog posts with more info:
Grow your own transplants from seed - Red Dirt Ramblings®
Starting tomato seeds - Red Dirt Ramblings®

On the Bookshelf:
Groundcover Revolution: How to use sustainable, low-maintenance, low-water groundcovers to replace your turf, by Kathy Jentz (Amazon Link)

Dirt:
Margaret Roach’s latest article in NYT: On flower seeds

Rabbit Holes:
Dee: What is a vitrectomy?
Carol: Another Lost Lady of Garden Writing (Josephine Nuese) and a Month by Month reading project.

The usual links:
Affiliate link to Botanical Interest Seeds. Book links are also affiliate links.
Email us anytime at TheGardenangelists@gmail.com

For more info on Carol and her books, visit her website. Visit her blog May Dreams Gardens.
For more info on Dee and her book, visit her website. Visit her blog Red Dirt Ramblings.

Support the show

On Instagram: Carol: Indygardener, Dee: RedDirtRamblings, Our podcast: TheGardenangelists.
On Facebook: The Gardenangelists' Garden Club.
On YouTube.

Build Your Gardening Confidence the Seedy Way Jan 11, 2023

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This week, Dee and Carol discuss the flower and vegetable seeds they'll be starting indoors, a new book on botany, and other gardening topics.
Head over to our Substack newsletter for more information about this week's episode. Be sure and subscribe to get the newsletter directly in your email inbox!
Some links:
Flowers:
All the flower links are in our substack newsletter, link above!
Veggies:
All the veggie lists are in our substack newsletter, link above!
On the Bookshelf:
A Gardener’s Guide to Botany by Scott Zona, Phd (Amazon Link)

Dirt:
World’s Hottest Pepper! Mike Rowe Battles Carolina Reaper Seeds! | Dirty Jobs

A few other links:
Seed Savers Exchange

Horticulture Week Podcastcr (from the UK)

Carol’s Family Handyman article on deciphering tomato seed and plant labels

Craig LeHoullier’s website, author of Epic Tomatoes

The usual links:
Affiliate link to Botanical Interest Seeds. Book links are also affiliate links.
Email us anytime at TheGardenangelists@gmail.com

For more info on Carol and her books, visit her website. Visit her blog May Dreams Gardens.
For more info on Dee and her book, visit her website. Visit her blog Red Dirt Ramblings.

Support the show

On Instagram: Carol: Indygardener, Dee: RedDirtRamblings, Our podcast: TheGardenangelists.
On Facebook: The Gardenangelists' Garden Club.
On YouTube.

It's the Year of Gardening, For Us Jan 04, 2023

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This week, Dee and Carol go through the list of "Year of" plants announced by the National Garden Bureau, discuss favorite books of 2022, and provide updates of all sorts.
Head over to our Substack newsletter for more information about this week's episode. Be sure and subscribe to get the newsletter directly in your email inbox!
Some links (more links on the newsletter!)
Flowers:
Check out more info on the Year of Plants on the National Garden Bureau website.
Carol's article on Family Handyman about celosia
'Lavender Cloud' nicotiana from Hudson Valley Seeds
Veggies:
Carol's article on How to grow broccoli in Family Handyman

Midnight Snack cherry tomatoes an All-America Selection back in the heyday of 2017.
On the Bookshelf:
The Chef’s Garden by Farmer Lee Jones
Dirt:
They Fought the Lawn. And the Lawn’s Done. - The New York Times.

Rabbit Holes:
Mildred Luedy who wrote The Christmas Rose with her husband, Arthur.
The usual links:
Affiliate link to Botanical Interest Seeds. Book links are also affiliate links.
Email us anytime at TheGardenangelists@gmail.com

For more info on Carol and her books, visit her website. Visit her blog May Dreams Gardens.
For more info on Dee and her book, visit her website. Visit her blog Red Dirt Ramblings.

Support the show

On Instagram: Carol: Indygardener, Dee: RedDirtRamblings, Our podcast: TheGardenangelists.
On Facebook: The Gardenangelists' Garden Club.
On YouTube.

The Christmas Rose and Lots of New Plants Dec 21, 2022

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On this week’s episodes, Dee and Carol talk about new All-America Selections for 2023, a book on birding, and the Legend of the Christmas Rose.
Go to our Substack newsletter for more information about this week's episode including why we gave this episode that title. Be sure and subscribe to get the newsletter directly in your email inbox!

Here are some links:

Flowers:

Coleus ‘Premium Sun Coral Candy’, perfect for containers!

Salvia ‘Blue by You’, a lovely perennial salvia hardy to zone 4B

Snapdragon ‘DoubleShot™ Orange Bicolor F1’, so pretty!

Leucanthemum ‘Carpet Angel®’, a groundcover Shasta Daisy

Colocasia ‘ROYAL HAWAIIAN® Waikiki’, the first All-America Colocasia winner

Vegetables:

Jalapeno Pepper ‘San Joaquin’ (National Winner)

Kabocha Squash ‘Sweet Jade’ (National Winner)

Tomato ‘Zenzei’ (Regional Winner)

On the bookshelf:

Slow Birding: The Art and Science of Enjoying Birds in Your Own Backyardby Joan E. Strassmann(Amazon Link).

We also mentioned another book, The Bluebird Effect: Uncommon Bonds with Common Birds by Julie Zickefoose (Amazon Link)

The birding movie we mentioned: The Big Year

Dirt:

The Legend of the Christmas Rose: Five Christmas Paintings and Their Interpretations by Henry E. Jackson, M.A. (1914). (Good used copies if you search enough. Reprints if you must.)

Rabbit Holes:

Carol’s blog post about her grandmother’s school assignment.
The usual stuff:
Affiliate link to Botanical Interest Seeds. Book links are also affiliate links.
Email us anytime at TheGardenangelists@gmail.com

For more info on Carol and her books, visit her website. Visit her blog May Dreams Gardens.
For more info on Dee and her book, visit her website. Visit her blog Red Dirt Ramblings.

Merry Christmas!

Support the show

On Instagram: Carol: Indygardener, Dee: RedDirtRamblings, Our podcast: TheGardenangelists.
On Facebook: The Gardenangelists' Garden Club.
On YouTube.

Two Gardeners Out of Control Dec 14, 2022

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Dee and Carol talked about zinnias (again), growing greens, the Pantone color of the year and more on this week's episode.
Go to our Substack newsletter for more information about this week's episode including why we gave this episode that title. Be sure and subscribe to get the newsletter directly in your email inbox!
Links:
Flowers:
Zinnia seeds at Eden Brothers
Zinnia angustifolia 'Crystal White' seeds at Pinetree Garden Seeds
Miss Willmott’s Ghosts by Sandra Lawrence (Amazon Link)

Veggies:
Dee's blog post on beans and greens
Carol's blog post on heirloom lettuce varieties
Bloomsdale Spinach at Botanical Interests
Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce at Botanical Interests
On the Bookshelf:
My Father is the Gardener: Devotions in Botany and Gardening of the Bible by Shelley S. Cramm. Order from BRIT Press. Discount code THANKS20 to get 20% off, order by 12/18 to get delivery by Christmas. (This is not an affiliate link.) For more info about the illustrator, visit her website: Layla Luna. For more info about Shelley, visit her website, Garden in Delight.

Rabbit Holes: Tree DNA helped police...
The usual stuff:
Affiliate link to Botanical Interest Seeds. Book links are also affiliate links.
Email us anytime at TheGardenangelists@gmail.com

For more info on Carol and her books, visit her website. Visit her blog May Dreams Gardens.
For more info on Dee and her book, visit her website. Visit her blog Red Dirt Ramblings.

Support the show

On Instagram: Carol: Indygardener, Dee: RedDirtRamblings, Our podcast: TheGardenangelists.
On Facebook: The Gardenangelists' Garden Club.
On YouTube.

Super Gardeners... Maybe. Dec 07, 2022

Show notes

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Dee and Carol talk about florist's cycleman, chlorophyll sauce, and the smells of Christmas.
Go to our Substack newsletter for more information about this week's episode including why we gave this episode that title. Be sure and subscribe to get the newsletter directly in your email inbox!
Links:
Flowers:
Cyclamen Society link.
Information on cyclamen from NC Extension

Veggies:
Chlorophyll sauce: The video showing how they made it is at 17:17 on La Pitchoune on Discovery Plus.
On the Bookshelf:
Common Spring Woodland Wildflowers in the Midwest: A Pocket Guide by Tess Park (Amazon link)
Dirt:
Impactful scent of a real Christmas tree
November 11, St. Martin’s Day,
Candle: Paddywax called Cypress and Fir.
Rabbit Holes:
Carols and Crumpets returns to Tulsa Garden Center

Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Womanby Lucy Worsley (Amazon Link)

The usual stuff:
Affiliate link to Botanical Interest Seeds. Book links are also affiliate links.
Email us anytime at TheGardenangelists@gmail.com

For more info on Carol and her books, visit her website. Visit her blog May Dreams Gardens.
For more info on Dee and her book, visit her website. Visit her blog Red Dirt Ramblings.

Support the show

On Instagram: Carol: Indygardener, Dee: RedDirtRamblings, Our podcast: TheGardenangelists.
On Facebook: The Gardenangelists' Garden Club.
On YouTube.

Oh A Bulbing We Will Go! Nov 30, 2022

Show notes

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This week, Carol and Dee talk about forcing bulbs vs. tropical bulbs, ube, microgreens, and other unusual plants.
Go to our Substack newsletter for more information about this week's episode including why we gave this episode that title. Be sure and subscribe to get the newsletter directly in your email inbox!
Links:

Dee’s new plant: Green Galaxy monstera!

Flowers: Forcing bulbs in vintage bowls and other containers - Red Dirt Ramblings®

Carol FH Christmas Plants article with mention of all the bulbs you could ever want to force for Christmas.

Forcing snowdrops, a blog post by Carol

Vegetables:

What is ube?

Purple sweet potato plants at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

Mexican sour gherkins at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

Bitter Gourd at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

On the Bookshelf: American Roots: Lessons and Inspiration from the Designers Reimagingin Our Home Gardensby Teresa Woodard, Nick McCullough, and Alison McCullough

Dirt:

Microgreens! The origins

A sweet video by Sophia Blackall as well.

Rabbit Holes:

All There Is with Anderson Cooper on Apple Podcasts.

Cicely Mary Barker and her flower fairies

The usual stuff:
Affiliate link to Botanical Interest Seeds. Book links are also affiliate links.
Email us anytime at TheGardenangelists@gmail.com

For more info on Carol and her books, visit her website. Visit her blog May Dreams Gardens.
For more info on Dee and her book, visit her website. Visit her blog Red Dirt Ramblings.

Support the show

On Instagram: Carol: Indygardener, Dee: RedDirtRamblings, Our podcast: TheGardenangelists.
On Facebook: The Gardenangelists' Garden Club.
On YouTube.

Nothing About Gardening is Quick Nov 23, 2022

Show notes

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This week, we talked about planning in the garden for both flowers and vegetables, another new cookbook, and we cut into the topic of pruners.
Go to our Substack newsletter for more information about this week's episode including why we gave this episode that title. Be sure and subscribe to get the newsletter directly in your email inbox!

Flowers:

It's time to plan for next year's garden - Red Dirt Ramblings®

Veggies:

Using a Trello board to plan and track your garden.
Our old episode about how to grow a basic summer vegetable garden

On the bookshelf: The Apricot Lane Farms Cookbook: Recipes and Stories from the Biggest Little Farm, by Molly Chester with Sarah Owens (Amazon link)

Some Dirt:

Cutting Edge Technology: History of Seceuters

Favorite pruners today: This set of little pruners and shears. Of course, you can’t go wrong with Felcos, but make sure to try the different sizes. And Dee loves her Dramm pruners.

Dee’s Rabbit Hole: La Pitchoune: Cooking in France - Official Trailer | Magnolia Network

Carol’s post about forcing Lily of the Valley into bloom, 1897 style

And the usual stuff:

Email us anytime at TheGardenangelists@gmail.com
For more info on Carol and her books, visit her website. Visit her blog May Dreams Gardens.
For more info on Dee and her book, visit her website. Visit her blog Red Dirt Ramblings.

Support the show

On Instagram: Carol: Indygardener, Dee: RedDirtRamblings, Our podcast: TheGardenangelists.
On Facebook: The Gardenangelists' Garden Club.
On YouTube.

Our Thoughts Turn To Winter Gardening Nov 16, 2022

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Season 5, Episode 2!
Dee and Carol talk about Christmas/Thanksgiving cactus, growing herbs indoors, walking in bad weather, and more.
Go to our Substack newsletter for more information about this week's episode including why we gave this episode that title. Be sure and subscribe to get the newsletter directly in your email inbox!
Links:
Carols' FH article about Christmas plants
Carol's blog post channeling Star Trek

Flowers:
We might cringe but here's an old, old episode we recorded...The Gardenangelists Episode 2 - Christmas Cactus, Where art thou?
Carol's FH article about Christmas Cactus

Veggies:

Some articles by Dee including: How To Grow Basil and How To Grow Rosemary | The Family Handyman

Carol's FH article on microgreens

A book: Herbal Houseplants by Susan Betz.

Also Botanical Interests has an article about growing herbs indoors. (Affiliate link)

On the Bookshelf: Farmhouse, by Sophie Blackall (Amazon link) and the YouTube video about the book

Dirt: Bad weather is good for you: take a walk in the wind and rain
Rabbit Holes:
Talimena Drive to see fall foliage
Another Lost Lady of Garden Writing, Lizzie Page Hillhouse.

Affiliate link to Botanical Interest Seeds. Book links are also affiliate links.
Email us anytime at TheGardenangelists@gmail.com
For more info on Carol and her books, visit her website. Visit her blog May Dreams Gardens.
For more info on Dee and her book, visit her website. Visit her blog Red Dirt Ramblings.

Support the show

On Instagram: Carol: Indygardener, Dee: RedDirtRamblings, Our podcast: TheGardenangelists.
On Facebook: The Gardenangelists' Garden Club.
On YouTube.

Gardening Talk All Over the Place! Nov 09, 2022

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Season 5, Episode 1!
Dee and Carol talk about orchid houseplants, cold frames, a new book on ground covers, regenerative farming, and more this week.
Go to our Substack newsletter for more information about this week's episode including why we gave this episode that title. Be sure and subscribe to get the newsletter directly in your email inbox!
Links:
Good info on Phalaenopsis care from University of Maryland Extension:
Marianne Willburn's blog post on Garden Rant mentioning fake orchids at Costco.

Dee's info on What Is a Cold Frame Greenhouse? | The Family Handyman and her blog post: My tropical plants are all tucked into the greenhouse - Red Dirt Ramblings®

On the Bookshelf: The Complete Book of Ground Covers, by Gary Lewis. (Amazon link)

Dirt:
Article on geomapping old nurseries in Great Britain.

Article on Why experts say you shouldn't bag your leaves this fall : NPR and Leave the Leaves: Winter Habitat Protection | Xerces Society

The Rabbit Hole: Regenerative Agriculture: Will Harris, 4th generation Georgia rancher and farmer and Allan Savory Ted Talk

The usual links:

Support the show

On Instagram: Carol: Indygardener, Dee: RedDirtRamblings, Our podcast: TheGardenangelists.
On Facebook: The Gardenangelists' Garden Club.
On YouTube.