FREE In-store Pick Up. Delivery Rates vary (determined at checkout).

Podcast

Helpful Gardeners Podcast: Year in Review, Our Fav Moments of 2023

Posted on by Brandi

Welcome back to the Helpful Gardeners Podcast. How’s it growing? This week, we’re wrapping up 2023 with a look back at all our favourite moments, guests, and  fun we had talking about gardening.  Colin and I can’t believe we’re coming up on a year of growing our passion project. We started this project as a couple of friends who work for a local garden centre in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Our sole aim was to make gardening accessible and fun for everyone. We’ve explored seed starting, garden critters, weather, houseplant maintenance, avoiding garden burnout, and even the spicy topics like World Naked Gardening Day. Let’s look back on out top 10 favourite episodes this year on the Helpful Gardeners Podcast:


TOP 10 FAVOURITE EPISODES OF 2023

Seed Starting: Is it for you?

Our most streamed episode of 2023 Sometimes we have to be strategic in our gardening endeavors based on our lifestyle and space. This was a great episode to explore what’s involved in seed starting so you know what path to take heading into the garden season. .


Canadian Symbols

Colin’s favourite episode was our Canada Day special because we explore all sorts of Canadian symbols in the garden…. and out of it. I think at one point we started talking about license plates and horses?! It was fun and a highlight of the year.


Halloween Special

Our first, and only, appearance on camera. We dressed as garden gnomes, ate snacks, told a scary story, and talked about the spooky toxic garden located in the UK.

FIND COLIN THE CATERPILLAR CANDY AND MORE


Fall Clean Up | Autumn Mini Series

Our autumn mini series was a hit! We dived into all the different elements of putting the garden to bed.


Planting Amaryllis and Bringing Fictional Plants to Life

This was another highly streamed episode as we unwrapped everything about the Amaryllis, including the #AmaryllisChallenge… which I failed. But Colin got me a flowering one for Christmas and it made me feel better. I really loved our “Hypothetical Question of the Week” about bringing fictional plants to life.


Enjoying Your Garden and Avoiding Burnout

We know there are many health benefits associated with gardening, but I think we could talk about garden burnout more. Sometimes we take on a lot during the gardening season, and this is an episode that goes into how to enjoy it in a sustainable way.


Houseplant Maintenance

Going back to one of our first episodes about houseplants. Lots of good nuggets in here like repotting, soil, fertilizer, watering and more.


Fertilizer: How to buy it, use it and store it

This was one of the most important episodes for us to do this year, because it’s one of the most frequently asked questions at the garden centre. We  recognize the benefits of fertilizer, especially in climates with a shorter growing season, but there’s so many kinds. In this episode, Colin lays out a nice road map to follow.


Behind the Poppy

The poppy is such an important symbol of Remembrance and it was really cool to explore more about this flower.


Prepping Your Garden for Spring

While we still have a beautiful winter season ahead, I can’t help but plan ahead toward a beautiful spring. This was a great episode to have your tool kit as it covers things you can do in your garden once the snow melts even before planting a single plant!


SHOUT OUT TO OUR GUESTS AND FRIENDS

Gardening isn’t one size fits all. There’s always going to be new ways of doing things and that’s why we were so lucky to have many of our friends pop by to visit the podcast this year, Check out this

Shelley Vance, Scotts Canada

From Vancouver, BC our friend Shelley joined us for a couple episodes to help us keep our lawns looking their brightest! We loved her relatable advice for every gardener.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SCOTTS CANADA



Jean-Mathieu Daoust, Let it Grow Horticulture Services

Our friend, and colleague, Jean has a strong passion for trees and shrubs which is why we’ve invited him onto the podcast twice this year!

CONTACT JEAN AT LET IT GROW HORTICULTURE (587-574-4709)



Elise Watson, ABC Bees

In honour of World Pollinator Week, we sat down with Elise Watson, an educator and community leader for beekeepers all across North America. Her company, ABC Bees, offers courses, webinars, and workshops for those interested in learning more about bees! On the podcast, she shared some buzzworthy information on selecting bee friendly flowers for your garden. Check out the full episode for information on how to attend her “Field Days” in 2024.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ABC BEES


Erin Neal, Senior Coordinator with the Calgary Drop-in Centre

Our friend, and neighbour, Erin came on the podcast to talk more about the community garden she started in the affordable housing program. She’s witnessed the benefits gardening has had on the residents.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CALGARY DROP-IN CENTRE


THANK YOU

Listener, thank YOU! You are truly the sunshine in our podcast garden. Thank you for supporting this little passion project and for making the world a more planty place. We hope you reached your biggest garden goals in 2024, and we hope to be along for the ride.

A big shout out to Golden Acre Home & Garden for giving us the support to blossom on this incredible platform. Coming up, we’re going to set some garden intentions, try to keep a poinsettia alive, and maybe even hit the road to visit a garden or two.

Happy new Year and we’ll catch you next week on the Helpful Gardeners Podcast.

*************************

CONNECT WITH US

Thank you so much for supporting our podcast and for making the world a more planty place. Please subscribe, leave a rating or review and listen in for new gardening discussions every week!

Subscribe to our show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Google⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (SUBJECT: PODCAST)

Translate »

Calcium Nitrate:

Mix Ratio: Apply ¼ teaspoon per 2 litres once a week. I full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended preventing blossom end rot and calcium deficiency in tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchinis, and cannabis. It is also highly beneficial for all leafy greens and cruciferous plants (cabbage, Brussel sprouts, broccoli etc.).

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Iron Chelate

Mix Ratio: Soil drench – apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix ratio: Foliar spray - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 4 Litres of water once every 4 weeks. A full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended for correcting iron deficiency in a variety of plants grown in high pH soil. Iron deficiency is diagnosed by the yellowing or pale colour of the plant leaves, especially in young growth.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

High Drainage

Moisten Thoroughly before use: (optional) Peat moss can be water-repellent. Before use, thoroughly wet the soil.

Potting:

Use pots with drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Fill the pot with the moistened soil, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more soil.

Firm the soil gently.

Watering:

This is crucial! Water frequently, especially during hot weather.

Check the soil moisture regularly by sticking your finger into the soil.

Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is low in nutrients, fertilize regularly with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

Consider Amendments:

For plants that prefer more moisture retention, you can add a small amount of coco coir or vermiculite to the mix.

Important Notes:

Overwatering: While frequent watering is necessary, avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

Plant Selection: This type of soil is well-suited for seed starting as well as plants that prefer well-drained conditions, such as cacti, cannabis, succulents, and some tropical plants.

Adjustments: You may need to adjust your watering frequency based on the specific plant and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sunlight).

Alberta Blend

Moisten the Peat Moss before use: (optional) Peat moss can be hydrophobic (water-repellent) when dry. Before using it, thoroughly moisten it. You can do this by placing it in a container and adding water, then squeezing out any excess.

Mixing: (optional) Our Private Label Alberta Blend comes ready to use, expertly formulated for your plants, either indoors or outdoors.

If you're using this mix as your own base, combine it with worm castings, volcanic dust, vermiculite, etc. to improve nutrition, drainage and/or aeration.

Potting:

When potting your plants, ensure that the pot has drainage holes.

Fill the pot with the moistened potting mix, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more potting mix.

Lightly firm the soil around the plant leaving ½ inch to an inch of space at the top for watering.

Watering:

Because peat moss retains water, be careful not to overwater.

Allow the top layer of soil to dry out slightly before watering again.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is nutrient-poor, you'll need to provide your plants with regular fertilization.

Use the correct fertilizer according to the plant's needs.

20-20-20 Houseplant Complete

Mix Ratio: For all houseplants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week once every week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

It is highly recommended to start your houseplants on a fertilizer regime, but only while they are actively growing. Houseplants tend to have a period of dormancy (normally winter, however poinsettias, Xmas cacti etc. are exceptions to this rule) and whilst dormant they should not be fertilized.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

22-6-15 Plus Herb and Leafy Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all herbaceous and leafy vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This fertilizer is ideal for all leafy vegetables and for herbs. This product can be used year-round if you grow herbs indoors.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

20-12-28 Tomato and Fruiting Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all fruiting vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Use this fertilizer on planting day and push right through until the plant either stops producing or reaches the end of season. In the case of transplanted seedlings this fertilizer should be used after the 2 feedings of Js - Jump-Start & Transplant.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

10-52-10 Jump-Start & Transplant

Mix Ratio: For outdoor summer plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Normally two applications, one at the time of transplanting, the second application can be done one week later from the initial fertilizing. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix Ratio: For seed starting - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Do not over water seedlings, feed every 2 weeks until transplanted outside. Feed them at the time of transplanting outdoors, then one more feeding a week later. After that start using the correct fertilizer for type of plant. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

 e.g. Vt Vegetable: Tomato and Fruiting for tomatoes, F3 Flower flower flower for bedding out/annual plants.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

4-5-28 Perennial Complete

Mix Ratio: All perennials (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks from spring to late summer. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your perennials. For existing perennials, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. new shoots etc.). For new perennials we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

28-14-14 Plus Trees and Shrubs - Fruit and Flower

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water per week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your fruiting and flowering trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

14-7-21 Tree and Shrub Leaf & Needle

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your evergreen/coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

15-10-30 Flower, Flower, Flower

Mix Ratio: Outdoor plants (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water twice a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your annual plants. We recommend starting to fertilize at time of planting outdoors and go through to first frost.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.