Welcome to the Helpful Gardeners, a weekly podcast diving into the home and garden topics you want to learn more about. We hope to inform, inspire, and bring the fun as two friends who work together and go wild over gardening. Colin is a certified horticulturist with decades of experience working in landscaping, gardening and houseplants in various climactic zones. Brandi is a beginner with a passion to ask questions. Subscribe to catch new episodes every Sunday!
So, you know how things go when you're tidying up the garden in the fall? Brandi's husband got really into his cleanup this year and ended up building something totally awesome: a bug hotel! It got us thinking about these cool little shelters and how they're basically VIP lounges for all the helpful insects that keep our gardens thriving. As the weather gets chilly, these tiny neighbors need a safe spot to crash, so let's get into the low-down on building a snug bug hotel in your own space!----------------------CONNECT WITH USThank 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! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
Have you ever stood in the nursery aisle feeling totally overwhelmed by choices? Do you have a Pinterest board full of inspiration but not sure how to narrow it down? Well, the National Garden Bureau (NGB) just gave us the ultimate planting list for a little inspiration. They recently announced their official "Year Of" selections for 2026, and it's a super helpful list covering everything from shade lovers to spicy edibles.The NGB picks a handful of plants each year across six major categories—annuals, edibles, bulbs, perennials, shrubs, and houseplants—to shine a spotlight on, giving us all permission to become experts on these specific beauties. I don't know about you, but it's nice to find these lists for a little nudge to get the ball rolling on a planning sesh.----------------------CONNECT WITH USThank 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! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
It's one of the greatest feelings: walking out of the nursery with a new houseplant baby. But, if you've ever had a plant instantly start dropping leaves or, worse, introduce an unwelcome pest to your collection, you know that the journey from the store shelf to your living room is the most crucial part of its life! We got a great question from Nicole this week that we're answering on the podcast.----------------------CONNECT WITH USThank 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! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
If you've been following the news about Monarch Butterflies, you know that life for these delicate travelers has been looking pretty rough. However, there's a ray of hope we need to talk about in this episode.----------------------CONNECT WITH USThank 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! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
Has your backyard (and pretty much every park path) been turned into an obstacle course of crunchy, rolling acorns lately? This week, we dive into "mast years"—nature's boom-and-bust cycle that oak trees go through with nut production. Learn why your local squirrels are having the feast of their lives, where the word "acorn" actually comes from, and a childhood favourite, and not so favourite, of Colin's.----------------------CONNECT WITH USThank 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! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
Learning how to save the seeds is the ultimate trick to scoring a guaranteed bumper crop of all your favorite garden goodies. Plus, Colin brings another treasure from his garden to try and it's cuca-amazing!----------------------CONNECT WITH USThank 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! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
This week, Brandi found a random Nerf dart stuck in her perennial border, and that sparked a serious (and slightly hilarious) question: What would happen if you found actual space junk in your yard? While we were laughing about toy foam, farmers across the Prairies are seriously being asked to keep an eye out for debris from satellites!----------------------CONNECT WITH USThank 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! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic----------------------CONNECT WITH USThank 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! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
Happy Halloween, plant friends! This week, we're getting into the spooky spirit by dressing up as ghosts! We're diving into the creepiest plants and fungi that carry the word 'Ghost' (or something equally spooky!) right in their name. Plus, Colin brought either a trick or a treat from his garden and things get heated...---------------------CONNECT WITH USThank 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! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
We took a journey to the sky, exploring a gardening method that's been guiding humans for centuries: Moon Gardening. It turns out the moon doesn't just control the tides; for gardeners, it might also control what you plant and when! Shout out to Jennifer for sending us this question:"This was my first year gardening and I've got the bug! I've started planning my garden for next year and read some things about planting by moon cycles. I was wondering if you could give some info on this topic - is it total bunk or actually useful?"----------------------CONNECT WITH USThank 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! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
October is here, and while we love the changing leaves and pumpkin spice everything, it's also Mental Health Awareness Month. For ages, we've felt better just being around our plants, whether we're weeding the garden or admiring a thriving Pothos in the kitchen. But is it real, or is it just wishful thinking from a bunch of plant-obsessed people? We dove into a fascinating article from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) that scientifically backs up what we already suspected: Your plants are legitimately good for your brain!----------------------CONNECT WITH USThank 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! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
Did you know that the City of Calgary has an Online Tree Map?! Seriously, this map is a game-changer for anyone who loves local greenery and is curious about what trees are in their neighbourhood. Whether you're planning your next walk or just curious about the billion-dollar canopy over your head, you absolutely have to check this out. Listen to the episode to hear our reactions. then go explore the map yourself! ----------------------CONNECT WITH USThank 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! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
On our latest episode, we dove into bringing those beloved outdoor plants indoors for the winter! And while it's exciting to extend the life of your greenery, especially those trendy Boston ferns that Brandi (and everyone else!) loved this growing season, there's a crucial step many overlook.----------------------CONNECT WITH USThank 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! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Show Notes | www.goldenacre.ca/podcast Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
How would you truly live if money were no object? This week, we kick off with Brandi and Colin's rich life fantasies—a constant skill-share party and a botanical dream conservatory—before we dive into a bizarre reality: a new study suggesting that gold might literally be growing inside the needles of a certain tree! Get ready for a conversation that blends aspirational living with actual buried treasure.----------------------CONNECT WITH USThank 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! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
What is that distinct, earthy smell of wet leaves that we love so much this time of year? There's a word for that. Plus, we explore the real MVP in our house this time of year and how it can really work wonders on your air quality heading into winter. ----------------------CONNECT WITH USThank 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! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
Many gardeners purchase fall bulbs—garlic, tulips, daffodils—as soon as they hit the store shelves in early September. The problem is, the ideal planting time is not about the calendar; it's about the cold.Read more on the blog: https://www.goldenacre.ca/podcast/----------------------CONNECT WITH USThank 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! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
Happy Thanksgiving! We give thanks for the profound connections that bind us all, from the animal kingdom to the forest floor. We honor the legendary Dr. Jane Goodall and her revolutionary work with chimpanzees, and dive deep into the groundbreaking research of Dr. Suzanne Simard, the visionary behind the Mother Tree Project. Discover the "wood-wide web," a secret underground network where trees talk, share resources, and nurture their young. Join us for an inspiring conversation about community, kinship, and the hidden wisdom of the natural world.Read more on the blog: https://www.goldenacre.ca/podcast/----------------------CONNECT WITH USThank 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! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcastCREDITSHosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin HaylesVoiceover by: Kaelan ShimpMusic by: Forestmusic
On today's episode, we're bridging that annoying gap between you and your static green roommate. You know the struggle: Does it need water? Did I overwater it? Is it growing?That's why we're obsessed with the Tilt Planter, a clever design by Doris Xu. This isn't just a pretty pot; it's a dynamic little scale! The system is built with a curved aluminum base, a traditional terracotta pot, and some perfectly balanced weights.Read more on the blog: https://www.goldenacre.ca/podcast/----------------------CONNECT WITH USThank 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! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Diving into one of the most uniquely Minnesota traditions: the incredible Crop Art Exhibit at the State Fair. If you've never seen it, imagine meticulous mosaics made entirely of seeds—and it's a huge deal!----------------------CONNECT WITH USThank 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! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
Are your snacks feeling a little... basic? This week, we're talking about food that's truly worth the wait, with one that's just delightfully weird.----------------------CONNECT WITH USThank 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! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
We're sitting down with our friend, Nathan Gill, of Ecologic Horticulture to talk native plants! We've been sitting on this episode for a while just due to baby and life over the summer so it's extra polished and full of all sorts of goodies. Dig in to learn about the benefits of native plants, how to incorporate them in your garden, and the various projects they work on including one that the Helpful Gardeners even got to be a part of in Calgary, AB!-------------------See more about Ecologic Horticulture on their websitewww.ecologichorticulture.com----------------------CONNECT WITH USThank 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! Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodLeave us a Voice Note: www.goldenacre.ca/podcast
We're back! After a hiatus for family and rest, the gardeners are picking up their gloves and teasing some new episodes of the podcast this fall!***********************CONNECT WITH USThank 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 on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleHave a question or comment for Colin or Brandi?Leave a Voice Note: LINKInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodSHOW NOTES | CLICK HEREGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 days a year for all your home and garden needs!
The Canada Strong Pass is available now until September 2!The Canada Strong Pass is breaking down barriers for Summer 2026 to encourage more visits to some of Canadas most iconic places. There is so much diversity in the foral found around Alberta and the rest of the country from trees to grasses, and especially wildflowers. What can see out your back door? Are you making a trip to take in more of Canada's natural beauty this summer?Chapters00:00 Exploring Canada's Natural Beauty05:30 The Canada Strong Pass: Access to National Parks08:04 Understanding Alberta's Flora: Trees and Grasses10:47 Wildflowers and Their Importance in Alberta13:24 The Role of Fireweed and Other Native Plants16:04 The Beauty of Blue Flowers and Unique Flora18:48 Conservation and Enjoyment of Nature***********************CONNECT WITH USThank 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 on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleHave a question or comment for Colin or Brandi?Leave a Voice Note: LINKInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodSHOW NOTES | CLICK HEREGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
"It's part of a cycle of nature"Today, we're exploring the increase in wildfire activity in our community and how it impacts our gardens. We're talking the life cycle of forests, the causes of wildfires, and the effects of smoke on plants. We even dive into the nutritional implications of smoke on vegetables! Let's better understand the environmental changes and adapting gardening practices during wildfire events. Chapters03:12 Understanding Wildfire Trends and Causes06:03 The Life Cycle of Forests and Soil Health09:03 Human Contributions to Wildfires11:59 Global Wildfire Statistics and Comparisons15:01 Effects of Smoke on Gardening21:02 Nutritional Impact of Smoke on Vegetables24:03 Fertilizing and Plant Care Strategies***********************CONNECT WITH USThank 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 on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleHave a question or comment for Colin or Brandi?Leave a Voice Note: LINKInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodSHOW NOTES | CLICK HEREGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
We're talking summer lawn care with our friend Shelley Vance from Scotts Canada! Find out what she thinks about 'No Mow May', and how she tackles cutting the lawn including optimal mowing techniques, proactive maintenance strategies, effective watering methods, and how to manage lawn diseases and pests. Maintain a healthy lawn throughout the summer months with proactive strategies!Chapters02:22 Introduction to Summer Lawn Care with Shelley Vance04:52 No Mo May09:42 Proactive Lawn Maintenance Strategies12:33 Watering Techniques for Summer Droughts17:01 Managing Lawn Diseases and Pests25:23 Effective Weed Control Methods***********************CONNECT WITH USThank 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 on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleHave a question or comment for Colin or Brandi?Leave a Voice Note: LINKInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodSHOW NOTES | CLICK HEREGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Welcome back to courthouse!This week, we're diving into "No Mow May", a concept that was popularized during the pandemic encouraging people to refrain from mowing their lawns in May to support pollinators and biodiversity. We'll talk the pros and cons of this initiative, including its impact on lawn health, the ecological implications of traditional lawns, and alternative practices for deeper impact. Episodes Featured:How to Mow a LawnChapters:00:00 Introduction to No Mo May02:01 Understanding No Mo May05:07 Pros and Cons of No Mo May11:23 The Impact of Lawn Care Practices20:28 Long-Term Effects of No Mo May27:48 Ecological Considerations and Alternatives33:49 Conclusion and Future Discussions***********************CONNECT WITH USThank 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 on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleHave a question or comment for Colin or Brandi?Leave a Voice Note: LINKInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodSHOW NOTES | CLICK HEREGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
In Canada, the Victoria Day long weekend is typically our green light for planting in the garden! We're talking about different annual plants you can get right now, tips for creating the perfect planter, and a conversation about growing veggies! Weather is still a consideration as we may still see some frosty nights. We'll explore ways to be proactive rather than reactive in the garden this spring. ***********************CONNECT WITH USThank 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 on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleHave a question or comment for Colin or Brandi?Leave a Voice Note: LINKInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodSHOW NOTES | CLICK HEREGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
It's Mother's Day and while there are lots of ways to celebrate the motherly figures in our lives, afternoon tea is a popular outing this holiday. We dive into the tradition of afternoon tea, its origins, and how it has evolved over time. What country produces the most tea? What are tea connections in Brazil? Can we grow tea in Canada? Does it taste different in other regions? Plus, the discussion takes a personal turn as one speaker shares a heartwarming story about how tea played a role in their relationship. Finally, we enter the world of divination with an attempt at reading tea leaves!
Have you seen mystery items pop up in your garden? A shell? A peanut? A new plant? Let us know!Leave a Voice Note: LINK
What's the deal with curb appeal? We delve into the subjective nature of curb appeal, the balance between personal expression and neighborhood harmony, and the local regulations that govern property aesthetics. What are the benefits of curb appeal and what factors might influence poor curb appeal? Is it your place to judge? Is it your place to reach out? ***********************CONNECT WITH USThank 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 on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleHave a question or comment for Colin or Brandi?Leave a Voice Note: LINKInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodSHOW NOTES | CLICK HEREGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Colin found another sign of spring in his garden this week! What are you seeing in your community?
Google is a common tool for gardeners to diagnose plant issues which can be helpful especially for those weird questions you feel dumb for uttering out loud, but it can also problematic as some scenarios require a fuller picture to diagnose. Today, we explore common gardening questions and concerns that gardeners often Google. We're talking about plant odors, noises, and health issues. Is your plant making sounds? Do you have mushrooms? Did your garden hose stop working? Is your garden flooding? What plants resemble animals? Plants that start with the letter 'N'? Have a question or comment for Colin? Send it our way and we'll talk about it on the podcast!Leave a Voice Note: LINKEmail us: social@goldenacre.caInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod*************************CONNECT WITH USThank 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 on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleLeave a Voice Note: LINKInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodSHOW NOTES | CLICK HEREGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
I think it's time to get back in the garden... Brandi has been deep in the reality TV and it's gone too far...
The gardeners are on the road this week in downtown Calgary for Earth Week at the Core Shopping Centre! Exploring a fun craft for the kiddos, some fun Earth Day activities across Canada, and 11 low effect ways to celebrate Earth Day at home!Chapters00:00 Celebrating Earth Week in Calgary05:08 Fun Kids Activity09:59 Community Events for Earth Day15:00 Creative Earth Day Activities20:01 Practical Tips for Environmental Awareness24:56 Engaging with Nature and Local Flora*************************CONNECT WITH USThank 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 on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodSHOW NOTES | CLICK HEREGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
What is your first signal that spring is here? Find out what Colin and Brandi consider to be theirs!
As the spring growing season gets underway, what can you find growing at your local greenhouse? The gardeners explore iconic spring flowers, the benefits of buying some of your annuals early, climatizing or hardening off, home greenhouses, and effective shopping strategies. Chapters02:56 Exploring Iconic Spring Plants09:00 The Benefits of Early Planting14:49 Maximizing Growth Potential17:43 Tips for Plant Care and Maintenance26:07 The Importance of Climatizing Plants31:40 Shopping Strategies for Garden Centers*************************CONNECT WITH USThank 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 on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodSHOW NOTES | CLICK HEREGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Someone was lurking in Brandi's garden this week...We're explore some of the common critters you may find in your backyard at any time of the day and what they may be interested in. What kind of natural deterrents and preventative measures can you use to creating a balanced ecosystem?*************************CONNECT WITH USThank 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 on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodSHOW NOTES | CLICK HEREGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Brandi and Colin BOTH attended their first seed swap a little while ago! Find out what their experiences were like!Check out our episode on Seed Swaps!
We're talking Homeowners Associations (HOAs), exploring their benefits and drawbacks. In this episode we'll touch on some of the common rules imposed by HOAs, the tension between maintaining property values and allowing personal expression, conflict resolution within HOAs, the complexities of neighborhood dynamics, the pros and cons of HOAs, and more.If you're part of an HOA, we talking about how to engage with your communities and challenge outdated or restrictive rules, fostering a more harmonious living environment.Chapters00:00 The Importance of Individuality in Communities01:08 Understanding Homeowners Associations (HOAs)04:39 Common HOA Rules and Regulations05:49 Public Perception of HOAs07:23 The Balance Between Uniformity and Individuality09:19 Personal Experiences with HOAs11:26 The Role of Community in HOA Dynamics14:27 The Conflict Between Rules and Personal Freedom19:27 Conflict Resolution in HOAs22:00 The Impact of Rules on Community Relationships27:20 Navigating Neighborhood Dynamics30:15 The Impact of Aesthetic Rules33:35 Understanding Common Areas and Shared Spaces38:53 The Pros and Cons of HOAs43:10 Challenging HOA Rules and Community Engagement*************************CONNECT WITH USThank 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 on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleInstagram |thehelpfulgardenerspodGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Can you guess what Brandi saw in the garden the other day?
We're exploring simple and stylistic ways to incorporate plants into your outdoor and indoor living spaces. We explore inspired approaches to decorating, benefits of thrifting, working with small spaces, and even how to spread plant love to your local community. SPECIAL GUESTNancy Adie | Simply Styled InspoNancy is the creator behind Simply Styled Inspo. Following a move from Toronto to Calgary she began her creative journey as a content creator to connect with her new community and it quickly took off from there. She is known for her approachable DIY's, food creations and everyone's thrifting bestie. She inspires her audience to embrace creativity, design beautiful spaces and prepare thoughtfully crafted meals that bring warmth and connection to everyday life. ConnectInstagram: @SimplyStyledInspo Chapters*************************CONNECT WITH USThank 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 on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleInstagram |thehelpfulgardenerspodGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Farmers and homesteaders are the ultimate gardeners. While farmers and homesteaders are working on a grander scale than home gardeners, they're most likely working through similar challenges like we are as gardeners, just on a grander scale. Take a peek behind the curtain at some of the many ways Hartell Homestead is growing not only for themselves, but for their community. SPECIAL GUESTNick Shipley is the founder of Hartell Homestead, a gem in the heart of the Foothills near Diamond Valley, Alberta. Hartell Homestead connects community with sustainable, local food production. Visitors can learn about farming practices, engage with the land, and even harvest their own produce. Hartell Homestead is helping reshape local food systems, offering a deeper appreciation for sustainable agriculture and supporting the community with fresh, high-quality products.https://www.hartellhomestead.com/InstagramEmail: hartellhomestead@hotmail.comPhone: 587-873-6027*************************CONNECT WITH USThank 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 on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleInstagram |thehelpfulgardenerspodGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
Seed swaps have been around for a looooong time. Even indigenous groups and farmers would share seeds to grow their crops or medicinal plants. Today, seed swaps are commonly organized into large events with one of the most popular being "Seedy Saturday" across Canada. The first Seedy Saturday dates back to the early 90's in Vancouver courtesy of Roy Forster of the Van Dusan Botanical Gardens. 500+ people showed up for it!Calgary's 'Seedy Saturday'March 22nd, 2025 from 10a - 3p at the Bowness Community Association! Discover 40+ local exhibitors from plant associations, garden centres, seed growers, and more! Plus, there's presentations, food, and access to localized growing resources!Learn more: http://calgaryseedysaturday.ca*************************CONNECT WITH USThank 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 on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleInstagram |thehelpfulgardenerspodGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
We're on the road this week exploring the Calgary Home and Garden Show! Learn about the benefits of local expertise, innovative gardening tools, and more!Join us at the show on March 2nd at 12PM for our stage presentation on native plants!Learn more: https://www.calgaryhgs.com/
It's Colin's Birthday!The gardeners are sharing donuts, stories, and facts about the birthday man himself. Colin shares his favorite plants to grow, what he wouldn't grow, memorable clients, and even the challenges he's faced in his gardening career. Chapters00:00 Celebrating Birthdays 03:01 Donut Party!06:05 Nostalgic Memories15:14 Getting to Know Colin!34:20 Garden Court InformationNext week, we start 'Garden Court'. Every month, we as YOU to weigh in on a different divisive gardening topic. GARDEN COURT | Seed BrandsWhen buying seeds, are you loyal to one brand or do you prioritize the seed variety despite brand name? Send Us A Voice Note: LINKLeave us a commentFeatured Past Episodes How to Mow a Lawn Halloween Special: Garden GnomesSpecial Local Shoutout: Donut Party! Unsponsored: This sweet shop started in Edmonton back in 2017 and have grown to three locations and a location in Calgary! They're fluffy and creative doughnuts were a no brainer to help us celebrate Colin's birthday. Check them out! Featured in today's episode: The Texas Fritter & Birthday Suit.*************************CONNECT WITH USThank 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 on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleInstagram |thehelpfulgardenerspodGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
It's houseplant season! Plants can bring joy and beauty to any space and there's a lot to explore! In this episode, the gardeners explore:Beginner plants, plants that require very specific care, the diversity of philodendrons, plants that can survive without soil, low maintenance plants, the stunning world of Dracaena, plants that move in response to touch, pet safety, allergies, and how to know if a plant is easy or hard. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Houseplants and Personal Experiences03:04 Exploring Unique Houseplants05:54 The Versatile Snake Plant08:47 Carnivorous Plants: Pitcher Plants and Venus Flytraps12:13 Diverse Philodendrons and Their Care15:11 Air Plants17:52 Cacti: The Low-Maintenance Companions20:52 Dracaena: The Underappreciated Houseplant25:06 Exploring the Diversity of Dracaena28:16 The Unique Characteristics of Crassula30:58 The Sentimental Value of Hoya Plants36:56 5 Key Considerations for Buying Houseplants************************* CONNECT WITH USThank 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 on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleInstagram | thehelpfulgardenerspodGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
We're delving into popular internet trends surrounding plant care. Should you use pasta water on your Monstera? Leftover Coffee on your Cactus? Ice Cubes on your Spider Plant? What about milk on your Fiddle Leaf Fig? What about using snow?We'll also dive into some practical plant care that you can provide during these colder, darker, winter months. Sound Byte of the Episode - "Don't milk your plants."CHAPTERS:00:00 Exploring Internet Plant Care Trends10:58 The Science Behind Plant Watering Hacks18:57 Unconventional Plant Care Methods26:59 Debunking Myths: Milk and Ice Cubes for Plants23:15 Filtered vs. Tap Water: The Impact on Plant Health24:48 Snow as a Water Source: Pros and Cons26:27 Plant Care Essentials: Cleaning and Maintenance30:07 The Importance of Plant Lights in Winter32:20 Supporting Your Plants: Innovative Solutions34:38 Pruning Tools: Why Quality Matters36:32 Top Dressing: Enhancing Soil Health*************************CONNECT WITH USThank 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 on Spotify, Apple, and GoogleInstagram |thehelpfulgardenerspodGolden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
The Gardeners are BACK! Welcome to a brand new year of growing and we're so excited for all the fun things ahead. In this episode, we tease some of the new questions we're tackling in the gardening world, and our 3 gardening intentions that may inspire yours! ************************* 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 on Spotify, Apple, and Google Instagram | thehelpfulgardenerspod Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
As we wrap up the holidays and plan for all the good stuff coming to your earholes in 2025, we're taking a moment to look back on some of our favorite episodes from 2024! We had a lot of fun exploring garden tools, organic gardening, and even tackled the tough question of when it's time to give up on your houseplants. We were also so lucky to be joined by some great guests too. Thank you for all your support and for your love of plants and gardening. Without you, we couldn't do this. Please share, comment, and subscribe for more tips, inspiration, and laughter in 2025! ************************* 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 on Spotify, Apple, and Google Social | Instagram Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs
In this very special Christmas Day episode, the gardeners discuss their favourite seasonal movies, music, gifts, and more! Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season. ************************* 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 on Spotify, Apple, and Google Social | Instagram Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs
One of the most iconic plants of the holiday season - Mistletoe! How does this parasitic plant grow? What do their flowers look like? Can you eat it? Why do we kiss under it? Learn all this and more on todays episode! ************************* 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 on Spotify, Apple, and Google Social | Instagram Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
How do you spoil a gardener during the holiday season? We've come up with a great list for this years Gardener Gift Guide! TIMECODES01:15 | Light the Way03:30 | Read on, Gardener05:55 | Ditch the salad bowls, harvest in these! 09:05 | Bring the Birds to the Yard12:50 | Bloom Plant Trellis15:45 | Treat them to new tools20:00 | Memory Garden22:14 | Custom cheeky art25:00 | Keep repotting clean28:00 | Gift an experience Products Mentioned in this Episode: These are not affiliate links, just helpful!Mossify Grow Light Prairie Gardeners How-To Garden Harvest Basket Roo Gardening Apron Bloom Plant Trellis Bella Moss Pole Flower Shop Bird Feeder Mossify Pruners Repotting Mat Garden Centre Gift Card ************************* 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 on Spotify, Apple, and Google Social | Instagram Golden Acre Home & Garden is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and open 362 a year for all your home and garden needs!
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